2009 Annual Report – Economic Development

Communications | Public Policy | Organization Advancement | Smart Community | Economic Development

Awarding Small Businesses
Selecting and recognizing a small business each month is a tradition at the Chamber of Commerce. This program, initiated in 1986, is designed to recognize a small business that serves as a model for other businesses in our community. The business must have been in business for a minimum of 8 years and must have been a Chamber member for 4 consecutive years. The business gross annual revenue may not exceed five million dollars. The Linder Small Business of the Year is selected from the 12 monthly winners. The recipient of the Linder Small Business of the Year Award was Gulf Coast Avionics.

The 2009 Small Business of The Month Award Winners are:

January: Dreamward Travel
February: Milco Constructions, Inc.
March: Wheeler and Wheeler
April: Taylor Alterations
May: Beef O’Brady’s Family Sports Pub
June: PediatricTherapy Services
July: Gulf Coast Avionics
August: Joy Morse Insurance Agency
September: Pro-Ad Media
October: Chiropractic Center of Lakeland
November: Creative Refinishing
December: Baron Realty

Convention/Tourism Marketing
The mission of the Chamber’s Convention & Visitors Bureau is to market and promote Lakeland as an ideal destination for meetings, conventions and tourism on behalf of the City of Lakeland and Chamber member businesses. The primary focus is to increase sales of overnight accommodations, generate tax revenues and enhance Lakeland’s tourism and economic climate.

Partnerships Make it Work
During 2009, the CVB developed and sustained cooperative partnerships with such stakeholders as The City of Lakeland, The Lakeland Center, The Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau, and numerous industry-related associates to generate visibility, extend marketing dollars and penetrate target markets.

The CVB also supported familiarization tours along with the CFVCB to showcase our area to travel writers, travel agents, and meeting planners.

Visit Florida’s Downtowns & Small Towns Campaign brought visitors to our pedestrian friendly historic downtown. More than 90% of Florida’s 86 million visitors are repeat visitors—looking for a new destination to visit. Lakeland’s downtown, filled with specialty shops, arts and cultural activity is a natural component of the campaign.

The Convention/Visitors Division also updated the Clubs & Organizations Guide for the community and maintained the Community Clearinghouse Calendar.

Tiger Relations
More than 800 guests attended the 63rd Anniversary of the Annual Tiger Bar-B-Que in Joker Marchant Stadium, creating an air of anticipation and celebration for the start of Spring Training in Lakeland.

In July, a Lakeland area contingent traveled to Detroit to show support to the Detroit Tigers during their regular season. It was an excellent opportunity to visit with representatives from the Detroit Tiger Organization.

Pink Slip Party
In 2009, the Chamber introduced the Pink Slip Party.

A new initiative to link employers/employment agencies with job seekers and to help make them aware of the resources Lakeland has to offer. A Fall event is in discussion.

The Chamber was highlighted in the press as well as on NPR for this event.

Referral Sharing
In 2009, the Chamber continued to offer Leads Groups to facilitate referral sharing among members.

Each of these groups has a specific focus and set of bylaws allowing members to choose the meeting that best suits the company’s needs.

The two groups with industry-specific membership have seen success that has produced a waiting list of potential group members.

Tourism’s Economic Impact
The CVB partnered with Polk County Sports Marketing to increase sporting events held in the Greater Lakeland and Polk County area with emphasis on increasing “non-seasonal” activity.

In addition to the many local amateur sporting events that took place in Lakeland, the CVB successfully worked with Lakeland’s Championship Committee and FHSAA towards the successful culmination of the 2009 Boys’ & Girls’ State Basketball Championships, the State Wrestling Championships and the State Volleyball Championships and in partnering to successfully win the bid for the new Lakeland contracts.

As one of Florida’s largest statewide conventions, bringing approximately 160,000 regional, national and international guests and close to $29 million in economic impact to Lakeland, Sun ‘n Fun Fly-in is integral in the work of the CVB. Chamber staff and volunteers helped to staff the Visitor Information tent at the Fly-In, directing business to Chamber members.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau assisted with more than twenty-seven housing bureau arrangements to area meetings, conventions and special events. Additionally, thousands of visitor information inquiries were answered and thousands of welcome packets offered to area visitors and meeting attendees.