Weekly Events & News Update | |
Events This Week - March 4, 2024 | |
Next Signature Event: Downtowner of the Year | |
Winter 2024 Digital Magazine Out Now | |
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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
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March Beach Clean Up at B Ocean Resort | |
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. | |
Board of Directors Meeting at L.A. Lee YMCA | |
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The meeting commenced with self-introductions and attendees sharing engagement highlights. Various members provided updates on their engagement activities, including recruiting new members, event planning, and sponsorship efforts. Additionally, chamber members were recognized for their achievements, such as awards and honors. Beth Kegel, a national practice leader at HNTB, delivered a presentation on transportation innovations, focusing on emerging technology in the field. The discussion centered around advancements in autonomous transportation, including self-driving vehicles for passengers and goods movement, as well as air taxis. Adam Spiegel presented the treasurer’s report, highlighting financial performance for January. Finally, the consent agenda, which covered minutes from January 18th, new member approvals, and January financials, was approved.
The Rising Leaders Council shared their upcoming events, which include a personal branding and etiquette event, a Leadership Fort Lauderdale alumni event, a summer soiree, and a community service activity. During the meeting, they explored opportunities for engagement and involvement within the council.
The membership report highlighted a decline in membership numbers in January but expressed optimism for improvement in February. Referrals and leveraging digital and social media for recruitment were emphasized.
Ty Po from Green Key Partners provided an update on the Downtowner of the Year event, emphasizing the need for additional sponsors and encouraging board members to register.
The meeting also discussed the upcoming Washington Summit, urging attendees to register and highlighting planned events and critical issues. Stephen Tilbrook presented an overview of South Florida’s strong economy while addressing challenges related to affordability for workers and inflation. Dan provided updates on the website rebuild, membership system progress, and legislative matters such as business rent tax and tourist development tax.
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Marine Advisory Council Meeting | |
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The Marine Advisory Council met last Friday to cover the following: The approval of the meeting minutes from the February. The guest speaker, Maxence Doytier from the Octopus Foundation, highlighted the upcoming beach cleanup on Saturday, March 23, at Fort Lauderdale Beach, emphasizing education and preservation efforts.
During the issues update:
- Patience Cohn discussed the slip issues moratorium, which is tied to the manatee protection plan. The plan aims to protect the 1,600 endangered manatees in the state. Slips couldn’t be built until the plan was approved, and most manatee deaths resulted from private yacht traffic. The slip count is now full, but there’s a need for more slips. MIASF is working on a white paper for county-requested changes, a process expected to take 3-5 years.
- Charter boat dockage issues were also addressed, with plans for a meeting between Lindblade and the city manager to explore solutions.
The City Marine Advisory Board Update focused on dockage, with discussions scheduled for this Thursday. Tours along the New River helped city officials understand the impact on residents and marine traffic. The moratorium on dockage ends this fall. Additionally, Chair Burnadette Norris-Weeks was recognized upon entering the meeting at 8:52 am. Other announcements included an open house for Marketing/Membership/Leads Groups on March 8 and a Council Educational Boat Tour on March 12. Finally, the Business Plan was approved, and the next meeting is set for April 5, 2024.
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Biz West After Hours TacoCraft | |
Last week The Greater West Broward Business Council enjoyed a night of networking at Tacocraft in Plantation. With over 100 registrants, the chamber community showed up with a strong representation. The event was sponsored by the Florida Power and Light Company! FPL also announced that they would become sponsors for the upcoming Sawgrass Awards! | |
YMCA Grand Plaza Opening Ceremony | |
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Last week chamber members and staff celebrated the L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center's Grand Plaza Unveiling and the new partners! These minority-owned partners will provide access to healthcare and services while building community and driving economic impact.
Here are the new partners:
Fort Lauderdale Police Sistrunk Substation - https://www.flpd.gov/
Holy Cross Health Center - https://www.holy-cross.com/about-us/community-health-and-well-being/holy-cross-health-center--sistrunk
This APRN-led health center provides services such as Family Medicine, Annual Wellness Visits, Care Coordination, Chronic Care Management, Disease Prevention, School Physicals, Pediatric and Adult Immunization.
Optimal Health Pharmacy – https://www.optimalhealthmc.com
Optimal Health is an all-in-one medical center that is revolutionizing how health care services are delivered to the community by providing innovative solutions to various factors that impact health. Minority-owned business
Natural Trend Setters Hair Salon - https://www.naturaltrendsetters.com
One-stop shop for natural and healthy hair care. Minority-women owned business
The Salad Boss - https://thesaladbossftl.com/
Salad Boss – Healthy food option, which was needed and that the residents of the community asked for – Healthy Living is one of the Y’s primary areas of focus & and the area was becoming a food desert. Creating an environment of healthy eating habits that will translate to a healthy lifestyle for the community at large. Minority-owned business
Other Retail Space within the YMCA:
Broward College (4th Floor) - https://www.broward.edu/browardup
Mosaic CoWork (3rd Floor) - https://mosaiccowork.com
Delmar Arts Academy preschool (Adjacent building) – https://delmarartsacademy.com
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McSorley's Grand Opening Ceremony | |
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Confirmed Ribbon Cutting @ 4 pm followed by light bites and drinks.
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce’s check presentation to Bonnet House will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony.
(Bonnet House is the benefitting organization from last month’s Hit the Road Jack special event).
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Dick's Last Resort Grand Opening | |
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Please join us in support of a new Chamber member’s Grand Opening by CLICKING HERE!
Event begins @ 4pm and Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for 4:30pm
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Social Impact Breakfast: Protecting Your Property | |
EXCLUSIVE TO CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE AND TRUSTEE MEMBERS | |
Development Series: How to Communicate More Effectively | |
The Marine Advisory Council: Navigating the Dania Cut Canal & Port Everglades | |
The Woman's Council: Making Waves | |
Upcoming Community Events | |
ArtServe Impact Awards on a Mission to Show How Art Enriches the World | |
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When ArtServe created the Impact Awards last year to formally recognize people and organizations making a difference in the South Florida community through arts and culture, the program was purposely designed to reach out beyond the ArtServe universe to identify unsung heroes most deserving of the honor.
With its second annual Impact Awards now set for Friday, April 19, 2024 and sponsored by Outclique Magazine, Seacoast Bank, Broward Health and FPL, ArtServe has assembled an inspiring, diverse slate of transformative, influential artists, and arts and culture supporters widely seen as long overdue for celebration.
The event, which takes place at ArtServe from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will include cocktails, a handcrafted international culinary feast prepared by 2023 Impact Award recipient Marc Martorana, a silent auction and entertainment. ArtServe is located at 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $125 per person or $400 for four people.
To purchase tickets, click here or go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artserves-second-annual-impact-awards-tickets-796844562537?aff=oddtdtcreator
“Especially at this juncture, it’s more important than ever to clearly show how artists make an immense contribution to the economy that’s often overlooked,” ArtServe CEO Jason Hughes explained. “In fact, artists are everywhere we look, enriching our lives in valuable and unexpected ways.”
The 2024 Impact Award winners are:
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Two Community Leaders Join Children’s Harbor Board | Clara Acero Smith and Marleen Applebaum, two South Florida professionals noted for their fundraising prowess, education and youth advocacy, have joined the board of Children’s Harbor, a nationally accredited non-profit agency that helps strengthen families who are struggling in the community, while providing safe shelter and support to teens in foster care so that they may grow into healthy, educated and productive adults. | |
“We are thrilled to have Clara and Marleen join our board,” Children’s Harbor President and CEO Tiffani Dhooge said. “We appreciate their knowledge, experience and incredible passion, all of which will be an asset to us.” | |
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Clara Acero Smith, a grants and foundation manager with Kingdom Charitable Trust in West Palm Beach, is a business analyst and a nonprofit leader with experience in health care, higher education and K-12 alternative education. | |
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Also a member of the Homeless & Housing Alliance of Palm Beach County, as well as the Human Trafficking Coalition of PBC Education Committee and Junior League of Boca Raton, among other community organizations, Smith works to connect vulnerable families with the services they need. She has been a tireless fundraiser who has secured various government, corporate and foundation grants for organizations she has served.
Marleen Applebaum
"Growing up in a single-parent household, I can relate to needing guidance and yearning for stability. Children’s Harbor provides that safe place for youth in our community struggling to find a home and is unique as it keeps siblings together. I am honored to be part of a heart-led, impactful organization."
Marleen Applebaum, Vice President of Business Operations for MA Construction Group in Fort Lauderdale, is a finance expert who turned her passion for education into vigorous fundraising for Miami-Dade County public schools to help reduce the student/teacher ratio.
She has also raised money and volunteered for her synagogue, Bet Shira Congregation, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
“Each child should have a place to call home — a safe place where they are loved, nurtured and taught skills to help them succeed in life,” Applebaum said. “For many, Children’s Harbor is that place. I’m honored to be part of this incredible organization whose professionals give of themselves every single day and every single hour to help children heal.”
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ArtServe Brings National “Healing Through Art” Initiative to Fort Lauderdale | |
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Following in the footsteps of this year’s first-ever National Summit on the Arts and subsequent launch of a new federal Interagency Working Group on Arts, Health, and Civic Infrastructure, Fort Lauderdale’s ArtServe will open a new exhibit on Friday, April 12 called “Looking Forward—Healing Through Art.”
The exhibit, which launches with an April 12 free public reception from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., runs through Friday, June 15 at ArtServe. To RSVP, click here: https://fb.me/e/wM0NtPwFl
The April 12 reception will include a panel discussion, “make and take” art stations and live performances by local musical artists, improv artists and comedians.
ArtServe is located at 1350 E. Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale and open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily admission to Healing Through Art is also free.
Created through a grant from Funding Arts Broward and sponsored by Broward County Cultural Division and Florida Arts & Culture, Healing Through Art will feature artists who focus on mental wellness and healing, as well as those who create art despite physical or mental challenges.
Among the exhibitors will be deaf and/or physically or intellectually challenged adults from Schott Communities.
“For this exhibit, we’re directing our efforts on arts communities we believe are most neglected, such as youth in crisis, senior citizens and caregivers, among others,” ArtServe CEO Jason Hughes explained. “Through immersive, hands-on stations, performances and art installations at ‘Healing Through Art,’ ArtServe will create a welcoming, safe and creative space for those who need it most.”
“Hands-on group art projects can be instrumental in forging camaraderie and self-esteem for everyone,” Hughes added.
As the National Endowment for the Arts explained, “Arts and culture enrich our lives, our communities, and our nation. In this pivotal moment in our history, there is a growing recognition that the arts reveal new ideas, unlock opportunities, and help us confront the many challenges before us.”
ArtServe inspires, supports and advances its diverse members, artists and community by promoting artistic development, education and prosperity through the exploration and presentation of the visual and performing arts.
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BROWARD COUNTY AT A GLANCE | |
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GET INVOLVED!
The Chamber offers many ways for members to be engaged. In addition to attending events and programs, we encourage everyone to be part of one or more of the 31 Councils that represent the Chamber.
Here's the list!
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