Recording of a webinar the Latin Chamber participated in regarding doing business in the United States.
http://teleseminario.com/NegociosEEUU/
Latin Chamber member Manasoata SBE hosts event July 29
How to Use Financial Reports
Presenters: Scott McKinley and Lian Havro
Do you know how to minimize your operation expenses? Maximize your revenue? Is your tax preparer helping you to save on taxes? How do you know which advertising expense is drawing customers to your business? What is your gross profit margin? Net profit margin? How well is your business performing compare to last month? Last quarter? Last year? How about compared to the other businesses in your industry? Would you like to know?
Small Business Owners who want to succeed must know how to take the basic data from bookkeeping, and turn it into accounting reports – the reports can tell you everything you need to know about the past, present and future of your business performances, and with that information, you can be competitive and also profitable in your industry.
If you want to know how to use financial reports to help your business, I personally invite you to attend the seminar specifically designed for small business owners like you. Come and receive information on how to boost your sales, and eliminate the unnecessary spending. The seminar is FREE and the seating is limited.
When: July 29th, 2010 9am-12pm
Location: Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Express, 4450 47th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34210
Contact: Manasota Small Business Experts
Phone: 847-348-8551
Email: LIAN.H@manasota-sbe.com
Web: www.manasota-sbe.com
Rotary Club gives girl, 2, chance for healthy life
By TIMOTHY R. WOLFRUM - twolfrum@bradenton.com
BRADENTON undefined A sick little girl in Central America will receive a second chance for a healthy life thanks to a charitable partnership between the Rotary Club of Bradenton and All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.
On June 15, Lixi Johana Ramirez Ascencio, 2, will travel with her mother from their home in El Salvador to All Children’s Hospital for open-heart surgery to correct a congenital defect.
The Rotary Club of Bradenton, working through Gift of Life International, is sponsoring the family’s trip to Florida and the family’s stay here.
According to Rotary membership chairman Tim Milligan, Lixi is unable to gain weight, becomes tired easily and does not have the energy to play with her siblings because of her heart condition.
“The kids normally come in ashen and barely able to move,” said Milligan, a board member for the local Gift of Life International organization. “By the time they go home, they’re running up and down the halls, tearing wallpaper off the walls.”
Lixi’s family of 10 earns a total household income of $3 a day, Milligan said. Cardiac surgery is not available to the family in El Salvador. Gift of Life International has arranged for 38 El Salvadoran children to receive cardiac surgery in hospitals around the world, he said.
The Rotary Club contributed $5,000 and made the arrangements with All Children’s Hospital. Milligan will host Lixi and her mother at his Bradenton home before and after the surgery. Other club members will help out, and the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce has offered volunteers of El Salvadorian descent to visit the family.
“It engages the clubs that are involved because they have a financial contribution along with housing the child and providing travel,” Milligan said.
Dr. Jeffrey Jacobs, a cardiologist at All Children’s Hospital, will perform the surgery. He and his staff have donated their time for the procedure, said Michael Epstein, the hospital’s senior vice president of medical affairs. Normally the procedure would cost about $25,000 with another $5,000 to $8,000 tacked on for physicians’ fees under normal circumstances, he said.
“We do a lot of charity care,” Epstein said. “As a nonprofit, we’re expected to do some of that, but it’s more a philosophy of ours.”
Lixi will be in the hospital for five days after her surgery, and her mother will stay at a nearby Ronald McDonald House, Epstein said. The family then will be asked to stay in the area for about two weeks to make sure there are no complications.
Alina Mugford & The Translation Link “SCORE” Big in National Award!
Winner of the 2010 National SCORE Award for Outstanding Small Business Launch
Bradenton, FL, June 1, 2010 undefined Alina Mugford, owner of The Translation Link, LLC has been named winner of the 2010 National SCORE Award for Outstanding Small Business Launch. She will be honored at the Annual SCORE Formal Awards Gala to be held Thursday, September 16, 2010 at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington D.C.
“In a year with many high quality entries, Ms. Mugford’s business showed superior qualities of entrepreneurship, integrity and community engagement," said Mark Dobosz, Executive Director of The Score Foundation. Greg Hoffmann, Vice Chair for the Manasota SCORE chapter added, “We are very proud of Alina and her business. Her venture is a national and international success.”
The Translation Link LLC serves as an excellent example of what can happen when a successful business strategy is executed to the fullest. By combining advice from SCORE, local chamber organizations and area business owners, Alina Mugford started a company now respected as one of the top boutique translation firms in the country. This year Ms. Mugford takes her success to the next level, opening a new division dedicated to providing marketing and culture advice to businesses looking to expand their reach in the Latino and US marketplace.
--The Translation Link provides translations interpretation, technical translations and proofreading/editing services for a wide variety of businesses. In recent years, owner Alina Mugford and The Translation Link team have been recognized with numerous awards including 2009 Manasota SCORE Small Business of the Year, Longboat Key Chamber 2009 New Small Business of the Year, and first place in the American Translators Association ATA 2007 Worldwide School Outreach challenge. In October 2008, The Translation Link LLC became the “Official Languages Service Provider” for WEDU. Additional information regarding Ms. Mugford and The Translation Link is found via www.TheTranslationLink.net or by calling 941-962-4639.
--- The SCORE Awardsundefinedis a celebration of excellence in America’s small businesses and serves as the preeminent recognition leader in honoring and supporting small business in the U.S. Since 1964, SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” has assisted more than 8 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. The SCORE Awards is a fully produced, annual event – equal parts ceremony, celebration and entertainment. Net revenues from the event will go to support the SCORE Foundation and its programs, a 501(c)3 non profit. For more information visit http://www.scorefoundation.org.
DREAMMAKER BATH TO CELEBRATE NEW LOCATION JUNE 11, 12
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen (www.dreammaker-gci.com) will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location at 999 Cattlemen Road, Suite E on June 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with prize giveaways and 30 percent discounts on cabinets.
IRS - Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses'
Since we are now in the midst of Hurricane Season, I thought you might find the following information helpful. It is a direct link to our website.
The IRS also offers audio presentations on Planning for Disasters. These presentations discuss business continuity planning, insurance coverage, record keeping and other tips to stay in business after a major disaster.
Disaster Planning Audio Presentations
- Continuity Planning and Other Tips to Stay in Business After a Major Disaster (Audio, Transcript)
- Insurance Coverage and Other Emergency Planning Tips to Help Your Business Survive a Major Disaster (Audio,Transcript)
- Recordkeeping and Reconstructing Business Records to Help Your Business Survive a Major Disaster (Audio,Transcript)
- Disaster and Emergency Relief - Webinar Archive (Video, Transcript, Presentation slides, Q&A)
Please feel free to share this information with your members and/or clients. If I can be of further assistance, p
Hyatt Place® Sarasota/Bradenton Ranked as One of World’s Best Hotels on Expedia
®
Insiders’ Select™
List!
Sarasota, FL (May 12, 2010) – Expedia® travelers have ranked Hyatt Place® Sarasota/Bradenton among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list. The list formally recognizes individual hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value. The full list represents only a small percentage of the world’s top hotels from the more than 110,000 hotel properties offered on Expedia.
The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list is compiled based on the more than one million Traveler Opinions hotel reviews collected by Expedia, combined with a value rating and the local market expertise of more than 400 Expedia employees in local markets worldwide, resulting in an easy-to-browse list that provides travelers with a powerful way to find the perfect hotel using the trusted insight of other travelers like them. The list showcases the diverse selection of travel destinations and hotel properties.
For more information, visit www.expedia.com/insidersselect.
Hyatt Place® Background
Hyatt Place® combines contemporary design with innovative services and amenities to create an atmosphere of casual hospitality. The concept was inspired by the changing landscape of contemporary, multi-tasking business travelers, who have successfully adapted to today’s “24/7 lifestyle.” To help guests achieve this lifestyle, Hyatt Place® offers a balanced mix of comfortable and functional amenities.
• Guestrooms: For work, guests can take advantage of the complimentary Wi-Fi, oversized desk and ergonomic chair in each room. And when it’s time to relax, they can stretch out on the eight-foot Cozy Corner sectional sofa-sleeper and watch their favorite shows on the room’s 42-inch flat panel, HDTV. Each room’s innovative Hyatt Plug Panel™ also allows guests to connect their own entertainment media to the television, including laptops, MP3 players, DVD players or any other portable device. At bedtime, the signature Hyatt Grand Bed™ ensures guests will enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.
• Gallery: An innovative welcoming arrival area where guests are greeted by a Gallery Host who assists guests with everything from check-in to preparing a freshly made snack, the Gallery offers two self-registration kiosks, an intimate coffee and wine café and bakery, free Wi-Fi, a TV den and an “e-room” with free access to public computers and a printer with secure print-ahead technology.
• Mealtime: Guests at Hyatt Place® may purchase signature hot breakfast entrées along with Starbucks® specialty coffees or enjoy a free continental breakfast. The hotel also offers a variety of freshly prepared, café-quality items, including made-to-order entrées, sandwiches, soups, salads and pizza, which guests can order 24/7 via a touch screen menu in the Guest Kitchen or from a Gallery Host.
• StayFit@Hyatt: To help guests stay physically and mentally productive, the hotel offers a StayFit@Hyatt gym featuring state-of-the-art Life Fitness® equipment open 24/7.
• Shuttle: Complimentary shuttle service is offered to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and many local businesses and attractions.
• Meeting Space: Over 900 square feet of flexible meeting space is available with cutting edge AV equipment and in-house catering
• Outdoor Leisure: Hotel offers heated, outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and bocce ball
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and White’s Lodging, LLC opened the Hyatt Place Sarasota/Bradenton hotel on December 18, 2008, on University Parkway directly across from the main entrance to Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
“When creating Hyatt Place, we extensively researched the evolving needs of contemporary travelers to identify the right combination of style, service and amenities,” said Alison Kal, vice president, marketing, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. “Across the country, guest reactions have been tremendously positive and we’re thrilled to bring the Hyatt Place experience to Sarasota.”
Tom White, managing partner of White’s Lodging, LLC believes the Hyatt Place® guest experience will continue to set the standard for today’s multitasking travelers. “With free Wi-Fi access, freshly prepared food available 24/7, state-of-the-art in-room media options and a staff equipped to handle any task gracefully, Hyatt Place is equipped with everything today’s traveler needs.”
USF Sarasota-Manatee students make impressive interns at the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce
SARASOTA, April 8, 2010 – University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee (USFSM) student Brayan Felipe came to the United States from Brazil when he was 12-years-old with some big dreams, and the drive to accomplish them. As an intern at the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce, he networks with clients and helps the business end of things as an Executive Assistant. The training, he says, is great for what he wants to do for his career.
“I want to be the CEO of a company,” says the International Business major, who makes no qualms about his determination to reach the top. “This internship is helping me gain practical experience and meet all the right people to make it happen.”
Felipe, who is on track to graduate from USF Sarasota-Manatee this December, balances his internship, class work, and a part-time job as treasurer of the Student Government Association with his volunteerism in the community and involvement with several organizations, including Phi Beta Lambda Business Club. He hopes to intern with Pepsi and pursue his master’s and doctorate degrees.
In order to get a jump start on real-world experience, Felipe turned to Career Services at USFSM, which assists students in getting internships, finding jobs, and making connections within the community.
“It has been proven that students will gain a higher wage and gain employment quicker if they have an internship on their resume,” says Toni Ripo, career services coordinator at USFSM. “Career related experience helps them transition into the world of work.”
Ripo played an integral role in finding the internship for Felipe and two of his USFSM classmates in the Information Technology department at USFSM. Hormis Thaliath, a student from India, and Steve Rios, a student from Puerto Rico, also took advantage of Career Services and got an internship at the Chamber. They have been working on programming, software systems, and web development for the nonprofit organization and have been approached about creating an iPhone application for Chamber members.
“All three students have been very helpful for developing better systems and relationships with Chamber members,” says Cesar Gomez, executive director of the Chamber. “We’ve had many conversations about how to apply their educational knowledge to increase traffic to our website and make it more user-friendly and efficient. The interns have been very proactive in coming up with solutions for the Chambers’ needs.”
Although Thaliath and Rios both work in the IT department, their specialties are very different. Thaliath is majoring in Management Information Systems and hopes to get an MBA degree from one of the nation’s top Universities. He works with web development functionality and contact database management for the Chamber.
“This internship not only gave me professional skills, but also personal skills,” said Thaliath. “I enjoy working as a team and exchanging ideas with my peers. With this internship I am able to learn new things outside of the classroom.”
Rios is an Information Technology major at USFSM and works on software programming at the Chamber while balancing his class work with his full time job at the Hyatt.
“The best thing about the internship is being able to make connections in the community and learn new things outside of the classroom,” said Rios. “We’ve had to learn to become problem solvers for the Chamber and it’s great for the hands on experience.”
SCAM INFO:
Area chambers members have been contacted by a company called Premier Map Company attempting to sell advertising in a map published by the company. This company's representatives have claimed to be calling on behalf of the area chamber that was targeted.
Along with the other Chambers in the area, the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber is not affiliated with the Premier Map Company. If you should be contacted by this company with this claim, please let Chamber staff know immediately. Premier Map Company has been noted in the news. These news stories have outlined similiar scams across the country.
There are legitimate maps produced by area chambers, this company does not represent any of them.
If you have been contacted by this company, please contact Cesar Gomez at info@latinchamber.org
Working Together for Progress Trabajando Unidos para el Progreso
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Senate Passes HR 4213, Includes Amendment to Extend & Fund SBA Recovery Act Provisions through CALENDAR Year | |
Just moments ago the Senate passed HR 4213, To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes -- more commonly called the 'Tax Extenders Bill' to extend jobless benefits, tax breaks... and small business programs.
The bill includes an amendment sought by NAGGL that increases the amount of funding to further extend the SBA Recovery Act provisions. NAGGL argued that the additional $354 million proposed in earlier legislation would likely not support SBA lending stimulus provisions through even the end of the fiscal year.
Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Snowe (R-ME)
(the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship) concurred with NAGGL. As part of a technical amendment, the Senate has increased the funding to$560 miliion (in addition to the $60 million for March). The $620 million total should be sufficient to get the SBA lending industry through the end of the CALENDAR year. The bill also includes anextension of the authorization of the SBA Recovery Act provisions through 12/31/2010.
What's next? HR 4213 now goes to the House for consideration. NAGGL is hopeful that all congressional work will be completed and the bill signed into law by the March 28 expiration of the recently extended stimulus provisions.
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preceding from naggl.org
Port Manatee Hosts U.S. and
Panamanian
Dignitaries
Latin Chamber Present at Historic Event
The Ambassador of Panama to the United States, Jaime Eduardo Alemán Healy, and Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Sarasota) met with more than 70 business leaders and area lawmakers on February 8th to discuss the potential economic impacts for Port Manatee related to the Panama Canal's expansion.
"This is about creating jobs," commented Rep. Buchanan during a briefing at the Port. "As a member of the Congressional Panama Caucus, I am working to create jobs throughout Florida, and Port Manatee's capacity for growth and its proximity to the Canal give it distinct advantages as we move closer to the planned completion of the expanded canal in 2014.:
Following a port tour, Ambassador Alemán said, "Port Manatee is doing the right things to take advantage of the expansion of the canal." He also complimented port leaders on the operations and efficiencies of the port.
The Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce was represented at the event by César Gómez, Executive Director; Patricia Castro, Secretary / Director and member of the Board, Jorge R. Chacón, co-founder, past president and current Chair of the Latin Chamber's International Enterprise Partnership; Javier Curiel, co-founder and member of the Chamber (Latino Excellence of Sarasota); José Antonio Garnham, member of the Chamber and Latino Excellence of Sarasota, among others.
Left to right: Javier Curiel, José Antonio Garnham, Jorge R. Chacón, Ambassador Jaime Eduardo Alemán Healy, César Gómez, Congressman Vern Buchanan and Patricia Castro.