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Member Testimonials
Of course, starting a local business without a “home court advantage” was a challenge. However, the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce quickly became my community and provided the advantage I needed. The Chamber is more than a business networking group. It is a community which enables its members to screen potential clients and business associates by community reputation. Businesses are more likely to use the services of other members who have earned the community’s trust. Of course, the more a business owner participates in diverse Chamber activities, the larger the pool of reliable businesses to refer friends and clients to, and to receive referrals from. My community includes Chamber members who participate in the Leads 2 group, the Latin Business Professionals, Successful Women in Business, the monthly breakfasts, and the Leadership Boca class of 2006. There is another big advantage to having a community: it is a source of cherished friendships. That’s why I like to call the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce “Home Sweet Home.”
As a long time I have a real passion for real estate and with the current workforce-housing crunch I have become an Attainable Housing Specialist. This allows me to share the down payment/closing cost assistance programs with other business owners and human resource specialists and in turn it shows them how to attract employees as well as retain employees utilizing the programs with the inventory that we currently have in this market. The Chamber provides excellent programs like Wine and All That Jazz, The Golden Bell Education Foundation and the most recent Workforce Housing Luncheon back in August. The public relations seminar that another member conducted recently gave many of us an extra leg up on our competition! The Chamber staff is by far one of the most professional, open and friendly groups of people I have ever met. And as Kate will tell you…you never know where you might have a meeting of the minds! The bottom line is this…we do business with people that we like and trust. Rapport and referrals are a huge piece of my business and being able to participate in the larger groups allows a trickle down networking opportunity niche of meetings outside of these groups. We truly have our own “6 Degrees of Separation” going on at our Chamber. We are a small yet very global community with business opportunities for all. The Chamber attracts a variety of these businesses and you never know who might be your “lead” of the week or month!
Jodi Newfield
Cartridge World of
I have been in the mortgage industry for the past four years. While I work on a national level, I needed to establish local connections in order to provide better customer service. Cris Bennardo, a member of the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, recommended I join because the Chamber is so active in the community and so many of the local professionals participate.
I have been a proud member of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce for the last nine years. The Boca Raton Chamber has wonderful programs and I am very pleased to have participated in a number of them. These include Leadership Boca which I participated and graduated from as a member of the Class of 2001. I learned so much about this great city that I live and work in and additionally got to know some 35 classmates with whom I developed some wonderful friendships with over the years. I also have the good fortune to participate in Leads 2 where I have served as a past chairperson and have been able to learn about so many other great people and companies that comprise our community. Leads 2 is so much more than a networking group. It is a group of people that really care to make a difference in one another’s lives. I have also been able to meet some other terrific people by participating in the Boca Raton Chamber Business Roundtable in 2003. In addition, I have served as a member of the Ambassadors group and was able to reach out to some of our community leaders. We are also very fortunate to have an amazing group of executives and staff that run the Boca Raton Chamber on a day to day basis. These people are there for us and help make us a stronger and better I also want to express my sincere gratitude to the people and companies that I have come to know and help since joining the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.
Since our first issue on Dec 2, 1955, the Boca Raton News has been a powerful force throughout the
Since joining the Chamber in February 2006, I have attended each and every Young Business Professionals and Successful Women in Business event that has been held and have recently volunteered as a planning committee member for the 2nd Annual Splash of Gold Fashion Show. The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce is an excellent vehicle for both business and personal growth. For those who hunger to become more involved in our great community, this is an excellent opportunity. A short time as a member, I have reaped the benefits ten-fold! I have already begun to develop some very promising business relationships and have been lucky to have made new friends.
The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce opens the door of "Opportunity" for all of its members. Opportunity to meet some of the finest people in Boca Raton, opportunity to promote your business through the many networking events available and the opportunity to stay connected with your community. This is an incredible gift, but you must participate to reap the benefit. The Chamber opens the right doors, creates valuable partnerships, and the chamber staff is there to support you every step of the way.
I have lived in Boca Raton since 1979 - so when the opportunity to become a classmate in Leadership Boca 2002 came up I was wondering..."Is there really anything that I don't know about Boca?" Well, there was...a lot! As a proud graduate of the Leadership Boca program I cherish the lasting friendships and new opportunities for community service which have developed as a direct result of my participation.
Chamber membership has had a significant, positive impact on my family's public relations business. It has been a catalyst to our company's growth and the relationships formed within this Chamber are ones which grow our community's industries and develop resources which enhance the value, integrity, and appeal of doing business, raising families, and simply enjoying life in Boca Raton.
 Neil A. Vidi The UPS Store
Mail Boxes ETC. and UPS merged three years ago, forming The UPS Stores. Our organization owns six of these stores in Boca Raton. We joined the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce to help expose the new name and services that The UPS Stores would be offering to the Boca Raton Community. Although we did not attend any of the chamber meetings or events the first two years our stores benefited by the great team at the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.  John Schneyer AQUAtiva
I have been a chamber member since April 2005 and found I got more out of the experience than I thought I would. When I look back at the past year, I know the reason for my positive outlook boils down to one thing – people. The staff at the Chamber is both professional and caring. They look out for me and my business and match up activities and seminars to my needs, as I would expect of anyone in any chamber. But, the Boca chamber has found a way to attract people who care about me as a person as well. I don’t want to single anyone in particular out at the risk of forgetting someone (Kate, Consuelo, Elyse, Stephanie, Anthony, Beverly) but I have been very pleased in dealing with everyone. When I talk about people, I don’t just mean the Chamber staff. The members I have had the pleasure to meet and work with through my leads group (#4) and the Ambassadors program have given me good ideas, different insights and leads to people and companies that can help me (Greg, Kristen, Jonathan, John, Gia, Charles, Colleen, Jim, Louis, Steve, Susan, Jean). When you own your own business as I do with AQUAtiva, it helps to get input from other business owners. The Chamber has also helped me in my personal life through programs they sponsor. I recently attended a Dale Carnegie session on building business through networking. As a result of that session, my son and I are planning on taking the full Dale Carnegie program together. I expect this to help him as he prepares for college next year and I know this will strengthen our relationship as well. At AQUAtiva we like to say that we are “Improving lives through water one family at a time”. I see the Chamber improving lives in the greater Boca Raton area one business at a time.
Derek Sullivan A little over a year ago Affluent Lifestyle moved offices from Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton. We decided to join the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce to meet other business owners in the area and become more active in the community. Building new relationships is very important in the success of any business and the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce provides ample opportunities with all of the excellent events they organize. I make it a point to attend as many as possible. My personal experience has been that these networks are not only a very reliable source for new business, but engaging and entertaining as well. Whether you are interested in acquiring and developing new business, becoming more active in your community, being a part of an outstanding organization, or simply meeting a lot of great people, the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce is the solution. 
Cindy Schwartz
Concierge Connection
I joined the chamber nearly ten years ago as part of a business plan to jump start my newest business endeavor, Concierge Connection. I knew that I needed to find the right place to invest my time and money. This chamber stands alone in my opinion. Every possible consideration is set in place so that you as a member can show up with just your business cards in tow, to network. Whether you are a member here looking for the opportunity to meet business professionals or to give back to the community through volunteering, the Boca Raton Chamber creates the right environment for you. My company, although not based in Boca Raton, still reaps the benefits of a well oiled business machine. This chamber attracts the type of businesses and individuals that I need as vendors and like as clients. The monthly calendar has something in it for everyone. As an Ambassador I have felt a great sense of pride in helping to create committees that have enriched the membership. Specifically with retention. The Chamber cares about you and your business. Remember, that the chambers success is your success too! This chamber works hard to help businesses flourish by understanding their needs and by helping local government create a city that it’s citizens can be proud of. From small establishments to blue chip corporations, this chamber is dedicated to their growth. The leadership of the Boca Raton Chamber is it’s strength. It is refined and stable, leaving nothing but one nice event after another.
It has been three years since I moved to the City of Boca Raton and became involved with the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. In that time I have been involved with the Ambassadors group, gave an invocation at the Membership Breakfast, graduated from the Leadership Boca program, facilitated a Business Interest Group, volunteered for the Boca Bacchanal wine festival, volunteered for Meet Me Downtown, and attended many of the Chamber’s numerous networking events and workshops. The reason I was able to get all of this exposure, and learn about our community was because the greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce has stayed true to their Mission, "To represent, serve, and stimulate the health and growth of the greater Boca Raton community in order to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the entire area." This Chamber is the # 1 resource for local and regional business. From the Chamber’s Professional Team to its Officers and Directors, there is an abundance of talent that is waiting to assist you. Please enjoy the Holidays, and have a safe and healthy New Year!
Laser Image, Inc., has been a provider of high-quality office equipment and supplies for almost 15 years now. And, realizing the importance of network marketing to continually grow my business and introduce my products & services to the Boca Raton Community is what led me to join the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. I've been impressed with all the different stellar functions, exciting events and pragmatic tools that eh Chamber has provided for its members. In face, the Chamber has provided an excellent opportunity for my business to sponsor the Successful Women in Business Luncheons, which only proved to be a successful endeavor. But, the most significant has been my membership with the LEADS 2 SUCCESS Group. The meeting agenda not only allowed for great exposure for the unique mix of businesses in the group but more importantly, for relationships & friendships to emerge. I'm honored to support the Chamber and its outstanding leadership and staff! Avita Coffee & Provision, Inc.
The Boca Raton Chamber has been a tremendous way for our company, Avita Coffee & Provision, Inc. to inform local business people about our products and services. The Chamber’s staff is first class. They are service oriented, professional and committed to help you build your business. The Chamber provides regular events that bring you together with people whom you want to do business in a relaxed environment. Leads groups are a great way to network. Throw out that heavy phone book and pick up your Chamber directory because your fellow chamber members can provide you with any products or services you may need. The Chamber’s quarterly business trade shows allow you to feature your company. By participating in these events on a regular basis we have increased our business. Avita enthusiastically recommends the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce to business people because it has worked so well for Avita Coffee & Provision, Inc. A membership will pay for itself many times over and you will be happy that you made the decision to join.
SmArtArt Art Consultants joined The Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce on June 2002. Through the "Successful Women in Business" program, I came together with Jo- Ellen Lettera of Paramount Office Interiors. Together we now share a showroom to display office furniture and samples of best-selling commercial artwork. The relationship between our companies has proven to be fruitful and successful. Through the Chamber, I also met someone who introduced me to a fellow member, Quentin Moses, who became my business partner. At every step, we find the organization to be active and professional; the staff manages to bring together a wide variety of people in the Boca Raton business community. Chamber programs promote enthusiasm, involvement and, best of all, aid in creating long-term, successful business relationships.
As a result of my agency's BRCC membership and active participation with the many networking opportunities and community projects available - the friendships, business relationships and new clients developed have been mutually beneficial. Each month I reach over 200 BRCC members with Impact Minute (sm), a free e-zine which helps businesses and professionals improve their marketing, attract more clients and generate higher income. A typical week includes 3-5 personal appointments, leading to several new clients per year! In addition to growing my own practice – I’m honored to support the chamber and its outstanding leadership and staff. As Boca Raton's only community and business development organization, the BRCC team certainly provides their members with the opportunity to make our city a better place to live and work.
I can't even convey how proud I am to be a member of such a wonderful organization. And I wouldn't be so active if it wasn't for all of you. When I first started attending Boca Chamber events, you all made me feel so welcomed and comfortable. The more I get involved and the more I learn about what the chamber and each of you do, the more I appreciate the chamber and the more I want to help it be as successful as possible. Your hard work and smiling faces make the Boca Raton Chamber the incredible organization it is!
Successful Women in Business Luncheon is a relatively new addition to the many business-friendly opportunities the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce offers. It hit the ground running, by providing an outstanding forum for business women to network. The programs have been interesting and informative, and it has been my privilege to meet some remarkable business leaders through this initiative. The Chamber continues to progress as a dynamic, vibrant organization that provides ever-evolving benefits to Chamber Members, as well as fostering growth, prosperity and support for the community of Boca Raton and its environs. Barry D. Siegel, Esq.,Covert Siegel LLP The Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce is an absolute must for business owners in Boca Raton. The Chamber instantly provides business owners with the unique ability to meet many other business owners in a wide variety of positive circumstances. Chamber membership also allows you to leverage your networking and marketing activities so you may focus your time and effort on your many other important business tasks. This leverage occurs because of your ability to "target" market to those Chamber members who are able to refer multiple new clients to you. The wonderful staff at the Chamber is committed to its members and their businesses. 
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