A Special Thanks For Joining To
S3 Media
Kurt Schleicher
2002 East 5th Avenue, Unit 107
Tampa, FL 33605
A Note Of Appreciation To Renewed Members
ChappellRoberts
Colleen Chappell
1600 East 8th Avenue, Suite A-133
Tampa, FL 33605
Florida Blood Services
Evelyn Rogers
10100 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North
St Petersburg, FL 33716
Florida Business Interiors
Kevin Baker
1600 East 8th Avenue, Suite C-201
Tampa, FL 33605
Florida Real Estate Associates, LLC
Marc Hamburg
102 East Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33603
Ghost-Party.com
Chrissy Koplenik
Tampa, FL 33647
GTE Federal Credit Union
John Trujillo
711 East Henderson Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City
Stephen Nunez
1301 East 7th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
HART
Carla Williams
1201 East 7th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
HCC Ybor Campus
Dr. Shawn Robinson
2112 North 15th Street
Tampa, FL 33605
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa/Ybor City
Michelle Cardamone
1700 East 9th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
IKEA Tampa
Monica Varela
1103 North 22nd Street
Tampa, FL 33605
Kimmins Contracting Corp.
Debra Williams
1501 East 2nd Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
Seven One Seven Parking Service, Inc.
Jason Accardi
1523 North Franklin Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
Bryan Clancy
200 North Ashley Street
Tampa, FL 33602
Tampa Digital
JoAnn Cornelius
1600 East 8th Avenue, Suite A 117
Tampa, FL 33605
Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Co.
Arturo Fuente, Jr.
1603 East 6th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority
Joseph Waggoner
1104 East Twiggs Street, Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33602
The Dog's Bollocks British Pub
Rick Johnston
1704 East 7th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
The Radiant Group
Joseph Capitano, Jr
1320 East 9th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
Tre Amici @ The Bunker
Jessica Stehlik
1907 North 19th Street
Tampa, FL 33605
Wilder Architecture, Inc.
Larry Wilder
1517 Seventh Avenue, Suite C
Tampa, FL 33605
Click on a highlighted company name to learn more about your fellow members. |
Upcoming Conventions
May 14-20
HQ Hotel: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
Estimated Attendance: 1,500__________________________ May 17-25
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President's Message
Hola -
Just got back from a long Mother's Day weekend in Houston - our girls set this up for Michele. Nik and her boy friend flew in from Nor Cal. When we finish-up something big at the Chamber, like the Program Year, we like to reward ourselves with a brief trip. Houston is not only the home of our youngest daughter, but also the fourth largest city in the Country and very proud of it.
There was a cool story on Houston in the Southwest Airlines Magazine (Houston is their home base). It focused on how well-rounded the city is with a focus on cultural amenities, good restaurants, quality medical facilities and good jobs. Sounds like a good model for us. As you walk through the airport, you see posters that say "Houston loves museums."
Of course, we stuck to many of the stereotypical things: kolaches, local barbeque and great TexMex. However, we also got to visit their Natural History Museum, which I noticed is on the same "visiting exhibit" rotation as Tampa Bay. We also got to take advantage of their wonderful medical services (we have a very active three year-old grandson).
With barely a deep-breadth, we are headed into our new Program Year at the Ybor Chamber. Congratulations to our new Chair, Andrea Gonzmart - the Installation Luncheon was very well attended and we had turn-out of fourteen Past Presidents and Chairs and one Director Emeritus to help us celebrate this important transition.
The next major item on the agenda is the Chamber's 7th Annual Golf Tournament - Monday, May 21st at Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club.
Ciao, Tom Keating
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Chamber Happenings
May 17- **TONIGHT** PM Networking Event at GameTime, Thurs. 5:30PM- 7:30PM- At the first PM Networking Event of the program year, as a "Thank You" to members the chamber is waiving the "door charge." Come out and get acquainted with members while you enjoy a few complimentary nibbles and drink specials. The first 50 guests receive a 1-hour game card. No reservations required.
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Ybor Chamber Member Spotlight
When you think of cigars the first thing you think of is Ybor City, followed closely by Arturo Fuente cigars. Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Company, owned and operated by cigar name sake Arturo Fuente, Jr. has recently moved his retail store from the original cigar factory on 22nd Street, where it was housed for 17 years, to 1603 E. 6th Avenue. Located across from the Centro Ybor Parking Garage on 16th Street and 6th Avenue, "The Yellow House" welcomes you to choose your favorite cigar and smoke it on the porch.
Arturo Jr., his daughter Kristin, and nephew Josh proudly sell their family's Dominican handmade cigars. Every cigar is manufactured by Tabacalera A. Fuente, a name recognized all over the world by cigar aficionados for its fine quality and prestigious reputation. You can purchase a beautiful cigar purse designed and made by Martha Fuente or sit down with Arturo Fuente, Sr. and reminisce about the good old days. Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Company is truly a family business.
What is exciting is that "The Yellow House" is not the final home for Tampa Sweethearts. It is only a respite until Tampa Sweetheart's new headquarters can be developed at the old Orpheum location at 1902 Avenida Republica de Cuba, next to Ybor Square. Besides premium cigars such as Hemingway's and Diamond Crowns, their final home will include an upscale cigar lounge and bar. Tom and I can't wait to make Tampa Sweethearts our favorite after work hangout to enjoy a smoke and a drink (or two).
- Michele Keating
Arturo Fuente, Jr.
Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Company
1603 E. 6th Avenue
Tampa, FL 33605
813-247-3880
www.tampasweetheart.com
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Events and Announcements by Tom Favata
Click on the highlighted event name for more information.
Now thru May 20- StageWorks Performance of Biloxi Blues- Set an evening aside for an acclaimed performance of Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues," a coming of age story about social, racial and ethnic issues set in a WWII era army boot camp. Catch a show before they wrap this run this coming Sunday. 813.251.8984
May 18- Whole Wheat Bread at Crowbar, Fri. 9PM- Join Jacksonville based headliners Whole Wheat Bread (forget about checking their website, it genuinely sells bread) for a night of crunk, pop, and punk along with performances by DP, Neglected Superhero, and Samurai Shotgun. 813.241.8600
May 19- InVision Tampa: Neighborhood Charrette, Sat. 10AM- Share your developmental thoughts on Ybor City with a planning firm hired by the City of Tampa at the Hampton Inn this Saturday morning. They are surveying the community to see what should remain the same and what should be changed over the next 15 years. www.InVisionTampa.com
May 23- Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Company, Wed. 5:30PM- 8:30PM-Visit the good folks of Tampa Sweethearts for a festive evening of exquisite cigars, hors d'oeuvres & libations at their new location in the "Yellow House." (See the Member Spotlight) RSVP by calling 813.247.3880
May 26- Cuban Sandwich Festival Of Tampa Bay, Sat. 10:30AM- 4:30PM- Restaurants will be put to the test as to who has the Best Cuban Sandwich in town. Join the Ybor City Saturday Market for a day dedicated to "Tampa's original sandwich." 813.241.2442
June 1- 2012 Summer Leadership Development Program- There are natural born leaders and leaders that need a little coaching to meet their full potential. Either way here is a chance to better understand the qualities that make a leader effective. Sign up for a little class time at Hillsborough Community College's Institute for Corporate & Continuing Education and make yourself shine! 813.259.6026
June 24- Ybor City Museum Society: 28th Annual Legacy Awards, Sun. 11:30AM- 1:30PM- Lisette Campos of ABC Action News will emcee the YCMS's award brunch as they honor the Fuente Family (Ybor Award), Elaine Illes (Pizzo Award), and Tony LaColla (Adela Gonzmart Award). Register by calling 813.247.1434. ________________________________________________
Italiano Insurance Named Blue Ribbon Company- The Ybor Chamber would like to acknowledge Italiano Insurance as being named one of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 2012 Dream Big Small Business Of The Year. This accomplishment is bestowed on companies dedicated to free enterprise and contributing to the restoration of jobs and prosperity to their communities. They will be honored at the American Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. next week. Congratulations to a well-deserved member! Summer Blast Passes On Sale Now- Students have a chance to take advantage of a great transit deal this summer. Students can ride all summer (between May 14th and August 31st) for $30. 813.254.4278 Summer Classes Start Next Week- Get registered with the Institute For Corporate & Continuing Education asap if you plan on attending summer courses. They are offering course work in Allied Health, Insurance, Real Estate, Personal Enrichment, Dance & Fitness, Information Technologies, and Professional Development. Add credentials to your resume in a matter of weeks. 813.259.6010 AAA Travel Events- With the summer upon us, AAA is offering up a few vacation presentations from tour promoters Trafalgar Tours (Tues., May 22), Holland America (Thurs., May 24), and Edelweiss Air & AAA Member Choice Vacations (Thurs., May 31). 813.289.5800 x6547
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