The Official Publication of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce MARCH 2019 5-Star Accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Four-Time Winner Florida Chamber of the Year National Chamber of the Year TH PHOTO BY: 18 ANNUAL Virginia Zimmermann, Port Manatee Presenting Sponsor: Thursday, April 4 | 4:00–7:00 PM Meet daVinci® XI,™ the Newest Generation Robot for Minimally Invasive Surgery: Now Available at Manatee Memorial Hospital daVinci’s® advantages - Minimally invasive robotic surgery involves a much smaller incision than traditional surgery, so patients often experience less pain and bleeding, shorter recovery time, less scarring and reduced risk of infection. We’re dedicated to providing our patients See our services: with access to the latest technology. manateememorial.com Surgeons performing procedures at Manatee Memorial in the areas of gynecology, urology, For a referral to a robotic surgeon thoracic, head, neck, sleep apnea and general please contact us at 941.708.8100. surgery now have access to the latest advanced daVinci® robotic technology. The new daVinci® XI™ joins two other daVinci® Si™ Surgical Systems that have been in use at Manatee since 2008. 206 Second Street East Follow us Bradenton, FL 34208 manateememorial.com A Member of the Manatee Healthcare System Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to fi nd out if robotic surgery is right for you. Physicians are on the medical staff of Manatee Memorial Hospital, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Manatee Memorial Hospital. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the non-discrimination notice, visit our website. 190332-7245 2/19 2 ManateeChamber.com Manatee Chamber of Commerce | March Current 2019 BRADENTON SARASOTA 1001 3rd Ave W 50 Central Ave Suite 500 Suite 910 941.747.0500 941.747.0500 March Current 2019 | Manatee Chamber of Commerce ManateeChamber.com 3 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman .................................................................................................................Bill Poulton, Tropicana Products Immediate Past Chairman ...............................................................................Darcie Duncan, Duncan Real Estate Chairman-Elect ..................................................................................... Ernie Withers, Mercedes-Benz of Sarasota Treasurer ........................................................................................ Jeff Podobnik, Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club Vice Chairman, Membership ................................................................Christy Cardillo, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC Vice Chairman, Public Policy & Small Business ............................................Rick Bisio, The Educated Franchisee Vice Chairman, Workforce & Community Development ..........Phill Baker, Boyd Insurance & Investment Services President | CEO ........................................................................... Jacki Dezelski, Manatee Chamber of Commerce MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 321 Bradenton, FL 34206-0321 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Karen LaPensee, LaPensee Plumbing, Pools & Air Mark Barnebey, Esq., Blalock Walters, P.A. David Miner, Esq., School District of Manatee County (Ex Officio) BRADENTON OFFICE Jason Bartz, NDC Construction Company Kevin Baylor, Alliance IT, LLC Stewart Moon, Jr., Air & Energy 2ND FLOOR - BANK OZK Richard Bedford, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc. John Nash, Osceola Pines-Tember 1901 Manatee Avenue West Bruce Body, Raymond James & Associates, Inc. Jeff Nickse, Accurate Benefit Solutions, LLC Bradenton, FL 34205 Shirley Bryant, Mayor, City of Palmetto (Ex Officio) Donal O'Shea, New College of Florida (Ex Officio) Phone: 941-748-3411 Carlos Buqueras, Manatee County Port Authority Bruce Patneaude, IMG Academy Rick Piccolo, Sarasota Bradenton International Fax: 941-745-1877 (Ex Officio) Cassandra Burns, Wagner Realty Airport (Ex Officio) Brian Carter, Mauldin & Jenkins CPA, LLC Wayne Poston, Mayor, City of Bradenton LAKEWOOD RANCH OFFICE Bill Colgate, MD, MCR Health (Ex Officio) AT THE MCCLURE CENTER Cheri Coryea, Manatee Co. Government (Ex Officio) Dennis Ragosta, Southwest Florida Water 4215 Concept Court Ted Ehrlichman, CareerSource Suncoast (Ex Officio) Management District (Ex Officio) Teresa Rawe, MD,TeamHealth Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 Janelle Esposito, Esq., Esposito Law Group, P.A. Darren Haimer, Bradenton Herald Cynthia Saunders, School District of Manatee Phone: 941-748-3411 Steve Hall, Alltrust Insurance County (Ex Officio) Fax: 941-745-1877 Stu Henderson, Fawley Bryant Architecture Chris Sharek, Progressive Water Resources Sharon Hillstrom, Bradenton Area Economic Vicki Silver, Feld Entertainment, Inc. [email protected] Development Corporation Brian Thomas, State College of Florida (Ex Officio) Doug Van Dyke, Leadership Simplified ManateeChamber.com Karen Holbrook, PhD, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (Ex Officio) Kerry Ward, Bank OZK Stephen Jonsson, Commissioner, Manatee County MISSION: Government (Ex Officio) To build a positive business environment while enhancing the community’s quality of life. MANATEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF Terri Behling, Vice President, Workforce and Community Development [email protected], ext. 172 The Manatee Chamber of Kim Dalglish, IOM, Vice President, Membership ................................. [email protected], ext. 121 Commerce’s Current magazine is Jacki Dezelski, IOM, President | CEO ................................................ [email protected], ext. 131 published monthly and distributed Tim Estep, Member Engagement Manager ..........................................TimE@ManateeChamber.com, ext. 275 to more than 3,000 business Tim Fenimore, Membership Development Representative ................... [email protected], ext. 241 Michael Gallen, Esq., Vice Pres., Public Policy & Small Business [email protected], ext. 124 and community leaders. It is an Carole Guevara, Information Specialist .............................................CaroleG@ManateeChamber.com, ext. 200 advertising medium available only Kimberly Henley, Program & Events Manager [email protected], ext. 139 to Chamber members. Erica Massey, Executive Assistant, Public Policy & Small Business ..... [email protected], ext. 123 Carey Miller, Office Administrator ......................................................CareyM@ManateeChamber.com, ext. 113 FOR ADVERTISING Cara Misiewicz, Executive Assistant, Membership ............................. [email protected], ext. 122 RATES CONTACT: Reba Parrish, Information Specialist .................................................. [email protected], ext. 100 Michele Slaughter Dawn Plavak, Better Business Council Manager [email protected], ext. 114 941-748-4842, ext. 116 or Cheryl Richert, Controller of Finance ................................................CherylR@ManateeChamber.com, ext. 115 [email protected] Michele Slaughter, Creative Services Manager...............................MicheleS@ManateeChamber.com, ext. 116 The Current magazine is proudly published by CG&B Publishing, LLC of Bradenton. FREE BUSINESS COUNSELING AT THE CHAMBER SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" By appointment only - call 941-748-3411 Thursdays, 9:00 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM, Bradenton Office Stay up to date with the latest follow us Chamber news and happenings 4 ManateeChamber.com Manatee Chamber of Commerce | March Current 2019 contents FEATURES IN EVERY ISSUE ON THE COVER 6 Member Benefits & Engagement Guide 8 Platinum Spotlight: Did you know that Port Manatee Offers Roadmap to Membership Success Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club generates more than $2.3 billion in annual economic impact? The Port 7 Advocacy 14 Manatee Young Professionals (MYP) also supports more than 24,000 jobs. • Your Business Is Our Business in 16 Thank You Chairman's Circle Investors Tallahassee Each year the Port welcomes the 20 Better Business Council (BBC) Manatee Chamber for our 9 18th Annual Ship-Shape Showcase Annual Ship-Shape Showcase. • Free Networking for Chamber 23 Business After Hours Highlights In addition to the fabulous business Members 24 Welcome New Members and networking event you'd expect 10 Headliners Monthly Membership from a Chamber Showcase, 26 Biscuits & Benefits Member Reception Lunches you can jump on a tour bus and • Mar. 13 | Ed Hunzeker Reflects on 27 Power Connection Events experience the sights, sounds, and "seas" of our bustling Port. 12 Years as Manatee County 28 Ribbon Cutting Celebrations Administrator 29 Member News You'll want to join us on Thursday, • Apr. 17 | How Tourism Impacts April 4 and bring your entire office! Your Business with Elliott Falcione 30 Calendar of Events & Meetings For more event information, • Headliners Recap - State of the Ports please see page 9. 11 Seminar For more Port Manatee • Mar. 26 | 5 Generations in the information, please see page 13. Workplace and Another One on the Way Small Business of the Year Nominations Open in April Award Nominations May 5 - 11 | National Small Business Week - Save the Date Now Being Accepted MANATEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STAFF 12 Leadership Manatee Applications for Terri Behling, Vice President, Workforce and Community Development [email protected],