The Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a partner in our community. 2017 Chairman Chris Gent will lead the Chamber’s efforts under our newly developed strategic plan known as Vision 2020. As Kissimmee and Osceola County continue to develop, it is important for the business community to help guide and sustain positive progress for which Vision 2020 provides the framework. A few highlights from the plan may give you a better understanding of how the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce will engage the community going forward. Our mission statement is “Champions for business and community.” This succinctly states why we exist, but where do we see ourselves in four years? Our vision statement is simply “Leading a prosperous regional economy.” We have so much opportunity and everybody is noticing, so we plan to lead efforts to maximize our potential and to do so on a larger scale than the limits of our county borders. When making decisions, we will use the guidance of our newly articulated values: creating opportunity, embracing heritage, and building unity. Osceola County has a remarkable story that truly makes us special, and every Chamber should be about creating opportunity. As a diverse community, it is important that we come together to make things happen, and every decision must reflect the strength that unity provides versus the dangers of divisiveness.
When it comes to strategic plans, they are only as good as what is put into action. Our five goals are advocating for business, improving community, promoting the region, supporting business prosperity, and leading a nationally recognized chamber. Four of these goals are external to the Chamber and show our commitment to the community, while the fifth goal is internal and ensures we will continue to operate under best practices and set the example for excellence. Under each of these goals are more specific strategies that we will monitor to make certain our efforts are on track and productive.
Our focus remains helping businesses prosper and improving our quality of life. To our members: “Thank You” for your support, for we cannot do it without you. To prospective members: please give serious consideration to joining our efforts and, in doing so, helping your business reach greater potential and growth. Vision 2020 makes the future look clearer and brighter than ever before – for all of us!
Four Corners Area Council of the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce hosted Four Corners Summit 2016 at Ramada Gateway Kissimmee on Highway 192. At this working luncheon, representatives from the four Florida counties that comprise the “Four Corners” area of Central Florida gathered to present the state of development in their portion of the Four Corners and workshop a dialogue on how the four counties can better work together going forward.
In attendance were 150 members of the Four Corners business community, including elected officials and members for the Four Corners Area Council Board of Directors.
Participating were District 1 Commissioner Timothy Sullivan and Economic Growth Director Robert Chandler from Lake County, District 1 Commissioner Scott Boyd and Assistant Planning Administrator Eric Raasch from Orange County, Community Development Director David Tomek and West 192 Development Authority Executive Director David Buchheit from Osceola County, and District 4 Commissioner Todd Dantzler and Assistant County Manager Bill Beasley from Polk County.
At the conclusion of the workshop, the panelists stated that the following will be areas of significance going forward and ones in which they will welcome the support of the Four Corners Area Council:
The 2016 Four Corners Summit is sponsored by: Duke Energy, Formosa Gardens, Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center, Bardell Real Estate and ABC Paving and Sealcoating.
Nearly a thousand political supporters attended the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Osceola Hob Nob at Osceola Heritage Park to cast their vote for local, state and federal politicians at Osceola County’s premier political event.
Voters made their voice count during the “Straw Ballot Poll” conducted as part of the event. All event attendees had the opportunity to rally support for their candidate of choice during the Parade of Candidates.
Candidates seeking support for election into office were present to personally meet the Osceola County voters. While strolling through the numerous display booths hosted by each candidate and business vendors, attendees indulged in unlimited networking with the area’s top business leaders, enjoyed delicious catering by SAVOR, and took part in the fun and festivities.
The results of the “Straw Ballot Poll” were announced at the close of the event.
President of the United States
0.62 - Donald J Trump
0.38 - Hillary Clinton
United States Senator Democratic Primary
0.09 - Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente
0.31 -Alan Grayson
0.13 - Pam Keith
0.01 - Reginald Luster
0.46 - Patrick Murphy
United States Senator Republican Primary
0.16 - Carlos Beruff
0.06 - Ernie Rivera
0.69 - Marco Rubio
0.09 - Dwight Mark Anthony Young
US Representative in Congress District 9 DEM
0.42 - Valleri Crabtree
0.06 - Dena Grayson
0.04 - Susannah Randolph
0.49 - Darren Soto
US Representative in Congress District 9 REP
0.56 - Wayne Liebnitzky
0.44 - Wanda Rentas
State Senator District 15
0.47 - Bob Healy Jr
0.21 - Victor M. Torres Jr
0.32 - Peter Vivaldi
State Representative District 39
0.67 - Neil Combee
0.33 - Victor Sims
State Representative District 42
0.72 - Mike La Rosa
0.28 - Benny Valentin
State Representative District 43
0.28 - John Cortes
0.28 - Ricardo Rangel
0.44 - Sara Shaw
Circuit Judge 9th Judicial Circuit Group 4
0.30 - Orley Burey
0.39 - Luis Calderon
0.31 - Joseph Haynes Davis
Circuit Judge 9th Judicial Circuit Group 14
0.31 - Lorraine Elizabeth DeYoung
0.69 - Dan Traver
Osceola County Clerk of the Circuit Court
0.29 - Arthur "Beau" Osborne
0.52 - John M. Overstreet
0.12 - Armando Ramírez
0.08 - Malcom W. Thompson
Osceola County Sheriff Dem. Party
0.04 - Rolando S. Banasco
0.11 - Luis "Tony" Fernandez
0.71 - Russell Gibson
0.14 - Jose Sanchez-Garcia
Osceola County Sheriff Rep. Party
0.18Carl Velasquez Mitchell
0.72 - Dave Sklarek
0.10 - Steve "Theo" Theodoropoulos
Osceola County Sheriff NPA
1.00Marco Lopez
Osceola County Property Appraiser
0.11 - Chris Mack
0.22 - Julius A. Melendez
0.67 - Katrina Scarborough
Osceola County Tax Collector
0.26 - Orlando Gonzalez
0.74 - Bruce Vickers
Osceola County Commissioner District
10.43 - Peggy Choudhry
0.21 - Michael E. Harford
0.35 - Jed W. Suhl
Osceola County Commissioner District 3
0.59 - Brandon Arrington
0.12 - Manuel "Manny" Rodriguez
0.21I - van A. Rivera
0.05 - Julio C. Diaz
0.02 - Tony Ferentinos
Osceola County Commisisoner District 5
0.74 - Fred Hawkins Jr
0.26 - Jeff Rivera
School Board Member District 2
0.23 - Wilfredo "Will" Fonseca
0.77 - Kelvin Soto
City of Kissimmee Commissioner Seat 1
0.31 - Olga Gonzalez0.12Nicolasa "Nicole" Murillo
0.28 - Richard Oehler Jr
0.29 - Debra Rosado
City of Kissimmee Commissioner Seat 3
0.16 - Olga L. Castano
0.32 - Angela Eady
0.23 - Robert Joynes
0.05 - Adaliz Martinez
0.24 - Lisandra Roman
City of Kissimmee Commissioner Seat 4
0.77 - Jim Fisher
0.23 - Jose "Joe" Balasquide
City of Kissimmee Commissioner(Mayor) Seat 5
0.63 - Jose Alvarez
0.25 - Art Otero
0.12 - Freddy E. Villanueva
Saint Cloud City Council Member Seat 1
0.51 - Nathan Blackwell
0.49 - Jeff D. Rinehart
Saint Cloud City Council Member Seat 2
0.34 - Anthony "Tony" Busby
0.13 - Hughette Crumpler
0.53 - Linette Matheny
Saint Cloud City Council Member Seat 3
0.61 - Charles "Chuck" Cooper
0.39 - Amanda L. Taormino
