2007Community

Trustees

Amsouth Bank

BankFIRST

Castle & Cooke

DeWitt Excavating

Embarq

First CommercialBank of Florida

GrayRobinson, P.A.

Health Central

Lowndes DrosdickDoster Kantor &

Reed, P.A.

Manheim’s Florida Auto

Auction of Orlando

McCree Incorporated

Miller, South & Milhausen, P.A.

Progress Energy

Signature GMACReal Estate

Step2Techknowledgies

Group

SunTrust Bank

The MiddlesexCompanies

Veranda Partners

Walt Disney WorldCompany

West Oaks Mall

Russ Salerno, 2007 Chamber ChairmanUnited Heritage Bank

Chairman’s MessageFebruary 2007

 Committee Corner Krista Compton, Vice President

The Chamber continues to have many great events that all of our members are able to attend throughout the year. Hopefully, you did get to attend one of our successful “premier” events that took place in January. On January 10th we had our Annual Breakfast and on January 26th the always spectacular Annual West Orange Community Champion’s Gala took place. These 2 key events, along with the monthly Business After Hours sponsored by Health Central were all opportunities to have fun, socialize and generate new business contacts all at the same time.

Over the years, I have been a member in many business, civic and community organizations, like you may have. The organizations that I truly “get involved in” are always the ones that I get the most out of both personally or financially. Just because you are a member of a business organization does not mean that you will automatically get a lot of new business. You have to get involved, make an effort to meet people, attend events and seminars (lots of free ones sponsored by the Chamber), tell people about your business, pass out cards and maybe get on a committee that you think will be fun. In order for you to get the best “bang for your buck,” YOU HAVE TO PARTICIPATE ! By socializing and “working the crowd” you will be amazed how successful you will become. Who knows, you might even meet a new best friend.

If you want to practice meeting someone, try this. You see my picture on the top of this Newsletter. If we have not met, just come up to me at any event and introduce yourself, tell me what you do and then give me your card. How easy is that?

The West Orange Chamber gives its members many opportunities to promote their business through all the events that happen throughout the year. One other way to “get involved” is to join one or more of the many committees of the Chamber. Again, “the more involved you get the more you get out of it”.

Some of the committees that you can get involved in include: Membership, Small Business Development, Governmental Affairs, Premier Events, Education, Community Involvement and Economic Development. You can even become an Ambassador (those you see at many events wearing red coats). Ambassadors serve as official hosts of Chamber ribbon cuttings, anniversary celebrations, ground breakings, open houses, Business After Hours and other Chamber functions.

Special Chamber Insert“2006 Annual Report”

LEADERSHIP WEST ORANGE

• How well do you know West Orange? How much have you yet to experience?

• Do you know where the buffalo roam in Ocoee?• Have you ever seen thousands of cars move through one of the largest

auto auctions in the world?• Do you know the history of the fourth largest lake in the state?

Not to worry! Leadership West Orange, the Chamber’s 13-year-old leadership program answers these questions and more, plus it allows you the opportunity to venture into West Orange and experience it all. If you want to expand your leadership potential, by knowing more about the greater community in which you live, join Leadership West Orange. It’s a one-day per month, 9 month long program-incorporating tours, hands-on experience, behind-the-scenes activities, and group discussions with community leaders. A majority of this class is made up of representatives of Community & Supporting Trustees. Call the Chamber at 407-656-1304 or email kcompton@wochamber.com, to learn about the sessions and the reasonable cost, compared to the other local leadership programs.

West OrangeChamber

Board of Directors

Joe Alarie

A. Kurt Ardaman

Kay Behrens

Mike Bollhoefer

Ward Britt

Mayor Gary Bruhn

Alan Byrd

Debbie Clements

Jim Densmore

Louis Fazio, Jr.

Rob Frank

John Hussey

Ron Garrison

Bob Gosselin

Pamela Gould

Comm. Teresa Jacobs

Julie Kleffel

John McReynolds

Jim Neumayer

Linda Osterberg

Dan Petro

Stephen Precourt

Dr. Jenny Reeves

John Rinehart

Russ Salerno - Chairman

Tracy Seebach

Paul Sexton

Dianne Southwell

Mayor Kathy Stark

Lynetta Steed

Jane Tebbe-Shemelya

Jim Thomas

Dr. Diane Trees

Meet the Board - 2007 Board of Directors

Joe Alarie has served on the Board for 3 years. Alarie has been very active with the Chamber as well as the community for over 7 years. He is the founder and president of Alarie Design Associates, Inc., an award winning advertising and design agency in downtown Winter Garden.

Kurt Ardaman has served on the Chamber Board for over 7 years and served as Chairman in 2004. Ardaman has been active in the Governmental Affairs and Community Relations committees. He is a life long resident of West Orange and practices law at Fishback, Dominick, Bennett, Stepter, Ardaman, Ahlers & Bonus, LLP.

Kay Behrens has been very active with the Chamber for over 10 years. Behrens has served on the board for 9 years and as Chairman in 2002. Behrens is an active Ambassador and participates in the Premier Events, Economic Development and Trustee Committees. She is the General Manager of the West Oaks Mall which is a Community Trustee.

Mike Bollhoefer joined the Chamber Board in 2005. Bollhoefer is active with the Governmental Affairs and Economic Development committees. He has worked for the City of Winter Garden since 1996 and has served the role of City Manager for the last 2 years.

MEMBER TO MEMBER TESTIMONIAL

I have enjoyed participating in the West Orange Chamber for over 30 years. Each time I attend a chamber event is an opportunity for me to visit many current clients and meet new business members of our community, who often also become clients. Chamber events are an easy venue to discuss business and ask others about their profession, because that is why we meet, to promote West Orange County business and explore ways to create success for each other to enhance the business vitality of the area.

I firmly believe that people prefer to buy from people they know and who have been endorsed and referred by others. What better venue than Chamber events to mingle with people you can get to know and whose reputation for business you can investigate easily.

Even now I meet new friends who sometimes become clients of mine as well as me becoming clients of theirs. One Chamber encounter I fondly recall is meeting Joe Alarie and discussing print advertising for Hillcrest Insurance. I was well pleased with the product Alarie Design provided me and Hillcrest further asked Alarie Design to produce a corporate brochure which is vital to our new business marketing effort. Without the Chamber events I doubt I would have become so comfortable turning to Alarie Design to present Hillcrest to potential new clients. Joe and I have since become mutual clients and friends.

I encourage everyone to become active in the chamber. It works! However, I find that you can only receive benefit if you make the effort. Get involved and participate. Only then can you enjoy the true value of your membership.

Larry CapplemanHillcrest Insurance Agency, Inc.

Annual Meeting Breakfast by Stina D’Uva

Congratulations to our newest members of the month, Jim Densmore of Signature GMAC Real Estate and Doug Laman of Exclusive Homes. Each deserving recipient was presented with a plaque by the Ambassadors at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting sponsored by Bright Future Electric and food sponsor, Bistro Gourmet of McDonalds. This was just one of the changes that members saw at this year’s breakfast. The event was also moved to a more central location at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Ocoee.

It was the first chance for members to meet and greet, our long-standing member and new Chairman, Russ Salerno. Russ introduced the board members and Trustees in attendance. There was also an opportunity for new members in attendance to give a quick infomercial about their businesses.

The highlight of the morning was the energetic, inspirational presentation by Ben Turpin of “Inspiration Agents” on some quick helpful hints about improving everyone’s networking skills. This was simply a teaser for an upcoming seminar on Thursday, February 22nd. If you’re interested in learning more about the seminar, contact Roxanne at the Chamber for details.

L to R - Stina D’Uva, Anette Luck, Russ Salerno, Kay Behrens, Lori Tyson, Rev. Tom Rutherford, Jim Densmore, Dianne South-well, Doug Laman, Heather Weidenbruch, JoAnne Quarles-Sikes, and Dorcas Dillard

L to R - Heather Weidenbruch, Mike Freiner, Dan Petro, Stina D’Uva, Ben Turpin, and Russ Salerno

Florida Titlesmith Ad

New Members

HOME BUILDERS/DEVELOPERLennar Mid Florida

Dave Phillips(407) 656-1624

JEWELERSA. Tharoo Jewelers

Abdullah Tharoo(407) 351-2121

www.tharooco.com

MERCHANT SERVICESHeartland Payment Systems

Butch Becker(321) 948-2562

Merchant Lynx ServicesAnthony Salerno(407) 921-9996

www.merchantlynx.com

MILLWORK - CUSTOM DESIGNGlobal Design Innovations

Patrick Kelly(321) 229-9843

www.contactgdi.com

MORTGAGE BROKERCapital Mortgage Investment Corporation

Carla Riettie(407) 298-5051

www.capitalmortgageinvestment.org

REAL ESTATEMaingate Real Estate

Mark Dean(407) 909-9631

www.maingate.com

RESTAURANTSHot Dog City

Diane Silguero(407) 905-5384

Tommy BahamaWarren Dunkelberger

(321) 281-5888www.tommybahama.com

SCHOOLS - CHARTERHope Charter School

Crystal Yoakum(407) 656-4673

www.hopecharter.org

The West Orange Chamber of CommerceSmall Business Development Team

SEMINAR SERIES PRESENTS…

“Is Your Networking Working?”Presented by:

Glen Gould and Benjamin Turpin “Inspiration Agents”

“Is Your Networking Working” gives you the 4 networkingstyles, helps you build a dynamic powerful 60 second commercial and gives you the keys to nurture your

network to abundance.

Thursday, February 22, 20078:00am – 11:00 am

Stoneybrook West Golf Club15501 Towne Commons Blvd.

Winter Garden, FL 34787

$31 pp - Chamber Members

$41 pp - Non Chamber Members

Contact the Chamber Office at 407-656-1304 or reickhoff@wochamber.com to reserve your seat!

AMBASSADOR ACCOLADES & ANTICS

The Ambassadors have recently participated in the following events:

Ribbon Cuttings

RBC Centura Bank8020 Conroy-Windermere Road, Orlando 32835

Floor to Ceiling4241 L. B. McLeod Road, Orlando 32811

Florida Titlesmith, LLC7680 Universal Blvd, Ste 100, Orlando 32819

Empire Soccer Academy1201 S. Winter Garden Vineland Rd,

Winter Garden 34787

Quiznos Subs207 N. Clarke Road, Ocoee 34761

Renewed MembersACCOUNTANTS - CERTIFIED PUBLICOsburn, Henning & Company

APARTMENTSInland Seas Apartments

ATTORNEYSStephen D. Dunegan

Theodore H. VanDeventer

AUDIO VISUAL PRODUCTIONNeumayer Productions

AUTOMOBILE LUBE AND OIL CHANGELube King, Inc.

BATTERY-SALESG.J. Batteries, Inc.

BUILDERS/CONTRACTORS/DEVELOPERSBradford Building Corporation

RabCo Corporation The

Ryland Homes

BUILDING SUPPLIESWest Orange Lumber Company

CEMETERYOrlando Memorial Gardens

CHURCHESCornerstone Community Church

Winter Garden Primitive Baptist Church

CITRUS BUYERSP. H. Freeman & Sons, Inc.

CITRUS GROVE MANAGEMENTWinter Garden Citrus Growers

CITRUS PACKERS/COMMERCIAL/GIFT SHIPPERSConoley Citrus Packers, Inc.

COMMUNITY PLANNINGGlatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Inc.

COUNSELINGWindermere CounselingDENTIST - ORTHODONTISTRobert T. Ogden, D.D.S.

ELECTED OFFICIALSWinter Garden Commissioner Theo Graham

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORAmber Electric, Inc. a subsidiary of IES

ENGINEERS-CONSULTING/CIVILAllen & Company, Inc.

Professional Engineering Consultants

ENVIRONMENTAL- CONSULTINGBiosphere Consulting, Inc.

FOOD DISTRIBUTORKelly’s Foods, Inc.

GOLF CENTERForest Lake Golf Club Of Ocoee

HOTELSBest Western Turnpike West-Orlando

LANDSCAPEImage Landscaping & Maintenance

U.S. Lawns of Orlando

LAWN CARERiddick’s Lawn Service

MOVIE THEATREWest Orange 5

NURSERIES - FOLIAGEKnox Nursery, Inc.

ORGANIZATIONS - CIVICRotary Club of Windermere

Women’s Club Of Ocoee, Inc.

ORGANIZATIONS - NON-PROFITFriends Of Lake Apopka

The Gift of Swimming

Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, Inc.

PHARMACIESMedicine Shoppe, The

PHOTOGRAPHYPortraits by LaVerne

REAL ESTATELand Plus, Inc.

REAL ESTATE BROKERAGEGreen River Group Inc.

RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARING AGENCYEdgewood Children’s Ranch

RESTAURANTSThe Country House Restaurant

Roy’s Restaurant

Steak and Ale

SCHOOLSSouthwest Middle School

TITLE INSURANCE SERVICESSouthern Title Agency, Inc.

TRAVEL AGENCIES-CRUISESCruise Planners

TROPHIES AND AWARDSTrophies Unlimited

UTILITIES - ELECTRICOUC - The Reliable One

VETERINARIANSOcoee Animal Hospital

YMCARoper YMCA Family Center

CHAMBER CHATTERCongratulations to one of our very own, Dorcas Dillard of our Community Trustee, Signature GMAC and a Chamber Ambassador, headed up the City of Ocoee’s First Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade. Hundreds were in attendance and plans are already underway for the 2nd Annual parade.

Special thanks to Chick-fil-A on W. Colonial in Ocoee for donating breakfast to the Wednesday Leads Group Open House.

Congratulations to Sue Carpenter of Community Management Professionals, Inc., who was elected to the Association of Professional Community Managers Board of Directors

Sponsorships Available

It’s Easy! You could be doing it too! Don’t lose out! Sponsor an Event in 2007!

This is a great way to be in front of our membership and many more. Get the edge on your competition by putting your name out front. Call the Chamber to sponsor one or more of these events ranging from $50-$15,000.

Business & Breakfast Meeting, Wed., August 8th, 7:30 a.m.- Topic will be a sneak peak to an upcoming seminar - Cost $2,000 each

Jewels of Our Schools Luncheon – Monday, December 3rd, 1:30-3:30pm – Honors our Teachers and Support Persons of the Year from West Orange Schools. Cost - $1,000 Walt Disney World, need additional $2,000

Capitol Connection – Tallahassee trip Wed., 3/28 & Thursday, 3/29. Cost - $1,500

Best Fest – A Taste of West Orange – Thursday, April 19th – Cost: Co-Title Sponsor $15,000, presenting sponsors $3,000

Seminar – September or November – Topic will be on marketing or networkingCost - $1,000

Chamber Matters – various sizes and costs

New Member Orientations –various months throughout the year – Cost $50

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DISCOVER MAGAZINE ADVERTISERS

Discover 2007, our much awaited annual publication, is almost here. Its very existence is made possible because of the wonderful Chamber members that advertise in it. They understand the value of this resource, not only for our local residents and businesses, yet also for those that will call West Orange home. Special thanks to the 2007 Discover advertisers:

Aggressive ApplianceAlarie Design Associates, Inc.

Alday-Donalson Title Agencies of America, Inc.American Express Travel Services

Associates in DermatologyBankFIRST

Bee Kidz, LLCBright Future Electric, LLC

Calvary Christian SchoolCastle & Cooke

Central Florida Educators Federal Credit UnionCity of Ocoee

City of Winter GardenCoins of the Realm

Coldwell Banker – Edmonde Narsisyan & Muriel ColbertDeWitt Excavating, Inc.

Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc.First Baptist Church of Winter Garden

Foundation AcademyW. K. Fravel, D.M.D., P.A.

Fuji SushiGo Figure of Lake County

Health CentralHenderson Pest Elimination

High Line, Inc.IRM Investments, Real Estate & Management

Keller Williams Classic Realty – Helen & Larry LynchKitchen Tune-Up

Lake Apopka Natural Gas DistrictMcCoy Federal Credit Union

Oakland Nature Preserve, Inc.Oakland Presbyterian ChurchOcoee Historical Commission

Ocoee Tire & Service – GoodYearOral Surgery Center of West Orlando

Orlando-Orange County Expressway AuthorityPat’s Pizza

Progress EnergyQuality Health Care Center

Raizor Realty, Inc.Southern Building Services, Inc.

State Farm – Mike BroschartStirling Sotheby’s International Realty – Debi Roundtree

StoneyBrook West Golf ClubTeksolver

Territo Information SystemsThe Original Sign Factory

Town of OaklandTown of Windermere

Veranda PartnersWalt Disney World Company

Waste Management Inc. of FloridaWelch Creative Lighting

West Oaks MallWest Orange Country Club

Westside TechWindermere Union Church, A United Church of Christ

Capitol Connection

The WOCC is starting to prepare for Capitol Connection. Capitol Connection is a yearly trip to Tallahassee with other local Chambers. This regional partnership represents attendees from throughout the

Central Florida Region and showcases continued regional efforts to build stronger relationships through communication. This coalition represents the Apopka Area, East Orlando, Greater Oviedo, Seminole County Regional, West Orange, Winter Park and our newest participant Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

This year the trip to Tallahassee is scheduled for March 28th & 29th. The group will travel to Tallahassee via busses. When the coalition arrives at the capitol they will be addressed by a majority of the Central Florida Delegation as well as Cabinet Members. The group will then have a chance to rub elbows with political officials at an evening reception staged at the beautiful old capitol.

On the second day, the coalition will have a private breakfast with a special Media briefing. Attendees will get to hear all the inside details of what is going on in Tallahassee. The group will then have some free time to meet with legislators or to view the Senate or House in session (if scheduled). The coalition will then partake in a private luncheon at the exclusive Governor’s Club with special guest speakers. Then it is back on the bus to go back home.

Capitol Connection is a great way to learn about relevant issues facing our state, your business and your family. Also, it is a fun way to meet other people from regional Chambers of Commerce like ours. The cost for this trip is only $350 and includes all transportation (Bus), lodging, admission to the VIP reception, breakfasts and lunches for both days. Don’t miss this great opportunity, contact Krista Compton at the Chamber office to reserve your seat.

Good Living Magazine

Good Living Magazine is a half hour television show featuring things to do, people to know and the places to go in West Orange. The City of Ocoee, Orange TV and the West Orange Chamber of Commerce along with the sponsorship of Castle & Cooke, City of Winter Garden, Embarq, Health Central and Progress Energy have partnered to bring Good Living Magazine to a television near you. This television program focuses on West Orange County, produced by Ocoee TV, and has been airing on Ocoee TV Channel 21, Orange TV Channel 9 and Vision TV Channel 98.

The airing times of all the monthly episodes are:

Ocoee TV 21: Currently airing everyday of the week

Orange TV 9: Every Thursday at 3:00am; 4:00pm; Friday at 11:00am & Sunday at 7:00pm

Vision TV 98: Every Tuesday at 11:00am; Friday at 12:00am; Saturday at 4:00pm; Sunday at 1:00pm.

2007Supporting

Trustees

Ace Hardware

Alarie DesignAssociates

BellSouth

Bright FutureElectric, LLC

Dyer, Riddle, Mills& Precourt, Inc.

Fishback, Dominick,Bennett, Stepter,

Ardaman, Ahlers & Bonus, LLP

Johnson-LauxCoonstruction

Shutts & Bowen LLP

The Huber Group

The Robins & Morton Group

The Sembler Company

The West OrangeTimes

Universal Orlando

University of Central Florida

Waste Management, Inc. of Florida

West Orange Chamber of Commerce12184 W. Colonial DriveWinter Garden, FL 34787Ph: (407) 656-1304 Fax: (407) 656-0224Web site: www.wochamber.com

Presorted StandardU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 257

Winter Garden, FL

FEBRUARY

Wednesday, 14th Hot Topics

“Finding and KEEPING Good Employees”Chamber Office7:50am- 9:00am

Cost: FREE

Thursday, 15th Business After Hours

Sponsored and Hosted byFirst Commercial Bank

5:30pm – 7:00pmCost: FREE

Thursday, 22nd “Is Your Networking Working?” Seminar

Stoneybrook West Golf Club8:00am – 11:00am

Cost: $31.00 Mbrs./$41.00 Non-Mbrs.

Wednesday, 28th Power Networking

Courtyard by Marriott, Ocoee8:00am – 9:00am

Cost: FREE

MARCH

TBA Business & Breakfast MeetingSt. Paul’s Presbyterian Church

7:30am- 9:00amCost $12.00 Mbrs/$17.00 Non-Mbrs.

Thursday, 15th Business After Hours

Sponsored and Hosted byApex Commerce Center

5:30pm – 7:00pmCost: FREE