2014 Military Appreciation Banquet
This year's Military Appreciation Banquet is right around the corner! Please join us on March 4, 2014 as we honor our community's military personnel. This year's banquet will feature a keynote address by Vice Admiral Mark I. Fox, Deputy Commander, United States Central Command. Vice Adm. Fox assumed responsibilities as Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command in early September 2013. A native of Abilene, Texas, he was commissioned in June 1978 upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy and designated a Naval Aviator in March 1980.
This year's event marks the 16th year the Chamber will honor our community's military personnel. Following the keynote address by Vice Adm. Fox, awards will be presented in categories including Civilian awards, Military Citizen of the Year for each branch and ROTC Cadet of the Year for each branch. Click here to register for this year's banquet! Thank you to Bright House Networks for sponsoring this event. |
Chamber's Statement on High Speed Ferry
The Greater Tampa Chamber commends the Hillsborough County Commission for supporting high speed ferry service in Tampa Bay yesterday. In a 6-1 vote, the County agreed to provide support for a feasibly study for the Tampa Bay Passenger Ferry Public Private Partnership.
The proposed high speed ferry would provide transit options for our military neighbors and an alternative way to travel between downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg. The plan is innovative and takes advantage of an asset unique to our area - our waterways. Further, it engages the private sector in creating solutions to community challenges.
Additionally, as the diversity of groups who came out to support the project before the County Commission shows, Tampa Bay can - and does - work together. Three chambers, from both sides of the Bay, an environmental group, and the Tea Party aligned to push for this project. The era of our area not rallying together is over. Let's recognize and rejoice in turning this page in our history and agree to reinforce this spirit of cooperation.
You can read the Chamber's position on high speed ferry service here. |
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Startup Scholars Feature: BambinOz
BambinOz was founded by Carren Rieger, Tampa native and former Wall Street strategy consultant who moved to Australia in 2006. With a young baby and grandparents living in the United States and Germany, Carren quickly realized the challenges facing families traveling with young children. The lack of suitable and safe feeding products was the inspiration behind BambinOz and motivation for bringing to market a line of 'Clever Designs for Babies Going Places'.
BambinOz' flagship product, Porta Chair, is an innovative, safe and completely portable solution to the traditional high chair. With a patented height adjustable 5-point safety harness, Porta Chair converts any seat into a temporary feeding chair. BambinOz also produces an award-winning line of reusable, baby bottle warmers that do not require electricity or batteries to operate - great for heating milk on-the-go!
After relocating back to Tampa in 2010, BambinOz products can be found in specialty retailers across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
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Open Position at the Chamber
We are hiring! The Chamber is currently accepting resumes for the following position:
Please click on the above position to download the detailed job description and required qualifications. To apply, please email your cover letter, resume and three references to resumes@tampachamber.com. Applicants for the Director of Membership position must include two writing samples: a) a letter requesting a meeting with a prospective member and b) a letter to a lapsed member requesting a meeting to discuss their membership.
Applicants will not be considered if all of the requested items are not received. No phone calls please. Due to the anticipated response, we may not be able to respond to every candidate.
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Increase your Sales in Germany
A message from Enterprise Florida
Do you want to increase your international sales or diversify your current market share? Enterprise Florida's German office will be in Tampa on March 5th, 2014 for discussions about increasing your sales to Germany. Whether your company produces a product or service this discussion would be for you. The German market is always looking for technology, manufacturing, medical devices or professional services. EFI Germany will be available to discuss market entry options or expansions during one-on-one consultations.
To be included in the German market update and discussions please contact Max Stewart, Enterprise Florida mstewart@eflorida.com.
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Get Connected
Tuesday, February 11, 2014 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Hillsborough County Bar Association
Chester H. Ferguson Law Center, 1610 N. Tampa Street
Get Connected is a formal networking program designed to give members the opportunity to create business relationships with other members. Think of it as "speed networking." Each person is seated at a table with fellow participants and given two minutes to introduce their product, organization, or service to the small group. Get Connected is a free event for FIT's One and Two, $15 for members, $30 for non-members. Hosted by the Hillsborough County Bar Association. Click here to register.
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Return on Relationships
Thursday, February 13, 2014 | 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street
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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Competitive Edge Series: Social Media- The New Normal
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street 
Social Media is NOT a trend, it is a NECESSITY. New Platforms pop up every day and existing platforms constantly change. Staying on top of what's best for your business is challenging. Ask yourself this question: Is the voice of your business heard on social media channels? Join us for our monthly Competitive Edge Series featuring Leslie Laney, Director of Marketing & Social Media at A Media Marketing. Free for FIT Two, $35 for Chamber members and $50 for non-members. FIT One members receive FREE attendance for one at two events per year. Click here to register.
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Pearls of Wisdom - Stepping Up: Leadership Through Service
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Mise en Place, 442 W. Kennedy Boulevard
Our first Pearls of Wisdom of 2014 will focus on how women in our community can attain and maximize a position on an Advisory Board, both in the corporate and nonprofit worlds. Our guest panel will discuss how to have a voice in our community through service on a board. Our moderator will be Beth Doyle and our panel will include: Jessica Kendall, Dawn Siler-Nixon, and Patricia Douglas. $15 for members, $25 for non-members. Click here to register!
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Business After Hours
Thursday, February 27, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wells Fargo Center, 100 S. Ashley Drive
Join us for complimentary hors d'oeurves and a cocktail while networking with your fellow Chamber members. Free for members, $15 for non-members. Hosted by Feldman Equities/ Tower Realty. Click here to register.
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2014 Military Appreciation Banquet
Tuesday, March 4, 2014 | 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin Street
Please join us in honoring our local military personnel for outstanding professional service and contributions to the Tampa Bay community at our Military Appreciation Banquet, featuring a keynote address from Vice Admiral Mark I. Fox Deputy Commander, United States Central Command. $85 for individuals, $900 for corporate tables of 10. Click here to register!
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Member News
Hill Ward Henderson is pleased to announce that they have recently elected five new Shareholders: Rachel M. Feinman, Eric J. Hall, Melanie J. Hancock, David L. Luikart, III and Erik P. Raines.
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Employers... Join us for a FREE event on Feb. 4th, from 12pm-1:30pm, as we welcome technology expert, Steve Hasselbach, of Peak 10. Steve will talk about how cloud computing is being implemented in business and human resources, and how it can help improve your business' efficiency, including: access to information on demand, improved candidates and analytics, and increased speed and implementation of updates. To register for the event, go to: http://goo.gl/7ghLvv
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The Port of Tampa has a new name and logo to reflect the Tampa Port Authority's renewed spirit, expansion, investments and new momentum in its marketing efforts, both regionally and globally. Read the entire press release about the State of the Port and its new name, Port Tampa Bay here.
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The Florida State Fair is offering Goodwill donors $2 off adult admission. From Jan. 20 through Feb. 16, each person who drops off clothing or household items at any Goodwill Industries-Suncoast donation site will receive a coupon good for $2 off a single adult ticket to the fair. Goodwill-Suncoast shoppers who "Round Up" their purchases to the next dollar to support Goodwill's mission will also receive the discount coupons. The discount applies to tickets sold at the fair admission gates, and may not be used for advance ticket purchases. For each redeemed discount coupon, $1 will be donated to Goodwill. |
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay announced today that livingHR, a human resources leader in talent management workforce solutions, has become a Crisis Center Corporate Partner.
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Each month, the Tampa Convention Center provides a delicious recipe from their talented catering professionals! Click here for January's recipe and make sure you visit this page regularly for updates and new recipes! |
For more than two decades Fintech's efficient, cost saving data and payment solution has been instrumental to the rollout of alcohol in large chains across the country. The beginning of 2014 proved no different as more than 800 new locations were added to the Fintech system last month. Contributing momentum to that number were large expansions by both Circle K Midwest and Winn Dixie.
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Member Events
Learn business-building skills from a panel of local experts on Wednesday, March 5th at the Tampa Bay Local Business Summit powered by SuperMedia. This FREE event includes information about social media, brand strategy, best practices and advertising efficiency. Attend this event to meet business peers and potential customers - and learn important business-building strategies to help you take your business to the next level. Seating is limited so you must register here to attend: http://supermedia.amssupp.
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"Pushing Luck" documentary premiering in Tampa on February 26th, 5:30pm at HydePark CineBistro. Event is free and open to the public. Filmmakers interviewed recovering addicts, former industry insiders, political leaders and noted academics to examine the economic and social perils of expanded gambling. For more information, contact Sara Gross, sara@rsaconsultingllc.com.
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Member Accolades
The law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is pleased to announce that Meredith D. DeNome and Brian W. Schaffnit have been named Partners of the firm, effective January 1, 2014.
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is pleased to announce that Brian C. Willis, associate in the firm's Tampa office, has been selected to join the 2014 class of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the New Leaders Council (NLC).
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Akerman LLP, a leading law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced that Karen Meyer Buesing, a partner with the firm's Labor and Employment Practice Group in Tampa, has been selected as the recipient of the 2014 Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award, Florida's highest pro bono service award, to be presented by the Honorable Ricky Polston, Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court.
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The Tampa law firm of Stichter, Riedel, Blain & Prosser, P.A. was selected to receive the 2014 Chief Justice's Law Firm Commendation awarded annually by The Florida Supreme Court to a law firm in the State of Florida in recognition of its significant contributions in the delivery of legal services to individuals or groups on a pro bono basis. The Commendation is one of many pro bono recognitions for the firm and its attorneys.
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Highwoods Properties Tampa Division won the Best Landlord award at the NAIOP Best of the Best Gala on January 30, 2014 in downtown Tampa. "I am proud that this is the second year in a row that Highwoods has achieved this honor, recognizing our team's hard work and attention to detail in our daily pursuit of offering outstanding customer service. This award is a clear demonstration of Highwoods' high standars and commitment to our customers, " said Dan Woodward, Highwoods' Vice President.
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New Hires and Promotions
Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A., a professional accounting, assurance, and tax services firm headquartered in Tallahassee, has promoted Brian Walgamott to Manager of Tax Services, Julian Dozier to Senior Manager of Assurance Services and Stacey Kolka to Senior Manager of Tax Services.
Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. congratulates Ashley Sharpe on passing the CPA exam, promoted Meagan Camp to Senior, Assurance Services Department, and promoted Kavisha McCranie to Senior, Tax Services Department.
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Laura Fontanills, a public relations agency veteran, has joined B2 Communications as senior account executive. With a proven track record and eight years of experience working with clients from a variety of industries, Fontanills adds more upper-level experience to the B2 team.
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KCI Technologies Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering firm with offices throughout the eastern and central U.S., is pleased to announce the promotion of Bryan R. Lawson, EIT, LEED AP, CCM, to vice president. As a regional practice leader, he currently oversees KCI's construction management, engineering, and inspection work in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee and serves as manager for the firm's office in Tampa. Lawson was also elected to serve a two-year term as employee representative on the firm's board of directors.
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