Atlantic Ave June 2023

My parents
gave me the
self-confidence
to move
to Europe
and live my
dreams. Being
raised by
an English
teacher and
an artist
taught me
a love of
literature, art,
and history
was a great job. We sold work by Andy Warhol, Picasso and Basquiat
worth millions of dollars. We did a show once and Valentino bought
one right off the wall - it was amazing.”
So was her chance encounter with her husband of 20 years, Franzswa.
Turns out they both worked for the same gallery owner in the
UK. The two decided to move back to the US but were unsure where.
Kismet intervened once again for Immelman. “We decided to
move to the US (to be closer to my parents) and looked at New
York, Palo Alto, and Denver. We visited Delray for a wedding and
went to First Night on Atlantic Avenue. When we saw the Christmas
tree and all the events on the street we decided we wanted to
move here. So, we did.”
In 2008 the couple moved to Delray and Immelman’s first job was
with the Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative. Like magic (or kismet
once again) her job was to produce the City’s major events such as
July 4th and the Famous 100 Foot Christmas Tree.
“We marketed Delray Beach to the world. In 2012, I spearheaded
an effort for Delray to be named the Most Fun Small Town in the USA
by Rand McNally, USA Today, and the Travel Channel. Delray Beach
was profiled in a national TV show highlighting the best small towns
in the USA and we got Delray in top travel magazines.”
You could say, what goes around comes around. That is why Immelman
is currently President and CEO of the Delray Beach Chamber
of Commerce. As someone who lives and breathes on the merits
of relationships and collaboration – it seems like a perfect fit.
“We advocate for the business interests of Delray, but we have very
strong partnerships with our Non-Profit sector. It is our mission to
bring the Community together for the betterment of our City.”
Since Immelman is a woman of her word, she has done just that.
Their membership has doubled and they have groups such as The
Young Professionals, Focus on Women, CORE Men’s Group and the
successful Non-Profit Council. They also produce Delray Morning
Live, a weekly Facebook show.
There are many facets to the Delray Chamber – and many to her
South African husband, who she calls a force of nature. Her friend
Stacey Hallberg calls Immelman fun, engaging, wicked smart and a
very loyal friend. Noreen Payne attributes her to building an incredible
team that’s come together to create something special. And to
attorney Michael Weiner she is a sophisticated, hip, global thinker.
One thing is for sure – we know that Immelman is happy with her
job and Delray Beach.
“One of the most important things I learned in Europe is that it is
important to enjoy your life every single day.”
We believe her!
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www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com | june 2023 | 77