This Thursday the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, Fifth Third Bank & Stone Center, Inc. present the December Business After Hours on Thursday, December 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 at Stone Center, 2205 E. Edgewood Dr.

Cost to attend the December Business After Hours is $10 for Chamber members and $30 for non-Chamber members. Reserve your space now!

For more information , call the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce at 863/688-8551.

We will see you there!

The U.S. Census Bureau is now hiring nationwide for the 2010 Census. These temporary, part-time jobs offer good pay, flexible evening and weekend hours up to 40 hours a week, and the chance to work near home. Workers are needed in almost every community.

Need more info?

Visit 2010censusjobs.gov

Call 1-866-861-2010

Be Merry

We’re Sharing Something Special for the Holidays!

Friends & Family Cosmetic Event

Macy’s Lakeland Square Mall

Friday, December 4^th

6 to 9pm*

*Store open until 11pm for your convenience

Let us make your Gift Giving a little easier—we have many great gift giving ideas including our Beauty Boxes, Brush sets, Fragrance sets, “Stocking Stuffers,” and much more!

Join us for this invitation only event R.S.V.P. 863-853-7223, 863-853-7222, or 863-853-7227 and receive a special 3-piece gift with any $39.50 purchase from Estee Lauder, Lancôme, or Clinique

Also, be registered for a Door Prize—one for each counter, your purchase is your entry!

You can download a Friends & Family pass,for you and a friend—this is our special discount card forour friends, family, and most special customers and clients—an extra 25% discount off regular, sale, and clearance prices, with very few exclusions!

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced this week that the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce has been awarded its 40-Year Five-Star Accreditation rating.  Only 55 chambers out of more than 7,000 chambers in the country have achieved this highest level of accreditation ranking. 

“We are extremely proud to be awarded our 40-year accreditation with Five-Star rating by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Accreditation is one of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and offers an excellent measurement tool for chambers of commerce to achieve the highest standards of organizational excellence in representing their member businesses and communities,” said Lakeland Chamber President Kathleen Munson. “Achieving the highest level of accreditation is a tribute to the outstanding leadership of our Chamber volunteer leaders and professional staff, who unselfishly contribute their time and talent to make Lakeland such a tremendous place to live and work.”

The Accreditation program with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce defines organizational excellence in chamber planning and recognizes chambers for outstanding contributions toward positive change in their communities. In order to achieve accreditation rating, chambers undergo a comprehensive evaluation in nine areas:  governance, finance, human resources, government affairs, program development, communications, technology, facilities and benchmarking.

To successfully complete the accreditation application, Chairman of the Board Anu Saxena (ASC geosciences, inc.) appointed an Accreditation Review Task Force to lead the Chamber through the evaluation process.  The Chamber would like to recognize the following leaders who worked with staff for more than six months to successfully complete the application:

Chair: Melinda Harrison (Watson Clinic LLP)

Governance: Timothy F. Campbell (Clark, Campbell, Mawhinney and Lancaster, P.A.)

Finance: Walker Wilkerson (The NCT Group, CPAs, LLP)

Human Resources: Don Selvage (SHR Human Resources, LLC)

Government Affairs: Mark E. Wilson (Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.)

Program Development: Maureen Shaw (Flower Cart Florist)

Communication: Sam Nimah (Southern Wine and Spirits of Florida)

Technology: Todd Baylis (Cipher Integrations, Inc.)

Facilities: Joe L. Ruthven (The Ruthvens)

Benchmarking: Paul Noris (Bank of Central Florida)

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce represents more than 1,800 businesses in the Greater Lakeland area.  The Chamber was first accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1968, and has successfully achieved its accreditation every five years since then. 

WHAT:  Ribbon Cutting/Road Opening Ceremony for Phase II of the Lakeland In-town Bypass

WHERE:  Kathleen Road – George Jenkins Road Intersection

WHEN: Friday, November 6^th at 3 p.m.

They will drive a Citrus Connection bus through the ribbon to officially open the roadway. 

Speakers include Senator Paula Dockery, Lakeland Mayor Buddy Fletcher and Edward Gonzalez, FDOT District One Director of Transportation Operations.