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You had to be there.
On Wednesday, Nov. 1, the Doral and Airport West
Chamber of Commerce inaugurated its new offices with a ceremonial
ribbon cutting, cocktail party and networking event.
The new offices — located in 2,100 square feet of
office space at the Courtyards, 8181 NW 36 St. — provide a private
office for the chamber’s executive director, Art Walker, and a
separate office for his assistant, Monica Merino. There also is a
meeting room in which the executive board of the chamber will meet on
a regular basis and a place where networking events and seminars will
be held. The new offices undoubtedly will benefit the entire
community.
The ceremony marking this historic event in the
chamber’s history got off to a rousing start with an address by Lee
Sinoff, the chamber’s first president and one of its founders.
Virtually all of the chamber’s past presidents attended, including
Gary Tuchler, Barbara Thomas, Tony Poncetti, Michael Lynch, Paul Cohen
and me.
Milton Piedra, the original executive director,
received an award for helping to build what is now the most dynamic
business organization in Miami-Dade County.
There were plenty of dignitaries on hand to help the
chamber mark this special event. Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, a
long-time chamber supporter, spoke at length about chamber’s
commitment to the community and how it has grown. The chamber owes a
debt of gratitude to Mayor Penelas for his unwavering support of our
organization.
Other long-time friends of the chamber, such as state
representative Ralph Arza, also were on hand. It was an honor to have
Ralph at our event because he is not only a long-time supporter of our
chamber, he also is a remarkable leader who has made tremendous
contributions to the Doral community.
Finally, we welcomed for the first time State Rep.
Mario Diaz Balart. We hope that this is the first of what will become
many visits to the chamber for him.
The chamber offices are open Monday through Friday
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please feel free to stop by and introduce
yourself — you do not need an invitation. Both Art and Monica are
there to help you with any questions or problems you might have. The
chamber is there for you — the Doral resident or business owner —
to help in any way we can.
Roger Slade, an attorney, is president of the Doral
and Airport West Chamber of Commerce.
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