AMERICAS LINKAGE®

Outbound Missions: Each year, the Greater Miami Chamber organizes a series of outbound missions to selected markets around the world facilitating business ties between Florida, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. The Americas Linkage Outbound missions program offers each participant a unique opportunity to meet talented business leaders, learn about new opportunities, exchange ideas and forge personal bonds that can last a lifetime and benefit Florida companies.

Inbound Missions: The Americas Linkage Conference is an extensive program that provides opportunities for business leaders, professionals and public officials to share best practices and explore opportunities that improve the business climate for trade and services between the United States and Florida’s trading partners. The conference is designed for groups and companies who conduct or wish to conduct international business aiming at new market opportunities in an increasingly competitive global economy. It also serves as a guide to business plan development; a vehicle for entrepreneurs to identify resources to start partnerships or find new markets; and provides an opportunity for regional and international businesses to engage in matchmaking opportunities. The Chamber has hosted delegates from over 20 countries.

Additional Programming: In addition to the Linkages programs, the Chamber has a series of initiatives to satisfy the international needs of Florida companies. Our Global Briefings, Leadership Americas Forum and Consular Corps Events are prime examples of the Chamber’s goal to foster international business development in Florida.

For information, contact Liane Ventura at 305-577-5445 or leadership@miamichamber.com.

BUSINESS INNOVATION INSTITUTE

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce conducts a monthly luncheon series that spotlights local award winning companies’ CEOs and, as a tool to talk about each company, focuses on business books that have inspired or influenced the way each company is run. Entitled the “Business Innovation Institute,” these gatherings enable Miami’s business community to listen to top performing CEOs talk about strategies that have yielded successes for their companies and how they navigate today’s economic climate. For more information about this series, contact Cornelia Pereira, 305-577-5432 | cpereira@miamichamber.com.

GOALS CONFERENCE

The Greater Miami Chamber’s most important business planning retreat attracts local and regional business leaders to celebrate the Chamber's successes throughout the past year and develop programming and Goals for the new year under a new Chairman, slate of officers and committee leaders. In addition to celebrating this year’s achievements and creating our Program of Work, the two-day conference features several opportunities to network and participate in various events including the South Florida Good to Great Awards luncheon and A Salute to Miami’s Leaders reception and dinner.

For information, contact Kathy Preece at 305-577-5422 or spevents@miamichamber.com.

GOOD MORNING MIAMI

Established in 2002, this breakfast series looks at issues that affect Downtown Miami - a major priority of the Chamber’s New World Center Committee. Panel discussion topics have included The New Face of Downtown, Rediscover Watson Island, Multi-Billion Dollar Makeover and The Miami River’s Revival. The November 2007 Good Morning Miami program discussed the transformation of downtown Miami and distinguished mayors shared their secrets and best practices of creating a vibrant downtown. The panel featured Glenda Hood, former Florida Secretary of State, former mayor, Orlando; Bill Hudnut, senior resident fellow, Urban Land Institute, former mayor, Indianapolis; and Anthony Williams, CEO, Primum Public Realty Trust, former mayor, Washington D.C.

For information, contact Tania Valenzuela at 305-577-5491 or tvalenzuela@miamichamber.com.

LEADERSHIP MIAMI®

Among some of the Chamber’s most successful programs is Leadership Miami, an annual program sponsored by several of Miami-Dade County’s premier companies, local agencies and corporations since 1979. Leadership Miami offers participants the opportunity to meet Miami’s leaders and to share an intensive learning experience that focuses on community issues and leadership skills.

Through lectures, seminars, small group discussions and leadership skills exercises participants address vital issues affecting Miami-Dade County. This dynamic format stimulates vigorous and animated discussions, preparing the next generation of Miamians to meet future challenges while developing leadership skills and encouraging further exploration and action related to community issues.

During the two-day opening conference and focus sessions that follow, community leaders, government officials and prominent business executives present their individual perspectives on a wide variety of topics. All presentations are followed by question and answer sessions, and later by small group discussions where participants have the opportunity to develop friendships and network with peers. Finally, a most important part of Leadership Miami and a requirement for completion of the program is the participation in a volunteer community project.

Across the Miami landscape, companies with a keen interest in developing strong business and community leaders have offered their resources and funds to promote, support and expand this meaningful program.

For information, contact Leana Cianfoni at 305-577-5425 or lcianfoni@miamichamber.com.  

SENIOR EXECUTIVE ORIENTATION

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce has been welcoming executive newcomers to the Greater Miami community through its Senior Executive Orientation (SEO) program since 1988. SEO was designed to help newly relocated or newly promoted executives and their spouses have a memorable and informative transition. The group is limited to just 35-40 executives and the SEO Planning Committee determines selection for the program.

Through SEO you will meet people, see places and gain insights and perspectives about Greater Miami that take others years to discover. SEO offers this unique and exciting series of special events to senior-level executives and provides the opportunity to make a rapid transition by connecting participants to the leaders who know Miami best. Join the ranks of other senior executives who cite their SEO participation as one of the highlights of living in South Florida and as enormously valuable in their rapid, successful transition into the community.

For information, contact Ivette Canales at 305-577-5458 or icanales@miamichamber.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. AND TALLAHASSEE INITIATIVES

The Chamber’s Advocacy Group undertakes various trips throughout the year to engage the state legislature, members of U.S. Congress and their staff, and state and federal agencies on issues outlined in the Chamber’s Legislative Package. These are unique opportunities to participate in the Chamber’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. and Tallahassee, FL. Chamber leadership and fellow community and business leaders head to the nation’s and state’s capitals for these fast-paced, high-level lobbing trips. These initiatives consist of:

• Orientation briefings
• Issue meetings with key elected officials, their staff and agency officials – issue areas outlined in the Chamber’s Legislative Package include: healthcare, immigration, trade, transportation and workforce housing.
• Chamber hosted receptions – meet and mingle with elected officials and their staff as well as fellow mission participants, local elected officials and key business leaders.
• Agency briefings
• Networking events
• Delegation kits

For information, contact Alice Ancona at 305-577-5471 or advocacy@miamichamber.com.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP MIAMI

Youth Leadership Miami’s mission is to cultivate young leaders from all segments of our community by educating, developing, and encouraging them to become actively engaged in the community – today and in the future.

Youth Leadership Miami (YLM) brings together freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors from both public and private schools throughout Miami-Dade County to meet and interact with Miami leaders. The goal of the program is to expand awareness of the community and broaden personal experiences, as well as explore future professional goals. This takes place within a fun, energized environment.   During the two-day conference, participating teens will have multiple opportunities to increase their self-awareness and leadership skills through a variety of creative, civic, and environmentally-themed activities. Participants must be present during both days of the conference and take part in a community project to receive their certificate of completion. Students are required to complete an application process and submit a creative writing entry prior to being selected to participate. YLM will be held Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2010 at the University of Miami , Whitten University Center , 1306 Stanford Drive , Coral Gables from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. There is no cost to attend the conference. Breakfast and lunch will be provided both days. In addition, students may receive community service hours for attending both days. 

To download the 2009-2010 Youth Leadership Miami application, click here.

For information, contact Leana Cianfoni at 305-577-5425 or lcianfoni@miamichamber.com

Membership Campaign

The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Membership Campaign is an annual all volunteer driven initiative that is designed to not only recognize and reward members for bringing in new memberships, sponsorships and advertising but also set a platform in which companies gain marketing visibility as a result of their hard work. Within the span of the campaign members have the opportunity to attend complimentary networking receptions, win prizes, and have an opportunity to earn a spot on the Campaign Victory Trip. This is a great way for members to get involved and stand out amongst top business leaders in South Florida.

Campaign Chairs

Lauren Smith, Chair Diversified Search Odgers Berndtson	Kathryn Dinkin, Chair Wachovia

Important Dates to Remember

For information, contact Deanna Dolan at 305-577-5444 or ddolan@miamichamber.com.