Advancing Commerce Through Investment

To achieve our mission of sustaining economic prosperity, the Boca Chamber creates a climate where businesses can succeed. For over 70 years, the Chamber has worked toward Advancing Commerce by providing the necessary tools and resources to help all businesses grow and prosper. The numerous professional seminars and workshops offered are meant to help business owners and professionals develop best practices, cultivate staff, and encourage leadership and engagement. In addition, the Chamber develops partnerships and builds business networks that advance commerce throughout the business community.

One such partnership is with the Town Center at Boca Raton. This dynamic and upscale retailer is one of our region's most significant taxcontributing properties - the single largest in Palm Beach County alone. Town Center at Boca Raton, owned by Simon Properties, has created a destination in Boca Raton, elevating this region to include many luxury brand retailers. In fact - this property is the only one of its kind in the United States to carry four luxury anchor retail stores. These retailers provide jobs, pay state and local taxes, support local businesses, and support the community through many philanthropic initiatives.

Town Center at Boca Raton directly benefits the population it serves. The bonus service is that Simon Properties also invests in entertainment and experiential brands that align with their business, adding value and elevating the retail experience. Bringing luxe brands to the region leads the way to Advancing Commerce. You can read more about the Town Center at Boca Raton and its General Manager, Sal Saldaña, the Chamber's incoming Chairman, on page 12.

" For over 70 years, the Chamber has worked toward Advancing Commerce by providing the necessary tools and resources to help all businesses grow and prosper."

It doesn't stop there. We continue to Advance Commerce by investing in our future workforce through the Golden Bell Education Foundation. Golden Bell awards grants to Boca Raton public school teachers and administrators for programs that support the development of business skills and workforce readiness. This funding supports our teacher's efforts to provide the best educational programming possible, often exceeding the public-school standards. Today’s students are your employees tomorrow. Golden Bell’s investment in our future workforce will deliver significant returns to our business community’s growth.

Each year the Chamber recognizes Business Excellence at the annual Business Awards Luncheon. This marquis event – set to take place on May 19th - honors businesses and business leaders for their success and overall impact on the community they serve. Past and current recipients Advance Commerce through job creation, community involvement, and effective leadership. The 2023 recipients are:

Business Leader of the Year - Paul Adkins, Florida Peninsula Insurance Company.

Business of the Year - Palm Beach State College.

Small Business Leaders of the Year - Jon and Bonnie Kaye, Kaye Communications.

Together, we continue to advance commerce and move business forward in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and all of South Palm Beach County, making our region the best place to Live, Work, Learn and Play.

Moving Business Forward,

Troy M. McLellan, CCE, FCCP President & CEO