2013ANNUAL REPORT

2013ANNUAL REPORT

222

Melbourne Regional Chamber Ends Year Supporting BusinessThe Melbourne Regional Chamber had an incredible year of supporting business and introducing four major new programs for its members.

Our new programming included:

• Technology – We held a formational meeting for the Space Coast Technology Council – designed to be an umbrella organization to coordinate technology activities, development and growth in Brevard County. Approximately 75 tech companies participated in a series of questions designed to formulate the structure of the council, which is due to be launched in January 2014. Our annual TechXpo (technology expo) was held at Florida Tech, showcasing 80 companies and agencies in high tech and manufacturing.

• Veterans – We rolled out our Veterans Resource Committee to serve veteran-owned businesses, veterans and active duty service men and women. The committee hosted the head of Florida’s Veteran’s Affairs office; Mike Prendergast updated members on new state benefits for vets. VRC also hosted two veteran-focused job fairs, in spring and fall, with more than 40 employers at each representing one thousand job openings at each fair.

• Fashion – We launched the inaugural Space Coast Fashion Week to showcase fashion, health and beauty, as well as accessories and designers right here in Brevard and across the state. More than 1,000 people attended the week-long series of events which culminated with a grand series of 7 back to back fashion shows, lunch with the designers and a trunk show.

• International Business – The Chamber’s new Industry Relations Committee will be the home for all of the Chamber’s international activities, such as import/export and trade zone information, relationships with consulates housed in Florida, and partnerships we are forming with Brazil and China.

2

2013ANNUAL REPORT

We also spent our year offering programs and services to businesses, non-profits and the community.

They included:

• Advocacy – The Chamber hosted Governor Rick Scott for an intimate chat about business issues in addition to tracking legislative issues important to business at the local, state, regional and federal levels. A Chamber contingent went to both Washington DC and Tallahassee to make our opinions known on important issues.

• Buy Local – We were again the official community rally organization for American Express for Shop Small Saturday in November. We had 50 businesses offering discounts and a rally at our offices to promote buying local. We sent our daily i-deals for member to member discounts, and recognized two companies per month with a banner and radio ad also en-couraging buy local habits.

• Women of Excellence – We named Darlyne McGee of Silhouette Hair Salon (representing business) and Nancy Peltonen of Serene Harbor (representing non-profits) our Women of Excellence for 2012 at our annual banquet themed an “Evening in Paris.” Also honored for her lifetime achievement in service to business was Vicky Peake, who recently retired from the Small Business Development Center. The group also provided about 40 disadvantaged girls with clothing and back to school supplies to start their school year off right. And every month the group was inspired by the stories of local women who shared their struggles and triumphs in their careers.

• Entertainment – We hosted our annual Martinis & Mistletoe event and more than 200 attendees voted for the “Vapor” martini from The Dock at River Rocks as the “Best Martini” on the Melbourne Coast. Chamber staff and volunteers manned the beverage stations for Runaway Country – an exciting partnership created from the first year of this mega country festival.

3

2013ANNUAL REPORT

• Recognition - We honored our county’s first responders at our annual Valor Awards, recognizing 50 fire, rescue, police, sheriff and other public safety personnel for acts of heroism in the past year. At our annual Installation Banquet we honored Kennedy Space Center, Runaway County and Port Brevard County in the past year.

• Small Business – We signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) with the U.S. Small Business Administration in November to develop and foster mutual understanding and a close working relationship to foster small business development and expansion. SCORE continues to hold free, confidential counseling in our offices, and our small business committee continues to draw more than 50 companies each month for networking and education. The Chamber’s membership is comprised of 80 percent companies with fewer than 10 employees. Every month we honored a licensed and insured Better Business of the Month for their high caliber of service and pledge to resolve any consumer complaints. There are no outstanding complaints against any of our Better Business Council Members.

• Viera – Our office in Viera was super active, hosting a number of highly infor-mational lunch and learns. The Viera/Suntree Council also held quarterly networking socials and quarterly update meetings on topics of interest to the Viera area.

• Tourism – Our Chamber Visitors’ Bureau continued to promote the area to tourists, send out brochures and information packets on the area’s best destinations. We promoted our destinations wedding website Sensational FloridaWeddings.com and worked to promote the tourism/hospitality industry in South Brevard.

• Family – The Chamber once again worked in conjunction with Florida Tech Aviation Day to present its Defenders Car Show to help support the Melbourne Police Foundation. About 100 antique cars, hot rods and shiny new vehicles were on display for families to view, along with FIT’s airplane displays. The event typically draws one to two thousand people annually.

• Non –Profits – The Chamber’s membership consists of 10 percent non-profits, who have their own council to plan quarterly networking and training events. One of them was a nonprofit expo where area non-profits can showcase their activities and mission to the business community.

4

2013ANNUAL REPORT

• Networking – Part of a Chamber’s offerings is always the ability to connect with potential clients, customers, vendors, volunteers and contacts. We offered monthly Exchanges for networking, as well as training sessions and Leads Clubs.

There were even more activities that took place, indicating just how active your 5-star accredited Melbourne Regional Chamber continues to be!

5

2013ANNUAL REPORT

2013 TRUSTEESDiamond Partner

Platinum Partners

Gold Partners

6

2013ANNUAL REPORT

Silver Partners

Small Business Partners

7

Vision

To be the preeminent business advocacy organizationthat shapes the local and regional business environment of East Central Florida.

Mission

To shape, facilitate and develop a thriving business environment by promoting and connecting member businesses with business opportunities to assure the performance, growth,

survival and long-term prosperity of our member businesses.

2013ANNUAL REPORT

8

2013 Board of DirectorsExecutive Committee

Chair: Jack Ryals - National Realty of Brevard, Inc. Chair Elect: Katherine Cobb - Eastern Florida State College

Joel Boyd – Boyd & Marks Law FirmJulie Braga - Courtyard by Marriott

Glen Chaney - Hayworth, Chaney & Thomas, PAFranck Kaiser - Kaiser Consulting Firm LLC

Thomas Kasica – Thomas J. Kasica, CPA, PASteve Lacey, McClelland, Jones & Lyons, LC

Christine Michaels – President/CEO, Melbourne Regional ChamberBrent Peoples - Raymond James & Associates

Jim Ridenour - Residence Inn MelbourneGil Russell - BankFIRST

Dave Tomczak - Duran Golf Club Holly Wesche - Wesche Jewelers

Board of DirectorsDr. Larry Apotheker - Apotheker Chiropractic

Steve Bierbrunner - Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam CPAs & Associates, LLPGeraldine Blanchard - Global Tours & Travel

Wayne Cooper - Whittaker & Cooper Financial GroupCarol Craig - Craig Technologies

Richard Ennis - Melbourne International AirportLisa Fournier - Southern Photo

Dr. Jeffrey Greenspoon - Viera Sports Medicine and Orthopedic CenterTim Hamilton - CPA Payroll Services

Robert Harvey - PREVENT! of BrevardAlice Healey - AAR Corporation

Dale Howlett - Space Coast Credit UnionCharine Lewis - JM Real Estate

Mike McBride - McBride Marketing GroupMike Melhado - Thornado Hospitality

Mark Mikolajczyk - Craig Technologies Machine & Tool DivisionArty Pagan - State Farm Insurance

John Pavlakos - Response Digital MediaJeff Piersall - SCB Marketing

Travis Proctor - Artemis Albert Sanders - Ichiban CleaningWilson Sims - Coastal Directory

Kirit Smart - 1900 BuildingBeverley Squire Wiggins - PIP Printing

Jerry Woods - Woods Insurance