 In case you
haven't noticed, the Doral area now has its own Chamber of Commerce,
formerly known as the "Airport West Chamber of Commerce."
The chamber recently reinvented itself and became the "Doral
& Airport West Chamber of Commerce."
There were a number of important reasons for this change that
directly effect both you and your business. The purpose of this
article is to explain to you, the Doral business owner and resident,
the rationale behind the change and what it will mean for this
community.
Historically, the Airport West Chamber of Commerce has served the
residents and businesses of the Doral area mostly because Doral has
always been considered "west" of the Airport and, therefore,
within the Chamber's territory.
However, an interesting thing has been happening in the Doral area
within the last several years--it has developed a character and cache'
all its own. The transformation of the Doral area has been fueled by
an influx of wealthy immigrants from South America who have helped to
absolutely transform the Community's landscape through an impressive
and arguably unprecedented level of real estate development and
growth. Everyone now recognizes that the Doral & Airport West area
represents the future of business and industry in Miami-Dade County.
The tremendous growth of the Doral area has also brought important
political changes. Within the last several years a new community
leadership has emerged led by the West Dade Federation of Homeowner
Associations (WDFHA) whose goal is, by necessity, to help manage the
growth of this burgeoning community and at the same time help shape
its political direction.
Simply put, a community of this size and economic power will not
remain unincorporated for long. Doral will be a city someday, the only
question is when and who will be its leaders.
The missing link in the chain of community development and growth
has been a business organization that is dynamic and motivated enough
to corral these divergent forces into an organization that can act on
behalf of the business community.
In case you have not noticed the Doral & Airport West Chamber
of Commerce is emerging as a leader in this community in a number of
different ways that, if you take advantage of it, could reap
tremendous rewards for you and your business.
Let me briefly review what we have accomplished for the community
in the last several months.
Firstly, we've provided forums with a free exchange of both
political ideas and business concepts to benefit community businesses
in the area.
Next, we've recognized outstanding contributions from community
leaders such as the Entrepreneur of the Year, the Chamber Member of
the Year, the Miami-Dade County Police Officer of the Year and of the
Month.
Thirdly, we've acted as a voice on issues relevant to our community
for the public sector.
And finally, we've provided a place where a wealth of new
businesses, recent immigrants, business leaders and others can meet
and get to know one another in a friendly, relaxed environment.
The Doral & Airport West Chamber of Commerce has been designed
and built for you--the Doral resident and business owner. Our
membership is open to anyone with the foresight to see the tremendous
growth and economic potential of our community.
Our next event will be Cigar & Whiskey Night on November 16,
2000 at the Intercontinental Hotel located at 2505 NW 87 Avenue,
Miami, Fl. Please join us.
Roger Slade is a commercial lawyer and Partner in the Miami law
firm of Pathman, Lewis, LLP and is serving his second term as
President of the Doral & Airport West Chamber of Commerce. He may
be reached by email at rslade@pathmanlewis.com
or by telephone at 305 3792425.
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