700 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958 (772) 589-5969
www.SebastianChamber.com September 2013 Issue
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Palm Bay Fire Extinguisher Company—Terry Moll Palm Bay Fire Extinguisher Company providing annual service on your portable Fire Extinguishers for your business. Terry Moll, the service technician for the Sebastian and surround area, is devoted to keeping your business current with all the City and States rules and regulations regarding your fire protection. Servicing not only fire extinguishers, but Terry is also trained in exit and emergency light install and repairs, annual backflow device testing, and able to provide your home or business a wide variety of fire protection products. Terry reaching his 4th year with the company is dedicated in keeping his customers up to speed with the new fire codes affecting commercial businesses. Attending many safety seminars and product research development groups, he can inform you of the new truss signs now required, the exit and emergency light dos and don’ts, and even train your entire staff with hands on portable fire extinguisher training. He believes in going above and beyond for his customers, and wants to offer his safety services wherever his customers may need them. Palm Bay Fire Extinguisher Company will be recognized its 10th year of business this year. Thankful for its long list of customers, Terry
and the company strive every day to continue to improve with its service and quality product offering. Introducing some new services including the SEMI-ANNUAL INSPECTIONS OF KITCHEN HOOD FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS. This new service expands out to all the restaurant owners and owners of paint and large vehicle work facilities containing a paint booth. Also Kitchen HOOD CLEANING services are available. Both services are conducted by Palm Bay Fire’s professional trained and certified technicians. Providing detail reports, budget estimates, and pictures for the jobsites. October is right around the corner, and that is the month of National Fire Safety Month. Fires and the potentials of fires are very dangerous and it’s always good to keep in mind of some simple tips and products you can have in your home or business to keep you and the surrounding people and property safe. Simple items like fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and first aid kids could end up saving someone a great deal of grief. More information of the Fire Safety Month and these tips and products, you can contact Palm Bay Fire Extinguisher Company or visit them online at www.palmbayfire.com. Terry says, “Keep in mind of the PASS system for the operation of your fire extinguishers. P – pull safety pin A – aim hose at the base of the fire S – squeeze the handle to release the agent S- sweep the hose side to side covering the entire base of the fire with the agent.
If you would like to “make the front page” of our newsletter, make sure you schedule time this month at one of our networking activities, and maybe your name will be drawn for the monthly spotlight! Check out our calendar inside!
Fabian Cruz Property Manager
Acorn Mini Storage AC & Non AC Units/Boat & R.V. Storage Gated facility, security cameras, 24 hr access SPECIAL-ONE MONTH FREE OFFICE MON-FRI 8:00-6:00 SAT 8:00-4:00 SUN 9:00-4:00 189 Sebastian Blvd. (Rt. 512 East), Sebastian
589-6939 U-Haul Trucks/Trailers for Rent
AUGUST CHAMBER EVENTS 7th Annual Grill Out Night All pictures can be found at our Facebook www.facebook.com/SebastianChamberVisitorsCenter
Chamber Luncheon at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
Lunch Speaker: Wesley Davis Indian River County Commissioner, District 1
Business & Pleasure Hosted by PNC Bank
Present this Chamber ad at the time of service to receive savings.
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Expires January 31, 2014
September 2013 Chamber of Commerce Calendar of Events Sept. 5 8:00 a.m.
Executive Committee Chamber Main St. Office
Sept. 6 8:00 a.m.
Chamber Monthly Breakfast Anytime Fitness of Sebastian 9360 90th Ave., Sebastian
Sept. 10 Noon
Chamber Monthly Luncheon at Capt. Hiram’s Tiffany Room Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Installation and Awards Luncheon
Sept. 11 8:00 a.m.
Chamber Full Board Meeting Chamber Main St. Office
Sept. 20 6:00 p.m.
20th Annual Lifestyle and Media Auction @ Springhill Suites by Marriott, catering by Marsh Landing Restaurant, with a cash bar, featuring IRC County Commissioner Wesley Davis Auctioneer Admission $10.00/Chamber Members, $20/public Sponsored by: Waste Management, Bay Street Pharmacy, Sebastian River Medical Center, and Seacoast National Bank
Sept. 26 2:00 p.m.
Summer Seminar Series Patient Protection Affordable Healthcare Act, the final seminar with most current updates Reservations please, free to Chamber Members Chamber Main St. Office
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Info to Know: By Britney Melchiori th
20 Annual Lifestyle & Media Auction
Friday, September 20th, 2013 at SpringHill Suites by Marriott 5115 Indian River Blvd, Vero Beach 6:00—9:00pm Thinking about donating? What’s in it for you? If your businesses is contemplating donating to the auction, here are a few things to consider!
Thinking about attending? What’s in it for you? If you are planning to attend the auction, what can you expect to get out of it? Check it out!
Exposure—This event provides you the opportuni- ty to reach new customers and clients that you may not have otherwise! Not only will there be representatives from over 100 businesses to mingle with, but the general public is invited to attend as well! Attendees will see your name in the auction program, online, and repeated throughout the evening! Attention Media Donors!!! Table space is available to you (at no cost) to display your wares! Space is limited, please let us know asap if you are interested in table space! Good Cause—The funds that your donation would help raise goes to underwrite the operation costs of the Chamber, helping to keep your membership dues competitively priced! Free Admission— When you donate, you’re given a free admission to the event!
Advertising Deals— This event offers some amazing deals on advertising in all fashions! From print and radio, to tv and web, there will be something for everyone! Save on your bottom line by bidding on all of this discounted advertising! Lifestyle Deals— We know that folks want to bid on more than just advertising, that’s why we added lifestyle items to the mix! This event provides the perfect opportunity to get awesome deals on getaways, spa packages, services, sporting events, and more! It’s a great time to shop for yourself or perhaps use this time to get a head start on holiday shopping! Networking— In addition to bidding on goodies for yourself and your business, this event is the best time to network with all in attendance!
SEE YOU THERE!
Chamber Summer Seminar Series Free To Chamber Members* Health Care Reform Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Please join us for the 3rd and final Health Care Reform and Information Series presented by Kim Ellis Insurance Services
Thursday, September 26th from 2-4pm Seminar will be held at the Chamber Office Space is limited, please RSVP to 772-589-5969 *Free for Chamber Members, $25 for Non Members
Membership News Paradise Florist & Gifts, LLC cordially invites you to an Open House—Grand Reopening on Wednesday, September 11th from 3—6pm. Wine, Beer, and Hors D’oeuvres will be served! Paradise Florist is located in the Washington Plaza at 1116 US Hwy 1, Sebastian. WellMed of Sebastian has two informative seminars in the month of September. Please join them on Tuesday, September 10th from 10am—1pm at the Sebastian Library (1001 Sebastian Blvd) for the SHINE Presentation. Shine stands for “Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders” Space is limited, call 772-579-8400 to RSVP. The second seminar will be Thursday, September 12th from 1-2pm at the WellMed Sebastian Office (1627 US Hwy 1, Sebastian). Learn about Cholesterol at this informative presentation. Space is limited, please RSVP to 772-398-4005. KIRB (Keep Indian River Beautiful) invites you to join their organization on Saturday, September 21st for the annual International Coastal Cleanup Event. Calling all groups and organizations to sponsor and manage cleanup locations throughout Indian River County. Contact KIRB today to learn about the different levels or participation and for more information on the days events by calling them at 772-226-7738 or visit online at kirb.org
Shop Chamber Members First! Remember to check your B2B Discount book when it comes to shopping for products and services!
Chances are, your fellow Chamber Members offer a discount! Want to offer a discount? Let us know!
Indian River State College brings the Disney Institute back! If your organization always does things the same way, you’ll always get the same results! Moving forward will require a fresh approach—so it’s time to D’Think how you can nourish creativity in your organization. Spend one day with Disney Institute and you’ll benefit from our experience in inspiring creativity and learn to think differently. Are you ready? Wednesday, September 25th at IRSC Main Campus, Knight Center. 7:30am—4:30pm. Cost: $329. Register at www.IRSCbiz.com!
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Welcome New Members! Party Treasures, LLC Gwen Diven 11650 US Hwy 1 Sebastian, FL. 32958 772-589-8999
[email protected] Party Supply Store Harbor Community Bank Karl Steene 3240 Cardinal Dr. Vero Beach, FL. 32963 772-234-7870
[email protected] Banks Mr. Blaster Pressure Washing Thomas Magee Sebastian, FL. 32958 772-202-9946
[email protected] Pressure Washing
Micco Fitness Spa & More Gary Tuazon 8000 Ron Beatty Blvd. A1 & A2
Micco, FL. 32976 701-330-6260
[email protected] Health Clubs Staples Tim Marshall 1191 US Hwy 1 Vero Beach, FL. 32960 772-563-4940
[email protected]
Printers Déjà vu Consignment Jody Barrone 661 Sebastian Blvd. Ste E Sebastian, FL. 32958 772-581-8411
[email protected] Consignment Store
Sebastian’s Mobile Eatery Susan Viola 13361 US Hwy 1 (Home Depot Parking Lot) Sebastian, FL. 32958 772-353-7727
[email protected] Restaurants
Do you know of a business who is interested in joining the Chamber? Send them our way! When your referred business becomes a chamber member, you receive a free lunch! Contact Debbie today! (772) 713-8943
Tourism Spotlight—Pennwood Motor Lodge A visible site on US 1 in Sebastian is the 60-year old Pennwood Motor Lodge, the oldest full service motel in the area. You can’t miss it, it’s across the street from Hales! Devastated by the hurricanes of 2004, the Pennwood has been totally renovated. According to co-managers Virginia and Chuck Smith, it is more modern and hospitable than it has ever been. The reason, perhaps, is the management itself, since the Smiths took over operation about 5 years ago. Natives of Dayton, OH, the Smiths started coming to Sebastian more than 15 years ago as “snowbirds.” They stayed at Pennwood Lodge for the winters and liked it so much that they arranged for permanent occupancy in a house on the property. Today, the couple are responsible for the day-to-day operations and have attracted many new patrons, some who signed on for two to three months as “snowbirds” themselves. The motel sits on a 5 acre landscaped lot surrounded by palm trees and flowering bushes. In the center of the property is a pristine 50-foot swimming pool with lounge chairs. The room accommodations, all on one floor, form a sort of semicircle around the property and the lush foliage. The Pennwood Consists of 25 rooms, a large three bedroom house and a dorm style “clubhouse” that can sleep six. There are 14 efficiency rooms equipped for log or short stays. A full kitchen and full size refrigerator is in every efficiency, as well as pots, pans and utensils, and a small kitchen table and chairs. Amenities include telephones, cable TV and HBO, and WiFi. The regular rooms are similarly equipped, except that refrigerators and microwaves are smaller. Other amenities at Pennwood include a covered picnic pavilion with BBQ grills, a basket ball hoop, shuffleboard and a coin laundry. A large field at the end of the property can accommodate RVs, Trucks, cars with boat trailers, etc. Pets are welcome, of all sizes. Smith said Pennwood is the host for thoroughbred agility animals during shows in the area. Room Rates at the Pennwood Motor Lodge are less than most other motels in Sebastian, according to Virginia Smith. Rates begin at $66.30 plus tax a night for a regular room with a queen size bed, and go to $140 a night for the three bedroom house that can sleep at least eight. The Pennwood is located at 9295 N. US Hwy 1, across the road from Hales! For more information, call 772-5893855 or visit online at www.pennwoodlodge.web.com!
Tourism Tidbits—Nicole Capp Holbrook Last month, I mentioned that we were working on a special marketing project with the City of Sebastian to promote tourism. The City is currently running a :30 second commercial promoting recreation in Sebastian. The commercial is airing in the West Palm Beach & Treasure Coast markets on Comcast from mid-July-mid October. The City used footage from our Sebastian River Area Destination Video to produce the :30 second commercial which encourages viewers to visit www.gosebastian.com, one of our domain names that redirects to www.sebastianchamber.com. Through our google analytics, we are able to track the number of visits to our site that were generated through the Comcast campaign. The City also asked us to come up with a proposal for a project that would utilize the remaining funds for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. We came across an opportunity with AARP and felt that it was a great way to reach the baby boomer market and get national exposure in such a well known publication. Here are some stats from AARP: Travel is the #2 category in lead generation (second to Health) In the next 12 months, 13.4 million AARP members will take a domestic trip 8.2 million AARP members recommend vacation travel destinations to other people We decided to place an ad in the October/November 2013 Issue of AARP in the Regional Travel Co-Op Page “Southeast Getaways” section. It will be in the 60-69 Demographic Edition and distributed in the in Mid-Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA) region with a circulation of 1,097,200. The ad is a picture of two empty beach chairs sitting on a sandbar in the beautiful Indian River Lagoon with birds flying over. The tagline welcomes them to paradise and encourages them to relax, and make themselves at home. It also directs readers to www.retiresebastianfl.com, another domain name of ours that redirects to www.sebastianchamber.com and allows us to track the campaign separately. The ad also displays our phone number for those that aren’t computer savvy! The AARP campaign also includes: Inclusion in AARP Reader Response (22 millions households and online) AARPMagazine.org online travel co-op page Descriptive copy, logo, and link on AARP website for 3 months We are very excited about this joint venture with the City of Sebastian and look forward to planning more special projects for the 2013-2014 fiscal year! On a side note to all of the hoteliers, please send me your emergency contact information. Since we are in the peak of hurricane season, I’d like to have that information on file so I can reach you in the event that I need information on availability for VISIT FLORIDA, emergency workers, etc. Thank you in advance!!
Membership Matters By Debbie Lloyd-Lee Not everyone can attend Chamber events each month. Last month we discussed how you can “sell” yourself and your business by simply introducing yourself to people you do business with every day! For those who do attend events, not everyone is a “self-starter”, in other words, we don’t always feel comfortable trying to meet new people. We have twelve incredible Ambassadors to help you to break the ice! As a new member, your Ambassador Team will help to acclimate you into the Chamber by assigning an Ambassador especially to you to help you meet other Chamber Members. Your Ambassador will also help you with your free advertising, and go over additional services that the Chamber offers to help to grow your business! Your Ambassador Team is always available to help out our Members. I’m sure there have been times for many of you when there is another Member that you would like to meet at an event, but it feels uncomfortable to introduce yourself and start a conversation. That’s when you should think “Ambassador”! Each Ambassador wears a bright blue “Ambassador” ribbon at our Chamber events so they are easily recognizable. At our Chamber Luncheons there will always be an Ambassador sitting at each table to answer any questions that you may have. Please feel free to ask an Ambassador to facilitate an introduction with any Chamber member! They will be happy to do so! Utilizing your Ambassador Team is another tool that your Chamber offers to help grow your business! Get to know your Chamber Ambassadors! They will help you to make those important connections! See you around town! Debbie
Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, 2012-2013 Executive Team Debbi Vickers, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers – Chair Theresa Tolle, Bay Street Pharmacy – Vice Chair Bob Daberkow, Southern Fulfillment Services – Treasurer Sandi Gehrke, TD Bank – Secretary Elected Directors Betty Lollio, Seacoast National Bank Michelle Napier, Esq. Maggie Sammons, Custom Air Systems Kim Ellis, Kim Ellis Insurance Agency Cynthia Hall, Esq., Law Office VandeVoorde, Hall Appointed Directors Capt. Christy Lenz, “Casual Cruisin” Chuck Mechling, Collier Club Ali Qizalbash, Cemco Construction Patti Jamar, Park Place Sue Tyson Parker, Christie Dental Margie Duffell, Wells Fargo, Past President Ex Officio Wesley Davis, Indian River County Commissioner Susan Adams, Mayor, City of Fellsmere Don Wright, Vice mayor, City of Sebastian Jason Nunemaker, City Manager, City of Fellsmere Chamber Team Beth L. Mitchell, President/CEO Nicole Capp Holbrook, Tourism Director Britney Melchiori, Operations Director Debbi Lloyd Lee, Membership Director Mandy Smeidt, Accounting
September 2013 Beth L. Mitchell, President & CEO As the end of August arrives many of us are looking forward to the change in weather, and the upcoming “season”. There seems to be new energy in the air, plans are being made for good things in Sebastian! Our perennial favorite festivals, and all the volunteers are preparing for another festival season, new events have been announced, and several are in the planning stages. The Chamber is planning as well. Our next luncheon is our annual Installation and Awards Lunch, a time when we gather to recognize chamber members who have contributed their time, talent and efforts towards supporting the business community and we swear in the newly elected board and officers. We hope that you will join us to support the board, they are working for you all year long! Speaking of Chamber work, our Legislative/Government Affairs Committee is planning the City of Sebastian Candidates Forum for the end of October. This very dynamic committee performs a real service to the community by inviting candidates to answer carefully posed questions on issues of import to the businesses and community. The City has supported this forum by allowing the Council chambers to be the venue and by televising it on Channel 25. If you are interested in helping with this effort, please give me a call. The committee works for about six weeks to preparing the format and questions. We’re looking forward to the new event created by the folks at Captain Hiram’s, the SprintTriathlon, scheduled for November, to raise awareness of the lagoon and to showcase the City of Sebastian. As other events are announced we will keep you posted. The Sebastian Art Club is bringing back their “Treasure Hunt”, with a new twist to involve our businesses along the waterfront. Combining art with business and fun sounds like a real winner. The details of this project will be announced in September. We have rescheduled our final Seminar of the Patient Protection Affordable Healthcare Act for the end of September. We had great attendance at the first two seminars, and very positive feedback about the presenters and the material. We decided to reschedule the last seminar so that we could receive more up to date information prior to October 1. As you may know, some of the details have been unresolved over the last few months, so there are still questions about the new plans and pricing that may be available to business owners and individuals. We will reconvene on Sept. 26, hopefully with more solid information. We are also looking forward to the 20th Annual Lifestyle and Media Auction to be held on September 20 at Springhill Suites by Marriott, this event raises money to benefit the Chamber’s operating expenses, but more importantly it provides opportunities for our members to buy donated media packages at rock bottom prices. It’s a great way for you to find inexpensive advertising for your business, and have a great time as well. Marsh Landing Restaurant will be catering the event, and of course County Commissioner Wesley Davis will help us have an enjoyable evening showing off his auctioneering skills. We have asked Maureen Nicolace to be the Queen of Ceremonies, as she was the one who created this awesome event twenty years ago! Thanks to everybody who has donated their time and efforts to make this happen! Have a prosperous month!
Chamber Newsletter Advertising Who sees my ad? When you advertise in the Chamber Newsletter, your ad is seen by over 500 business owners, city officials, and community leaders in the area!
How does my ad get seen? Not only does your ad get mailed to over 500 businesses in the area, it gets emailed out in the weekly Chamber Intel (4) times a month! That’s another 2,000 views per month! Last, but not least, the Newsletter is uploaded to the Chamber website for anyone and everyone to see! That’s a lot of exposure! Black & White business card ads are just $200/year! Color business card ads are just $250/year! Call Britney at 589-5969 for more information!
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The Chamber Currents Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce 700 Main Street Sebastian, Florida 32958
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