Leesburg Chamber Executive Director Sandi Moore, City Commissioner Dan Robuck III and City Manager Al Minner attended the Lake County Legislative Days in Tallahassee. One of the Leesburg Area Chamber’s initiatives addressed was Leesburg’s Economic Development Climate, they communicated the importance of K-12 public education system and its effect on local business recruitment and economic development in the Leesburg Area.
Education Funding for Florida schools is decided based on the Florida Education Finance Program funding formula. “The current FEFP results in Lake County School District being #66 (out of 67) in State funding despite being number 19 in student population”.
Groveland, Florida-State Rep. Larry Metz (R-Yalaha), filed House Bill 4047, seeking to repeal the District Cost Differential (DCD) contained within the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) funding formula for K-12 education.
For More Information: Press Release – Rep. Metz Files Bill to Repeal District Cost Differential
Leesburg is building momentum! Thursday, December 3, 2015, 6 p.m. at the Leesburg Armory, the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 79th Annual Chamber Awards and Installation Gala, the “Chamber Express”. 225 guests gathered to celebrate the Chamber and the Leesburg Area businesses achievements. Snowflakes danced on the screen, as the “Chamber Express” train envisioned and built by Bob Tucker, Events by Miss Daisy and Rick Rojas, A Plus Printing greeted guests once entering the decorated venue, a wintery night at the North Pole. Inspirational and motivational greeting by our very own Executive Director, Sandi Moore embraced the motto Imagine with all your mind, Believe with all your heart and Achieve with all might. An extraordinary evening, with entertainment by Paint it Black Quartet. Event coordinator and décor extraordinaire, Events by Miss Daisy transformed the venue into the snowing night at the North Pole, and gourmet caterer, Chef Jessy Flinn, Gourmet Today created a Christmas morning menu, including carving stations, waffle station, mash potatoes station and so much more.
Leesburg Area Chamber Executive Director, Sandi Moore and M. C. and event sponsor J. Scott Berry presented the 2015 Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce Awards to local community members and area businesses that have invested time, money and heart into Leesburg. Recipient of the prestigious chamber award, the George O. Pringle Award was Ricardo Rojas. Followed by Business Women of the Year Award recipient Jessy Flinn, Gourmet Today, Entrepreneur Award recipient Bob Tucker, Events by Miss Daisy, Humanitarian Award recipient LassiterWare Cares, Leadership Award recipient Freddie Williams, Public Service Award recipients, City of Leesburg Commission, Business Achievement Award for Small Business recipient Care Patrol, Business Achievement Award for Medium Size Business recipient, Azure Water Company and Business Achievement Award for Large Business Stokes Fish Company & Lake Trucking Company. Each award recipient was nominated by the Leesburg Area Chamber Members, Ambassadors, and Board of Directors.
Thank you to all of the Event Sponsors for helping make this night memorable and extraordinary! Events by Miss Daisy, Classic Tent & Events, City of Leesburg, Grand Rental Station, AllState Stokes Agency, Comcast, Plaza Cadillac, Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Akers Media Group, ERA Grizzard, Lake County Economic Department, Leesburg Partnership, J. Scott’s Skin Care & Day Spa, Citizens First Bank, Lake Eye Associates, CenterState Bank, LassiterWare Insurance, ESI, A Plus Printing and United Southern Bank.
Promoting Progress and Profit in the Leesburg Area!
For more information please contact maria@leesburgchamber.com or Sandi@leesburgchamber.com. Visit http://www.leesburgchamber.com
Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce-Spark Program– On Monday, September 28, 2015, 45 Leesburg High School Juniors and Seniors congregated at Warren W. Willis United Methodist Youth Camp to build on leadership and team building skills. Students participated in the Challenge Course which included ropes exercises (low and high ropes). The Challenge Course offers group exercises that help strengthen team building skills by reinforcing trust and communication through a diverse range of exciting activities and challenges.
Last school year, a bright spark was ignited, as student leaders from Leesburg High School had the opportunity to participate in a leadership development program created by Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce for Leesburg High School students. The goal is to ignite our leaders of tomorrow, and promote Leesburg and Lake County opportunities and its success. With the assistance of LHS administration and faculty, we identified student leaders within the school including; academic, sports, performing arts, agricultural, etc. to participate.
The program is organized as 5 day trips/sessions, scheduled throughout the school year. These trips are held throughout Leesburg and Lake County and provide a learning experience about the area and the different opportunities that our great county has to offer.
Thank you to our Sponsors: LRMC, SBDC-Leesburg, LSSC, and Sunset Rotary!!!
Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. —Jack Welch
Chamber Ribbon Cutting celebrating New Hotel Management:
Quality Inn & Suites celebrates new hotel management.
Leesburg, Florida – On Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at 4:00 p.m., Quality Inn & Suites, along with the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, will celebrate their organizational milestone with a Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The ceremony will take place at Quality Inn & Suites, located at 1392 W N Blvd, Leesburg, Florida and begins at 4:15p.m.
Quality Inn & Suites is a part of the Choice Hotels family. A national brand that strives to offer comfort and convenience. Quality Inn & Suites offers relaxing and refreshing non-smoking guest rooms, all of which feature expanded cable television channels, flat-screen televisions, coffee makers, desks, in-room tea and coffee and spacious showers. Some rooms offer a living room, sofa and a table with chairs. As well as complimentary hot breakfast, wireless high speed internet access, daily newspaper, coffee and parking.
Reserve your room at the Quality Inn & Suites hotel in Leesburg, Florida today and for more information about the Quality Inn & Suites visit, https://www.choicehotels.com/florida/leesburg/quality-inn-hotels/flc76.
Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
Dee Place LLC-A great resale thrift shop.
Leesburg, Florida – On Friday, August 14, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., Dee Place LLC, along with the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Leesburg, will celebrate the Grand Opening with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The ceremony will take place at Dee Place LLC, located at 1305 Sunshine Ave. Leesburg, Florida, across from St. Paul’s Catholic Church in the former food bank building. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. with coffee and donuts, followed by the ribbon cutting at 10:45a.m. Come listen to live music and mix and mingle with residents, friends and area guests.
Dr. Diane Spurlock owner and operator of Dee Place LLC has been selling quality clean second hand merchandise since 2013 and will continue to offer a variety of items such as clothing/accessories, furniture, electronics, crafts, household items and collectibles at her new location. Dee Place LLC will cater to the needs of the community with extended and weekend hours and weekly specials. Operating hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If you would like more information or to visit Dee’s Place LLC please call Dee (Dr. Diane Spurlock) at 352-323-9099.
New Vision for Independence Celebrates 10 years.
Leesburg, Florida – On Tuesday, July 14, 2015, at 5:30 p.m., New Vision for Independence, along with the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Tavares Chamber of Commerce and Mt. Dora Chamber of Commerce, will celebrate 10 years with a Multi Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The ceremony will take place at Tavares Pavilion on Lake Dora, located at 200 S. Disson Ave. Tavares, Florida. The fun begins at 5:30p.m., with dessert and cash bar followed by the ribbon cutting at 6:15p.m. This is a free event and open to the public.
New Vision for Independence, Inc. (New Vision) is a nationally accredited 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and was incorporated on July 18, 2005. New Vision provides unique training to persons experiencing severe bilateral vision loss that is affecting their daily functioning in daily living, vocational, or academic activities. New Vision serves adults and children through age five who reside in Lake and Sumter counties and The Villages. New Vision is the only provider of these vital services for this population in this geographic area. New Vision is committed to excellence in providing rehabilitation, community education, and support services for people with low vision or blindness, and their families to promote independence, acceptance, and self-confidence.
For more information about the New Vision for Independence visit www.newvisionfl.org.
Occupational Health-LRMC is hosting the July Business After Hours.
Leesburg, Florida – On Thursday, July 16, 2015, at 5:30 p.m., join us as Occupational Health-Central Florida Health Alliance, along with the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, host the monthly Business After Hours. It will take place at the Occupational Health-Urgent Care building, located at 550 East Dixie Ave. Leesburg, Florida. The fun begins at 5:30p.m.; nibble on tasty hors d’oeuvres and sip Lakeridge Wine while networking with area Chamber Members and their guests. Throughout the evening a tour of the facilities will be available and the chance to win healthy living inspired Door Prizes! Bring your business cards! We hope to see you there.
Central Florida Health Alliance, provide patients with the highest quality of care. Specializing in Stroke rehabilitation, Hand dysfunction, and Spinal cord injury. Striving to improve daily activities, including self-care, and home/community management activities. They facilitate activities with the goal of maximizing function and restoring independence
The Leesburg Area Chamber Business After Hours is a very popular and well-attended networking business function. It provides an outstanding evening of fun, food, and fellowship between Chamber members and their guests. With a chance to network, make new friends, and meet potential customers, hosting a Business After Hours is a unique opportunity to showcase your business. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce your particular products and/or services to fellow Chamber members. Please contact the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce for availability 352-787-2131.
For more information about the Central Florida Health Alliance-LRMC Occupational Health visit http://www.cfhalliance.org/services-therapy-occupational.html.
Thank you to those who attended the Education Summit on July 29th. Your input was greatly appreciated.
That was just the first step in the process of helping to make a positive difference in our schools. Please stay tuned for information on other ways you can help. We can’t do it without you!!!
How would you like to be “Taking Care of Business” in one location, with exposure to a large audience?
If the answer is yes, then you need to register for the Business EXPO coming up on Thursday, October 23rd from 4:00 until 8:00 pm at the Leesburg Community Building.
Spaces are limited!!
Registration forms are available by clicking on the links below.
We had so much fun with this event last year, we are bringing it back this year!!!
It’s our Lake Golf Scramble, now called the Golf Splash. You don’t have to be a golfer to participate, anyone can play!! Those who participated last year can tell you how much fun it was!!
This is a great way to have a fun day outdoors with business prospects, clients, or fellow co-workers.
It will be held on Friday, September 12th, starting around 1:00 pm.
Tee Boxes are $250.00, Players – $50.00 per person.
If you are interested in sponsoring or playing, please contact the Chamber (352) 787-2131.
On Tuesday, July 29 at the Leesburg Community Building on Dixie Ave., Leesburg community and business leaders are joining with Lake County Schools to host a public education summit.
It will be a unique opportunity to share ideas with top educators and to encourage more community support for schools. The schools are challenged with increasing educational requirements & limited funding for programs & facilities. Meanwhile, working families have difficulty providing educational assistance from home. Discussions begin at 7 p.m.
Among those attending will be Lake County Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Moxley, Chief Academic Officer Dr. David Christiansen, School Board members and local school principals from around Leesburg. Community participants include church leaders, officials from the City of Leesburg and the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce as well as representatives from various civic organizations. Parents and interested business people are encouraged to attend.
New Location!! New Look!! New Hours – Thursday, October 23rd from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Leesburg Community Building, 109 E. Dixie Ave.
Early Bird Registration Special – $50 off Booth Price on form – must be registered & paid by July 31st.
Spaces are limited!!
Registration forms are available by clicking on the links below.
Non-Restaurant Business Registration Form
2nd Annual Golf Splash at Venetian Gardens on Lake Harris!!
Like No Other Golf Event You Have Been To!!
Please contact the Chamber (352) 787-2131 for sponsorship opportunities, or to register to play.