Page 12 - The Islander - January '25

Page 12, The Islander

ChAmber hAppenInGs

Tourism Takes Center Stage At Palm Beach North

Chamber Of Commerce’s December Business Before Hours

The Palm Beach North Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. “The insights shared
Chamber of Commerce today will help our business community embrace opportunities
recently hosted an engaging to build a vibrant and prosperous future together.”
Business Before Hours The event provided attendees with actionable takeaways
event, titled “Tourism’s on the intersection of tourism and economic development,
Impact on Florida’s along with opportunities to connect and network with peers
Prosperity Coast.” The committed to fostering growth and innovation in the region.
event brought together About Palm Beach North Chamber Of Commerce
local business leaders and Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce is one of the
stakeholders to explore how largest and most active business organizations in Southeast
tourism drives economic Florida. Serving businesses in the eleven municipalities
growth, fosters innovation, that make up Palm Beach North, the chamber fosters
and strengthens the cultural
fabric of the region.
Attendees heard from
a distinguished panel of Deborah Searcy (vice mayor Timothy Burke, Todd Fleming, Joe “Skip” Garcia, Jodi Cross,
industry experts, including of North Palm Beach), Noel Heather Andrews, Ghislain d’Humières, Andrew George,
Andrew George from TMRW Martinez Noel Martinez
Sports, Jodi Cross from the
Florida Lodging & Restaurant Association, and Ghislain a partnership of private, public, educational, and civic
d’Humières from the Norton Museum of Art. Moderated organizations working together to ensure Palm Beach North
by Heather Andrews from Discover The Palm Beaches, the is Florida’s “Prosperity Coast.” The chamber’s four strategic
panelists shared valuable insights on the collaborative strategies imperatives are: a prosperous economy, high quality of life
shaping the future of tourism in Palm Beach North. for all residents, a smart and connected region, and regional
“The discussion highlighted how tourism is a cornerstone leadership. They were recognized as 2023 Chamber of the
of our region’s economy and a catalyst for community Heather Andrews, Jodi Cross, Ghislain d’Humières, Year for the state of Florida. For more information, visitwww.
enrichment,” said Noel Martinez, president and CEO of the Andrew George pbnchamber.com.

All About kIds

Helping Disorganized,

Forgetful, And Scattered Adolescents

By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Licensed School Psychologist

A parent described her for success this year and beyond. Are you tired of being Call (561) 625-4125 if you would like to sign up or if
eighth-grade son to me, your child’s only executive assistant and ready for your you need school neuropsychological testing to give you
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at the same time. His
information retention in the
short term is challenging
especially for unpreferred
topics. He has completed
homework and forgot to
turn it in. He waits until the
last minute to start projects
or studying for exams. What a hot mess!”
This mom was describing her son’s executive
functioning weaknesses. The term executive functioning
encompasses our brain’s ability to manage different
systems such as planning, organizing, maintaining effort,
remembering, self-regulating, attending, and completing
tasks. School success depends, in part, on having strong
executive functioning skills. Executive functioning
weaknesses can cause smart kids to become scattered,
disorganized, and forgetful. These weaknesses might be
accompanied with ADHD or learning disabilities but can
also be stand-alone difficulties. Our executive functions
improve with age and fully mature in our late teen years
to early 20s. Thus, there’s hope for your student’s growth.
Executive functioning skills can be learned, practiced
and improved. This month I am offering an in-person
executive functioning course for students in grades 6
through 9. Your student can join us for three, 90-minute
sessions of fun, interactive activities to learn executive
functioning skills related to organization, planning, time
management, memory, and attention. The group size is
limited to 10 students.
We will use games, scenarios, and videos to illustrate
points and practice skills. Students receive written
handouts to keep which summarize the new skills. We
are approaching this mastermind course for teens using
a cognitive behavioral framework. That means that if
you can change your thinking and learn new skills, you
can change your behavior. Your student can learn skills