New University Club of Orlando President Has Eyes on Growth, Expansion, Emphasis on Younger Members

ORLANDO, Fla. --- Jennifer Nichols Kennedy, who was recently named president of The University Club of Orlando, said the area’s oldest and largest social club for business leaders and corporate executives added more than 100 new members in 2010 and she plans to focus on growth, expansion and adding younger members during her one year term.

Kennedy, a partner at TJNG Interior Designs in Maitland, said she has been working with the U committee to explore ways The University Club can expand long range.

“We have looked at several options and we think if the market is right, an expansion of the facility is possible within the next two to five years,” Kennedy said.

Expansion options include selling or tearing down the club’s existing site on the corner of Central Blvd and Rosalind Ave. across from the Orlando Public Library and moving to a new location or redeveloping the choice downtown site.

“Our successful campaign to grow our membership has resulted in a whole new vitality and can do attitude at the club,” Kennedy explained.

“We expect our membership will continue to grow and we have a strong need to expand our facilities,” she said.
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For more information about this press release, contact: Jennifer Nichols Kennedy, President, The University Club of Orlando, 407-425-2514, jkennedy@tjng.com; Susan Greene, General Manager, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, gm@ucluborlando.com

University Club of Orlando to Host Cocktails for a Cause Fundraiser on Feb. 24 to Benefit Wounded Warriors Outdoors

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The University Club of Orlando, which ranks as Central Florida’s oldest and most prestigious social club for business leaders and corporate executives, will host a Cocktails for a Cause fundraiser reception on Thursday, Feb. 24 to benefit Wounded Warriors Outdoors whose mission is to reward active duty wounded servicemen with the therapeutic trip of their lifetime: a small way of thanking them for their unselfish personal sacrifices in helping to preserve our freedom.

Justin Wright, events director at The University Club of Orlando, said the event will start at 6 p.m.

Cocktails for a Cause receptions at The University Club have raised more than $100,000 for civic and charitable groups over the past three years.
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For more information contact: Justin Wright, Events Director, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514; Susan Greene, General Manager, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, gm@ucluborlando.com

Twitter, Facebook Tools for Commercial Real Estate Executives is Agenda of ICSC Panel Discussion Feb. 25-26 in Tampa

TAMPA - Social media---Twitter, FaceBook, Flickr---and LeadsCommunity.com, a recent web launch designed for commercial real estate professionals, are the focus of a panel discussion at the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Idea Exchange conference scheduled Feb. 25-26 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Tampa.

John Crossman, CCIM, president of Crossman & Company, the Orlando firm that ranks as one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management firms in the Southeast will head the panel discussion on social media tools on Friday, Feb. 25.

“We’re going to take an in-depth look at how social media sites and apps are helping commercial real estate executives gain exposure for projects and ultimately get deals done,” Crossman explained.

Panelists including Andrew Gregory, President of eMedia Concepts; Kevin Hourigan, President and CEO of Bayshore Solutions; and Hue Chen, founder of Leadscommunity.com, plan to discuss the latest trends in Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and real estate-specific sites such as LeadsCommunity.com, Crossman said.

“We will offer tips and best practices to help all skill levels,” Crossman said. “Social networking can be a valuable and highly profitable tool and anyone can learn to do it,” he said.

For details about the West Florida ICSC Idea Exchange, visit http://www.icsc.org/apps/meeting_display.php?meeting=2010WF.

ICSC Next Generation Chairman Justin Greider, senior associate at Crossman & Company, will present a Retail Trends Update during the conference on the same date.
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For more information please contact:
John Crossman, CCIM, President, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6218, jcrossman@crossmanco.com;
Molly Delahunty, Crossman & Company, 407-581-6220 mdelahunty@crossmanco.com

About Crossman & Company:
Crossman & Company is one of the largest third-party retail leasing and management companies in Florida with over 16 million square feet under leasing and/or management. Founded in Orlando, Fla. in 1990, Crossman & Company is a full service commercial real estate firm that advises its clients in leasing, management, development and investment sales of retail and office properties and serves clients including Publix Super Markets, Inc., Lake Nona, PREIT, and LaSalle Investment Management. Please visit www.crossmanco.com, or call 407-423-5400 for more information.

University Club of Orlando Elects New Officers

ORLANDO - Orlando attorney H. Gregory McNeill, a partner at Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. in Orlando, was recently elected as president of The University Club of Orlando.

Justin Wright, events director of The University Club of Orlando, said McNeill took over as president in January.

Jennifer Nichols Kennedy, a partner at Nichols Design Group in Winter Park and a commercial interior designer who specializes in health care facilities, was elected vice president, Wright said.

Wright said three University Club members were elected to the club’s Board of Directors: Orlando attorney Ralph Martinez of McEwan, Martinez & Dukes, P.A., Yatan Patel, Internet entrepreneur and Arthur Lee, food management company owner and concessionaire for the Amway Arena.

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For more information about this press release, contact:
Justin Wright, Events Director, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, PRIVATEEVENTS@UCLUBORLANDO.COM

University Club of Orlando Eyes Growth in 2010, Cites "Tree House Effect" in Nationwide Trend

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The University Club of Orlando expects its membership growth to top five to 10 percent next year, as part of a nationwide trend called the “Tree House Effect.”

Susan Greene, general manager of the University Club of Orlando, was invited to address more than 100 members of the Professional Club Marketing Association (PCMA) at the Portofino Hotel recently, and she had good news for the group.

The Tree House Effect, Greene explained, is a reflection of the recessionary downturn.

“Kids all have tree houses,” Greene explained. “They are places where we retreat when things are bad. Professional clubs provide that same sort of reassuring safe place for adults, and in fact nationwide figures show that member use of professional clubs, athletic clubs, country clubs and similar safe places is increasing as the economy continues to effect us,” Greene said.

“It’s a very natural response and it is a healthy strategy for adults,” Greene explained.

“Social networking is the most important strategy we can use when we need to enrich our lives,” Greene said. “We go to those places where we’ll feel secure, but also where we will meet contacts and circulate,” she said.

For more information about this press release, contact:
Susan Greene, General Manager, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514, gm@ucluborlando.com
Justin Wright, Membership & Events Director, The University Club of Orlando 407-425-2514; PRIVATEEVENTS@UCLUBORLANDO.COM
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142, lvershelco@aol.com

ICI Homes to Host Realtor Social Oct. 15 in Kissimmee

ORLANDO, Fla. - ICI Homes will host a reception for area Realtors on Oct. 15 at Avilla in Kissimmee.

Rosemary Messina, vice president of sales and marketing at ICI Homes in Florida, said ICI plans to showcase two new luxury model homes priced from the $300s at Avilla, an intimate gated community located off John Young and Osceola Parkways in Kissimmee. The Realtor reception is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at 2760 Swoop Circle, Kissimmee 34741.

Avilla offers 81 estate home sites and new luxury homes in a California contemporary design.

New homes at Avilla range in size from 2,500 square feet of living space to more than 3,500 square feet, and include 18-inch tile throughout, solid surfaces in kitchen and baths, tiled roofs, brick pavers in the driveways and streets and lush landscaping.

Decorative street lamps and mailboxes define the community, which offers a community swimming pool with a large covered lanai, tot lot, tennis and basketball courts.

For more information, please contact:
Allison Pope, Marketing Manager ICI Homes-Central Florida, 407-466-9663
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142

About ICI Homes:
ICI Homes is ranked as one of the largest privately owned homebuilders in the US. The 30-year-old firm builds new homes and develops communities and resort facilities in the Volusia-Flagler region as well as Northeast Florida, Orlando and Tampa.

Central Florida District of Rotary Clubs to Continue Expansion, District Governor to Head Expansion Committee Next Year

Central Florida District of Rotary Clubs to Continue Expansion, District Governor to Head Expansion Committee Next Year

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Central Florida District of Rotary International will continue its efforts to expand next year even though District Governor Carlos Giraldo will step down in June when his one-year term expires.

Giraldo, who heads CRSHotels.com in Maitland, began his term as district governor with a call for major expansion in Central Florida and efforts to recruit new members from Central Florida’s Hispanic communities. Giraldo has agreed to head the Rotary International Central Florida District’s Club Extension Committee in 2009-2010.

Giraldo said five new Rotary International chapters will open within the next 12 months at Poinciana, the Four Corners area, South Orange County, Lake Nona, and Baldwin Park.

The Four Corners Rotary Club chapter will be chartered in about three weeks, Giraldo said.

“Rotary International offers a special opportunity for business leaders to play an active role in benefiting their communities in real ways that count,” Giraldo said. “That’s a real value for most people and our recruitment efforts are paying off handsomely,” he said.

For more information, please contact:
Carlos H. Giraldo, District Governor Rotary International, 407.376.5368, carlos@crshotels.com

Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407.644.4142, lvershelco@aol.com