A 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce
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EVENT TOMORROW
8 Chamber Member Organizations among Gator 100
The Gator100 honors the 100 fastest-growing, Gator-owned or Gator-led businesses in the world. The Gator100 serves not only as a setting where UF's elite entrepreneurs can gather and share their talents and wisdom, but as an inspiration to fellow Gators to be a part of this exclusive group.
On Friday, the Gator 100 Awards Dinner was held at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on campus at the University of Florida. Among the 100 were eight Greater Gainesville Chamber member organizations:
The Greater Gainesville Chamber would like to congratulate all those honored in the Gator 100, along with our eight member organizations. Though not all of these companies remain in Gainesville, they do prove that our is a hotbed of entrepreneurial spirit.
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UPCOMING EVENT
TOMORROW: Better Outcomes, Better Goals
Wednesday, March 4, Noon - 1pm
Saint Leo University
4650 NW 39th Place, Suite B, Gainesville
Presented By: John & Anthony Coman
Goal-setting is a fundamental business skill, yet many of our goals seem to hang perpetually on the horizon. This workshop will equip you with strategies for developing better goals and sticking to them.
Participants will workshop their own business goals and develop action plans for short, medium, and long-term success.
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
* Acquire tools to develop and achieve targeted business goals
* Develop and/or refine a key goal for the next year
* Begin an action plan for achieving that goal
* Access a complimentary follow-up coaching session (optional)
Target audience:
business owners, entrepreneurs, managers, administrators, professionals, and leadership teams.
ABOUT LUNCH & LEARNS:
Small business is the strength of our local economy and Chamber. The Chamber is committed to helping ensure business growth for all of our members. These workshops are dedicated to assist in developing and educating our small business owners and their employees on topics such as wellness, social media, strategic planning, websites, career development and more.
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
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UPCOMING EVENT
Business After Hours at GatorNationals
Wednesday, March 11, 5pm
Gainesville Raceway
11211 N County Road 225, Gainesville
Join us on Wednesday, March 11 to celebrate the kick-off to Gatornationals at The Gainesville Raceway for Chamber Business After Hours, one of the Chamber's most popular networking events.
Presented by CenterState Bank
. Mingle with business leaders and community members as you enjoy great food and refreshments.
Meet Top Alcohol Dragster Driver Cherissa Smallwood
at the event. Cherissa is a Gainesville native and drives a 4,000 horsepower Nitro-fueled dragster. Photo opportunities will be available with Cherissa and her dragster.
Last year we had over 500 members join us for this annual business building event.
Chamber Members and their employees receive Free Admission to this event as a benefit of their Greater Gainesville Chamber Membership.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Corporate Sponsors:
Economic and Marketing Research Associates
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UPCOMING EVENT
Business Before Hours at Oak Hall School
TODAY, March 3, 8:30 - 10am
Oak Hall School
1700 SW 75th St, Gainesville
Join us Tuesday, March 3rd for Business Before Hours from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at
Oak Hall School Florida.
Admission is free with your Chamber membership, registration is required. Seating is limited to the first 60 people who register.
Business Before Hours is a structured yet relaxed environment for making effective connections within the Chamber business community.
You may find a strong referral source, a new vendor, the perfect client or simply get a foot in the door for connecting at larger events. Come build lasting business and personal relationships at Business Before Hours. We hope to see you there!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Looking for talent? Find your next candidate at a job fair!
Are you looking for opportunities to meet with a variety of job candidates in a short time? Attending a job fair can be a good way to increase exposure of your business and meet engaged job seekers in your industry. Check back here for job fairs you can attend to find your next candidate!
JC Penney Suit-Up Event
- Sunday April 5, 2020, 6:30pm to 9:30pm
JC Penney @ Oaks Mall, Gainesville, FL
Please join us Sunday evening April 5th as JC Penney opens its doors after-hours to Santa Fe students, faculty, staff and alumni. Business attire will be marked down 30-60% off including scrubs and there will be plenty of giveaways. Grab that amazing outfit and plan to look your very best for the upcoming job fair!
Santa Fe College Spring Job Fair
- Tuesday April 7, 2020, 9 a.m. to Noon
Northwest Campus, Building R, Room 001
Employer registration is full as of 2/18/2020.
For more information including employer registration please contact James Schindler in the Career and Job placement Office at 352-395-5822 or email
james.schindler@sfcollege.edu
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Stay in the Swamp
– April 10, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, University of Florida Hough Hall, This unique event offers opportunities for companies looking to hire students across
all majors from the University of Florida
who wish to extend their time in Gainesville. This annual event connects local employers and students in an effort to keep talent in the region. Students not only want to learn about your company's open positions, but also why your company and employees thrive in Gainesville! Inquire about opportunities for interview space or student information sessions by contacting Stephanie Fajre -
Stephanie.Fajre@warrington.ufl.edu
.
5th Annual Community Job and Resource Fair
, in collaboration with the Re-Entry Partnership Initiative – April 28, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Alachua County Public Library – Headquarters Library, . The Community Job and Resource Fair aims to strengthen families and the community by helping individuals re-enter the workforce, thereby increasing the stability of families and empowering the economy! Event information and registration link:
https://form.jotform.com/GNVChamber2/job-resource-fair
Technology, IT, and Biotech Industry Job Fair
– May 13, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, CareerSource NCFL Gainesville career center. This job fair is open to any company in the technology, IT, or biotech industries hiring a technology-based position.
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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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RECAP
Wrap-up: Distinguished Speaker Luncheon featuring Gainesville City Manager Lee Feldman
Getting to Know Our New City Manager
The Chamber hosted Gainesville City Manager Lee Feldman as our first Distinguished Speaker of 2020 at the GRU Eastside Operations Center on Monday, February 24. Lee told the capacity crowd—the venue had to be changed twice to fit our guests—a little about himself and the substantial experience he brings to Gainesville. He then outlined his priorities, including building community, reinvigorating downtown, eliminating duplicate fees and taxes, maximizing the potential of the GCRA, annexation and affordable housing. An immediate need, he concluded, is for every resident of our region to complete the 2020 Census on April 1st, because Census data is used to determine the amount of federal funding our community is awarded.
A Q&A followed the lively discussion, with the audience interested in solutions to panhandling; the GRU General Funds Transfer; a joint planning council for the urban area; landlord permits and tenants rights; and the re-focus of the Department of Doing.
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Distinguished Speaker Event Sponsor
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UPCOMING EVENT
Join us for our March Distinguished Speaker Luncheon featuring UF Innovate’s Jim O’Connell
Monday, March 23rd, 11:30--1:15
Greater Gainesville Chamber
300 E University Ave, Suite 100, Gainesville
We are delighted to welcome to the Chamber Jim O’Connell, assistant vice president for commercialization with UF Innovate, as our Distinguished Speaker on Monday, March 23rd, from 11:30 am to 1:15 pm. Jim will provide the latest news from UF Innovate, the umbrella organization over Tech Licensing, Sid Martin Biotech and The Hub. A Q&A will follow his remarks. This member-exclusive event includes a buffet lunch. These popular luncheons fill up quickly, register today!
About Jim O’Connell
As the Assistant Vice President for Commercialization, Jim leads UF Innovate, the umbrella organization over Tech Licensing, Sid Martin Biotech and The Hub. Jim is also the director of Tech Licensing. He works with internal and external constituents to provide strategic leadership and direction in building and capitalizing on facilities, expertise and technology at UF.
Before joining UF Innovate, Jim directed the tech transfer office at the University of Miami and served as the director of the Michigan Venture Center at the University of Michigan. Jim came to tech transfer with 20 years of industry experience. He worked in two startups in the medical device industry, and also served in the U.S. Air Force as a helicopter pilot.
Jim earned his M.S. in engineering management from the University of Maryland and his B.S. in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic.
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Distinguished Speaker Event Sponsor
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POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT
We’re Counting on You! The 2020 Census is on its Way
April 1 is Census Day
One of the simplest ways we can all help our community is to participate in the US Census. Why? Because the data collected from each person in the United States is used to allocate federal funds for roads, schools, hospitals, social programs and public services.
For the first time this year, we’ll be able to complete our Census online. Starting the week of March 12, every household will begin receiving a postcard with its secure code to access the Census. You’ll be able to complete the Census in less time than it takes to finish your morning coffee!
We were surprised—and not a little dismayed—to learn that the estimated undercount for Alachua County in 2010 was 33,827 people, which resulted in a $390 million loss of federal funds over the last 10 years. It’s not hard to come up with a quick list of how we could have put that money to good use!
Your Greater Gainesville Chamber is partnering with other organizations around the County to help ensure a complete Census Count this year. Watch for upcoming events—we’re Counting on You. And check out
countingonyou.us
for more information on local and national efforts.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Perry McGriff’s GATORIDE March 8
Sunday, March 8, 9am
Stephen C. O'Connell Center
250 Gale Lemerand Drive, Gainesville
Don’t miss out on the second annual Perry McGriff’s GATORIDE! The family-friendly festival and bike ride will be held at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center with music, food, beverages, and raffles!
Raffle items include race swag, tailgate chairs, Columbia backpacks and more!
The GATORIDE routes will be packed with rest stops and beautiful City of Gainesville and Alachua County scenery. All routes will start at the iconic Stephen C. O’Connell Center, across from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, and exit onto University Avenue to head towards Newnan’s lake.
No matter your skill level, be sure to sign up for the 5-mile fun-ride (for kids and adults) or one of the supported rides: 31, 43, 69, or 90-miles.
There is also a kid rodeo.
All registered riders will receive a race number, goodie bag and an engraved GATORIDE finisher medal! Plus chances to win raffle prizes!
Save 10% by using code GOGATORIDE at registration!
Course Maps –
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UPCOMING EVENT
2nd Annual Cajun Crawfish Boil with Tyler's Hope
Saturday, April 25, 2:30 - 9pm
Tyler's Hope
13301 US Highway 441, Alachua
Join Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure on April 25th for the 2nd Annual Cajun Crawfish Boil. This family friendly event guarantees a day filled with Cajun style boil, food trucks, a cornhole tournament, and live music from Jamie Davis Band, Cliff Dorsey Band, and T.J. Brown! All proceeds go to support Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure. For more information visit us at
www.tylershope.org.
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MEMBER NEWS
First of its Kind Nail Boutique, Ensō, Joins Tioga Town Center
Ensō
13005 SW 1st Road, Suite 133, Newberry
Gainesville, Fla.
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Ensō
, A Healthier Nail Boutique, is now under construction at the award-winning 23-acre mixed-use lifestyle center where their new 1,210 square foot space will reside, located at 13005 SW 1
st
Road, Suite 133, in Newberry, Florida. Ensō will be the first non-toxic, fume-free nail salon in the greater Gainesville region. Ensō aims to set a higher standard for the local beauty industry, strictly offering ‘10 free’ services, meaning they only use products that are made without 10 of the most common chemicals found in nail polishes: Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, parabens, animal by-products, and fragrance.
Ensō strives to create a worry-free ambiance by staffing knowledgeable, trained professionals who operate under strict sanitation procedures, and provide healthier choices for beauty services. By using vegan, cruelty-free, organic products, combined with a modern ventilation system, their clients experience less chemical exposure during their services, and their team members have a much healthier working environment when compared to a typical nail salon.
“We strive to be more mindful, eco-friendly, and health-conscious in the way we do business and interact with each other” said Bich Nguyen, Owner of Ensō. “We want to focus on educating those that we serve, and elevate the local industry to a higher standard. By doing so, we hope to build long-lasting relationships with our patrons, team members, and community.”
Ensō is going above and beyond standard sanitation practices, and aims for fully transparency when it comes to proper sanitation procedures. They will have custom ventilation systems at every station, and will utilize a medical grade autoclave to sterilize equipment and other objects. Instead of jetted tubs, they will feature chic ceramic basins free of nooks and crannies which typically hide and foster bacteria.
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