2013 BUSINESS PLAN

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading organization dedicated

to creating a climate where business can prosper.

I’m pleased to present the Chamber’s 2013 Business Plan, introducing the Key Strategic Initiatives that will guide our programs and publications. Your board of directors is excited to focus on ideas and initiatives that will grow your business and foster economic growth in 2013 and beyond.

Please take a moment to review the Business Plan and take advantage of all that the Chamber has to offer for your growing business!

Looking forward,

Mark E. Wilson, ChairKimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

TRUSTEES

The Chairman’s Circle was founded in the Fall of 2003 to

provide a business forum for senior level executives to meet

with one another, build relationships and participate in

strategic marketing and membership events to enhance their

own business and the overall Lakeland business community.

One of the major assets this Chamber has in continuing to

meet the needs of Lakeland’s businesses is the strength of the

leadership and financial contributions of the members of the

Chairman’s Circle.

In 2009, the Chamber introduced a level of membership

designed for mid-sized companies looking to build

involvement in its programs and services. Trustees members

gain added recognition and bundled benefits to provide the

opportunities to establish contacts and network with top-level

professionals in our community.2013 BUSINESS PLAN

Mark E. Wilson, ChairmanKimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.

Tim Jackson, Chair-electNuJak Companies

Walker Wilkerson, Immediate Past ChairmanCliftonLarsonAllen, LLP

Dan McBride, TreasurerVictory Church

Timothy F. Campbell, General CounselClark, Campbell & Lancaster, PA

Kathleen L. MunsonLakeland Area Chamber of Commerce

ExECUTIVE CoMMITTEE

...SPEAK & BE HEARD

...SEE & BE SEEN

...ENGAGE & BE CoNNECTED

TALENTDEVELoPMENTStacy Campbell-DomineckPolk Works

The Chamber’s program of work is developed around five Key Strategic Issues (KSIs) adopted by the board of directors. Beginning in 2013,

Chair Mark Wilson and Vice Chairs will begin to develop three-year initiatives to meet the diverse needs of our 1,700 member businesses.

Chamber membership is more than a listing on a well-trafficked Web site or social events after

work, it’s all about opportunity.

I CAN...

BUSINESS DEVELoPMENTKaren KovachThird Wing Business Strategies, LLC

MEMBERSHIP DEVELoPMENTMike McGeeMcGee Auto Service & Tires

PUBLIC PoLICYJeff PayneLakeland Regional Medical Center

SUSTAINABLE CoMMUNITYKurt ElmhorstAllen & Company of Florida, Inc.

Ira Anderson, Crowe Horwath, LLP

Steve Beck, Citizens Bank & Trust

Hunt Berryman, Polk County School Board

Sarah Case, JSK Consulting, Inc.

R. Joseph Childs, D.B.A., Southeastern University College of Business & Legal Studies

David Daniel, Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic Center

Bill Dorman, Lanier Upshaw, Inc.

Dale Dreyer, CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A.

Peter Elliott, Polk State College

Walt Engle, Publix Super Markets, Inc.

Brad Farrow, Givauden Flavors

VICE CHAIRS

Mayor Gow Fields, City of Lakeland

Melinda Harrison, Watson Clinic LLP

Craig Hill, Law Office of Craig B. Hill, P.L.

Adil Khan, Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group, P.A.

Robert Loftin, Community Southern Bank

Steve Madden, Madden Brand Agency

Molly McHugh, Molly McHugh’s Irish Pub/The Gym

Kim McKeel, Keller Williams Realty

Mary McQueen, McQueen Marketing, LLC

David Miller, Peterson & Myers, P.A.

Trista Otto, Saddle Creek Corporation

Don Pickard, Pickard & Pickard, Inc. REALTORS

William L. Rhey, Ph.D., Florida Southern College

Matt Ruthven, The Ruthvens

Steve Scruggs, Lakeland Economic Development Council

Sam Sheets, Samuel G. Sheets and Associates, P.A.

Randy Stinson, Stinson’s Home Design Center

Doug Thomas, City of Lakeland

Kathy Wallen, Baylis & Company PA CPAs

Jimmy Waller, Sihle-Waller Insurance

Phil Wegman, Furr and Wegman Architects, P.A.

Jason Witty, Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida

BoARD oF DIRECToRS

2013 isn’t just about finding a way, it’s about making a way. As

the Chamber embarks on developing a three-year plan around five

KSI’s, our community of members comes together to define the

value of Chamber membership. That’s 1,700 values as diverse as the

Chamber’s 1,700 member businesses.

Among the ribbon cuttings and networking events, the Web site

updates and government affairs meetings, each business - each

individual - finds an opportunity. Each finds “I Can...”

WoRKING ToGETHER FoR LAKELAND

As part of the Chamber’s partnership with the City of Lakeland, the Lakeland Convention & Visitors Bureau works closely with tourism entities throughout the state and county to maximize Lakeland’s tourism marketing and bring tourism dollars to Lakeland businesses.

The Lakeland Area Chamber Foundation was formed in 1973 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and through the generousity of Chamber members continues to offer grant support for education and community betterment initiatives.

EMERGE Lakeland is a meaningful networking organization of dedicated, talented young professionals ranging in age from 21-42. This organization is a partnership of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Florida.

35 Lake Morton Dr | PO Box 3607 | Lakeland, FL 33802p (863) 688-8551 | f (863) 683-7454 | LakelandChamber.com

BusinessVoice of Greater Lakeland is a political action group (CCE) created in 2000 as an organization to support pro-business candidates and to promote issues which impact the business community.

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce joins the Race to Place Workforce Challenge to place 10,000 job seekers into jobs between January 1 and June 30, 2013.

Small businesses are the foundation of the Chamber, making up nearly 60% of the membership. In 2013, the Chamber’s focus on small business owners expands with offerings from the Small Business Development Center and Central Florida SCORE, and puts small businesses front and center with the Reinventing Small Business initiative.

REINVENTING SMALL BUSINESS

REINVENTINGSMALL BUSINESSinnovative technology driving small business successBROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LAKELAND AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OCOOS.COM

REINVENTING SMALL BUSINESS

From customer relationship management to online appointment setting, e-commerce solutions to simple Web site options, Ocoos.com and the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce are reinventing small business.

Through the Reinventing Small Business (RSB) Initiative, small businesses will be given the tools they need to thrive in a growing digital marketplace including a Web presence, social media training, e-commerce ability and more.

CENTRAL FLoRIDA SCoRESMALL BUSINESS DEVELoPMENT CENTER

SCORE is a national, non-profit organization with more than 13,000 volunteer counselors. SCORE counselors are retired and active business people who donate their time to assist people in starting new businesses or providing business counseling for existing businesses. SCORE counseling is free and confidential.

In partnership with the Chamber, SCORE hosts a monthly Roundtable for small business owners to meet and discuss issues.

The Small Business Development Center provides accessible, affordable, and professional consultation, entrepreneurial training, and resources to small startup and mature businesses throughout Polk County. SBDC counseling is free and confidential.

In a partnership with the Chamber, counseling is available on-site twice a month.

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