Message From The Chairman 

Hola -

This has been an incredible year for me and my family - full of both hard work and great reward.  For a doting father, there is nothing like seeing your only daughter become President of the Ybor Rotary Club, while you Chair the Ybor Chamber.  It has been a great year for our beloved Ybor City and all involved in its preservation and promotion. 

I have been very fortunate to have outstanding officers, directors and committee chairs to help promote the community more effectively.  We have worked closely with our professional staff to engage our member/merchants in making all of our events more "Ybor Centric."

We started out with the Chamber's Gala and Adela and Cesar Gonzmart Award.  It was a wonderful way to open the Latin social season for the 45^th year and a great opportunity to see old friends.  Next, our New Events Committee produced our first Ybor OktoberFest Pub Crawl.  This well-managed, event involved a baker's dozen of Ybor's pubs and patio bars in a fun-filled activity that appealed to a younger, hip crowd and served our nightlife members well.

The Silver Anniversary proved that Guavaween is here to stay.  For the third year in-a-row the District had a turnout of over 20,000 costumed-revelers.  This event generates more positive press than any other single activity we do, with over 15 articles published across the region both pre and post event.  Americans love Halloween and Guavaween is Tampa's strongest fall event by far.  Thanks to our creative staff for distributing the fresh guavas to the press - a brilliant PR move!

With the cooperation of the weather, our 64^th Annual Fiesta Day was "over the top" bringing over 15,000 guests to Ybor City, half from outside Hillsborough County.  Talk about promotion - 70% of the "street vendors" were Ybor Chamber members.  That's up 30% from last year.  The Columbia Restaurant street tent had 600 customers for their seafood paella and GameTime had 400 potential customers take a spin at their roulette wheel.  I was very proud of the quality of our ethnic entertainment with local flamenco, salsa and Spanish rock groups.

I am particularly pleased that our upcoming Ybor Aficionado Days (April 9^th & 10^th) is now in its fifth year and that it promotes the culture and cuisine of Ybor City in such a comprehensive manner.  With 17 restaurants on the Tapas Trail, it is a "must do" for bay area foodies.  I want to thank my former Co-Chair, Andrea Gonzmart, who took over last year and has added so much with her knowledge of food, wine and the culture of our community.

I look forward to playing in our 6^th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament just around the corner (as Immediate Past-Chair).  All of these special events could not have been done without the hard work, dedication and commitment of our member organizations and many strategic partners in the Historic District.

Since this is my last Article, I want to thank my predecessor Angela Rodante for her guidance and support and wish the very best to my successor Andrea White.  Along with me, they have served as our unbroken "chain of command."  Our officers, directors, committee members, volunteers and staff have been in the business of "community building" for a lifetime - 81 years to be exact.

Chamber Happenings

April 9 & 10 - Aficionado Days is coming-up next weekend! - Celebrate the first manufactured cigar in Ybor City with a Tapas Trail of Ybor restaurants and bring your crew to the Italian Club for the After Party.  Enjoy a complimentary cigar in the Cantina, if you are so inclined.  This year, trail transportation is "Powered by Chevy," who will chauffer guests between stops.  If you have not had a traditional Spanish Brunch you are missing something very special.  Join us for sparkling wine, an elegant buffet and smooth jazz by the Les Sabler Trio.  Be a part of the Chamber's second Tapas Cooking Challenge, as celebrity judges select the best amateur recipe.  For tickets go to www.ybor.org  or call our Visitor Information Center at 813.241.8838.   

April 12 - Ybor Chamber Membership Luncheon, Tues. 11:45 AM- 1:15 PM - Wit Ostrenko, President of MOSI (the Museum of Science and Industry), is the guest speaker at the April Membership Luncheon.  Wit is the Immediate Past-President of the Association of Science Technology Centers and has built MOSI into the "most attended Museum in Florida" over the past 20 years.  The April Luncheon is sponsored by 5th/3rd Bank.  Sign-up on-line when you receive your e-mail notice.

May 10 - Annual Installation Luncheon, Tues. 11:45 AM - 1:15 PM - Join us Tuesday, May 10^th for our Annual Installation Luncheon.  This is the one time of the year when the Chamber recognizes its own.  New Officers and Directors will be sworn-in and the out-going and in-coming Chairs will speak.  This once-a-year changing of the guard has been conducted for 81 years.  The Installation is a formal sit-down affair where Past- Chairs & Presidents are recognized for their service.  Register on-line when you receive your e-notice.