Erika Spence: Business in the Park

Chamber ROI

Most business owners are laser-focused on their bottom line, and rightfully so. They want to know how their employees are spending their time, because time is money. They want to know how many customers were gained from a trade show or print advertisement, because marketing dollars are scarce. They want to know if a recent technology upgrade is improving customer service, because, let’s face it, investing in technology can be pricey.

One of my favorite aspects of my job is meeting entrepreneurs, getting to know what sparked the idea for their business and identifying ways the Chamber can help tell their story. Sometimes it is as simple as a social media shout out accompanied by a relevant photo. Other times it is working hand-in-hand to promote an event or making connections to other Chamber member’s businesses. So much of what transpires at the Chamber is relational that it can be hard to measure.

However, a year ago the Chamber launched a series aimed at providing information that can be harvested and applied to a business’s day-to-day operations. The Small Business Education Series presented by Strombeck Consulting CPAs is a partnership with the Small Business Resource Network that provides local business owners with expert advice and recommendations. The information is presented in such a way that program attendees can invest one hour of time and walk out of the room with the tools and knowledge to implement changes by the time they return to the office. That’s real-time ROI.

Curious? Stop by the next program on community relations. Andrea Massey-Farrell, president/CEO at Massey Communications, will share insight on evaluating and prioritizing community relations activities. The program will be held on Friday, April 18, at 8:15 a.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center/Chamber of Commerce. It is free for members and $10 for non-members.

Tasting Winter Park

Winter Park’s ultimate foodie festival is just around the corner. The 29th annual Taste of Winter Park presented by CenturyLink features an all-star lineup of local eateries and top dining destinations. More than 40 participants will showcase their signature dishes, refreshing beverages and decadent desserts. Participants include Hamilton’s Kitchen, Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, Park Plaza Gardens, Cocina 214, Shula’s Steak House and many more. Also, get a taste of John Rivers’ new restaurant concept, The COOP, and meet The Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” three-time champion Hollis Wilder from Sweet by Holly. Top off the evening with live music by saxophonist Johnny Mag Sax and fabulous raffle prizes.

Bring your whole office out for an evening at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market on Wednesday, April 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are available at winterpark.org or at the Winter Park Welcome Center during business hours.

Feeling lucky? Enter to win the Taste of Winter Park Recipe Contest. Edible Orlando has teamed up with Whole Foods Market Winter Park to showcase fresh, local produce. To enter, email your original recipe for a veggie side, starter or salad featuring Florida-grown produce to [email protected] with the subject line “Recipe Contest” by April 4. Edible Orlando’s editors will choose their fave, and Whole Foods Market will share samples of the winning recipe at Taste of Winter Park. The winning recipe and author’s byline will be featured in the Summer Issue of Edible Orlando (out June 1). The winner will receive bragging rights, plus two tickets to Taste of Winter Park and a $100 Whole Foods Market gift card.

For updates on other Chamber events and programs plus community happenings, ‘like’ our Facebook page at facebook.com/winterparkchamber or follow us on Twitter at @WPChamberFL

Erika Spence is the senior director of marketing and communications at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.