2009Community

Trustees

Ace Hardware

BankFIRST

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

Bright FutureElectric, LLC

Castle & Cooke

DeWitt Excavating

DRB Benefits Group

EMBARQ

First CommercialBank of Florida

Fishback, Dominick,Bennett, Stepter,Ardaman, Ahlers,

Bolton & Langley, LLP

GrayRobinson, P.A.

Health Central

Manheim Orlando

Miller, South & Milhausen, P.A.

PrismOne Group, LLC

Progress Energy

Regions Bank

The MiddlesexCompanies

Walt Disney WorldCompany

Our Mission: To Develop, Support and Promote Chamber Member Businesses and Our Community.

July 2009Chairman’s MessageDr. Diane Trees, 2009 Chamber ChairmanUniversity of Central Florida

Last month, I mentioned that I had noticed a community effort encouraging businesses and citizens to “buy local”. The Florida Chamber of Commerce campaigned this spring with that same theme. While this is not a new concept for the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, I’d like to add a few thoughts for consideration. Whether you are pondering membership in the Chamber or contemplating renewal of your existing membership, please take time to analyze tools available to you as a Chamber member. Anyone with access to the internet has the ability to pull up the Chamber’s Web site and explore the business directory. Consisting of Chamber members only, this directory offers a variety of ways to view other Chamber members. You can search by key word, category, or name for other businesses who participate in our local community through the Chamber. You can also call the Chamber directly for businesses meeting your criteria and verify current membership at the same time.

If you are a current member, please remember to take advantage of the Member to Member Discount Program. This concept offers an opportunity for members to increase business activity by encouraging Chamber members to do business with other Chamber members through tangible discount incentives. Discounts include a reduced fixed dollar amount or percentage off goods or services. We all know what a difference even a few dollars saved makes in the long run for our budgets. Let’s be smart about understanding and utilizing the advantages of Chamber membership.

One last item, the Nominating Committee headed by the Chair-Elect Jim Densmore, meets during the month of August. At that time, current board positions are reviewed for term assignments in order to determine open board seats for the coming fiscal year. Discussion then ensues focusing on suggestions of nominees by committee members and any Chamber members that may have professed an interest in a board position. The Chamber now has a Board Application Form available online for anyone interested in becoming a board member. This form can be downloaded for completion and returned to the Chamber for consideration by the Nominating Committee when they meet in August. Deadline for receipt of this year’s forms will be Monday, August 3, 2009.

Thank you,

Dr. Diane Trees

JOIN. MEET. GROW.

West OrangeChamber

Board of Directors

Joe Alarie

A. Kurt Ardaman

David Billsborough

Comm. Scott Boyd

Mayor Gary Bruhn

Comm. Bob Buchanan

Samir Burshan

Debbie Clements

Jim Densmore

Rob Frank

Ron Garrison

Bob Gosselin

Chesta Hembrooke

Bob Hennen

Randy June

Julie Kleffel

Star Kraschinsky

Anette Luck

John McReynolds

Jeff Milhausen

Dan Petro

Kitty Phillips

RepresentativeStephen Precourt

Russ Salerno

Paul Sexton

Dianne Southwell

Mayor Kathy Stark

Lynetta Steed

David Sylvester

Jim Thomas

Dr. Diane Trees Chairman

Michael Waldrop

Committee Corner by Stina D’Uva

USB Flash Drives are one of the items on the list of supplies S.T.A.R.S. is putting together for students in August. High school students use them to save and carry research from school to home and, again, to carry papers that need to be printed from home to school. If you have any extras around the office, please consider donating them. Think of the last convention you

attended, or those that may have come in the mail. Storage capacity should be ½ gig or greater.

Other items that are needed: ballpoint pens (black or blue ink), calculators (preferably solar), pencils and highlighters. They can be imprinted with advertising (as long as it is appropriate for school students) and provide an opportunity to promote your business. Donations can be dropped off at the Chamber Office or S.T.A.R.S. Volunteer Center at the West Oaks Mall (near JCPenney). Questions, call 407-292-3559.

“Buy Chamber, or as the WOCC ‘s mantra states, “Chamber Members Doing Business with Chamber Members”

Lately, I have seen many local, state and even national campaigns to emphasize the importance of buying from within your own community, whether it is local or an even larger focus areas. These campaigns are known as ‘buy local” campaigns and they are popping up all over the place. They offer discounts, very similar to the ones available on our own web site known as “Member to Member Discounts.”Your Chamber has been emphasizing this concept for decades; we simply narrow it down to doing business with fellow Chamber members. We have even provided an easy, very recognizable way to show your support of one another, through our “patron cards.”Does this look familiar?

With every new member packet and renewal member letter, we provide you with these cards. We hope that as you do business with one another, if a verbal acknowledgement cannot take place at the time of a purchase, then we urge you, to leave a patron card behind so that the business knows you supported one of our own. Let’s “buy local, buy Chamber!”

Extra, Extra - Read All About It!Team Building Monster Mini Golf is close at hand

Play in the dark? Yes, you Can!Presented by DRB Benefits Group

It will be a “Thriller” of an eveningCall Lauren at the Chamber for more details

at 407/656-1304 ext. 5

TRUSTEE SPOTLIGHT

Commit”teasers”

Economic Development CommitteeNo Meeting for July

Education CommitteeNo meetings for July or August

Next Meeting will be September 15 at 8:00 am.Chamber Office

Governmental AffairsNo meeting for July

Small Business Development TeamTuesday, July 21st

9:15 – 10:00amChamber Office

Membership CommitteeTuesday, July 28th

8:00 – 9:00am

Dewitt Excavating, Inc., established in 1951, has many years’ experience with developers, contractors, municipalities, the Department of Transportation and private industry. DeWitt Excavating takes pride in an 80% rate of repeat business and a wide diversity in the type of projects

they have completed. DeWitt Excavating is a State Certified General contractor, Underground Utility and Excavation Contractor - pre-qualified to work with many agencies including the Florida Department of Transportation, Seminole County Board of County Commissioners, and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. They have the most modern support equipment on the market today, licensed and bonded in most areas and familiar with city and county procedures and SAFETY is the #1 priority, exemplified by their safety-conscious OSHA certified “personnel” on staff.

The Middlesex Companies was founded in 1972 and is a leader in the civil construction and paving industries throughout the Northeast US and Florida with their main

headquarters in Massachusetts and Regional offices in Connecticut and Orlando, FL. The Middlesex Companies, using advanced construction methods to respond uniquely and specifically to each customer demand, are recognized for building high-quality projects, creating value for their customers and rewarding careers for their employees. For over 35 years, The Middlesex Companies have built strategic alliances with a multitude of clients, suppliers, subcontractors, financial institutions and has also maintained a long standing relationship with its surety company. The philosophy of the Founder, Mr. Robert W. Pereira, continues to be one of mutual trust, respect and honesty; “Build all projects safely and of the highest QUALITY the first time, we can’t build anything in life unless the base is solid.” This commitment to their clients, partners and employees is evident to all those who have engaged their service.

Forecaster Encourages Crowd By Jimmy Tater, Valencia Community College Student Reporter Sean Snaith, an economic forecaster revered by “Bloomberg Markets” magazine, spoke at Valencia Community College’s West Campus on June 3. The event was presented by The West Orange Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by University of Central Florida. Snaith compared the current economic trend to the heart, and how a lack of supervision leads to a decline in health. “Lending helps the economy, as fewer loans are made GDP flow slows down,” Snaith said. “Similar to blood passing through an un-healthy heart.” Snaith, 42, of University of Central Florida’s Institute for Eco-nomic Competitiveness, commented on the decline in demands for new houses and the inability to sell many pre-existing proper-ties. “Florida is no longer a cheap place to retire, or to do busi-ness. Baby boomers are shifting,” Snaith said. The presentation attempted to give a new perspective to the downward economic situation as well as to coax the crowd, which left only a few chairs unfilled, to see that the economy will bounce back, but at a leisurely rate. “Hearing that we’re almost done with a recession is a happy topic,” said April Reynolds, 31, special events coordinator for The City of Orlando. The presentation contained many technical business terms but were made accessible to a group having diversified expertise. Maritza Martinez, 36, of University of Central Florida’s commu-nity relations office, said “he breaks down big economic terms, and his explanations are easy to digest.” Diane Trees, one of University of Central Florida’s associate vice presidents, gave an introduction as well as closure to the presentation, commented on Valencia Community College’s west campus joint use facilities with University of Central Florida. Trees said, “It was a very Frugal way to use resources.”

Rick Rochaowner

Studio Opening Fall 2008

www.clixorlando.com

NOW Booking Events!

407-466-3136

New MembersMay 2009

BAKERY Douce France Bakery

Ran Sacagiu(407) 877-1519

CATERINGFranco’s Catering

Jim Carter(407) 656-2000

www.orderfrancos.com

DENTISTDellagio Dentist

Julie Brody(407) 351-4104

DENTIST - COSMETIC & FAMILY

All About Beautiful SmilesSherri Gladney(407) 290-9588

www.allaboutbeautifulsmiles.com

DENTIST Winter Garden Dental

Enilia Rapport(407) 654-1221

GLASS COMPANY Lloyd’s Glass Services

Tee Cambre(407) 830-4455

HEAVY EQUIPMENT SALES Nortrax

Chris Wood(407) 299-1212

HOME HEALTH CARE BrightStar Healthcare

Raoul Guerra(407) 877-0720

www.brightstarhealthcare.com

RESTAURANTS Two Sheas Bar-B-Que Grill

Tony Blair(407) 654-3222

SCUBA DIVINGAmerican Dive Institute

Alex DeShazer(407) 538-1110

www.AmericanDiveInstitute.com

SECURITY SERVICES Brinks Home Security

Bob Bishop(407) 902-5411

www.brinkshomesecurity.com

APARTMENTSKey Isle at Windermere Apartments

ASSOCIATEBob Evans

ATTORNEYSSikes & Van Der Riet, Attorneys, PLLC

BUILDERS/CONTRACTORS/DEVELOPERSExclusive Homes

CABLE TELEVISIONBrighthouse Networks

CATERINGJoe Ma Ma’s Kountry Katering, Inc.

CHURCHESFirst United Methodist Church

CONSTRUCTION - EXCAVATING CONTRACTORSDeWitt Excavating, Inc.

CONSTRUCTION - GENERALSorenson Construction, Inc.

ELECTED OFFICIALSFlorida Senator Andy Gardiner

Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd

FINANCIAL PLANNINGRaymond James Financial Ser-vices - Pat Ahrendt

GOLF CENTEROrange County National Golf Center and Lodge

INVESTMENT SERVICETalbot Asset Management

LIQUORSVMI Ltd., Co.

ORGANIZATIONS - HEALTH (NON-PROFIT)American Cancer Society

ORGANIZATIONS - NON-PROFITChristian Service Center

West Orange Habitat For Humanity

PET BOARDING/GROOMINGPuppy Dreams

PHYSICIANS - INTERNAL/PRE-VENTIVE MEDICINECentral Florida Internists

PHYSICIANS - OPTHALMOLOGISTEye Physicians of Central Florida

REAL ESTATEThe Real Estate Collection, LLC

REAL ESTATE - DEVELOPMENTAquaterra Development, Inc.

RENTAL SERVICERoyal Restrooms

TELEPHONE SYSTEMS SALES AND SERVICEPSI Phone Systems, Inc.

TITLE INSURANCE SERVICESTreasure Title Insurance Agency, Inc.

TRANSPORTATIONFlorida Golf Limo Bus

Renewed MembersMay 2009

AMBASSADOR ACCOLADES & ANTICS

The Ambassadors recently participated in the following events:

RIBBON CUTTINGS

ANNIVERSARY

Sweetwater Car Wash11301 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee

Jason J. Sotto, DMD3720 Winter Garden Vineland Road,

Winter Garden

Regions Bank/Dr. Phillips8061 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando

Scooter’s Car Wash (1st Anniversary)12728 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden

Lake Apopka Natural Gas (50th Anniversary)1320 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Winter Garden

Gosselin Realty (10th Anniversary)118 W. McKey Street, Ocoee

The West Orange Youth Leadership group

The 2009 Leadership West Orange Class, WOLF PAC -West Orange Leadership Friends – Promoting Awareness in the Community, spent the day learning about different levels of Government in the Central Florida area. The class visited with the State House Representative, District 41, Stephen Precourt, Mayor of Ocoee Scott Vandergrift, Orange County Supervisor of Elections Bill Cowles, Orange County Commissioner, District 1, Scott Boyd and Orange County Corrections Chief Michael Tidwell. The class also had a tour of the Orange County Corrections facility.

Back row pictured left to right: Justin Allen, J. Giffin Chumley, June Tor-res, Sam Davis, Jr., Day Yates, Anna Long.Front row pictured left to right: Rebekah Phillip, Diane Bajardi, Cindy Gain-ey, Thomas Toole, David Billsborough, Representative Steve Precourt, Kitty Phillips, Maria Balderrama, Tammy Gillard and Jay Kraschinsky.Knealing – Betsey Bell, Heather Maloney and Janelle Resnick

June Business After Hours

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce held the June Business After Hours at the Ocoee City Hall Community Center on June 18th, 2009. The event was sponsored by the City of Ocoee and Gosselin Realty. Guests enjoyed tasty treats and drinks while networking with attendees and helping to celebrate Gosselin Realty’s 10 year anniversary. Pictured l-r are Stina D’Uva Chamber President, Bob Gosselin and Pam Bozkurt co-owners of Gosselin Realty and City of Ocoee Commissioner RoseMary Wilson

Economic Development Luncheon

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce presented an Economic Development Luncheon on June 3rd, featuring special guest speaker, Economist Dr. Sean Snaith, sponsored by University of Central Florida and hosted by Valencia Community College in their brand new Special Events Center. Pictured are Chamber President Stina D’Uva, Chamber Chairman Diane Trees, Dr. Sean Snaith and Cece Rivers of University of Central Florida.

April Member of the Month

April 2009 Member of the Month was presented to Scott Michael of Strombeck Consulting for his involvement on the Membership Committee and Small Business Development Team.

PhotoGallery

Uncle Kenny’s Bar-B-Que won 3rd place in a competition the weekend of the 19th in Palm Beach Gardens and now rank 7th out of 250 teams in the Florida Bar-B-Que Association. If you are looking for award winning barbecue, visit Uncle Kenny’s at 13675 W. Colonial Dr. Winter Garden.

The date has been set! On July 24, 2009 at 12 noon, Monster Mini Golf will open in Winter Garden, Florida! They are located in the West Orange Business Center at 1297 Winter Garden Vineland Road ,Suite 130 in Winter Garden.

Massey Communications, a full-service advertising and public relations agency located in Orlando, recently launched a company blog. Blog content offers opinions and advice regarding communication strategies and recent news. Local professionals are encouraged to visit the blog on a regular basis to review the content and comment when appropriate. The blog is located at http://blog.masseycommunications.com/.

Summerville Assisted Living located on Clarke Road in Ocoee has changed their name to Emeritus at Ocoee.

McCree General Contractors, Inc. just announced they can handle your miscellaneous carpentry, electrical or plumbing projects. For more information call or email McCree at 407/898-4821 or service@mccree.com.

CHAMBER CHATTER

Think of the Chamber as “A Friend with Benefits!”

HOT TOPIC SESSIONS - Hot Topics sessions feature FREE hands on informal training on various topics of interest held quarterly in the Chamber Board Room.

MEMBER TO MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM – This program offers a way for members to increase business activity by encouraging chamber members to do business with other chamber members through tangible discount incentives.

NETWORKING GROUPS - Expand your contacts by networking with other businesses and receive referrals from clients with related interests. The Tuesday Networking Group meets every Tuesday of the month at the Best Western Turnpike West-Orlando in the Perkins Restaurant from 8:00am-9:00am. Contact Jon White at jhwhite@cfl.rr.com.

Increase your customer base by using other Chamber members as your FREE sales force. The Wednesday Networking group meets the first & third Wednesday of the month at various locations from 8-9am. Contact Linda Osterberg for more info at lindaost@msn.com.

Network with fellow Chamber members while enjoying lunch at a different Chamber member restaurant each month! Lead and Feed is the 2nd Thursday of the month from 12:00- 1:30pm. Call Heather Weidenbruch for more information (407) 859-7123 x 115.

POWER NETWORKING - Perfect your 60-second presentation speech for your business! Power Networking sessions are held every other month and open to only one profession per session. This exciting and fast paced hour gives you the opportunity to connect with up to 19 other business people one on one, from our Chamber Membership. Call WOCC for more info.

Be sure to take

advantage of this

great opportunity to

participate in the

MEMBER TO MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAMAPPLICATION

Company Name: _______________________________Contact Name:____________________________

Address: _________________________________________ City: ___________________________

Phone: _______________________ Fax: ________________________

E-mail: ____________________________ Web Address:____________________________

Description of Discount (20 words or less):

Signature: ______________________________

Please return this form to the West Orange Chamber of Commerce via fax (407) 656-0221,E-mail: vferber@wochamber.com or mail to12184 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787.

The “Member to Member Discount Program” offers an opportunity for members to increase business activity

by encouraging chamber members to do business with other chamber members through tangible discount incentives,

such as offering a fixed dollar amount or percentage off goods or services.

This discount offer will be in effect from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.If you are interested in taking advantage of this promotional opportunity, please fill out the

application form below and fax it to the Chamber at 407-656-0221 or e-mail your application to Vicki Ferber at vferber@wochamber.com. If you have any questions,

please feel free to contact us at 407-656-1304.

“HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY” AMENDMENT TO APPEAR ON BALLOT, GROUP CLAIMSUnder the banner of Floridians for Smarter Growth, the business community is ready for battle

The radical Hometown Democracy proposal failed to reach the ballot in 2004, 2006 and 2008. However, interest groups bankrolling the would-be constitutional amendment now claim that they have collected enough signatures to reach the ballot in 2010.

The so-called “Hometown Democracy” amendment - a “Vote on Everything” initiative that would force thousands of technical planning changes to appear on the ballot - is opposed by a broad coalition of over 130 environmental, business, labor, planning and community groups throughout the state. This growing coalition includes 1000 Friends of Florida, the

Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association.

“The ‘Vote on Everything’ amendment could mean a permanent recession for Florida’s economy,” said Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of Floridians for Smarter Growth. “This amendment will hopelessly complicate the planning process and indefinitely stall our state’s economic recovery.”

Hometown Democracy has already been tested in the small Pinellas county town of St. Pete Beach, which adopted a “Vote on Everything” measure in 2006. Since then, local residents have suffered through a virtual economic collapse and endless lawsuits at taxpayer expense. Hometown Democracy disciples have even filed numerous lawsuits to overturn the very election their amendment required.

“The story of St. Pete Beach is proof positive that this idea costs jobs and wastes taxpayer money,” said Ryan Houck, executive director of Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG), the statewide campaign opposing Hometown Democracy. “Far from empowering voters, it has caused endless frustration at the ballot box and needless litigation at taxpayer expense.”

“Floridians for Smarter Growth has organized a very strong grassroots campaign organization,” said Wilson. “We have expanded our local leadership teams and grown our statewide coalition. Floridians for Smarter Growth is prepared to debate the ‘Vote on Everything’ amendment in every community in Florida.”

Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) was founded by Sunshine State business and community leaders to educate voters on the impacts of the so-called Hometown Democracy amendment. Today, Floridians for Smarter Growth leads a grassroots team of nearly 1000 dedicated volunteers and 130 opposition groups.

For more information go to: http://Florida2010.org

ADVERTISE HEREReach more than 1,000 members!

Take advantage of this valuable marketing opportunity

for the low prices listed below.

Monthly Rates

Full Page $100.001/2 Page $ 75.001/4 Page $ 50.00Business card $ 25.00

Questions? Please contact:Vicki Ferber, Membership Services Manager

407.656.1304 ext. 3 or e-mail vferber@wochamber.com

DISCOVER 2010 West Orange County Community Profile & Business Directory

GREAT NEWS!! We would like to invite you to be part of the all new 2010 Community Profile and Membership Directory. Your invitation to advertise in this outstanding publication will arrive shortly. Jill Adelman will be our Village Profile Project Manager .

Chamber members are staying strong and focused on how important it is to promote the attributes of their business through thisEXTRAORDINARY chamber publication! It will serve, as a beautiful welcome piece to new neighbors, new friends, visitors, the community and it’s a valuable resource guide. A WHO’SWHO, listing prominent businesses like yours with contact information.As an area business, you have the opportunity to promote your business in this exciting informative community publication. All participating advertisers receive FREE GUIDES…FREE ad preparation…FREE on line buyer’s guide listing and FREE hyperlink to your website with each ad purchased. You will also enjoy again a presence on the internet thru www.villageprofile.com website that receives over 2,000,000 hits each month.

BE SURE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY…

————————————————————————————————————— Call representative Jill Adelman at 215-527-1304 and reserve your space today!

Or, fax the form below to the Chamber office at 407-656-0221.You may also contact the Chamber at 407-656-1304 Ext. 0.

Yes, I am interested in advertising in the 2010 Discover Magazine.

Company Name:_______________________ Contact Name:__________________________

Address:____________________________________ City ________________ Zip _______

Phone Number:_________________________Fax:__________________________________

Email:________________________________

JULY

Thursday, July 9th Lead & Feed

Kabbab House, Metrowest2423 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando 32835

12:00pm – 1:30 pmFor more info or to RSVP contact Patrick Carey at

patrick.carey@edwardjones.com

Thursday, July 23rd New Member Orientation & Refresher

“Chamber Connection”Sponsored by: DRB Benefits GroupWest Orange Chamber Board Room

3:30pm – 4:30pmFree for valued WOCC members

For more info contact: Chris Eckert at 407-656-1304 ext 0

Thursday, July 23rd Business After Hours

Sponsored and Hosted by Salt Island Chophouse & Fish Market, Orlando

5:30pm – 7:00pmChamber Member Earned Rate $5.00

Non Member Rate $10.00For more info contact: Carrie Wilson

at 407-656-1304 ext 4

AUGUST

Thursday, August 13thLead & Feed

Tambora’s Grill Café, Ocoee 12:00pm – 1:30 pm

For more info or to RSVP contact Heather Weidenbruch:

407-859-7123 ext 115 or heather.weidenbruch@us.stores.mcd.com

Thursday, August 20thNew Member Orientation & Refresher

“Chamber Connection”Sponsored by Strombeck Consulting, CPA

West Orange Chamber Board Room3:30pm – 4:30pm

Free for valued WOCC membersFor more info contact Chris Eckert

at 407-656-1304 ext 0

Thursday, August 20thBusiness After Hours

Sponsored and Hosted by Holiday Inn Express and FASTSIGNS, Orlando

5:30pm – 7:00pmChamber Member Earned Rate $5.00

Non Member Rate $10.00For more info contact Carrie Wilson

at 407-656-1304 ext 4

Tuesday, August 25th

West Orange Young Professionals Happy Hour NetworkingLocation to be announced

5:30pm-7:00pmFor more info contact Carrie Wilson

at 407-656-1304 ext 4

2009Supporting

Trustees

Alarie DesignAssociates

Allen & Company, Inc.

AmericanFirst Bancard

Hagan O’Reilly’sIrish Pub & Restaurant

Orlando Health

Plaudits!

Publix

Sines, Girvin,Blakeslee & Campbell

Technology Solutionsof America

The Huber Group

The West OrangeTimes

Universal Orlando

University of Central Florida

Waste Management, Inc. of Florida

Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves

West Orange Chamber of Commerce12184 W. Colonial Drive

Winter Garden, FL 34787Ph: (407) 656-1304 Fax: (407) 656-0224

Web site: www.wochamber.com

RSVP to Chamber events at www.wochamber.com