The First Annual Biz-Ability Luncheon, “Where Ability Means Business”, took place on October 22nd at BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel on Miami Beach. The luncheon was a part of Ability Explosion 2010. The purpose is to celebrate the abilities of people with disabilities while promoting technology to improve accessibility for the entire community.
The Chamber sponsored this event and let there be no mistake, they got down to serious business. The premise of the event was to showcase three extraordinary individuals who have been successful in business despite what society says it means to have a disability.
Virginia Jacko, President and CEO of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, Sabrina Cohen of SABCO Productions and Jack Barnes of VITAS Healthcare Corporation were given time to speak about their personal experience and then answer questions relating to their struggles and their successes.
Dozens of members of the business community were provided insights by the presentations as a scrumptious lunch was provided by BLT Steak at the Betsy. The room was adorned with festive décor in red, orange and yellow linens and balloons provided by sponsor Ballooniverse. Magnificent greenery was provided by Log Cabin Nursery and gift bags were given to the guests with lots of goodies including certificates from Sudsies Dry Cleaners.
Ren’ee Rentmeester and Vision World Foundation were also on hand filming a new episode of “Cooking without Looking” and taped segments of the luncheon as part of their nationally syndicated show.
Special thanks to Jason Loeb, the new Chairman of the Chamber for sponsoring, Ceci Velasco of the Chamber for orchestrating the questions and panel with great aplomb and to Commissioner Jerry Libbin for opening up the event with inspirational words for all who were in attendance.
