Now Accepting Nominations for the 34th Annual SBOY Awards
Deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, March 7
Presenting Sponsors: 
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Who represents the best of the best in Tampa's small business community? Nominate your favorite company today for the Chamber's annual Small Business of the Year Awards, which recognizes outstanding companies for their achievements in financial success, community involvement and ethical business practices. The awards will be handed out on Friday, September 19 at the Small Business of the Year banquet, the Chamber's largest signature event.
All nominations must be submitted by Friday, March 7. Click here to download the nomination forms and get complete details on eligibility, categories and evaluation criteria. Questions about nominations and sponsorship opportunities should be directed to Staci Fraser at 813.276.9453.
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Jose Valiente: 2014 Junior Achievement Spirit of Achievement Award Winner
Congratulations to our past chair, Jose Valiente (2006) on being Junior Achievement's 2014 Spirit of Achievement Award Winner! Jose is the founder of Junior Achievement's Diploma-See Day initiative in Hillsborough County. As incoming chair of the Chamber, Jose was inspired to bring positive role models to Hillsborough County 8th graders; a grade he believed to be pivotal in a student's academic path.
Together with the Chamber, Hillsborough County Schools and Junior Achievement, Diploma-See Day was born. Since its pilot, over 2,100 Diploma-See Day volunteers from Tampa Bay businesses have inspired over 21,000 students with Junior Achievement's hands-on interactive financial literacy programs. Congratulations!
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Startup Scholars Feature: Gurus
Gurus are an eco-friendly, natural sandal based on an ancient Indian design worn by Mahatma Gandhi. Gurus are made from natural rubber that is sustainably sourced from the founders' family farms in India where rubber is hand-harvested from trees in a harmless process. Using natural rubber makes Gurus biodegradable and more comfortable than traditional flip-flops. Because Gurus come from a tree, a tree is planted for every pair sold.
The Gurus design was influenced by thousands of years of Indian tradition and maintains uniqueness of the original, but adds function and comfort. Unlike regular flip-flops, Gurus stay on without "scrunching" your toes and they don't fall off during activities like walking on the beach or even running.
Gurus was successfully Kickstarted in a 30-day crowdfunding campaign and received 94% satisfaction from customers who pre-ordered. Gurus are currently available at www.ilovegurus.com.
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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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Chamber Celebrates Ribbon Cuttings
Members Mark Milestones with Chamber Ambassadors!
The Chamber would like to congratulate the following member who recently celebrated a grand opening. Members interested in having a Chamber ambassador participate in their grand opening should contact Amanda Muley at 813.276.9464.
Elizabeth Dvorack CEO, Dick Dvorack, President and Susan Snare, Market President at the ribbon cutting for the new Tampa Workscape showroom. Workscapes is committed to helping grow the local economy and enhancing the work environment through innovation, unique solutions, services, and their commitment to their clients to be the most responsive. The showroom will feature the Herman Miller Living Office furniture concepts. www.workscapes.com |
Member Anniversaries
Congratulations to these members, who are celebrating Chamber membership milestones in February 2014! We appreciate your long-standing commitment to the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and our community.
5 year
15 year
20 year
25 year
30 year
45 year
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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 2nd Floor Cafe
Complimentary Parking Provided in the Parking Garage - Bring Your Ticket Inside for Validation
Enter the parking garage from Tampa St.
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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The University of Tampa Fellows Forum
Wednesday, March 5, 2014 | 7:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The Straz Center, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place
The Annual University of Tampa Fellows Forum brings together a distinguished panel of CEO's to share their perspectives with the Tampa Bay business community on issues of importance. The 2014 Speakers include: Mindy Grossman, CEO and Director, HSN; Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO, Autonation USA; and David Kohler, President and Chief Operating Office, Kohler. For more information, please contact Alexandra Silence at 813.253.6200. $20 for Chamber members and $40 for non-members.
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Operation Partnership
Thursday, March 6, 2014 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 North Franklin Street
Join us as we seek to strengthen the ties between Tampa's military and civilian communities by engaging local business professionals and active military members. This half-day program begins with breakfast at the Chamber. Then military participants will shadow civilian participants at their workplace to learn the ins and outs of their civilian counterpart's day-to-day business activities. Member cost: $20. Click here to register.
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Get Connected
Thursday, March 6, 2014 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 North Franklin 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 FITs One and Two, $15 for members, $30 for non-members. Hosted by Mobex. Click here to register.
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