August 2009 Forum

inside this issue

Small Business of the Month: See who received the plaque for this monthly award. Page 5

After Hours: Fantasy of Flight hosts monthly event. Page 15

New Member Reception: New Chamber members are highlighted at this bimonthly event. Page 7

FORUM FOR BUSINESS monthly Buy Lakeland. It makes good cents! • visit LakelandChamber.com

LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ACHIEVE ITS GOALS

August 2009

WORKING TIRELESSLY TO

Vol. XIX, No.8

Five years ago, your Chamber and United Way joined forces to create an organization that would engage young professionals (YPs) in our community.

The premise was simple — if you can integrate these YPs into the community (whether by professional development, philanthropic awareness, networking, contributing to the growth and development of the community, or political Punam V. Saxena awareness), then the Chair EMERGE Lakeland likelihood of them staying and participating in local events and organizations in Lakeland is higher. This, in turn, has become our mission. And EMERGE Lakeland has worked tirelessly to achieve these goals. It has been a pleasure to watch EMERGE Lakeland, our local young professionals’ organization, grow from a seemingly simple social, networking group to an organization that is 151 members strong, working hard on

all levels to be the catalyst to create future leaders of this great city. Our Steering Committee is comprised of five subcommittees that work together to make our efforts fruitful. Our Officers and Subcommittee Chairs are: • Vice Chair: Kathy Wallen, e NCT Group C.P.A.'s, LLP • Treasurer: Rachel Hollis, Dunson-Hollis Consulting, LLC • Secretary: Jennifer Nicholson, ALL STAR Bleachers, Inc. • Events: Adam Spafford, Stock and Option Trader • Marketing: Ashley Hall, Alliance for Independence • Membership: April Mullins, Bank of Central Florida • Technology: Todd Baylis, Cipher Integrations, Inc. and Qgiv

• Volunteer: Craig Hill, Clark, Campbell, Mawhinney, & Lancaster, PA • Continued on Page 2

start your engines!! Chamber Members…

The 2009 Car BQ Committee is pleased to announce planning for this year’s event has begun. Plan to fill up your tank with a delicious BBQ lunch at this year’s Car BQ Chamber fundraiser, November 20, 2009 at Tigertown. Need more information? Want to help? Call Katie Daughtrey at 688-8551, x241 or email her at: kdaughtrey@ lakelandchamber.com

ALSO INSIDE: Upcoming Events • EMERGE Lakeland • Ribbon Cuttings • Members on the Move

EMERGE Lakeland

• Continued from Page 1

These committees provide input and perspective to keep EMERGE on the cutting edge while also respecting the foundation and history of Lakeland. EMERGE Lakeland provides at least 12 monthly events that focus on our mission at venues that support the city, such as the Polk Museum of Art, Sun ‘n Fun Museum, and local colleges. Last year, we introduced Peer 2 Peer Networking (P2P), a mentoring program, which seeks to involve and educate YPs who are new hires or newly relocated about our community by pairing them with an existing EMERGE member. This program showcases, in-depth, four pressing issues that face our YPs: volunteerism, local government, politics and public education. We are launching our second year of our popular program in September. This year, we have focused on becoming a green organization. We know we are not alone in this endeavor, but we do feel we must be the vehicle to educate not only our membership but also our community. There is minimal paper distributed at events or meetings. All correspondence is electronic and any ‘handouts’ are projected onto the projector screen. Recycling bins are also placed at each event for drink cans and bottles. Our Steering Committee meetings are

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This year, we have focused on becoming a green organization. We know we are not alone in this endeavor, but we do feel we must be the vehicle to educate not only our membership but also our community.

held with the lights off (only in the summer months, of course!). We are making small, manageable changes that can be easily implemented into every day life. Try it, and you can be a part of the change! EMERGE Lakeland also is planning a Habitat for Humanity project in August. Here’s your chance to roll up your sleeves and make a difference in the community we live and work. There will also be an EMERGE program at the United Way of Central Florida in late August. EMERGE members will be Pounding the Pavement of downtown Lakeland for “First Friday” in August. Look for the “green” EMERGE t-shirts and ask how you can get one. In September join us for a book review by Dr. Larry Ross of Florida Southern College. Back by popular demand will be Aprons in October. Visit www.EmergeLakeland.com for more details. Finally EMERGE Lakeland is excited to announce the second annual P2P Program. P2P = Peer to Peer Networking and aims to enrich the professional development of Lakeland's young professionals by partnering them

with existing EMERGE Lakeland members. The Program year will be August 1, 2009 - May 15, 2010. All newly engaged young professionals will participate in two Emerge Lakeland membership programs in four specifically designed P2P events or activities. Please visit www.EmergeLakeland.com/p2p/ for more information. I am very proud of the growth and energy behind EMERGE Lakeland. It is just beginning to spread its wings and fly. Once soaring, the sky is truly the limit.

Punam V. Saxena Chair EMERGE Lakeland www.emergelakeland.com

PAVEMENT POUND THE First Friday, Downtown, August 7 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce Forum For Business Monthly

Volume Information: August 2009, Vol. XIX, No. 8

Anu Saxena Chairman of the Board Aaron Bates Managing Editor

Kathleen L. Munson Publisher & President Kingston Partners Design

No. 2

Build your brand through the Chamber!

Catalyst Campaign offers marketing and advertising opportunities for companies of all sizes! Now is the perfect time to start planning your 2010 marketing budgets… and there’s no better resource than the Chamber of Commerce! Now through October 2, your company can plan for involvement in Chamber publications, programs and events. To find out more about sharing your brand through these opportunities, visit: Catalyst.LakelandChamber.com or contact Amy Wiggins at 863/688-8551 Ext. 229 or [email protected].

SHOW YOUR

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Now through October 2, your company can plan for involvement in Chamber publications, programs and events. For more information: Catalyst.LakelandChamber.com

Events & Programs • Annual Meeting • Business & Breakfast • Business After Hours • Business After Hours – Luau Downtown • CarBQ – Portable BBQ Lunch • Chamber Champions • Chamber Scramble • Cheers! For First Year Members – Member Picnic & Table Top Trade Show • CommUnity Celebration – Polk County’s Premier Diversity Event • Entrepreneurial Academy – Fall 2010 • Hats Off! To Chamber Members – 2010 Membership Materials Delivery Event

• Legislative Wrap-Up Breakfast • New Member Receptions • North With The Tigers – Summer 2010 • Politics in the Park • 64th Annual Tiger BBQ • Trustees Membership

Publications • 2010 Buyer’s Guide & Membership Directory • 2010 Forum for Business Monthlyin full color! • Relocation Package • 2010 Web site Advertising

BusinessVoice to Unveil New Web site August 24

On Monday, August 24 BusinessVoice, Inc. will unveil its new web site. During the month of August BusinessVoice members will be interviewing candidates for Lakeland’s upcoming Commission and Mayoral races. The committee will formally announce its candidate endorsements on the 24th via the web site. In an effort to provide as much information about each of the candidates vying for a seat on the Commission, BusinessVoice will publish each candidate’s answers to the candidate questionnaire. BusinessVoice encourages all Chamber members to log onto BusinessVoiceInc.com to familiarize yourself with each candidate’s positions. BusinessVoice, Inc. is a committee of continuous existence created in 2000 as an organization to support pro-business candidates and to promote issues

is a volunteer, non-partisan political action group with membership open to all Chamber-member businesses.

which impact the business community. BusinessVoice works to ensure the election of business-minded candidates to state and local office and serves as an endorsement board for those individuals who personify what the business community stands for. BusinessVoice

BusinessVoice was created to help member companies succeed in supporting and passing legislation compatible with achieving the goals of business. Membership provides a unique opportunity for individuals to have a direct impact on the outcome of elections. Want to learn more? Get involved? Log on to BusinessVoiceInc.com or call Katie Daughtrey at 863/688-8551, x241.

[BusinessVoiceInc.com]

No. 4

Small Business of the Month Award presented Rick Garcia’s love of aviation began at South Miami Senior High School when he entered the George T. Baker Aviation School program that was offered at Miami International Airport. He learned so much about the aviation industry, upon graduating high school he entered the United States Air Force, studying avionics spending four years at MacDill in Tampa.

During his third year in the Air Force he got a job at Vandenberg Airport in Tampa, and managed an avionics company for a couple of years. In 1984 he borrowed $10,000 from his father and started his business, Gulf Coast Avionics out of a bedroom in his home in Tampa. He purchased some inventory and ran ads in TradeA-Plane, the aviation bible, and has advertised in that magazine for the entire 25 years he has been in business. He quickly outgrew the bedroom and found a location by Tampa International Airport. Six months later he hired a part-time secretary, who is his office manager/controller today and gradually began building his team.

In 1998, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority bought his property to expand TIA. In looking for another location for his business he found that the cost of doing business would be less in Lakeland and he was on the board of Sun ‘n Fun. The Lakeland Economic Development Council was very good in helping him to relocate to Lakeland. Today Gulf Coast Avionics, located at 3650 Drane Field Road, at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, has 23 full time employees, and is a worldwide distributor of aircraft electronics, flight instruments and pilot supplies. They also do installations and service in corporate and private aircraft.

Remembering the training that set him up in his career at the aviation school at Miami International, Rick wanted to do a similar type school here in Lakeland. In February of 2007 Rick and John Small, Polk County School Board’s senior director of workforce education, decided to explore the possibility of an aerospace academy in Polk County. The Central Florida Aerospace Academy was

July winner

Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation Rick J. Garcia, President Lakeland Linder Regional Airport 3650 Drane Field Road Lakeland, FL 33811 863/709-9714 x125 863/709-1022 www.GCA.aero

established and opened in 2008. It is a joint effort with Kathleen High School, Polk State College, Traviss Career Center, USF Polytechnic, Sun ‘n Fun Fly In and Gulf Coast Avionics. The Academy recently received a $1.4 million grant from NASA. The halls of Gulf Coast Avionics are lined with awards the company has received from trade organizations, manufacturers and from our community. In addition to his leadership role at Gulf Coast Avionics, Rick has found time to be very involved in our community. He helped establish the Hispanic Diversity Council, now a part of the Diversity Council of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, and was awarded the prestigious Spirit of Diversity Award in 2005. Rick serves or has served on the boards of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, Polk Museum of Art, Sun ‘n Fun Fly In, Central Florida Aerospace Academy, Polk State College Board of Trustees and Foundation board, National Aviation Safety Foundation, West Area Adult School Advisory Board, Polk State College Workforce Education Council and Polk Vision Executive Committee. Rick is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland and Leadership Polk. Rick is a multi engine instrument rated pilot and loves to fly his plane. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Gulf Coast Avionics as the Small Business of the Month for July.

Lisa and Rick Garcia, Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation, accept the July Small Business of the Month Award om committee member Nancy Cattarius (WONN/WPCV/WLKF/WWRZ Radio).

By displaying the "Buy Lakeland" logo in your business, you are helping the Chamber share the message that local businesses need our support! Did you know that on average, 53 cents of every dollar spent locally returns to the community through taxes and payroll? Shop online or out of town, and that number becomes zero! For a quick reference on the quality products and services offered by Chamber members, visit our Web site at: www.lakelandchamber.com and click on the “Preferred Business Directory” on the home page. Remember, by doing business in Lakeland, you’re: • Protecting the jobs of family, friends and fellow Chamber members. • Directing dollars to local schools, roads and parks. • Helping sustain the long-standing economic growth and quality of life in our community. Special thanks to our partners at Bright House Networks for producing several “Buy Lakeland” commercials promoting the benefits of doing business locally. Watch for the commercials airing on Bright House cable channels over the next few months. If you need a “Buy Lakeland” window cling to display, just e-mail: [email protected] and we’ll get one to you! The Chamber has also produced “Buy Lakeland” business cards for members to leave when patronizing local businesses. Stop by the Chamber if you’d like a supply of these cards to share. By supporting our local businesses, we all win!

No. 6

Chamber members enjoy New Member Reception

The new member reception for June was held at Savannah Court located at 6550 N. Socrum Loop Rd. Their beautiful facility was the perfect setting for a cup of hot coffee and a snack of fresh fruit. As new members and Chamber Champions met in the front lobby, they were faced with a creatively landscaped brick courtyard complete with an area for lounging in the sun. After everyone had a moment to network, Chamber staff gave a brief overview of chamber events and programs. Kim Busse, of Presenting Sponsor Riverside Bank, gave a primer on sharing your 30-second commercial, and new members followed suit. Following everyone’s commercials, Savannah Court’s Executive Director, Becky Pate and Resident Relations Coordinator, Dawn Bibby drew a name for a loaded summer beach bag which went to new member PortraitEFX by Samuel K. Hamilton Photography. Thanks to Savannah Court for such a warm reception and thanks to Riverside Bank for their continued support and dedication to the importance of New Member Receptions.

Pictured above: New chamber members listen as Chamber staff gave a brief overview of chamber events and programs Pictured le, Becky Pate, Savannah Court Executive Director, welcomes members and staff.

No. 8

RENEWALS

The Chamber would like to recognize and thank the following businesses for their long-standing support and loyalty.

20+ Years Renewals 1953 - 56 Years Allen & Company of Florida, Inc. 1959 -50 Years The Ruthvens 1973 - 36 Years Gene Engle, REALTOR Furr & Wegman Architects, P.A. 1977 - 32 Years Ace Air Conditioning & Electric 1978 - 31 Years Sleep Center 1980 - 29 Years Reed Appraisal Company 1981 - 28 Years Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center 1982 - 27 Years Perpetual Technology Solutions 1983 - 26 Years Emeritus at Lakeland 1984 - 25 Years Thom Downs Antiques, Inc. Lakeside Pediatrics/Northside & Southside 1986 - 23 Years Vogel Bros. Building Co. 1987 - 22 Years Harper Realty & Development Co., Inc. 1988 - 21 Years Cleveland & Company, Inc. 1989 - 20 Years Alliance for Independence formerly PCAHC Albe Stamp & Engraving

15-Year Renewals Sunshine Interiors of Lakeland, Inc. Boys & Girls Clubs of Lakeland, Inc.

10-Year Renewals Azalea Park Retirement Community Art's Transmissions Petals, The Flower Shoppe, Inc.

5-Year Renewals Sorensen Moving & Storage LLC/Coleman American Picture Perfect Frame Shops, Inc. The Foundation of Southeastern University

NEW MEMBERS

e Chamber is proud to welcome 18 new members for June 2009 Through their membership in the Chamber, businesses invest in themselves and their community. We urge you to to “Buy Lakeland. It makes good cents!” by doing business with these new Chamber members. For the most up-to-date list of members, visit our on-line Preferred Business Directory at LakelandChamber.com!

AAMCO Transmissions

1301 W Memorial Blvd Lakeland, FL 33815-1228 (863) 683-7511 Fax: (863) 683-3943 www.aamcoplantcity.com Ian & Lorna Daniel Automobile/Truck - Repair

All About Graphics, Inc.

1330 Ham’s Farm Rd Lakeland, FL 33565-7482 (813) 478-9336 Fax: (813) 704-4870 www.allaboutgraphicsinc.com Jose Bocanegra Signs

Bernie’s Body Shop

1829 E Gary Rd Lakeland, FL 33801-2235 (863) 683-2954 Fax: (863) 683-2835 Paul & Tiffany Hawks Automobile/Truck - Repair

Charles R. Wilson General Appraisal 530 Brooks Court Polk City, FL 33868-9271 (863) 326-2414 Charlie Wilson Appraisers - Real Estate

Circle of Trust Ministries, Inc.

4733 San Antonio Dr Lakeland, FL 33813-2083 (863) 644-4879 Fax: (866) 228-2371 www.circleoftrustministriesinc.org Franklin E. Shoemaker Not for Profit Ministry - Private

CW’s Country Cafe

1529 Town Center Dr Lakeland, FL 33803-7968 (863) 686-5206 www.cwscountrycafe.com Carol Johnson Nancy Niles Trent Schofield Restaurants

Fresco’s Bakery & Bistro 132 S. Kentucky Ave Lakeland, FL 33801-5002 (863) 683-5267 Fax: (863) 683-5617 Tim & Tina Calhoon Restaurants

GTECH Printing Corp.

4100 Frontage Rd S Ste 400 Lakeland, FL 33815--324 (863) 248-1400 (888) 882-7027 Fax: (863) 248-1452 www.gtech.com Mike Kozdras Printing

King’s Court Gowns

Bartow, FL 33830-8617 (863) 667-8456 www.kingscourtgowns.com Gwendolyn Blessing Dee Dee Jones Formal Wear

Middleton Pest Control, Inc.

3705 US Highway 98, S., Units 3 & 4 Lakeland, FL 33813-4269 (863) 802-3764 Fax: (863) 668-8899 www.middletonpest.com Willie Davi Pest Control

NetCadPro, LLC

1536 Commercial Park Dr Ste 7 Lakeland, FL 33801-6566 (863) 937-9137 Fax: (863) 937-9138 www.netcadpro.com Shane Christmas Computers - Consulting & Networking

Oppenheimer & Co., Inc.

304 E. Pine St Lakeland, FL 33801-4969 (863) 686-5393 (866) 971-0686 Fax: (863) 686-5637 www.opco.com Sandra Plumb Financial Services

No. 10

Pipo’s Cafe

115 S Kentucky Ave Lakeland, FL 33801-5001 (863) 686-7476 Fax: (863) 682-7476 www.pipos.com Wayne Harrison Restaurants

Qgiv

53 Lake Morton Dr Ste 110 Lakeland, FL 33801-5334 (863) 686-0110 www.qgiv.com Todd Baylis Credit Card Processing

Safeguard

Tampa, FL 33607-5846 (800) 763-5454 Fax: (877) 706-9796 www.safeguardservice.com Andy Gauch Advertising - Specialties

Smart Health Inc.

5706 Manchester Dr W Lakeland, FL 33810-6229 (863) 937-5111 Roger Tunks Insurance

Turner Construction Company 800 N Magnolia Ave Ste 500 Orlando, FL 32803-3200 (407) 210-2500 Fax: (407) 210-2550 www.turnerconstruction.com Lance Gassert Construction

Western & Southern Life 5349 Great Oak Drive Lakeland, FL 33815-3113 (863) 683-7806 Ext 115 (800) 365-7806 Fax: (863) 683-7807 www.wslife.com Felipe Dacalos Insurance

EMERGE Lakeland focuses on health and wellness

The June EMERGE event was one of Health & Wellness. Guest speakers from Lifestyle Family Fitness, Tim Tunnecliffe, and Kelly Andrews, Assistant Dean of Wellness at Florida Southern College, taught EMERGE members how to exercise their bodies and

cleanse their minds. This fantastic event took place at Community Southern Bank during the lunchtime hour, giving members and non members alike the opportunity to chat with each other about what they are doing to keep their mind, body and spirit in a healthy state.

Guest speakers om Lifestyle Family Fitness, Tim Tunnecliffe, and Kelly Andrews, Assistant Dean of Wellness at Florida Southern College, taught EMERGE members how to exercise their bodies and cleanse their minds.

BUSINESS AND BREAKFAST TRUE MD 3627 S. FLORIDA AVE. (NEXT TO GOLD’S GYM)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 7:30 A.M. ~ 9:00 A.M. SPEAKER: DR. DANE PARKER TOPIC: STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE

$5 Chamber Member ~ $15 Non-Member Please R.S.V.P. by 5:00 p.m. the day prior to the event. You may register and pay online by using this link: LakelandChamber.com or by E-mailing: [email protected]

www.polkhousing.com

No. 12

JUNE TOURISM INQUIRIES

During the month of June, our Visitor Information Center assisted hundreds of

individuals, answering questions pertaining to Chamber member businesses and the

Lakeland community.

Walk-in Visitors..................................362 Relocation Response Mailings............. 13 Relocation Response (Walk In) ........... 20 Accommodations...................................1

Winter Accommodations .......................1 Visitor Information Mailings ................28 Visitor Center E-mail Inquiries.............163

MARK YOUR CALENDAR EVENTS

Friday, August 7

EMERGE Lakeland “Pound the Pavement” First Friday, Downtown, 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Thursday, August 13 Business & Breakfast, 7:30 AM True MD, 3627 S. Florida Ave.

Thursday, August 20

Business After Hours, 5:30-7:30, Magnify Credit Union, 961 E. County Road 540 A

MEETINGS

Wednesday, August 12

BusinessVoice of Greater Lakeland, 9:00 AM

Thursday, August 13

Joint Government Affairs & Education KSI Meeting, 8:30 – 10:30 AM USF Polytechnic/PSC 3433 Winter Lake Road Leadership Lakeland XXVII Orientation 2:00 PM Leadership Lakeland XXVII Opening Reception, 5:30 – 7:00 PM Lakeland Yacht & Country Club

Tuesday, August 18

EMERGE Lakeland Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45 PM

Wednesday, August 19

Executive Committee Meeting. 4:00 PM

Wednesday, August 26

Board of Directors Meeting. Noon. Lakeland Yacht and Country Club. 929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.

Camp Fire hosts June’s Business and Breakfast Camp Fire USA Sunshine Council hosted the Business and Breakfast on June 11. Chamber members and guests joined Camp Fire’s board and teen leadership for lessons in becoming a moose. After a spectacular breakfast including camp donuts, attendees were guided through a series of team-building exercises, including one that required team members to communicate silently for three minutes. Who knew that a room full of Chamber members could be so quiet?

setting games. Chamber members were glad to learn the Camp Fire teens were available to lead these activities in their workplaces and civic groups. Special thanks to Camp Fire board president, Stanley Hawthorne and Executive Director Holly Lane for hosting such a unique event!

In addition to communications exercises, the Camp Fire leadership shared ideas for ice breakers and goal

Chamber members work quietly on their team-building exercises.

ATTENTION Clubs & Organizations It is time to update our Lakeland Area Guide to Clubs & Organizations. Please contact us no later than August 31, 2009 To ensure your club or organization is represented. Please contact Patty Smith at 863/688-8551 Ext. 221 Or E-mail at [email protected]

No. 14

Chamber members listen as Camp Fire leadership shared ideas for ice breakers and goal setting games.

Fantasy of Flight hosts June’s Business After Hours Chamber members and guests took to the road at Fantasy of Flight, located just outside Polk City, hosted the June Business After Hours. Those dedicated members that braved the rain and some traffic issues, were rewarded with a tremendous venue, with hands on activities, and delicious food. Members were greeted at the entrance

with beverages and a period costumed tour guide that welcomed and facilitated the experiential exhibit that begins with a night parachute jump. Members tried their hand at hang gliding, aircraft and balloon simulators among all the vintage and model planes. Mildred’s Florals, Panache Event Specialists, and Party People Celebration Co. all

assisted with the wonderful decorations.

Fantasy of Flight employees are very proud of their company, and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Be sure to visit the Chamber’s “member to member discounts” page for a special offer on facility rentals from Fantasy of Flight! Thanks to everyone for a memorable event!

Kathryn Koch-O'Malley, Lanier Upshaw, Nick Dorsch and Elliott Dorsch, Fun Bike Center Motorsports, and Virginia Dorsch enjoying the event.

Christine Stevens and Jennifer Montague, Fantasy of Flight, accept the Plaque of Appreciation.

Chamber members network in the Officer's Club, one of many rooms available for events at Fantasy of Flight.

AUGUST MEMBERS ON THE MOVE Chastain-Skillman, Inc. Dr. Jim Chastain, PE, MPH, President of Chastain-Skillman, Inc., has been invited to join the Scientific Review Panel (SRP) that examines and edits entries into the National Library of Medicine’s Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB). He was selected in part because he has advanced degrees in both Environmental Engineering and Public Health as well as over 35 years of experience in professional practice.

Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate, LLC CBC Saunders Real Estate recognized as Top Commercial Real Estate Firm in the USA by the CoStar Group. Earned the “CoStar 2008 Power Broker Award.”

Southern Homes Proud to announce that Virginia Edwards was awarded the sales person of the month for May 2009. Alliance for Independence Joan Eby, Director of Development of AFI was honored as Rotarian of the Year for the Lakeland South Rotary Club. The Terrace Hotel Received their Palm 1 designation on June 17, 2009 from Florida Department of Environmental Protection, certifying them as a green hotel.

No. 16

Fantasy of Flight General Manger Kim Long was awarded the “Florida Attractions Association Outstanding Member for 2009.” Ms long was also named to a new board position, Vice Chairman, which will lead to her being Chairman of the Board in two years.

CPS Investment Advisors Pleased to announce that Peter C. Golotko, CPA/PFS, MBA, Partner and Bryan G. Mau, Regional Director of Retirement Plan Services now host a call in talk show called, “Table Talk” on channel 1430 AM on Sat. from 9-10 am with Peter Maris and Robby Sampson with Loan Finders. Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center Pleased to welcome new audiologist, Dr. Sophia Houze-Escobar as a permanent member to their team. L. Gay Ratcliff, Charmaine Hanley, Gissel Marmol, Julissa Taveras and Debbie Taylor attended the FLASHA (Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists) Convention held in Marco Island on May 21-24, 2009. CFSHC is always on the cutting edge of current technology and trends. ENVISORS – Engineers – Planners – Surveyors Steven L. Elias, PE, Principal and Engineering Vice President of Envisors Engineers, Planners & Surveyors in Winter Haven has been awarded the Winter Haven Rotary Club’s 2009 Rotarian of the Year award. David H. Wulff, Architect, Inc. David Wulff, Architect, Inc. Is proud to announce that David Wulff, AIA, LEED AP and Andrew Young, AAIA, LEED AP have successfully passed the LEED Accreditation Professional examination. Lunz Prebor Fowler Architects One of the ten companies recognized by The Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for excellence in design with a Merit Award for the design of the Polk County Nature Discovery Center.

The Red Elephant Pizza and Grill Announces its grand opening at 5216 S Florida Ave offering guests fun and great tasting food in an upbeat atmosphere that encourages everyone to recharge and reconnect. Baylis & Company PA Edie Yates, CPA, Tracy Kimbrough, CPA, and Lita McHugh, CPA, recently attended the Student Financial Aid Audit Seminar in Orlando, FL. This seminar focused on the current regulations for student financial aid programs, as well as the administration and management of these programs. Home Solution Title, Inc Announces their New Marketing Manager, Susan C. Lynn. ServiceMaster Commercial Services Is pleased to announce the achievement of the GS-42 Certification by Green Seal for their cleaning services, by using the proprietary and patent-pending Capture and Removal Cleaning® system, a highly effective environmentally-friendly cleaning system which reduces toxins and improves indoor air quality. Douglass Screen Printers Inc. Good Works LLC, an investment company wholly owned by Lisa and Michael Hickey recently purchased their current location at 2710 New Tampa Highway. Simultaneously, Good Works purchases the adjoining property located at 2690 New Tampa highway which development plans are underway Boys & Girls Clubs of Lakeland & Mulberry Keri White and Mike Taylor have been trained by Childbuilders in the Parents Under Construction curriculum. The program focuses on teaching skills and knowledge to our children that will help them grow into successfully well-rounded adults. • Continued on Page 19

RIBBON CUTTINGS

The following companies recently celebrated their ribbon cuttings in the month of June. See the photos on our Web site at LaklandChamber.com.

Digital Imaging and Consulting, Inc. 863/399-0242 • www.dicgroupinc.com

Agnini Family Dental

1805 Lakeland Hills Boulevard 863/682-1500 • www.agninifamily.com

The V.I. Pet Resort

3927 Progress Drive, Suite 108 863/619-9000 • www.vipet.net

RIBBON CUTTING THANK YOU

Special thanks to Mayor Buddy Fletcher, City Commissioner Jim Verplanck and all of the board members and Chamber Champions who truly make these ceremonies a special event. No. 18

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE • Continued from Page 17

TARA Industrial packaging Corp. Tim Whitham, President of TARA is pleased to announce that the company has relocated to 3714 DMG Drive, Lakeland, FL 33811 effective July 8. Fantasy of Flight Founder and Creator Kermit Weeks received a Bronze IPPY Award in the 13th Annual Independent Publisher Book Awards for his recently first published children’s book, “All of Life is a School”.

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Southeastern University Tickets are on sale for Southeastern University’s 2010 National Leadership Forum scheduled for March 10-12, 2010. The keynote speakers for the fourth annual conference are former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush. Grills Plus More Moved its Showroom to 2175 E. Edgewood Drive, Lakeland, FL 33803 (formerly Freight Sales). In addition, they are proud to announce that Green Mountain Grills has named them as their new SE Regional Distributor.

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The Lakeland Chamber prints business announcements each month as space permits. Please mail your announcements to the Chamber or e-mail: [email protected]

P.O. Box 3607 • Lakeland, FL 33802-3607

Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce

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