Communications

|

Public Policy

|

Organization Advancement

|

Smart Community

|

Economic Development

The SmartCommunity initiative was created in 2007 as part of the Chamber’s Vision to transform Lakeland into “Florida’s community of choice.” In 2009, the SmartCommunity KSI strategy group worked with other community stakeholders to address the following areas:

• Social Networking
• Corporate Sustainability
• Regional Health Information Exchange
• Florida eHealth Summit
• Telemedicine: Juvenile Diabetes, Florida Shots, Health Information Exchange

In addition, this KSI has continued to work on the following key elements of a “Smart Community”:

• Livable Communities
• Information Technology
• Healthcare
• Education

Emerge Lakeland

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Central Florida united in a collaboration to develop Emerge Lakeland in December, 2003. In 2009, this organization had approximately 200 members between the ages of 21 and 42. The Emerge Lakeland program goal is to build relationships, develop professionally, become politically aware, philanthropically active, and contribute to the economic development and quality of life in Lakeland.

These community volunteers become the community leaders of tomorrow. The hope is that these young professionals become so engaged in the community that they will want to remain in Lakeland.

Private Sector Leadership
The Lakeland Chamber participated, along with entities from across Polk County, to create and implement a county-wide leadership program. This initiative is in compliance with Strategy #2 in the Private Sector Leadership Foundation of the Polk Vision. The program is enjoying its third year. The Lakeland Chamber is also responsible for one of the day sessions when the class visits Lakeland.

Leadership Lakeland
The Leadership Lakeland program celebrated the graduation of 30 members of the community from the 26th year of the Leadership Lakeland program. An additional 31 participants began Class XXVII in August, 2009. The program is designed to enhance the participants’ leadership skills and acquaint them with many different aspects of the community.

Commitment to Diversity Awareness

The Diversity Business Council hosted the 10th Annual CommUnity Celebration with an attendance of approximately 550 people. The keynote speaker was Betty Nguyen, the weekend anchor of CNN News. Her work has taken her around the world. She is the co-founder of Help the Hungry, a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian aid to poverty-stricken families. The CommUnity Celebration goal is to promote harmonious relationships across racial, ethnic and socio-economic barriers within our community.