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October  2013 Mid-Month Newsletter
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Upcoming Events 

For More Details

A Special Welcome To New Members

 

Aflac

Michael Snyder

8600 Hidden River Pkwy, Suite 400

Tampa, FL 33637

 

C. Fuente Holdings, Inc.

R. Martin Sorensen

P.O. Box 5175

Tampa, FL 33675-5175

 

Gulf Coast Transportation, Inc./United Cab of Tampa

Robert A. Searcy

1701 W. Cass St.

Tampa, FL 33606

 

Heartland Payment Systems

Denise Hofer

639 Poinsettia Rd.

Bellair, FL 33756

 

SIMA Communications/CNN Latino

Nassly Aleman

1805 North Franklin Street

Tampa, FL 33602 

 

UNation, LLC

George Beardsley

1302 N. 19th Street

Tampa, FL 33605

Thank You To Renewing  Members

 

Liana Fernandez Fox

Temple Terrace, FL

 

Rent All of Tampa, Inc.

Randy Runey

722 N. Dale Mabry Hwy

Tampa, FL 33609

 

Scott  A. Haas, PA

Scott Haas

1901 E. 5th Ave.

Tampa, FL 33605

 


Click on a
highlighted company name to learn more about your fellow members.

spotlight

Ybor Chamber Member Spotlight

 

If you are looking for some of the best brands of blue jeans, look no further than Florida Jean Company, located in the heart of our historic district. Owners, Wayne and Tammy Collier opened their second Florida Jean Company in Ybor City in March 2013.

 

Started in 2006 by selling pre-worn jeans on-line out of their garage, Florida Jean Company grew into a premier jean company, opening their first store on Corey Dr. in St. Pete Beach. Florida Jean Company sells top jean brands such as Lucky Brand, Rock Revival and True Religion, as well as a variety of clothing - hats, sandals, flip flops, board shorts, tank tops, sundresses and more.

 

Wayne and Tammy chose to open their second store in Ybor City because of its history and strong community. "Ybor is a great place to enjoy the many restaurants, and the rich history filled buildings from the cigar manufacturing era that has made Tampa famous."

 

Stop by Florida Jean Company next time you are strolling down 7th Avenue. They have the coolest clothes.

 

- Michele Keating

 

Wayne & Tammy Collier

FloridaJean Company

1714 E. 7th Avenue

Tampa, FL 33605

813-374-9151

www.fljean.com

Upcoming Conventions 
__________________________________

 
October 20-26   
Estimated Attendance: 2,300
Exhibit Location: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina 

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October 26-27
Estimated Attendance: 2,000
HQ Hotel: Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
 

   

Chair's Message

 

Hello Ybor, 

 

So much has happened since the last Newsletter! We kicked off the Holiday Season with our 48th Annual Gala, where we had a great time celebrating the Adela & Cesar Gonzmart award recipients, J.C. Newman Cigar Family.  Elliott Wheeler, along with the stellar Gala committee, pulled out all the stops and transported us aboard a Tropical Cruise. A big congratulations goes to newlywed Traci Sherman, who won the raffle grand prize of a 4 day cruise courtesy of AAA, and plans to use it as her honeymoon!

 

It felt like as soon as the Gala ended Oktoberfest began. This year was the biggest and best one yet. We had over 500 participants that visited 20 venues!  Melissa and I invited some friends to join us and we had a great time. We boasted about hitting 12 of the 20 venues until I spoke to some of our board members and found out they hit all 20 and were still going!  Overall, the restaurants and bars did a fantastic job and it was so rewarding seeing all of the official Oktoberfest shirts roaming the streets late into the night!

 

The newly renovated Hampton Inn & Suites played host to Ybor after Work on the 17th and we had a great turn out. There was lots of networking, mixed with some great food and cool drinks. Thanks to John Trujillo & GTE Financial for sponsoring the event.  It was a hit!

 

Next up is the best costume contest in the Bay Area! The 28th Annual Guavaween will take place on the 26th. It begins with an outdoor concert on the Centro Ybor Stage @ 7pm featuring the music of Scilter. The Costume Contest begins at 9:00 PM and will be hosted by the original "Mama Guava."  This year's contest features a top cash prize of $1,000!  Be sure to plan your weekend in Ybor and visit one of our Guavaween Promotional Partners for your warm-up and after-parties.  Promotional Partner venues include J.J.'s Caf� & Bar, Crowbar, Hamburger Mary's, Buffalo Wild Wings and James Joyce Irish Pub.

 

There will be parties, strolls, bed races (yes Bed races), and more leading up to the Costume Contest.

For more information, check out our website at www.ybor.org or call our Visitor Information Center at 813.241.8838.  

 

Until next time-

David Alvarez 

Chamber Happenings 

 

October 26- Guavaween 2013 Outdoor Concert & Costume Contest, Sat. 7PM- 10PM-  Join us for our 28th Annual Halloween Costume Bash better known as Guavaween- continuing a long standing Ybor Halloween tradition, and this year admission to the outdoor concert and costume contest are free.  For more information, please call 813.241.8838
 
November 12- Ybor Chamber Membership Luncheon, Tues. 11:45AM-1:15PM-  November's luncheon speaker will be Jim Shimberg, Executive Vice President & General Counsel for the Lightning organization. He will be on hand to speak on the wide range of impacts of the Forum, their teams, and the overall organization. 813.248.3712 x22 

Events and Announcements by Tom Favata 

Click on the highlighted event name for more information.  

Oct. 25- ICCE Job Fair, Fri. 9AM- 12PM- Hillsborough Community College's Corporate College is seeking employers interested in hiring students that have gone through their training and certification programs. 813.259.6552

Oct. 25- Opening Reception: Futurista, Fri.. 6PM- 9PM- Visit the Singing Stone Gallery as they unveil their latest collection of works focused on the merger of fine art jewelry and high fashion. 813.728.4325
   
Oct. 25- Haunted Mansion Paranormal Investigation Night - To continue a month filled with supernatural delights, join Ghost Party on another haunted adventure tracking ghosts. If you can't make it out on the 25th pay them a visit on the 26th for a children's scavenger hunt and for adults a visit to Hotel Hell. 813.610.1063

Oct. 27- Italian Club Spooktacular Halloween Party, Sun. 4PM- 7PM- Grab the kids and visit the Italian Club  fun halloween activities, cupcake decorating and spaghetti dinner. RSVP by Thursday the 24th. 813.248.3316

Nov. 1- The 12th Annual Richard's Run For Life 5K, Fri. 7PM- Help find a cure for cancer at Richard's Run for Life 5K.  Runners and walkers are welcome. Participants will enjoy post-race music, food and drink in Centennial Park.  100% of the proceeds will benefit the Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) initiative for sarcoma research at Moffitt Cancer Center.  Register online at: www.richardsrunforlife.org

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Congratulations to the Ybor City Museum Society on the launch on the Jewish Roots of Ybor City exhibit!

Does your Ybor retail store front need a new facade or maybe repair or touch-up?  Fill out your application for this year's Facade Improvement Grant Program by clicking here.

The Dog's Bollocks is under new ownership and wanted folks to know they are open for business as they go thru renovations before their November 2nd grand reopening!