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The DKAC presented their second Business Over Breakfast of the year on June 6.  Officer Scott Reaves presented a room of about 65 people with CRASE:  Civilian Response to an Active Shooter Event.  We were surprised to learn that over 50% of active shooter events happen at places of business, and only half of those are committed by a shooter with a connection to the site.  Some tips from this presentation include:

1. Scripting and talking out potential situations with your staff could be crucial in deciding what to do in the moment, should a particular emergency become a reality.
2. There is no profile of the “typical” shooter, so you can’t make assumptions that you are safe.
3. The police will take, on average, three minutes to respond.
4. If in an active shooter situation, you should Avoid, Deny, Defend (though it may not happen in that order).

At the Business Over Breakfast, the DKAC helped Chamber Chairman Rob Rosen honor Back the Blue Award recipients from the Kissimmee Police Department for January, February, March, & June. Corporal Charlie Popp with Major Crimes was honored for January.  Officer Darius Benjamin was named the February recipient for his dependable but calm demeanor in high-stress situations.  Detectives JP Antepara and Justin Lunsford were the co-March winners for their dedication to the preservation of lives of others while risking their own.  Officer Emerson Godin-Koehler was named the June winner for his life-saving efforts during a recent traffic incident.  Officer Cyle Smallwood was honored as the April recipient at a separate event back in April. Congratulations to our officers of the month, and thank you for all you do to keep our community safe!

Business Over Breakfast was sponsored by Kissimmee Utility Authority and the City of Kissimmee.  Attendees enjoyed breakfast catered by Big John’s Rockin’ BBQ.

The Young Professionals of Osceola County hosted their second annual Dinner on the Dirt event on June 6^th.  This farm-to-table event allows attendees to dine on the dirt surface of Silver Spurs Arena. This year, diners enjoyed beef sliders and a blueberry dessert from the Double C Bar Ranch, steak cooked by the Osceola County Cattlemen’s Association, Fresh from Florida green beans and potatoes, Florida swamp cabbage cooked by the Florida Farm Bureau’s Herb Harbin, and corn and fresh made salsa from MickFarms.

After dinner, representatives from the Silver Spurs Rodeo,the Osceola County Cattlemen’s Association, and the Florida Farm Bureau spoke about agriculture in Osceola County. Here are few fun facts we took away:

• Osceola County is still 65% agriculture.  It is ranked in the top 3 beef-producing counties in the state of Florida, and in the top 10 in the entire nation.  In fact, Osceola County is home to three of the largest ranches in the country.
• The Silver Spurs Rodeo is the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi, and this year, they celebrate 75 years of rodeo in Osceola County.
• In the state of Florida there are 300 different ag commodities (only California has more).
• In 2017 alone, the Florida cattle industry and allied industries supported 118,191 full- and part-time jobs and generated$4.64 billion (yes, billion, with a “b”) in labor income.
• The Cattlemen’s Association and Florida FarmBureau work together to support agriculture in Osceola County (so, the farmer and cowman CAN be friends!).

Dinner on the Dirt was presented with support from Osceola County Cattlemen’s Association, the Silver Spurs Rodeo, the Florida Farm Bureau, Commissioner Fred Hawkins, and Centennial Bank.

JUNE EVENTS

● DANKIN AVE CRUISE IN
Classic Cars * Live Music * Raffles
3 Sisters Speakeasy
Friday, June 1 | 6 PM

● 1ST FRIDAY SENIOR BINGO
Devoted Health sponsors free Bingo for local seniors
Kissimmee Diner
Friday, June 7 | 1:30 PM

● SUMMER READING LAUNCH PARTY
Summer events for kids and adults start here
Hart Memorial Library
Wednesday, June 12 | 10 AM - 11 AM

● JUNETEENTH MUSIC FESTIVAL
Come join the celebration! Live Entertainment * DJ * Face Painter and more
Chambers Park Community Center
Saturday, June 15 | 10 AM - 2 PM

● AMERICAN LEGION BIKE NIGHT
Bikes * Live DJ * Raffles and Prizes
3 Sisters Speakeasy
Saturday, June 22

● TEAM KAREEN MEMORIAL WALK
Join Team Kareem in a walk for water safety awareness and a day full of fun
Kissimmee Lake Front Park
Saturday, June 22 | 10:00 AM

● FOUNDERS NIGHT AT HQ HEADQUARTERS
Network with other CEOs, small businesses, startups and founders
115 N. Stewart Ave
Monday, June 24 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

● GALERIA NIGHT
A night of music, art, and networking
Matador Tacos & Tapas
Thursday, June 27