Chamber Chatter

A Publication of the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce

 
 
 

October 2026

Inside this Issue

A Word from Our President

Chamber Events

Chamber Farmer's Market

Chamber 61st Annual Banquet

Member News

New & Renewing Members

Belle Glade City News

Pahokee Events

Our Newsletter Sponsors

 
 
 
 

A Word from Our President


Dear Chamber Members,

 

We are proud to celebrate the success of the 61st Annual Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce Banquet, which welcomed over 400 attendees. The evening was a wonderful reflection of the strength, commitment, and spirit of our community.


Congratulations to all of our award recipients for their well-deserved recognition. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who attended, sponsored, volunteered, and helped make this year's banquet such a memorable and successful event. Your support continues to strengthen the Chamber and the community we serve.


Upcoming Event: Octoberfest 2026


Join us for Octoberfest on Saturday, October 31st, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Town Square. This family-friendly event will feature food, entertainment, vendors, and community fun for all ages. We look forward to seeing you there as we continue celebrating together.



Thank you for your continued support of the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce.


Warm regards,



Erika Medellin

CHAMBER EVENTS

 

Belle Glade Chamber Farmers Market - November 14!


The Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring our Farmers Market back to Town Square on Saturday, November 14, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM!


Our Farmers Market is about more than shopping - it's about supporting the people who grow, make, and produce right here in our community. We invite local growers, craftsmen, food vendors, and other local producers to join us for a morning that celebrates fresh food, local products, and the people who make the Glades special.


For our community, come out and shop local, meet area growers and vendors, and enjoy a Saturday morning in the heart of Belle Glade. Every purchase is an opportunity to support a local business and help strengthen our local economy.


Interested in becoming a vendor? Applications are now being accepted, with a deadline of November 7, 2026. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register.


📍 Town Square - Corner of MLK Jr. Blvd. and Main Street

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026

⏰ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM


Good Food. Brighter Tomorrows.

Celebrating the Best of Our Community


The Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce was proud to host its 61st Annual Awards Banquet on October 5, bringing together Chamber members, community leaders, businesses, public servants, friends, and neighbors for an evening dedicated to recognizing those who make a difference throughout the Glades.


Each year, the Chamber has the privilege of honoring individuals and businesses whose leadership, service, commitment, and contributions help make our community stronger.


This year's honorees represent the very best of that spirit.


We are proud to recognize our 2026 honorees:


  • Agri-Industrial Person of the Year: Dr. Samira Daroub
  • Business of the Year: Glades Gas - Dennis & Karen McCarthy
  • Citizen of the Year: Jenna Rimes
  • Community Service Award: Tammy Bunting
  • GEO Group Correctional Officer of the Year: Cimonye Bridges
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Mary Evans
  • PBC Fire Rescue Officer of the Year: Mark A. Staes
  • PBC Sheriff's Officer of the Year: Delvin Kyles
  • PBSO Corrections Officer of the Year: Sgt. Anthony Zambrana


The evening also included a special recognition from the Black Gold Jubilee Committee, which announced Paul & Debra Allen as the 2027 Black Gold Jubilee Book Dedication honorees.


We extend our sincere congratulations to each of this year's honorees and thank them for the leadership, service, and commitment they bring to our community.


We are also grateful to our sponsors, businesses, volunteers, community partners, and everyone who joined us for this special evening. Your continued support helps make the Chamber's Annual Awards Banquet possible and allows us to celebrate the people and organizations that make the Glades such a special place to live, work, and call home.


Congratulations to all of our honorees, and thank you for the impact you continue to make throughout our community.


 

Member News


GOLDLAW Served as Advocate Sponsor of Guardians for New Futures, Inc.’s

2026 Treasure Coast Child Summit

GOLDLAW Chief Legal Officer Spencer T. Kuvin, Esq. BCS Appointed to the Organization’s Board of Directors

 

West Palm Beach, FL – Oct. 6, 2026 – GOLDLAW was proud to serve as the Advocate Sponsor of Guardians for New Futures, Inc.’s (GFNF4Kids) 2026 Treasure Coast Child Summit on Sept. 23 at the Indian River State College Treasure Coast Public Safety Training Complex. GFNF4Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1991 that works to educate the community on how to recognize and report abuse to protect a child from further harm, as well as educate those working closely with children on other issues impacting children.


In an effort to advocate for GFNF4Kids’ mission to support the unfunded needs of abused children and underserved youth, while increasing community awareness and education to further protect children, GOLDLAW Chief Legal Officer Spencer T. Kuvin, Esq. BCS was appointed to the organization’s Board of Directors. In his role, Kuvin will work with the Board to help children in need in the Treasure Coast community.

 

More than 200 professionals, community leaders, advocates and representatives from child-serving organizations gathered for the free two-day educational event focused on strengthening the community’s ability to recognize risks, respond to concerns, and better protect children. The event brought together experts from law enforcement, mental health, the legal field, child advocacy and other professionals to address critical issues impacting children and families – topics included, among others, autism, grooming, artificial intelligence, online exploitation, child abuse prevention and emerging threats to child safety.

 

“Protecting children requires more than responding when harm occurs. It requires education, awareness and a community committed to recognizing risks and taking action,” said Kuvin. “I am honored to join the board and support an organization that is doing critical work to equip professionals, families and the community with the knowledge and resources needed to better protect children. GOLDLAW is proud to stand alongside GFNF4Kids in advancing their mission and helping ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up safe, supported and protected.”

 

Throughout the Summit, presenters provided practical knowledge and real-world insight to help attendees better recognize risks and respond to concerns. The overarching message was clear: protecting children is a shared community responsibility, and meaningful change happens when community partners work together.

 

Kuvin’s presentation, “Epstein & Beyond,” shared his experience advocating for young victims and provided attendees with insight into the complex realities of child exploitation and the importance of awareness, vigilance and advocacy. Kuvin has litigated against Jeffrey Epstein for nearly 20 years and represented nine survivors, including Jane Doe #1 in Palm Beach, who was just 14 years old at the time. With over 25 years of experience representing survivors of sexual abuse and assault, Kuvin is highly regarded for his work in high-profile litigation involving sexual abuse, wrongful death and personal injury. He has also represented survivors in cases involving Hugh Hefner, Bill Cosby and others.

 

Litigation Director Michael H. Kugler, Esq. of GOLDLAW, took the stage for a special keynote speech. The keynote explored past cases that Kugler prosecuted in both criminal and civil court against sexual predators, offering an inside look at how these cases unfolded. Drawing on this experience, Kugler examined the pathology of offenders, including the calculated schemes predators use to access victims and cultivate their trust before the abuse begins. The keynote also highlighted strategies that law enforcement and prosecutors can employ to gather stronger evidence and build the most solid cases possible for prosecution. By addressing both child and adult victims, Kugler underscored a central truth: trust and power are the defining forces behind sexual predation.

 

Kugler has dedicated his career to obtaining justice for all categories of victims of negligence. He approaches his cases with tenacity, compassion, and respect. His refreshing ability to relate to all clients in a unique and honest way shows them how willing he is to fight for their rights.

 

The influence and leadership of Craig Goldenfarb, Esq., founder and CEO of GOLDLAW, and his firm extend beyond the courtroom; this is demonstrated through his commitment to giving back to the community. 

 

About GOLDLAW:

Founded in 2002, GOLDLAW has offices in West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and Belle Glade FL., and represents clients injured in auto accidents, slip-and-falls, nursing home abuse, inadequate security, sexual abuse, or any other incident where someone’s negligence causes another person to be injured or killed. With more than 300 combined years of legal experience, GOLDLAW is prepared to handle any personal injury case in Florida. Visit GOLDLAW.com or call (561) 222-2222.

 

About Guardians for New Futures: 

Guardians for New Futures (GFNF4kids) is a Treasure Coast nonprofit dedicated to supporting the unfunded needs of abused children and increasing community awareness and education to help protect children.  GFNF4kids advances its mission through education, advocacy, community engagement and collaboration.

 

Royals Family Businesses Celebrates Major Popeyes Honors


Congratulations to Royals Family Businesses and their Popeyes franchise team, who recently brought home several impressive honors from the 2026 Popeyes Convention in Las Vegas.


The team received the Bronze Plate Award for Clewiston, the Gold Plate Award for Lehigh Acres, and the Popeyes Foundation Serving with Love Award.


The evening was capped off with an especially significant achievement when ABC, part of Royals Family Businesses, was named Popeyes Franchisee of the Year - the highest honor an organization can receive.


This outstanding recognition is a testament to the leadership, dedication, and hard work of the entire team. The Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce is proud to celebrate the success of one of our local business families and congratulate everyone who played a part in earning these well-deserved honors.


Congratulations to the entire Royals Family Businesses and ABC team!


New and Renewing Members

Tony's Industiral Services Inc.

Fleur de Fliehs

CMS Training Instititute, Corp

Belle Glade Ministerial Association -GAMA

Monarch Health Service, Inc.

Janis Meeks

Patricia Hughes

Absolute Best Insurance

Health Indulgence Wellness

Grillsmith Catering

Clyde Johnson Contracting & Roofing, Inc

Coldwell Banker Commercial

FL Fit Fusion & Events

Florida Sugar Cane League

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County

Rescue Life

 Shannon Sagan Law Offices

South Bay Correctional & Rehabilitation Facility

TKM Bengard Farms, LLC

 Usher's Services

Belle Glade City News!
 
 

PAHOKEE EVENTS

 
 
 
Glades Library News!
Interested In More Events?
 
We have more events going on this month! Check out our updated events calendar by clicking here.
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561-996-2745 or Lamar@bellegladechamber.com.


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Contact Lamar Weathers at the Chamber.

561-996-2745 or Lamar@bellegladechamber.com
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