Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce

Osceola Hospitality Leadership Academy April 2013 Class

admin — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:27:49 +0000

HLA April 2013 Class had a great time zip lining at Forever Florida. Day 1 also included; breakfast with County Commissioner Michael Harford, Kissimmee Chamber President Dave Nolan and TDC Chairman Brian Wong. The participants enjoyed lunch at Crabby Bill’s and ended the day with an Airboat ride at Boggy Creek Airboats. More info to come on HLA Day 2!!!

Toho Bass Blast Open Tournament 2013

admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:25:35 +0000

Get ready a day of family fun at the Toho Bass Blast Open Tournament sponsored by KUA, Experience Kissimmee, Gatorland, Coastal Angler, Teen Sportsfishing Association, and Bouchard Insurance. Download the entry form below. We hope to see you there.

Click to download here -> Registration Form

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Entry fee is $110.00 per Team, includes $10 per boat Big Bass pot… consisting of 2 people per boat. You may also enter and pay at ramp.
Blast-off number will be assigned on receipt of $110.00 entry fee (payable to: Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce). Mail completed entry form to: Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce,1425 E. Vine St.Kissimmee,FL 34744. Entry fees and completed entry form must be received by May 9, 2013. Winners are responsible for all taxes on any money won. No refund of entry fee after May 6, 2013.
All contestants must use care in handling and keeping fish alive for release after weigh-in. All fish will be brought to the weigh master in our issued plastic bags with enough water to keep the fish covered until weigh-in. A tournament limit will be (5) fish, 12” or over, measured on the Golden Rule with the mouth closed and the tail compressed (pinched) in accordance with state law. No culling of dead fish. No culling at ramp or in parking lot. No more than 5 bass may be in live well at any time during event. A short fish brought to the scales will result in disqualification of entire catch. Weighing in of a dead fish results in a .25 pound penalty.
There will be no courtesy measurements.
A Coast Guard approved vest must be worn at all times while the boat is being propelled by the combustion engine.
Only artificial baits may be used. No Trolling or Snagging.
Blast-off is on Saturday May 11, 2013 at Lake Tohopekaliga boat ramp. All Competitors who are not checked in by the 3:00 p.m. tournament close/weigh-in will be disqualified.
No team may fish within 50 yards of another competitor who is anchored with the trolling motor up. Power Pole accepted as a legal anchor. No team may fish within 25 yards of another team without the other Team’s permission. No hole sitting by a non-competitor or by another competitor, to aid a Team. Use of alcoholic beverage or illegal drugs during this event will immediately disqualify a Team. All Teams are required to abide by state and federal laws. We reserve the right to give Polygraph Test.
Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Board within 10 minutes of close of weigh-in. Tournament Board Members are Neal Lazarus (407-383-4223), Jill Stevenson (407-709-2801) or Cindy Lewis (407-709-3338). Interpretation of these rules will be left to the Tournament Board. Infractions of any Rule can result in disqualification.

GALA OSCEOLA 2012

Wendy Jeannin — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:46:16 +0000

The Hispanic Business Council’s (HBC) 14th Annual GALA Osceola, presented by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, took place this past Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Yacht & Beach Convention Center, honoring the Estrella, Amigo, Compadre and Presidente Awards Recipients.

Again this year, the Hispanic Business Council of the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando joined forces to present the “Estrella” Award. This is an award of merit presented to outstanding, dedicated individuals who have contributed to the enrichment and overall growth of Hispanics in Central Florida or have excelled as a Hispanic Leader in the region in any of the following areas: arts, culture, entertainment, community outreach, not for profit, business, government, education and economic development. A selection committee represented by both chambers elected Eva Pagán Hill, Working Together / Trabajando Juntos Coalition, as the recipient of this prestigious award. With the presentation of the Estrella Award, both organizations are taking a step forward in advancing collaboration practices and partnerships to promote Hispanic business success in Central Florida.

Chris Gent, Kissimmee Utility Authority, is this year’s recipient for The “Amigo” Award. This award is presented every year to recognize a company/individual who has a track record of strong support for the Hispanic Community and businesses in Osceola County.

Augusto Sanabria, Hispanic Business Initiative Fund, is presented this year with the “Compadre” Award. The “Compadre” Award was created to recognize an organization/individual that demonstrated extraordinary support to the Hispanic Community.

The “Presidente” Award was presented to Matt Thursam with Walt Disney World by the Hispanic Business Council Chairman, Jose Nido, this award is presented to an HBC member that has gone above and beyond in support of the HBC.

Everyone enjoyed an elegant evening of music, dance and entertainment presented by Latin Cnergy. Gala Osceola was presented by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and sponsored by Florida Hospital – Kissimmee – Celebration Health, Kissimmee Utility Authority, State Farm, Orlando Magic, Wyndham Worldwide, Bright House Networks, and El Osceola Star Newspaper.

Downtown Showcase

floejoe — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:02:17 +0000

The Downtown Kissimmee Area Council will host a Downtown Update on May 30th to showcase what is happening in Downtown Kissimmee. On Wednesday, May 30th at the Kissimmee Civic Center, with the doors opening at 7:15 am and presentations from 7:45 – 9:00 am, event goers can expect to hear from civic and government leaders about the current, future and potential projects for Downtown Kissimmee. Event registration is required for admission, call the Kissimmee Chamber at 407-847-3174 or online via www.kissimmeechamber.com, individual seats $10 and corporate table of 10 $250. Guest speakers include Marianne Gurnee with SunRail, City of Kissimmee City Manager Mike Steigerwald, Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington, Director of Parks & Rec for the City of Kissimmee Dan Loubier and the Moderator will be Belinda Kirkegard, Director of Economic Development for the City of Kissimmee. Great appreciation is given to the following sponsors: The City of Kissimmee, Osceola County Economic Development Department, Manhattan Construction, KUA, Micro Key, BB&T, University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program and Florida Bank of Commerce. The Downtown Kissimmee Area Council serves as a council under the umbrella of the Kissimmee Chamber. Serving Osceola County since 1924, the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce is an association of business people whose priority is about improving the business and residential community, while improving and making their business more profitable.

City candidate debate set

floejoe — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 04:02:45 +0000

The Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce will host a debate for the candidates vying for a city of Kissimmee Commission seat Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
The event will be at the City Commission Chamber at Kissimmee City Hall, 101 Church Street, Kissimmee. This event is free and open to the public. The debate will be taped for broadcast on Access Osceola.
Debating for seat 1 will be: Jose Alvarez, Debra Rosado, Robert Secrest and Dave Scherer; seat 3: Mike DeLong, Carmelo Garcia, Jaime Matos, Hector Rodriguez, Sara Shaw and Druvonda Woods.
Moderating the debate will be Chamber President Mike Horner.
Another upcoming political event will be the Osceola Hob Nob Thursday, July 19 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kissimmee Civic Center, 201 E. Dakin Ave., downtown Kissimmee.

Kissimmee Chamber In the News

floejoe — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:43:54 +0000

SCPD Tip-A-Cop set for Saturday
In an effort to raise awareness and support for the Special Olympics, the St. Cloud Police Department will participate in a Tip-A-Cop from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Koffee Kup Restaurant, 1407 13th St., in St. Cloud. The event is open to the public.
Officers will work as waiters and waitresses and their tips will benefit Special Olympics, a nonprofit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition to more than 2.2 million people with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries.
Jobless rate at 9.4 percent for Osceola County
Osceola County’s unemployment rate of 9.4 percent for March was the highest of the counties that comprise the Workforce Central Florida region, according to statistics released Friday.
The unemployment rates in the other counties were: 9.2 percent, Lake County; 8.5 percent, Orange County; 8 percent, Seminole County; and 7.1 percent, Sumter County.
The unemployment rate in the Workforce Central Florida region – comprised of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Sumter counties – was 8.5 percent in March, the lowest since December 2008 when it was 7.6 percent.
The region’s jobless rate was down 1.9 percentage points from 10.4 percent a year ago. Out of a labor force of 1,151,045, there were 98,378 unemployed residents in the region.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced Friday also that Florida’s unemployment rate continues to see a steady decline, dropping to 9 percent in March – the lowest since January 2009. The drop of 0.4 percentage point from February represents the largest over-the-month decline in the state’s jobless rate since October 1992, the report stated.
“The largest monthly unemployment rate decline since 1992 is a milestone all Floridians can celebrate,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a DEO press release. “By signing a budget that devotes more than $1 billion to education, Florida is positioning itself to have a globally competitive workforce, which is key to our state’s long-term prosperity.”
Florida’s unemployment rate has been less than 10 percent for four consecutive months.
District 9 forum scheduled for May 3
Central Florida voters are invited to an open, public meeting of the candidates for the new district 9 Congressional seat, which includes part of southeast Orange County, Osceola County and part of northeast Polk County.
This candidate forum, which will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Kissimmee Utility Authority building, 1701 W. Carroll St., in Kissimmee, will be hosted by the Osceola County Landlords Association.
Republican candidates Todd Long, Julius Melendez and Mark Oxner will field questions and concerns, according to Tom Long, president of the landlords group.
Long said that Republican John Quiñones has a schedule conflict and would not be able to attend while Democrat Alan Grayson declined the invitation.
Downtown Update to be May 30
The Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Downtown Kissimmee Area Council, will host a Downtown Update May 30 from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at the Kissimmee Civic Center.
Scheduled guest speakers include: Marianne Gurnee, public liaison for SunRail; Mike Steigerwald, Kissimmee city manager; Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington; Dan Loubier, director of Kissimmee Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities; and, as moderator, Belinda Kirkegard, Kissimmee’s Economic Development director.
The cost is $10 for individuals per seat or corporate tables of 10 for $150 per table, to benefit the chamber and council.
For more information, contact Robin Hughes at 407-847-4523.
Lakes aquatic plant management meeting to be May 2
On May 2, a public meeting about aquatic plant management on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes will be at the city of Lake Wales Administration Building, 201 Central Ave. W. The meeting is from 6-8 p.m.
The goal of the meeting is to solicit public input on the management of invasive aquatic plants.
“In this continuing series of public meetings, we want to keep abreast of what business owners, property owners, anglers, hunters, bird watchers, airboaters and others who have a vested interest in the chain of lakes are thinking,” Danielle Schobl, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invasive plant management biologist, said in a press release.
Public input from the wide variety of user groups on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, which includes lakes Kissimmee, Hatchineha, Cypress, Jackson, Tohopekaliga and East Lake Tohopekaliga, is critical to maintaining a well-balanced approach to managing hydrilla and other invasive aquatic plants, Schobl said.
FWC staff will give overviews of the current status of hydrilla management, the status of emergent habitat management and a snail kite nesting update. After staff presentations, the public may ask questions about key areas of interest and provide comments about the conditions they desire.
For more details about the meeting, contact Danielle Schobl at 863-534-7074.
Tourism awards to be given out June 6
On Wednesday, June 6, the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce and the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau will present their 2012 Spirit of Hospitality awards.
The program this year will be at Gaylord Palms and Convention Center, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for individuals and $400 for a corporate table of 10.
The awards honor exceptional performance, commitment and achievements in the hospitality and tourism industry in Osceola County. The awards will be in three areas: service, management and lifetime achievement.
To register, go to www.kissimmeechamber.com or call Jill Stevenson at 407-847-4434. To nominate someone, call Robin Wells at 407-847-4407.
Chamber bass tournament set for May 12
The Toho Bass Blast Open Tournament, sponsored by the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce, will be Saturday, May 12, on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee.
The deadline for signing up will be Thursday, May 10, at 4 p.m. The entry fee will be $100 per boat for up to two anglers. Some features of the tournament include: open to the public; a Gatorland show; goody bags, tournament T-shirts and door prizes; exact weight fish contest; $1,000 for the first five-pound fish; the tournament winner fishes free for next year’s event.
For more information, contact the chamber’s Jill Stevenson at 407-847-4434 or jills@kissimmee
chamber.com. Register at www.kissimmeechamber.com.