Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. 

Twenty years ago, Denise Kilburn and Kathy Shufflebarger recognized a need for pediatric therapies in our community. Through hard work and dedication their partnership has grown into their current outpatient therapy clinic for children.

Located at 1215 E. Orange Street, Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. (PTS) offers physical, speech and occupational therapies. Their building was custom designed to enhance and stimulate the children’s experience at PTS.

Denise, Kathy and a staff of 20 therapists are dedicated to building a team consisting of patient, family and therapist. The therapies learned in the clinic have to be reinforced in the home to achieve successful outcomes. Each child is evaluated and given a customized therapy for their needs. They discover what a child loves, needs and craves then deliver a therapy treatment program that supports those desires. Successful outcomes can range from a child mastering a single new task to completely overcoming their disability.

PTS is constantly striving to provide their patients and staff with the latest innovation in therapy. They provide employees with advance training annually and offer internships to graduate students that need clinical instruction for the completion of their education program. Denise and Kathy believe they must lead by example to demonstrate the high expectations they require.

PTS collects memorable quotes from their patients for both feedback and amusement. Recently, therapist Miss Diana asked patient Elizabeth, “What am I going to do with you? She responded, “Love Me”. At PTS children with challenges learn to accomplish new skills through therapy and Love.

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Pediatric Therapy Services, Inc. as the Small Business of the Month for June.

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It’s time again for the Chamber’s lunch-time Schmooze a’Palooza event!

It’s power networking the Chamber way! Meet and greet with 50 fellow Chamber members over a fabulous lunch. Each attendee has the opportunity to share his or her 30-second commercial with the group!

July 9 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Mt Fuji Steakhouse & Sushi Buffet

2607 South Florida Avenue | Southgate Shopping Plaza

$25 | Chamber members only

Seating is limited, and pre-registration is required. Click here to reserve your space.

Questions? Call Amy at 863/688-8551 Ext. 229!

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The Chamber wants to light a fire under your summer sales with the Summer Sizzle discount program!

The Summer Sizzle program offers a great opportunity for members to advertise summer discounts directly to other Chamber  employers and their employees, without any fee.  All you need to do is come up with a value-added discount and then create a web quality image (.jpg, .png or .gif not to exceed 575px wide by 235px) that features the discount or benefit.  Be sure to include the timeframe that the discount will be honored by your business.  (Note that full size versions of advertisements will not be used in the E-newsletter distribution, but will be linked to for printing purposes.)

Then, e-mail the coupon artwork to the Chamber by July 15^th and we will post all the member discount offers on the Chamber’s Web site.  Members can then print copies to take advantage of the advertised offer.

The Summer Sizzle program was the brainchild of our Board of Directors Vice Chair for Communications, Sam Nimah, who wanted to provide  his employees with discount coupons from Chamber member businesses, which in turn would support the Chamber’s “Buy Lakeland” campaign.  With this idea, the Chamber’s Communications strategy group brainstormed ideas and came up with the Summer Sizzle discount program.

Help us promote the “Buy Lakeland” campaign AND take advantage of this great opportunity to promote your business.  Questions?  Email our  Communications Vice President, Aaron Bates, or call him at the Chamber:  863/688-8551, ext. 237.

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Help us spread this important message by prominently displaying the “Buy Lakeland” logo in your business, and by spending your dollars locally before getting on-line or I-4 to shop.  For a quick reference on quality products and services offered by Chamber members, visit our Web site at: www.lakelandchamber.com and click on the “Preferred Business Directory” on the home page.

Remember, by doing business in Lakeland, you’re:

· Protecting the jobs of family, friends and fellow Chamber members.

· Directing dollars to local schools, roads and parks.

· Helping sustain the long-standing economic growth and quality of life in our community.

Special thanks to our partners at Bright House Networks for producing several “Buy Lakeland” commercials promoting the benefits of doing business locally. Watch for the commercials airing on Bright House cable channels over the next few months.

If you need a “Buy Lakeland” window cling to display, just e-mail mstevenson@lakelandchamber.com and we’ll get one to you! The Chamber has also produced “Buy Lakeland” business cards for members to leave when patronizing local businesses. Stop by the Chamber if you’d like a supply of these cards to give out.

By supporting our local businesses in Lakeland, we all win!

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This year, the Chamber’s Catalyst Resource Development Campaign will be “growing green”!

The Catalyst Campaign is the resource development arm of the Lakeland Chamber. During the summer-long effort, companies pledge support for the Chamber’s programs and events in order to build sound and secure budgets for the upcoming year.

Throughout the 10 week campaign, we will be reducing paper use, learning more about reducing our carbon footprint and celebrating green spaces in Lakeland. The most exciting endeavor of the Catalyst Campaign will be on October 6 when the Chamber comes together to recognize the planting of healthy, Florida-friendly maples around Lake Mirror.

Your company can be a part of this celebration by sponsoring one of the twelve trees we will plant! Here’s how…

Catalyst Campaign "Growing Green" Partner at $500 - Twelve (12) Growing Green Partnerships are available.

Benefits for "Growing Green" Partners:
- Company recognized in Chamber Publications including blog, magazine and e-newsletter.
- Company name and logo on signage at Catalyst Victory Celebration.
- Company recognized on plaque in Chamber lobby for one year.
- Open invitation for company representatives to attend October 6 Victory Celebration and participate in the dedication of trees.

For more information on this partnership, please contact your Catalyst volunteer or the Campaign office.

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Chamber members and guests took to the road as Fantasy of Flight, located just outside Polk City, hosted the June Business After Hours. Those dedicated members that braved the rain and some traffic issues, were rewarded with a tremendous venue, with hands on activities, and delicious food.

Members were greeted at the entrance with beverages and a period costumed tour guide that welcomed and facilitated the experiential exhibit that begins with a night parachute jump. Members tried their hand at hang gliding, aircraft and balloon simulators among all the vintage and model planes.

Mildred’s Florals, Panache Event Specialists, and Party People Celebration Co. all assisted with the wonderful decorations.

Fantasy of Flight employees are very proud of their company, and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable.  Be sure to visit the Chamber’s “member to member discounts” page for a special offer on facility rentals from Fantasy of Flight!Thanks to everyone for a memorable event!

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On June 11, Chamber members & guests joined Camp Fire’s board and teen leadership for lessons in becoming a moose. After a spectacular breakfast including camp donuts, attendees were guided through a series of team-building exercises, including one that required team members to communicate silently for 3 minutes. Who knew that a room full of Chamber members could be so quiet?

In addition to communications exercises, the Camp Fire leadership shared ideas for ice breakers and goal setting games. Chamber members were glad to learn the Camp Fire teens were available to lead these activities in their workplaces and civic groups.

Special thanks to Camp Fire board president, Stanley Hawthorne and Executive Director Holly Lane for hosting such a unique event!

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Just how bad is the economy?  Listening to the news and asking your neighbors often yields two different answers.  For small businesses, things don’t seem to be quite as bad as we think.  Here’s the OPEN blog with a nice reminder on this rainy Monday morning:

There’s a regular meme that makes the rounds every time there’s a dramatic shift in the economy one way or the other, with someone explaining why “now is the best time to start a business.” However, there are still always big concerns, especially during a big downturn like the one we’re currently facing. I can’t even begin to count the number of other startup or small business operators I’ve spoken to, where the opening question is “how’s the economy treating you?” or “how are you holding up in this economy?” And, perhaps it’s a fair question in terms of small talk between business owners, but I’d suggest that the true small business manifesto is that the economy doesn’t matter. It’s always a good time to be a small business. Here’s why:

• As a small business owner, you’re not relying on the entire economy. You’re relying on your customers. If you offer something of value, you should be able to sell it to your customers, regardless of the economy. Sure, some of your customers may be more careful in spending, but that’s just an opportunity for you.
• As a small business, you can be a lot more flexible. Big businesses have all sorts of legacy items that tie them down and make them slow. Smaller businesses shouldn’t have as many entanglements and can change and adapt much faster. If the economy goes south, then a small business can shift its strategy faster.
• A small business is often closer to its customers, so it’s better able to serve customer needs, no matter what the economy. Today, customers are looking for ways to get more for less. If you can figure out how to better provide that, you can run circles around others.
• A small business doesn’t need to bring in as much revenue every quarter to support the business. You’re small: this means your expenses aren’t as big. You just need to figure out how to make sure you’re covering your expenses, and then look for opportunities for growth beyond that.
• As a small business, you have a better sense of when the economy is shifting. Big comapnies may claim they have a broader view, but they’re looking at numbers. You’re talking to customers.

So, as a small business owner, I say, let’s stop asking each other how the economy is impacting us. Let’s impact the economy by focusing on ways to connect with our customers and give them what they need — and the economy will sort itself out. We’ve got businesses to run.

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GOAL:

A Polk County School Board Process for Selecting Contractors
 that is “Fair, Equitable and Transparent”

A “white paper summary” of a June 15 Meeting between Polk County Chamber of Commerce representatives and Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations, Fred Murphy.

Over the past 90 days, a number of Polk County’s Chamber executives and their
volunteer leaders have been approached by local contractors who felt the process used for selecting contractors to manage major construction projects of the Polk County Public School System was flawed and unfair. There exists a strong feeling that dollars spent for Polk Schools should be spent with those businesses that are legitimately based in Polk County. There also exists a strong desire to ensure the process is free of favoritism.

Following discussions that initially took place between Lakeland, Bartow and Winter Haven Chamber executives, a decision was made to request a meeting with Polk Public Schools Administration. Immediately upon inquiry, Superintendent Gail McKinzie offered to arrange such a meeting with Assistant Superintendent for Facilities/Operations, Fred Murphy. (Murphy was tapped to resolve contractor selection and favoritism issues in November 2008 following the initiation of an FBI investigation into alleged wrongdoing by district staff.)

On June 15, Mr. Murphy met with representatives from the Bartow, Davenport, Haines City, Lakeland, Mulberry and Winter Haven Chambers of Commerce. The two-hour meeting was framed by a thorough review of where Polk Public Schools are in their efforts to create a contractor selection process that is “fair, equitable and transparent.”

Mr. Murphy spoke for the majority of the two-hours allocated and displayed a sincere commitment to creating a selection process that may not always make everyone happy, but a process that will truly be “fair, equitable and transparent.” The phrase is repeated here again to underscore Murphy’s repetitive statement of commitment.

He provided detailed information regarding the policy which is currently in its final draft stages. More importantly Mr. Murphy addressed two important points:

a.)    Within the new policy (under development), the mere offer of a gift by a contractor to a School Board representative will cost a contractor any future right to do business with the School Board.  The gift policy will prohibit school personnel from accepting gifts with a monetary value over $50.00.

b.)   The new selection process will include a “local recognition of proximity” policy that will provide a legally defensible edge for Polk County-based contractors.

Chamber representatives present felt that positive steps were being taken to develop a process for contractor selection that was indeed “fair, equitable and transparent.” Those Chambers present have since conferred and expressed confidence that Fred Murphy’s goals for the Contractor Selection Process will be a significant step forward and hold the potential to restore contractor confidence and respect.

The new policy is expected to be presented to the School Board for consideration by August. When the policy is finalized, we will present the document in its entirety.

The commitment of all Chambers involved is to bring positive change to this contractor procurement process. Mr. Murphy displays a sincere grasp of the challenge and the commitment to make such positive change.

We welcome members’ comments regarding this important “buy local” issue.

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Florida Chamber Alert:

Today, Governor Charlie Crist vetoed Chamber-backed property insurance reform legislation - HB 1171.  Here is the Governor’s veto letter.

The Florida Chamber continues to believe that Florida is financially unprepared for a hurricane and that we must enact solutions to fix our state’s insurance crisis. The Chamber will continue to work closely with Gov.  Crist and the Florida Legislature to craft legislation to address this critical issue.

The report ”Into the Storm: Framing Florida’s Insurance Crisis” by the Florida Chamber and The Florida Council of 100 outlines several of the policy recommendations we will continue to pursue.

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