Boca Chamber's Connection Quarterly Magazine: Advancing Commerce (APR-JUN) 2024

CONNECTION MAGAZINE

Publisher: Troy M. McLellan, CCE, FCCP

Editor: Aimee DePalma

BOCA CHAMBER OFFICERS

Sal Saldaña, Town Center at Boca Raton

Chairman

Clara Bennett, Boca Raton Airport Authority Chair-Elect

Steven Deutsch, Frank, Weinberg & Black P.L.

Treasurer

Troy M. McLellan, Boca Chamber

Secretary

Jackie Reeves, Bryn Mawr Capital Management

Immediate Past Chair

DIRECTORS

Paul Adkins, Florida Peninsula Insurance

Jason Aube, Truist Bank

Daniel Cane, Modernizing Medicine

Dr. Katrina Carter-Tellison, PhD, Lynn University

David Centrella, ODP Business Solutions at Office Depot

Sheryl Clark, Boston Proper

Ian Cotner, AT&T

Kate Cotner, Florida Power and Light

Andrew Duffell, Research Park at FAU

Megan Escamilla, Neiman Marcus Group

Will Fleming, Chimney Trail Partners

Joshua Goldglantz, Gunster Law

Dr. Daniel M. Gropper, PhD., College of Business at FAU

Scott Gunnell, JM&A Group

Daniel Hostettler, The Boca Raton

Jennifer Jolly, Boca Grove Golf & Tennis Club

Ahnich Khalid, Maggiano's Little Italy

Ken Lebersfeld, Capitol Lighting

Matthew Linderman, Boca West Country Club

Lincoln Mendez, Boca Raton Regional Hospital

Mark Mileusnic, NCCI

Ross O’Connor, Morgan Stanley

Jeff Perlman, CDS Holdings, Inc.

Ethan Shapiro, Saint Andrew’s School

John Tolbert, BRE Hotels & Resorts

Bob Tucker, BT Consulting LLC

Ron Wichowski, Dimension Hospitality

Van Williams, Palm Beach State College

PROFESSIONALS

Troy M. McLellan, CCE, FCCP - President & CEO

Sarah E. Pearson, IOM - Executive Vice President

Alison Miuccio - Membership Development Manager

Lisa Diane Hall - Membership Development Associate

Marti Soroka - Membership Development Associate

Diana St. Germain - Finance Manager

Jenifer Marquart - Boynton Beach Market Manager

Aimee DePalma - Communications Manager

Kristina Palacios - Office Manager

Mandy Forrester - Golden Bell Foundation Manager

Sherese James-Grow - Program Manager, YEA!

Cover photo provided by BRiC

Advancing Commerce To Sustain Economic Prosperity

As we near the conclusion of the second quarter of the Chamber year, we are presented with a sea of opportunities, as well as perspective, to build upon the strides we have made so far. The Boca Chamber’s mission to drive economic prosperity in Boca Raton and South Palm Beach County is endless. Regardless of the realignments necessary to achieve our mission in a competitive climate, we succeed with our commitment to our four core pillars: Connecting Members, Advancing Commerce, Protecting Business, and Enhancing Community. As we continue Connecting Members through exciting networks and developmental workshops, Protecting Business through deliberate and careful advocacy, and Enhancing Community by driving quality of life initiatives, we bring the focus of this quarterly Connections Magazine to Advancing Commerce

Advancing Commerce is both the aim and the foundation of any successful economic plan. Your Chamber has experienced record-breaking membership growth, providing every member with more opportunities to expand their business network. As we reflect on what we have achieved internally, we celebrate the milestones of key members of our community who have contributed to our region's economic vitality. From long-established corporations like ADT, Inc. and NCCI Holdings, Inc. to educational institutions like Florida Atlantic University, and empowering organizations like the Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative (HEI), each entity plays a pivotal role in Advancing Commerce and strengthening our region’s overall economy. After all, the “American Dream” is built on free enterprise and financial liberty!

A shining example of an organization truly Advancing Commerce in recent years is the Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC), a paragon of success in commercial real estate. Managed by CP Group, BRiC transformed what was once an IBM outpost for research and development into one of our region’s most coveted hosts for companies like Modernizing Medicine, Baptist Health, and Canon, just to name a few. Currently at full tenant capacity, the appeal of BRiC goes far beyond its scenic setting in South Palm Beach County. Read the interview on pages 16 and 17 with CP Group’s Managing Partner, Angelo Bianco, regarding the cutting-edge steps being taken to retain their distinguished tenants (and their talent!) and advance the commercial blueprint of success.

“As we continue to work towards ensuring that the residents of Boca Raton and South Palm Beach County enjoy an exceptional quality of life, Advancing Commerce will remain a crucial bedrock of what we do as a Chamber.”

Boynton Beach has steadily grown as a jewel of the intercoastal, complete with a thriving local economy and its own array of monthly Chamber events, sure to impress and engage. For an insightful look at “Boynton Beach on The Move,” turn to page 5.

Investing in an innovative and highly skilled future workforce is paramount to our mission of Advancing Commerce. Through initiatives like The Golden Bell Education Foundation, we have supported Boca Raton Public Schools for over 30 years, providing grants that enhance career awareness, exploration, and preparation for thousands of students. Additionally, programs like the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) empower our youth to become future leaders in commerce. You’ll learn about the successes on pages 20 and 21, respectively.

Furthermore, we recognize the importance of supporting non-profit organizations in our community through initiatives like Boca Chamber Festival Days (BCFD). By fostering collaboration between non-profits and businesses, BCFD raises awareness and funds for charitable endeavors, contributing to the overall advancement of our economic growth. Turn to page 18 for a glimpse of what you can expect from this year’s BCFD!

As we continue to drive our efforts towards ensuring that the residents of Boca Raton and South Palm Beach County enjoy an exceptional quality of life, Advancing Commerce will remain a crucial bedrock of what we do as a Chamber. By investing in our region's future and empowering enterprises that drive economic growth, we continue to elevate our community as the premier destination to Live, Work, Learn, and Play!

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to Advancing Commerce in our region. Let’s take on this second quarter with even more ambition and determination to pursue goals rooted in economic prosperity.

Moving Business Forward,

Troy M. McLellan, CCE, FCCP President & CEO

LEADERSHIP BOCA 2024

As the sun rises over Boca Raton, another exciting chapter unfolds in the journey of the Boca Chamber's Leadership Boca program. With each passing week, led by

Chair, Yulimar Trumbo of the Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative and Co-Chair Laureen Pannullo of Confident Bookkeeping Services, a group of 31 business professionals delves deep into the heart of our community, uncovering its hidden treasures and confronting its pressing challenges.

The adventure began amidst the lush fields of the Glades, where participants experienced the essence of agriculture in its purest form. From savoring fresh vegetables plucked straight from the earth to touring farms and packaging centers, the journey provided a tangible connection to the roots of our community's sustenance. And who could forget the sweet taste of sugar in its purest form at the mill—a delicious reminder of the vital role that agriculture plays in our local economy.

Leadership Boca is more than just a scenic tour—it's a hands-on exploration of the issues that shape our city's landscape. Human Services Day shines a spotlight on the invaluable work of non-profit organizations such as: The Faulk Center for Counseling, Habitat for Humanity, Boca Helping Hands, Fuller Center, Spirit of Giving and more.

Meet the Class of Leadership Boca 24

Aimee DePalma, Boca Chamber

Alezandra Berrio, Wyndham Boca Raton Hotel

Alper Behar, Equinox DBS Behar Insurance

Amy Kemp, Florida Power & Light

Ashley Whidby, Boca Raton Housing Authority

Beda Willis, Boca Raton Regional Hospital

Bryn Smith, HabCenter Boca Raton

Channon Ellwood, George Snow Scholarship Fund

Christen Ritchey, Johnson Ritchey Family Law

Dan Nathanson, The Nathanson Brothers Team

Dana Hamadeh, Palm Beach State College

Debra Rodrigues, Lynn University

Diana Sierra, Boca School for Autism

Georgia Rattray, NCCI

Hannah Oakland, Boca Raton Airport Authority

Harry Mirabile, Frank, Weinberg & Black, P.L.

Jennie Dennison, NCCI

Jennifer Disla, Boca Helping Hands

Jennifer Zeplin, Boca Raton Regional Hospital

Jessenia Cucalon, Boca Grove

Julia Murphy, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County

Kali Williams, Oceans 234

Katie Burke, Florida Atlantic University

Lesly Ordonez, Cakes D’Sabores

Lillian Ladue, Wells Fargo

Linda-Jean Long, West Boca Medical Center

Participants enjoyed a friendly competition as they rolled up their sleeves for a rice packaging race at the Junior League, they also learned the deeper challenges facing our youth at Best Foot Forward. During the visit to the HabCenter, participants were struck by the transformative programs offered to adults with lifelong developmental and intellectual disabilities. Here, individuals are provided with invaluable training and skills in areas such as Plant Nursery Operations, Manufacturing, and various other fields, empowering them toleadfulfillingandproductivelives.

Media Day was an exciting adventure that took participants on a tour behind thescenesofnewsproduction,visiting

let's not forget the immersive experience of seeing virtual reality come to life on giant LED production screens—a testament to the innovative spirit that defines our community. But perhaps the most valuable aspect of Leadership Boca lies in the connections forged and relationships cultivated over the course of 11 weeks. As participants learn about each other's businesses, share insights and experiences, and collaborate on projects, they form bonds that extend far beyondtheprogram'sduration.

As the journey continues, participants eagerly look forward to the next part of theiradventure.EnvironmentalAwareness Day, Education Day, Government Day, EconomicDevelopmentDay,Health

Marilyn Montiel, Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center

Marta Rekosiewicz, Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center

Stuart Nadeau, Restoration Maintenance

Toni Hassinger, Fuller Center

Victoria Matthews, Junior League Boca Raton

For those inspired to embark on your own journey of leadership and community exploration, there's no time like the present.

Contact: Chasity Navarro at cnavarro@bocachamber.com to learn more about participating in Leadership Boca 2025. The adventure awaits—are you ready to take the leap?

top-notch institutions like WPTV, BrandStar and the Sun Sentinel. It was a chance for everyone to see firsthand how media influences public conversations and brings communities together. From watching news anchor Mike Trim deliver breaking stories before they hit the airwaves to exploring the inner workings of newspaper production, it was a whirlwind of eyeopening experiences. Plus, participants got to sit down and chat with a panel of editors from respected publications like the Sun Sentinel, Boca Raton Magazine, and The Coastal Star, giving them valuable insights into the current state of print news media. It was an incredible opportunity that left everyone buzzing with new knowledge and perspectives.

Services Day, Culture Day, and Tourism Day—all bring exciting chances to explore and discover, offering new insights into the diverse fabric of our community.

As the program draws to a close, there's much to celebrate. On Wednesday, June 12th, at the Wyndham Boca Raton Hotel, participants and supporters will gather to cheer on the achievements of the Leadership Boca 2024 group as they graduate. It's a real testament to their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.

KICKSTART YOUR CAREER

As a grad student at

MeetSouthPalmBeach County’sCityManagers

In a world constantly driven by change, South Palm Beach County is thriving as a hub of economic success and residential growth. We had the opportunity to convene with two of our City Managers for insight on how Boca Raton and Boynton Beach are paving the way forward.

MEET

GEORGEBROWN CITYMANAGEROF BOCARATON

What inspired you to pursue a career in public service, and how do you think your personal values and experiences shape your approach to city management?

Both my parents were service leaders in their careers. They both instilled in me a drive to do the right thing to the best of my abilities and to care for and help others. I have also been fortunate to be involved in serious music-making since I was 8 years old. Part of that experience resulted in my being, for many years, a choir director. The singers and musicians make the music, but the choir director helps establish and maintain the overall vision and mission, build the team, fix glitches, and celebrate success. My experiences in that realm have informed my approach to city management and municipal government service.

Can you share with us your vision for Boca Raton's future development and how you plan to collaborate with officials, businesses, and residents to achieve it?

I believe Boca Raton will continue to become a more urban city in the areas where concentrated redevelopment is appropriate. Still, we will retain our unique quality of life by ensuring that all redevelopment is of the best quality available. My vision is that Boca Raton will continue to be a place where people want to live, work, and play. I am hopeful that we will have a reasonably diverse range of housing opportunities for future residents. Collaboration among officials, the business community, and residents is best achieved through open and communication about opportunities and issues early in the process of any development or redevelopment. With open dialog, potential roadblocks can be circumvented.

Outside of your role as City Manager, what do you enjoy doing in your free time, and how do your hobbies or interests influence your leadership style?

Besides regular exercise and occasional travel, I spend most of my free time making serious music and studying. As I mentioned, my work as a choir director has significantly influenced my leadership style.

My vision is that Boca Raton will continue to be a place where people want to live, work, and play.

Infrastructure and sustainability are increasingly important issues for cities. What initiatives do you have in mind to improve infrastructure and promote sustainability in Boynton Beach?

Infrastructure improvements are the commission’s number two priority. We have dedicated about $12 million in paving projects, $30 million in stormwater projects and have taken a proactive approach to subterranean infrastructure. We are also undergoing a five-year beautification project throughout the city. We have installed EV chargers around the city and have a solarium project at the Ezell Hester Center.

Can you share a challenge or setback you've faced in your career, and how you overcame it? How did that experience shape your leadership approach, and what lessons did you learn from it?

I had a position that I loved in the Boynton Beach Police Department and was told I could no longer hold that position. It taught me a valuable lesson to increase the scope of my knowledge. I took it as an opportunity to grow, and instead of becoming disgruntled, it led me to where I am today. I know you aren’t always going to learn from your successes. You learn more from your failures. Because of that challenge I faced, I will always take care of the employees because I didn’t like when I wasn’t treated fairly.

Situated along the intercoastal, Boynton Beach has risen to become a beacon of commerce and community in South Palm Beach County, with its own lineup of exciting events.

What would the perfect day on the town in Boynton Beach look like for you?

I would wake up early and head to Oceanfront Park to watch the sun rise over the ocean. Then I would enjoy a few mimosas and breakfast at Bond Street Ale and Coffee at Woolbright and Federal Highway. Then I would go fishing for a few hours with my sons on Lake Ida and Lake Eden. Then happy hour and dinner at Sweetwater Bar & Grill, and I’d wrap up the day sitting on my dock with my wife and kids just enjoying the evening.

You aren’t always going to learn from your successes. You learn more from your failures.

MEET

DANDUGGAR

CITYMANAGEROF BOYNTONBEACH

ADVANCING THE COMMERCIAL BLUEPRINT

A CHAT WITH ANGELO BIANCO

In the heart of South Palm Beach County, Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC) stands as a testament to the visionary leadership that transformed IBM’s former outpost for Research and Development to a thriving hub of commercial real estate dedicated to reaching cutting-edge heights. We had the opportunity to chat with Angelo Bianco, Managing Partner of CP Group, the firm that oversees BRiC, for insight as to how they are advancing the commercial blueprint for economic success.

The success story of BRIC is not just in its full lease capacity but also in its contribution to the local business landscape. Bianco’s foresight in courting corporations has turned the campus into a bustling nexus of technological and innovative activity, propelling South Palm Beach county forward.

As the Managing Partner of CP Group overseeing Boca Raton Innovation Campus, can you provide specific examples of how BRiC has directly contributed to the economic growth and development of South Palm Beach County?

Over the past six years, we have invested over $115 million in capital and tenant improvements to reposition BRiC as the tech and life science center of the Southeastern US. Not only has this created employment opportunities for dozens of trade laborers and local businesses, including civil, landscape, legal, and architectural teams, but we have been successful in creating a regional employment center that has driven market demand and leasing velocity, resulting in a fully-leased asset achieving rental rates more than double than those we inherited.

As part of our capital improvement project, we designed and built two onsite cafes managed by local operators, thereby fostering business growth, job creation, and increased sales, consequently boosting sales tax revenue.

With BRiC currently at full capacity, would you tell us which strategies CP Group has implemented to attract and retain top-tier tenants? How have these strategies positively impacted the local businesscommunity?

Although we are fortunate to be wellleased today, since acquiring BRiC we have had two jobs: the first was to lease 40% of the campus that was vacant and the second, was and continues to be to release 50% of the campus that was occupied when we bought it by users whose space needs are better met by buildings focusing on low cost, sparsely amenitized experiences. We have had our work cut out for us. Our strategy rests on our reimagination of BRiC from a place attracting companies which employ high density, low paid, and low skilled workers, to modern technology and life sciencesfocused industries. It has been very successful as we are the only property in the market focused on providing an environment like this for our tenants.

With the rise of remote work and distributed teams, how does BRiC remain relevant and competitive in providing physical office spaces? What adaptations have you made to ensure BRiC continues to thrive in this changinglandscape?

What goes up, must come down. Time and time again, this maxim proves true. We are witnessing this once more. It is true that employees have grown to love not having to go to work, but what is also true is that 92% of surveyed managers want their people back in the office in person. Most companies are in the process of reining in their work-from-home policies to reverse the productivity losses suffered from long-term remote work. We are trying to do our part to encourage our tenants’ people to come back to work by focusing on their individual needs by adding amenities and services to improve the quality of their workday and, more importantly, reduce the time that they need to dedicate to personal chores and tasks when they are not working.

BRiC currently offers two onsite cafés, a wellness center managed by Boca Raton Regional Hospital, and a state-of-the-art, 7,000-square-foot fitness center offering group classes and personal training. Additionally, we have bike storage, an autonomous grab-and-go, an on-site daycare, a dry-cleaning service, and extensive walking and biking trails.

Our campus also features 25,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor event spaces capable of accommodating up to 6,000 attendees. Furthermore, we house two museums: “Art on BRiC Walls,” highlighting local talent sourced from Palm Beach County’s vibrant art scene, and “History of Tech,” showcasing original technology and innovations from when the campus was IBM’s Research and Development hub; collectively, consisting of over 20 galleries.

At BRiC, employees can conveniently access flu shots, host events, attend seminars, purchase groceries, exercise, and enjoy various tenant conveniences like food trucks, farmers markets, and curated programming – all without leaving the campus. While remote work offers the convenience of blending personal activities and chores with work, BRiC goes above and beyond by providing a comprehensive suite of amenities and services.

BRiC is often lauded as a hub for technology and innovation. Can you elaborate on specific initiatives or partnerships CP Group has fostered to cultivate this reputation and how these efforts have influenced the broader business ecosystem in South Palm BeachCounty?

Our amenitized campus has allowed us to attract forward-thinking and innovative tenants who want their teams within environments that foster creativity and collaboration. One standout example is ModMed, which chose BRiC for its rich history and promising future development. With a three-phase growth plan, ModMed has expanded its footprint at BRiC, now employing over 400 people on campus.

For the past three years, we have been working with Guident, a tech startup looking to be the nation’s first control center for automated vehicles, to develop a headquarters for them at BRiC. We recently had the ribbon cutting of their Remote Monitor and Control Center (RMCC) at BRiC.

Our diverse tenant mix in the technology and life sciences sectors generates highquality employment opportunities in Boca Raton and catalyzes a ripple effect, enticing more business and talent to the area. This, in turn, allows new graduates from our local universities to launch their careers here, accessing quality job prospects in Boca Raton.

Looking ahead, what are CP Group's plans for further expansion or development within South Palm Beach County, and how do you anticipate these plans will continue to drive economic growth and innovation in the region?

In addition to advancing our master plan for BRiC, we are exploring plans to construct Three Town Center adjacent to the existing One and Two Town Center office buildings. This proposed sevenstory, 120,000-square-foot Class A office building will feature six floors of premium office space above a 7,000-square-foot ground-floor retail area and lobby. Tenants will enjoy elevated suites with individual balconies and exclusive access to a rooftop terrace. The high-quality finishes and designs are targeted to attracting hedge funds, high net-worth family offices, and money managers relocating to South Florida. The current lack of new Class A office space has been a significant competitive disadvantage for Boca Raton over the past few years.

Managing a commercial property of BRiC’s magnitude is no small feat. What advice do you have for professionals who are looking to make theirmarkinthecorporateworld?

First, work from work. Second, you’re only as strong as your team. Third, do what you say you’re going to do.

Developed in the late 1960’s by IBM as its North American Research and Development facility, Boca Raton Innovation Campus is home to the invention of the first personal computer. The office park has been significantly upgraded from 2005 to present and is touted for its iconic Marcel Breuer architecture. The office park has been significantly upgraded since CrockerPartnersacquiredthepropertyin2018.

to 1973.

Figure1

An aerial view of the campus as it stood from 1971

HISTORY OF BRiC AT A GLANCE

Angelo Bianco (left) and Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer (right) commemorate the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Boca Raton Innovation Campus.

Access. Influence. Recognition.

Have a seat at our table. Join the Boca Chamber Executive Trustee Program!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Boca Chamber Trustee Members provide the framework necessary to build our community through leadership and influence.

Convene and Collaborate

Meet with South Florida’s leading executives and decision-makers.

Exclusive Events

Special invitations to attend Trustee-exclusive events, workshops, and meetings.

High-Level Connections

Prosper and benefit from connecting with other Trustee Members!

Adapting To Change

How the Chamber Supports Businesses in Dynamic Markets

Did you know Chambers of Commerce have been around for centuries? The first ‘organization of businesses’ was in 1599 in Marseilles, France, where the term “chamber of commerce” was first documented. The modern Chamber of Commerce is more of an American development, and the New York State Chamber is the oldest Chamber of Commerce in America, formed in 1768. That makes it older than the DeclarationofIndependence!

Today’s Chambers, like the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, provide a platform for businesses to connect, collaborate, and share ideas. Businesses can build valuable relationships and access new opportunities in our dynamic markets throughnetworkingeventsandseminars.

Advocacy and Government Relations

Our Chamber represents the interests of its members in front of government authorities and policymakers. We advocate for policies and regulations that support businesses in adapting to changing market conditions.

Education and Training

We offer workshops to help businesses develop the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to changing market conditions. This includes topics like digital marketing, ecommerce, and best sales practices.

Marketing and Promotion

We play a significant role in marketing and promoting our member businesses. We host events, provide avenues for members to post on our social media pages, send press releases, and market events on our website. Plus, there are numerous advertising opportunities available.

Economic Development Crisis Management

Our Chamber is heavily involved in economic development efforts to attract new businesses and industries to the area, creating new opportunities for members.

During economic uncertainty of crisis, like COVID-19, we played a vital role in helping our members weather the storm by providing information, resources, and support.

Investing in Our Local Public Schools through S.P.I.R.E.

The Boca Chamber’s Board of Directors created the Golden Bell Education Foundation to give back to their community. The Foundation exists to support Boca Raton public schools by administering funds and educational programs that promote business skills for students. The Foundation has awarded grants to Boca Raton public school teachers K-12 since 1991. By giving to schools today, the foundation is creating a stronger generation of leaders for tomorrow who will go on to work and lead throughout our community. We are advancing commerce by investing in our future workforce.

The Golden Bell Education Foundation has awarded 1.9 million dollars plus over the last 33 years and just over $110,000 to Boca Raton public schools for the 2022-2023 school year. Golden Bell has impacted over 850,000 children, in over 1,100 classrooms through more than 1,200 grants!

S.P.I.R.E. is a comprehensive and multisensory reading intervention and instructional program that integrates phonological awareness, phonics, handwriting, fluency, vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension in an instructional design that is based upon how struggling readers learn.

S.P.I.R.E. has been used throughout the country with remarkable success by thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students. This includes students with characteristics of dyslexia, or Specific Learning Disabilities, or students who need direct, systematic, sequential instruction in reading.

The Golden Bell Education Foundation is proud to partner with the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County to help close the literacy achievement gap for our underperforming students in Boca Raton. We created a $40,000 program to purchase the S.P.I.R.E. (Specialized Program Individualizing Reading Excellence) reading program for grades K-3 in all thirteen public elementary schools in Boca Raton for the 2022-2023 school year. $20,000 of the program funding came from the state’s School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program which comes from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF).

These funds matched the Golden Bell Education Foundation’s local $20,000 contribution to the program. The 2023 – 2024 school year yielded an additional $20,000 with $10,000 in matching funds from The Education Foundation of Palm Beach Count combined with Golden Bell Education Foundation’s $10,000 contribution. Efforts have totaled $60,000 to date.

We've selected S.P.I.R.E. as a Golden Bell initiative due to its high impact potential within Boca Raton, aligning with district and state approval, costeffectiveness, and a remarkable success rate. Each kit costs approximately $1,500, allowing us to acquire two kits per school. While not all kit components are consumables, sustaining the program in the future would require just $500 annually for consumable materials. S.P.I.R.E. targets the lowest 25% of readers in grades K-3 across all Boca Raton public elementary schools. The School District of Palm Beach County oversees program execution, progress monitoring, and result reporting. Student progress is tracked through 'i-Ready' assessments, with graduation from the program contingent upon satisfactory reading levels. Clear and measurable results facilitate easy progress tracking. Moving forward, the Foundation aims to seek funds for additional programs to aid struggling readers in Boca Raton. Contributions to this initiative are fully tax-deductible and vital in supporting the educational advancement of Boca Raton's students. Join us in nurturing tomorrow's leaders by supporting our schools today!

REDEFINING ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION IN AMERICA

The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is an exciting program transforming local middle and high school students into entrepreneurs. YEA! aims to help students embrace their passion, energy, creativity, and talents to launch a business venture. Through this year’s 20-week program, students worked closely with local leaders of industry and educators to develop business ideas, conduct market research, and write business plans to launch their companies. This year's program consisted of two significant events: The CEO Roundtable and Elevator Pitch Competition held on January 17th and the “Shark Tank” style Investor Panel Presentations held on March 6th.

The YEA! Class of 2024:

Zoe Abbot, Zoe’sBotanicalBeauty

Ayomide Abdul, IvoryCosmetics

Enrique Galindo Alvarez, WatchLock

Sean Alba, Ethan Brady, Henry Levinson, 3GuysGolf

Elan Beker Help-4-HomelessHeroes

Iain Berman, Footek

Mateo Goldberger, TheCafeteroClub

Christopher Grau & Maxx Viciedo, TeenWork

Zachary Mandel, K2

Murilo Parras, FindYourPassion

Juan Rojas, SparkeSoccer

Eli Rumsky, ComfyPets

Simmy Shalhoub, Micro-paste

The local leaders for the CEO Roundtable shared important, valuable business lessons with the YEA! Class of 2024. We are grateful for these CEOs who participated:

Sheryl Clark, CEO of BostonProper

James Farese, CEO and Founder of ReachLink

Olivia Hollaus, Founder and CEO of ProtectMyShoes

The Elevator Pitch Competition during the event's second half consisted of students pitching their innovative ideas between 30 – 60 seconds. Although every student did great, three rose to the top:

1st Place – MateoGoldberger from Saint Andrew’s School

2nd Place – JuanRojas of Santaluces High School

3rd Place – ElanBeker from Saint Andrew’s School

The Investor Panel Presentations was our final culminating event, where students presented all they had accomplished. Thirteen businesses were presented in 4-minute presentations to win launch money from investors.

The winners chosen to represent our chapter in the national competition are:

SeanAlba, EthanBrady, andHenryLevinson(All Saint Andrew’s students in 11th grade)- 3 Guys Golf, a birdie-cleaning device for more effective golfing.

Mateo Goldberger (11th grade at Saint Andrew’s) – The Cafetero Club, a coffee subscription highlighting smaller local Colombian farmers.

Juan Rojas (12th grader at Santaluces High School) – Sparke Soccer, a motivational clothing uniform brand for kids soccer academies.

We are proud of the entire YEA! Class of 2024 for all the hard work they have accomplished to be the future CEOs and business leaders of tomorrow!

To learn more about YEA!, visit: www.yeausa.org

SUPPORTING WOMEN INBUSINESS

Welcome to the Warmer Side of Care.

There are many sides of care at Baptist Health. And each one stays true to our values. Bringing humanity, warmth and understanding to every person that comes through our doors. Which is why we’re here to stand by you, through all of life’s moments. Welcome to Baptist Health.

sponsors and event supporters. Among the highlights were several new events, standing proudly alongside the cherished traditions of our heritage events. It's worth noting that some events were so popular that they sold out quickly, prompting us to begin reserving 2024 dates earlier than usual!

Allegiance Home Health will return as our sponsor, with Rosie Inguanzo-Martin serving as Chair.

Over $130,000 was raised last summer for these nonprofits, and we can’t wait to see the amazing strides they’ll make this August!

Boca Chamber Festival Days is generously sponsored by:

UNITING BUSINESSES WITH NON-PROFITS FOR A BETTER BOCA

oca Chamber Festival Days is the Boca Chamber’s outreach to the non-profit community. Non-profit Chamber Members join forces with forprofit Chamber Members to hold events during the month of August. The primary objective is to enhance awareness and gather funds for the philanthropic endeavors of non-profit members throughout the entire month!

Residents of South Florida move from one event to another, actively participating in a diverse range of activities that showcase the vibrant essence of Boca Raton, spanning from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations.

For those interested in learning more, please get in touch with Alison Miuccio, Membership Development Manager, at amiuccio@bocachamber.com or call 561-395-4433, ext. 236.

New Member Orientations

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

MARCH

The Boca Chamber members listed below referred one of their contacts to join, and they did!

Debbie Levine Boca Raton Police Foundation

Jacqueline Hill ESQ J. Hill Law

Joyce Hunter The Florida Printing Group

Laura Kaufman Office Evolution

Lisa Meade-Romero Mary Kay

Marni Tice Little Kitchen Cookie Co.

Matt Blank FastSigns Coral Springs

Michael Piccoli On Target Digital Marketing Agency

Pamela VanDam Unicity

Ronnie Fairlie Absolute Home Mortgage Corp.

Sandra Cohen Baciami Moda

Sandra Salce HOTWORX Deerfield Beach

Stephen Rosen Stephen G. Rosen CPA

Steve Hawxhurst Dryer Vent Wizard of Boca Raton

Suzanne Stillwell All Digital Marketing Consultants

QUARTERLY CHAMBER ANNIVERSARIES

19 Years

33

Boca Raton Community High School

35

38

Boca Raton/Simon

18 Years

Boca Raton Timbertech Championship

Boston’s on the Beach & 50 Ocean

Rapoport’s Restaurant Group Victory Accounting Service, Inc.

17 Years

Astro Air Inc.

JPMorgan Chase Lexington International, LLC

16 Years

Bryn Mawr Capital Management

Evershore Financial Group

Keratin Complex

Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort

15 Years Plum Productions

Family Rentals and Guest Services

Junior Achievement of South Florida, Inc.

Rocco’s Tacos 14 Years

Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency

Deck 84

EG Communications Group

Florida Blue

Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc.

13 Years

Alman and Katz Dentistry

Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County

Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Managed Care Concepts

Memorial Healthcare System

Omar Periu International

The Deltennium Group

The Florida Printing Group, Inc.

12 Years

Addison Mizner Elementary School

Advent School

Arthur Norek

Boca Raton Restaurant Group, LLC

Health Care District of Palm Beach County

Lavalle, Brown & Ronan P.A.

Mario’s Osteria

Menorah House

Sandpiper Shores Elementary School

South Florida Fair

The Women’s Circle

11 Years

Bedeschi America, Inc.

Broward, Palm Beaches & St Lucie Realtors®

Champagne & Parisi Real Estate

Cornell Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine

Croskey Lanni, PC

Dunay, Miskel and Backman, LLP

Murdoch Weires PLLC

Oxbridge Academy

Seacoast Bank

The Symphonia Boca Raton

TouchSuite

Veranda Club

10 Years

Centennial Bank

Farber Plastic Surgery

The Boca Raton Florist

The Rudman Law Group

5 Years

Boca Office Furniture / ORW Workplace

D’Best Sandwich Shop

Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative - HEI

HotWorx Boynton Beach

JK Closing Attorneys

Just Salad - West Boca

Nextgen Pest Solutions

On Target Digital Marketing Agency

Personal Physician Care

iTHINK

Warner-Prokos Photography

Whit’s Frozen Custard of Boca

NEW MEMBERS

280 E. Palmetto Park Road, LLC / Glass

House Boca (561) 232-2644

Boca Raton

www.glasshouseboca.com

Adam Gottbetter

Addy Realty (561) 609-9068

Boca Raton

Shoshana Raizer

Age Reversal MD (760) 705-7311

Boca Raton

Adina Smarandache MD

Air-Con International (561) 355-0380

Boynton Beach airconint.com

Ken Hutchings

Artisan Promotions Inc (561) 757-0586

Boca Raton www.bocastrawberryfestival.com

Skyler Mendieta

Aurora Counseling and Wellness Center (954) 513-8037

Boca Raton www.auroracounselingcenter.com

Najla Sallum

Awakening to Wellness LLC 5612513760

Boynton Beach www.DeeDeeDiMino.com

Dee Dee DiMino

Ayro Mindset Performance Specialists (561) 445-3857

www.ayromindset.com

Geoffrey Schmidt

BNT Services Inc (954) 233-0126

Pompano Beach www.bntwindowsanddoors.com

Chris Young

Boca Jets (561) 564-3430

Boca Raton www.flyboca.com

Michael Masella

Brightmont Academy (888) 521-0887

Boca Raton https://www.brightmontacademy.com/cam puses/boca-raton-fl

Debbie Cohen

Brighton 11th, LLC (561) 504-5678

Boca Raton

www.michaelackerman.keyes.com

Michael Ackerman

Broten Garage Door Sales (954) 946-5555

Pompano Beach

www.broten.com

Bruce Metviner

btrue&well (732) 598-6958

www.btrueandwell.com

Carli Dansky

Camden Agency (561) 217-5777

Boca Raton

www.camdenagency.com

Bridget Greenwald

Caring Nurses Home Health (561) 221-4165

Delray Beach

www.caringnurseshomehealth.net

Susan Ricca

Caring People (561) 860-9200

Boca Raton

www.caringpeople.com

Sue Zetlin

Carlino's Pizza Bar (954) 253-7351

Boca Raton

https://www.carlinospizzabar.com/

Catherine Vicent

Castle Group (954) 644-2526

West Palm Beach

www.castlegroup.com

Millie Ventura

Clearlyderm - Boynton Beach (561) 739-9595

Boynton Beach

www.clearlydermillc.com

Courtney Wall

Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services (561) 374-3815

Boca Raton

www.clubztutoring.com

Christina Seamster

Cole Metals Group, LLC (561) 990-1070

Boca Raton

www.colemetalsgroup.com

Finis Cole II

Crumbl Cookies Boca Raton (561) 291-7705

Boca Raton

www.crumblcookies.com/stores

Courtney Newell

Curated Coaching & Counseling (954) 829-3280

Boca Raton

www.curatedcoachingandcounseling.com

Diana Wile

Dentures Today (561) 623-5300

Boynton Beach www.denturestoday.com

Kelly Karalekas

Diane Gray / The Keyes Company (561) 220-6470

Boynton Beach http://dianegray.keyes.com

Diane Gray

Douglas Elliman - Andi Kay (240) 899-1431

Boca Raton www.elliman.com/andreakay

Andi Kay

Emma Rose's Dry Cleaning & Alterations (561) 465-5559

Boca Raton

Zary Tiratsuyan

Fill My Cup Podcast (561) 755-0040

Delray Beach

Trysten Tice

Fitlife Foods (561) 569-2314

Boca Raton www.eatfitlifefoods.com

Nathan Watson

Florida Senior Consulting (800) 969-7176

Bradenton www.floridaseniorconsulting.com

Scott Miller

Foxtail Coffee Company (561) 409-0010

Boca Raton www.foxtailfranchise.com

Jason Stehli

Friedman, Rosenwasser & Goldbaum P.A. (859) 749-7946

Boca Raton www.frglaw.com

Andrew Friedman

Friends of Foster Children of Palm Beach County, Inc. (561) 352-2540

West Palm Beach www.friendsoffosterchildren.com

Mariana Lopes

Full House Public Adjusters (954) 821-6806

Deerfield Beach www.fullhousepa.net

Matthew Shelton

Genexus Energy and Power Generation Systems LLC (561) 887-6515

Boca Raton

Sezer Guzelciftci

NEW MEMBERS

GRIT Virtual Assistants LLC (954) 289-0800

Oakland Park

www.GritVAs.com

Rosangela Casagrande

Headline Booking (561) 820-7371

www.headlinebooking.com

Matt Altman

Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP (561) 276-1008

Boynton Beach

www.hhk.com

Mario Bai

Holistic Pet Cuisine (561) 241-9151

Boca Raton https://holisticpetcuisine.com/ Barbara Ratner

Iconic Supply Co.

Boca Raton

iconicsupply.co

Brent Mittleman

Inspired Spaces (508) 259-9972

Jody Epstein

Irina Hecht / Coldwell Banker (954) 857-8936

Coral Springs

Irina Hecht

Jenn Bramley Communications (401) 465-2213

Boca Raton www.jennbramley.com

Jenn Bramley

KRD (847) 278-4367

Schaumburg www.krdcpas.com

Robert S. Jacobson CPA MST

Let's Talk Mortgages (561) 801-7339

Delray Beach www.letstalkmortgages.com

Chris Jensen

Levine Dental (561) 391-6500

Boca Raton www.levinedentist.com

Martine Forrester Cadette DMD

Little Kitchen Cookie Co. (561) 929-1145

Delray Beach

Marni Tice

Maxim Hair Restoration/Maxim Weight Loss/Maxim Men's Health/Maxim Aesthetics (561) 763-9144

Boca Raton

www.maximhairrestoration.com

Arav Shintre

NAI Merin Hunter Codman (561) 471-8000

Boca Raton

www.mhcreal.com

Melissa Mulcahy

Palm Beach Grill Center (561) 877-2814

Boca Raton

www.palmbeachgrillcenter.com

Paul Ricard

Palm Beach Herb Growers (513) 690-1868

Lake Worth

Alex Smith

Palm Breeze Charters Inc. (561) 368-3566

Boca Raton

www.palmbreezecharters.com

Holly Sauer

Pearl White Media (954) 928-8311

Fort Lauderdale

www.pearlwhitemedia.com

Carly Morello

Petals of Prestige (888) 585-3530

Julie Tkachenko

Pineapple Grove Medical Spa Inc. (561) 921-8778

Delray Beach

www.Pineapplegrovemedspa.com

Gail Felice Cassas, PA-C

Play by Play Classics (215) 668-1501

Boca Raton

Jeremy Treatman

Quantum Floors Inc (561) 249-0308

Boca Raton

www.quantumfloors.com

Lucas Almeida

Rare Blue Moon Marketing (954) 789-0392

www.rarebluemoonmarketing.com

Alexis Tambe

RJM Real Estate Corp / Samantha L. Johnsen (954) 839-4115

Delray Beach

www.rjmrealestate.net

Samantha L. Johnsen

ROSE Concierge Services (561) 577-6559

Fort Lauderdale

www.roseconciergeservices.com

Roseane Souza

Sanctuary Medical Center (561) 886-0970

Boca Raton www.sanctuarymedical.com

Kat Clayton

Security Privateers (561) 948-1289

Boca Raton

www.teamone.support

Michael Scheidell

Shift 4-SkyTab - Merchant Service/ Boca Rep Lou Alfieri (561) 756-6050

Boca Raton poplme.co/hash/2iN2BRBs/1/si

ShopTropicals (707) 876-7427

Lake Worth www.shoptropicals.com

Darren Arithoppah

Smarty Pantz Marketing (954) 406-7160

Fort Lauderdale www.smartypantzmarketing.com

Allen Levin

Souvlaki GR (901) 569-0550

Boynton Beach http://souvlakigr.com

Alexa Lane

Sunshine Theory (646) 382-3070

Boca Raton www.sunshinetheory.com

Amy Margolies

Superiori Tea LLC / Teaspooon (954) 242-5122

Deerfield Beach www.teaspoonlife.com

SweatHouz (561) 210-1422

Boca Raton www.SweatHouz.com

Rachel Clark

TCS Tech (561) 927-0000

Boca Raton www.tcstech.com

Laura Soussan

NEW MEMBERS

TDK Design (561) 425-9029

www.tdk-design.com

Tatyana Tchernov

The Bali Market (561) 414-6021

Boca Raton www.thebalimarket.us

Jeff Macomber

The Fast Fire Watch Company (561) 617-6047

Boca Raton www.fastfirewatchguards.net

Noah Navarro

TLC Concierge Mobile Lab (213) 315-3909

Boca Raton www.tlcconciergemobilelab.com

Vanessa Moss

URBAN SOLAR LLC (561) 609-2664

Boca Raton www.urbansolar.com

Antonio Ramudo

VitalBridge Health, PLLC (561) 823-1020

Boynton Beach https://vitalbridgehealth.com/

Jay Ober

Waters Car Wash (561) 556-9274

Boca Raton www.waterscarwash.com

Danielle Van Lith

WOW 1 Day Painting (561) 254-6016

www.wow1day.com

Andres Sierra

Wyatt & Schwebel, P.A. (561) 716-0094

Boca Raton

www.yourrightsfl.com

Sam Wyatt

The Boca Chamber proudly stands by its mission to promote and sustain economic prosperity in Boca Raton and South Palm Beach County.

We accomplish this by adhering to our four core principals:

onnecting Members onnecting Members

A

dvancing Commerce dvancing Commerce

P E E

rotecting Business rotecting Business

nhancing Community nhancing Community

For more information about becoming a member of the Boca Chamber, please get in touch with Alison Miuccio at amiuccio@bocachamber.com OR

Scan the QR Code!

ChamberChatPodcast

Did you know?...The Boca Chamber has its own podcast!

Boca Chamber Chat began in early 2023 and is nearing 50 shows! In an era dominated by digital content, the rise of podcasting has emerged as a dynamic and accessible platform for selfexpression, education, and entertainment. Our Membership Development Manager, Alison Miuccio, hosts this 20-minute podcast that drops onallpodcastchannelseachTuesdaymorning.

“My goal for these podcasts is to feature dynamic and exciting personalities, brands, and businesses in our Chamber.” In each episode, Alison’s guest provides valuable insight and information for those looking to grow their businesses, launch their passion projects, or connect further with this vibrant community, PLUS their engagement in the Boca Chamber. This podcast dives into what drives people, their challenges, and how they have succeeded in business.”

Everyone has a story to tell, and Boca Chamber Chat wants to share those stories with our listeners. It’s all about building a community, sharing knowledge, and connecting with people on a personal level. The podcast is recorded at Podpopuli Studio located at 295 SE Mizner Blvd, #44 in Boca Raton.Ifyouareinterestedinbeingagueston Boca Chamber Chat, please contact Alison at amiuccio@bocachamber.com.

Boca Chamber chat podcast is available for streaming on all major platforms. Scan the QR code to learn more!

Stay in the know and plan your participation with the Boca Chamber app. It's free and easy to use!

Out & About

1.January Membership Breakfast

2.PULSE Meets The Board and Trustees Network

3.January SWIB Luncheon

4.February Membership Breakfast

@bocachamber boca_chamber bocachamber bocaratonchamberofcommerce

Chamber

We specialize in small Class-A office and warehouse spaces from 350 to 60,000 square feet.

Boca