Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce

by Mary O’Shea

The past 16 months have been a whirlwind for the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce. For Roxane Ferguson, who took over as the Chamber’s new president in March of 2022, it’s been a period of robust revision, retooling, and rebranding partly to commemorate the institution’s 40th anniversary in 2023 and also because high energy is just what Roxane brings wherever she goes.

Roxane is a self-described change agent, collaborator, idea generator, and creative leader. She is quick to add, however, that she would never be able to accomplish so much without a collaborative effort from the Chamber board members, local businesses, and sponsors. And, she reserves special appreciation and praise for the Chamber’s experienced and talented staff: Paul West, member services director; Jordan Hook, director of sponsorships and events; and McKenna Dishmond, marketing and programs coordinator.

Roxane hit the ground running almost immediately after taking the Chamber’s helm. She gathered her resources to generate strategic plans to position the Chamber for continued success in this, its anniversary year, and beyond. Her first initiative was to capitalize on a robust real-estate boom and sell the Chamber headquarters building near downtown Oviedo for a tidy profit. The Chamber then moved to more than 3,000 square feet of space in an updated suite of offices at 1511 East State Road 434 in Winter Springs. Profits from the sale were put toward new experiences and programs for the Chamber’s nearly 600 members as well as invested in future long term investments.

With the new digs came a rebranding of the Chamber’s collateral, website, social-media platforms, and marketing strategy.

Change has also been reflected in the Chamber’s events, which now number more than 100 each year and better reflect the wants and needs of today’s business leaders.

This year’s Chamber-sponsored Taste of Oviedo offered a new beer garden and wine-tasting venue as well as a Silent Disco tent. A STEM area was also added to highlight science-based activities for kids. There was a Sports Zone featuring the UCF Knights, Orlando Solar Bears, and the Orlando Magic. In all, more than 180 local businesses participated, and attendance was up to more than 21,000 – a 20 percent increase from last year.

Hit the Music

Get ready for a new signature event in our community this fall as the Chamber retires the longstanding Festival of the Arts to make way for the inaugural Central Winds Music Festival in Winter Springs. Held in November at Central Winds Park, the event will showcase local bands and other national acts. It promises to be a day of fun for the whole family full of rich culture and diversity.

Another new addition to the Chamber’s event calendar debuted in June at a Central Florida leadership forum called Hometown Hill Day in Oviedo. The event featured local, state, and federal leaders and elected officials in a panel format to promote awareness of political issues affecting our community and field questions from their constituents.  

Roxane and her team are currently in the planning stages to launch another exciting new nonprofit entity: the Chamber Foundation. The plan for this entity will be to foster economic development as well as fund student college scholarships and entrepreneurship grants to those starting a new business or transitioning into a new career.

A Standing Ovation

One of the Chamber’s most popular and anticipated events, the annual Ovations Awards Gala, will return this year on September 8 with a new Stetsons & Stilettos theme. Horsepower Ranch in Geneva will be the venue where members and guests will enjoy an evening of delicious food, entertainment, and silent auctions while celebrating the top businesses in our community.

Longtime Chamber members as well as newcomers have appreciated the more lighthearted additions to the Chamber lineup, too, including the whimsical OviedoWinterSpringsOpoly board game and the inaugural costumed Halloween Lottery and Day of the Dead bash. There’s also a new format for the Women’s Inspiration Network (formerly the Oviedo Businesswomen’s Network).

“I truly love my role here at the Chamber,” says Roxane. “I believe I’ve found the perfect fit for myself and my family here in Oviedo. There is so much to look forward to in this 40th year for the Chamber as we are working to expand membership, increase value for our existing members, and continue to serve our community as a whole.”