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La Setima
May 2012 Mid-Month Newsletter
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Upcoming Events    

 

***Tonight*** 

  May 17th PM Netoworking Event at GameTime   

5:30PM to 7:30PM 

 

  May 21st Ybor Chamber Golf Tournament 11:00AM until 6:30PM 

2011 Golf Tournament   

 
 See Chamber Happenings

For More Details

 

 

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
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May 17-25
SOCOM Annual Conference:  S.O.F. Week 2012
HQ Hotel: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
Estimated Attendance: 1,300
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May 18-20
Estimated Attendance:3,321


Tom Keating Head Shot

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 

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.

 

May 21- The Ybor City Chamber's Annual Golf Tournament, Mon. 11:00AM - A reminder for members who have signed up, the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce's Annual Golf Tournament is being held at the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club next Monday!  See you at the sign in or on the green! 248.3712 x22

June 12- Ybor City Chamber Monthly Membership Luncheon, Tues. 11:45 am- Columbia Restaurant. Guest speaker is Randy Goers, InVision Tampa and our luncheon sponsor is Hampton Inn & Suites Ybor. For luncheon reservations contact Anna Ramos at 248-3712 x 22. Prepaid membership discount $22; $25 at the door for members and guests.
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Advertising sales for the 2012-2013 Ybor City Walking Map & Guide are underway- This well-known advertising vehicle is exclusively available to tourist-oriented Chamber members located in the Historic Latin Quarter. Over 100,000 copies are distributed annually at the Chamber's official Visitor's Information Center (VIC), the Channelside VIC, as well as strategic hotels located throughout the Bay area. If interested, please contact Michele Keating at 813-248-3712 x 25 or at mkeating@ybor.org.

spotlight

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 

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.

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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
2012 Chamber Board
The 2012-13 Ybor City Chamber of Commerce at the May 8th 2012 Installation Luncheon.
(Photo by Scott Rodenbeck)