“Holiday in Wonderland” December10, 2009 Bring a toy!

December 2009
Business EDGE
SHARPEN YOUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
“Holiday in Wonderland”
December10, 2009
Bring a toy!
Page 4
Business news from the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
25071 Chamber of Commerce Drive
Bonita Springs, Fl 34135
(239) 992-2943
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman of the Board—Brian Farrar
BCF Management Group
First Vice Chairman—Sabra Smith
Veritas Employer Services
Second Vice Chairman—James Dati
Bond, Schoeneck & King. P.A.
Treasurer— Joe Murgalo
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
Immediate Past Chairman—Owen Feeney, D.M.D.
Bonita Estero Dental Group
VICE CHAIRMEN:
BUSINESS EDGE
The Business Edge is published on the first Monday of each month.
DECEMBER 2009
2
Jon Davis, CPA, CFP, Partner
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
Wendi Fowler
The Client Server
Mike Kennedy
MKA Marketing
Jose R. Lopez
Tinsa
Vince Modarelli
Naples News Media Group
Sheila Seacat
Individual Member
2009-2010 DIRECTORS
Jeanne Burmeister
Bank of Florida
Henry C. Cohen
Cohen & Grigsby, P.C.
Scott W. Duval
Brennan, Manna, & Diamond, P.L.
Len Eckert
iconDo, Inc.
Phyllis Ershowsky
PKE Marketing & PR Solutions, LLC.
George Ghanem
Taylor Rental/Creative Events
Kim M. Hastings
Kim M Hastings, P.A.
Diane Ivey
Coconut Point
Tom Maiale
Key Private Bank
Jon McLeod
Mobile Exposure
Dr. Ed O’Neill
Bonita Chiropractic Center
William B. Shikany
Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home
G. Donald Thomson
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Christine A. Ross—President & CEO
Stephanie Kissinger—Executive Vice President
Gabrielle O’Boyle—Special Events Director
Julie Liles-Digby—Membership Manager
Ryan Uhler—Marketing Manager
Tiffany Esposito—Communications Manager
Geraldine Pessolano—Executive Administrative Assistant
Cissy Prentiss—Administrative Assistant
Rosemary Stevens—Business Assistant
Thank You to Our 2009-2010
Invest for Success Partners
Chamber Advisors
Alvarez, Sambol, Winthrop & Madson, P.A.
Bonita Estero Dental Group
Brennan, Manna & Diamond, PL
Key Private Bank
Leadership Stewards
Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. – The Saunders Group
Chamber New Member Partners
Bank of Florida
Rosier Insurance
Chamber Investors
Naples News Media Group
Table of Contents
Free Small Business Consulting Page 3
Holiday Party
Page 4
Unemployment Tax Increase
Page 5
Power Networking Lunch
Page 5
Calendar of Events
Page 6
Networking Photos
Page 7
New Investors
Page 8
Astronaut to Inspire Area Leaders
with Message on Teamwork
Page 8
Renewing Investors
Page 9
Economic Development and
Government Affairs Report
Page 9
Ribbon Cuttings
Page 10
Market Pulse
Page 10
YP Lends a Hand
Page 11
3
President‟s Note
Love is a
word that is
not
often
paired with
business, but
it is wrapped
into
every
component
Christine A. Ross of our celebrations
President & CEO
during the
holidays be
they secular or sacred. To the
great UCLA basketball coach
John Wooden, “Love is the
most powerful thing there is.”
Coach Wooden, in his eminent
wisdom, considered love and
balance to be the two most important elements of success.
During this holiday season I’d
like to encourage each and
every member of the business
community to think and act
locally. Whether through shopping at your fellow member
businesses or volunteering
your time, talent or treasure to
those in need; we know that
through our strength in numbers we can make a difference.
By showing this kind of local
leadership we can show our
love. Oh and for an inspiring
few moments in your day, click
here and take the time to enjoy
the short video. I think it will
put you in the perfect frame of
mind for a joyful and loving
holiday season!
DECEMBER 2009
„Tis the Season for Love
Good health and happiness to
you all.
Christine Ross,
President & CEO
Free Small Business Consulting
This service is available to all
members as a benefit of membership. Don’t miss out, take
advantage of this great opportunity!
BUSINESS EDGE
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at
Florida Gulf Coast University
(FGCU) is offering free private
business counseling at the
Chamber the second and fourth
Wednesday of the month.
Harry Looknanan, Jr.
will serve as a Certified Business Consultant assisting the
SBDC with their client services.
Mr. Looknanan has been in the
financial service industry for
over ten years and has previously worked at the SBDC offices in Austin, Texas. He holds
a BBA degree in finance from
the University of Texas, at Austin.
To book your free, confidential session, please contact
the SBDC at (239) 745-3700.
DECEMBER 2009
4
Suggested Toy Donations for the Holiday Party
Please bring an
unwrapped NEW toy to
the party for the Toys
for Bonita collection.
Suggested donations
include:
Infants:
Infant rattle
Baby mirror
Baby play mat
Baby stacking rings
Baby building blocks
Toddlers:
push, pull & roll toys
stacking toys
shape sorters
toddler jigsaw puzzles
simple construction toys
building blocks
activity center toys
baby dolls, cars and vehicles
School age children:
Arts & crafts
Building blocks
Thank you to our sponsors:
BUSINESS EDGE
RSM McGladrey
Home Check Systems, Inc
Bank of Florida
The Private Client Reserve at U.S. Bank
Construction sets
Books
Educational games
Teens:
Camera
Artistic sets
Musical instruments
Movie tickets
McDonald’s gift cards
Gift cards to teen stores
5
Issue:
Florida employers will
face significant increases in their
unemployment
compensation
taxes at a time when they can least
afford it. The new unemployment
compensation tax rates have been
calculated by the Department of
Revenue and will become effective
January 1, 2010.
Background: Florida employers
pay unemployment compensation
payroll taxes on their employees’
wages. These taxes are deposited
into the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund and are used to
pay benefits to qualified employees who are unemployed through
no fault of their own.
Florida’s
unemployment
compensation tax rates range from
1.18 percent up to 5.4 percent,
based on an employer’s history of
laying off workers. The tax rate is
currently applied to a wage base of
$8,500 per employee. Florida employers are also required to pay
unemployment compens
ation taxes to the federal government. Federal unemployment tax
is 6.2 percent on employee’s annual wages with a 5.4 percent tax
credit if the state program meets
federal requirements and does not
have any outstanding federal
loans. Currently, Florida employers pay 0.8 percent in federal unemployment taxes.
Florida’s Unemployment
Compensation Trust Fund uses
automatic triggers to increase or
decrease an employer’s unemploy-
ment compensation taxes based on
the trust fund’s balance. When it
reaches a low of 4 percent of taxable payrolls it automatically triggers a tax increase and when it
reaches 5 percent of taxable payrolls it automatically triggers a tax
decrease on Florida employers.
When a states’ unemployment
compensation trust fund runs out
of money it borrows from the federal government to pay benefits.
DECEMBER 2009
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION TAX INCREASES
For more information Click
Here.
To join the fight to lower these
taxes, Click Here and tell us your
story about how these tax increases will impact your business.
Power Networking Luncheon
Wednesday, January 20, 2009
members at the table, as well as,
time for questions and answers.
The cost to attend this
luncheon is $30.00. Reservations must be made by Monday,
January 18th. (Please Note: this
event has previously sold out
prior to the cutoff date so be
sure to register early!). This is
a members only event and is
limited to three attendees
from per company.
Participants are asked
to arrive promptly at 11:30 a.m.
and bring plenty of business
cards!
For more information
about this event contact the
Chamber at (239) 992-2943.
Reservations can also be made
o n l i n e
a t
www.BonitaSpringsChamber.co
m
BUSINESS EDGE
This event is a fast paced,
structured program to enhance
your networking skills and help
you reach out to the local business community in order to grow
your business.
Facilitated by Lee Knapp
of Knapp Consultants, Inc. , this
event will be held at Hemingway’s Island Grill in Coconut
Point Mall from 11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m.
Each table will have a
timekeeper and each attendee
will have a rotation schedule for
moving to other assigned tables.
Attendees will have the opportunity to present themselves and
their company or service to other
Lee Knapp, Knapp Consultants, Inc.
DECEMBER 2009
6
Best Bets
NOVEMBER 12TH
“Holiday in Wonderland” - Holiday Party
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: The Club at Grandezza
11471 Grande Oak Boulevard
Estero, FL 33928
Cost: $35.00
Bring a toy and enjoy the festivities of the holidays!
This event will feature a live and silent auction as well
as light buffet and a cash bar. Be sure to register by
December 7th!
Mark Your Calendar
DECEMBER 15TH
Back 2 Basics Brown Bag Lunch
When: 12:00 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Where: Chamber Boardroom
Speaker: Mary Lynn Zeimer, Living a Joyful Life
Topic: “How to Prosper During Difficult Times”
JANUARY 20TH
Power Networking Lunch
When: 11:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
Where: Hemmingway’s Island Grill
Plaza Del Lago Drive
Estero, FL 33928
Cost: $30.00
SAVE THE DATE
President’s Club Social
January 19, 2010
The Power of Teamwork
February 12, 2010
Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport @
Town Center
TechXPO
March 11, 2010
Embassy Suites Fort Myers-Estero
Market Pulse
March 25, 2010
Florida Gulf Coast University
BUSINESS EDGE
***The deadline to register and receive a pre-printed name tag is two days before events by midnight. Thereafter, reservations
prices increase and are based upon availability. All members must register in order for us to provide an accurate count to host.
Chamber Committee Meetings
DECEMBER 9TH
3:30 p.m. - Finance Committee
DECEMBER 11TH
8:30 a.m.—TechXPO Committee
DECEMBER 14TH
5:30 p.m. - Leadership Bonita Steering Committee
DECEMBER 16TH
4:00 p.m. - Ambassador Committee
DECEMBER 18TH
9:00 a.m. – Economic Development Committee
DECEMBER 19TH
4:00 p.m. – Leadership Bonita Alumni Committee
JANUARY 6TH
12:00 p.m. – Government Affairs Committee
JANUARY 7TH
8:30 a.m. - President’s Club Committee
Harvest Night
Robb & Stucky
Miranda Sharkey and Len Eckert
Harvest Night
DECEMBER 2009
Networking Event Photos
7
Harvest Night
Robb & Stucky
Brenda Booth, Richard Brown and Mary Shallies
Harvest Night
Robb & Stucky
Sabra Smith, Bill Shikany and Liz Shikany
Harvest Night
Harvest Night
Robb & Stucky
Lynn Hunt and Carol Marlow
Robb & Stucky
Gig Sitzlar and Kathy Nesbit
BUSINESS EDGE
Robb & Stucky
Chris Cole, Max Deifik and Lee Campbell
DECEMBER 2009
8
New Investors from October 27, 2009
through December 02, 2009
ACCENT Translation and
Mediation
Estero
(239) 405-4788
All Water Excursions, Inc.
Naples
(239) 594-0213
Allegra Print & Imaging
Ft. Myers
(239) 275-5797
Current House Productions
Bonita Springs
(239) 530-8045
Modern Woodmen of America
Naples
(239) 314-0050
Farmer Mike's U-Pick
Bonita Springs
(239) 498-4576
Pagelli's Italiano
Estero
(239) 226-4242
Foot Solutions
Estero
(239) 495-8911
Shy Wolf Sanctuary
Naples
(239) 455-1698
Bonita Springs Concert Band
Bonita Springs
(239) 948-3491
Greg & Ginger Lewis Keller Williams
Bonita Springs
(239) 287-1158
Business & Industry Services of Lee
Co. School District
Fort Myers
(239) 939-6320
Main Street Orthodontics of
Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs
(239) 498-6780
The Power of TEAMWORK Knows No Limits
Astronaut to Speak on the Power of Teamwork
February 12, 2010
8:30 a.m.—10:00 a.m.
Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport @ Town Center
BUSINESS EDGE
Join us as three time
NASA space shuttle astronaut
and Naval Academy Graduate
Captain Pierre Thuot USN
(Retired) shares his experiences as the lead space walking astronaut on the first
flight of the space shuttle Endeavour; a mission to capture
and repair a stranded $350M
commercial communications
satellite.
This extremely challenging and record breaking
mission was a great success
as a result of an unwavering
focus on and commitment to
the mission objectives, exceptional leadership, tremendous
teamwork, and open and honest communications.
His presentation will
include a NASA documentary
movie of the mission. Please
join him and learn why The
Power
of
TEAMWORK,
Knows No Limits…….even in
outer space.
This breakfast event
will be held at Holiday Inn
Fort Myers Airport @ Town
Center located at 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive from
8:30 a.m.—10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 12, 2010.
To view Captain Pierre
J. Thuot’s biography, please
click here.
Renewing Investors from
October 27, 2009 through December 02, 2009
Mr. Joseph P. Maguire
Sandy Retreats
Six through Ten Years
Harmon's Audio Visual
Mer Rouge Properties
Robb & Stucky
Southwest Florida Symphony
The Speakers Assembly of
Southwest Florida
UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Waterman Broadcasting (NBC-)
Sales Team
Downing-Frye Realty, Inc. Steve Schoepfer
La Fontanella Ristorante
Bonita Community Health Center, Inc.
Steve Dial's Carpet Cleaning,
Inc.
The Real Estate Book
C.J. Communities/Turtle Creek
Apartments
Hampton Inn of Bonita Springs
Arbor Trace / Arbor Glen
Eleven through Fifteen Years
Phillips Harvey Group
A+ Dry Clean
Premier Properties of Southwest Florida, Inc. REALTORS
Bentley Village A Classic Residence by Hyatt
Classic Title Services, Inc.
Twenty through Twenty-Five
Years
Buffalo Chips Restaurant
Wynn Properties, Inc.
Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc.
Builders Glass of Bonita, Inc.
Florida Power & Light
Haines Air Conditioning
Sixteen through Twenty
Years
Deavers Ditmar and Flynn Tax
and Financial Consultants, Inc.
Oakbrook Properties, Inc.
Dawson of Florida, LLC
Jeffrey W. Holzinger, D.D.S.
Bradco Supply Corporation
Community Congregational
Church
Doc's Beach House
Wayne Wiles Floor Coverings
Animal Hospital of Bonita
Taylor & Crowe Battery Co., Inc.
Wiegold & Sons, Inc.
DECEMBER 2009
One through Five Years
Cosmotique Day Spa & Salon
Encore Bank
Gator Septic Service Inc.
Golfer's Guide Marketing Solutions
Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport
@ Town Center
PKE Marketing & PR Solutions,
LLC
The Club at The Strand
The Survey Cafe
Element Funding
John Davis, CPA
Progressive Builders, Inc.
ServiceMaster Restorations
Alliance Financial Group - Brian
Simon & Bradley Collins
Cirella's Restaurant
Classic Floors & Countertops
Garth B. McCaffrey, DDS, PA
Restorative Health & Healing
Center
Roger Brunswick P.A.- John R.
Wood Inc. Realtors
Bay Presbyterian Church
PNC Wealth Management
RE/MAX Sundance Realty II Mike Wobrock
9
Economic Development and
Government Affairs Report
plore these two resources. There
was never a better time to attempt to broaden your customer
base and enhance market
share. At this chamber through
the Economic Development Committee we continue to articulate
our business community assets,
environmental discriminators and
sustainability plan; while the Government Affairs Committee is
monitoring and providing input to
local discussions on zoning and
planning initiatives.
BUSINESS EDGE
Our partners at the Lee,
Charlotte and Collier Economic
Development offices are working
on Economic Gardening and improving your exporting opportunities through their partnerships
with Enterprise Florida. Take a
moment to review the details of
both these programs through the
links in the Economic Development and Government Affairs Report. With the goal of improving
business at every level of our local
economy, we would encourage
our established businesses to ex-
10
DECEMBER 2009
Ribbon Cuttings
Nova Southeastern University
Critter Sitters Close Ups
3650 Colonial Court
Fort Myers, FL 33913
(239) 274-6070
www.nova.edu/fortmyers.edu
P.O. Box 195
Bonita Springs , FL 34133
(239) 947-8638
www.crittersitters.net
Special Ticket Price On Sale for a Limited Time!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
8:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. Continental Breakfast and Presentations
Florida Gulf Coast University Student Union Ballroom
Tickets are now on sale
for the annual Bonita/Estero
Market Pulse event. The event
provides valuable data and in-
BUSINESS EDGE
formation to help attendees
better prepare for their economic future.
This event is open to
the public, but for a limited
time only we are offering a discounted ticket price of $40.00
to the first 40 Chamber
members who register for
Market Pulse 2010 (limit four
per business).
This
year’s
distinguished speakers include Sandra Pianalto, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank, Fourth District and Bradley Hunter, National Director of Consulting,
Metrostudy.
With the economy on
tial and commercial real estate
the forefront of the national
To register, please visit
agenda, the focus of Market
www.BonitaSpringsChamber.c
Pulse has shifted from residen-
om or call (239) 992-2943.
trends to a broader level of understanding the state of our
economy. This valuable information
will help
audience
member better prepare for
their economic future. Click
here for more information
about the presenters.
Hosted by the City of Bonita Springs
DECEMBER 2009
YP‟s Lend a Hand at Holiday in the Park
11
BUSINESS EDGE