March 25th, 2014

My Dear Members and Friends,
It has been a while since I addressed you with my weekly BLOG. Much has transpired and much work will be accomplished in the months ahead. 2014 is expected to be the BANNER year for all of those involved with the PRHCCPC and the community it services. Seven years ago, I embarked on a task and a mission to bring forth an organization that not only addressed business issues, community issues , but also anything that involved the fastest growing
demographic with the most aggressive buying power in the last 30 years or so in our nation. A power that transcends even into politics and the sciences. A demographic that has shown much growth within our Polk County community in the last 15 years or so. Numbers cannot lie the growth the I-4 corridor has experienced by such a migration; many of those Hispanics moving to the Orlando area. But now things are a changing in the name of progress! In the name of Polk County!

But in the middle of it all, is Polk County and its largest metropolitan style community, the city of Lakeland. With access to the I-4 and the best community in upward growth, the city of swans, I call home , Lakeland. When I first moved to Lakeland, it’s charm had not yet affected me, it was just a quiet place for me to just quiet down after a hard day at work. I then fell in love with its simplicity. But as I became more involved, something that was not left to choice, but to need, I became aware that there was only one organization servicing our Hispanic community. I attended city commission meetings and felt like the pink elephant in the room. Donde? Where were my people? So in 2005 I met a wonderful lady and team of entrepreneurs that convinced me that I had to make a drastic stand and change in my community. I began to do my homework with the other organizations surrounding Polk County’s borders. Predominantly in the Orlando area. And hence after much hard work and discussions as to how this was really going to benefit my community I launched the PRCCPC in 2007 (in 2010 we renamed our chamber to the PRHCCPC / now under a 5 sister chamber group in all of Florida) August of 2007 was and unbelievable summer. My picture, my comments all throughout the media to introduce the first Hispanic Chamber in the area with a plan to grow for years to come. Of course there had been others and I had been challenged as to how mine was going to survive. I simply said, “I don’t do anything halfway. It’s either all the way or just stay home”. With a huge backup of dear colleagues and our community, I embarked on one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys of my life.
I remember someone asking me , “but why another chamber ?” I simply said “why not?” after all other cities in Florida do.
Since our 2007 launch we have been a catalyst in so many areas bringing always the community together and never ever segregating ourselves from our Non-Hispanic neighbors and friends. As Hispanics we love our community, we just want to share the love we have for it. Through our mantra of:
• Culture
• Community
• And Business
This is what we planned and will continue to deliver to all who wish to be part of the fastest growing little chamber in the area. Awarded with so many recognitions, we have been able to share with pride what our chamber has been able to do and deliver to this diverse community in its short 7 year span. 

Today I not only salute my members, my new board, my friends, my family, but my growing community in helping to bring this county and city to the next century. Together we will strive to bring awareness of who we are, what we are and why we are. Together we will introduce what we are so good at and why we strive to be the best and to be the best.
Together/Juntos! We will make that difference! Our voice will be heard and respected.
Our saying is …“ It Is All About The Brand”… and Polk County is a brand. 
2014, will introduce our newest venture, a centrally located downtown Lakeland office. A marketing company for the club soda budget, an educational committee to address STEM for our challenged youth ,a parade, block party and an international business convention for the Americas, placing Lakeland and Polk County on the international map. It is in our chambers nature to always place and promote our members and the community they service at the forefront. It is time that we celebrate them as they should be celebrated for as the hardest working group of people I know. I am honored to have you all as part of our small but growing family. And humbled by your wanting to be part of our chamber.

Thank you and see you all at our VIVA POLK FEST / Parade and Block Party – JUNE 22
Ana Rivera
President, CEO/ Founder
Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County

---