Weekly Events & News Update
October 26, 2020
Register Now For These Events
Virtual Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Join the Museum of Discovery and Science in order to unveil and explore "Sprouting STEM Early Childhood Learning Lab," powered by PNC Grow Up Great.

Little scientists can find BIG discoveries upon entering the lab, as they are transported to a rich nature-filled South Florida backyard landscape complete with native plants and wildlife. The event will include a virtual tour of the room, story time, animal meet-and-greet, and STEM activity with a MODS early childhood educator followed by a virtual ribbon-cutting.

*This virtual ribbon-cutting will take place via Zoom*
Halloween Maskarade
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The Women's Council invites you to a fun and socially distant after hours event hosted and sponsored by Graciela Valdes Fina Art Photography. Connect with Chamber members in person and dress the part as we celebrate with a Halloween-themed "MASKarade."

Just a few spots remain, so save your spot now!

Location: Graciela Valdes Fine Art Photography
3536 NE 12 Avenue
Oakland Park, FL 33334

Cost: $10 for Members
$20 for Non-Members

*Facial coverings are required to attend this event*
Leader's Luncheon EAST
Thurs., Oct. 29, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

*Attention All Registrants: Facial coverings are required to enter this event*
Sawgrass Awards
Wednesday, Nov. 4 , 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Connect & Congratulate Our Honorees!

The Chamber is excited to offer members and non-members a fantastic opportunity to connect with business leaders from the comfort of their own home or office.

The event will open with a 30-minute networking session allowing all attendees to mingle with others and make their way around the virtual ballroom. Yes, you have control of who you connect with via video chat.

At 9:00 a.m. we will begin the program and honor our 2020 Businesses of the Year, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida and Goodman Jewish Family Services.

We look forward to seeing you for a fantastic virtual experience!

Featured Speakers:
Don Decker
City Manager, Weston

Mark Lubelski
City Manager, Sunrise

Cost: $15 for Members
$25 for Non-Members
Broward Back to Business
Virtual Expo
Tuesday, Nov. 10 , 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The Broward Back to Business Virtual Expo is Broward county's largest virtual expo presented by the Broward County Council of Chambers.

With the power of 13 supporting chambers - we are seeking to make a true impact in our local economy. With this virtual platform for as low as $99, business have the opportunity to increase revenue conversions, grow their digital presence and expand their reach to potential clients/partners.

If you have questions about registration or what to do before the expo, email Mike Cobelo.

Cost: $99 for Members
$199 for Non-Members
Sunshine Health's Perspectives on Florida's Healthcare
presented by Broward Health
Thursday, Nov. 12 , 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Registration for this signature event is now open! Great sponsorship opportunities are still available for organizations looking to reach an audience that works for and with the healthcare industry.

This virtual event, being hosted on Remo, will allow attendees to connect with business leaders before the Excellence in Healthcare Awards get underway.

Following the awards program, we will welcome our keynote speaker from UHealth who will highlight the work and clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine.

The event will conclude with our hospital CEO speed dating sessions, which allow attendees the unique opportunity to discuss major topics with those leading South Florida's largest hospital systems.

President's Corner
No Matter Your Preference, Exercise Your Right to Vote

Voting is a right, and by all indications, residents in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, like their counterparts across the country are serious about the November elections. If ever our democracy needed a shot in the arm, it’s through exercising our right at the ballot box.

Throughout our community, voters are turning out in record numbers. Despite bad weather and a global pandemic, long lines have been spotted at Broward County’s early voting sites. Absentee, or mail-in ballots, have been sought and returned at higher rates, too.

Roughly 3 million individuals – a little more than one out of every five registered voters in the state of Florida — have already cast their ballots, either through absentee or by early voting, and we still have another week before Election Day. With time still left, if you can but haven’t voted, please do so. Your voice matters and your vote should and will count.

It may sound like a cliché, but elections do have consequences. This is a presidential election year, but there also several important down-ballot races and issues that require voters’ attention and ultimately our decisions. For example, area voters must select a sheriff, supervisor of elections and fill a school board seat. There are important state ballot questions that will ultimately determine how primary elections choices are made and whether the state should raise its minimum wage over the next six years to $15 an hour.

There’s still time to participate. Early voting sites will remain open for 12 hours a day through November 1st. And of course, there’s always the option of voting on Election Day, November 3rd.

Make your vote count. Exercise your right and have a say in your government: vote!
Early Voting
Below you will find helpful links for each of the counties, where our Chamber members reside.

Please note, early voting sites also provide secure drop boxes where you can drop off you vote-by-mail ballot. The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot has passed.
Broward County
There are 22 early voting locations open from Monday, October 19 until Sunday, November 1. Early voting locations will be open each day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

You may deliver your completed vote-by-mail ballot to any early voting location during operating days/hours and on Election Day, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Miami-Dade County
There are 33 early voting locations open from Monday, October 19 until Sunday, November 1. Early voting locations will be open each day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Completed vote-by-mail ballots are being accepted at early voting locations and may be dropped off in a secure ballot drop box. Any voter can also drop off their completed vote-by-mail ballot at the following locations from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2 and Election Day, November 3:

  • Elections Department (Main Office) 2700 NW 87th Ave., Miami, FL 33172
  • Stephen P. Clark Center 111 NW 1st St., Lobby Miami, FL 33128
  • North Dade Regional Library 2455 NW 183rd St., Miami Gardens, FL 33056
  • South Dade Regional Library 10750 SW 211th St., Cutler Bay, FL 33189
Monroe County
There are five early voting locations open from Monday, October 19 until Saturday, October 31. Early voting locations will be open each day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Secure drop boxes for returning vote-by-mail ballots are at all five locations.
Palm Beach County
There are 29 early voting locations open from Monday, October 19 until Sunday, November 1. Early voting locations will be open each day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

All voters in Palm Beach County also have the option to drop off their vote-by-mail ballot at any early voting location. A secure drop box will be available at all early voting locations.
State of the Cities
The Chamber's Oakland Park/Wilton Manors/Uptown Council organized an informative "State of the Cities" sponsored by R3 Accounting and North Beach Art Gallery.

If you missed the valuable information provided by the city managers of Deerfield Beach, Oakland Park, and Wilton Manors, we invite you to click on the link to the right and watch it at your convenience.
Picture This!
The GLBX Council wants your best spooky snapshots from Halloweens past!

The Council is putting a Facebook slide presentation together and they would like to share your pictures on social media!

Please email Matt Gill any Halloween pictures that you would like to share.
Assistance Available
The City of Fort Lauderdale has launched the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) program, which offers assistance with rent, mortgage, and utility payments for residents living within the City's limits.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please click here.
Awaiting Approval
FPL Proposes Program to Boost Small Businesses

Program seeks to provide support for targeted small businesses that are helping rebuild Florida's economy.

Read more
www.ftlchamber.com
Community Calendar
Boost Your Business Through the Chamber
Many Chamber members are using a powerful tool to gain more exposure.

All Chamber members are welcome to submit their events and/or community efforts on the Chamber's Community Calendar. We'll help steer fellow members towards the calendar.

To get started, please click here.
Coming Up This Week
Upcoming Virtual Council/Committee Meetings
Oakland Park/Wilton Manors/Uptown Council: Tuesday, October 27, 8:30 a.m.
Contact: Debbie Danto

Government Affairs Council: Tuesday, November 3, 8:00 a.m.

Rising Leaders Council: Tuesday, November 3, 9:30 a.m.
Contact: LJ Regine

Healthcare Council: Wednesday, November 4, 3:30 p.m.
Contact: Valerie Vitale

Education & Workforce Development Council: Thursday, November 5, 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Andy Fernandez

Greater West Broward Business Council: Monday, November 9, 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Vanessa Seltzer

GLBX Council: Tuesday, November 10, 8:00 a.m.
Contact: Rene Cantu

Membership Council: Friday, November 13, 9:30 a.m.
Contact: Chris Caputo
Virtual Leads Group Meetings
Biz to Biz
Meeting the first and third Thursday of each month. This month, the group will also meet on the fifth Thursday.
Contact: Eric Irwin

Downtown Networking Partners
Meeting the first and third Wednesday of the month.
Contact: Serge Mallat

GLBX Referral Advantage
Meeting the first and third Wednesday of the month.
Contact: Matthew Gill

Greater West Broward
Meeting the second and fourth Thursday of the month.
Contact: Cathy Elmquist

Lunch Bunch
Meeting the first and third Wednesday of the month.
Contact: Tiffany Doner

Power Partners
Meeting the second and fourth Wednesday of the month.
Contact: Barbora Kassdikian

Working Women Win
Meeting the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.



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Did You Know?
Limited Offer
Join Now and Get 3 Months Free! Limited to our next 50 new members.

Free Guest Pass: 
All local residents are invited to experience Powerhouse Gym Fort Lauderdale
for free. Must present state-issued identification.

As Fort Lauderdale's premier fitness center, we’ve taken every precaution to offer you the cleanest and safest workout environment in the area.
Call (954) 376-7693 or visit pgfortlauderdale.com
We are located inside the Galleria Mall.