Capital Campaign Project

Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Capital Campaign Project

Reimagining

Today's Winter Haven looks and feels very different from the Winter Haven of 30 years ago. While our authentic , small-town charm and sense of community remain strong, the community's needs and expectations have evolved. Winter Haven proudly leverages its authentic roots to build its future, one of great opportunity for entrepreneurs, small businesses and large industry. The Chamber of Commerce and its members have been at the center of this renaissance. Since its grand opening in 1990, the Chamber building has welcomed thousands of tourists and new residents to Winter Haven. We have cultivated economic prosperity through development and support of new and existing businesses, hosted pivotal meetings defining the community's direction and provided a gathering place for celebration, collaboration and coordination.

Our successes are the legacy of the strong foundation laid 30 years ago by those leaders who had the foresight to plan for the community's future needs.

With your help, we can lay the groundwork for the next 30 years.

Preserving Leedy's Legacy

Founded in 1910 as a Board of Trade, during its first 75 years, the Chamber had been a nomad occupying various buildings throughout the community. In the late 1980's the chamber's Board of Directors made it their mission to find a permanent home for the Winter Haven Area Chamber of Commerce. Collaborating with the City of Winter Haven, the newly acquired rails-to-trails land was made available, and the Chamber of Commerce secured it's premier downtown location. The late Gene Leedy created the Chamber as an iconic building using his Central Florida Modern architectural style. Gene designed his piece of art to allow the bike trail to continue underneath the building, through the breezeway. While this was a compromise to those who felt the building would break up the chain of downtown parks, it was also quite ingenious. The railroad that existed on the same site years before brought commerce and entrepreneurship to Winter Haven during the city's infancy. Today, the land remains the pathway of commerce and opportunity for the Winter Haven community as the home of the Chamber of Commerce and its tenants, Main Street Winter Haven and the Winter Haven Economic Development Council.

With your help, our Chamber of Commerce will continue to leave a legacy for our community.

Campaign Objectives

In 2019, the Board of Directors launched this crucial capital campaign to ensure the chamber's continued success over the next 30 years. Of course, 2020 happened and slowed the much needed progress. While many exterior renovations and the first and third floor we completed in the first phase, there is much work to be done. With the Chamber of Commerce as the hub for community communication and collaboration, we have an obligation to Winter Haven to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. We can't do it alone. The Chamber building is a valuable community asset and we need you help to make this vision a reality.

PRESERVE
Preserve the Gene Leedy architecture that makes the Chamber of Commerce building an icon of the downtown core and a piece of artwork in our community's portfolio of sculpture and design.

TRANSFORM
Transform the Chamber of Commerce building to reflect the vibrancy of the Winter Haven of today, building upon the Central Florida Modern architecture of the exterior for more modern and vibrant interior.

MODERNIZE
Update the building's functionality to better serve both residents and tourists, and modernize the conference and office space to meet the needs and expectations of the business community.

The Gathering Place

The 2nd floor of the Chamber is the primary gathering space for the community. The capital campaign will allow for transformation of the 2nd floor into a more functional multipurpose room including; a catering kitchen, ADA compliant restrooms, access to the large balcony overlooking the heart of downtown Winter Haven, and updated technological capabilities.

AUDITORIUM

The Chamber's Coleman Auditorium is being used by the Chamber, our members and the community more than anytime in the building's history. User's needs have changed and it is time to improve and expand the auditorium's functionality. Reconfiguration of the space will allow more people to attend functions and improve ADA accessibility, all while creating a more professional space for meetings and seminars.

Large Balcony

Overlooking the heart of our downtown, the Large Balcony can and should be a space for community, networking, and taking in the sights and sounds of the city!

Love at First Sight

The brand story of Winter Haven and the Chamber of Commerce begins when visitors and clients arrive in the downtown core. From the parking lot, to the entrance, to the landscaping, we need to make certain that Winter Haven's story is being accurately reflected. When visitors enter our welcome center, attend a function, or meet with the organization housed within the Chamber, we have an opportunity to create an emotional connection and build a deeper relationship. Exterior improvements to the building will include; re-landscaping, new signage, upgraded lighting to LED energy-efficient lighting that will create greater illumination of the building at night, color-controlled LED up-lighting and down-lighting, roof improvements, and a more prominent entrance through the lobby.

Giving

Pledges to the Capital Campaign can be made over a three-year period and made through our company or personally. We are able to accept donations to either the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Inc. (501(c)6) or the Winter Haven Chamber Foundation, Inc. (501(c)3). Consult with your tax advisor regarding deductibility of your donation.

We have one naming right opportunities remaining:
Location: Sponsorship: Term: (Years)
Auditorium $100,000 30 (SOLD)
Welcome Center $75,000 15 (SOLD)
Breezeway $50,000 15 (SOLD)
Large Balcony $50,000 15 AVAILABLE
Boardroom $30,000 15 (SOLD)
Breezeway Electronic Kiosk $30,000 15 (SOLD)
Illumination $30,000 15 (SOLD)
Technology Sponsor $20,000 10 (SOLD)
Catering Kitchen $15,000 10 AVAILABLE
Elevator (Uplift) $15,000 10 AVAILABLE
North Balcony $10,000 10 AVAILABLE

Benefit packages for the naming rights sponsors are developed individually with the donor.

Donate to the Campaign