JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 A (NOT SO) "FOND FAREWELL" TO 2020! As the iconic crystal-encrusted ball prepares to drop over Times Square, and we close the book on 2020, we look forward with renewed hope that things will only get brighter the coming year. As we say goodbye remain laser-focused ranked Coral Gables can provide you with and grow.
to 2020, we choose to on how we, as your #1 Chamber of Commerce, opportunities to connect
Jan. 8 | Chamber Engagement 101, Zoom Jan. 8 | Business Book Club, Zoom Jan. 12 | New Year’s Networker @ The Biltmore Jan. 19 | Women’s Business Network Luncheon, Zoom Jan. 20 | Dear 46: A Love Letter From the Business Community to Our New President, Zoom Jan. 21 | Good Morning Coral Gables @ The Biltmore With that mantra, we will begin to safely introduce Jan. 27 | Trustee & GEM Investors Luncheon, Zoom several in-person events to the line-up of oppor-
tunites we have created just for you, the epicenter of our organization, our valued members!
The month of January is chock-full of carefully curated networking and professional development programming, starting with our RE-Connect Luncheon (a crowd favorite, even in the virtual space) and Wind Down Wednesday at Coral Gables' brand new open-air brewery, Bay 13 Brewery & Kitchen, both hosted on January 6th. With safety as our top priority, we will continue to engage our membership every step of the way. And, we encourage you to mark your calendars for all of these upcoming events:
IN THIS ISSUE: Thoughts from our Chair
Page 2
President’s Perspective
Page 3
Trustee Talk
Page 4
Save the Date!
Page 5
Membership Highlights
Page 6
January Calendar
Page 7
February Calendar
Page 8
Sponsor Recognition
Page 9
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | January - February 2021
THOUGHTS FROM OUR CHAIR
As we take a bounding leap into 2021, I cannot help but think of the strength and resilience our membership has shown. Every one of you reacted, pivoted and fought through every layer of the Jumanji remake known as 2020. And here we are, nine months after shutdown, and we look forward to a New Year with hopes of an easier road ahead. No matter the journey, our Chamber will be here to inform, assist and to advocate for each one of you every step of the way.
BRIAN BARAKAT
CHAIR OF THE BOARD PARTNER | BARAKAT + BOSSA, P.A. BARAKAT@B2B.LEGAL
As we turn the page into what we hope are better times, we will begin putting our toes back in the water, and resume some in-person networking events. With all safety precautions in mind, our goal is to regain some sense of normalcy, without compromising the health of our staff and membership.
As a whole, we are actively supporting legislation that has been crafted to empower our membership and we are seeking speakers who can inform us of the tremendous possibilities available to businesses in South Florida. All the while we are committed to Coming Together as a Chamber and as a community, with a laser-focus on our continued efforts to diversify our Chamber. It is my goal as Chairman to continue to engage in difficult conversations, helping to bridge the gaps which have existed in our community longer than any of us have been alive. I extend my sincerest gratitude to all of you for standing with me though the kinds of challenges we did not expect, but are prepared to overcome together.
CHAIR OF THE BOARD PARTNER | BARAKAT + BOSSA, P.A. BARAKAT@B2B.LEGAL
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | January - February 2021
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE | SIGNS OF LIFE The holiday season can be most distracting and stressful - putting up the tree (if you didn't already do so before Thanksgiving), stocking up on egg nog, making your lists and checking them twice. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, there is a desire to embrace all things shiny and bright. As we say good-bye to 2020, now more than ever, we need all of you to bring the merry - and bring it big time.
MARK A. TROWBRIDGE
PRESIDENT & CEO CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MTROWBRIDGE@CORALGABLESCHAMBER.ORG
Like you, I have seen the Black Friday sales and holiday promotions begin even before Halloween. I have watched the Christmas trees and holiday garland go up early around the neighborhood (earlier than ever before), and marveled at the twinkling lights already shining bright on turkey day. But, I also realize, that if we don't do our very best to shop and buy local this holiday season, we might very well say "bye" to local in 2021. Things are that dire and the need is just that great. Like our businesses, your support is essential!
But there are reasons to be optimistic. On-line sales topped $9 billion across Black Friday weekend, an eye-popping stat that even our local businesses who engage more significantly in e-commerce felt at the cash register. Add to that a Cyber Monday sale that became Cyber Week, and there is some good news to be had. And, there has to be - as more than 75% of small businesses have stated that they need to exceed last year's numbers to still be around in 2021. That is as daunting and as real as it gets, folks. As the past week came to a close, there was some more good news in our City Beautiful. I had the opportunity to visit and celebrate three restaurant openings in one day - that's right - ONE SINGLE DAY. The trio included Gustave on Miracle Mile, a French bakery and bistro that is new to the Gables and a lovely addition to our main street. Quentin and his team offered up an amazing chocolate croissant that melted in my mouth - YUM. Soon, they will open for dinner and carry a variety of outstanding French wines. Then, there was Sweetgreen, the New York import that is all about the love affair with a healthy salad. Located in the heart of Giralda Plaza, this green leafed eatery is sure to catch the attention of those who love a light lunch and healthier fare. Finally, we say hello and welcome to Nick Sharp's latest brilliant idea - Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen. This gem on Alhambra Circle is the first official brewery in the City Beautiful. It is a gorgeous venue with incredible patio seating in the epicenter of the business community. As always, Nick has the Midas touch and his menu (I tried the sausages - 2 different kinds; plus the incredible fish and chips and capped it off with the silky smooth chocolate mousse) is authentically Australian and approachable. Once again, with his focus on the consumer, he has a winner on his hands right out of the gate! By the way, be sure to try the Old Man or the Merv, two great brews that compliment the menu as much as they do your palate. New businesses are a sign of life. They are the bellwether of recovery and a signal of good things to come. Investing in life-long dreams and opening up new shops in our business district usually draw great attention, as well as the discerning consumer and eager customer. I see it all the time. But, it is especially heartening at this moment that these visionaries continue to follow their hearts and passion. Now, it is our job to support their efforts, shop small, support local, and help the lives of those businesses flourish!
TRUSTEE TALK
Greetings fellow Chamber members! I would like to personally welcome you to this latest edition of the Chamber CONNECTion! Week 40 and a half, as of this writing, of quarantine life. The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Trustee Diplomats are eager to serve you and act as a liaison between the Chamber leadership, its staff, and the largest group of investors in our Chamber. The Chamber Trustee Diplomats would also like to thank our President & CEO, Mark A. Trowbridge, for his amazing leadership throughout this incredible year. ERIC GROS-DUBOIS
CHAIR, TRUSTEE DIPLOMATS CEO, FOUNDER | EPGD BUSINESS LAW ERIC@EPGDLAW.COM
Whenever you get a chance, please consider visiting our new offices on Alhambra Circle - I'm sure you'll be impressed. The Chamber recently celebrated its 95th anniversary, and while we couldn't celebrate together in grand fashion, we were there in spirit!
The entire leadership and staff put a big push for new members in November, and we had the Chamber's best month for new members and Trustees since the quarantine began. It was a team effort, and together with our Chairman, Brian Barakat, stepping up and showing great leadership, we “Came Together� and welcomed Fair Claims Law, Fiduciary Trust International, Invest: Miami/ Capital Analytics, Life Time, MG Developer, Mosacist, Inc., and Verizon. Now, more than ever, is the time to support each other and our community, seven new Trustees! The Trustee Diplomats are here to answer any questions and act as a bridge for any members who are curious about Trustee level membership. I always tell the story of how Brian asked me to join the Chamber as a Trustee. At the time I could barely afford the investment, but he promised me it would pay off if I committed myself - and he was right! Feel free to ask me about why I've never thought twice about joining as a Trustee and now as a GEM Level Investor! Wishing you all the best and business success in 2021!
CHAIR, TRUSTEE DIPLOMATS CEO, FOUNDER | EPGD BUSINESS LAW ERIC@EPGDLAW.COM
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | January - February 2021
2020 - 2021 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST CHAMBER MEMBERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board | Brian Barakat Barakat + Bossa, P.A. Chair-Elect | Ana Chaoui Grove Bank & Trust First Vice Chairman | Thad Adams The Allen Morris Company Treasurer | Sara Hernandez First Citizens Bank Parliamentarian | Addys Kuryla Florida Power & Light Immediate Past Chairman | Patrick O’Connell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty Vice Chairman-Global Business Affairs | Deirdre Nero NERO Immigration Law, P.L. Vice Chairman-Community Affairs | Mike Ybarra Northwestern Mutual - Coral Gables Vice Chairman-Business & Economic Development Carolina Rendeiro, Connect2Global Vice Chairman-Member Affairs | Lauren Dowlen Lowell International Realty Vice Chairman-Special Events | Darryl Rosenbaum Bigfoot Construction Vice Chairman-Gov’t & Legislative Affairs | Maria Garcia Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton Trustee Council Chair | Eric Gros-Dubois EPGD Business Law Chairman’s Appointee | Martha de la Peña Rojas Florida Blue
November - December 2020
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ricardo Alberty, The Well Groomed Gentleman Steven Bradley, Clutch Burger Natalia Collazo, Miami Heat/AA Arena Chris Colston, Second Chance Credit LLC Amy Donner, Coral Gables Magazine Frank Fernandez, CenterState Bank Alex Fonseca, Apollo Bank Matthias Kammerer, The Biltmore Hotel Alina Menendez, American Airlines Cristina Miller, Intermedia Touch, Inc. Rene Negron, Equitable Advisors Elsa Powers, Doctors Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida Monique Selman, Albany Homes Construction Lillian Ser, Ser & Associates, PLLC Anabella Smith, Zyscovich Architects Efrain Sora, Sora Global Insurance & Consulting Cinthya Urena, City National Bank of Florida Myrna Vaca, UHealth Jessica Wilcox, J. Wilcox Consulting
360 Language Strategies, Inc. Anderson Collaborative Andromeda District APTI American Physical Therapy Institute Bay 13 Brewery and Kitchen Coffee Talk Coral Gables Physical Therapy Eleva Solutions, Inc. Fair Claims Law Fiduciary Trust International Freddo Traditional Gelato Gables Fancy Corner Invest:Miami/Catalyst Miami Life Time MG Developer Mosacist, Inc. Neighborhood Tennis OMG National Quintana Law, PA Rukus Cycling Studios Schooley Mitchell - Miami South Florida Integrative Medicine Verizon *BOLD denotes new Trustee Member | *BOLD denotes new GEM Member
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS City of Coral Gables | Commissioner Patricia Keon City of Coral Gables | Julian Perez Business Improvement District Coral Gables Community Foundation | Mary Snow The Beacon Council of Miami-Dade | James C. Kohnstamm President & CEO Mark A. Trowbridge
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | January - February 2021
CALENDAR | JANUARY 2021 Sunday 27
Monday 28
Tuesday
Wednesday
29
Thursday
30
31
Friday 1
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSES @ NOON
3
4
5
6
9 AM | GLOBAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS COMM. MEETING
8 AM | SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING
7
NOON | RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON 5:00 PM | WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY @ BAY 13 BREWERY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE C.G. BAR ASSN. LIMITED TO 50 PEOPLE
2
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
8
8 AM | CHAIRMAN’S AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING 9 AM | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETING
Saturday
9 9 AM | CHAMBER ENGAGEMENT 101
NOON | BUSINESS BOOK CLUB LUNCH & LEARN DISCUSSING “TRACTION: GET A GRIP ON YOUR BUSINESS”
CHAMBER OFFICE RE-OPENS @ 9AM
10
11
12
13
14
5 PM | NEW YEAR’S 8 AM | BUSINESS & GOV’T NETWORKER @ THE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE BILTMORE HOTEL, MEETING COUNTRY CLUB BALLROOM - COURTYARD - LIMITED TO 100 GUESTS & HOSTED OUTSIDE
17
18
19
20
15
16
22
23
29
30
8 AM | MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
21
NOON | WOMEN’S 9 AM | GOOD 4 PM | DEAR 46: A LOVE BUSINESS NETWORK MORNING CORAL LETTER FROM THE LUNCHEON EAT YOUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY GABLES WAY TO BETTER HEALTH TO OUR NEW PRESIDENT BRUNCH STYLE IN 2021 @ THE BILTMORE HOTEL LIMITED TO 75 GUESTS 10:30 AM | 20/30 GROUP MEETING CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
24
25
26
27
28
NOON | TRUSTEE LUNCHEON FEAT. KELLI TICE WELLS, MD, FLORIDA BLUE
THE CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GABLESCHAMBER
CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
coralgableschamber.org | (305) 446-1657 | info@coralgableschamber.org
GABLESCHAMBER
CALENDAR | FEBRUARY 2021 Sunday 31
Monday 1 NOON | EQUITABLE ADVISORS BUSINESSWOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS APPLICATIONS DUE!
7
8
Tuesday
Wednesday
2
3
9 AM | GLOBAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS COMM. MEETING
8 AM | SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING
Friday
8 AM | CHAIRMAN’S AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING
9 AM | TROW KNOWS... CEOS
4
NOON | RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON 5:00 PM | WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY
9
Thursday
10
9 AM | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETING
11
8 AM | BUSINESS & GOV’T AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING
5
Saturday 6
NOON | BUSINESS BOOK CLUB LUNCH & LEARN
12
13
9 AM | CHAMBER ENGAGEMENT 101
8 AM | MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
VIR TUAL TALLH AS S EE F LY- IN
14
15
16
17
NOON | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON
CHAMBER OFFICE CLOSED
21
22
18
4 PM | IMPACT: A SEMINAR SERIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN PARTNERSHIP W/ MIAMI-DADE GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1
20
26
27
5
6
10:30 AM | 20/30 GROUP MEETING
23
24
25
NOON | TRUSTEE LUNCHEON
28
19
9 AM | GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES BRUNCH STYLE @ THE BILTMORE HOTEL LIMITED TO 75 GUESTS
8 AM | BUSINESS & EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING
2
3
9 AM | GLOBAL BUSINESS AFFAIRS COMM. MEETING
8 AM | SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE MEETING
4
NOON | RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON 5:00 PM | WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY
THE CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
GABLESCHAMBER
8 AM | CHAIRMAN’S AMBASSADORS COMMITTEE MEETING 9 AM | WOMEN’S BUSINESS NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETING
CORAL GABLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
coralgableschamber.org | (305) 446-1657 | info@coralgableschamber.org
9 AM | TROW KNOWS... CEOS NOON | BUSINESS BOOK CLUB LUNCH & LEARN
GABLESCHAMBER
SPONSOR RECOGNITION WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY SERIES SPONSOR
DECEMBER
SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR HALL OF FAME Through December 2020 $5,000 & Above
GOOD MORNING CORAL GABLES NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
WOMEN'S BUSINESS NETWORK LUNCHEON NOVEMBER
BUSINESS BOOK CLUB SERIES SPONSOR SERIES SPONSOR
$2,500 - $4,999
TROW KNOWS CEOS SERIES SPONSOR
IMPACT SEMINAR SERIES SPONSOR
• The Allen Morris Company • Amerant Bank • Baptist Health South Florida • Equitable Advisors • Bacardi USA • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty • Business Improvement District of Coral Gables • Capital One • CenterState Bank • City of Coral Gables • City National Bank of Florida • Clear Channel Outdoor • Doctors Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida • Florida Blue • Florida Power & Light • Home Financing Center, Inc. • Photo Offset, Inc. • Samuel Adams Boston Lager • South Motors • UHealth
DECEMBER
• Barakat Law, P.A. • EPGD Business Law • Gulliver Schools • Intermedia Touch, Inc. • Mercedes-Benz of Coral Gables • NERO Immigration Law, P.L. • Smiles & Sonrisas
RE-CONNECT LUNCHEON SERIES SPONSORS
The Maulini Group at Morgan Stanley
coralgableschamber.org | CHAMBER CONNECTION | January - February 2021