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Greetings!
The Chamber's Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony is done and we would like to again thank our 2011 Chairman Bo Rivard for his role in helping us meet our goals and welcome our new 2012 Chairman, Al McCambry. Also, please help us congratulate Glen McDonald on his Lauren Merriam award and Mad Hatter Automotive Centers on their Jerry Mills Small Business of the Year award. You can read more about these winners, their awards and details of the event in todays e-BIZ. Thank you to all those that attended and made the event a success! Now that January has passed, its time to gear up for other projects and upcoming events. The Military Affairs Committee will host the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce Commanders Association on February 16th at The Boatyard from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. If you are interested in joining MAC, contact Tamara@baychamberfl.com. The Governmental Affairs Committee is actively engaged in the current legislative session and although numerous trips have already been made the committee has plans underway for its annual visit in late February to addres the Chamber's top priorities. Also, the Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is in the process of updating the sign guidelines for the Downtown and Downtown North CRA districts. There are several pages of this DRAFT document that they would like the membership to review and address any concerns or comments by February 10th to 850.215.3869. Visit www.pcgov.org and click on the CRA icon to the left of the page, then look for the DRAFT document in the publications section. If you are aware of anyone looking for a job, the 25th Annual Bay County Job Fair, sponsored by the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, will be held at Haney Technical Center on Feb. 10th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. There will be opportunities for employment with many different trades and industries. For more information visit www.baycountyjobfair.com. Sincerely,
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff |
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ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE BAY BIZ MAGAZINE
The next issue of the Bay Biz is due out the first week of April, reserve your advertising space today! Click here for advertising rates. Deadline is March 1st.
Members are invited to share their business news in the magazines "Biz List" section. News should include announcements such as new products, services, employees, promotions, grants or awards won and other accolades. Deadline to enter "Biz List" items is February 17th.
You can view the current issue as a digital version here or pick up a copy in the Chamber lobby.
If you are interested in submitting your business news to be featured in the "Biz List" or would like to advertise in the Bay Biz, contact Crystal@baychamberfl.com or 215.3755. |
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UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
First Friday
Please join us for our monthly morning meeting and an opportunity to network with fellow Bay County Chamber members. Be sure to bring your business cards!
Date: Friday, February 3rd
Time: Networking: 7:30 a.m. / Program: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Place: FSU-Panama City - Holley Center
Program: "The State of Tyndall"
Guest Speaker:
Brig. Gen. John McMullen, Commander of the 325th Fighter Wing, Air Education & Training Command, Tyndall AFB
Sponsored by:
Coffee provided by:
A special thank you to
Panama City Florist and Gifts
for the beautiful First Friday flowers!
Successful Public Speaking Seminar
The Bay County Chamber and Emerald Coast Dale Carnegie Training will host (2) half day seminars to help you improve your public speaking skills.
First Session
"Preparing the Presentation", "Identify Purpose" & "Planning the Presentation".
Date: Wednesday, February 8th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - Noon
Place: Chamber Boardroom (235 W. 5th St.)
Second Session
"Dealing with Visuals" & "Conducting Q&A"
Date: Wednesday, February 15th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - Noon
Place: Chamber Boardroom (235 W. 5th St.)
Each session is $50 for chamber members and $60 for future members. Receive a $10 discount for signing up for both sessions by February 3rd. For more information on what each session will include, contact Elizabeth@baychamberfl.com or 215.3761.
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ANNUAL DINNER REVIEW
Shining a spotlight on the past year's accomplishments, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Friday, January 27th at the Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort.
2011 Chairman of the Board, Bo Rivard officially passed the gavel to 2012 Chairman, Al McCambry.
 The awards portion of the program began with Gary Anderson, Chairman of the Small Business Institute, who presented the Jerry Mills Small Business of the Year Award to Mad Hatter Automotive Center. David Lovett, owner, accepted the award. Mad Hatter Automotive Center was selected by the Chamber's Small Business Institute because their business demonstrated successful growth, stability and community involvement. The award is named after local businessman Jerry Mills, the first chairman of the Small Business Committee. He was the epitome of a successful one man small business, who continuously gave back to the community and to the Chamber not only financially but with personal commitment.
 The last award of the night was the prestigious Lauren Merriam
Memorial Award, the Chamber's highest honor. Tom Neubauer, presented the 2011 award to Glen McDonald, who was chosen for his commitment to the community's well being, as exemplified by involvement in civic, charitable and/or endeavors contributing to the betterment of Bay County and the benefit of its citizens. McDonald has served in every capacity at the Bay County Chamber including Chairman of the Board in 2006 and the Military Affairs Committee in 2007. Most recently he served as 2011 Chairman of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance for the second time in his career. McDonald has been heavily involved with the Bay Defense Alliance for the past decade. Maintaining relationships with high level military and federal officials to secure the future of Tyndall AFB and Naval Support Activity has been a high priority for McDonald.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Premier Sponsor Corporate Sponsors
ARINC, Comcast, Gulf Coast Medical Center,
Gulf Coast State College, Harrison Rivard Duncan & Buzzett, Harrison Sale McCloy,
HealthSouth, Knology, Merrick Industries, Panama City Toyota, Regions Bank,
The Clemons Company
& The News Herald
Find more pictures from the event, on the Chamber's facebook page here.
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JUNIOR LEADERSHIP BAY
SILENT AUCTION A SUCCESS
The Junior Leadership Bay Steering Committee would like to thank the following businesses for their silent auction donations:
Avenue Sea, BankTrust, Bay Bank and Trust, Boatyard Restaurant, Bonefish Grill, Bot Boutique, Bobby Landwehr, Distributor for Highland Mint, Bookit.com, Comcast, David Scott Fine Jewelry, Deadeye Dicks Steakhouse, Diver's Den, Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, The Eye Center of North Florida, Gift Basket Designs, Innovations Federal Credit Union, Lavender Esthetica Studio, Legendary Marine, Lowes, Marriott Vacation Club, Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, Schooners, Southwest Airlines, Sugar Boogers, The News Herald, Visual Arts Center, Walt Disney World Resorts and Water Color Inn & Resort.
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APPLE OF OUR EYE AWARD WINNERS
Thank you for helping make Bay County more visually appealing.
Renovation
Bay Walk-In Clinic
2306 Hwy 77, Panama City
If you know of a newly constructed building or renovation that should be considered for this award, please contact Don@baychamberfl.com. |
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GRAND OPENINGS
  D R Horton / Turtle Cove VITA / United Way Jan. 19th - 300 Turtle Cove Jan. 23rd - 1106 A Harrison Ave. Sugar Boogers Jan. 23rd - 556 Harrison Ave. If you are a member and would like to schedule a grand opening or ground breaking, please contact Don@baychamberfl.com.
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CHAMBER |
Click here to view/print the Chamber's February 2012
calendar of events. |
| COMMUNITY |
Click here to view/print the February 2012 community calendar of events. |
LEADERSHIP BAY
FALLEN LAW OFFICER MEMORIAL | |
The Leadership Bay Class of 2011-12 is honoring local law enforcement with a Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial and are currently looking for supporters to help fund the project.
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NEW MEMBERS
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Coastal Emergency Restoration Team
Double Eagle Support Services
Emerald HR Solutions Inc.
Thank you to Clear Channel for sponsoring our new members radio spots!
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MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES | |
1 YEAR
- Peters & Scoon
- Stanley E. Peacock P.A.
2 YEARS
- Custom Yacht Charters
- Home Depot
- Trigo San Francisco Deli
3 YEARS
- Bay County Clerk of Court
- Counts Oakes Resort
Properties
4 YEARS
- Alexan Laguna Beach
Apartments
- Raymond James Financial
5 YEARS
- Accents Home Decor
and Gifts, LLC
6 YEARS
- Gulf Crest Condominiums
8 YEARS
- Servpro of Bay County
10 YEARS
- First United Methodist
Church
- Kerrigan and Merritt
13 YEARS
- Brain & Spine Center, P.A.
- Carr, Riggs & Ingram LLC
15 YEARS
- Advanced SignSolutions
16 YEARS
- First Communications
17 YEARS
- Dr. J. Randal Buttram
19 YEARS
- Advanced Eye Care Of
Bay County, P.A.
22 YEARS
- Grease Pro, Inc.
- Hombre Golf Club
23 YEARS
- Triangle Construction
Road Bldg.
24 YEARS
- Fisher Brown Bottrell Ins.
- SSA Marine
- The Natural Light, Inc.
25 YEARS
- Anchorage Children's
Home
- WJHG News Channel 7
26 YEARS
- Bay Arts Alliance/Marina
Civic Center
27 YEARS
- Burke, Blue, Hutchison,
Walters & Smith
- Creative Printing
- Lamar Advertising Co.
- Signal Hill Golf Course 28 YEARS
- Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort
29 YEARS
- Hancock Bank
31 YEARS
- Haney Technical Center
33 YEARS
- Digestive Diseases Center
35 YEARS
- ERA Neubauer Real
Estate
36 YEARS
- Gulf Coast Medical Center
38 YEARS
- Don Hood Insurance
58 YEARS
- Tipton, Marler, Garner &
Chastain |
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FIRST FRIDAY &
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS SPONSORSHIPS
ARE AVAILABLE | FIRST FRIDAY
Held on the first Friday of every month from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. and attended by over 225 members and guests. Sponsors receive ten minutes at the podium and many other benefits.
Rotunda sponsorships are also available.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
An evening opportunity for new, current and prospective members to come to your location to network, enjoy refreshments and see what your business has to offer.
Sponsors of any event will be listed with its promotion, including in the "Bay Biz" magazine if signed up before deadline.
Other various event sponsorship opportunities are available, contact jill@baychamberfl.com or 215.3757.
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BUSINESS REFERRAL NETWORK MEETINGS
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Four different Business Referral Network (BRN) groups meet bi-monthly for various regularly scheduled lunch meetings to network, share business leads and referrals with other group members.
Only one member of each group may belong to a particular business/trade, i.e. only one person in banking, to allow for no direct competition.
Group A
Po Folks (15th st. location)
12:00 p.m.
February 7th & 21st
Group B
Sonny's BBQ
12:00 p.m.
February 9th & 23rd
Group C
Ferrucci's Ristorante
12:00 p.m.
February 8th & 29th
Group D
Loco's
12:00 p.m.
February 15th
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