The East Orlando Chamber of Commerce is committed to the growth and development of growing business communities. It covers 440 square miles of east Orange County. The East Orlando Chamber has been around for more than 70 years and is now welcoming a new executive director, Andrew Cole. Cole is familiar with the “original” and under-developed Lake Nona and enabling Lake Nona’s burgeoning business district to come alive.
“It is an honor to be able to take this position and lead the organization, bringing the east to the forefront of Central Florida’s growth. With Lake Nona, Innovation Way and Research Park, there are plentiful opportunities for our businesses to succeed. The East Orlando Chamber is the advocate, connector and resource for opportunities for our members.”
Formerly the director of events for the chamber since 2013, Cole jumped right into the new role. Within his first couple of days in the position of executive director, Cole and the rest of his team held the inaugural Feast in the East event with more than 20 member restaurants, and about four or five are from the Lake Nona area.
“It’s exciting having all of this growth and development in the region. It is important to know that the East Orlando Chamber is here to assist businesses as these opportunities arise. We support our businesses, so residents that live here in east Orlando have the business resources they need to fully enjoy where they live, work and play.”
One of Cole’s personal goals is to connect and focus on the members and their needs. “The East Orlando Chamber exists because of our members. The members define the role of the chamber. The members are the reason we are here as the leading resource in business advocacy, community engagement and regional connectivity.”
The East Orlando Chamber has two offices to service the region. 12301 Lake Underhill Rd., Suite 245, Orlando, FL 32828 is on the second floor of the Waterford Lake Park building and serves those traveling the tech corridor. In Lake Nona, the East Orlando Chamber office is located at 9161 Narcoossee Rd., Suite 210, Orlando, FL 32827 above Tijuana Flats. “Lake Nona is a substantial resource in east Orlando, and having an office there is very important to us. We can echo the Nona voice to Central Florida, be their advocate, and easily promote with an established voice and provide a platform for businesses to thrive.”
Those interested in becoming members are encouraged to visit one of the offices or the website, eocc.org, or attend one of several events.
“The best way, and I tell everybody this, is to come out and give us a test drive. We encourage you to attend Coffee Club Nona at the Lakehouse, the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. This is a free opportunity to meet our business members – in and out of Nona. I throw this out all the time, I mean you test drive cars, you lay on mattresses and you sit on couches…do the same, it’s a business investment. We want to make sure it’s the best investment for your business.”
With big things coming to Lake Nona and what seems like the never-ending construction that’s been going on for years, Cole simply states: “We live where we live because we enjoy what we have. …”
