After months of planning, our Poinciana Council brought the community together for the 2024 PoincianaFest: A Poinciana Festival of Community & Commerce on Saturday, November 9! PoincianaFest was formerly an annual event hosted by our Poinciana Council Board of Directors designed to bring the Poinciana business and citizen communities together for a day of fun and community engagement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event had not been held since the fall of 2019, but this year felt like the appropriate time to bring the event back and better than ever at a brand new location – Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures! The main purpose of this event is to raise funds for the Poinciana Council’s annual scholarship that benefits high school seniors and those already enrolled in higher learning programs in the Poinciana area – and we can’t think of a more fun way to support a great cause! Check out some images and video from our amazing day in Poinciana!
The 2024 PoincianaFest welcomed 50 business vendors and food trucks who welcomed the community to their booths. From major players in the area to family-owned businesses and craft vendors, there was a little something for everyone. The event was sponsored by HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital, Osceola Community Health Services, Central Florida Expressway Authority’s Move Poinciana, Central Florida Expressway Authority, Cypress Cove Nudist Resort, and Valencia College Poinciana Campus.
Attendees had many opportunities to engage with and learn about our community at PoincianaFest. Many chose to donate blood at the OneBlood Blood Bus in exchange for a $20 gift card and some OneBlood swag. Others explored one of Osceola County’s real fire trucks serving the Poinciana Community with some Osceola County Fire & EMS’s finest there to answer their questions. The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office also handed out swag and let attendees explore their special cruiser wrapped for Breast Cancer Awareness and a real sheriff’s truck.
There was plenty to do for kids and families at PoincianaFest 2024. The Build Back Better Regional Grant Board/NeoCity and CAAIRE sponsored a STEM City where kids of all ages were able to explore STEM activities and learn about the world of possibility in science and nanotechnology that NeoCity is bringing to our County. Face Painters kept busy giving kids artistic makeovers, while other children played corn hole and pickle ball. Attendees had access to Boggy Creek’s park and Boggy Bottom BBQ Restaurant, and the option to purchase an airboat excursion and other activities that the park offers daily. In honor of Veterans Day weekend, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures was even offering free 30-minute airboat rides to veterans! In addition to the restaurant, Steaktion food truck offered Colombian and Venezuelan favorites and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream brought a variety of flavors to choose from.
At PoincianaFest 2024, DJ LaVell kept the tunes going – and he event got a little help from the Osceola Magic’s mascot Swish!! The event was opened by a presentation of the colors by the Poinciana High School NJROTC under the direction of Kentreal Peters and a Star Spangled Banner sung by members of PHS’s choir. The PHS Choir, under the direction of Caleb Pena-Justino, returned to perform later in the day. In between, the Pleasant Hill Elementary Traveling Performance Group also sang selections from 101 Dalmatians for us!
With the main objective of raising funds for the Poinciana Council Scholarship Fund, the event also included a raffle for some amazing prizes from our friends at Universal Orlando Resort, Gatorland, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, Osceola Magic, Staley Development, and more! Congrats to all the winners!
All in all, we commend the Poinciana Council Board for a fantastic event, and e hope to see many of you at next year’s PoincianaFest!
After a hurricane-mandated reschedule, we celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Halloween at our annual Pink Tea Party, sponsored by AdventHealth. This traditional tea party, hosted at the ette hotel, featured education on breast health and cancer treatment and prevention procedures from the expert doctors and nurse navigators at AdventHealth Celebration and Kissimmee, emotional stories from survivors and warriors, and a creative and moving hat contest.
Dr. Jeremy John, a Breast Oncology Surgeon with AdventHealth, spoke about best lifestyle choices for breast health, and early detectors. AdventHealth reminds us that early detection is the key to beating breast cancer and they offer 30-minute mammograms with highly-specialized radiologists who screen more women than any other team in Central Florida.Two of AdventHealth's nurse navigators, Alejandra Ricaurte and Cecilia Oteng, explained the hands-on, caring approach that AdventHealth's team takes with patients once they have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
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Jessica Fairbanks, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2026 and is currently cancer-free, spoke about her journey with the disease and her experience as an oncology patient at AdventHealth. Nick Abreu, who just this month lost his significant other Diana to the disease, shared her story of fighting hard until the very end, his appreciation of support from her friends and community, and lessons learned along the way.
The beautiful setting for this emotional event was the ette hotel, a boutique hotel on Sherberth Rd. off W Highway 192, right here in Kissimmee. The ette hosts an afternoon tea every Sunday from noon to 4:00 pm, and we were fortunate to get a taste of it as we celebrated breast health awareness, survivors, and those we have lost in the peasceul setting of their Missoni-lined garden escape . Attendees each chose a tea from the ette's extensive list by Mariage Frères, curators of the most sought-after and flavorful teas in the world. Tea was accompanied by finger sandwiches and pink-themed desserts.
Attendees were asked to wear a hat or fascinator and many took this as a challenge to create meaningful designs that celebrated everything from early detection to lives lost to personal battles. Two winners took home tickets to the Disney Parks. Additional attendees took home staycations at the ette for correctly answering trivia questions about out hotel host!
Thank you to sponsors AdventHealth, ette hotel, Florida Technical College, and the Tompkins Family Foundation for making this important event possible.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Starting and growing a small business is an exciting journey. Understanding the business life cycle can help you know what to do at each stage. Osceola County and The Osceola Chamber offer many resources to help you succeed, including services for our Spanish-speaking community. Let’s look at the five stages of a small business life cycle and how your business can thrive in each one.
The Seed Stage is where your business idea begins. This is the time to explore possibilities, research your market, and plan your business. Key steps include understanding your industry, finding your target audience, and studying competitors. Creating a solid business plan with your goals and strategies will set a strong foundation for the future.
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In the Startup Stage, you’re turning your plans into action. Your business moves from an idea to an actual operation. This is an exciting time as you start to see your vision come to life. From setting up your business legally to creating branding and securing funds, The Osceola Chamber’s partners are ready to help you through these important steps while ensuring you follow all regulations. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UCF Osceola and Prospera, located within The Osceola Chamber, offers valuable resources to local entrepreneurs.
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Your business is up and running, and you’re starting to see steady sales. The Growth Stage is when demand increases, and you need to expand your operations. Implementing targeted marketing campaigns, strengthening customer relationships, and networking with other professionals establish your business as a leader in your market.
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At the Maturity Stage, your business is established with loyal customers. Growth may have slowed, so it’s time to find new ways to stay competitive. Key strategies include introducing new products or services, optimizing costs, and getting involved in the community. Using these strategies can refresh your business and maintain long-term success.
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Tip: Remember to use all your Chamber membership benefits! Staying active in Chamber events and utilizing your ChamberMaster account to the max can expand your business growth to new heights.
You’re ready to take your business to new heights. The Expansion Stage is about growing your already established success and embracing new challenges. During this time, focus on developing a detailed expansion plan, researching new markets, and enhancing your leadership skills.
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Every stage of the business life cycle presents challenges and opportunities. Leveraging available resources and adapting to change are essential to growing a small business. The Osceola Chamber is here to support you at every step, offering resources for both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking business owners.
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Launch your business journey with confidence, knowing that a supportive community is here to help you succeed at every stage. Whether you’re just starting your business or planning an expansion, remember that you’re not alone. The Osceola Chamber can help you connect with the resources you need to see your business thrive.
