To compliment the November Chamber trip to Beijing China, Chairman Ted Doran has announced a formalized program of outreach and education on an annual basis, The Global Trade Initiative.

"Because of the large interest of Chamber members to visit China and other destinations, like our sister cities of Campeche, Mexico and Bayonne, France, I think it is imperative we use our contacts and expertise to acquaint our members and their families with the culture, customs and business trade opportunities throughout the world," said Doran. "We had such a great response of 121 attendees on this first China trip that we have already secured our second trip to China, scheduled for October 15, 2010. This trip will include prepaid attendance to the Shanghai World Expo, where 70 million people are expected to attend." Details on this trip will be mailed to members in April 2010, but reservations and deposits will be accepted beginning in January.

In addition to an annual trip to China, there will be one annual trip to a city in Europe. "I am very pleased to announce our first trip to Europe will be to Tuscany, Italy! We will leave March 24 and return April 1. This coincides with Spring Break in Florida so feel free to bring your children. The flight will leave from Miami and fly non-stop to Rome. We will visit DaVinci's birthplace, Chianti, and Pesa. A flyer is enclosed in this newsletter with all the details. The only shortcoming is that we are limited to 100 attendees on this trip and it will sell out fast with this announcement."

For more information, please visit the Chamber's website at www.daytonachamber.com/Italy2010. Deposits for your space will be accepted immediately, and final payment is due December 25, 2009.

Have you heard the news?

The Chamber's annual golf tournament is getting a new look! The new tournament, dubbed "Business Links" will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Club at Venetian Bay in New Smyrna Beach. You know what they say about business deals on the golf course, so gear up!

Registration begins at 11a.m. with a shotgun start at 12 noon. All players will receive boxed lunches.

The Chamber is seeking sponsorships! Major Sponsorships are $700 and include 4 player spots, course signage recognition and recognition at the after play banquet. There are Supporting Sponsorship positions still available that includes signage at the course, recognition in the newsletter and all other correspondence, with a foursome to the tournament included. Hole sponsorships are also available for $100. For information on this opportunity contact Kevin Kilian of the Chamber’s Events/Communications department at 255-0981, ext. 230.

Bright House Networks is on board with their 4th year of Presenting Sponsorship, and Brown & Brown signed on for their 3rd year of Supporting Sponsorship! Thank you to these and all the businesses supporting the Chamber's golf tournament.

Want to help out on a smaller scale? We are in need of prizes for this event. Dinners, Gift Certificates, Golf Related Items and Non-Golf Related Items are welcome.

Chamber Member Restaraunts - Sample Your Products! The Chamber is seeking member restaurants interested in sampling their product as a benefit to our participants. We would also ask that you include dinner for two as a prize and would welcome ideas on additional benefits for our players. This is an ideal opportunity to showcase your menu and services to Chamber business leaders.

For more information, or to become a sponsor or donate a prize, please contact Kevin Kilian at (386) 255-0981, ext. 230 or kevin@daytonachamber.com.

The DB City Commission is hosting a workshop regarding the homeless on Wednesday, October 15, from 4-5:15 pm at City Hall. Last year, the Chamber's Homeless Issues Committee worked to facilitate a 10-Year-Plan to End Homelessness for the Volusia-Flagler Coalition for the Homeless - a blueprint to guide the community on how to address the issue in the coming years.

A major point was that we not necessarily seek continued funding but to "redirect" money that is already being spent and use if for different purposes. For example, Halifax Health has a physician at the Homeless Assistance Center each week to treat the individuals for routine ailments. At the same time, this saves Halifax Hospital significant money in their ER.

The Chamber is also encouraging other Volusia communities to recognize their responsibilities regarding homeless individuals in their own backyard instead of letting it be perceived as just a "Daytona problem."

The Chamber sees addressing the homeless as an economic development issue, i.e., any community with an overflow of homeless has an evermore difficult hurdle to land new business.

How would you suggest we seek to manage the homeless situation in the Daytona Beach area? Has the local homeless situation had an impact on your business?

On October 15^th the Chamber hosted its 24^th annual luncheon with the Volusia County Council to  update  them  on  Chamber  activities  &  exchange  information  on  business  related  issues. Council members Joie Alexander, Jack Hayman, Andy Kelly, Pat Northey, Carl Persis, Josh Wagner, County Chairman Frank Bruno, County Manager Jim Dinneen and several department heads were in attendance. 

At  this  meeting, Business  Development  Partnership  Co-Chairman  Bob Williams,  reported  on  business  recruiting  efforts,  and most importantly, the plan moving forward to merge government and private-sector money and efforts to help existing businesses develop and look for new opportunities. This plan would also involve local CEOs assisting in the recruitment of companies to relocate or expand to Volusia County.  Williams said the new plan includes private leadership, but provides government "a strong seat at the table."

Local Government Committee Vice Chairman Andrew Young presented a progress report of the Chamber’s recommendations for 2009. He commended the County Council on approving a $614.6 million budget with a general fund tax rate of 5.36 mills (a $20.5 million reduction from the current $634.7 million budget); a first-class Ocean Center that works well with the surrounding neighborhoods; a "balanced" land use plan; support for commuter rail.

Young also spoke of the partnership involving the County, the City of Daytona Beach and a private developer that lead to the construction of the Dunn Avenue extension. For more information, please visit the Chamber's Government Relations page.

Young applauded the County’s efforts to set a "target budget amount" (the General Fund of $132 million would serve as a goal) for FY 2010-11. He also thanked the Council for supporting the Manager's recommendations regarding the contract impasse with the Firefighters Union. 

In response, Council Chairman Frank Bruno commented that the County is continuing its efforts to provide commuter rail transportation into Volusia County. He also expressed the county’s support for a united public-private economic development approach.