February 2015 Forum for Business

FEBRUARY 2015 | VOL. XXXIV NO. 2

ENTERPRISE ZONE BUY LAKELAND. IT MAKES GOOD CENTS!

LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

CH A M BER STAFF CORYDON G. SKEATES President

CSKEATES@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

BARBARA BENNETT Executive Assistant

BBENNETT@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

S A L LY C H A P M A N

Vice President, Finance & Administration

SCHAPMAN@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

ADAM HANSJONS

Administrative Assistant, Member Information

AHANSJONS@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY KURT ELMHORST | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD ALLEN & COMPANY OF FLORIDA, INC.

C A R O LY N J A C K S O N

Senior Vice President, Member Relations

CJACKSON@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

JACQUELINE L. JOHNSON

Senior Vice President, Convention & Visitors Bureau

CORYDON G. SKEATES | PUBLISHER

JACKIEJ@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

AMY S. WIGGINS | EDITOR

KATIE MCBRIDE

LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Membership Consultant

NICE BRANDING AGENCY | CREATIVE DIRECTION, PRODUCTION & PHOTOGRAPHY

KMCBRIDE@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

WWW.BRANDNICELY.COM

NIKKI OAKLEY

Membership Account Executive

Bus NESS&bre kfast

NOAKLEY@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

TERRY OTTINGER

Vice President, Membership Development

TOTTINGER@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

E M I LY R I N E H A R T

Administrative Assistant, Member Relations | Public Affairs

ERINEHART@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

S S E C

C U S S

E L A S

RICH ROY

Vice President, Public Affairs

RROY@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

PATTY SMITH

Administrative Assistant, Convention & Visitors Bureau

PSMITH@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

Presented by

Jared Weggeland

Southern Homes of Polk County

February 12 | 7:30 a.m.

AMY WIGGINS

Vice President, Communications

AWIGGINS@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

35 LAKE MORTON DRIVE PO BOX 3607 LAKELAND, FL 33802-3607 (863) 688-8551 LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

Lake Morton Plaza, LLC

400 S Florida Ave

$5 Members | $15 Non Members Register at LakelandChamber.com 2 | FORUM FOR BUSINESS

© 2015 Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved.

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to refuse certain advertising and is not liable for advertisers claims and/or errors. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the position of the Chamber.

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FEBRUARY IS FHSAA CHAMPIONSHIP MONTH! “Building Champions” is this year’s motto as The Lakeland Center embarks on another great season of FHSAA Basketball! The phrase describes the community’s continued commitment to provide not only improved economic impact but a greater experience for visitors, athletes and guests.

Lakeland has had the proud distinction of being chosen as the host of more FHSAA Championships than any other city in the state.

While Lakeland has enjoyed the economic success of these tournaments, the community is honored to be such a significant part of the special memories created in Lakeland for the student athletes, their families and their high schools!

The 2014 tournament season created more than $8 million in spending throughout Polk County—making our large and small businesses

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real winners also! Please mark your calendars for these dates as our hotels, motels, restaurants and area visitor destinations will see hoops excitement with additional customers!

OUR CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE HAS BEEN HARD AT WORK FOR MONTHS PLANNING TO MAKE THESE UPCOMING EVENTS SUCCESSFUL. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A SEASON FILLED WITH STRATEGIC VISION AND EXCELLENCE—BOTH ON AND OFF THE COURT!

THE 2015 DATES FEBRUARY 17-21

FHSAA Girls’ State Basketball Championships The Lakeland Center

FEBRUARY 24-28

FHSAA Boys’ State Basketball Championships The Lakeland Center

exper i e nc e e me r g e

JONATHAN CRAIN TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

CONNECT ] EMERGELakeland.com

When I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Finance in 2004 I knew one thing: I didn't want to sit in a cubicle all day for a big company, bank or insurance company. Knowing this, my then girlfriend (now wife), Karen, encouraged me to open my own business. I was intrigued and we spent 2005 and 2006 looking for “a good fit.” That “good fit” turned out to be Two Men and a Truck. I purchased the opportunity to market the Lakeland area.

When I arrived in Lakeland we didn’t have any friends or contacts so I began attending networking functions to spread the word about my

business. It wasn’t an easy process. I didn't run into many people my age and those that were my age weren't the young professionals with common interests and goals I was accustomed to befriending.

That all changed when I was invited to a Membership Drive Kickoff Party with EMERGE Lakeland.

Karen and I attended and our eyes were opened. As the night progressed, Karen and I mingled throughout the gathered crowd. When the night ended and we were driving home, we each shared stories about the cool people and interesting stories we'd encountered. We already knew EMERGE Lakeland and its

members would play an important role in our personal and professional lives. It was that night, for the first time, that we discussed our long-term future in Lakeland. Karen and I joined EMERGE Lakeland, and steadily became engrained in the Lakeland life. We painted a Habitat for Humanity home, we attended Pack the Bar events and we started to see other EMERGE Lakeland members around town. Lakeland was now home.

EMERGE Lakeland was the best thing that could've happened to me when we moved to Lakeland. It allowed me to participate in service projects and cultivate relationships.

Attending larger networking functions became less intimidating, because friends from EMERGE Lakeland were always there to help make new business connections.

Over time our network of contacts and friends grew and so did my business.

The success was due in large part to EMERGE Lakeland and the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce. As a result, Two Men and a Truck became a corporate sponsor of EMERGE Lakeland in 2013. Just recently, I also accepted an offer to serve on EMERGE Lakeland’s Steering Committee. I am a perfect example of the successes that “emerged” in the last 10 years of EMERGE

Lakeland and I look forward to helping EMERGE Lakeland influence new up and coming young professionals in the coming years.

When I put on a suit instead of my traditional dress of shorts and a polo to attend that first Membership Kickoff Party, I never imagined the major impact that EMERGE would have on my life. I am grateful to all of those people who helped create, cultivate, and grow this incredible organization.

But please don’t just take my word for it.

Come to a future event and let me prove to you the impact this group can have on you, your business and the future of Lakeland.

With today’s turbulent market, you need someone with a sound mind and an unwavering dedication to manage your wealth. When investing with Wall Titus, your goals become our goals and we guide you every step of the way, building strategies that minimize the impact of the storms.

STAY AHEAD OF THE STORM - LETS GET STARTED NOW

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Pregna ncy D i s cr i m i n at ion Act (PDA ) – Wh at You S h o u l d K n o w THE NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (SHRM)

C/O DUSTIN SHAY Mid-Florida SHRM Director of Public Relations

CONNECT ] midflorida.shrm.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HR ISSUES AFFECTING YOUR BUSINESS, PLEASE CONTACT A MEMBER OF MID-FLORIDA SHRM

In its first major update of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance on pregnancy discrimination since 1983, the agency on July 14, 2014, added provisions explaining when the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) might require reasonable accommodations for workers with pregnancy-related disabilities or work restrictions.

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Many of the ideas in the revised guidance shed light on the commission’s thoughts about what constitutes reasonable accommodation under the ADA and could be instituted without undue hardship.

Regardless, under the current guidance, Scott Fanning, an attorney with Fisher & Phillips in Chicago, said employers should be “cautious with pregnant employees. Treat them as you would anyone else.” He noted that under the guidance in terms of accommodations, pregnant employees with disabilities (which arguably might even include morning sickness or high blood pressure) have the same accommodation rights that any other individuals with disabilities would have. That said, he noted that while some courts will follow the guidance, no court must.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS XR edistributing marginal or nonessential functions (such as lifting) that a pregnant worker cannot perform, or altering how an essential or marginal function is performed.

XM odifying workplace policies, such as allowing a pregnant worker more frequent breaks or allowing her to keep a water bottle at a workstation even though keeping drinks at workstations is generally prohibited.

XM odifying a work schedule so that someone who experiences severe morning sickness can arrive later than her usual start time and leave later to make up the time.

XA llowing a pregnant worker placed on bed rest to telework where feasible.

XG ranting leave in addition to what an employer would normally provide under a sick leave policy.

XP urchasing or modifying equipment, such as a stool for a pregnant employee who needs to sit while performing job tasks typically performed while standing.

XT emporarily reassigning an employee to a light-duty position.

BEST PRACTICES In addition, the guidance listed best practices in providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, such as: XH ave a process in place for expeditiously considering reasonable accommodation requests made by employees with pregnancyrelated disabilities, and for granting accommodations where appropriate.

XS tate explicitly in any written reasonable accommodation policy that reasonable accommodations may be available to individuals with temporary impairments, including impairments related to pregnancy.

XM ake any written reasonable accommodation procedures an employer may have widely available to all employees, and periodically remind them that the employer will reasonably accommodate employees with disabilities who need them, absent undue hardship.

XT rain managers to recognize requests for reasonable accommodations, to respond promptly to all requests, and to avoid assuming that pregnancyrelated impairments are not disabilities.

XM ake sure that anyone designated to handle requests for reasonable accommodations knows that the definition of the term disability is broad and that employees requesting accommodations, including employees with pregnancy-related impairments, should not be required to submit more than reasonable documentation to establish that they have covered disabilities.

X I f a particular accommodation requested by an employee cannot be provided, explain why and offer to discuss the possibility of providing an alternative accommodation.

HISTORY AND LAKELAND’S DESIGNATION The state of Florida created one of the first Enterprise Zone programs in the country in 1982. In 1994, the program changed dramatically when the state Legislature passed the Florida Enterprise Zone act of 1994.

This act mirrored the federal government’s Enterprise Communities and Empowerment Zone programs. At the time, all existing zones were repealed and a new application and designation process were established.

This application process required each local government to establish a strategic plan, form a local Enterprise Zone Development Agency, and submit a specific map showing the zone’s boundaries. The applications were submitted during the summer of 1995 and 19 zones were designated on July 1, 1995.

BY JASON WILLEY

C I T Y O F L A K E L A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T C O O R D I N ATO R

The Florida Enterprise Zone Program offers an assortment of tax incentives to businesses that choose to create employment within an enterprise zone, which is a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalization. This program offers businesses located in an Enterprise Zone corporate and sales and use tax credits for hiring residents of the Zone.

Sales tax refunds are offered to businesses located in the 8 | FORUM FOR BUSINESS

Zone that purchase building materials and business equipment for use in the Zone and corporate tax credits are available to new and expanding businesses that locate their facilities in the zone. Designed to encourage economic growth and investments in a community’s urban core, the program offers tax advantages and incentives to businesses and property owners located within the Enterprise Zone.

Shortly thereafter, the Florida Legislature amended state statutes to allow for boundary adjustments, incentive changes and the addition of 36 enterprise zone designations. The 1994 act established a repeal date of December 31, 2005. In 2005, the Florida Legislature extended the Enterprise Zone program for ten years and provided existing enterprise zones an opportunity to have their zones redesignated with boundary amendments. This current extension has an established repeal date of December 31, 2015. Today, there are approximately 65 areas in Florida that have an Enterprise Zone designation.

The City of Lakeland received Legislative approval to apply to the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development for an Enterprise Zone designation in 2005. With a completed application and adopted strategic development plan, Lakeland’s Enterprise Zone became effective in January of 2006. At the time of the designation, Lakeland’s Zone encompassed a 7.38 square mile area, had a population of 21,227 persons and contained approximately 672 businesses.

ADMINISTERING & MANAGING INCENTIVES Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity manages the Enterprise Zone Program and the Florida Department of Revenue is responsible for processing all enterprise zone tax incentive applications. Locally, each Enterprise Zone is governed by an Enterprise Zone Development Agency. The Agency oversees the implementation of the strategic plan and makes important decisions concerning the zone. The Enterprise Zone Development Agency also appoints a local Enterprise Zone administrator to maintain the dayto-day operations of the zone. This administrator is the primary local contact for the zone, answering questions, distributing program materials, verifying addresses and compiling quarterly and annual reports. All tax incentive applications must be certified locally by the administrator before the applications are sent to the Department of Revenue to be processed.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES OFFERED THROUGH LAKELAND’S ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM Enterprise Zone Jobs Tax Credit

[ C O R P O R AT E I N C O M E TA X ]

Allows a business located within the Enterprise Zone to take a corporate income tax credit for 20 percent of wages paid to new employees who reside within the Enterprise Zone. The Corporate Tax Credit cannot be used in conjunction with the Sales Tax Credit.

Enterprise Zone Jobs Tax Credit

[ SA L ES A N D U S E TA X ]

Allows a business located within the Enterprise Zone to take a sales and use tax credit for 20 percent of wages paid to new employees who reside within the Enterprise Zone. To be eligible, a business must create at least one new job. The Sales Tax Credit cannot be used in conjunction with the Corporate Tax Jobs Credit.

Enterprise Zone Property Tax Credit [ C O R P O R AT E

I N C O M E TA X ]

New or expanded businesses located within the Enterprise Zone are allowed a credit against Florida corporate income tax equal to 96% of ad valorem taxes paid on the new or improved property.

Sales Tax Refund for Building Materials A refund is available for sales taxes paid on the purchase of building materials used to rehabilitate real property located in the Enterprise Zone. Both businesses and residents are eligible for this incentive that refunds up to $5,000 of the sales tax paid for building materials.

Sales Tax Refund for Business Machinery and Equipment A refund is available for sales taxes paid on the purchase of certain business property, which is used exclusively in the Enterprise Zone for at least 3 years. This incentive refunds up to $5,000 of the sales tax paid for purchases of at least $5,000 for machinery and equipment used in the Enterprise Zone.

Community Contributions Tax Credit Program Allows businesses a 50% credit on Florida corporate income tax, insurance premium tax, or sales tax refund for donations made to local community development projects. Businesses are not required to be located in the Enterprise Zone to be eligible for this credit.

GROWING & INVESTING IN LAKELAND Lakeland’s Enterprise Zone is designed to promote and accelerate economic development, housing and general public improvements for residents and businesses within the zone. Encouraging capital investments, the Enterprise Zone will help to achieve a sustainable and diverse local economy with greater economic opportunities. Since receiving the Enterprise Zone designation in 2006, Lakeland has processed over 100 incentive applications and provided approximately $325,000 in sales tax refunds to qualified businesses and property owners. Though these numbers are not as substantial in volume as the typical incentives provided for qualified target industry businesses, the assistance is meaningful as it is often geared towards small and growing businesses with the core of our central city.

On December 31 of this year, the Florida Enterprise Zone Program is scheduled to sunset. This valuable program and its incentives are an important tool used to attract new businesses while promoting our existing ones. Please join our local Legislative Delegation in supporting the reinstatement of the Florida Enterprise Zone Program for an additional 10 years.

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smal l b u s i n e s s o f t h e mon t h

THE SANOBA LAW FIRM GREGORY A. SANOBA 863.683.5353 422 S. FLORIDA AVE. LAKELAND, FL 33801

CONNECT ] www.Sanoba.com

Attorney Gregory A. Sanoba renovated 422 South Florida Avenue and moved The Sanoba Law Firm there in 2009.

The transformation of the building from a rather drab, dated multi-tenant building to a beautiful wellappointed owneroccupied headquarters in keeping with the historic Downtown district made an important contribution to the on-going improvements of the Florida Avenue corridor in the Downtown/Dixieland area. Attorney Sanoba’s experience with real estate law and his considerable investment in Downtown led to his being asked to serve on the

Lakeland Downtown Development Authority/Downtown Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board, a position he continues in as an elected representative today.

Service on the LDDA/Downtown CRA Advisory Board is only a part of the volunteerism Greg brings to the Lakeland Community.

Greg shares the experience and value of his legal expertise as a board member of Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center and Platform Art in addition to providing financial support to Pace Center for Girls, VISTE, Youth Baseball at Peterson Park and the Florida Marine Raiders Football team that provides

opportunities for approximately 400 children to play indoor football at the Lakeland Center. A Sanoba Scholarship has been created to provide low income students at West Area Adult School with the financial resources necessary to take the GED test.

All of these community service activities are accomplished while providing professional legal services to his clients. Greg can be relied on to guide his clients through any type of real estate transaction which has been a focus of the law firm. However, during the downturn in real estate and recession, The Sanoba Law Firm took the opportunity to

increase their volume of civil litigation files for local, national, and international clients.

They are proud to represent individuals and companies from several countries around the world. The range and volume of legal services allows Greg to annually provide an opportunity for college students to work at the law firm in an intern capacity to learn about the practice of law and perhaps become one of the new attorneys routinely hired by the firm.

The Sanoba Law Firm’s continued involvement in real estate law led to Greg’s active involvement in the Lakeland Association of Realtors,

Polk County Builders Association, Florida Home Builders Association and Polk County Trial Lawyers for many years, and he currently serves as Vice President of the Polk County Builders Association.

The key to success of any small business is referrals, and The Sanoba Law Firm is proud that many of its clients have been using the firm’s services for years. These satisfied customers routinely refer others to The Sanoba Law Firm, which continues to grow and provide the attention to detail and aggressive advocacy for the interest of their clients giving them a unique position in the law firm industry.

B Y P AT R I C I A H E N D L E R , For more information on the requirements for the Small Business Award and to view previous recipients, please visit LakelandChamber.com/ BusinessResource.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH COMMITTEE MEMBER GARY CLEVELAND, PRESENTS THE JANUARY SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH AWARD TO THE SANOBA LAW FIRM. PICTURED IN THE PHOTO ARE JESSICA RUTBERG, LINDA AYCOCK, LAURA SIMMONS, ROBIN BECKER, ATHENA WARLEN; GARY CLEVELAND, GREGORY SANOBA, KRYSTAL JONES, ANGIE SKINNER AND KENNETH BRANHAM.

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CITY OF LAKELAND

WA N T T O K N O W W H Y B E I N G A M E M B E R O F T H E L A K E L A N D A R E A C H A M B E R I S S O B E C O M I N G ? R E A D O N . . .

CALENDAR

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

NEW MEMBERS

JOIN US IN WELCOMING BACK OUR DETROIT TIGERS TO LAKELAND FOR SPRING TRAINING 2015!

JUSTIN VERLANDER

MIGUEL CABRERA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 JOKER MARCHANT STADIUM • GATES OPEN 6 PM 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd. • Lakeland, Florida 33805

ADULTS $50 • CHILDREN (12 and under) $25 NON-CHAMBER MEMBERS $60

ENJOY TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN BBQ WITH A 2015 SOUVENIR MUG! NO TAKE OUT ORDERS • NO AUTOGRAPHS

FOR MORE INFORMATION

69TH ANNUAL TIGER BBQ LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PO BOX 3607 • LAKELAND, FLORIDA 33802 (863) 688-8551, EXT. 224 or 223

RIBBON CUTTINGS DETROIT TIGERS NEW CONTRACT WILL HAVE THEM IN LAKELAND FOR 100 YEARS! Most baseball fans, players and even team executives assume that the national pastime's infatuation with numbers is simply a byproduct of the information age. The truth is that baseball and its numbers have been inseparable since the birth of the game, from box scores to statistics.

The numbers have certainly been working for Lakeland! Spring Training provides the state of Florida with an estimated economic impact of $753 million each year. In Lakeland, that translates to approximately $45 million— last year bringing 116,226 fans to the games at Joker Marchant Stadium. The majority of those fans are from out of state—bringing new dollars into our area!

As a result of the stadium renovation and the new contract, Lakeland will now host Spring Training for the Detroit Tigers for more than 100 years. The numbers: this year will be their 79th Spring Training in Lakeland and the 69th Annual Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Tiger BBQ. No other city and ball club can make that momentous announcement!

Our Annual Tiger BBQ, a Lakeland tradition to kick off Spring Training, will be held Thursday, February 26 at Joker Marchant Stadium beginning at 6:00 p.m. Please visit 2015TigerBBQ.LakelandChamber.com to purchase tickets for this exciting event!

For information on purchasing Detroit Tigers Spring Training tickets, please go to Tigers.com or call 866-66-TIGER (866-668-4437).

SPONSORED BY

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE 2015TigerBBQ.LakelandChamber.com F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 11

FEBRUARY 2015 dates THUR 26 MON 9

MONDAY FEBRUARY 9 EMERGE LAKELAND STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

THUR 5

3:45 p.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

WED 11

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 “SUIT UP” FOR FIRST FRIDAY COLLEGE EVENT

WED 11

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 EMERGE AS A PROFESSIONAL SUPERSTAR!: A BUSINESS COACHING LUNCH

8:00 a.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

9:15 a.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

TUES 17 WED 25

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING 4:00 p.m.

Chamber Briefing Room

MONDAY

DECEMBER

Munn Park

TOURISM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 LEADERSHIP LAKELAND XXXII - HEALTH CARE DAY

During the month of December our Visitor Information Center assisted hundreds of individuals, answering questions pertaining to Chamber member businesses and the Lakeland community.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 BUSINESS & BREAKFAST

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

12:00 p.m.

Grasslands Golf & Country Club 1600 Grasslands Blvd.

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Joker Marchant Stadium 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd

12:00 p.m.

Keiser University 2400 Interstate Drive

THUR 12

7:30 a.m.

Lake Morton Plaza 400 S Florida Ave

THUR 19

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.

Chamber Briefing Room 35 Lake Morton Dr

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 69TH ANNUAL TIGER BBQ

5:30-8:30 p.m.

The Lakeland Center 701 W Lime St

FRI 6

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 BUSINESSVOICE OF GREATER LAKELAND

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 2014 ANNUAL MEETING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 SCORE ROUND TABLE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

WALK-IN VISITORS................................................................................. 201 RELOCATION RESPONSE MAILINGS.............................................. 2 RELOCATION RESPONSE (WALK IN)...........................................29 ACCOMMODATIONS................................................................................... 0 WINTER ACCOMMODATIONS...........................................................03 VISITOR INFORMATION MAILINGS.................................................. 8 VISITOR CENTER E-MAIL INQUIRIES.......................................... 62

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Fields Motorcars 4141 N Florida Ave

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SAT

SUN 1

2

9

3

10

11 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 8:00 A.M. BUSINESSVOICE OF GREATER LAKELAND 9:15 A.M. EMERGE AS A PROFESSIONAL SUPERSTAR!: A BUSINESS COACHING LUNCH 12:00 P.M.

EMERGE LAKELAND STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 3:45 P.M.

16

4

17

18

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING 4:00 P.M.

23

24

5

6

2014 ANNUAL MEETING 5:30-8:30 P.M.

“SUIT UP” FOR FIRST FRIDAY COLLEGE EVENT

12

8

13

14

15

20

21

22

27

28

BUSINESS & BREAKFAST 7:30 A.M. LEADERSHIP LAKELAND XXXII HEALTH CARE DAY

19 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS 5:30-7:30 P.M.

25 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 12:00 P.M.

26 SCORE ROUND TABLE 7:30 A.M. 69TH ANNUAL TIGER BBQ 6:00-8:00 P.M.

12 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

7

Even t HI G HLI GH T S 01

02

NEW MEMBER RECEPTION PRESENTED BY GROW FINANCIAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Hosted by TD Bank

01 | Heather Papoulis introduced herself and shared her 30-second commercial for TooJay’s Restaurant and Deli at the New Member Reception hosted by TD Bank.

02 | Bob Read (LegalShield of Lakeland) gave a brief introduction about himself and his company, following a presentation on his duties as a Chamber Champion.

03

04

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Hosted by Two Men and a Truck

03 | Jessica Lawson (SPCA Florida), Sarah Keener (Northwestern Mutual) and Jay Dee Hackney (Browning Moving & Storage).

04 | Ben Mundy (SCMH Architects) presented the plaque of appreciation to Jonathan and Karen Crain, owners of Two Men and a Truck.

05 | David Sandow (Spherion), Matthew Cantrall (Century Signs, Inc.)

BUSINESS & BREAKFAST

Hosted by Good Shepherd Hospice

05

06

06 | Mayor Howard Wiggs delivered a great presentation on his first year in office, the “State of the City of Lakeland” at the Business & Breakfast hosted by Good Shepherd Hospice.

07 | Fellow Chamber members were very interested in Mayor Howard Wiggs presentation on “State of the City.”

07

F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 13

ADVO C ATE boring Marissa Smallwood was named Employee of the Quarter for the 3rd quarter of 2014. Marissa has been Boring’s Corporate Recruiter since January of 2011. In that time, she has overseen the hiring of dozens of employees and has helped Boring to grow, expand, and thrive as a company.

THE LAKELAND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY INVITES YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

IN LAKELAND.

Hill Ward Henderson

COUNCIL OF ADVISOR S Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A. Is very pleased to announce that Ralph H. Schofield, Jr. has been named as a Partner with our firm. Ralph practices primarily in the areas of Business and Real Estate Litigation, including handling issues related to community associations, the environment and land use, labor & employment, and residential and commercial tenancies. Ralph studied at the University of South Florida before receiving his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2009 and is a member of the Lakeland Bar Association, the Florida Bar, and the American Bar Association.

AMB ASSAD OR Watson Clinic LLP Sandy Osterman was named the December recipient of Watson Clinic's PEER award.

Osterman has been with the Clinic for seven years and is a laboratory assistant working in the Bella Vista Building in Lakeland. She has a strong work ethic, is willing to help where needed and accepts extra responsibilities without complaint.

Welcomes Patricia E. Bean as Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to her arrival in Florida, Bean served Brach Eichler, LLC in Roseland, New Jersey. Ms. Bean has a Bachelor of Science degree from Suffolk University School of Management and a Masters of Business Administration from Northeastern University Graduate School of Business. In 2008, she earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources through Fairleigh Dickinson University.

SPCA Florida Dr. David Miller, Jr. recently joined SPCA Florida bringing 28 years of experience including specialized surgeries and treatments and emergency and critical care. Dr. Miller will help SPCA Florida expand its specialty services and surgeries including diagnostic ultrasound, cardiac laparoscope, ophthalmic surgery and more.

CITY HALL BUILDING DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE ROOM TO RSVP CONTACT JULIE TOWNSEND AT JULIE.TOWNSEND@LAKELANDGOV.NET

Shirin Yasrebi DDS

The Salvation Army Welcomes three new Advisory Board Members: Sonji Coney-Williams of Coney Funeral Home, Robert Georges of MidAmerica Administrative and Retirement Solutions, Inc., and John McKnight a retired real estate broker.

Lanier Upshaw, Inc.

14 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

3:00 P.M. UNTIL 4:00 P.M.

Excited to welcome orthodontist Dr. Nancy Wiley to our practice to provide personalized orthodontic care for children, teens and adults. Dr. Wiley focuses on the root causes of a child’s need for braces, helping parents protect their valuable investment of time and money.

VISIONARY Pleased to announce that Tina Scanio has joined the agency as Risk Consultant in the Private Risk Management Group.

“FIRST-STEP” WORKSHOP

THE LAKELAND CHAMBER PRINTS BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENTS EACH MONTH AS SPACE PERMITS. PLEASE EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MOTM@LAKELANDCHAMBER.COM

Each month, the Chamber enlists the help of 20 volunteers to mentor new and current members with involvement in Chamber events and programs.

This month, the Chamber staff would like to recognize Bob Read, Director at LegalShield of Lakeland, for his outstanding attention to Chamber members and attendance at events! Bob is a wonderful asset to the Chamber and to the Lakeland community!

BOB READ

LEGALSHIELD OF LAKELAND Director

SPECIAL THANKS TO MAYOR HOWARD WIGGS AND ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS AND CHAMBER CHAMPIONS WHO TRULY MAKE THESE CEREMONIES SPECIAL EVENTS.

LAKELAND FAMILY PHARMACY

EMBRACE HOME LOANS

PLANET FITNESS – LAKELAND SOUTH

605 W MEMORIAL BLVD | (863) 698-7260

820 S FLORIDA AVE, STE 208 | (863) 393-9973

4315 S FLORIDA AVE | (863) 816-6800

Lakeland, FL 33815

Lakeland, FL, 33801

Lakeland, FL 33813

WWW.LAKELANDFAMILYPHARMACY.COM

WWW.EMBRACEHOMELOANS.COM

WWW.PLANETFITNESS.COM

N EW M E M B E R S HOBBY LOBBY LAKELAND NORTH 4236 US HWY 98 N LAKELAND, FL 33809 WWW.HOBBYLOBBY.COM NATALIE NGUYEN RETAIL, SHOPPING CENTERS

ACCELERATION ACADEMY LAKELAND 3225 WINTER LAKE RD LAKELAND, FL 33803 (863) 499-2706 DEXTER BROWN EDUCATION

ADVERTISING SIGNS THAT WORK PLANET FITNESS - LAKELAND SOUTH 4315 S FLORIDA AVE LAKELAND, FL 33813 (863) 816-6800 WWW.PLANETFITNESS.COM CHRISTINE PENN HEALTH & FITNESS

THE PRESERVE AT LAKELAND HILLS 4920 STATE ROAD 33 N LAKELAND, FL 33805 (863) 686-3600 WWW.MIDWESTRENTS.COM SONNIE FUNCK APARTMENTS

2049 E EDGEWOOD DR LAKELAND, FL 33803 (863) 669-0535 MICHAEL THOMPSON SCREEN PRINTERS

CENTRAL FLORIDA AHEC

328 S CENTRAL AVE APOPKA, FL 32703 (407) 889-2292 WWW.CFAHEC.ORG SHARON SCHMIDT HEALTH CARE – HEALTH & WELLNESS

HOLLOWAY PARK

2402 HOLLOWAY PARK DR LAKELAND, FL 33812 (863) 899-6569 WWW.HOLLOWAYPARK.ORG JOEY HARRIS ENTERTAINMENT

HOMETEAM PEST DEFENSE 420 S BARTOW AIR BASE BARTOW, FL 33830 (877) 461-7378 WWW.PESTDEFENSE.COM KATHY ZIELINSKI PEST CONTROL

OLDHAM FUNERAL HOME

1537 KETTLES AVE LAKELAND, FL 33805 (863) 683-2419 WWW.OLDHAMFUNERALHOME.COM HARRY OLDHAM FUNERAL HOMES

STATE REPRESENTATIVE COLLEEN BURTON 100 S KENTUCKY AVE, STE 260 LAKELAND, FL 33801 (863) 413-2640 COLLEEN BURTON GOVERNMENT

WALLER PLUMBING AND MITIGATION 1065 S FLORIDA AVE, STE 2 LAKELAND, FL 33803 (863) 688-8870 WWW.WALLERGROUP.COM CARL STUTZMAN PLUMBING CONTRACTORS

F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 15

2 4 t h a n n ua l ch a m b e r scra m ble HOSTED BY BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS

The Allen and Company of Florida and Battery USA, INC./Imperial Motor Parts team.

Scramble Chairman, Steve Moseley and the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union team.

Drew Gillan and the Bright House Networks team.

NOT PICTURED (due to raindrops on the lens) — GRAPHIC SYSTEMS INSTALLERS AND BERNIE LITTLE DISTRIBUTORS, 1ST PLACE NET WINNERS 16 || FFOORRUUMM FFOORR BBUUSSIINNEESSSS

YEARS 1940 | 74 YEARS

1991 | 23 YEARS

MINE & MILL SUPPLY CO.

EMPLOYEE INSURANCE BENEFITS OF FLORIDA, INC.

1945 | 69 YEARS

J. H. HAM ENGINEERING, INC.

LAKELAND ANIMAL NUTRITION, INC.

LORIO & ASSOCIATES, INC.

1950 | 64 YEARS

MEDICAL AIR SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA

GEORGE L. GAINES, JEWELER HARRELL'S, LLC | ADVOCATE WONN/WPCV/WLKF/WWRZ RADIO | COUNCIL OF ADVISORS

1992 | 22 YEARS ELKINS ELECTRIC, LLC POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SERVICEMASTER COMMERCIAL SERVICES

1953 | 61 YEARS

WALL TITUS, LLC | VISIONARY

BUTTERKRUST BAKERY LAKELAND | ADVOCATE GILLUM-WADDELL PLUMBING CO., INC.

1960 | 54 YEARS HEATH FUNERAL CHAPEL

1961 | 53 YEARS MARTIN & MARTIN, ATTORNEYS PA

1964 | 50 YEARS

YEARS INSTITUTE OF SPANISH COMMUNICATION, INC. THE BARRANCO CLINIC HAMPTON INN

STATE FARM INSURANCE/BUZZ TARVER

1966 | 48 YEARS MOMENTIVE SPECIALTY CHEMICALS | PARTNER

1968 | 46 YEARS B & B AUTO BODY WORKS, INC.

YEARS

1972 | 42 YEARS

DARBY LAW GROUP, P.A.

BB & T | AMBASSADOR

JONI FINKBEINER PHOTOGRAPHY, INC.

SANLAN RV & GOLF RESORT, INC.

BANK OF CENTRAL FLORIDA | BOARD OF GOVERNORS

1973 | 41 YEARS

AT&T

SLIGH CLINIC OF CHIROPRACTIC, INC.

1977 | 37 YEARS LAKELAND PERIODONTICS, INC.

1978 | 36 YEARS SOUTHSIDE PACKAGE & LOUNGE

1980 | 34 YEARS BROWNING MOVING & STORAGE/ UNITED VAN LINES

BOOK YOUR EVENT by June 1 and select 3 BONUS ITEMS, by July 1 2 BONUS ITEMS, and by August 1 1 BONUS ITEM! For more information contact LORI POWELL at lori.powell@lakelandgov.net, or call 863-834-6116, or visit TheLakelandCenter.com.

1985 | 29 YEARS GIVAUDAN FLAVORS | PARTNER SUN STATE JANITORIAL PRODUCTS, INC.

1986 | 28 YEARS JACK'S INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.

1987 | 27 YEARS

701 West Lime Street • Lakeland, Florida 33815 THELAKELANDCENTER.COM

ENGLISH FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, LLC

1989 | 25 YEARS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS

ovationsfoodservices.com

visitcentralflorida.org

FFOORRUUMM FFOORR BBUUSSIINNEESSSS || 17

CH AMB E R F O U N DAT I O N AWA RD S COM M UN IT Y GRA N T S One of the greatest assets this Chamber has in serving the diverse needs of our community is the Lakeland Area Chamber Foundation. Founded in 1973, the Foundation serves to support vital community and education initiatives.

It also allows an avenue for Chamber member businesses to contribute philanthropically to non-profit organizations in our community by making a voluntary donation through their membership investment invoice.

UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN MARK WILSON (KIMLEY-HORN & ASSOCIATES, INC.) THE CHAMBER FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET IN OCTOBER AND APPROVED GRANTS TOTALING $35,543 TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS IN 2014: ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY | Charter School – Battelle Development Inventory kits ALLIANCE FOR INDEPENDENCE | AFI Artist’s Studio Phase II CHILDREN’S CLOTHES CLOSET AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | Children’s Clothes Closet EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF POLK COUNTY | Child Care Executive Partnership EXPLORATIONS V CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | ACE Technology

2015 FOUNDATION LEADERS

OFFICERS TIM JACKSON

FOUNDATION CHAIR AND IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN OF THE CHAMBER BOARD (NUJAK COMPANIES)

MARK E. WILSON

FOUNDATION IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN (KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.)

FLORIDA DANCE THEATRE | Dance Extensions VI JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF POLK COUNTY | Lakeland Junior Achievement LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | Leadership Lakeland

MIKE MCGEE

CHAMBER CHAIR-ELECT (MCGEE AUTO SERVICE AND TIRES)

LAKELAND COMMUNITY THEATRE, INC. | The Eunice Fuller Theatre for Youth Program Presents Disney’s High School Musical Jr.

LAKELAND VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE | Early Detection Saves Lives PARKER STREET MINISTRIES | Academic Enrichment Program POLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION | Take Stock in Children – College Readiness POLK THEATRE, INC. | Children’s Live Performing Arts

JANICE JONES

TREASURER (CLIFTONLARSONALLEN, LLC)

C O R Y D O N G . S K E AT E S PRESIDENT

READ LAKELAND, INC. | Beyond the Basics UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA SUCCESS BY 6 | Let’s Grow! Dolly Parton Imagination Library VISTE/VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO THE ELDERLY | Cakes for Caring

DIRECTORS S Y LV I A B L A C K M O N - R O B E R T S

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING MEMBER BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOUNDATION FROM OCTOBER 1, 2013 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2014. THEIR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS WILL SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION’S MISSION TO IMPROVE LAKELAND’S QUALITY OF LIFE. BUCKNER COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES | CANCO GENERAL CONTRACTORS, INC. FLOWER CART FLORIST | HUNT CONSTRUCTON OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, INC.

(BLACKMON-ROBERTS GROUP)

TERRI GOLENO

(CHEATHAM, GOLENO & FERGUSON, P.A.)

DAN MCBRIDE (VICTORY CHURCH)

JACK’S INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. | OWENS CORNING | STANLEY STEEMER CARPET CLEANER TAPATIO’S RESTAURANTE MEXICANO, INC. | T’S FITNESS AND WELLNESS, LLC UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA | W.S. BADCOCK CORPORATION

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION’S EFFORTS, PLEASE CONTACT BARBARA BENNETT AT THE CHAMBER, (863) 688-8551, EXT. 233.

18 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

JOE L. RUTHVEN (THE RUTHVENS)

WA L K E R W I L K E R S O N (CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLC)

INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING AND BEING ADDED TO THE LIST? PLEASE MARK THE FOUNDATION BOX ON YOUR MEMBERSHIP INVESTMENT RENEWAL INVOICE NEXT TIME IT COMES IN THE MAIL OR COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW WITH YOUR DONATION MADE PAYABLE TO THE LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER FOUNDATION, INC. AND RETURN TO: LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER FOUNDATION, INC. P.O. BOX 3607 LAKELAND, FL 33802-3607

NAME:

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESSES TO CONNECT WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS WILL OCCUR ON FEBRUARY 6.

FIRM NAME:

ADDRESS:

C I T Y: In partnership with the Downtown Lakeland Partnership, Catapult and area businesses and colleges, the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a college/career development networking event prior to the monthly First Friday in Munn Park. From 3:30 – 5:30 p.m., downtown businesses will be dedicating space for informal visits between college seniors and local businesses creating a meet and greet experience. Immediately following the networking experience, the First Friday events will commence. Five colleges will be stationed around the Munn Park area to provide entertainment to the attendees.

THE GOAL OF THE EVENT IS THREE-FOLD: To provide an informal experience for college students to interact with employers to learn more about the hiring possibilities in their chosen fields of interest.

To provide employers the opportunity to informally visit with college students who are on the verge of graduation with an eye out for potential new hires.

To provide the college students in Lakeland with an opportunity to experience all there is to do in downtown and increase business for the downtown merchants.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT, PLEASE CALL (863) 688-8551 EXT. 228 OR 230.

S T AT E :

ZIP:

TELEPHONE #:

EMAIL:

A M O U N T:

The Lakeland Area Chamber Foundation, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) not-forprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida. Your tax-deductible charitable contribution to the Chamber Foundation will help support community and education betterment programs.

F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 19

Are We the Right Fit? When it comes to decisions as significant as managing wealth, there’s no one-size-fits-all.

That’s why we believe it’s important to have a trusted advisor with the competency to give measured advice in any market climate.

No one can guarantee you future investment performance, but we promise a unique, high-touch experience, custom-tailored to your long-term financial success.

Learn how we measure up.

Call (863) 904-4745.

THE CORE TEAM: Chuck Foss • Nathan Dunham Andrew Foss • Matte Diaz • Kristi Brooks • Angela Newell

231 N KENTUCKY AVE • STE 217 • LAKELAND VISIT US DOWNTOWN OR AT COREWEALTHADVISORSINC.COM

Investment advisory services offered through Calton & Associates, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC a SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

Core Wealth Advisors, Inc. and Calton & Associates, Inc. are separate entities. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss.

publi c pol i cy

RICH ROY PUBLIC AFFAIRS VICE PRESIDENT

CONNECT ] MyFloridaHouse.com

ADVOCATES FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT CELEBRATE THE MANY WAYS THEY CAN TRACK HOW OUR LEGISLATORS ARE HANDLING THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS IN TALLAHASSEE. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE FLORIDA HOUSE AND LEADERSHIP IMPLEMENTED AN INNOVATIVE NEW WAY FOR FLORIDIANS TO INTERACT WITH THE FLORIDA HOUSE THROUGH A MOBILE APP FOR IOS AND ANDROID DEVICES.

smartphone and Droid tablet devices. Features include access to information about House members and Committees, the House calendar, bill searching, live streaming video of committee meetings and access to all of the House’s public guides.

Additionally, users can receive notifications of Florida House opening and closing times.

Some of the tools available to users include the ability to contact members of the Florida House of Representatives by accessing his or her email address, phone number and office location under the members tab, browse House committees to find bills and track

them, view House calendars, access House publications and watch the Florida House live by accessing the streaming video feature.

Readers can access this application by visiting myfloridahouse.gov and clicking on the appropriate link.

Another alternative for citizens interested in following all the action in Tallahassee is tuning into the state’s government-access television network “The Florida Channel." A joint venture operated

by Florida State University’s WFSUTV and Florida State Legislature, the channel is currently carried by 46 cable TV providers,

through nine live Internet streams and via satellite.

The station operates 24 hours a day though its normal broadcast schedule starts at 6:00 a.m. ET and ends at 6:00 p.m. ET with the day's programming repeated in a loop throughout the night.

The Florida Channel also airs on the digital sub channels of most Florida PBS member stations and on some local cable-only stations.

When the state Legislature is in session, live gavelto-gavel coverage of the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives is carried until the end of legislative business and is then usually followed by the "Capitol Update" at 5:30 p.m. ET, which provides comprehensive coverage of each day’s most significant legislative events.

The app was developed by Echo, an Orlando-based mobile app development company. The project was competitively bid through an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) issued on October 13, 2012 by the Florida House of Representatives. Echo was chosen from a field of 12 companies that applied.

With nearly 80 features, the “FL House” mobile app for iOS and Android puts users at the center of all of the legislative action in the Florida House of Representatives. The app includes a variety of features optimized for iPhone, iPad, iPod, iPad mini, Droid F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 21

TA S T E

The Common Grounds member feature gives

a of local business o n e c u p at a t i m e

your business the opportunity to showcase “a day in the life” of your employees and customers. Each month, one of the door prizes at the Business After Hours event will be a Common Grounds Lakeland Chamber coffee mug & the opportunity to submit a 350 word article about your local business.

B Y J AY D E E H A C K N E Y BROWING MOVING & STORAGE

Browning Moving & Storage is your hometown mover! We are the experts in moving you across town, across the state, across the country… even around the world. We work with individual household moves, business relocations and provide storage and logistics solutions for both homeowners and businesses.

Our business is here, we live here, we shop here and we support local community events right here in Lakeland, Polk County and around Central Florida!

Browning Moving & Storage is an agent for United Van Lines, one of the largest carriers in the industry. You can count on us for time-efficient, cost-effective services customized for all your relocation needs.

Here at Browning, we like to get a jump start on our day. This starts with our crews who arrive early and are waiting on our docks ready to go for all of our clients. Our relocation consultants begin meeting with clients early to discuss their needs and develop customized moving plans. Our administrative staff is here to assist you personally during normal business hours. You won’t find any automated phone system here – you call us, you get us! Our personal touch and immediate contact haven’t changed for more than 20 years!

Our organization prides itself in being involved with civic organizations and working closely with various Central Florida community service committees.

For the past two years we’ve worked with the Lakeland Association of Realtors (LAR) and their community services committee performing room makeovers for children with special needs.

Owner, Randy Browning is dedicated to promoting knowledge of kidsPACK® throughout our community. kidsPACK® brings awareness to Central Florida communities about disadvantaged children, right here in our neighborhoods, who go hungry every day. When school is in session, subsidized breakfast and lunch programs are in place and available for these children in need. kidsPACK® assists in bridging the gap for meals outside of school hours, evenings, weekends and during summer months.

Browning Moving & Storage believes in working hard to support and serve our community and yours. We look forward to seeing you around town!

22 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

COUNCIL OF ADVISORS WONN/WPCV/WLKF/ WWRZ Radio

AMBASSADOR

VISIONARY CliftonLarsonAllen LLP CPS Investment Advisors GrayRobinson, P.A.

Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic Center L.L.P. Lanier Upshaw, Inc. Polk State College

Platinum Bank The Ruthvens Wall Titus, LLC F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S | 23

new furniture, when you can reduce the cost by trading in your existing furniture.

Our professional team represents over 80 years of experience in our 75,000 sq. ft. showroom!

(863) 682-3450 2440 Hwy. 98 North

1 Mile So. of I-4 Across from Lakeland Chrysler

www.officefurnituredepot.com

Business After Hours fields motorcars

February 19 | 5:30 -7:30 p.m.

mercedes-benz showroom

4141 n florida ave

$10 Members | $30 GUests Your RSVP Is Appreciated.

Visit LakelandChamber.com

Locally owned & operated.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Call one of our sales consultants to show you how TIP can work for you.

Why wait to purchase

Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 3607 • Lakeland, FL 33802 - 3607

Trade In Program