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WFLA Daytime: SBOY Awards 2014

SBOY Chair Gwynn Davey (Hillsborough County Market President, Bay Cities Bank) and SBOY past winner Scott Riley (CEO, Fintech) sat down with Daytime to discuss the 2014 Small Business of the Year Awards including the application and selection process and Fintech's SBOY success story. Click here to view the video. 

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to join the social media conversation for this year's SBOY Awards. Use the hashtag #SBOY2014.

Survey: How Does Transportation in Hillsborough County Impact YOU? 

 

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce wants your input on the impact transportation has on you, your family and your daily trips to work or school. By completing this brief survey, you will assist the Tampa business community in advocating for a transportation system that improves our quality of life and promotes economic growth. Click here to take the survey now, or forward the link to friends and colleagues.
Startup Scholars Program: Applications Now Available

 

Applications for the Startup Scholars Program are now available. Click here to apply today! The deadline for applications is October 24. There will be a free information session for potential applicants to learn more about the program on September 30. Click here to register.

 

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. The mission of the Startup Scholars Program 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. For more information, click here  to view the program flyer.
2015 Legislative Agenda: Call for Submissions

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is seeking your help to shape our 2015 State 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 15 - 19, 2014

Click here to view this week's member highlights including:

Member Events
Education Connection Announcement: CERI Survey on College Hiring

In partnership with The University of Tampa, the University of South Florida and Michigan State University's Collegiate Employment Research Institute (CERI), we invite you to take a survey on recruiting trends for students transitioning into the labor market. A part of the Chamber's Education Connection program is linking businesses with the academic community to better equip students with the skills that are necessary for entering the workforce. 

By completing this survey, you will provide graduating students, recent graduates, academic advisors, and talent managers with an accurate picture of this year's employment prospects for college students. Thank you for your participation. If you have any concerns or questions about this research study please contact Dr. Phil Gardner at 517-355-2211 or gardnerp@msu.edu. 

Open Position at the Tampa Chamber: Education Connection Intern (Paid)
 

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for an Education Connection intern (P/T).  Education Connection is a partnership between the Chamber and educational institutions in the Tampa Bay area - Hillsborough Community College, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Saint Leo University, Stetson University College of Law, University of South Florida and The University of Tampa. The position is paid and slated for 15 - 20 hours/week. The ideal candidate is a graduate student with at least two semesters remaining. Applicants for the position should submit the following to resumes@tampachamber.com:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Three references

Click here to view the position description. Candidates who do not submit all of the requested documents will not be considered. No phone calls please.
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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. 
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 of the Poynter Institute 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. $50 for non-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. 
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. 
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.
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.
Get Connected
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
The Omnia Group, 1501 W. Cleveland St.

Get Connected is a facilitated networking program designed to give members the opportunity to make 25+ new business connections in less than an hour! 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. FREE for FITs One & Two. $15 for all other Chamber members. $30 for non-members. Click here to register. Hosted by The Omnia Group.
Facebook Small Business Boost
Thursday, October 16, 2014 | 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Cuban Club, 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba, 2nd Floor Theater

Through a special partnership with local small business organizations,
Facebook invites you to join experts from Facebook's Small Business Team as they share best practices, success stories and strategies for how to grow, manage and understand your small business identity on Facebook.

There are over one billion people on Facebook. Learn how to reach the right audience for your business and turn them into loyal customers. Co-Hosted by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce with special guest, Congresswoman Kathy Castor. Capacity is limited. Don't miss this great opportunity! Click here to RSVP for this FREE event. 
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.