For many years Elizabeth Van Zandt has consistently served on the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Downtown Council Board, however most notably we are acknowledging her accomplishments as the 2023 Chair. Elizabeth set a goal last year to grow the Council by inviting more people to join it and raise awareness of important issues among a wider audience. She did this by holding the monthly meetings offsite at different business locations providing them with spotlights and tours. She also coordinated guest speakers to present on various topics. Elizabeth shared, “Many people expressed to me how valuable the meetings were and gave them a better understanding of what is happening in the community and how they can get involved. All of which resulted in greater advocacy for both the Chamber and downtown Fort Lauderdale.”

Elizabeth has almost 20 years of planning, transportation and mobility, economic development, and public art experience in the South Florida region....Click Here for Full Story!

Next Signature Event: Downtowner of the Year

Winter 2024 Digital Magazine Out Now

Every two years, business and community leaders from across Broward County descend on Washington D.C. for the Florida Power & Light (FPL) Washington Summit.

Click the link below to learn more.

Winter 2024 Magazine

114th Annual Meeting Photos

Nearly 400 attendees at last week's 114th Annual Meeting! Congratulations to our award winners:

CHAIR'S AWARD

Ty Richardson, One Global Business Finance Corp.

Anthony Santana, Hardcore Advertising

Carolyn M. Michaels, IOM Award

Robert Esposito, Stiles

Terry Stiles South Florida Business Leader

Juliet Roulhac, FPL

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us put on this event!

Leadership Fort Lauderdale: Class 30 Education Day

Last week, Leadership Fort Lauderdale Class 30 visited Sheridan Technical College and L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center as a part of their curriculum for Education Day! Class 30 listened in on a panel discussion on education programs offered at Sheridan Technical as well as a tour of the campus. They also received a presentation of the YMCA of South Florida and Broward Up Program by Aimee Fretwell and Dr. Renee Law, Broward College.

An Invitation from Membership Council

If you have experience or an interest in designing a Chamber-wide Referral Program, please join us on the Membership Council for a new committee on Designing Referral System for the Chamber. Feel free to reach out to chair, Ty Richardson directly at Ty@yoproglobal.org. You interest and expertise in this would be highly appreciated.

AVID Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Please join us for the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open AVID HOTEL. Hors d‘Oeuvres and beverages will be served.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the Dania Beach City Commission including Mayor A.J. Ryan IV and Vice-Mayor Lori Lewellen will be officiating the ribbon cutting @ 11:30 am.

Leads Groups Open House

Upcoming Events

Real Estate & Construction Council: Florida Insurance Market

Biz West After-Hours: Tacocraft

GLBX Mixer

Social Impact Breakfast: Protecting Your Property

The Marine Advisory Council: Navigating the Dania Cut Canal & Port Everglades

The Woman's Council: Making Waves

Community News

Laces of Love: Kids from Rita and Rick Case Boys & Girls Clubs Receive New Athletic Shoes

The team from Rick Case Automotive Group at the Soles4Souls athletic shoe giveaway at the Rick & Rita Case Boys Girls Club of Broward County (L to R) Maria Amezaga, Linda Rivera, Kristalyn Vergara, Rita Case, Susan Reinhart

The Rick & Rita Case Boys & Girls Club of Broward County in Davie was transformed into a shoe store as more than 150 Club members kicked off the new year with new, brand-name athletic shoes donated by the Soles4Souls 4EveryKid program, which was founded in Broward County by Rita Case, president, and CEO of Rick Case Automotive Group, and Soles4Souls.

Rita Case, along with Rick Case Automotive Group associates and Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida) and his family, volunteered to help members select and get fitted for their stylish new sneakers.

“In addition to building good character and helping members achieve academic success, the Boys & Girls Clubs promote a healthy lifestyle, which includes athletic involvement,” said Case. “Quality athletic shoes are important for children to run, play and shoot hoops alongside their peers while at the Club, the park, the playground, at school and in their neighborhoods. We were thrilled that Congressman Moskowitz could join us in bringing such joy to these kids.” ...Click Here for Full Story

ArtServe's "New & Improved" Exhibit Opening Reception

(L to R) ArtServe CEO Jason Hughes with panelists Vladamir Tsimberg; Todd Dawes; Jessica Swanson, Celestin Joseph and Anthony Santana

The wondrous artistic creativity required to envision, design and build technological marvels and how it connects generations throughout human history was perfectly encapsulated at the opening reception for ArtServe’s “New & Improved” exhibit on Friday, January 26, 2024.

Hundreds attended the kickoff for the exhibit, which runs through Friday, March 22 at ArtServe, located at 1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. ArtServe is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Admission is always free.

With retro tunes played by D.J. JoyJoy ramping up the opening night party energy, attendees were joined by “Robohood,” the AI robot painter and QBot of Florida Robotics, a voice-activated robot that interacted directly with art lovers...Click Here For Full Story

Upcoming Community Events

Keys to Colon Health

Baila Conmigo

Special Offer for members of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce: Use this link to save up to 20% off on select seats/dates. For groups of 10+ and VIP packages, save 25% and reduced handling fees, contact hagop.hatchadourian@cirquedusoleil.com for details.

NEW MEMBERS – January 2024

Blue Interactive Agency

Boy Scouts of America

Capital One

Coast To Coast Pizza Company

Dr. Nina, LLC

Energy Futures of America

Envision Real Estate

Gold Kidney Health Plan

Goqui Plus Productions LLC

Greer Abstract Art, LLC

GULLA CPA

Japan Arts, Inc. / Fushu Daiko

JobSquad

Marc

Mount Hermon Apartments

National Cargo Bureau

Preferred Rate/American Pacific Mortgage

ReadyAccept Merchant Services

SafeGuard - Impact Windows & Doors

Team JK

Terracon Consultants, Inc.

The Poverello Center Inc.

Waterfall Bank

RENEWING MEMBERS – January 2024

Adache Group Architects

Affiliated Development

Allegro Fort Lauderdale

Ambius - District 346 & 314

Blue Interactive Agency

Boy Scouts of America

Broward County Cultural Division

Broward County Libraries

Calvin, Giordano & Associates

Capital One

Cayuga Centers

Central Beach Alliance

Chase Roofing

Coast To Coast Pizza Company

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach

Courtyard by Marriott Weston

Dr. Nina, LLC

Energy Futures of America

Equality Florida

Fellowship Recovery Community Organization Incorporated

First Southeast Mortgage Co.

Florida Professional Law Group PLLC

Gold Kidney Health Plan

Goodwill Industries of South Florida, Inc.

GULLA CPA

HANDY - Helping Advance and Nurture the Development of Youth

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort

Hugh's Catering

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale 17th St Convention Center

Jewish Family Service of Broward County

JobSquad

Kindred Hospital & Acute Rehabilitation Unit South Florida Ft. Lauderdale

Landmarks Digital

Lochrie & Chakas, PA

Mansell Media Productions

Massey, Coican & King LLC

Robert F. Cowdrey, Bank Consultant

Selza International Inc.

Skyline Marketing

SRS Legal, PA

Sun Sentinel Media Group

Team JK

The Media Lab Inc.

The Poverello Center Inc.

The Strauss Law Firm, P.A.

United Way of Broward County

Trustee

Lago Mar Resort & Club

Marriott's Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

Ed Morse Automotive Group

Kaufman-Rossin

True Digital Security

Tripp Scott, P.A.

TaskForce Fore Ending Homelessness, Inc.

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