Business WatchBusiness Watch

JULY 2010

Mid-year Review

EARN THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MBA IN PALM BEACH

July 2010 3

BUSINESS WATCH

EVENTS

5 Palm Beach Kennel Club Wins Chamber Golf Tournament

13YPOP HotSpots - Networking for Area Young Professionals

BUSINESS

17Mid-Year Refresh - Suggestions to Boost Your Business

19Press Releases - Your Key to Free Publicity

MEMBERSHIP

8 - 9Committee Connection

10 - 11New Members and Renewals

14What is a Trustee?

COVER ARTICLE

16 Mid-Year ReviewIt’s halfway through 2010 - how’s your plan working?

COMMUNITY

12Leadership West Palm Beach Graduation

4 Business Watch

StaffDennis Grady

Chief Executive Officer

Sandy PullensDirector of Administrative

Services

Kelley BurkeDirector of Sponsorships and

Special Events

Donald BurgessOperations Coordinator

Alexandra GuthCommunications Coordinator/

Webmaster

Kelly FanelliMembership Director

Deborah DrotarMembership Developement

Sharon McIntoshInformation Coordinator

OfficersChair

Don DeWoody WGCompass Realty Companies

Chair-ElectCarey O’Donnell

Carey O’Donnell PR Group

TreasurerDavid D. Brooks, CPA

SecretaryCharles Gerardi

The Palm Beach Post

General CounselMichelle Diffenderfer

Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.

At-Large MemberHarvey E. Oyer III

Shutts & Bowen, LLP

Past-ChairMark Elhilow

Blue Ocean Capital

Board of DirectorsLarry B. Alexander, Jr. Jones, Foster, Johnston &

Stubbs, P.A.

Jon Blunk Crocker Partners LLC

Davide Carbone St. Mary’s Medical Center

John Cassidy John C. Cassidy Air Conditioning, Inc.

Dr. David Dorfman Mobile Chiropractic

Bill Fleming Palm Beach Atlantic University

Russell Greene Grand Bank & Trust of Florida

Patti Webster Hamilton Southern Waste Systems LLC/

Sun Recycling

Lynda Harris Carlton Fields, P.A.

Richard HermanPNC Financial Services Group,

Inc.

Beth Kigel KBS Strategies

Diego Lezcano JP Morgan Chase

Trish Lowry Florida’s Blood Centers

Daniel MartellFlorida Crystals

Daniel Miller Broad and Cassel

Stephen Miller Regions Bank

Monica ManolasCEMEX

Catherine McKenzie AT&T Florida

Frank NewmanWachovia | A Wells Fargo

Company

Nat Roberts Callery-Judge Grove

Joe Santoro Gunster

Nicole Scimone Akerman Senterfitt

Mike Slade Callaway & Price, Inc.

John Templeton Templeton & Company

Ricky Wade “B”ing The Best, Inc. dba

McDonald’s

Steve Wasserman WPTV NewsChannel 5

Kathy Willoughby Bank of America Merrill Lynch

July 2010 5

Palm Beach Kennel Club Awarded Chamber Cup at 2010 Golf Tournament

The Annual Chamber Golf Tournament soared like an eagle at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington on June 25. The winners of the longest drive contest, Kevin Ring and Liz Griffin, won gift cards to Home Depot and Saks Fifth Avenue. John Gullman was the winner of the Hit the Green Contest and won a $100 gift card to Ruth’s Chris Steak House in CityPlace. The winner of the Closest to the Pin was Ben Alexander, who won 3 day/2 night luxury accommodations at the Brazilian Court in Palm Beach.

The winner of the tournament’s Corporate Cup was the Palm Beach Kennel Club and the team name will be engraved for a second time on the trophy proudly displayed in the Chamber lobby. Its players included Patrick Rooney, Jr., Kevin Ring, Kyle Henderson and Bill Dunn. The Jones Foster, Johnston & Stubbs, P.A. team was the second place foursome with members Ben Alexander, David Cash, Rob Ford and Ward Welke. The third place foursome was Good Samaritan Medical Center, with members Tony Bajak, Andy Baribeau, Stan McKnight and Gary Grandovic.

Corporate Foursomes included: Ackerman, Link and Sartory; P.A.; Balfour Beatty Construction; CityPlace Tower; David D. Brooks, CPAs, P.A.; Eagle Shipping Center Palm Beach, Inc.; Florida Power & Light; Good Samaritan Medical Center; Gunster; Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs, P.A.; Lewis,

Longman & Walker, P.A.; Palm Beach Kennel Club; PNC Bank; Republic Services of Palm Beach; Southern Waste Systems LLC/Sun Recycling; Templeton & Company, LLP; The Carlisle Palm Beach; The Morganti Group, Inc; Waste Management of Palm Beach and WGCompass Realty Companies.

Special thanks to our corporate partners: Beverage Center, Blue Ocean Capital; Tote Bags, Northern Trust; Prize Sponsor, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida; Beverage Banker, iBERIABANK; Rita’s Italian Ice – CityPlace; Tee Ambassadors, Peter Nathan/Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Mittleman Eye Center, and Roman & Brenner.

The tournament was a big success in part because of the hard work by Binks Forest Golf Club staff, the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee volunteers and Larry Sever.

6 Business Watch

2010 Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Golf Tournament Corporate Foursomes

Ackerman Link & Sartory P.A. Balfour Beatty

WGCompass Realty Companies

The Carlisle Palm Beach

CityPlace Tower

The Palm Beach Post

Templeton & Co.

ESPN

The Morganti Group

Palm Beach Kennel Club

July 2010 7

2010 Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Golf Tournament Corporate Foursomes

D. Brooks and Associates CPA’s, P.A.

PNC Bank

Republic Services

Jones Foster

Gunster

FPL

Lewis Longman & Walker P.A.

Good Samaritan

Eagle Shipping

Waste Management

Committee Connection

8 Business Watch

Health Care Committee

Ambassador of the Year!The Chamber presents the Ambassador of the Year award to local business owner William Brasmar of KPA Promotions. This award recognizes William for his diligence in local business events, grand openings, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and business meetings promoting the Palm Beaches as well as his commitment and time serving on the Ambassador Committee. As an Ambassador, William is also involved with promoting membership, facilitating networking among businesses and welcoming new members to the business community.

“I believe in the givers gain.” says William “ The Ambassador Committee is a perfect opportunity to allow me to connect individuals and businesses together and through these

practices, I have formed hundreds of strategic alliances and business partners.”

William and his wife Sue currently reside in Lake Worth. William, a 5th generation Floridian, is the owner of the award-winning promotional products firm, KPA Promotions. Since opening in 2008, William and his team have been honored with two prestigious business awards: Top 25 Largest Promotional Products Companies, by The South Florida Business Journal in October 2009 and Top 100 Small Businesses by The South Florida Business Leader in November 2009. William also shares his time with “Little Smiles”, a non-profit organization that provides toys and activities for children in local hospitals, hospices and shelters.

To Contact William Brasmar and his team at KPA Promotions, e-mail wbrasmar@kpapromotions.com or visit their website at www.kpapromotions.com.

The Health Care Committee is currently the Chamber’s largest committee with approximately 65 members attending each meeting. Having outgrown the Chamber’s boardroom, the committee meetings are held in area hospitals and health care facilities. The June meeting was held at the Gardens Court in Palm Beach Gardens, who also sponsored the lunch.

The speaker, State Representative Mark Pafford of House District # 88, was both engaging and informative. During his presentation, Representative Pafford’s comments center around his theme of “Redistricting and Reproaching”. Attendees were surprised at some of the information shared by Pafford, including that 20% of the population of Florida is on Medicaid and 23% of the state’s citizens

are seniors. He was a popular speaker, with several of the guests expressing their desire to have him return for a future presentation.

For more information on the Heath Care Committee or to host a luncheon, contact Deborah Drotar at ddrotar@palmbeaches.org or call (561) 833-3711 (ext. 236).

July 2010 9

Networking is a great way to find new business and the Chamber calendar is full of opportunities to network with fellow members, but finding new business is not always the goal for networking. Connecting with your peers keeps you in touch with business trends and informed on industry issues. Networking with contacts within a specific industry or demographic gives you a sounding board for ensuring that your perspectives are correct. Sometimes it is difficult to see “the forest for the trees” and when you are immersed in an issue, it can be hard to get a more global perspective. The Chamber’s committees provide its members with opportunities for peer networking as well as for business development.

Some committees are open to all Chamber members and attract participants from a variety of business categories, but they serve a specific demographic. The Young Professionals of the Palm Beaches (YPOP) is a great example of that. YPOP has members from many different types of businesses, but all of them are within the 21 to 40 age group. That gives the members an opportunity to network in the comfort of their age group and discuss issues specific to them. The Women in Business Committee is another good example of a committee serving a specific demographic. Their meetings include speakers on issues pertinent to women and women’s professional development.

Other committees tend to be issue-oriented and include members affected by those issues. The Governmental Affairs Committee reviews

presentations by speakers anxious to share their views of issues facing the governmental community in our area. They come from a variety of industries and demographics, but are examining the same issues and looking for information on those issues.

The Chamber Trustee Program is another excellent example of networking with one’s peers. It is an executive level networking group, working with company CEOs to give them a networking experience exclusively with their peers. It also gives them access to speakers giving presentations geared to a higher level executive. The Trustees share their experiences and gain fresh perspectives based on the interaction with the speakers.

The newly-formed Science and Technology Committee will enable members in those business categories to connect and share ideas. Their discussions will be based on their expertise in the sciences and may not be applicable to all members. This committee will be an important source for programming and seminars to educate the membership on cutting-edge technology and scientific discoveries.

Committees are a powerful way to enhance your participation in the Chamber. They facilitate relationship building and provide a fast track to network with peer groups. For more information on the Chamber’s committees, contact the Chamber at (561) 833-3711.

Looking to Network with Your Peers? Try a Committee

The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches has been an invaluable tool in my real estate business for building professional relationships and increasing business. One of the key opportunities of belonging to the Chamber is joining a committee- these smaller groups within the Chamber meet regularly to help build local business, grow community awareness and promote networking. Committees allow the opportunity for members to get to know one another and form trusting relationships that lead to referring business. We all want to do business with people we know and trust, right? Our Chamber is only as strong as its members; if we all help in building the membership, we help ourselves and our community. More members = more business referral opportunities. If you’re a member of the Chamber and you have not explored joining a committee, get involved today and watch your business grow!

Leslie A. Read PAKeller Williams Realty

New Members

10 Business Watch

A Professional AffairLa Monica Gardner - CEO1326 Monteray WayWest Palm Beach, FL 33413(877) 702-6655http://aprofessionalaffair.vpweb.comBOOKKEEPING SERVICE

Barry Contracting CompanyBret Barry - President1083 Raintree Dr.Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410(561) 351-0212CONTRACTORS - GENERAL

Brown Ltd. Marketing & Public RelationsMike Brown - Consultant6586 Hypoluxo Rd., Suite 223Lake Worth, FL 33467(561) 756-1674www.brownltd.comMARKETING CONSULTANTS

Camacho and Nicholson Insurance, Inc.Beatriz Medina - Marketing Director4545 Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 10West Palm Beach, FL 33415(561) 829-8442www.insurancecoveragenow.orgINSURANCE - BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL

ComResHollie Littlefield - Communications Network Architect33 N.E. 2nd St., Suite 212Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301(954) 617-6120www.ComResUSA.comCOMMUNICATIONS

Equitrack Business ConsultingFelix Somarriba - OwnerPO Box 740906Boynton Beach, FL 33474(561) 357-4793www.equitrackbusinessconsulting.comACCOUNTANTS - CERTIFIED PUBLIC

Freemium Technology ServicesFloyd Kelley - President / Co-Owner301 Clematis St., Suite 3000West Palm Beach, FL 33401(561) 371-2030www.freemiumtech.comCOMPUTERS - IT MANAGED SERVICES

Helping Hands of Palm Beach Gardens IncJudy Hendler - Owner123 Esperanza WayPalm Beach Gardens, FL 33418(561) 512-5943SENIOR CITIZENS’ SERVICES

Hire Level DesignsJohn Delate - President & CEO714 S. PalmwayLake Worth, FL 33460(954) 495-5376www.hireleveldesigns.comINTERNET DEVELOPMENT & WEB DESIGN

International Network SolutionsDiane Cunningham - Account Executive(561) 596-1345www.internationalnetworksolutions.netTELECOMMUNICATIONS

JF Gallery & FramingJamnea Jacas-Finlayson - President / Owner3901 S. Dixie Highway, Suite BWest Palm Beach, FL 33405(561) 478-8281www.jfgallery.comPICTURE FRAMES - DEALERS

Johnny Daniels Cleaning ServiceJohn Daniels - Owner7121 71st WayWest Palm Beach, FL 33407(561) 683-1187 CLEANING SERVICES

myEZdeal - Southeast FloridaGary W. Lavallee - Owner304 Ridge Rd.Jupiter, FL 33477(561) 401-2533www.myEZdeal.comSOCIAL MEDIA

Original Impressions LLCRalph Jimenez - National Sales12900 SW 89th CourtMiami, FL 33176(561) 346-3859www.originalimpressions.comPRINTERS

Professional Golf Car Corp. of FloridaAlison Reifers - VP Strategic Planning5385 Lake Worth Rd.Greenacres, FL 33463(561) 433-2500www.progolfcar.comGOLF CARTS

RS Collectibles and EventsJoseph Parson - V.P.12338 W. Hampton CircleWellington, FL 33414(561) 644-9969www.rscollectiblesandevents.comMEMORABILIA & SPORTS CARDS

SkyWords Advertising, LLCJorge Gonzalez - Owner2633 Lantana Rd., Suite #12Lantana, FL 33462(561) 891-7272www.skywordsadvertising.comADVERTISING - OUTDOOR

TD BankMichael Aubrey - Store Manager316 Northlake Blvd.North Palm Beach, FL 33408(561) 841-1445www.tdbank.comBANKS

The BizlinePeter Inniss15520 Softwood Ct.Wellington, FL 33414(561) 342-1201www.thebizline.comBUSINESS CONSULTANTS

TLC SolutionsTerra L. Cay - Performance Development ConsultantJupiter, FL 33458(561) 351-9689www.gainanadvantage.comBUSINESS CONSULTANTS

Uncommon Architectural PlacesA.W. Nardi - Principal(413) 246-8264www.nardi.nameARCHITECTS

Verizon WirelessKristi Glenn - Assistant Manager2825 Okeechobee Blvd.West Palm Beach, FL 33409(561) 616-0100www.verizonwireless.comCELLULAR/CAR PHONES/2-WAY RADIOS - SALES & SERVICE

Waterman & Wolfe, P.A.Linette Waterman - Co-President2090 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 205West Palm Beach, FL 33409(561) 697-2644www.watermanandwolfe.comATTORNEYS

July 2010 11

RenewalsAllison’s Adam & Eve Architectural and Antique SalvageBalfour Beatty ConstructionBest Western Palm Beach Lakes InnBlue Heron FleetBoca Nursing Services, Inc.BrandsMart USABravo KB, Inc.Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach CountyDe Anne H. Collier, M.D. P.A.Doane & Doane, P.A.EAS Contracting Services, LLCEverglades AHEC (Area Health Education Center)FitzGerald Mayans & Cook, P.A.Flagler Realty & Development Inc.Florida’s Blood Centers, Inc.Kogan & DiSalvoLeaping ‘A’ HeadLupus Foundation of America, Southeast Florida ChapterMcDonald’s/ “B” ing The Best, Inc.MK Marketing Inc.NAI Merin Hunter CodmanOrkin Pest Control - CommercialPalm Beach Cancer InstitutePalm Beach Infectious Disease Institute (PBIDI)Palm Beach Opera Inc.Premo Construction, LLCPrudentialSLPowersSouth Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the CureSuffolk Construction Company Inc.United Way of Palm Beach CountyWSI Webpower

Ribbon Cuttings

Connections for Business2843 Pembroke RoadHollywood, FL 33020www.connections.com954-920-9604

Connections for Business provides high-value service to companies wishing to grow without the traditional limits of old-school I.T. thinking. Cost management, remote access, business continuity and security can all be integrated into our solutions for clients seeking legal compliance and best practices.

A1A Airport & Limousine Service1990 N.W. Boca Raton Road

Boca Raton, FL 33442561-622-2222.

After 32 years in business, A1A Airport & Limousine Service has moved to their brand new location in Boca Raton. A1A Limo is one of South Florida’s oldest and

most reliable transportation companies. They offer sedans, vans, stretch limousines, and full size motor

coaches. Book on-line @ www.A1ALimo.com and save 10%. They will get you to the airport safely and on time,

and provide a 200% on time service guarantee!

Pre-Paid Legal1151 B Sand Drift Way West Palm Beach, FL 33411(561) 307-3687www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/jquittner

Pre-Paid Legal is a thirty-eight year old company which is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. We offer affordable legal representation, through our service, for individuals, families, small business owners, and commercial drivers. An Identity Theft Resolution plan is also available.

12 Business Watch

Cantina Laredo Hosts HotSpotThe June HotSpot event was well attended as both new and familiar faces enjoyed an evening of mingling and networking. Special thanks to Cantina Laredo for generously donating a gift certificate for our business card drawing and for hosting a wonderful event.

July HotSpotTuesday, July 27 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Chamber Members $10 - Non-members $15

Register online at ypopconnect.org

THRIVE: Health and Wellness Expo Re-scheduled for October

Attendees will learn ideas and activities for leading a healthier, happier life at the Inaugural THRIVE: Health and Wellness Expo, on its new date, Thursday, October 14 at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. It will be free and open to the public.

The Expo is intended to showcase businesses and organizations whose products/services are geared toward health and wellness. Participants will be able to promote their business, inform attendees about the services and products available to help them to take their own steps towards better health, and gather numerous resources to increase awareness of the importance of being healthy.

Special thanks to Good Samaritan Medical Center, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center and The Palm Beach Post for their support of this new event.

Sponsorship and exhibitor space is available. For information, contact Kelley Burke at kburke@palmbeaches.org or call (561) 833-3711 ext. 231.

THRIVE!C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

O F T H E PA L M B E AC H E S

HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO

July 2010 13

“”

The 2010 Class of Leadership West Palm Beach was presented with their certificates of completion during the West Palm Beach City Commission meeting on June 14.

Leadership West Palm Beach is a program that consists of six full-day sessions that explore the following facets of our community: CityPlace; Western Communities; The North End; City Center; Community & Culture; and Health & Human Services.

Graduates of the 2010 Class are: Belen Arocho (Downtown Development Authority); Heather Black (Good Samaritan Medical Center); Carlos Cabrera (West Palm Beach Fire Rescue); Jennifer Chamagua (Fifteenth Judicial Circuit – West Palm Beach); Merline Deneus (Merjolynn Foundation, Inc.); Evan Frederick (McCabe Rabin, P.A.); Eric Gordon (Event Planner); Susan Guilbert (FindLaw, a Thomson Reuters business); Kenyetta Haywood (School District of Palm Beach County); Shane Humble (Clintar Landscape Management); Vicky Jackson (Workforce Alliance); Neil Johnson (MWH); Keegan Larson (Wantman Group, Inc.); Donna Lewis (SunTrust Bank); Anthony Lofaso (Palm Planning Group); Mark Martel (The Continental Group, Inc.); Kyle Martin (Florida Power & Light Co.);Dena Felico Perez (Grand Bank & Trust of Florida); Tara Pregnolato (The Palm Beach Post); Michael

Leadership West Palm Beach Congratulates Class 2010

Weinstein (Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.); Charlotte Wright (Shiloh Family Worship Center); and Susan Yoffee (Haile, Shaw & Pfaffenberger, P.A.).

Thank you to our Class 2010 Presenting Sponsor, Grand Bank & Trust of Florida; as well as sponsors FPL, The Palm Beach Post, and the Downtown Development Authority.

Special thanks to GREASE Burger Bar for hosting the after-graduation reception.

Leadership West Palm Beach was a wonderful learning experience and a great way to develop both personal and business relationships. I feel better equipped to do my job with the knowledge I have gained. Thank you for the opportunity.

Vicky JacksonCommunications ManagerWorkforce Alliance

14 Business Watch

What is a Trustee?The Trustee program was designed for top-level member executives to network with their peers and high profile speakers in a relaxed and informal forum. These networking opportunities create business alliances that contribute to the growth and development of member companies. They meet for presentations from local, state and national leaders regarding issues impacting the business community in the Palm Beaches. The program allows them to gain access to the speakers, build relationships and exchange ideas and information regarding those issues.

Trustee members also receive recognition through a variety of communication styles:

• They are introduced to the membership and the community with a feature article, color photograph and biography in the Business Watch. It is sent electronically to all Chamber members and also appears in the Palm Beach Post, where it reaches 80,000 households in the West Palm area.

• Trustees also appear in the Guide to the Palm Beaches in the Trustee section, complete with company logo, a photo and biography of the Trustee and featured in the Who’s Who in the Palm Beaches in a section exclusively for their leadership group.

• The Chamber’s website is host to over 45,000 unique visitors per month and many of those create hits that are tracked to the Trustee section of the website. There, again, the Trustees are featured with their company logo and a photograph and biography of the individual Trustee. The website allows for up-to-date information to be available on the program and its members regardless of publication schedules.

In addition to all the recognition and highlighted opportunities, Trustees have the benefit of exclusive networking and educational events specifically targeted to Trustee members

and their guests. These events include:

• Private events with local, state and national leaders and presentations designed to give Trustees insight to issues and speakers perspectives on them. Recent luncheon speakers include Republican candidate for Governor Rick Scott, the next scheduled speaker is Allen West, Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress in Florida’s 22nd District. Both are excellent examples of the access the program provides its members to leadership interested in their perspectives and challenges.

• Trustees have the opportunity of meeting with the Chairman of the Board and CEO for private luncheons to discuss upcoming Chamber issues and community events.

• They are also invited to attend monthly Board of Directors’ meetings, giving them insights to timely issues facing our Chamber, its members and Palm Beach County at large.

The Trustees include some of the Chamber’s most influential and active members. Presently consisting of approximately 50 members, the program continues to attract business leaders from the most vital economic segments of the Palm Beaches business community. For more information on the Trustee Program and its members, contact Kelly Fanelli, Membership Director at (561) 833-3711 ext 235 or kfanelli@palmbeaches.org.

The Trustee program of the Chamber provides many wonderful opportunities to meet and dialogue with key business and governmental leaders at both the local and state level, who directly impact our businesses and everyday lives. Prior to becoming a member of the board, I also enjoyed attending the board meetings as a Trustee to gain valuable insight on issues and initiatives in our community and better understand how the Chamber supports local business.

Trish LowryDirector of Business DevelopmentFlorida’s Blood Centers

July 2010 15

Rick Scott, Republican candidate for Governor, spoke to 35 Trustees at their most recent meeting. Scott shared his motivation for seeking public office and his ideas for improving Florida.

June Luncheon

Chamber Leaders Listen to Congressional Candidate Lieutenant Colonel Allen West (US Army, Retired) spoke to the Trustees on Tuesday at their monthly luncheon. West is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from District 22.

If you are interested in joining the Trustees, please contact Kelly Fanelli at (561) 833-3711 ext. 235.

16 Business Watch

Second Half of 2010 is Here! How’s Your Plan Working?Amazingly, 2010 is half over and we are racing into the second half of the year. We all start the New Year with a vision of what we’d like to accomplish in the upcoming year and, hopefully, a plan to achieve it. How’s your plan working? Now is a perfect time to step back, evaluate and make necessary adjustments. Don’t have a plan? The Chamber can help!

Is your business getting the full benefit of your Chamber

membership? It’s important to periodically examine your Chamber participation and be sure you’re using it to establish and achieve your marketing strategies. Attend an Open House Coffee for a refresher course on the various programs and services available to you. There will be a review of all the various Chamber events and insights as to which events will be most effective for you. There may have been new programs added since you joined or you may just need to be reminded of all that the Chamber offers. The Chamber calendar includes a series of events free to members, all designed to help you create a marketing and networking plan and track its success. Open House Coffees, Member Money Makers and One-on-One 101s all work congruently to help you maximize your Chamber involvement.

Does the Chamber have your 25 keywords and phrases?

Remember, the Chamber’s website has a search engine similar to a Google search. When you join the Chamber, we ask you for 25 keywords or phrases that describe your company’s products and services. Those keywords and phrases enable visitors to the Chamber’s site to find you more quickly. Be sure that they are an accurate reflection of your company and update them regularly. You may have a program that

is new and needs to be added. Or you may find that you are no longer focusing on a service you previously offered and that needs to be reflected in your keywords. Keep them up to date and accurate so the Chamber’s site can work for you. www.palmbeaches.org receives 50,000 visitors per month; make sure they can find you!

Do you have a message you need to get out to the

members? Are you offering a Member-to-Member Discount?

Advertising is another tool for communicating with Chamber members and the community. The Chamber offers a variety of advertising vehicles from the website to Chamber publications and newsletters. All members are automatically listed on the website and publications appropriate for their business category twice, once by category and once alphabetically. There are additional advertising opportunities available in all of these powerful communication tools and smart members are using them to make sure their message is heard. The Chamber newsletter, Business Watch, offers two styles of advertising- traditional ads and inserts that allow for flyers or brochures to be inserted into the newsletter going out to all Chamber members. The Chamber even offers discounted advertising packages and mailing labels for mailing to the members and important local officials and agencies.

Are you are taking advantage of the services the Chamber’s Communications Department

has to offer? You should be using your username and password to do everything from making reservations for Chamber events to updating your contact information. They are also your vehicle for submitting items to the Chamber’s Community Calendar.

July 2010 17

Are you using the Chamber e-plaque?

It appears as an image that establishes credibility for you and your business. It lets clients and customers know that you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches and a serious participant in our area’s business community. The Communications Department will forward you the information needed to add this to your website. It’s easy and it’s free with your membership!

Is your team and game plan coordinated to make sure that you are getting the full benefit

of your membership? The Chamber reaches a select demographic of business owners, area professionals, corporations and non-profits; make sure they know who you are and what your company does.

For more information on the many programs and services offer by the Chamber, contact Kelly Fanelli, Membership Director at 833-3711 ext. 235 or kfanelli@palmbeaches.org.

Mid-Year Refresh• Review your marketing efforts, find out

what worked and what didn’t

• Update your website, Facebook and LinkedIn profiles

• Summer is a great time to give your brand and marketing materials a new look

• Offering a summer special can give your company a boost that will last until “season”

• Stay aware of the market by taking a look at what your competitors are doing

• Engage social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare by hosting a contest

• Gather valuable information by sending a survey to your customers and clients

EFFORTS

RESULTS

Did You Know?Chamber members receive discounted prices for ConstantContact.com an internet mar-keting and survey website, contact Alexan-dra Guth, Communications Coordinator, at aguth@palmbeaches.org or (561) 833-3711 ext. 234 for more information on this offer.

18 Business Watch

STAND OUTSo you’ve entered your

keywords, now what? Stand out in a membership directory search with an enhanced listing which includes the addition of your logo and a bright background. For a low annual cost your listing is sure to stand out!

01

02

03

05

06

07

04Get NoticedSHOW UPAs a member your comany

will now appear in our online membership directory, but how will people find you? You have the ability to enter up to 25 keywords/phrases. Update them often to ensure maximum results.

REACH OUTDo you have something to

offer other Chamber members? Build relationships within the Chamber by offering a special Member-to-Member discount to fellow Chamber members. Be sure to include Member-to-Member discount as one of your keywords/phrases.

GET VOCALHow will people get to know you?

The best way to make new business contacts is through networking events. The Chamber offers at least 5 networking events every month. Morning, noon and night these affordable (and often times free) events will get you heard.

GET SOCIALSo you’ve made a lot of connections

at a networking event - now what? Connect with them through social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Keeping in touch with your contacts helps you stay on their mind and at the top of their referral list.

BE VISIBLEWant to be visible to a lot of people

all at once, instead of meeting them one at a time? The Chamber offers a number of opportunities for event sponsorships and advertising. Don’t forget to keep an updated supply of business cards and brochures in the Chamber lobby.

SHOW OFFRecently renovate? New menu

items? Show off your business by hosting a Chamber event. From smaller committee events to a full Chamber Mixer of 200 people, as the host with the most you’re sure to GET NOTICED!.

July 2010 19

Press Releases - The Key to Free PublicityOne of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to keep your business in the public eye is to send out press releases. A press release is a quick article written in news style that promotes a recent accomplishment, event, or new feature in an informative way. Writing a press release can be a very persuasive way to get your message out, and they are easier to write than you may think. Just keep these key points in mind.

Is your news “newsworthy?” The purpose of a press release is to inform the world of your news item. A good press release answers all of the “W” questions (who, what, where, when and why), providing the media with useful information about your organization, product, service or event. A press release should be written like a news article, not an advertisement.

Start strong. Your headline and first paragraph should tell the story. The rest of your press release should provide the details. Oftentimes only the first few sentences will be published, so make sure they have all the key information. Write a press release as you would like it told as some media will run it exactly as it is submitted. Even if your article is not reprinted verbatim, you still will be gaining exposure.

Not everything is news. While the opening of a new store or the completion of a big project is exciting for you, it is important to ask yourself what about it is exciting for other people? Focus on the aspects of your news item that truly set you apart from everyone else.

Newsworthy examples:Offering a unique product or serviceReceiving an award or community honorFundraisers and Charity EventsSpecial Certifications

The media loves “feel good” news and such stories will often get you the most exposure. Attach photographs when possible.

Illustrate real life: Use real life examples about how your company or organization solved a problem. Identify the problem and identify why your solution is the right solution.

Corporate milestones: When announcing a corporate milestone, be sure to attribute your successes or failures to one or more events. Illustrate what you did right or how you recovered from hardship. Be truthful and avoid fluff and embellishments.

Additional tips: Bring your press release to life by using an active, not passive, voice. Use as few words as possible to get your point across while still painting a picture of the event. Avoid the hype and limit exclamation points. Be sure to get written permission from any individuals you quote or companies that you mention. When writing about an event, it is best to submit a “media advisory” release before the event promoting it, as well as a press release.

Your press release should end with a short paragraph (company boilerplate) that describes your company, products, service and a short company history. If you are filing a joint press release, include a boilerplate for both.

Submit your press release to local newspapers, clients and, of course, the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Send press releases to Alexandra Guth at aguth@palmbeaches.org

THESE PENGUINS DON’T BELONG HERETHESE PENGUINS DON’T BELONG HERE

BUT YOUR AD DOES. Contact Alexandra Guth at aguth@palmbeaches.org