‘Taking Care of Business’
By Bari Auerbach

In Sunny Isles Beach, the City Commission focuses on “taking care of business” benefiting residents - and now, the Aventura-Sunny Isles Beach Chamber of Commerce is pooling resources to focus on “building business” for close to 200 members as the professional organization continues to grow.

Sunny Isles Beach finally has a Chamber of Commerce!” Commissioner Lewis Thaler proclaimed earlier this year. “We have joined with the Aventura Chamber (established in 1995). On January 26, 2006 the first [joint] meeting was held at Homevision on 163rd Street for all Sunny Isles Beach and Aventura businesses. Over eighty people attended the wine and cheese party and it is hoped that many more will be joining the organization. This is a wonderful way to network and tell people all about your business.”

Gloria Taft, the city’s newly appointed liaison to the Chamber, feels the collaborative success of the Aventura-Sunny Isles Beach Chamber is due to business-minded leaders including president David Sheinheit and marketing director Jon Rogoff.

“We also appreciate the expertise and assistance provided by Tony LoCastro, chair of the city’s Tourism and Development Committee; Bob Welsh and Honey Schriff, who have been actively involved in future plans to celebrate our community's multicultural heritage....And Mayor Norman S. Edelcup along with members of the Sunny Isles Beach City Commission – lending support to help the Chamber grow strong.”

Just some of the Chamber’s recent networking events have included a “meet the author” event at Barnes & Noble with Dr. Steven Schnur talking about his book The Reality Diet; a luncheon at Tony Roma’s featuring John Turchin, national correspondent for FOX TV’s America’s Most Wanted; and a Halloween Party in conjunction with Olympia Personal Training Center at the Ramada Plaza Marco Polo Beach Resort.

“All Chamber activities give members as many opportunities as possible to connect with one another and build business,” Taft said. “Mark Bluestein, membership committee chair, is constantly developing new member benefits...We’re currently in the process of enhancing our website capabilities into a powerful resource for our members. Within a short period of time, our members will be able to conduct e-commerce with one another from their home, office, or anywhere in the world. This will be most advantageous for our international members.”

The Chamber also has a charitable foundation committee chaired by Les Winston, the host of his own radio program Funny Money. The foundation’s mission is to meet key needs of those less fortunate by raising awareness and funds.

“It is our hope that someday all the businesses in Aventura and Sunny Isles Beach will become members of our dynamic Chamber of Commerce and work together for the benefit of all,” Taft said. “If you would like to become a member and ‘build business’ phone Jon Rogoff, 305-935-2131.”

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