Congratulations to our 2014 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award Winners!
The Community Excellence Award winner will be decided through online voting, support one of our local members! Click here to vote, the deadline is February 28. 
"These four companies represent the best of the best in our local business community," said Bob Rohrlack, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. "We are excited that four of our members were selected for this prestigious honor, a glowing recognition of their stellar business practices and of the success of our Small Business of the Year Awards program. The winners of our SBOY honors are nominated for the U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Small Business Award. The continued success of our past winners at the national level as finalists is something we are extremely proud of." Read more >> |
Update on National Flood Insurance Reform
There has been a lot of activity recently to find a solution to the skyrocketing flood insurance rates in the Tampa Bay area as a result of a law passed in 2012 that reformed the national program that subsidizes flood insurance rates across the country. The US Senate passed S1926 with a super major late last month. This bill would delay rate hikes for four years as FEMA completes an affordability study and takes other preventative actions. The US House is considering HR3370 as early as next week. This bill permanently repeals certain parts of the 2012 reform and caps annual rate increases. The Chamber is supportive of both of these bills and is watching closely as they proceed; we are fortunate to have a Congressional delegation in Hillsborough County that is working together to find solutions and to get relief for Bay area residents and business owners.
The Chamber is also watching efforts shaping in the state legislature to address our flood insurance rates. SB542, sponsored by Senator Brandes, would allow private insurance companies to write flood policies in Florida.
You can learn more about this issue and possible solutions at the links below: |
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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Emerge Tampa Bay Speaker Series Recap: The Brand You
On February 19, Emerge Tampa Bay presented Branding Yourself 101 at Pepin Distributing. The sold out event featured keynote speaker Bruce Faulmann, with interactive breakout sessions by Bemetra Simmons, David Capece and Mike Griffin.
Everything has a brand. Everything (absolutely everything) has a brand, and for one very specific reason: a brand is a feeling. Bruce Faulmann, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Tampa Bay Times, engaged the crowd quickly Wednesday night by throwing out a number of local figures - with the goal of generating the key buzzwords that accurately describe the feelings they generate in the local public. Read more >>
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Startup Scholars Feature: Valet Boss
Valet Boss is a mobile parking application that allows the user to take control of the valet parking experience. With a touch of a button you can request your vehicle and your car will be retrieved. It's that easy. Valet Boss offers an in payment feature that provides a payment option so that cash on hand is no longer required. The consumer will no longer have to wait outside in the rain, snow, heat, or cold, while their car is being retrieved.
Valet Boss houses built in, backend analytics, allowing the valet service provider to view transactions at field locations in real time. These metrics create a gateway from field user to management so better business decisions can be made. Faster decisions translate into cost savings and increased efficiencies for providers of valet services.
Valet Boss is the creation of Founder Susie Steiner and Co -Founder Michele Boone.
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Leadership Tampa's Sports Day
by Linda Porter, Skanska USA Building Inc.
 The group met at the Forum in downtown Tampa for Program 7 of our Leadership Tampa 2014 experience. A quick rundown of the day's activities before we loaded the buses was given at the Forum. Our first stop was Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. We were greeted by Dick Crippen, a popular former sports and weatherman anchor. What a joy to come face to face with Mr. Crippen!
We toured the stadium and walked the field where each of our names and companies were displayed on the running LED display. We also got the opportunity to meet the mascots and tour the locker rooms. Afterwards, we listened to panelists Brian Auld, Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Mark Fernandez, Senior Vice President for the operational procedures for the organization. Read more >> |
Chamber Welcomes New Members
Please give a warm welcome to the following companies who have recently become Chamber members in February 2014:
iTrekkers - E-Commerce/E-Business |
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 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 Partners. Feldman Equities will be raffling of a $250.00 American Express Giftcard! Walkups welcome!
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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! Today is the last day to register online!
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Get Connected
Tuesday, March 11, 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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Coffee Connection Series
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 North Franklin Street
Coffee Connection Series 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. Open to everyone!
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Competitive Edge Series: Converting Website Visitors into New Business
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 North Franklin Street
Join the Chamber for our monthly Competitive Edge Series, this month focusing on "Converting Website Visitors into New Business." Panelists from Bayshore Solutions will discuss the latest digital marketing trends. Attendees can expect to learn: 2014's top digital marketing tactics for B2B and B2C businesses, how to increase qualified web traffic, and powerful tools and tips that you can use right now to help convert online leads to sales. 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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Business After Hours and Defense Networking
Thursday, March 27, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Harbor Island Athletic Club & Spa, 900 S. Harbour Island Blvd.
Join us for complimentary hors de'oeurves and a cocktail while networking with your fellow Chamber members. In addition to our regular networking program, this month we will extend a special invitation to defense contractors in our community. Free for members, $15 for non-members. Hosted by Harbour Island Athletic Club & Spa. Click here to register.
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Face the Chamber with Mayor Bob Buckhorn
Thursday, March 27, 2014 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Hilton Downtown Tampa, 211 N. Tampa Street
Join the Chamber and Leadership Tampa Alumni for "Face the Chamber," the annual address from the Mayor to our membership. Mayor Buckhorn will be placed on the proverbial hot seat and asked questions on behalf of the local business community. Thank you to our sponsor, Saint Leo University. Click here to register!
Do you have a question you would like to ask the Mayor? We will be taking questions from now until the luncheon. Send us your questions to news@tampachamber.com or tweet @Tampa_Chamber using #FacetheChamber. We look forward to hearing from you!
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2014 Women of Influence Luncheon featuring Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
A La Carte Event Pavilion, 4050 Dana Shores Drive
Join us for our annual Women of Influence luncheon featuring Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager. United in their humanitarian missions and the spirit of service - as well as through their close family bond - Barbara and Jenna have found a shared purpose in giving a voice to the disadvantaged while bringing to light stories of hope. Single tickets are now available for purchase! Please click here to register. This event will sell out quickly!
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