Public Policy Roundtable featuring Jeff Atwater
Join us Wednesday July 17 for breakfast with Florida CFO Jeff Atwater and learn about the many responsibilities the role of CFO has, and how it relates to you and your business. Guests will hear an updated report on Florida's economy, learn about the CFO's priorities, and have the chance to share thoughts on making Florida the best place to live, work and play. Free for FIT Three members, $35 all other Chamber members, $40 for non-members. Download the event flyer or register here!
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Emerge Tampa Bay's Civic Boot Camp: Recap
Last night, over 30 Tampa Bay young professionals assembled for Emerge Tampa Bay's inaugural Civic Boot Camp. This two-hour-long session centered on brainstorming civic projects based upon participants' individual passions and experiences. Led by Emerge Program Chair Brian Seel and Emerge Public Policy Chair Kelsey Frouge, the evening's discussion was aided by a panel of industry experts: Joel Brown from Congressman C.W. Bill Young's office, Jim Taylor from FL Rep. James Grant's office, Ali Glisson from the City of Tampa, and Kevin Thurman from Connect Tampa Bay.
Emerge fostered the formation of ideas through their Civic Engagement Blueprint - a roadmap for taking a civic idea and seeing it through to implementation. Participants concluded with their own unique plans on how to improve Tampa Bay and suggestions for how Emerge can have a greater impact on the community. After such a successful night, Emerge plans to host additional Civic Boot Camps before the end of the year.
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Recap: Circle of Influence
 This past Friday, Chairman & CEO of the Tampa Bay Times, Paul Tash spoke at our Circle of Influence event. Tash, newly elected chair of the Pulitzer Prize board, talked about his experiences as a Pulitzer Prize juror, as well as the most interesting finalists he has encountered. Attendees were able to ask Tash a variety of questions including what books he recommends you add to your reading list. Thank you to our presenting sponsor 352 Media Group.
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Tampa Hires Heroes
Join us on Tuesday, July 30 for an information session hosted by the Veteran Employment Committee of the Military Council of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. The FREE event is open to all chamber members. Come and hear from veterans on the ways they can add value to your organization, learn about the tax credits available for hiring veterans, and decide how your company can make a difference. Speakers include Larry McLaughlin, retired Colonel AF, Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Worthington and Jennifer Tracy from Bright House. Download the event flyer or register here!
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Get Connected
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
AMF-University Lanes, 13109 N. 56th Street
Get Connected is a formal networking program designed to give members the opportunity to create business relationships with other members. Free for FITs One and Two, $15 for members, $30 for non-members. Sponsored by AMF-University Lanes. Download the event flyer or register here!
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New Member Coffee Connection
Wednesday, July 17, 2013 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street
New Member Coffee Connection focuses on Chamber members within their first year of membership and is held every other month. It is designed to help engage new members and build relationships. This program is facilitated by an Ambassador, who is a volunteer and will serve as your mentor! Click here to register!
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Business After Hours
Thursday, July 25, 2013 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Yard of Ale, 406 S. Howard Ave
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MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS
*All member highlights should be 50 words or less and sent into news@tampachamber.com no later than the last Thursday of every month.*
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Member News
Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Department of Veterans Affairs presents the 33rd National Veterans Wheelchair Games Coming to Tampa July 13-18, 2013! 500+ Veterans will compete in over 18 sporting events...in the largest annual wheelchair sporting event in the world an exciting combination of COMPETITION, CAMARADERIE, and COURAGE! Interested in volunteering for this great event? Click here for more information. You'll be inspired!
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Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Independence Day entertainment and fireworks celebration at Channelside Bay Plaza, which will take place Thursday, July 4 at the waterfront complex. The TPA is excited to support the Tampa Attractions Association (TAA) and sponsor this year's family-friendly, free event and encourages the public to come out and support what is sure to be a special night to celebrate our nation's birth and enjoy the Channelside area and the rest of downtown Tampa.
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Fintech is proud to announce its membership in the Tampa Bay Partnership, a non-profit economic development organization dedicated to helping boost innovation, education, and growth in the Tampa Bay area. As a Market Maker, Fintech joins other community leaders like PNC and BB&T Banks, Coca Cola, the City of Saint Petersburg, Premier Beverage, and the Tampa Port Authority in supporting the Partnership's efforts to stimulate and grow the local economy across a variety of industries.
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On June 6, Hill Ward Henderson attorneys spoke to CPAs and Advisors at the 11th Annual Tax and Business Update. Melanie Hancock, presented Health Care Reform: Best Practices for Compliance. Gordon Hill presented Employment Law Check-Up - How Healthy are Your Policies. Robert Shimberg presented Employee Fraud: How to Assist Your Client Should They Become a Victim and Linda Hartley presented Estate Planning - A New Era. The program and the lunch were held at the Wyndham Tampa Westshore and was very well attended. Proceeds from the CPE program go to support the activities of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic.
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As members of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, you can take advantage of the special discount for tickets at LEGOLAND Florida! For the 2013 season, 2 tickets for the price of 1 are available for all chamber members! Located just 45 minutes outside of Tampa, LEGOLAND Florida is the newest theme park in Central Florida and fun for all ages!
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Open practices for Buccaneers Training Camp! We are excited to announce the open practices for the 2013 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp. All practices are at One Buccaneer Place from 8:45-11:00 AM. Gates open at 7:45 AM. Open practice dates are: Thursday 7/25, Friday 7/26, Monday 7/29, Wednesday 7/31, Thursday 8/1, Friday 8/2, Saturday 8/3, Tuesday 8/6, Saturday 8/10.
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The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce that Carnival Pride will call Tampa its new home port beginning in December 2014, replacing the Carnival Legend. Launched in 2002 as the flagship of the Carnival fleet, the Carnival Pride's highlights include a six story atrium, multiple pools, including a mid-ship pool featuring a retractable roof, and a fun-for-all 72-foot-long Twister Waterslide. The 88,500-ton vessel accommodates for 2,124 passengers and 930 crew members. She will join Carnival Paradise, as one of two Carnival ships to call Tampa home.
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The Tampa Port Authority applauded the Foreign-Trade Zone Board for their decision to approve Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) No. 79 to administratively restructure and expand their service area to include both Hillsborough and Polk Counties. The decision will also reduce the time frame for the combined federal and local FTZ approval process.
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The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and Fifth Third Bank (Tampa Bay) recently announced the launch of "Pay It Forward", an innovative program to provide no-interest loans and financial empowerment to working families in the Bay area. The joint program targets families whose poor credit record often puts them at the mercy of high interest lenders. Its goal is to promote self-sufficiency by enabling families to borrow money for essential needs - such as a car repair so they can get to work - benefit from banking services, and open a pathway to rebuilding positive credit.
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The Tampa Port Authority is pleased to announce that the ratings firm of Standard & Poor's (S&P) Ratings Services has reaffirmed the authority's credit rating of A- and has provided the authority with a "Stable" outlook. The S&P rating is the latest in a continued series of positive ratings received by the port authority in recent years by not only S&P, but also by Moody's and Fitch Ratings.
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Bayshore Solutions, an award winning custom design website company, is pleased to announce the launch of the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay (BGCTB) website. Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay is a nonprofit organization that presents opportunities for each club member to build new skills and raise their belief that he or she can succeed. They provide safe and fun environments for children between the ages of 5-18 during out of school time as an alternative to being home alone or on the streets. The staff of Boys & Girls Club are trained and dedicated to offering support to youth who need it the most through structured programming, engaging activities, and interest-based experiences.
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Sam's Club is grateful for the support from the local business community, who recently participated in the Business Savings Expo, which offered savings of up to $2,800 on more than 125 items in 10 Tampa-area locations. To learn more about Sam's Club small business tools and resources, visit: www.samsclub.com
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Habitat Hillsborough is currently looking for partner families to purchase new homes at Providence Pointe, our neighborhood near Hwy. 301 and MLK Blvd. Qualified homebuyers are able to purchase a home at Providence Pointe with a zero-interest mortgage! That means the monthly mortgage payment very well may be less than rent. To find out more about the Habitat for Humanity opportunity, visit our website at www.habitathillsborough.com. Click on the Homeownership tab to read more about the program and submit an online pre-qualification form. Or, call 813.239.2242.
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Member Events
Brimmer, Burek & Keelan, LLP will be hosting an informational seminar and discussion relating to the recent financial issues facing many Americans. Please join our industry specialists on Thursday, July 18th from 8-10am at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay for this free event. Click here for more information and registration.
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Sentry Self Storage will be hosting a Teacher's Appreciation BBQ on Saturday July 27, 2013 from 12p-3p. There will be lots of food to chow down on and plenty of school supplies to give away. There is a $5 participation fee that we are collecting for our local Bob Gilbertson YMCA after school programs. So please tell all the teachers you know to come out and enjoy the afternoon with us and if you would like to show your support for our local teachers as well than please make a donation at our office located at 4901 E Adamo Dr. Tampa, FL 33605 or contact us at (813)248-6569. Thank you for all your support.
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The Lions Eye Institute is celebrating four decades of success. Join us for a brunch and program as we review LEITR's rich history, discuss our incredible research strides and share our vision for the future. Read more here.
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The Capital Grille is pleased to announce The Generous Pour event. When you book an event during July 8-September 1, you can treat your guests to The Generous Pour, which features seven remarkable wines. All rated 90 points or higher. Visit www.thecapitalgrille.com for more information.
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Employer Participation in Upcoming Career Fair! Employers... Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance will be hosting a Career Fair (which will be open to the public) on Thursday, July 18th from 12noon-3pm at TPepin's Hospitality Centre. To REGISTER or for additional information, go to www.workforcetampa.com. This event is being presented at no cost to employers to participate or for candidates to attend.
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This July, CDC of Tampa, a community and economic development entity, is partnering with Men's Wearhouse for the sixth annual National Suit Drive, the nation's largest collection of gently used business attire for men. Together, they are encouraging residents in the Tampa/Hillsborough community to donate their gently used business attire to help give a fresh start to disadvantaged workers still facing unemployment.
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Member Accolades
The Telly Awards has named A Media Marketing as a Bronze winner in the 34th Annual Telly Awards for their piece titled RNC Tampa Bay Welcome Video. With nearly 11,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countires, this is truly an honor. Click here for more information.
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Lawyers of Color (LOC) recently named 100 early- to mid-career minority attorneys under 40 from the Southern Region to its inaugural Hot List. Carlton Fields is pleased to announce that Tampa Associate Jin Liu has been named to this group. Liu will be profiled in Lawyers of Color's inaugural Hot List Special Issue (July 2013).
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| Christian M. Givens, Damien L. McKinney, and Garrett S. Riley, all attorneys with the law firm of Givens Givens Sparks, have been selected to the 2013 Florida Rising Starts list. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Attorney Stann W. Givens, founding partner of Givens Law Group, was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2013 edition of SuperLawyers in the specialty of Family Law. |
Fowler White Boggs is pleased to announce that Amelia M. Campbell, a shareholder in the firm's Trusts and Estates Group, has been elected President of the Athena Society. Founded in 1976, the Athena Society is dedicated to creating a forum for interaction and collaboration and to improving the status of women through equality, broader acceptance of women in business, the professions, and other positions of responsibility, and expanded educational and career development opportunities.
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Stephenie Biernacki Anthony, a trial lawyer and founding member of Anthony & Partners, LLC, has been chosen as the incoming president of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association (TBBBA). Ms. Anthony will preside over the 455-member TBBBA which operates as a focal point for bankruptcy and insolvency attorneys, judges and other professionals to come together to exchange ideas, discuss and debate legal issues, understand and harmonize procedures, and establish camaraderie and espirit d'corps.
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New Hires and Promotions
Fintech is pleased to announce the addition of Joe Steinbach as their Sales Team's new Distributor Account Manager. Steinbach is a longtime veteran of the alcohol industry with previous experience at Premier Beverage Company and Republic National Distributing Company. He brings almost 20 years of leadership and sales knowledge to Fintech and will be responsible for new business development, enhancing existing Distributor relationships, and implementing on-site customer training programs.
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Tomlin Tested Staffing is pleased to announce its newest Team Member, Diane Graul, as Staffing Coordinator. Diane brings 30 years of varied administrative experience to Tomlin Staffing. Her focus on customer service and her attention to detail meld well with the Tomlin culture. Diane is also experienced in a variety of software programs which enhance her ability to fulfill her responsibilities of recruiting, interviewing and placement. We are very excited to have Diane on board.
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Jennifer Young, Network Engineer, is the newest addition to Fintech's IT team and has a thirteen year track record in network administration. With previous experience at Raymond James, MacDill Air Force Base, and Tech Data, she has a commitment to ensuring the integrity and security of all network systems.
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Rebecca Zelman, Customer Support Specialist is a Florida native with a career that boasts almost ten years of experience in the Customer Service field. She joins Fintech's growing Customer Support team with a positive attitude and an exceptional dedication to customer satisfaction.
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Convergence Consulting Group (CCG), Florida's premier Business Intelligence (BI) technology consulting services provider, announced this week the addition of new BI Project Manager, Todd Schmiedeke. Todd has more than 15 years of business and IT experience serving in various analyst, database administrator, project and program management roles. He was most recently employed as a Lead Project Manager and Portfolio Manager with American Express. Todd graduated from the University of Tampa with a BS in Economics and a Master's in Business Administration.
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