Chamber CONNECTion - January / February 2016

BREAK YOUR RESOLUTIONS WITH US! As the clock struck midnight on January 1st, as is tradition, we resolved to do better. A clean slate. A fresh start.

Whether it be to lose weight, get your daily dose of cardio, hone your art skills, spend more time with family or save for a great summer vacation, we made big plans.

We set these resolutions with the intent of fulfilling them, but honestly, how many of us stick to our plans? Chances are you are among the majority as 88% fail to meet their goals each year.

This year, make a resolution you can keep... none! That's right, don't make one. Just go out there and get things done! As cliche as is sounds, just do it.

Grow your business in the new year, reach new clientele, re-energize, revilatize and re-engage. Blast your business into 2016 and join us on Thursday, January 14th at The Biltmore Hotel for our third annual New Year's Mixer & Mingler.

This event is the perfect opportunity to just do, by just going.

Hit the ground running and take 2016 by storm. Don't stick to those tired resolutions, make a move and make it happen.

IN THIS ISSUE:

The New Year's Mixer & Mingler will feature Coral Gables' tastiest restaurants, including: Ambrosia Doves Catering Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza | Blue Martini - Brickell | Catering

by Les | Chocolate Fashion | Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar Fontana | Iron Tribe Fitness Coral Gables & Inner Fire Grill jugofresh | La Taberna Giralda | The Local Craft Food & Drink | Olé Restaurant | Palm d’Or | Pardo’s Peruvian Cuisine | Randazzo’s Little Italy | Spring Chicken | Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill | Threefold Café | Vicky Bakery | VIXI Gelateria Tasty bites, a fun and exciting atmosphere, complete with hundreds of like-minded individuals is the perfect place to start your year right!

All of this is brought to you by our sponsors Caviar, EWM Realty International, City National Bank, Espirito Santo Marketing Solutions, Financial Insurance Brokers, Mitchell & West, LLP, University of Miami - Toppel Career Center and The Biltmore Hotel.

For more information about this event or to sponsor, please contact Erica Simons at (305) 446-1657 or visit us online at www.coralgableschamber.org.

New Year's Mixer & Mingler

Thoughts from our Chair Page 2 President’s Perspective Page 3 Trustee Talk

Page 5

Upcoming Events

Page 6

Membership Highlights Page 8 Calendar of Events

Page 9

Sponsor Recognition

Page 10

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016

THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR

2015 - 2016 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wayne Cameron Eldred Chair of the Board, CGCC Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill weldred@tarponbend.com My Dear Chamber Friends, Many Blessings and prosperity in the year 2016! The time is now, a time where we can take control of our goals, dreams and ambitions. It is the year that we take our greatest weaknesses and turn them into our greatest areas of opportunities.

Let the Chamber be the foundation where you foster your next client, guest or business opportunity. This is your gym membership, but for great business practices and network development.

What you know is important, when combined with who you know, it becomes epic!

Hope to see you at the News Years Mixer & Mingler on January Thursday 14th 2016 at 5:30pm at the beautiful and historic Biltmore Hotel.

It will be a great way to get back out and into your community so you can start charting your course for the upcoming year.

Lastly, if you need some inspiration for your new year’s resolutions, read a great little book “Who Moved My Cheese.” I promise you, it won’t disappoint.

Many blessings my friends, until the next time.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman: Wayne Eldred, Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill Chairman-Elect: John Allen, Home Financing Center First-Vice Chair: Martha de la Pena Rojas, Florida Blue Treasurer: Patrick O’Connell, EWM Realty International Parliamentarian: Brian Barakat, Barakat Law, P.A. Immediate Past Chairman: Linda Knudsen, Baptist Health South Florida Vice Chair, Global Affairs: Carolina Rendeiro, eMerge Americas Vice Chair, Community Affairs: Jon Ridley, Honeywell Vice Chair, Business & Economic Development: Nelson Penalver, LOI Marketing, Inc. Vice Chair, Member Affairs: Gabriel de Armas, Jr., Home Instead Senior Care Vice Chair, Special Events: Willy Espinosa, Epinosa Financial Vice Chair, Government Affairs: Bruce Bounds, Bounds Law Offices Trustee Council: Nicole Waters, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables Chairman’s Appointee: Luis Requejo, One Payment President & CEO: Mark A. Trowbridge BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elected-term expires 2016 Amy Donner (Miami’s Community Newspapers) Charles Knight (Florida Power and Light) Al Peraza (Mercantil Commercebank) Frank Fernandez (BankUnited)

Presented By:

Elected-term expires 2018 Thad Adams (Allen Morris Company) Ana Chaoui (Coconut Grove Bank) Nikki Deas (Vine Communications) Yesenia Moreno (Albion Staffing) Rene Negron (AXA Advisors)

COME CREATE A STIR WITH US.

Chairman’s Appointees-term expires 2016 Carlos Garcia (Goldstein Schechter and Koch) Manny Garcia (Concierge Esq) Drew Kern (EWM Realty International) John O’Rourke (Montica Jewelry) Zachary Sulkes (Bacardi USA)

JOIN US FOR A PAELLA COOKING DEMONSTRATION AND DINNER Let’s Eat Dinner Series at Bulla Gastrobar January 13, 2016 at 6pm Be a part of the Bulla buzz. Come share your passion for paella at one of our most engaging events yet. The evening begins with tapas on the terrace. Once the aprons come on, join Chef Miguel Rebolledo in preparing authentic Spanish paella—learned at one of the world’s most famous restaurants, El Bulli. Then, top off the culinary experience with a flavorful feast, paired with the finest Spanish wine and a tantalizing dessert. $65 per guest (all inclusive) To purchase tickets for Let’s Eat Magazine’s Dinner Series at Bulla, visit coralgableschamber.org/events

Elected-term expires 2017 Andria Hanley (Camillus House) Raquel Hickey Matthias Kammerer (The Biltmore Hotel) Barbara Norland (YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade Inc.) Anabella Smith (Zyscovich Architects)

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS City of Coral Gables Commissioner Patricia Keon City of Coral Gables Javier Betancourt City of Coral Gables Business Improvement District F. Michael Steffens (Neville Steffens Architects, PA) Coral Gables Community Foundation Mary Snow The Beacon Council of Miami-Dade Nelson Lazo (Doctors Hospital)

{LIVE. SHARE. INDULGE.}

BRUNCH | LUNCH | DINNER | 2500 PONCE DE LEON, CORAL GABLES FLA. 33134 | BULLAgastrobar.COM

@BULLAGASTROBAR

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - 'TIS THE SEASON Mark A. Trowbridge

President & CEO Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce mtrowbridge@coralgableschamber.org

Holidays can be tough for many in our community, especially those that are lonely and have no one to turn to, have experienced great loss, do not have a lot of family or friends who support them, or are just stuck in a rut in their lives that is bogging them down.

Often times, these folks are invisible to us – or we choose to make them see-through – but the hurt they are experiencing is real and profound. And of course, it is up to each of us to help.

And yes, it may seem like there is a constant call for assistance for the most needy, but I am sure that is because our capacity to dig deep and bring joy to others is tremendous.

Many of us are incredibly blessed and our lives are rich beyond measure.

I have witnessed your generosity first hand and it gives me incredible hope for 2016 and an exciting New Year ahead.

In December, our Chamber collected gifts for the Be A Santa to a Senior Program, sponsored by Gabriel DeArmas and Home Instead Senior Care for more than a decade.

I was delighted to see how many of our local businesses joined in and helped collect items for a segment of our community that often goes unnoticed this time of year.

Most programs focus on gathering toys for tots, kids and young people, often forgetting that our greatest generation feels forgotten.

With an additional boost from Joan Reitsma and The Giving Tree, we were able to donate eight big boxes and bags of toys for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

The picture attached shows the sheer joy our Chamber team had giving these gifts to members of the two local forces, including our own Police Chief Ed Hudak and Fire Chief Marc Stoltenberg.

No gift is ever too small to bring a smile to the face of another – including ours! We knew that we were making a difference that would be felt not only on Christmas Day, but for the year to come.

And with the New Year comes new goals, a new outlook and a new opportunity to do something amazing in 2016.

As our Chairman Wayne Eldred likes to say, we need to show a little gravitas now and then to be successful. So, I encourage each of you to reach higher, think bigger and do even better in the New Year!

It has been an incredible year for our Chamber, but as you know, that begins and ends with each of you and your dedication to our organization. We are successful because of the companies we keep.

‘Tis the season to reflect and rejoice and renew. Indeed, now is the time to show a little gravitas!

We look forward to seeing what big things you and your company have in store in 2016.

We can’t wait to celebrate your success!

After the collection was complete, we gathered on a Friday evening at Coral Gables High School and helped wrap these gifts. There were slippers and blankets and body creams galore.

Santa had remembered these good folks and the incredible outpouring of generosity was truly overwhelming. I loved being part of the wrapping crew, especially given my expertise in applying clear tape.

My mother – in her infinite frugality – often made us wrap gifts with just a piece or two and so, my tape acumen came in quite handy.

And yes, thanks to our local police and fire departments we did collect toys for The Chapman Partnership at our Good Morning Coral Gables breakfast in December.

The Chamber team spread a little holiday cheer this season by collecting and donating gifts to the Coral Gables Fire Department. The gifts benefitted the children of The Chapman Partnership.

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016

EXPERTS FOCUSED ON YOU. What sets us apart is who we bring together. At UHealth – the University of Miami Health System, you don’t just get a doctor. You have a specialized team of physicians, researchers, nurses and other experts relentlessly focused on you. UHealthsystem.com

MIAMI | BOCA RATON | CORAL SPRINGS | DEERFIELD BEACH | DORAL | FORT LAUDERDALE | HIALEAH | HOLLYWOOD KENDALL | NAPLES | PALM BEACH GARDENS | PLANTATION | CORAL GABLES COMING 2016

TRUSTEE TALK Nicole Waters

Chair, Trustee Council Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables waters@mbcoralgables.com

TRUSTEE EVENTS:

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2015

AXA Advisors, Baptist Health, Bay Plumbing, Intermedia Touch, Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, Montica Jewelry – what do they all have in common? Success and a long standing Trustee membership with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

Coincidence? I think not. The above mentioned companies and their leadership value relationships that are created and developed at the many events hosted by the Coral Gables Chamber.

ACTIVE Trustee Members develop relationships that carry them through ever changing economic environments for long-standing business success within our community. When marketing dollars are not there, relationships, word or mouth and referrals are.

It was at our December Trustee Luncheon that the team from City National Bank unveiled their new look / branding to fellow Chamber members.

Research shows that the number-one predictive element of an individual’s success is the number, the quality, and the depth of social capital—the personal relationships among those that they do business with and the Coral Gables Chamber provides the opportunities for these relationships to flourish. Let’s grow together!

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming Trustee events, including our Trustee Reception on January 12th at 5:30 pm at BankUnited and the Trustee Luncheon on January 27th at 11:45 am at The Palace Coral Gables.

For more information and to register, visit www.coralgableschamber.org/events.

Past Chairmen Drew Kern with EWM Realty International and John O'Rourke, Owner of Montica Jewelry, take part in a dazzling evening celebrating the 2015 Diamond Awards finalists.

The Chamber presented a Proclamation for Success to International Finance Bank at the December Trustee Reception.

Chamber members and guests gathered for a spirited Trustee Reception at International Finance Bank.

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016

SAVE THESE IMPORTANT FALL DATES Wednesday, January 6, 2016 - Noon Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - 5:30 PM RE-Connect Luncheon New Member Reception Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse Connect with our Chamber’s Board of Directors, Committee 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Coral Gables Chairs, Chairman’s Ambassadors, Trustee Diplomats & fellow Sponsors: Credomatic Merchant Services, EPGD Attorneys at Law, new members!

P.A. & Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables Location / Sponsor: Location: AmTrust Bank Speaker: Dierdre Nero, NERO Immigration Law, P.A. 2107 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables SOLD OUT Complimentary registration for our newest members.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016 - 5:30 PM Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - 11:45 PM Wind Down Wednesday Trustee Luncheon Location: MesaMar Seafood / Table Host: The Palace Coral Gables 264 Giralda Avenue, Coral Gables 1 Andalusia Avenue, Coral Gables Sponsor: MAPFRE Insurance Sponsor: Home Financing Center Partner: Coral Gables Bar Association Speaker: Jill Ellis, Head Coach, U.S. Women's Soccer National Team Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 1/1; $35 Chamber Members & Cost: $45 Trustee Member Registration Before 1/22; $55 On-Site Guests After 1/1 Registration & Guests Tuesday, January 12, 2016 - 5:30 PM Thursday, January 28, 2016 - 7:00 PM Trustee Reception - Exclusively for our Trustees!

Theatre Night Sponsor & Host: BankUnited Location: Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre 6075 Sunset Drive, South Miami 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables Complimentary registration for Trustee Members Sponsor: Zyscovich Architects & Evensky and Katz / Foldes FinanWednesday, January 13, 2016 - 6:00 PM cial Wealth Management Let’s Eat Dinner Series Partner: Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Location: BULLA Gastrobar Featuring: West Side Story 2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables West Side Story returns to Actors’ Playhouse almost 20 years since Cost: $65 per person it won the Regional Theatre’s Carbonell Award for “Best Production of a Musical”.

Thursday, January 14, 2016 - 5:30 PM West Side Story is considered by many to be one of the greatest New Year’s Mixer & Mingler creations in American Musical Theatre history. The Jets and the Location: The Biltmore Hotel Sharks are back, along with the incomparable Bernstein score, 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Romeo and Juliet style romance, and the infamous Jerome RobCorporate Sponsor: Caviar bins’ based choreography. West Side Story will explode onto the Supporting Sponsors: EWM Realty International, City National Miracle Theatre’s Stage with classic reverence and contemporary Bank, Espirito Santo Marketing Solutions, Financial Insurance heat. Starring our very own Robbie Smith!

Brokers, Mitchell & West, LLC, University of Miami - Toppel Career Cost: $40 Chamber Members; $50 Guests; $20 Reception Only Center and The Biltmore Hotel Participating Restaurants (to date): Ambrosia Doves Catering Wednesday, February 3, 2016 - Noon Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza | Blue Martini - Brickell | Catering by Les RE-Connect Luncheon Chocolate Fashion | Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar | Fontana | Iron Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse Tribe Fitness Coral Gables | JugoFresh | La Taberna Giralda | The 2333 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Coral Gables Local Craft Food & Drink | Olé Restaurant | Palm d’Or | Pardo’s Sponsors: Credomatic Merchant Services, EPGD Attorneys at Law, Peruvian Cuisine | Randazzo’s Little Italy | Spring Chicken P.A. & Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill | Threefold Café Vicky Bakery | VIXI Gelateria Cost: $25 per-person Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 for Guests; $100 for Package of Online payment and registration is now required in advance!

5 tickets; $200 for package of 10 tickets Wednesday,February 3, 2016 - 5:30 PM Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - 11:30 AM Wind Down Wednesday Women’s Business Network Luncheon Location: Sushi Maki Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables 2334 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Sponsor: MAPFRE Insurance Sponsor: Smiles & Sonrisas Partner: Coral Gables Bar Association Speaker: Violette de Ayala, Founder or Femfessionals Cost: $25 Chamber Members by 1/29; $35 Chamber Members & Topic: Find Peace and Laughter Between the Blurred Lines Guests After 1/29 Cost: $40 Chamber Member by 1/14; $50 On-Site Registration & Guests Wednesday, January 20, 2016 - 3:45 PM - Please note time change Thursday, February 11, 2016 - 8:00 AM IMPACT: A Seminar Series for Small Business International Business Forum Is Your Brand Boring?

Location: Hyatt Regency Coral Gables Match your brand’s message to what your client’s really want ǀ 50 Alhambra Plaza, Coral Gables Use tools to help you brand your business ǀ Prove your value in a Cost: $35 Chamber Member by 2/5; $45 Chamber Member memorable way. after2/5 & Guests Location: 2000 Ponce Business Center 2000 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables Thursday, February 18, 2016 - 7:30 AM Sponsor: Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. Good Morning Coral Gables Speaker: Tom Weinkle, Owner, Vortex Communications Location: Biltmore Hotel Breakfast Sponsor: Vicky Bakery Coral Gables 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Cost: $25 Chamber Members; $35 Guests Presenting Sponsor: UHealth Cost: $25 Chamber Member by 2/12; $40 On-Site Registration & Guests Thursday, January 21, 2016 - 7:30 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Location: Biltmore Hotel 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables Presenting Sponsor: UHealth Speaker: Nestor F. De la Cruz Munoz, Jr., Associate Professor of Surgery and, Co-Director of the Center of Excellence for Laparoendoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery, UHealth Cost: $25 Chamber Member by 1/14; $40 On-Site Registration & Guests

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016

MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS

SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME

November - December 2015

$5,000 and Above

A 24 Hour Investigation, LLC Aldo Colli - Keyes Realty Aspire Financial Partners, Member of John Hancock Financial Network Augusto Law Group, P.A. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty Carico International Cynthia's Soaps FrameWorks Grove Station Tower Healthy Connections CMHC HILLER LAW, P.A. Ideal Medical, Inc. James Education Law Office of Francisco Cieza, P.A Level 3 Communications Liberman & Associates, PA Microsoft Retail Store MOVEO LLC, dba Moveo Chauffeured Services Perlman, Bajandas, Yevoli & Albright, P.L. Pipeline Coral Gables Quirch Foods Co. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. ReServe South Florida Soleste West Gables Sora Global Insurance & Consulting, LLC U.S. Antique Shows UM-NSU CARD Center Velvet Creme Doughnut & Coffee Company Webiotic Web Solutions WINESTOREE

Through December 2015

• The Allen Morris Company • AXA Advisors, LLC • Bacardi USA • Baptist Health South Florida • Bay Plumbing Company • Brown-Forman Beverages • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank • Doctors Hospital • EWM Realty International • FirstBank Florida • Florida Blue

• Florida Power & Light • Gulliver Schools • Home Financing Center, Inc. • LOI Marketing, Inc. • Mercantil Commercebank, N.A. • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • Miami Herald • Photo Offset, Inc. • South Motors BMW • Tarpon Bend Raw Bar & Grill • University of Miami • UHealth

$2,500 - $4,999 • Caviar, LLC • Samuel Adams - Boston Beer Company

*BOLD denotes Trustee Member

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016

EVENTS CALENDAR

‘16

January │ February

Monday

4

Tuesday

Wednesday

5 8:00 AM Global Business Affairs Committee Meeting

11

12

5:30 PM Trustee Reception

Thursday

Friday

6 7 12:00 PM 8:00 AM RE-Connect Luncheon Chairman’s Ambassadors Committee Meeting 5:30 PM 9:00 AM Wind Down Wednesday Women’s Business Network Committee Meeting 13 14 8:00 AM Business & Gov’t Affairs Committee Meeting 8:00 AM 9:00 AM M-Team Committee Meeting Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting 4:00 PM 5:30 PM Small Business New Year's Mixer & Mingler Committee Meeting 6:00 PM Let's Eat Dinner Series at BULLA Gastrobar

18 19

20 7:30 AM 21 8:00 AM Good Morning Coral Gables OFFICE CLOSED 3:45 PM S.E.E. Green 9:00 AM Martin Luther King, Jr. Day IMPACT: A Seminar Series Committee Meeting 20/30 Group for Small Business 11:30 AM Committee Meeting WBN Luncheon

25

26

5:30 PM New Member Reception

27 8:00 AM 28 Business & Education 11:45 AM Committee Meeting Trustee Luncheon 7:00 PM Theatre Night featuring West Side Story

8

15

22

29

1 8:00 AM 2 3 8:00 AM 4 5 12:00 PM Chairman’s Ambassadors Global Business Affairs 8:30 AM RE-Connect Luncheon Committee Meeting Committee Meeting Trow Knows... CEOs 5:30 PM Wind Down Wednesday 9

9:00 AM Women's Business Network Committee Meeting

8:00 AM 10 11 Business & Gov’t Affairs 8:00 AM 9:00 AM Committee Meeting Chamber 101 M-Team Committee Meeting 8:00 AM Small Business Committee Meeting 11:45 AM 9:00 AM International Business Forum Cultural Affairs Committee Meeting

8 5:30 PM Trustee Reception

OFFICE CLOSED President's Day

15 8:00 AM 16 17 18 7:30 AM S.E.E. Green 8:00 AM Good Morning Coral Gables Committee Meeting IMPACT: A Seminar Series 9:00 AM for Small Business 11:30 AM 20/30 Group WBN Luncheon Committee Meeting

22

23 24 11:45 AM Trustee Luncheon

25 26 10:00 AM Realtor Showcase

29

1

3

2

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016

12

20

4

SPONSORSHIP RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER

GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES

DECEMBER

SERIES SPONSOR

WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON

NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER

T H E

TRUSTEE RECEPTION

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

TRUSTEE LUNCHEON

D I A M O N D

DECEMBER

DECEMBER

D E S T I N A T I O N

IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

DIAMOND AWARDS

T H E

D I A M O N D

D E S T I N A T I O N

coralgableschamber.org │ CHAMBER CONNECTION │January - February 2016