This year the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Leadership Osceola back home where it started back in 1989. With certain adjustments due to COVID-related interruptions and protocols, we will be honoring the 2021 Leadership Osceola graduates at our event Champions Jubilee on August 13 at Disney’s Coronado Spring’s Resort. At that time, we will also present two awards honoring small business and small business and community leaders here in Osceola County.
You may now nominate yourself or others for the Small Business Champion of the Year Award and the Distinguished Leader Award. All links to participate are found below.
Are you or someone you know a leader in our community?
Nominate them for the Distinguished Leader Award.
Is your Small Business or one you know a champion for Osceola County?
Nominate them for the Small Business Champion of the Year Award.
All applications should be returned to Sue Ring (sring@theosceolachamber.com) by July 19, 2021.
On June 2nd the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce held our annual Osceola Update at Reunion Resort. The event was originally scheduled for March 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Osceola Update combines our Legislative Update and Economic Development Summit into one major, highly informative event.
As always, this event featured updates from, and a panel comprised of, our Osceola legislative delegation: Representative Kristen Arrington, Representative Josie Tomkow, Representative Fred Hawkins, and Senator Victor Torres. The legislative delegation panel was moderated by Leticia Adams with presenting sponsor Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.
In keeping with its roots in economic development, the Osceola Update always includes a theme relevant to economic impact in the County. The theme of our 2021 Osceola Update was housing first as our community continues to face an affordable housing deficit. This year’s event included a panel on Central Florida affordable housing issues that featured Hope Partnership CEO Mary Downey, Magic Development CEO (and former West 192 Development Authority Director and Chairman) Hector Lizasuain, and Steinhauer Group founder Lee Steinhauer. Two keynote speakers were also featured in the program: national consultant on housing first Matthew Doherty, and Florida Realtors’ Chief Economist Brad O’Conner.
Please take the time to view the full program below courtesy of Access Osceola. In additional to Disney, we must thank sponsors Kissimmee Utility Authority and Osceola Regional Medical Center for their support of this event. and reunion for being gracious hosts and accommodating all pandemic-related obstacles.
On May 25 the Small Business Council celebrated Spring and the benefits of the Chamber at their "Grow With Us" membership recruitment and networking event. Held at the Chamber, all attendees of this event received a jasmine plant from new member Bull Bay Nursery to take home, plant, and watch grow along with their business. Any new members who joined at the event also received a goody bag of items donated by SBC board members and a hanging plant from Bull Bay.
All attendees - members old, new, and prospective - welcomed a chance for in-person networking under the Chamber building's porte-cochere. Drinks were enjoyed, along with a selection of sandwiches and bite-size appetizers. At one point, a pair of ballroom dancers entertained the gathered crowd with a dance to "Love Was Made for Me & You." Rounding out the evening, several lucky attendees took home raffle prizes that were offered as part of a business card raffle.
The "Grow With Us" event was sponsored by State Farm - Shane Swan, The Florida Health Insurance Exchange, Salco Contracting, and Kenney Consulting, LLC.
Anyone with interest in joining the Chamber is encouraged to give us a call at 407-847-3174. Current members who would like to get involved with the Small Business Council can contact Christina at cpilkington@theosceolachamber.com.
