PHOTOS COURTESY OF WEST ORANGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A Look Back at 2019
It’s natural, as a new year approaches,
to reflect on the speed and passage
of the year while assessing
accomplishments. The West Orange
Chamber is no different in this process.
Yet, because we are a membership
association, our accomplishments are
those facilitated, implemented and
achieved by our members.
I’m proud to say their list of accomplishments
is long, starting with the
most basic measure of the success of a
business: profitability. Our members, by
working together, transacted hundreds,
if not thousands, of business transactions
resulting in millions of dollars in our
community.
These members, representing businesses
in numerous industries, were able
to interact and transact with one another
by developing relationships at chamber
42 Central Florida Lifestyle | December 2019
meetings, events, online, through
networking groups, on the golf
course and even at social functions.
Give a chamber member an opportunity
and they will do business
with one another.
Our members not only created
transactional business with one another,
they partnered in many other
ways that benefitted even those who
are not members of our chamber.
• Members partnered with elected
officials on economic development
tours to demonstrate the
availability of Class A office space,
specifically in Horizon West and
Ocoee.
• “Dining Deals” was developed by
our food and beverage members
as a special summertime discount
program for other members.
• The development of a tourism
brochure to promote the unexpected
and wondrous Orlando’s
west side.
• The members of our chamber
and political action committee
worked with legislators to secure
funding for two business court
judges to help with the backlog
on business cases.
• Chamber ambassadors hosted over
110 ribbon cuttings, anniversaries
and more highlighting the strong
economy in West Orange. This
even includes holiday parades for
the children.
• Member contributions facilitated
food for families in need at
Thanksgiving, and others funded
charitable programs ranging from
art lessons for children, to land
preservation, to mental health
counseling for veterans.
• Educational and business partners
worked together to bring resources
to employers to help meet their
demand for skilled labor through
training programs and hosted
OCPS Teach In, too.
• Members have begun a vetting process
to evaluate proposed sales tax for
transportation needs, with more to
come in 2020.
The work of our members to support
one another and the greater West
Orange community is never ending.
Look to 2020 to see even more facilitating
of opportunity by our members.
By Stina D’Uva, West Orange Chamber of Commerce
Meeting of the
chamber’s new
Horizon West
Networking Group
+ YOUR Local
West Orange Chamber members worked together to make their
business community and their neighborhoods thrive throughout the year.
Mayor Demings
speaking to
members about
proposed
transportation
sales tax