September 2021 | Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Dear Members,

The change of seasons is always exciting! The start of Fall in South Florida feels fresh and alive not only with the crisper weather but with new companies, technologies and initiatives bringing a burst of new energy to our community. Starting with Miami-Dade County’s Board of County Commissioners working with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to approve a $9 Billion budget for the fiscal year 2021-22. Funding towards health, public safety, small business development, transportation, infrastructure, and much more initiatives critical for success and economic recovery. The Chamber is continuing to actively work with the County Mayor and her team to grow, improve and protect the region. We are so very thankful that the Mayor and the Commission funded a major initiative to integrate and involve the scores of new tech execs moving to Miami-Dade. Look for more details on this, a refresh of our SEO program, in the coming weeks.

Speaking of welcoming new leaders, just last week, our Transportation, Resilience and Government Affairs Committees had the pleasure of hearing from Eulois Cleckley, Director and CEO of the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). Recently arriving from Denver, CO, where he led transportation efforts there, Mr. Cleckley gave us early insights on his vision and plan, including the role out of the Better Bus Network, which our Chamber supported and participated in developing.

With Congress inching its way to passing an infrastructure bill, the County’s plan invests in infrastructure projects that will impact our economic recovery and prosperity. What exactly can our community expect? Join us LIVE to find out more from Mayor Levine Cava herself as she joins us for our in-person event: Resilient H2O & Infrastructure, October 14 at the Port of Miami. Chamber Connections also returns and this time business professionals (members and non- members) can meet at CH'I in Brickell, October 21. Registrations must be made in advance.

Coming up in October, we are proud to present the revamping of ourLeadership Miami® program, consisting of two cohorts per year with smaller class sizes, a hybrid-model (in-person and virtual), a cutting-edge leadership curriculum, and even credit towards further professional certification or degree at one of our excellent higher education institutions. Applications are open for both non-profit organizations seeking to partner on a special community project and class participants who want to lead with us towards greater civic change.

Lastly, and certainly not least, a year ago we named David Lawrence Jr. as the 2021 recipient of the Sand In My Shoes Award® with hopes to have celebrated him and his achievements already. Of course, the pandemic had other ideas. However, we are happy to announce that we will be hosting this long-awaited program in the Spring, coming March 2022. This is a close to sold-out event. Truly there are fewer than 20 seats available. So, if you would like to be a part of a magnificent evening honoring one of our true heroes, contact Jennifer Sanchez, jsanchez@miamichamber.com.

Please stay connected with us by following our social medial channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube), and stay involved in our committees and programs to help us continue to amplify the Greater Miami business community.

Looking forward to seeing you in person soon!

Alfred Sanchez

President and CEO, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Virtual Trustee Luncheon

We presented our annual awards program to honor local non-profits making a difference in the lives of the people they serve, developing outcomes that exemplify innovative excellence, and those featuring best practices of not-for-profit businesses. The Chamber was joined by two phenomenal women who have contributed significantly to the non-profit sector in honoring these remarkable organizations.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava introduced keynote speaker, Jo Ann C. Jenkins, CEO of AARP, "a transformational leader who takes an innovative approach to the issues and opportunities that surround the older adult community." Jenkins' has transformed AARP into a leader for social change for elderly people as they live and age and expressed her thoughts on the need for innovation, "as we work to empower people to live better...and build a more equitable society, we need bold new ideas, solutions, and choices."

Title Sponsor - Florida Power & Light. NOVO Awards Sponsored by Wells Fargo and MSL CPAs & Advisors. Supporting Sponsor - Chapman Partnership. Video Sponsor - Paxton Productions.

Navigating COVID-19: Part 1 & Part 2

As we all continue to experience a pandemic, how can we navigate the virus? We held the first two parts of a webinar series tailored at answering this question featuring top experts. Although we are at a time in the pandemic where we have treatment, testing, and vaccines, the numbers of infections and death are not declining.

Part one took a general look at COVID-19 and included insightful presentations and discussions with Jackson Health System’s Dr. Lilian Abbo, FIDSA and Florida International University Herbert Wertheim School of Medicine’s Dr. Eneida O. Roldan, MPH, MBA, and Dr. Aileen M. Marty, FCAP, on the following key points:

Transmission in the State of Florida
COVID’s indirect effect on global economy
Pfizer Vaccine and FDA Approval

Part two covered COVID-19's impact on our children, schools, community, and the family. We held a panel moderated by Dr. Eneida O. Roldan, MPH, MBA to hear from Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho. The webinar also featured presentations from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital's Dr. Marcos A. Mestre, and Dr. Chad R. Sanborn, KIDZ Medical Services, Palm Beach Children’s Hospital. Key program topics discussed:

Superintendent on Preventative Measures for Schools
FLA Data on COVID and Children
Do vaccines work on children?

Trustee Soirée

Trustee level and above members had an opportunity to meet during an exclusive networker at The Wharf. This was a more private setting for our members to engage with one another on a different level. Interested in learning more about what benefits the Trustee or higher levels can provide for your business? Contact Nelly Hocke, nhocke@miamichamber.com.

SEO Class Graduates

Our participants of the 2020 Senior Executive Orientation Class experienced an exclusive dinner at The Rusty Pelican to celebrate graduating from the program. Special guest speaker, MDCPS Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho joined us and spoke about the performance of the school system, “there are now 1000 programs with 75%of the student population attending a school program of their choice...(and an increase) in the graduation rate from57% to 93.1%." Learn more about SEO.