Chair's Message

Fellow Members:

We are moving into our "festival season." This is the best time of the year in Ybor City - great weather and fun. Every other week is a parade or street festival from now until mid-April. And, the nice thing is that everyone benefits from merchants to guests.

The Ybor Chamber will be producing our 65th Annual Fiesta Day Saturday, February 25th and since the Chamber took back management of Fiesta Day two years ago, we have not only improved our entertainment substantially, but also have been able to engage many more Chamber members to make it a true "taste of Ybor."

Over the past several years our "brand" has improved immensely. This has allowed us to attract new corporate sponsors for Fiesta Day - First BB&T Bank as Presenting Sponsor and this year Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida as Signature Sponsor.

In addition, our Ybor Aficionados Days, Saturday and Sunday April 14th & 15th, one of the most up-scale events in Hillsborough County, now in its 6th Year, attracted not only Bright House Networks as a Presenting Sponsor, but also General Motors as our Automobile Sponsor for the second year.

I am particularly pleased that over the last two years, we have been able to design and implement an image campaign, which includes a new logo (see masthead), a bi-weekly e-newsletter La Setima, a new website and most recently, a comprehensive stationary update. Additional features are planned for the website in the coming year.

Don't forget that Ybor Expo: Business Showcase is coming-up on February 14th. I am excited to announce that the Tampa Bay Business Journal is our new Media Sponsor for this biennial event.  Spend the day doing some networking with us, and then spend a romantic Valentine's evening with your sweetheart in one of Ybor's top-notch restaurants.  You are sure to score some extra-points with your dearest.   

Until next month, Andrea White

February 14- Winter Ybor Expo: Business Showcase, Tues.11:30AM- 2PM- The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its Winter Business Expo at the Columbia Restaurant in lieu of its regular luncheon. This is a great way to promote your business to other Ybor businesses and let them know what you do and enter for a chance to win a 3-day/ 2-Night vacation. Sign-up by contacting Anna Ramos. 813.248.3712 x 22   

February 25- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Fiesta Day Presented By BB&T, Sat. 11AM- 6PM- Celebrate this annual tribute to the Spanish, Cuban, Italian, Jewish and German immigrants that came to Ybor City in the late 1800's. This free event pays homage to Ybor's forefathers through the observance of art, culture and cuisine in a street festival format.  And to add to the day's events, the Ybor Saturday Fresh Market will once again be hosting the Flan Fest in Centennial Park. 813.241.8838