Message from the CEO: Moving Business Forward

Good Morning Valued Chamber Member,

At the time of writing this message, it is still uncertain who will be the next President of the United States. However, at the local level, I am pleased to announce that the Boca Chamber and our members helped deliver election wins for 10 of the 12 BLU-PAC endorsed Candidates. Combining our Primary Election endorsements with these General Election endorsements, the PAC was successful in 13 of its 16 races. When BLU-PAC endorsed candidates win – Business wins!

Tonight at 5:00pm is the deadline to submit an application for the Palm Beach County Restart Business Grants. Businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and did not previously receive a Restart Business Grant can apply for grants up to $15,000. Businesses that have previously received a Palm Beach County Restart Business Grant are not eligible.

The Florida Atlantic University’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters recently announced a multi-million-dollar gift from Arthur Gutterman to name the Arthur and Emalie Gutterman Family Center forHolocaust and Human Rights Education on FAU’s Boca Raton campus. The Center prepares K-12 educators and support staff in Southeastern Florida to implement the Florida statute that requires educational training on the Holocaust by providing learning opportunities, resources and curriculum support. Current and future K-12 teachers will receive curriculum advancement, seminars, travel to Israel and Eastern Europe to visit museums and sites of the Holocaust, Hebrew Universities and other academic and/or research institutions based in Israel. The program also includes international study and intern abroad opportunities.

The City of Boynton Beach has announced its launch of free WiFi at Sara Sims Park. The newly renovated park, located in the Heart of Boynton at 209 NE 9^th Avenue, is now equipped with nine wireless access points to provide WiFi throughout the park. In addition, there are two charging stations near the playground, and electrical outlets at each of the two pavilions. To obtain the free WiFi, join the CITY_GUEST network, with no password required. Sara Sims Park is open daily from dawn to 10:00 pm.

Looking for an easier way to find an event, register for an event, and receive popup notifications of important Chamber, County, City of Boca Raton and City of Boynton Beach information? Download the Boca Chamber App – found on the App Store and Google Play Store. Keep your Chamber at the tip of your fingers! You can also stay up to date on all Chamber activity by visiting us at bocachamber.com.

We continue to provide you with valuable educational webinars and virtual experiences, with most being recorded and available for you to access on the Boca Chamber’s YouTube Channel. Hit the subscribe button to find out when new content is posted on our channel. Below is a list of our upcoming virtual experiences: 11/10 – 5:00 p.m. Live After Five: Virtual Happy HourTopic: Network with Fellow Chamber Members, Connect with Clients and Build Solid Relationships at the Boca Chamber’s Monthly After-Hours Networking Event!Click here to register1

1/11 – 12:00 p.m. Virtual Boynton Beach Lunch and Learn Sponsored By: Ithink Financial Topic: How using Leading-Edge Technology Tracks Predators and How Your Support Can Help Rescue More Children Across the Globe. Speaker: Alex Ortiz, Director of Advancement & Sustainability at Child Rescue Coalition, Inc Click here to register

11/12 – 8:30 a.m. Virtual November Monthly Breakfast Sponsored By: FPL Topic: Looking Ahead Speaker: Pamela M. Rauch, Vice President, External Affairs and Economic Development, Florida Power & Light Click here to register

11/12 – 11:30 a.m. Virtual Economic Development and Government Affairs Committee Meeting Speaker: Maria Sachs, Palm Beach County Commissioner – Elect, District 5 Click here to register

11/13 – 8:30 a.m. Virtual Business Workshop Topic: How to Manage your Business and Stay Out of Debt in 2021 Speaker: Leslie H. Tayne, Esq., Founder/Head Attorney of Tayne Law Group Click here to register

11/17 – 12:00 p.m. Virtual Smart Talk for Women Topic: Using Your Talents: When is it Time to Outsource? Speaker: Nancy Proffitt, Founder and President, Proffitt Management Solutions Click here to register

11/17 – 5:30 p.m. PULSE: Tuesday Brewsday: Virtual Beer Tasting with Local Breweries Join Your Fellow PULSE Chamber Members for a Virtual Beer Tasting. This Event is Limited to the First 30 Members who Register Click here to register

11/19 – 12:00 p.m. Virtual Successful Women in Business Luncheon Topic: Pandemic Recovery: Palm Beach County’s Job Creation Strategy Speaker: Kelly Smallridge, President & CEO Business Development Board Palm Beach County Click here to register

Amendment 2 passed with the slimmest margin – less than 1% of the minimum 60% needed to pass – making Florida the only state with a constitutionally-mandated $15 minimum wage. As we have said, the Boca Chamber supports workers earning a higher wage through the free market system. However, we opposed Amendment 2 as part of the State Constitution and its potential to negatively impact unemployment and our local economy. We will now work with our members in retail, food service, hospitality and other industries that will be affected by this wage mandate.

As the weather continues to turn a bit cooler and you consider getting out to enjoy our great restaurants and beautiful parks and public spaces, please continue to be Responsible, Safe and Respectful. And as always, thank you for making Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and all of South Palm Beach County the best place to Live, Work, Learn and Play!

Moving Business Forward,