Breakfast Seminar, Tower Club, Ft. Lauderdale.
Perched at the top of the BankAtlantic Building with a panoramic view of Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas the Tower Club, sponsored by the Broward and South Florida Chambers of Commerce, had a very informative breakfast with guest speakers from Broward County Government.
Al Otero Current Chairman of the Board for the Broward County Chamber of Commerce introduced Michael Attisano and Jeff Smith two invited guests who presented the exciting plans in store for Broward County. In the plans is over a billion dollars slated for the expansion of 595, a new runway for FLL airport, and expansion of Port Everglades for the largest cruise ship in the world. None of this comes from anticipated stimulus money. What was brought into sharp focus was how Broward County is eager to allow the largest segment of businesses, the small business community to share in this expansion.
Also mentioned was $35,000 interest free loans that are available to qualified small businesses.
Michael Attisano addressed how small business may compete under The Small Business Enterprises (SBC) Program.
www.broward.org/smallbusiness Jeff Smith spoke about how to respond to Broward County Bid Solicitations. www.broward.org How to do business with Broward County.
Broward Mayor Speaks to Business Community
Broward’s business community got the chance to hear from Broward Mayor Stacy Ritter during the Broward County ChamberÌs 1st Annual State of the Union Address this week. Ritter, who has been involved in the commission for several years, and previously had an eight-year stint in the Florida Legislature, addressed the crowd to talk about a number of issues and new projects in Broward, primarily the county budget, creating jobs and growth at the airport and seaport. “The national economic recession has impacted South Florida, with the impact in real estate severe,” said Ritter. “WeÌre starting to see some signs of life, but weÌve got record unemployment in Broward County.” The recession, said Ritter has greatly impacted this yearÌs budget for Broward County, which is facing a possible $40 to $100 million budget shortfall, depending on the Broward SheriffÌs Office Budget. “We saw a 10.7 percent decrease in value, and weÌve cut more than $200 million over the last two years,” she said. “Some are considering options to raise taxes, but I wonÌt vote for that. This is not the time for government to raise taxes.” The commission can use the roll-up tax rate, which allows the commission to set the tax rate to allow them to collect the same amount of money as last year, and while itÌs not technically a tax increase, some homesteaded property owners could see a slight increase, while the majority are expected to see a decrease, primarily because of depressed property values. Ritter also talked about getting stimulus funds, including $470 million for jobs, which includes a runway improvements at the airport, transit projects, green projects, road projects and neighborhood stabilization funds to help areas with high foreclosures. “I am confident of economic improvementÛmigration here will begin againÛafter all itÌs 80 here in January and 20 in Chicago,” she said amid laughs. Ritter listed four priorities for her tenure, which included job creation, a new courthouse, expansion at Port Everglades, a new convention center hotel as well as reducing the countyÌs green footprint. “If we want people to follow suit, the county must lead the way,” she said. “We are also lobbying the federal government for funding to acquire the FEC railway (along Dixie Hwy.)
“We are a world-class county, and others are watching us,” she said. “We have to push forward. Some say don’t act now, but you can’t always wait till every detail is in perfect place-.but together we can invigorate the local economy.” www.browardnet.wordpress.com
Broward County ; South Florida Business – To – Business Expo Koven’s Center Miami 5/28/2009
It was a day of networking and showing off your wares for the 100 exhibitors who gathered from Central and South Florida for the Fourth Annual South Florida Business to Business Expo at the Kovens Conference Center at Florida International University (FIU). ‘Green” was the unofficial theme as vendors sported everything from green energy saving products to green manufactured skin care to green cleaning items.
Most exciting new invention at the event was Tracie Singh’s natural, organic desanitizer named ‘acap’(as clean as possible) especially for intimate garments. This product is comparable to ‘Febreeze’ or ‘Purex Super Odor Neutralizer’ minus the harsh chemicals and is gentle enough for baby clothes. Sheila Gomez, authorized distributor for ‘Miche’ introduced novel handbags with changeable new faces that can be attached so you never have to change the actual handbag again. Catering booths were most popular as folks lined up repeatedly to enjoy spicy,saucy salsa, sandwiches and muffins and a delicious hot dish from food vendors. 
Joey Restivo of Metropolis Entertainment, the master of generating excitement and emcee for the event, commanded the mic and worked the worked the room for an all inclusive involvment in the many raffles for exciting products and services. Among those prizes were a weekend at the ‘Red Roof Inn’, ‘Value store it’ delivered a DVD Player, a free massage from Dr. Zachary Dvorkin of North Miami, a ‘Miche’ handbag with 2 new faces, a free teeth whitening from Dr. Steven Roth of ‘Relax ; Smile’, a chiropractic pillow from ‘County Line Chiropractic’ and among numerous others, a gift basket of natural organic skincare from ‘My Baby Phayce Organics’. Pat Pisano, Creations by Pat’ landed two, count them two prizes, a TV/DVD player and the basket of ‘My Baby Phayce’ skin care and hair care products. Could this be because her initials are PP? The fun filled day closed successfully with numerous new friendships, promises to connect at other events, lots of new business generated and new ventures spawned. For more info: Contact the Broward County/South Florida Chamber of Commerce at 954-565-5750
