A 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce
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UPCOMING EVENT
2020 Annual Meeting tickets on sale NOW!
Friday, January 24, 5:30pm
Hilton University of Florida Conference Center
1714 SW 34th St, Gainesville
The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce is excited to be hosting our 96th Annual Meeting on January 24.
Join us as we celebrate the progress and prosperity from our members and our community in 2019 while sharing our vision for 2020.
We will honor our outgoing Chair, Bryan Harrington and officially pass the gavel to new board Chair, Nancy Eckert of LifeSouth Community Blood Center. Community leaders will be honored with the prestigious annual awards including the Chairman’s Award, Gainesville Citizen of the Year, Rotary Business in Ethics Award and Diplomat of the Year.
Cocktail attire is appropriate, and dancing is expected as we welcome our Master of Ceremonies and post-event entertainer Billy Buchanan.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Join Us for a Ribbon Cutting Celebration this Wednesday at VITAS Suites
Wednesday, January 8, 1:30 - 3pm
VITAS Suites at The Plaza Health and Rehabilitation Center
4842 S.W. Archer Road, Gainesville
Join us for the grand opening of VITAS Suites at The Plaza Health and Rehabilitation Center and see for yourself how the nation’s leader provider of end-of-life care offers symptom management and comfort in a special home away from home.
Established in 1978, VITAS Healthcare is a pioneer and leader in the American hospice movement. VITAS professionals care for terminally ill patients in the patient’s homes, in the company’s inpatient hospice units, as well as in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living communities/residential care facilities for the elderly. They are excited for care for individuals in the beautiful suites at The Plaza.
Join us for refreshments, hors d'oeuvres, tours, music and more. Help us celebrate this new addition!
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will commence at 2pm.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Lunch & Learn:
The Horror and Triumph of Business Leadership
Wednesday, January 15, Noon - 1pm
Saint Leo University
4650 NW 39th Place, Suite B, Gainesville
Presented by
:Brandon West
CEO & Founder / PHOS Creative
If you are in the growth stage of your business, considering starting a business, or you just started a business,
this talk was designed just for you.
Owning a business is difficult. The only people who know that are people who have been doing it for any extended period of time. The heaviest moments in our leadership in business can yield deep feelings of broken-heartedness, confusion, and loneliness.
That's why leadership requires perseverance.
But why do we persist? What's the point? What's the driver that keeps us going when the weight of our leadership seems so overwhelming?
This talk is a transparent discussion about the difficulties and joys of owning a small business. It's an inspiring message to stay the course and why your perseverance is so critical to our local and global communities.
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
2020 Sponsorships & Advertising Options Available! Announce Your Support for the Gainesville Business Community
Sponsorship and partnership opportunities with the Greater Gainesville Chamber are some of the best ways for your business to gain exposure in the Gainesville region. By aligning your business with a 5-star chamber of commerce with sponsorship or advertising, you help immediately grow your company’s prestige, reputation, exposure and bottom line.
The Chamber is proud to present the 2020 Circle of Champions, where business leaders receive premier marketing and advertising support to help grow their market share and support key initiatives at the Chamber. Through the Circle of Champions, businesses gain exceptional exposure throughout the year with a variety of benefits and price points to fit any budget.
Fantastic 2020 marketing and exposure opportunities, contact Steve Cannon, VP Member Development, at
[email protected]
or call 352.334-7127.
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UPCOMING EVENT
National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program
Application deadline: February 15, 2020
The National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) provides a rigorous entrepreneurial learning and development opportunity for veterans with service-connected disabilities and those who have uniquely distinguished themselves in the military. VEP is designed for veterans interested in starting a new venture as a means to financial independence and for veterans who have an existing business for which they would like to increase profits.
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REMINDER
Hot Jobs through CareerSource NCFL
Each week, CareerSource North Central Florida staff members identify current
Hot Jobs that employers are eager to fill.
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To apply for jobs listed:
- log on to www.employflorida.com
- Click on “Job Search” under “Quick Menu” on the left side of the page
- Select “Job Number Search” from the menu across the top of the page
- Enter the job number from the list above in the “job number” box
- Click on “search”
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UPCOMING EVENT
Empower 2020
Tuesday, January 14, 2 - 4pm
Village and Forest Green Apartments
3101 NE 15th Street, Gainesville
The City of Gainesville formally invites you to Gainesville Fire Rescue’s CRP Program Community Health Fair taking place on January 14, 2020.
This event aims to serve as an access point for social and medical resources while
EMPOWERING
citizens to welcome healthy habits in this new year. The inaugural event in 2019 had an estimated 250 people in attendance and we are expecting even more for 2020!
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UPCOMING EVENT
Gainesville Equality Means Business Luncheon
Wednesday, January 15,
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Napolatano’s
606 N.W. 75th St. Gainesville, FL 32607
This January, Equality Florida is hosting a lunch program designed to showcase employers and industries in the Gainesville area who understand that Equality Means Business!
Join Equality Florida to learn how leading industries in Gainesville are adopting practices of diversity and inclusion that make them more competitive for building a diverse and vibrant workforce.
This luncheon is part of Equality Means Business, a program of Equality Florida designed to spotlight employers in Florida that have adopted comprehensive non-discrimination policies and have demonstrated their commitment to valuing and proactively including all employees.
Fees/Admission: Individual tickets are $35. A table of 6 is $250 (includes reserved seating and sign with company logo). Sponsorships are available! Please contact Rene Cantu at
[email protected]
.
The event will include a dynamic panel of industry leaders focusing on LGBTQ dynamics in the workplace and the importance of diversity and inclusion. Attendees will be encouraged to share best practices for creating an inclusive culture within their companies.
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UPCOMING EVENT
The 2020 Gainesville Real Estate Forum
Thursday, February 6, 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Best Western Gateway Grand
4200 NW 97 Blvd., Gainesville
The Beery Rainsberger Group has joined forces with James Moore & Company to present the 10th Annual Gainesville Real Estate Forum to be held on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.
The highlight of this year’s event will be a panel-style discussion with top local and national industry leaders on hot topics such as a real estate economic outlook from the Federal Reserve Bank, commercial and residential property trends and issues,the University of Florida’s master plan of development, a ordable housing, and more!
Refreshments
: Appetizers, beer, wine, soft drinks and water
Sponsored By
: CenterState Bank
Website
: gainesvillereforum.com
Registration
: https://10thannualrealestateforum.eventbrite.com
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MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT
Alachua County residents invited to apply for Library District Board of Trustees
Deadline: Friday, February 7, 5pm
The Alachua County Library District Governing Board encourages all interested citizens to apply for three vacancies, effective April 1, 2020, on the Alachua County Library District Board of Trustees. Applications must be signed and mailed or delivered to the Alachua County Library District Administration Office at Headquarters Branch by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020.
The Library Board of Trustees is a citizen volunteer board that is part of the Library District governing structure. The seven citizens who serve as Board of Trustees members are appointed by the Governing Board. The Board of Trustees is made up of three Alachua County representatives, three City of Gainesville representatives, and one Alachua County League of Cities representative.
Board of Trustees members serve three-year terms. No member shall serve more than two full terms consecutively. All vacancies are advertised prior to the end of each three-year term. The vacancies are one Alachua County representative, one City of Gainesville representative, and one Alachua County League of Cities representative. After applications are received, nominations for vacancies are made by the above-listed entities and submitted to the Library District Governing Board for appointment.
Applications are also available at each branch and online at www.aclib.us/botapplication.
Applications must be returned to the Alachua County Library District Administration Office at Headquarters Branch, 401 E. University Ave., Gainesville, Florida 32601, by 5 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020.
For more information please contact Devonia L. Andrew or
[email protected]
or call at 352-334-3910.
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UPCOMING EVENT
At The Heart of the Community Cardiovascular Symposium
Saturday, February 8, 7am - 2pm
Hilton Conference Center
1714 SW 34th St, Gainesville
The Cardiac & Vascular Institute together with Florida Heart & Lung Institute and North Florida Regional Medical Center is hosting a Cardiovascular Symposium on Saturday February 8th, 2020. Our goal is to both raise awareness and educate community members and healthcare professionals on heart healthy living, scientific advancements and preventive measures in all aspects of cardiovascular care.
This year’s event for healthcare professionals will focus on current treatments, scientific advancements and preventive measures in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery care with two dedicated sessions of cardiogenic shock and structural heart. We invite the community for free talks that will focus on CPR 101, heart-healthy eating and exercise, understanding blood pressure and common heart medications.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Dance Marathon at the University of Florida to Hold First Ever Miracles in Color 5K
Sunday, February 9, 7:30am
Flavet Field at UF
Dance Marathon at the University of Florida is hosting its first annual Miracles in Color 5K race Feb. 9 benefiting UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, Gainesville’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
The race is a chance to brighten up participants’ Sunday morning and brighten the lives of the children at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. The 5K begins at Flavet Field and runs through the University of Florida campus. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The race starts with the first wave at 8 a.m. and the second wave following right after. Runners will go through two color stations and a final color station at the finish line. Should runners opt to stay clean, event staff will provide them with the proper marker.
Participants can register at
https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Gainesville/floridadm
. The first wave costs $30 to register and includes runners who plan on running the whole course and want to receive their time at the end of the race. The second wave costs $25 to register and includes runners who plan to complete the course at their own pace. All participants will receive a Miracles in Color 5K white t-shirt. The runners are met with more fun after crossing the finish line, including food, a DJ, photo opportunities and dancing.
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Innovation Academy & The Selling Factory partner to bring individual success tool to IA students
Gainesville, FL [December 2019] - UF’s Innovation Academy (IA) is partnering with The Selling Factory (TSF) to offer students an individual success program on an online platform. Students will be led through all aspects of the selling process and leave ready to fuel the growth of their future careers.
“Over the past three years, The Selling Factory has hired many IA students”, Said Adam Grossman, Cofounder & Chief Development Officer for the Selling Factory. “Each hire has shown exceptional aptitude and adaptability, showcasing IA's ability to prepare students for today and tomorrow's workforce. We are excited to work with IA through The Selling Factory Academy to continue supporting student goals, aspirations, and dreams."
The TSF Academy’s formulaic approach focuses on discovering students’ authentic self, creating their selling not telling storyline, and developing their problem solving skills.
IA will be offering the program in its pilot phase to select sophomore and junior IA students starting in the spring of 2020.
“We are excited to partner with The Selling Factory and pilot the Selling Factory Academy program,” says Jeff Citty, Ed.D., Director of the Innovation Academy. “We see this program as a tailored way for IA students to develop the skills needed to communicate effectively with professionals about their innovation education and experiences.”
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Serve a Meal at the Ronald McDonald House
As we begin a new year, The Ronald McDonald House of North Central Florida is in desperate need for people to prepare meals for our families.
Providing a meal is a fun way to get involved with friends, family or co-workers and is vital to our mission of providing a "home-away-from-home" for families who often return to the House exhausted after a long day at the hospital.
After a long day at the hospital, there’s nothing more appreciated than a home-cooked meal. Get together with friends, family or co-workers to plan a menu and prepare a comforting meal for our families. We provide the kitchen, you provide the menu! Whether a one-time event, or a monthly date, we invite you to come to the House and share your culinary skills with our families.
If you have questions about the Visiting Chef Program or would like to schedule a meal, please contact Emily Pridgen at
[email protected]
or by calling (352) 374-4404 ext. 222.
Thank you for making our House a home for families who have a child who is seriously ill.
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MEMBER CONTRIBUTION
Gift Registries
A'vie Events
Gift registries may seem like a thing of the past. Traditionally, couples didn’t live together before they were married so they didn’t have all the things you need to make a house a home. With the changing times, there are so many options for “gift registries” that it may be hard to keep up!
Here are a few options for different ways to register for your wedding:
1. Traditional Gift Registry
Although it may seem like no one does a registry anymore, it is something that a lot of guests expect from the newlyweds to be. If you don’t already live together, it is a great way for you and your future spouse to choose items that you love to fill your new home with. Even if you do already live with your fiancé, a traditional gift registry is awesome to pick out some items that you have been eyeing, but don’t really want to buy yourself!
2. Honeymoon Fund
This is a very popular alternative to a traditional gift registry! You can simply tell your guests that instead of gifts, you’d prefer a donation to your dream honeymoon. Guests on this day and age are getting more and more used to this, so don’t feel bad asking for what you want.
3. Donations to Charity
This is a new trend on the horizon for alternatives to gift registries. Asking guests to donate to your favorite charity instead of giving you gifts is a sweet way to show your guests what you both care about!
4. Cash
This is a gift that most couples aren’t really comfortable asking for but what some guests actually prefer to give! Some guests find picking out gifts stressful and worry about not picking out the right thing. Asking for cash allows you to use the money to pick out what you want and alleviates stress from guests!
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MEMBER CONTRIBUTION
Who Are You When You're Strong?
ChayaVeda Integrative Healing Arts
We often get caught up in thinking about what’s not working or what needs improving in our lives, especially when we face difficulties.
Today is an invitation to look within for hidden treasures and discover the amazing gifts we already have.
Signature strengths refer to those strengths that are organic to us. We each have capabilities that enable us to move through life from a place of health. We all know someone who is authentically generous, compassionate, courageous or loyal, or is an appreciator of beauty. Each of these is a strength, and each of us possesses core sustaining strengths that are an important foundation to healthy change. We just have to remember them and actually use them, either when we seek positive change or when life throws us challenges.
Take a few breaths and then take a moment to choose one or two words that describe your strengths that ring true to you about yourself. Some examples could be kindness, optimism, creativity, faithfulness, playfulness, determination, etc.
How Do You Respond To Life?
Resiliency is when we can sustain healthy transformations from leaning on our strengths in moments of stress. We can choose our actions and ways of being based upon our natural tendencies and the capacities that can move us forward. This doesn’t mean that we are not vulnerable, and often, we are often raw and exposed under stress, but what it means is that we won’t waste time punishing ourselves for who we are not, or ruminating about the gifts we don’t have. We take the moment of rawness as an opportunity to use the strengths we do have, while being open to what the moment has to teach us about growth.
Our energy follows our attention, so if we put our attention towards our strengths, we develop them and move forward with this as our new normal.
The next step is learning how to apply your knowledge of your strength.
Once you’ve identified your strengths, when a difficult or uncomfortable moment comes, center yourself and take out your list. Choose one of your strengths. Just one and apply that strength to your daily life for the next week, even if you only do it for a moment.
No matter what life brings, remember that you have more than one strength to bring to the table and you can apply it in the present moment, becoming the change we seek.
Who can we become when life pulls the rug out from under us? Our fullest selves, gifted with the qualities that enable us to rise. We simply must remember what they are and choose to go toward them.
As you practice focusing on your strengths, you may have your own insights into your own behavior and how to handle difficult and uncomfortable situations authentically, according to your nature. This is a peak experience, providing you with not only insight and stress reduction, but also improved energy levels, focus, productivity, happiness, professional attitudes and relationships with a new and authentic response to life.
To learn more contact Chaya or join her ChayaVeda Transformational Wellness Challenge 2020.
Contact Chaya for a $20 Chamber discount
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