Join us on Tuesday evening, September 28 as we celebrate the Centennial Annual Meeting of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. It will be a special evening of entertainment, awards, reflection, recognition, installation of officers and a look to the our second century!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 – Nora Mayo Hall
6:30 p.m. Reception – 7:15 p.m. Dinner
Black-tie optional
$75 per person / $650 reserved corporate or group table of eight
Watch your mail for formal invitation or make your reservations with MasterCard/Visa here.
Join your business associates and friends and visit dozens of booths promoting environmentally green products and services for a sustainable Winter Haven at Thursday’s Green Works Expo. Presenting Sponsor is Central Florida Gas with support from QuickBeam Energy. Enjoy refreshments from Red Lobster and Publix and the music of Hunter Smith on guitar. Chuck Roberts with Chastain Skillman will present a special session on Sustainability during the Showcase.
It all takes place at the Orange Dome on Cypress Gardens Boulevard and doors open at 5:30 p.m. There will be door prize drawings, Name Droppers Prize and a $25 handshake award.
You could win a propane powered outdoor fire pit courtesy of Central Florida Gas!
Visit booths by these fine businesses …
Central FL Gas, Presenting Sponsor
QuickBeam Energy, Supporting Sponsor
Blue Lake Citrus (Noble Juice) Chastain – Skillman City of Winter Haven Collman & Karsky Architects Florida Refuse Furr & Wegman Greenovative Design & Engineering Hill Nissan Jarrett-Gordon Ford Keller Komfort Radiant Systems Konica Minolta The Ledger Media Group Magnify Credit Union McGee Tire Polk County Waste Resource Management Polk State College Reno Power Sherwin-Williams Stewart Auto Repair State Farm Tampa Electric Company The Lawn Crew Tucker Construction Wallis Murphey Boyington Wal-Mart Winter Haven Honda Wyndsor Lighting
The Winter Haven Hospital Blood Mobile will be on site accepting bright red donations.
The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce will conduct a “LEGOLAND® Florida Host City Forum” for our members on Tuesday, July 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium. We have seating for 60. City, County and Polk Tourism representatives will participate.
Topics for discussion will include:
- How can Winter Haven become the best LEGOLAND® host city in the world.
- How do we best prepare to serve families with children 2 to 12 years old.
- How do we preserve and enhance our entryways and prevent “visual chaos.”
- How do we enhance our ability to make the Chain of Lakes a part of the visitor experience.
- How we can be an effective marketing partner of the Central Florida visiting experience.
Participation is limited to two persons per member organization to ensure the diversity of the forum input. Our tourism-related (hotels, restaurants, attractions) industries are encouraged to participate.
Representative Baxter Troutmann and Representative John Wood spoke to Leadership Winter Haven alumni and the Chamber Government and Legislative Affairs committee at their combined June meeting. State Farm recorded and edited video of the legislators remarks.
We thank both legislators for providing their legislative insights.
The Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that we will present our first ever “Green Works Expo” showcasing environmentally friendly businesses and products. The event will take place on August 26 and feature afternoon hours for the general public and evening hours for the Chamber’s monthly Networking Showcase.
The Expo is being organized by a Chamber committee chaired by Chad Lennox with QuickBeam Energy. Committee members include Lauren Oakley with Windsor Lighting and Everton Jackson with Polk State Corporate College. There are sponsorship and exhibit opportunities available: email chamber1@winterhavenfl.com for further information.
The Green Works Expo is planned to be held in the Chamber’s downtown building but may, based on interest from exhibitors, be moved to a larger venue if necessary.
Mark your calendar now for a great afternoon and evening of Green Works information, refreshments and live entertainment all with an eye toward a sustainable Winter Haven. QuickBeam Energy is the first supporting sponsor of this event.
Leadership Winter Haven Class 30 held graduation ceremonies last evening at Lake Region Yacht and Country Club. Class Chair Keira Lennox conducted the evening with assistance from Chamber Foundation Chairman Steve Warner. The evening’s festivities were capped with the presentation of the 2010 Leadership Winter Haven Distinguished Alumni Award to Hap Hazelwood, LWH Class 7. Hazelwood was tapped for his extensive civic work within the community including United Way, Boy Scouts, Cancer Society, Chamber and East Polk Committee of 100. He is employed with the 610 Corporation.
Leadership Winter Haven Class 30 left to right: Keira Lennox, Class Chair; Lee Hodges, Brian Pearce & Associates: Andrew Rhinehart, Cassidy Organization; Jennifer Montague, Fantasy of Flight; Bridget Fetter, Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School; Joe Braddy, News Chief; Jennifer Romberger, Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce; Jae Lynn Akin, State Farm; Clay McKown, Allen and Co.; Sharon Johnson, Citzens Bank and Trust
At right, Chris and Hap Hazelwood. Hap is the 2010 LWH Distinguished Alumni.
If you’re a golfer you’ll find something new and entertaining at this Friday’s Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament. Golf Entertainer and celebrity impersonator, Brad Denton will be on hand prior to the shotgun start. In addition to demonstrating skill with a 6′ club and other trick shots. He’ll also take on the persona of such favorites as Gomer Pyle, Jack Nicholson, Forrest Gump and Elvis — What! Not Bogie?!!!
We still have room for several corporate teams, more hole sponsors (can you ever have too many) and if you haven’t sent a door prize there’s still time! Tournament is Friday featuring lunch from Fred’s Southern Kitchen at 11:30 and Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Join us for great entertainment, a great lunch and great golf.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 15 as the Chamber presents a special breakfast program with new insights as to how and why Disney chose Central Florida.
45 years ago this June, Walt Disney made the landmark decision to build his new Disney World project in Central Florida. A recently published book gives the fullest account yet of this momentous event that forever changed the Central Florida landscape. Entitled, “Project Future: The Inside Story Behind the Creation of Disney World,” the book unearths the fascinating process Walt and his leadership team followed to identify the perfect location for this “Disneyland East” and the clandestine methods they used to secure tens of thousands of acreage on which to build the vacation kingdom.
This multimedia presentation will provide attendees with a unique look at the following:
1. How and why Walt Disney selected Central Florida for his Disneyland East project–code named “Project Future”
2. How Disney and his team used clever and novel strategies to obtain roughly 27,000 acres without the secret getting out
3. How Disney and his team worked with the Florida state legislature to create the unique Reedy Creek Improvement District to govern Project Future
Chad Emerson, a law professor at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala. and theme park industry journalist, is the author of Project Future and he’ll present his first Central Florida Chamber of Commerce presentation right here in Winter Haven.
In his two years of research, Chad has been able to weave intriguing details that include involvement in the project by former OSS (the precursory of the CIA) leaders, the tense negotiations Walt and team encountered with the Busch family in St. Louis and John D. MacArthur the eccentric billionaire in Palm Beach, Fla. along with with details about the business, regulatory, and legal strategies–often novel and always creative–that allowed Disney’s vision to become a reality.
This special “Centennial Spotlight” program will take place in addition to our traditional monthly best business practices series. The author will have the book available for purchase and signing.
Sure to sell out, RSVP now to reserve your seat. Doors open at 7:30 to a full breakfast buffet from Fred’s Southern Kitchen. The one hour program begins at 8 a.m. and is followed by Q&A.
The WH Chamber’s Legislative and Government Affairs Committee arms you with the tools you need to keep a close watch on our lawmakers in Tallahassee. The upcoming legislative session is fast approaching, and you’ll want to view the 2010 Legislative Workshop slideshow. It’s packed with tips and tricks for tracking legislation affecting your business – and for making an impact with state policymakers when it counts. You can download the Power Point presentation here.
State Farm Public Affairs Manager Chris Neal speaks to theLegislative and
Gov’t Affairs Committee on January 20.
The committee will meet next on February 17 at 4:00 p.m. here at the Chamber.
Meetings are open to any interested member.
Mrs. William H. (Eunice) Fuller and George Wm. Tinsley, Sr. were honored as Winter Haven’s Woman and Man of the year at ceremonies Thursday evening at Nora Mayo Hall.
Mrs. Fuller, a quiet and diverse philanthropist, is known for her support of a multitude of organizations from childcare and abused women shelters to the arts and theatre. She has been a Winter Haven resident for more than 60 years. “Eunie” as she is affectionately known by her friends, credited her mother and grandmother for teaching her the importance of giving.
The Banker’s Cup was established in 1923 to recognize civic contributions. It is Winter Haven’s highest honor.
George Tinsley and his wife Seretha (2000 Banker’s Cup recipient) operate a array of restaurants (Pengeo, Inc.) including the highly successful KFC on Havendale Boulevard. Tinsley was recognized for his service to youth including troubled students who need a strong mentor. He is also known for helping his employees pursue further education and providing book grants specifically for that purpose. He and wife Seretha have made community service a part of their corporate mission.
More than 250 people enjoyed an elegant evening filled with delicious samples from area restaurants presenting the Taste of Winter Haven. Participating establishments included Arabella’s, Chalet Suzanne Restaurant & Inn, International House of Pancakes, Florida Leadership Training Center, Outback Steakhouse, PenGeo, Inc., Sonny’s BBQ, Sundown & Fred’s Southern Kitchen, Richard’s Fine Coffees and Tanners.
Past recipients gathered for a group photograph. (L to R)Charles McPherson, Vaughn McAshan, Richard Straughn, Ron Morrow, Ann Darby, Gary Schemmer, MD, Judy Cleaves, George Tinsley, Frank Fischer, MD, Eunice Fuller (seated), Ellie Threlkel, Cheryl Beckert (kneeling), Glenda Jones, Scottie Beasley (kneeling), John Stewart, Angeline Davis, Seretha Tinsley, U.J. Johnson and Howard Beckert.
Please note that the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce may, in our sole discretion, reject comments for any reason we deem appropriate. Links of value to the business community are welcome, but please use them sparingly - wield spam and you're banished forever. If you have an issue with a Winter Haven area business, please address that issue directly with that business. This is a moderated site and comments will appear if and when they are approved. We will review the queue several times daily, so please don't resubmit if your comment doesn't appear immediately.
The Official Website of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
