The Wellington Chamber of Commerce installed its new executive board for the 2019-20 term during a luncheon and networking event on Wednesday, March 27.
The luncheon, sponsored by Office Depot, took place at the Wellington Club, located at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, where guests participated in a raffle, viewed the ongoing equestrian competitions and welcomed new President’s Circle members.
President Roxanne Stein introduced Scott and Mair Armand to the President’s Circle and presented them with pins. She then listed all President’s Circle members and announced Arlene Smith as the chamber’s Ambassador of the Year.
“Every year, we pick an Ambassador of the Year,” explained Jack Rosen, co-chair of the Ambassadorial Committee. “This year we picked Arlene because of that smile, and she is always the first person to volunteer at any chamber event. She really does an outstanding job. Arlene, thank you for everything you do.”
The keynote speaker for the luncheon was Office Depot Store Manager James Hanford. His presentation, “Connecting to Community,” focused on the involvement of the company in the area and noted the Chamber Business Spotlights, which are opportunities for member businesses to set up in the store and distribute marketing materials. Afterward, Hanford explained the various services Office Depot provides, along with special discounts available to chamber members.
“I have a message to new members,” Hanford said. “Don’t expect to just plop down your money and get benefits from the chamber. You’ve got to get involved. It has been very beneficial to me, and it has been great fun.”
Hanford’s Office Depot store is located at 2495 S. State Road 7 in Wellington. He can be reached at james.hanford@officedepot.com for details about Chamber Business Spotlights.
Following Hanford, Wellington Councilman Michael Napoleone and former Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen introduced the new officers and directors for the chamber: President and Treasurer Stuart Hack, Immediate Past President Roxanne Stein, President-Elect Lisa Banionis, Vice President Kathryn Walton, Secretary Daryl Lyon, Chamber Counsel Dermot Mac Mahon, and board members Scott Armand, Kevin Shapiro and Scott Sweigart.
The chamber oath was read, and Bowen asked for a verbal commitment to fulfill the oath, to which the entire group agreed.
“I hereby declare the officers and directors of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce for 2019-20 duly installed,” he said. “May you all have an exciting, profitable and successful term.”
Bowen has been a member of the chamber since its founding, and he also addressed the room after the induction ceremony concluded.
“It’s so encouraging for me to look around at the room and see so many faces that I don’t know, and so many young people willing to step up and carry this chamber forward. I wish you all the very best for the coming years,” Bowen said.
Stein then took a moment to introduce a new face that may become common in the Wellington area. Ryan Hughes is now the reporter covering Wellington for WPTV News Channel 5.
As the meeting concluded, members had a chance to get to know each other and continue with a networking opportunity called, “Who do you want to meet?”
For more information about Wellington Chamber member benefits and community events, including the Flavors Wellington Food & Wine Festival on April 12, visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.
