2012Community

Trustees

Ace Hardware

BankFIRST

Best Cleaners

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

Bright FutureElectric, LLC

Castle & Cooke

CenturyLink

DeWitt Excavating

DRB Benefits Group

First Class Cleaners

First Southern Bank

Fishback, Dominick,Bennett, Stepter,

Ardaman, Ahlers, & Langley, LLP

Florida Hospital

Health Central

NeuroSpine Institute

Orlando Health

Progress Energy

R.C. Stevens Construction

Company

University ofCentral Florida

Walt Disney WorldCompany

Chairman’s MessageDavid Sylvester, 2012 Chamber ChairmanOrlando Health

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce exists to serve by “FACILITATING OPPORTUNITY.”

March 2012

As we approach the spring season and the colorful, inspiring growth that comes with it, it is also very encouraging to see the signs of growth continuing in our own economy. We had already seen signs of growth and hope in our economy with reductions from 2010 to 2011 in the unemployment rate and the increase in building permits, as well as in consumer spending. At the end of 2011, the unemployment rate in the Metro Orlando MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) had gone down to 9.5% from 12% at the end of 2010. Building Permits went up from 310 to 924 in the same time period, along with an increase in consumer spending from $3.53 billion to $3.81 billion. At the end of February, our country’s unemployment rate is holding steady at 8.3% with more jobs added to the market than had been predicted.

Right here in our own Chamber, we will be adding to job growth with the addition of a seventh employee to the Chamber team. A Director of Marketing and Communications will be added to the current team allowing even more careful attention to providing the programs, events and benefits that our members need for their own growth. The addition of one employee by the Chamber, a small business, resonates perfectly with Congressman Webster’s job creation plan, the ONE Act, which is designed to encourage employers to hire One New Employee. The Congressman shared that if every small business added one new employee, the unemployment rate in the US would drop to lower than 5%. (See Keeping an Eye on the Issues for more details on Page 2)

The Chamber, due to the tremendous support of our members and a fiscally responsible Chamber Board and Team, is proud to lead by example and we are willing to set aside concerns over uncertainty in the economy and move forward. We understand the uncertainty is what has been holding our economy back, yet we are certain that this is the step that we must take to continue on our course of “Facilitating Opportunity” for our members. We are very focused on the opportunities and issues that empower West Orange to grow and to do so by supporting initiatives that will encourage high wage employers to remain in or move their business to West Orange. We are leading the business community with initiatives in the Horizon West Town Center area, as well as along the northern portion of the 429. We are working to protect and continue the annual improvement to Lake Apopka by encouraging Florida Wildlife and Fish Commission to maintain its current management of hydrilla growth. We are monitoring the progress of a proposed airport along the north shore of Lake Apopka to determine its potential benefit to our community. We will also analyze amendments to the state constitution and Orange County Charter that will be on the upcoming November ballot to determine their impact on business.

The state amendments are just some of the issues we have been watching as the 2012 legislative session came to a close. We thank our elected officials for their service to us. Keep an eye on the homepage of our web site where you will soon see our review all of our legislative issues and share with you a post session wrap up to let you know how our advocacy benefitted our members.

I look forward to seeing all of you at Navigate Your Way to Success on March 21st and Best Fest on April 5th. Take advantage of these opportunities and I am certain that your future will have even greater success.

West OrangeChamber

Board of Directors

Joe Alarie

A. Kurt Ardaman

David Billsborough

Comm. Scott Boyd

Keith Bradford

Mayor Gary Bruhn

Comm. Bob Buchanan

Debbie Clements

Samuel Davis, Jr.

Jim Densmore

Rob Frank

Bob Gosselin

Tim Haberkamp

Randy June

Julie Kleffel

Star Kraschinsky

Anette Luck

Rob Maphis

Joseph McMullen

John McReynolds

Jeff Milhausen

Christine Moore

Dan Petro

Lynette Reynolds

Cece Rivers

Gary Shif

Mayor Kathy Stark

David SylvesterChairman

Michael Waldrop

Jaclyn Whiddon

Falecia Williams

Lisa Willis

Bruce Young

Keeping An Eye on the Issues

The Chamber Team is keeping an eye out on local issues so that we may keep you informed on issues of local and regional importance. Here is what we kept an eye on in February and early March.

West Orange Airport Authority (WOAA) Monthly Board Meeting –Stina D’Uva attended the meeting on Wednesday, February 22nd. Many issues were discussed including the possible land swap with the St. John’s River Water Management District that would lengthen the runway and allow for small corporate jets. Guy Haggard was still awaiting response from MetroPlan Orlando regarding the WOAA seat that would be utilized by the cities of Ocoee and Winter Garden. A workshop will be hosted prior to the regular meeting on Wednesday, March 28th at 9:30 am at the Apopka City Hall. The regular meeting will begin at 10:00 am

Business Leader Gathering with Congressman Daniel Webster – U.S. Congressman Daniel Webster (FL-08) gathered business leaders from West Orange County in

a Small Business Roundtable to discuss the current economic challenges they are facing and ways to help small businesses grow. The congressman will take the ideas he gathered during the Roundtable back to Washington and work toward legislation to help small businesses. During the meeting, Congressman Webster shared about his job creation plan, the ONE Act, which is designed to encourage employers to hire One New Employee. For ideas on job creation visit Webster.house.gov or follow @RepWebster.

Economic & Governmental Advocacy Committee of the Chamber met on Friday, February 24th and heard from Chamber member Angel de la Portilla of Central Florida Strategies and a member of the Orange County Charter Review Commission on upcoming matters that may appear as amendments on the November general election ballot.

West Orange/South Lake Transportation & Economic Development Task Force – The WOCC sent a letter of support for the vision and initiatives of this group to Chairman Baldocchi for inclusion in a packet to Representative Steve Precourt to seek state funding for economic development in the Horizon West Town Center area. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 7:30 am at the commission chambers of the city of Winter Garden at 300 West Plant St., Winter Garden.

Central Florida Political Leadership Institute is seeking applicants for its Class of 2012. This is a program that is meant for individuals who are pro-business and want to serve our region’s communities through public office. This program is designed to teach participants how to get into politics, while avoiding all the politics. The curriculum teaches the basics of political campaigning, developing leadership skills necessary for effective governing and addressing critical public policy issues. If you are interested in being considered a candidate for this program, contact Christina Johnson, program director at Christina@on3pr.com or visit www.orlando.org/pli. The deadline to submit applications is March 23rd.

CHAMBER CHATTER

Special thanks go out to a very talented 8th grade student from Award Winning Ocoee Middle School. Emmanuel A. Rodriguez was one of many students who participated in the creation of a flyer which will be featured at all WOCC member schools at a display set up for distribution of the Chamber’s annual community profile and business directory magazine, Discover. Congratulations to Emmanuel for having his design selected. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

Orange County Public Schools welcomes you on a tour of our two newest additions. These are the elementary and middle schools located in Winter Garden, south of the Florida Turnpike off of Avalon Road. The tour will begin at the West Orange Chamber of Commerce on April 3 at 9:45 a.m. A bus will drive participants to the schools. Since they are active construction sites, hard hats and eye protection will be provided. This is a rare opportunity to see what a school looks like before we put on the finishing touches, both inside and out. The tour guides will include School Board Member Christine Moore, the project planner, the architect and the principals of the new schools. The tour should take about an hour and the public is invited. Afterward, the bus will drive by Tildenville Elementary and Lakeview Middle School, which are partnering to become two of Central Florida’s premier foreign language magnets. Participants should arrive back at the Chamber of Commerce at about 11:30. There also will be a presentation on the schools at the Winter Garden Rotary Club luncheon following the bus tour. To register for the tour please contact Krista Carter at 407-656-1304 ext. 6 or kcarter@wochamber.com

New MembersFebruary 2011

Renewed MembersFebruary 2011

ACCOUNTANTS - CERTIFIED PUBLIC

The Digital CPAJay Kimelman

ATTORNEYSMoye, O’Brien, O’Rourke, Pickert

& Dillon, LLPSean Dillon

Jose A. Cantero, P.A.Jose Cantero

BANKSChase Bank

Lynette Jackson-Lott

COMPUTER - SALES/SERVICE/CONSULTANT

Lek Technology ConsultantsWade Lowe

CONCIERGE SERVICESLMD Personal Assistant

Lisa Dillon

CONCRETE CONTRACTORSConTech Construction

CorporationAlan Haughey

CONSULTINGThe Center for Work LifeFarnaz Namin-Hedayati

INSURANCE - SUPPLEMENTAL

Aflac - Denise FisherDenise Fisher

INSURANCE PROPERTY/CASUALTYCitrus Insurance Group

Dave Stricker

ORGANIZATIONS - HEALTH (NON-PROFIT)

Community Health Centers, Inc.Linda Williams

ORGANIZATIONS - NON-PROFIT

Camaraderie FoundationTammy Knowles

The Bond FoundationDerek Blakeslee

PHYSICIANS - OPTOMETRISTS

The Eye PlaceThuy Quach

POOL CONTRACTORDixie Pools and Spas, Inc.

Bill Godek

RESTAURANTSPammies’ Sammies

Pam Thomas

TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS

Harmony Tech, LLCMatthew Hadley

TIRE SALES AND SERVICEDiscount Tire Co.

Evan Gardner

WASTE MANAGEMENTVeolia Environmental Service

Tal Johnson

YOGA INSTRUCTIONWinter Garden Yoga

Brian Friedman

Acti-Kare Responsive In-Home CareKevin Heinz

Altis at Lakes of WindermereGenienne Hernandez

American Red CrossJoel Hass

Baldwin Fairchild Cemeteries & Funeral HomeFrank Scarlata

BB&TCindy Gainey

Blue Cord Design and Construction LLCMichael Waldrop

Cara Hennen

Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Assoc.Lee Johnson

Channell Law FirmWarren Channell

Chick-fil-A at Winter GardenJeane Boast

City of OrlandoBuddy Dyer

Classic Care Of AmericaEileen Neumayer

Conoley Citrus Packers, Inc.Van Conoley

Crawford Tire ServiceGary Crawford

Cruise HolidaysPamela Jarvis

Don Mealey ChevroletJohn Fletcher

Dr. Phillips High SchoolGene Trochinski

First Southern BankRodney JolleyCommunity Trustee

Florida HospitalKimberly HudsonCommunity Trustee

Henry Nehrling SocietyAngela Withers

Hope Charter School/Legacy HighCrystal Yoakum

Island One ResortsGina Schwiegerath

Kate Lyn’s BoutiqueLisa Meadows

Kathleen Roat & Company, Inc.Kathleen Roat

Lynn Walker Wright, P.A.Lynn Walker Wright

Macali Eye ClinicNeil Macali

McKey Crossing, LLCPhillip Marshall

MetroWest Golf ClubSteve Schaller

Ocoee Business ParkWilliam Brown

Ocoee High SchoolBill Floyd

Ocoee Lion’s Foundation, Inc.Bob Godek

On-Purpose Partners, LLCMary Tomlinson

Orange County School Board Member Vicky Bell

Pacific Global Investment Mgmt.Joseph Worsham

PNC Wealth ManagementMark Schirmer

Rene Murray - Prudential Florida

Saving Young Hearts, Inc.Martha Lopez-Anderson

Spring Lake ElementaryAngela Murphy-Osborne

Sysco Food Services of Central Florida, Inc.Greg Rhodes

Valencia CollegeSanford Shugart

Vizcaya Lakes ApartmentsSheena Vargas

Windsor Realty Group, Inc.Lisa Bennett

Woman’s Club Of Ocoee, Inc.Teresa Lemons

TRUSTEE SPOTLIGHT

Visit the Chamber homepage www.wochamber.com to view Walt Disney World Company this month’s

Trustee Spotlight.

For advertising information

CALL TODAY407.649.3040 ext. 135

Reach more than 23,000 affluent households in Windermere,

Dr. Phillips & MetroWest

Special Advertising Rates Available

The Beauty &

Fashion Issue

May 2012

Deadline for entries: March 30Online voting: April 1-9

Send us your photo today!

Now accepting submissions online atCentralFloridaLifestyle.com

The May issue will also feature a special section on beauty

professionals in Southwest Orlando!

c o n t e s t

Most DeservingMom Make-over

c e n t r a l f l o r i d a ’ s

Please join us for an Orlando Health community breakfast in partnership with the West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Keynote SpeakerSherrie Sitarik

President and CEO, Orlando Health

Thursday, April 12 at 7:30 am

St. Pauls Presbyterian ChurchFamily Life Center, Building 500

1450 Citrus Oaks AvenueGotha, Florida

Please RSVP to 321.843.4525 or communityrelations@orlandohealth.com

APOLOGY IN BUSINESS Submitted by Kiki Grossman

The February Hot Topic was sponsored by the Valladares Law Firm and presented by Grossman & Grossman P.A., Attorneys at Law. Kiki and A.J. Grossman spoke on the topic of Apology in Business. The Grossman’s gave attendees information about the essential components of a good apology, apology statutes and examples of businesses who have instituted apology policies with great results. At the end of the presentation, those present were offered an opportunity to write their own apology based on a “fact pattern” or story written by the Grossman’s.

AN APOLOGY OPPORTUNITY

Luke invited one of his close friends, Michael, to his wedding with his fiancé, Summer. Because the wedding was going to be small, Luke thoughtfully selected the potential attendees. Each person he invited was an important part of his life.

Michael confirmed that he would be there to celebrate the couple’s special day. On the day of the wedding, Michael did not show up. Michael has not sent a card or gift to his good friend since. In fact, Michael has been lying low since missing the wedding and has not communicated with Luke at all.

Luke and Summer had a morning wedding with a lunch reception. Michael not only slept through the start time for the wedding, but also planned a lunch date for that day, forgetting his good friend’s special event. He feels bad, but is afraid that Luke will be angry. Luke is feeling resentful because there were other people he wanted to invite but didn’t because of the limited numbers who could attend. Luke is also feeling betrayed because Michael let him down. You are Michael. Please apologize to Luke.

Use the recommended “Five Dimensions of Effective Apology” from Effective Apology: Mending Fences, Building Bridges, and Restoring Trust by John Kador (Take the Apology Quotient quiz online at www.effectiveapology.com)

• RECOGNITION - Acknowledge the offending behavior in specific detail making sure you know what you are apologizing for, what social norm you violated, and the impact on the victim.

• RESPONSIBILITY - Take special care to accept full responsibility for your own precise role in what happened and don’t try to “spin” what happened or make excuses.

• REMORSE - Express feelings of guilt, distress, or shame. “I am sorry” are three powerful words.

• RESTITUTION - Make a practical attempt to restore the relationship to what it was before the offense. Victims look for the restitution dimension of the apology to satisfy three requirements: 1. To be made whole, insofar as that is possible; 2. To see the offender make a sacrifice; 3. To see a sense of the offender’s commitment to the relationship.

• REPETITION - Remember that for many, the thought of being re-victimized is unbearable. This is your opportunity to promise not to repeat the offending behavior. This is often a stumbling block to apology as it requires a genuine change in the offender.

FEBRUARY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Guests at the WOCC February Business After Hours enjoyed an assortment of delicious Florida grown foods along with healthy grilled foods and complimentary beverages provided by BAH Sponsor Oakland Park recently. Attendees had fun playing a trivia style networking game at the event and were lucky to be among the first people to tour one of the newly completed Certified Green decorated, furnished Model Homes inside Oakland Park. Representing two of the builders in the Oakland Park community were Sherri Weyandt of David Weekley Homes and Pete Valdez of Ashton Woods Homes with Bob Hennen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Castle Cooke, developer of Oakland Park and Stina D’Uva, President of the West Orange Chamber. Photo courtesy of Portraits by LaVerne

LEADERSHIP WEST ORANGE ALUMNI

A group of Leadership West Orange Alumni participated in the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Adopt a Precinct program for the Preferential Presidential Primary that occurred on January 31st. The Alumni staffed Precinct #108 and instead of receiving payment for their work, the group donated the funds to S.T.A.R.S. of West Orange and Women in the Arts. For more information about Leadership West Orange, please contact Krista Carter at the West Orange Chamber at 407-656-1304 ext. 6.

Pictured: Krista Carter, West Orange Chamber; Pat Gleason, Joe Hembrooke, S.T.A.R.S. of West Orange; Maria Guerrero, Women In The Arts, Inc.; Claire Ertle, BankFIRST and Jim Densmore, Parkland International Realty.

LEADERSHIP WEST ORANGE

The West Orange Trail Blazers, the 2011-2012 Leadership West Orange Group, sponsored by Florida Hospital, participated in their 6th session which focused on Media in Central Florida. The class heard a presentation from Grant Heston of WUCF, visited the West Orange Times, Cox Radio/Media Group, WESH TV 2 and Thoughts.com.

Pictured: Gary Shif, Becky Williams, Jeff Sedloff, Andrea Vaughn, Jeff Alexander, Katrinka VanDeventer, Keith Bradford, Chris Sapp, Susan Jackson, Todd Houke, Michael Mueller, Jeff Zaharis, Jeanne Fravel, Neil Asma, Lisa Willis, George Speigner, Arden Griffith, CeCe Rivers, Jill Hill, Lynette Reynolds and staff from Thoughts.com.

Beverly Hills Jewelers recently opened a new location at 12348 W. Colonial Drive in Winter Garden. They offer quality jewelry and services that include buying, selling and trading art, antiques, memorabilia, coins, stamps and the occasional classic car or motorcycle. In addition, they offer short term pawn loans on quality merchandise at competitive rates. Photo courtesy of Portraits by LaVerne

The award winning Downtown Winter Garden restaurant, The Chef’s Table, has added an additional Dining Room with a full bar. The new Tasting Room features tapas and craft cocktails. Next time you’re in the area, stop by 99 W. Plant Street and check out everything they have to offer! Photo courtesy of WOCC

MARCH

Thursday, March 15th Chamber Connection – New Member Orientation

Sponsored by Strombeck Consulting, CPA’sWest Orange Chamber of Commerce

12184 West Colonial Dr. Winter Garden3:30pm – 4:30pm

FREE to current WOCC members

Business After Hours Sponsored by

West Orange Country Club & Mercedes Benz of South Orlando

Hosted byWest Orange Country Club

3300 West Orange Country Club Dr. Winter Garden5:30pm – 7:00pm

Advance RSVP WITH Advance Payment Rate: $5.00All Payments Accepted at the Door: $10.00

Wednesday, March 21stNavigate Your Way to Success Seminar

Professional Presence, Smart Hiring, &Protecting Your Assets

Presented by Barbara Bergstrom, Peggy Isaacson, Tony Moreno

Sponsored byBest Cleaners, Murphy Business Brokers – Orlando

and Strombeck Consulting, CPA’SFamily Life Center at St. Pauls Presbyterian Church

1450 Citrus Oaks Ave. Gotha7:30am – 8:00am Registration, Networking and

Hot Breakfast Buffet8:00am – 11:30am Seminar

Chamber Member Earned Rate: $10.00Non Member Rate: $20.00

APRIL

Thursday, April 5th Best Fest “The Taste of West Orange”

Presented by Health Central and Orlando HealthWinter Garden Village at Fowler Groves

(in the Bealls parking lot)3385 Daniels Rd. Winter Garden, 34787

5:00pm – 8:30pmGeneral Admission: $31.00 in advance,

$41.00 at the doorV.I.P. Admission: $46.00

Thursday, April 12th Lead and FeedCasa Vallarta

1595 E Silver Star Rd. Ocoee, FL 3476112:00pm – 1:30pm

$13.00 includes lunch, drink, tax and tip

Thursday, April 19th Lunch and Learn: “How Can the Small Business

Development Center Help Me?”Presented by Hal Thayer,

Small Business Development CenterSponsored by

YOUR BUSINESS COULD BE FEATURED HERE IF YOU SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMWest Orange Chamber of Commerce

12184 West Colonial Dr. Winter Garden11:30am – 1:00pm

Light lunch providedFREE to current WOCC members

Thursday, April 19th Chamber Connection – New Member Orientation

Sponsored by DRB Benefits GroupWest Orange Chamber of Commerce

12184 West Colonial Dr. Winter Garden3:30pm – 4:30pm

FREE to current WOCC members

Wednesday, April 25th Power Networking

Sponsored by the Courtyard by Marriott10971 West Colonial Dr. Ocoee, FL 34761

8:00am – 9:00amFree to current WOCC Members

By RSVP only to KCarney@wochamber.com

2012Supporting

Trustees

Alarie DesignAssociates

Apple Air Conditioning &

Heating, Inc.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, LLC

Boyd DevelopmentCorporation

Comerica Bank

GrayRobinson, P.A.

June Engineering

Kelly’s Foods, Inc.

Manheim Orlando

Publix

Rural/Metro Ambulance of Central Florida

SeaWorld Orlando

Sines BlakesleeMadyda, P.A.

Certified Public Accountants, P.A.

South Milhausen, P.A.

Technology Solutionsof America

The West OrangeTimes

Universal Orlando

West Orange Orthopaedics & Sports

Medicine, P.A.

Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves

West Orange Chamber of Commerce12184 W. Colonial Drive . Winter Garden, FL 34787

Ph: (407) 656-1304 . Fax: (407) 656-0224Web site: www.wochamber.com

To register and pay online or for more info on these events, please visit our Web site at www.wochamber.com

Find out if your business can qualify to receive4 months of FREE ads in

The Ultimate Savings Magazine!

Visit the Chamber homepage www.wochamber.com to view this and other HOT DEALS!