Councils
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce offers an array of groups which Chamber members can join. Engagement within a Chamber council is an excellent way to build relationships. These groups are responsible for some of the most meaningful programming within the organization, and are an integral part of the Chamber's mission and vision.
Each Council is governed by its own board and many have staff support. Most events organized by our Chamber's councils are open to all members and future members, but sometimes require a fee. If you have additional questions, contact the chair of a respective Council or Executive Vice President Denise Jordan.
Please click on the following links for up-to-date information on our councils:
Below, please see a list of our Chamber councils. We have provided a brief summary of each council's concentration and a helpful link to help put you in contact with the chair of each respective council.
The mission of the Beach Council is to "champion the beach through collaborative relationships to encourage responsible growth and to actively pursue achievable common goals."
The council meets monthly to discuss matters important to organizations that do business along Fort Lauderdale Beach, while being the conduit between the public and private sector.
To attend and upcoming meeting or to find out more about the council, please contact 2024 BC Chair Ina Lee, Travel Host FTL. ina@travelhostftl.com
This group is responsible for the promotion of the Chamber. They assist the Director of Communications with the annual marketing strategy and in trade deals with different media partners. This council meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
For more information, contact Chair Anthony Santana, Hardcore Advertising, anthony@hardcoreadv.com
Members of the Cultural Council work to strengthen partnerships between the arts and businesses. Business support for the arts is driven less by a charitable focus and more by a focus on how the arts economically impact the communities in which their employees live and work.
To this end it is a benefit to businesses to help drive success and form a thriving arts community.
For more information on the Cultural Council, please click here or contact Chair Rion Heldibridle, ArtServe, rionb@artserve.org
On November 1, 2020 the Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce became the Deerfield Beach Council at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and joined other prestigious and influential Councils under the GFLCC. This council focuses on issues important to businesses not only in Deerfield Beach, but across north Broward County.
Council members work in a diverse cross-section of industries and organizations, so the issues that affect our membership include a wide scope of strategic priorities. Most importantly, we focus on supporting the Deerfield Beach Economic Development Council and the City of Deerfield Beach on their initiatives for bringing business to the greater Deerfield Beach area.
For more information on the Deerfield Beach Council, contact Chair Audra Durham (adurham@wyndhamdeerfield.com), Director of Sales & Marketing at Wyndham Deerfield Beach Resort.
The mission of the Downtown Council is to bring together businesses located in the downtown geographic area of Fort Lauderdale for the purpose of providing business development networking events and leadership on issues affecting those businesses.
The council supports one of the Chamber's signature events each year, as well as multiple smaller events.
For more information on the Downtown Council, please click here or contact Chair Tyrone Po (tyrone.po@greenkeypartners.net), Managing Principal at Green Key Partners LLC.
Council of Economic Advisers
Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Miami Branch
Purpose: The purpose of the Council of Economic Advisers is to serve as an important source of information on current and pending developments in the regional and national economy, by providing observations, opinions and advice to representatives of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Miami Branch, on the present state of the economy, developments in the respective members' industries and locations, and their perceptions of the present stance of monetary policy.
Membership: The Council of Economic Advisers includes ten or more members, representing a broad and diverse array of business leaders, who reside within the South Florida area served by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Miami Branch. The membership of the Council of Economic Advisers is limited to those members appointed by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.
Meetings: The Council of Economic Advisers meets in person four times each calendar year. In addition, the Council may meet at other times at the discretion of the Chair.
Participants: The meetings are open to the members of the Council of Economic Advisers, Board members of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the Bank's Vice President and Regional Executive. In addition, meetings may be attended by other officers and representatives of the Bank as the agenda for a specific meeting dictates.
For more information, contact Chair Stephen Tilbrook (stephen.tilbrook@akerman.com ), partner, Akerman.
This group deals with issues related to resiliency throughout South Florida and looks for steps the business community should take to combat sea level rise.
For more information, contact Chair Joseph Karl, (jkarl@provwealth.com)Provenance Wealth Advisors.Best known for its "Multiple Pathways To The American Dream" event and its annual education-focused breakfast with the Downtown Council, the Workforce & Education Council is a working group for all Chamber members who are interested in building awareness and partnerships that bridge the gap between Broward County's educational opportunities and the practical employment needs of our business community.
For more information, contact Chair Colleen Lockwood (clockwood@browardschools.com) - Director, Broward County Local College Access Network
GLBX originated as the Gay and Lesbian Business Exchange and formally became a council in late 2010, shortly before the two year anniversary. The Council grew to more than 150 members in less than two years. GLBX is open to anyone interested in doing business with the gay and lesbian community, no matter their sexual orientation.
Members of this council take part in organizing multiple programs and services each year.
For more information on the council, please click here or contact 2024 GLBX Chair Mark Budwig, S.Mark Graphics mark@smark.com
This important Chamber group reviews and develops public policy positions that are "pro-business and pro-South Florida." Research is involved. The Chamber leadership then takes the positions to elected officials and staff.
For more information, contact Chair Janna Lhota (Janna.lhota@hklaw.com)
Members of this council concentrate on creating and developing business in Broward County's western areas, extending towards Weston. Formerly known as the Greater Weston Business Council, engaging with the council provides business leaders with a wide range of professional opportunities by connecting businesses and expanding access to new markets.
The council also oversees its own leads group and organizes multiple events throughout the year, including its signature Sawgrass Awards.
For more information on the council, contact 2024 GWBC Chair Cathy Elmquist, Weston Towne Center Cathy@wtces.com
This council focuses on some of the major issues affecting the medical industry in South Florida, and produces one of the Chamber's Signature Events, Perspectives on Florida's Healthcare.
For more information, contact Chair Kathryn Salerno, Broward Health.This group provides guidance to the Board of Directors on issues related to sustaining a strong marine industry. The committee also provides periodic blogs with valuable information for boaters and those working in the marine industry. Here are some of their latest blogs:
The Evolution of Hurricane Power and Destruction
The 1st Ever Recreational Marine Foreign Trade Zone in the U.S. - in Fort Lauderdale!
Fort Lauderdale Has Banned Plastic Straws - What's Next?
It All Boils Down to the WATER!
Fort Lauderdale: A New Leader in Cruise, Cargo & Transportation
Tax Reform Benefits for the Marine Industry
For more information, contact Chair Barbora Kassdikian, Florida Design & Construction Professionals (FLDCP).The Membership Council reviews and recommends strategies, procedures, and best practices for the recruitment and retention of Chamber members. A goal is to facilitate business between members and proactively add value to every member’s association with the Chamber.
For more information, contact Chair Ty Richards, CEO of One Global Business Financing.
The mission of the Oakland Park / Wilton Manors / Uptown Council is to bring together companies located in this geographic area for the purpose of driving business development through networking events and leadership on common goals for the area.
For more information on the council, contact 2024 OPWMU Chair Irv Scott, iscot@SRiServicesCo.net
This council was created through the Chamber's Racial Equity Agenda. The council's mission is to help develop, fund, deploy and evaluate minority-centric programs. The Chamber's goal is to work in conjunction with several prominent organizations like Broward College, the Community Foundation of Broward County, the Urban League of Broward County and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance to launch several initiatives to boost inclusion in our business community. For the objectives of the Council, please click here. To learn more about our Racial Equity Agenda, please click here.
For more information contact Chair John Jones, Calvary Fort Lauderdale
This council focuses on the changing landscape of the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, including upcoming and ongoing development, as well as issues relating to the land on which the Chamber building sits.
For more information, contact Chair Jennifer Leong (jleong@onesothebysrealty.com) Principal of The Opulent Group.
Rising Leaders is the Council that represents and engages young professionals within the Chamber. Focused on providing mentorship, networking opportunities and learning and development forums, the Council's goal is to drive the success and advancement of young professionals within Chamber member organizations, as well as the community at large. Visit our our Facebook Page.
For more information, contact Maria J. Villavicencio, Kids in Distress, maria.j.villavicencio@gmail.com
The Small Business Council is the voice designed to engage, support and celebrate the local small businesses within the Chamber. The SBC is responsible for the oversight of several value-added programs that enhance membership and involvement in the Chamber. These programs include a free monthly Biz Perks networking event, seven different Leads Groups, the Chamber Diplomat program, educational Business Forums, a representation in Government Affairs and our annual Small Business of The Year Award ceremony.
They meet in the Chamber’s Chart Room the 4th Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Michael Goldstein, Lan Infotech, mgoldstein@laninfotech.com.
The Social Impact Council is a collective council comprised of charitable organizations and businesses working together for social good.
As a council, they are intentionally focused on aligning intersections of collaboration to better serve and build a stronger, more robust community.
Get engaged and join the council for their monthly Impact Breakfast meeting every first Wednesday of the month from 8:30-10am.
For more information, contact Chair Katy Meagher, Neighbors 4 Neighbors, katy@neighbors4neighbors.org
This council is comprised of individuals who own or work for organizations which are Chairman's Circle or Trustee investors. The council convenes one time per month and also helps organize events and programs for the Chamber's top-level investors.
For more information on Trustees, please click here or contact Melissa Milroy, Galleria.
This committee is responsible for developing and structuring the upcoming 2021 Washington Summit, when dozens of Chamber delegates will make a trip to our nation's capital to advocate for several issues critical to moving our business community forward. The committee meets once a month to provide input on logistics and formulate the three-day schedule that will help delegates meet with elected officials and policymakers in Washington, D.C.
This group dissects currently political issues and determines stances the Chamber will take during key times. The committee is responsible for the Washington Summit, a biennial working trip which provides an intimate opportunity for delegates to meet with members of Congress and the South Florida Congressional Delegation to discuss critical issues affecting their businesses. Delegates participate in briefings with congressional department heads, attend receptions with the Florida Delegation and join meetings with our trade partners. Additional events are planned to take place at the Capitol, National Press Club and the Pentagon. The committee also heads up Broward Days, a similar trip to Tallahassee held on opposite years.
For more information, contact Chair Janna Lhota, Holland + Knight, janna.lhota@hklaw.com
Welcome to the Women’s Council,
I hope this message finds you well. I would like to introduce you to the Women's Council, a community dedicated to impacting, empowering, and championing women business owners and leaders.
As a potential member, we encourage you to attend one of our council events or a leads group meeting. This will provide an opportunity to get acquainted with our council, network with members, and discover how you can be more involved. We want to ensure that you have the best experience as a new member and want everyone to feel welcomed. We have worked hard to build our council board which now holds 25 incredible women and some chosen men. With our board at capacity this makes the council meetings more difficult for members to navigate as we discuss council events and other priorities. The council meetings also do not allow you to get to know us as well as we would like or the opportunity to get to know you! We have plenty of room on committees for you to volunteer and you can learn about these through our membership committee!
Our events offer a platform to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from experienced professionals, and foster meaningful relationships. Your unique expertise and perspective will be valued as you contribute to our mission of advancing women and other in business. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more information. We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming event and embarking on this incredible journey together.
For more information on the council, please contact Mili Peluso, Alan Levan, NSU Broward Center of Innovation - mpeluso@nova.edu