Apopka Area Chamber Update - May 10, 2018
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Apopka Area Business Expo
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On Thursday, April 26th, the
Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce
was proud to host its first-ever
Apopka Area Business Expo
.
This successful after-hours event welcomed over 250 in attendance and featured 57 businesses, ranging in size from small startups to large corporations. The Apopka Area Business Expo allowed each of the local businesses to introduce themselves to the community, showcase their products and services to the public, build strong business relationships, and provide detailed information face-to-face about their business.
We thank each of the businesses for participating and we look forward to seeing each of you at our next one!
Special thanks to our official Apopka Area Business Expo photographer,
Nancy Brown
of
106FOTO - Photography of Life
.
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City of Apopka Inauguration
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On April 26, 2018, the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce attended the City of Apopka Inauguration for the newly elected Mayor and City Commissioners. Congratulations to the City of Apopka's new Mayor
Bryan
N
elson
and City Commissioners Alexander Smith and Alice Nolan on your swearing! We are excited to work with each of you in order to build a more prosperous and sustainable community together!
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Breakfast and Learn - Morning Mingle
On Tuesday, April 10, 2018, the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce was proud to host our
newly rebranded Breakfast and Learn - Morning Mingle at the UCF Business Incubator - Apopka.
Each attendee had an opportunity to network and hear from our guest speaker,
Cory Miller
, who is the current chair of the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce's Ambassador Committee. He is also a Mortgage Loan Originator at Loanwise Direct Powered by
Planet Home Lending
,LLC.
Cory focused on "What does it mean to be an Ambassador for the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce?" and he gave a great personal testimony! Plus we were honored to have the City of Apopka, Commissioner-Elect
Alexander Smith
join us!
The Breakfast and Learn - Morning Mingle is a free professional development and networking event available to all of our Chamber members. We look forward to seeing each of you at our next Morning Mingle on June 12th at the UCF Business Incubator - Apopka.
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Orlando Economic Partnership Florida Legislative Update
On Monday, April 16, 2018, several members of the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce and its President Robert Agrusa, joined the Orlando Economic Partnership at its 2018 Florida Legislative Update.
This informative update was a great opportunity to hear directly from members of the Central Florida Legislative Delegation, learn more about what took place during the 2018 Legislative Session and understand how it will impact our region.
The update included a panel of speakers including Representative Jason Brodeur, Representative Kamia Brown, Representative Mike La Rosa, Representative Mike Miller, Senator Victor Torres and Senator Linda Stewart.
Thank you to the Orlando Economic Partnership for hosting us and we appreciate the invitation.
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Leadership Apopka - Session 5 Recap
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On Thursday, April 19th, the 2018 Leadership Apopka class completed its third session which focused on the agricultural industry and the environmental assets of the Apopka area. Leadership Apopka is an annual program that is designed to educate future leaders from the Apopka area. This in-depth program creates opportunities for participants to engage with our area’s leading public, private and civic leaders and develop impactful friendships with other professionals from the community. Additionally, participants will observe, interact and learn about the various industries and community assets, that are of great importance to the Apopka area and the Central Florida region.
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We'd like to thank the University of Florida
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
, Long and Scott Farms, Wekiva Island, and the Wekiwa State Park and the Wilderness Trust for hosting us at our last session. Finally, we'd like to give a huge thank you to
Panera Bread
of Apopka and Long and Scott Farms for sponsoring the delicious food for the participants. The next 2018 Leadership Apopka session will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018.
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On April 17th, the
Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce
was proud to host our monthly new member orientation which included Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.,
The Mortgage Firm, Inc. - NMLS 1623170
and
Cory Miller
, who is the Chair of our Ambassador Committee.
Our new member orientations are an opportunity for us to update each of you on the newest benefits that we have to offer, plus we'd like to learn more about your businesses. If you missed it, we'd love to see you at our next new member orientation on Tuesday, May 15th at the Chamber!
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Welcome our new members to the Apopka Area Chamber!
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Assured Partners of Florida
Steve Preston
300 Colonial Center Parkway #270
Lake Mary, FL 32746
(407) 490-1481
The Mortgage Firm
Alex Thomas
1101 North Lake Destiny Road
Maitland, FL 32751
(786) 294-4737
Nishad Khan, P.L.
Michelle Hinden
617 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 228-9711
Walmart Neighborhood Market #6894
Matthew Kneal
820 Balmy Beach Drive
Apopka, FL 32703
(407) 457-6291
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OmegaScapes, Inc.
Derek Ryan
1225 28th Street
Orlando, FL 32805
(407) 883-5191
Watson Realty Corp
.
Jodi Canahuate LLC
1445 West 434, Suite 100
Longwood, FL 32750
(407) 617-8634
LegalShield
Lee Miller, PhD
1001 Errol Parkway
Apopka, FL 32712
(831) 206-7836
San Miguel Mexican Grill
Alexander Honorato
1442 West Orange Blossom Trail
Apopka, FL 32712
(407) 703-5232
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Upcoming Calendar of Events
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Chamber
New Member Orientation
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce
Business After Hours - Hosted By Orlando Health
Thursday, May 17, 2018
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce
Ambassador Meeting
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m
Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Apopka Session 6
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Friday, June 8, 2018
6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Highland Manor
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Community
Apopka City Council Meeting
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
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Grand Openings
Throughout the month of April, the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed two new members to the Apopka area including San Miguel's Mexican Grill and the Apopka Quick Mart
.
If you would like for your business to be included in a future Ribbon Cutting or ground breaking, please contact Robert Agrusa at
Robert@apopkachamber.org.
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On April 11, 2018, the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed our new member, San Miguel Mexican Grill,
with a special Ribbon Cutting at their Grand Opening.
The family of Pulse nightclub victim Miguel Angel Honorato hopes to honor his legacy and fulfill his longtime dream by opening this new restaurant in Apopka. The 5,800-square-foot restaurant building located next to the Crosby’s Motor Inn, off West Orange Blossom Trail, includes a new facade and several other improvements.
Miguel Honorato and his brother Jose managed two of the Central Florida restaurants operated by the Honorato family. Among them are five of the Tortilleria La Mexicana restaurants in Apopka, Kissimmee, Orlando and Sanford. They also ran a catering business.
Sadly, Miguel Honorato was among the 49 victims lost in the Pulse nightclub tragedy – the largest mass shooting in modern American history. Jose said his brother had wished to open another local restaurant with some American influence of the Mexican cuisine. “We want to make it like what he always talked about,” said Jose.
We encourage you to check out this wonderful new restaurant to the Apopka area and honor the memory of Miguel Angel Honorato.
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On April 27, 2018, the Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated our new member, the Apopka Quick Mart, with a
Ribbon Cutting at their Grand Opening.
The current owners, Shabana Lalani, Rasheed Virani and Rahim Jasani, operate multiple gas stations across Georgia and Texas. As they were looking at opportunities for expansion, they learned that RaceTrac was shutting down their store off SR 436. In response, the current owners decided to buy this store in order to give it a new look under their management and ensure that jobs are retained.
The Apopka Quick Mart has now partnered up with BP for their fuel supply and they have put in 10 new advanced fuel dispensers. Plus, they've added several new products/inventory to the store.
The owners are very grateful for the support of the City of Apopka and the State of Florida. They hope to help add more value to the city and create additional jobs. As a sign of gratitude, the Apopka Quick Mart gave a generous contribution to the City of Apopka, offered Gas for 99 cents a gallon, and other gifts and goodies to everyone who signs up for BP rewards credit card. Finally, they had free popcorn and cotton candy along with a Bounce house for kids.
Congratulations and thank you for your investment and commitment to the Apopka area!
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