Lt. General Russel Honoré to Speak at Military Appreciation Banquet Presented by Brighthouse Networks
 The Chamber is proud to announce that Lieutenant General Russel Honoré, United States Army (Ret.) will deliver the keynote address at this year's Military Appreciation Banquet, presented by Bright House Networks on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Marriott Waterside. LTG Honoré, an army veteran who's illustrious career within the U.S. Army spans over 37 years, is widely known as the "Category 5 General" who led Task Force Katrina in the aftermath of the devastating hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast. read more >>
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Recap: Emerge Tampa's "Beyond the Dugout" with the Tampa Bay Rays
Rays executives discuss the team's impact both on and off the field
 Last night, Emerge Tampa Bay kicked off their speaker series with "Beyond the Dugout," an event sponsored by the Tampa Bay Rays, which hosted over 100 area business professionals at Tropicana Field. Rays executives Mark Fernandez and Matt Silverman delivered a presentation that detailed the team's rise to success, growing popularity within the region and promising plans for the future. "We have accomplished our goal in becoming the most popular team in town" said Fernandez.
Fernandez and Silverman also highlighted the team's extensive involvement within the community. Several programs and partnerships have been established by the Rays to not only raise awareness to the issues affecting the area, but to encourage support from fans, employees and players alike. Click here to read more about the Rays in the community.
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2013 Chamber Golf Tournament set for May 13
Sign on as a sponsor and win tickets to the Masters!
Mark your calendars for the 2013 Chamber Golf Tournament set for Monday, May 13 at Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club. Proceeds from the tournament, presented by Bay Cities Bank and T-Cellular, will benefit the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Foundation and all the chamber's educational and leadership programming. Click here to download all the details and sign up today!
The Chamber is thrilled to announce an exciting raffle as part of this year's golf tournament. All companies that sign on as a Gold sponsor to our tournament prior to February 28 will be eligible to win two practice round passes to the 2013 Master's Golf Tournament! The passes are good for Monday, April 8, 2013, and the winner will be contacted on February 28. Sign on as a sponsor today and have a chance at access to a once-in-a-lifetime golf event! |
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Volunteer for the Gasparilla Music Festival!
 The Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) and the Chamber have teamed up in volunteer efforts for this year's festival! We are currently looking for a number of hard working volunteers! This year's festival will take place on Saturday, March 9 in Curtis Hixon Park and Kiley Gardens. As part of its mission to support and promote music and education, GMF is involved throughout the year in several initiatives including providing scholarships to music students. The festival is in need of volunteers to help ensure a successful event and to enjoy a day full of great music in beautiful downtown Tampa! There are a number of different time slots, dates and positions offered this year. Click here to sign up to volunteer today or contact volunteer coordinators, Heather Drobyak - hdrobyak@gmail.com or Rosaria Pipitone - rpipiton@usf.edu for more information.
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My experience at Leadership Tampa's Government Day by Jimmy St. Louis, Leadership Tampa Class of 2013
 What a great day we all had together on Government Day! To be honest, optimism for an exciting day wasn't high as we were scheduled to be in the same location, all day - but the day turned out to be not only informative but entertaining as well. After first being greeted by our Class Chair Mark House, we were pleasantly introduced to County Commission Chair Ken Hagan who talked about his experience, the fact that he is one of the youngest commissioners Hillsborough County has employed, and his optimism for the years to come. read more >>
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Are you an amateur photographer?
Send us your best shots!
The Chamber is looking for amateur photographers that could earn the chance for their photography to be featured in a Chamber publication or to be put on display in the Chamber office! Send us your best shot of Tampa and let us know why it is your favorite. Please send submissions to news@tampachamber.com by no later than 5PM on Friday, February 15. Good luck! |
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Business of Biotech
Monday, February 11, 2013 | 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Vincent A. Stabile Research Building, 12902 Magnolia Drive
Join Moffitt Cancer Center, the Chamber and other partner organizations for the seventh annual "Business of Biotech" Conference. Each year this event spotlights a keynote speaker and offers professional development with focused breakout sessions. Attendance is free but registration is required. Please visit MOFFITT.org/BusinessofBiotech to register or contact dana.caggia@moffitt.org with questions.
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Get Connected - Joint event for Chamber & Emerge members
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
The Centre Club, Inc., 123 S. Westshore Boulevard.
Get Connected is a formal networking program designed to give members the opportunity to create business relationships with other members. This month Emerge Tampa Bay, the Chamber's organization for young professionals, is partnering to host this joint event. Free for FITs One, Two, and Emerge members; $15 for members, $30 for non-members. Sponsored by The Centre Club. Click here to register! |
Competitive Edge Series:
"How to Grow Your Company Faster"
Thursday, February 21, 2013 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street
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Join the Chamber for our monthly Competitive Edge Series to learn about the concept of "Ruthless Focus" and how to apply it to your business or non-profit to develop a growth platform for the future. This month's event will be presented by Tom Hall, Chairman of Tucker/Hall, Inc. All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Tom Hall's book Ruthless Focus! Download the event flyer or register here! |
Public Policy Roundtable featuring Paul Anderson
Friday, February 22, 2013 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
The University Club, 201 N. Franklin Street
The Chamber invites you to join us for a Public Policy Roundtable featuring the new Director of the Tampa Port Authority, Paul Anderson. Join us to hear about his plan and vision for the Port of Tampa. Free for FIT Three members, $35 all other Chamber members and $30 for non-members. Download the event flyer or register here!
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Return on Relationships
Monday, February 25, 2013 | 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 North Franklin Street, Suite 201
Creating great sales people and growing business revenue goes beyond selling techniques and encompasses a focus on behaviors and attitudes. During this interactive session, expert Clint Babcock will use his sales experience as well as the Sandler Sales program of training to teach you how to get the most out of the networking opportunities at Chamber events.
Free for FIT One, $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Click here to register!
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The University of Tampa Fellows Forum
Wednesday, February 27, 2013 | 7:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place
The annual University of Tampa Fellows Forum brings together a distinguished panel of CEOs to share their perspectives with the Tampa Bay business community on issues of importance. $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Sponsored by Verizon. Click here for more information about the event, including forum speakers or register here. |
2013 Military Appreciation Banquet Wednesday, February 27, 2013 | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, 700 South Florida Avenue
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Please join us in honoring our local military personnel for outstanding professional service and contributions to the Tampa Bay community at the our Military Appreciation Banquet, featuring a keynote address from: Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré. $85 for individuals, $900 for corporate tables of 10. Click here to register! |
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Business After Hours
Thursday, February 28, 2013 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Hogan's Beach at the Best Western Bay Harbor Hotel, 7700 Courtney Campbell Causeway
Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and network with your fellow Chamber members. Free for members, $15 for non-members! Sponsored by Best Western Bay Harbor Hotel. Click here to register! |
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Member News
The Port of Tampa has been selected as the port of entry for shipments of wing and fuselage assemblies destined for Embraer's jet assembly plant in Melbourne, FL.
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) No. 79 has issued a request for proposals seeking a website development agency to redesign and host FTZ No. 79's current website, www.tampaftz.com. The submittal deadline for all responses to the request for proposals is Friday, February 22, 2013. For more information, please email tchambliss@tampaedc.com
Dale Carnegie Tampa Bay is pleased to announce the recognition of 4 Tampa Bay Organizations which received the Dale Carnegie Leadership Award for 2012. These organizations demonstrated strong core values, excellent leadership and effective communication as an organization to qualify for this award.
Organizations are evaluated each year by the internal consultants of Dale Carnegie Tampa Bay to select firms that qualify for this award. Click here to read more about the recepients.
As you may recall, back in September, Baumann Raymondo merged with Skoda Minotti, a Northeast Ohio-based CPA, business and financial advisory firm. On February 1, the brand transition from Baumann Raymondo to Skoda Minotti was completed. Going forward, all branded communications you see, read and receive from them will be under the Skoda Minotti brand name.
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who served as the state's chief executive from 1999 until 2007, will appear at Saint Leo University February 13 to deliver the keynote address at the university's Fourth Annual International Business Conference. The conference is organized by the Donald R. Tapia School of Business and held at the University Campus from February 13 to 15. The theme is "Sustainable Development in a Global Economy: Creating Vibrant Economies."
Bayshore Solutions, a full-service marketing agency, is proud to announce its website launch for the Clearwater Housing Authority. All new brand identity elements were designed for the affordable housing property organization website.
The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to welcome the announcement by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) that it will start offering global container service via the Port of Tampa. This will include shipping and receiving cargo to/from Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, Latin America, the Caribbean, as well as other worldwide destinations. |
Member Events
We've all hired someone who did great in their interview, only to have their evil twin appear just a short time later. Power Interviewing will help improve your selection process and weed out the "evil twins"! This presentation is designed for hiring managers to increase their interviewing results and efficiency by learning who is really behind the resume. Join the Omnia Group on February 14 for this seminar by clicking here.
Based on new, groundbreaking research, Dale Carnegie Tampa Bay will show you the three clusters of behaviors that significantly impact engagement. Then, within each cluster they will break down the individual actions you can take to develop enthusiastic, empowered, confident and inspired employees Join them at the Centre Club on February 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and learn how you can increase productivity and reduce turnover by cultivating a workforce of engaged employees. Click here to register.
Spring Swing-Moffitt's Sun Safety Tour® is a partnership between Moffitt and the Rays offering free skin cancer screenings at specified baseball spring training venues between February and March. The tour kicks off Feb. 23. Screeners will look for early signs of skin cancer while promoting sun safety, skin cancer awareness and education. Click here for more information.
Don't miss your chance to mingle with local and national celebrities at The Children's Home
2013 Stars and Pars Gala and Auction while enjoying delicious food, complimentary cocktails, live entertainment and a live and silent auction. The event will take place on February 23, 2013, beginning at 7:00pm in the Tampa Bay History Center. Click here to register.
You're invited to celebrate the 31st anniversary of one of Tampa Bay's most well-known and established golf tournaments, The Children's Home Annual Celebrity Golf Classic! Partner with local and national celebrities on February 25 for a day of golf at one of Tampa's most prestigious golf courses. All participants will enjoy celebrity pairings with each foursome, complimentary range balls, a continental breakfast, luxury golfer gifts, air conditioned golf carts, a gourmet boxed lunch, course beverages and an awards ceremony. Click here to register.
Gulf Coast Giving has partnered with its finest to raise money for Pinellas County Schools. Please join them on March 16 for their annual 5K - 1M Run/Walk Easter Hop. A family fun morning packed with great race perks including a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny & Easter egg hunt. Race perks also include race t-shirt, music, food, water stations, silent auction, raffle by bib number, giveaways, finisher medals and arts & crafts for the kids. Register online at www.GulfCoastGiving.org/run.
Join The Junior League of Tampa on February 27 for a provocative conversation about human trafficking in our community - where and how it's happening, what's being done, and how we can help fight this growing epidemic together.The distinguished panelists will include members of the judiciary, law enforcement and other service providers. Visit jltampa.org for additional details.
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Member Accolades
USAmeriBancorp, the parent company of Clearwater-based USAmeriBank and Alabama-based Aliant Bank has announced its 4th quarter results, posting strong earnings for 2012. The company reported net income to common shareholders of $17.8 million, up from $9.4 million in 2011- a per-share earnings increase to $1.90 from $1.22.
Bricklemyer Smolker is pleased to announce that 6 of the Firm's attorneys were selected for Florida Super Lawyers 2013 and 3 of the Firm's attorneys were selected for Florida Rising Stars. The following Bricklemyer Smolker attorneys were named : Jay J. Bartlett, Keith W. Bricklemyer, Jeffrey L. Hinds, Richard A. Schlosser and David Smolker. Florida Super Lawyers magazine recognizes outstanding lawyers in Florida for attaining a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
The Tampa Bay Innovation Center received the Excellence in Service Award from the Tampa Bay Technology Forum. The award was one of six awards presented at the annual TBTF Industry Achievement. The Excellence in Service Award annually recognizes an organization for the professional services it has provided for growing technology companies.
The Florida Venture Forum, oldest, largest and most prestigious statewide support group for venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, today announced that David S. Felman, leader of the Corporate and Tax Group for Hill Ward Henderson in Tampa, will be 2013 Board Chair of the Florida Venture Forum's Board of Directors.
Carlton Fields is pleased to announce that four of the firm's Tampa attorneys were honored as 2013 "Lawyers of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® 2013 The following Carlton Fields' lawyers were named in their respective practice areas: Nathaniel L. Doliner, Shareholder - Mergers & Acquisitions Law, C. Douglas McDonald, Jr., Shareholder - Copyright Law, Gary L. Sasso, President and CEO - Appellate Practice and Wm. Cary Wright, Shareholder - Litigation-Construction. Shareholder Sylvia H. Walbolt received the 2013 Chambers Women in Law Award for Litigation Lawyer of the Year from Chambers & Partners USA.
Carlton Fields' Intellectual Property and Technology practice group has also been recognized by World Trademark Review 1000: The World's Leading Trademark Professionals 2013. The firm's Intellectual Property and Technology group was ranked among five others as the top recommended law firm in Florida for its trademark legal work, while Tampa-based Shareholder C. Douglas McDonald was ranked as a top individual in Florida.
Wade Trim was awarded a Grand Award for Engineering Excellence from the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) for their work on the Mitchell Water Treatment Plant Improvements, part of the Seven Springs utility system in Pasco County. The award will be presented at FICE's annual awards banquet on August 2, 2013.
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New Hires & Promotions
The law firm of Fowler White Boggs is pleased to announce that Carlton C. Gammons has rejoined the firm's Tampa office as an associate and will practice in the Financial Services Litigation Practice Group. Mr. Gammons started his legal career with the firm and most recently served as a Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Charlene Edwards Honeywell with the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
HealthPoint Medical Group welcomes breast surgical oncologist Claudia Lago Toro. She earned her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in San Juan, and completed a Surgical Residency as Chief Resident at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. She then served a Fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Vivian Arenas-Battles, a Shareholder with de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A., has been appointed as an Adjunct Professor in the Urban & Regional Planning Program at the University of South Florida. She is teaching a graduate level "Land Use Law" course.
The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce that Raul Alfonso has been hired to lead the authority's marketing and real estate development efforts. Alfonso will began his new post in Tampa February 4.
Jeanne T. Plecenik joined Saint Leo University as vice president of business affairs earlier this month. She oversees finance, risk management, regulatory issues, human resources, technology services, and facilities operations.
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