Startup Scholars Program: Applications Available September 15
 The Startup Scholars Program is an initiative which aims to encourage innovation as a part of our community culture and increase instances of entrepreneurial success. Our mission is to increase the competitiveness of the Tampa Bay business community by addressing and nurturing Tampa's entrepreneurs and related business innovation in any industry sector. Startup Scholars Program participants will receive the following:
- A professional gap analysis or needs assessment provided to the entrepreneur that focuses on specific critical success factors
- A FIT Two membership to the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, allowing the entrepreneur to take advantage of the Chamber's networking program and free educational offerings through the Competitive Edge Series
- A mentor selected by the Chamber's Business Innovation subcommittee to assist the entrepreneur in navigating the startup landscape
- Recognition as a Startup Scholar
Applications will be available on September 15. The deadline to apply is October 24. Click here to view the program flyer.
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 2015 Legislative Agenda: Call for Submissions
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is seeking your help to shape our 2015 Legislative Agenda. What policies are most affecting your business? How should our elected officials vote on important issues? What positions will aid in the economic recovery of our region and help your business grow? Help us identify major trends and prioritize those issues that most concern you.
Submit your suggestions to Michael Maurino, Government Relations Coordinator, at mmaurino@tampachamber.com by September 30. Click here for more information on the Chamber's business advocacy efforts. |
Member Highlights - September 8 - 12, 2014
Click here to view this week's member highlights including:
Member News
Member Events
Want to include your organization's news in Member Highlights? Send a brief description of your news or event to news@tampachamber.com. |
 Tampa Bay Trade Mission to Chile
The mission will offer a Gold Key Package, personalized one-on-one matchmaking meetings with qualified Chilean companies. Participation in the Gold Key program will be limited to 10 companies on a first-come, first-served basis. Enterprise Florida trade grants are available to qualified companies for the Gold Key Program!
A Delegate Package, which does not include the matchmaker, will provide business leaders with an opportunity attend all of the mission activities, including seminars, networking events and a welcome reception hosted by the U.S. Embassy. Hillsborough County Commissioner Lesley "Les" Miller, Jr., Pinellas County Commissioner Karen Seel, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will also join the delegation of Tampa Bay exporters. Click here for the mission brochure and complete event details. Deadline to register is September 15, 2014. |
Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Announcement: "From Mao to Now"
Expert panel on China's culture and political climate to convene on Sept. 17 for first in "Chat" series
Join three of the nation's top scholars on modern China for the first session in the Tampa Museum of Art's "China Chat Program" discussion series. Dr. Robert Moore, director of Asian studies and director of international affairs for the Holt School at Rollins College, will discuss China's new cultural values, including the country's increased emphasis on the individual, social media and romantic love. Also on the panel are Dr. Stanley Rosen, director of the East Asian Studies Center at the University of Southern California, who will speak on the new generation's attitudes toward the rest of the world, and Dr. Teresa Wright, chair of the political science department at California State-Long Beach. She'll speak on domestic political attitudes of the young generations.
Enjoy Chinese-inspired hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at 6 p.m. The discussion begins at 7 p.m. To RSVP for this free event, contact Deborah L. Wilkinson at dwilkinson@tampachamber.com.
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The Chamber has launched a new online event registration system. Please note, Chamber members must login when registering to take advantage of discounted member pricing for Chamber events.
Forgot your login? Click here to have your credentials sent to you.
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Tampa Bay Trade and Protocol Announcement
Saturday, September 13, 2014 | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Water Works Park,
1710 N Highland Ave.
The Tampa-Barranquilla Sister Cities Committee presents, for the first time in Tampa, Banda de Baranoa, an orchestra of 82 youngsters, dancers and musicians. Since 1995, Banda de Baranoa has performed throughout Colombia and also toured the United States. Admission is FREE. Click here for the event flyer.
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Education Connection: Creating Corporate/Academic Partnerships
Monday, September 15, 2014 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St. #201
Join academic experts from our local colleges and universities to create meaningful partnerships that will develop your business while helping to prepare the workforce of tomorrow. This event is free to attend. Click here to register today. Visit our website for more information on Education Connection and learn how you can get involved!
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Finance and Tax Strategy for International Exports
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 | 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St. #201
Learn the different options to finance international exports from basic documentation to advanced corporation strategies. This discussion will focus on how to get paid and when to get paid. Owners, CFOs and Controllers should attend this briefing and also receive two CPE credits. Space is limited, so registration is required. Breakfast will be included. Click here to register for this FREE event. Click here for the event flyer.
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New Member Coffee Connection
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 | 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St. #201
New Member Coffee Connection is held every other month. This event focuses on Chamber members within their first year of membership. It is designed to help engage new members and build relationships. The program is facilitated by an Ambassador who is a volunteer and will serve as your mentor! This free event is recommended for first-year members, but open to all Chamber members. Click here to register.
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2014 Small Business of the Year Awards - LAST CHANCE!
Friday, September 19, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
The Straz Center, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Pl.
This year marks the 34th annual Small Business of the Year Awards to be held on Friday, September 19 at the David A. Straz, Jr. Performing Arts Center. This event is attended by close to 900 people and will highlight some of our most prominent small businesses and leaders in Hillsborough County.
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 Come celebrate the culmination of one Amazing Race! Find out which finalists overcame small business detours, road blocks and speed bumps on their way to crossing the finish line as the best of the best in Tampa Bay! Click here to register today! Tickets are $90 for members, $100 for non-members. Corporate blocks of 10 seats are still available! Thank you to our sponsors: Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors and Bay Cities Bank. |
Competitive Edge Series: "Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer"
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 | 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 North Franklin St., # 201
Business writing can be messy. Wordy reports bogged down with technical language. Memos without a point. Not to mention an endless sequence of PowerPoint presentations that make you want to hit the screen with an ax. It doesn't have to be that way. Based on his best-selling business books, author and writing coach Roy Peter Clark will offer antidotes to your writing poison. This event is FREE for FIT Two members; FREE with benefit for FITs One & Three. $35 for all other members.Thank you to our presenting sponsor Verizon. This event will sell out quickly! Click here to register today. Click here for the event flyer.
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BUZZ-ness After Hours
Thursday, September 25, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Pierhouse at Channelside, 1226 E. Cumberland Ave.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to a combined Business After Hours/Emerge's "The Buzz" event hosted by Pierhouse at Channelside. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cocktail while networking with your fellow Chamber/Emerge members. FREE for members, $15 for non-members. Click here to register.
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Member Orientation
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 | 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., # 201
Member Orientation is the first step to getting the MOST out of your Chamber membership! We will begin with an overview of the Chamber, followed by a member testimonial. Then, we will cover topics such as events and registration, marketing and communications and your member benefits. There will also be a chance to network so bring your business cards! Light refreshments are provided. This event is FREE! Click here to register. Special thanks to our 2014 Member Orientation sponsor, Office Depot.
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Return on Relationships
Thursday, October 9, 2014 | 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., # 201
During this interactive session with Clint Babcock, Sandler Training, you will learn how to get the most out of the networking opportunities at Chamber events, including:
- What to say when asked, "What do you do?"
- How to be comfortable introducing yourself to someone you don't know
- How to build relationships with the Chamber membership
- Goal setting for a Chamber event
- How to professionally end a conversation
- How to transition the conversation to the next step (i.e. a phone call or meeting)
Click here to register! This month ONLY: this event is free to all members, $20 for non-members.
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2014 Benchmarking Visit: Pittsburgh
October 8 - 10, 2014 | Pittsburgh, PA
Join the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce on its 14th annual Benchmarking Visit, October 8 - 10, 2014, in Pittsburgh, PA. Don't miss out on an in-depth, three-day program designed to introduce you to every facet of Pittsburgh including riverfront development, public transportation, innovation and much more. Come with us and explore why Steel City is earning an entirely new reputation!
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 For complete details, click here to download the official registration form. If you have any questions, contact Events Director Amanda Holt at 813-276-9432. Space is limited so don't delay! Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Skanska. |
 Friday, October 24, 2014 | Hillsborough County Title 1 Public Schools
Get involved and volunteer for the annual Diploma-See event on Friday, October 24! We are looking for 250 volunteers to present to 8th graders the Junior Achievement curriculum and share personal work and life experiences that reinforce the importance of staying in school. All training sessions will be held at the Chamber. If you have 10 or more employees participating, Junior Achievement will perform the training at your business. Register to volunteer today. Thank you to our sponsor Achieva. Questions? Contact clayton@tampachamber.com. |
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