Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce

GREATER BOCA RATON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS

November 20 – Tuesday
The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Young Business Professionals After-Hours Network will be held at Gatsby’s Boca Raton (5970 SW 18th St., Boca Raton) from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This event gives professionals in their 20’s and 30’s a chance to exchange business ideas and work toward establishing themselves locally. Tickets are $20 (member - online), $40 (member - at the door), $50 (non-member), and include two beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets must be purchased in advance online at www.bocaratonchamber.com (events calendar).


November 27 – Tuesday
The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Membership After-Hour Network will be held at Bova Ristorante (1450 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton) from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This is one of the many events that allow attendees to maximize their investment, business potential and profitability by meeting other members of the greater Boca Raton business community. Tickets are $10 for members, $50 for non-members, (price includes two beverages and hors d’oeuvres). For more information, visit www.bocaratonchamber.com (events calendar) or call 561.395.4433.


November 28 – Wednesday
The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Latin Business Professionals Luncheon will be held at Boca Country Club (17751 Boca Club Blvd, Boca Raton) from 12:00pm to 1:15pm. Speaker will be Carlo Barbieri, President of Oxford Group, and the program will be “How to do Business with Brazil”. Tickets are $20 (member - online), $40 (member - at the door), $50 (non-member), and must be purchased in advance online at www.bocaratonchamber.com (events calendar).


December 5 – Wednesday
The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s Free Educational Seminar, “What are H.S.A.'s and How Can They Help Reduce My Health Insurance Premiums?” will be held in the Chamber Boardroom (1800 N. Dixie Hwy., Boca Raton), from 12:00pm to 1:15pm. This seminar will be hosted by Chuck Stout from Meridian Insurance Group. This educational seminar is FREE for Chamber members. Please RSVP to Kristen Coleman at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or call 561.395.4433 ext. 233.


December 13 - Thursday
The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s December Membership Breakfast will be held at the Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel (2000 NW 19th Street, Boca Raton), from 7:45am to 9:00am. The sponsor will be Meridian Insurance Group. Don’t miss out on this exclusive breakfast! Tickets are $10 (member - online), $30 (member - at the door), $50 non-member, and must be purchased in advance online at www.bocaratonchamber.com (events calendar).


December 18 – Tuesday
The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce’s 2007 Holiday Auction will take place at the Marriott Boca Raton at Boca Center from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Matthew Green will be Auctioneer. Tickets are $10 for members and non-members and include two drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bocaratonchamber.com or at the door. Promote & expose your business by providing an auction item! Please visit www.bocaratonchamber.com and click December 18th on the events calendar to download the donation form. You will receive recognition in our auction booklet and your company name will be listed on the Chamber’s website. Thank you in advance for your support and participation in the 2007 Holiday Auction! For more information, please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com.



MONTHLY RECURRING EVENTS:


2nd Thursday of the month
The Membership Breakfasts are unique sell-out events, attracting nearly 250 Chamber members and community representatives. Each breakfast provides members with the opportunity to network and establish a relationship with other local business leaders while enjoying a delicious breakfast and educational program. Walking into a Chamber breakfast is a great way to start the morning. During each breakfast, business professionals come together to enjoy each other’s company in an effort to strengthen our business community and also to learn from inspirational speakers. These events are a great way to stay informed of all chamber happenings in addition to making new contacts and establishing valuable relationships.
Sponsoring a breakfast is one of the most coveted opportunities the Chamber has to offer. Having the opportunity to give away promotional items to each attendee, receive microphone time to promote your business, choose the site, menu and program/speaker are all included in this enticing sponsorship package.
For additional information, please contact Kristen Coleman, Chamber Programs Coordinator, at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or 561.395.4433 ext. 233.


4th Tuesday of the month
The Membership After-Hours Networks are a fantastic way to increase your business by having the opportunity to establishing relationships with nearly 250 attendees. These monthly evening events are held at various sites throughout the area. Beverages and hors d’oeuvres are provided. For more information, please contact Kristen Coleman, Chamber Programs Coordinator, at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or 561.395.4433 ext. 233.


4th Tuesday of January, April, July, and October
Quarterly Membership After-Hours Network Plus. Every quarter we add a twist to our regular networks and host a network plus which is a mini-trade show in which our members have the opportunity to purchase a table for $150 to showcase their goods and services. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to get their company instant exposure to over 250 attendees. For more information, please contact Kristen Coleman, Chamber Programs Coordinator, at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or 561.395.4433 ext. 233.


4th Wednesday of the month
Latin Business Professionals is a program that enables professionals to network and generate business relationships with other chamber members. This program will help you engage in our diverse community through monthly events. Topics covered include “Doing Business in Latin America Today”, “Economic Outlook: Boca Raton and Beyond”, “Latin American Politics: Changes in Political Climate and How that Affects your Business”, and “Marketing to the Latin Community: How to Grow your Business”. For more information, please contact Kristen Coleman, Chamber Programs Coordinator, at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or 561.395.4433 ext. 233.


3rd Thursday of the month
The Successful Women in Business program was created to provide women the opportunity to network with other women business leaders on a regular basis. The average attendance at a luncheon is over one hundred women. Each month we provide women the opportunity to network with one another in addition to hearing from a dynamic and successful woman business leader. For more information, please contact Kristen Coleman, Chamber Programs Coordinator, at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or 561.395.4433 ext. 233.


3rd Tuesday of the month
The Young Business Professionals events provide professionals in their 20's and 30's with the opportunity to network with one another on a regular basis while receiving valuable information from speakers that will help them advance in their careers.
The Chamber understands the importance of educating young professionals and providing them an opportunity to establish and build relationships with others in their community. In order for the Boca Raton business community to continue to flourish it is important for groups such as this to become actively involved in their business as well as the community. Encouraging volunteerism, education and community involvement will help this group make their way to the top. For more information, please contact Kristen Coleman, Chamber Programs Coordinator, at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or 561.395.4433 ext. 233.


2nd Tuesday of the month
The West Boca Business Council . With our membership base running from Miami to Jupiter and the ocean to the Everglades, the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce is the premier business resource. Much like the Greater Boca Raton Chamber serves the community's professional Business Women, Young Business Professionals and Latin Business Professionals with the groups created geared to their needs; the West Boca Business Council was created to serve the ever growing western part of the Boca Raton community. We encourage all members of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce to be a part of this comprehensive business alliance. For more information, please contact Kristen Coleman, Chamber Programs Coordinator, at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or 561.395.4433 ext. 233.



ANNUAL EVENTS


March-June, 2008
Leadership Boca
The single most important ingredient for building a successful, thriving community is an investment in leadership. Cultivated, trained and motivated community leaders will shape and determine the future of Boca Raton. Leadership Boca represents the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce's effort to ensure that our community leaders possess the knowledge that will enable them to meet the challenges of the future. The eight-session program is designed to educate civic-minded individuals in the greater Boca Raton area with regard to issues and concerns facing our community. The program develops a pool of leaders available to become involved in creating, maintaining and enhancing the quality of life of Boca Raton. It involves meeting with experts in the fields of government, health care, environment, education, social services, business, public safety, the arts, the media and more. Participants are given the opportunity to learn about civic issues, question situations and formulate solutions by looking at the big picture. The cost of investing in Leadership Boca is time and tuition. The program runs every other Wednesday beginning in March and continuing through June for a total of eight full-day sessions. For more information on Leadership Boca 2008 please contact Kristen Coleman, Chamber Program Coordinator, at kcoleman@bocaratonchamber.com or 561.395.4433 ext. 233.


May, 2008
Small Business Leader of the Year Award Luncheon is held in conjunction with Small Business Week. During Small Business Week, entrepreneurs and business people who create goods, services, and jobs, and bring opportunity and economic prosperity to communities throughout the nation are celebrated. Nearly 400 of the area’s most influential business people attend this important luncheon honoring one of Boca Raton’s most successful small business leaders. Approximately 85 percent of the chamber’s nearly 1,700 members are small businesses and we are delighted to have the opportunity to honor one of the small business owners each year.
In order for a small business owner to be eligible for this award, the nominee must be an owner or partner of the business and actively involved in the day to day management of the business, must be a member in good standing with the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, must have been in business a minimum of three years, and the firm must have fewer than 100 employees OR the nominee's firm must have gross annual sales not exceeding $5 million dollars (SBA definition of a "small" business), the nominee's firm must have demonstrated sustained growth in employees and sales, must be active in community affairs, volunteering personal and business resources, may be a franchise owner, and may NOT be the chief operations officer of a branch location of a parent company. Business persons eligible for nomination will be accepted from, but are not limited to, the manufacturing, financial and service industries and the professions. For more information on this event please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com


May 30, 2008 - Friday
The 38th Annual Chamber Golf Classic, which will be held at the Boca Country Club at 8:00am,
hosts 36 teams of golfers. This eventful day is comprised of a breakfast, a putting contest, a day of golfing followed by a luncheon/awards reception. Each year our golfers enjoy a fun-filled day of golfing, strengthening relationships and enjoying a relaxing day on the greens! Each opportunity allows you to gain exposure to 144 of the area’s corporate executives. For more information on the Annual Golf Classic please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com


June 27, 2008 - Friday
The Annual Splash of Gold Fashion Show, which will be held at Marriott Boca Raton from 5:30-7:30pme benefits the Chamber’s non-profit organization, The Golden Bell Education Foundation. The event includes a fashion show as well as a live auction. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on some of their favorite local celebrities! Enjoy an exciting breakfast or lunch appointment with one of the great leaders of our community! For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com


July 24, 2008 – Thursday
The 2nd Annual Successful Women in Business Diamond Award Luncheon will be held at Country Club at Boca Raton from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. Contrary to what the title may suggest, men are indeed welcome to participate in this particular “Successful Women in Business” event.
The “D.I.A.M.O.N.D. Award“ (Dedicated, Inspiring, Accomplished, Motivated, Outstanding, Noble, and Driven) honors an outstanding businesswoman who encompasses all of these qualities. The concept for this event is also an offshoot of the Chamber’s “Successful Women in Business” program, one of the many events that allow attendees to help maximize their investment, business potential and profitability by meeting other members of the greater Boca Raton business community. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com


August 1-31, 2008
Boca Festival Days is a month-long, city-wide series of events held during the month of August where the Chamber pairs participating non-profit members with for-profit members in an attempt to raise money for the non-profits. These wonderful events were initially intended to help boost business during what was Boca Raton's slow month, but has now evolved into the Chamber's commitment to our non-profit community. Boca Festival Days has grown tremendously and now has more than 40 events and thousands of participants. Last year, over $200,000 was raised for our non-profits! For more information about Boca Festival Days 2008, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Desiré Salazar, Chamber Communications Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 235 or e-mail dsalazar@bocaratonchamber.com


August 16, 2008 - Saturday
Wine & All That Jazz, which will be held at Boca Raton Resort & Club‘s Mizner Center (501 E. Camino Real), is one of the state’s largest wine tasting parties. More than 100 fine wines will be available for guests to taste as they listen to the sounds of “sweet” jazz.
Wine & All That Jazz is the signature event for Boca Festival Days, a series of city-wide events held mainly during the month of August, organized by the Boca Chamber where non-profits and businesses team up to conduct extraordinary events for the for the entire community. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com


September, 2008
The Industry Appreciation Awards Luncheon is held in September during Industry Appreciation week. Industry Appreciation is a week-long, statewide celebration designed to increase public awareness about the contributions businesses make to the economy and local communities. Nearly 400 of the area’s business people attend this prestigious luncheon honoring several of the community’s most successful business people. Recognitions include “Business of the Year” and “Business Leader of the Year”. The award winners are the featured guest speakers at the luncheon. The opportunity to expose your company to approximately 400 of Boca Raton’s finest business people is invaluable and with different levels of sponsorships available you can choose which is most suitable for your needs. For more information on the Industry Appreciation Awards Luncheon please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com


October 18, 2008 – Saturday
The 56th Annual Black Tie Gala, the first black tie event of the season, will be held at Boca Raton Resort & Club. The Chamber’s Annual Black Tie Gala is the first black tie event of the season. At this elegant affair over 500 guests attend the swearing in of the new Chamber Chairperson, honor the outgoing Chairperson, and recognize an individual with the M.J. “Mike” Arts Award of Excellence. During this glamorous evening, guests enjoy the company of their friends and business associates while networking, dancing and having the opportunity to meet with the Chamber’s incoming Chairperson and thank our outgoing Chairperson. With over 500 attendees this dinner dance provides an ideal sponsorship opportunity for any company. All of our sponsors are recognized at this event and we thank them for contributing to its success. For more information, please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com


December, 2008
The Annual Holiday Auction, held at the Marriott Boca Raton in December, is always one of the most popular and well-attended events of the year, drawing anywhere from 300 to 400 people for an evening of networking and fun competition for exciting silent and live auction items. This event will help to support the many successful programs at the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce and will help to ensure the development of future programs. For more information or if you would like to provide an auction item, please contact Andrea Digilio, Chamber Special Events Coordinator, at 561.395.4433 ext. 224 or adigilio@bocaratonchamber.com


For information on other Chamber events, please visit www.bocaratonchamber.com (events calendar), contact Desiré Salazar at dSalazar@bocaratonchamber.com or call 561.395.4433 x235.