Chamber Names Winners of the 2014 Small Business of the Year Awards
This year's event was presented by Bay Cities Bank & Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors and represents the 34th year the Chamber has recognized this key segment of the region's economy. Small business awards were presented in three categories based on the number of employees and a fourth business category honoring a startup company. Companies are evaluated on financial success, community involvement and ethical business practices. An award was also presented to the Outstanding Small Business Leader of the Year.
The 2014 Small Business of the Year Award winners are:
Outstanding Leader: Dr. Madelyn Butler, Founder | 
Startup Company:
Bruce Kitzis, General Manager
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5 - 20 Employees:
Pete Slade, CEO
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21 - 50 Employees: Brian Murphy, President/CEO & Founder
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51 - 250 Employees:
Ted C. Abrams, President & CEO
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Click here to read more about this year's winners.
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Startup Scholars Complete Program at Annual Leadership Retreat
Applications for 2015 Startup Scholars Program Now Available
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(Pictured left to right) Carren Rieger, Founder of BambinOz; Gina Almonte, Owner of Refresh-a-Baby; Kerriann Greenhalgh, Founder, Chairman and CEO of KeriCure; and Prem Thomas, CEO of Gurus Natural Rubber Sandals.
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The Chamber's 2014 Startup Scholars completed their program on Tuesday, September 23 by participating in a product pitch day at the Chamber's annual leadership retreat. 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.
Applications for the 2015 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. For more information, click here to view the program flyer.
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 | | (Pictured left to right) Hillsborough County Commission Chair Mark Sharpe, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, USDOT Secretary Anthony Foxx, & Chamber CEO Bob Rohrlack at Tampa International Airport. |
USDOT Secretary Foxx Meets with Chamber Members
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx met with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Thursday, September 18, at Tampa International Airport. Secretary Foxx spoke to 40 Chamber members, along with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Hillsborough County Commission Chair Mark Sharpe.
During the hour-long discussion, Secretary Foxx touched on the re-authorization of a surface transportation bill in Congress and the Grow America Act, which would secure long term transportation funding and streamline transportation policies to accelerate projects.
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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. Please forward the link to friends and colleagues.
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2014 Sporting Clays Tournament Set for November 21
Register Your Team Today
 The 2014 Sporting Clays Committee kicked off its meetings in July with a goal of exceeding the 2013 attendance record of 132 shooters. We're already nearly halfway there. To date, 76 shooters have signed up to take advantage of this great opportunity to network with fellow Chamber members, entertain clients and enjoy a healthy dose of competition in the great outdoors. Teams can be sponsored by one company but can also be a group of four individuals who want to put their skills to the test. Help us reach our goal by signing up your team today!
The tournament, co-presented by Gresham, Smith and Partners and EKS Security Services, will take place on Friday, November 21 at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O' Lakes. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Chamber's Foundation, which supports our leadership and educational programs. Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Download the event flyer for complete details or click here to register.
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Chile Trade Mission, December 1-5
An Invitation from Chamber President & CEO, Bob Rohrlack
I would personally like to invite you to join us for the Tampa Bay Trade Mission to Chile scheduled for December 1 - 5, 2014. This mission marks the first official activity of the Tampa Bay Export Alliance, a partnership between the Tampa Hillsborough EDC and Pinellas County Economic Development, and it's an opportunity to show strong regional support for Copa Airlines and its non-stop service to Panama City and points beyond. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with Tampa International Airport and our regional partners, including the EDC, to win the Copa business, and this mission makes the strongest possible statement regarding community support. I will be going on the trip along with Ron Christaldi, the Chair-Elect of the GTCC. Read more...
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 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. |
New Members
The Chamber welcomes the following companies who have recently become members:
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Outgoing FACP Chair, Robin Sollie,and 2014-2015 Board Chair, Bob Rohrlack, at the FACP Annual Conference.
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GTCC President Bob Rohrlack Named Chairman of FACP for 2014 - 2015
The Florida Association of Chamber Professionals
(FACP) installed its 2014-2015 Board of Directors at their Annual Conference, held September 9-11, 2014, in Panama City Beach, Florida. The Board of Directors is the governing body responsible for overseeing the operations of FACP.
Bob Rohrlack, President & CEO of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, will replace Robin Sollie, President & CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, as the Chairman of FACP. As Chairman, Rohrlack will lead the board and oversee their direction in the coming year in providing development skills for professionals within the chamber of commerce industry.
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Member Highlights - September 22 - 26, 2014
Click here to view this week's member highlights including:
Member News
New Hires & Promotions
Member Accolades
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.
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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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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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Emerge Tampa Bay Presents: Tomorrow's Tampa: An Idea Summit
Thursday, October 2, 2014 | 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
District 3, Inc., 802 E. Whiting Street
 Join Tampa Bay's leading young professionals to develop a young professional's vision of Tampa. How do you want Channelside to look in 5 years? How would you develop downtown Tampa? What transit options are important to you? Come share your ideas for the future of Tampa and be a part of developing a plan for Tomorrow's Tampa: An Idea Summit.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Mickey Jacob, FAIA, BDG Architects, will be the keynote speakers for this event. This event is $15 for Emerge members and $25 for non-Emerge members. Click here to register today! Thank you to our sponsors: TuckerHall, Webster University and Grow Financial.
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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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 Emerge Tampa Bay Presents: The Buzz Thursday, October 9, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Aloft Tampa Downtown, 100 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Join Emerge Tampa Bay for our monthly networking event at the new Aloft Hotel in Downtown Tampa! There will be beverages and food to enjoy. This is a FREE event for Emerge Tampa Bay members and $10 for non-Emerge members. Click here to register.
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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. |
Emerge Tampa Bay Presents: Weapons of Mass Negotiation
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street Suite 201
We all negotiate something at some point. When was the last time you successfully negotiated a raise? Or persuaded your boss to see your side of a disagreement? These situations require effective communication, knowing how to handle difficult conditions and becoming a more active listener. Join us for Emerge Tampa Bay's Speaker Series on Negotiation and Persuasion featuring Clint Babcock of Sandler Training. This event is $15 for Emerge Tampa Bay members and $25 for non-Emerge members. Click here to register!
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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
In collaboration with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 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.
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Competitive Edge Series: Four Ways to Use Technology to Run Your Business Smarter and Safer
Tuesday, October 21, 201411:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., # 201
Join us as Bob Swanz, an Advanced Solutions Architect from Verizon Wireless, shares "Four Ways to Use Technology to Run Your Business Smarter and Safer." In addition to delivering nuggets, tips and interesting applications that you can use when you leave, this session will cover:
- How fast-changing technology brings risk and insights into security threats for small businesses
- Why Cloud Computing makes "security sense" for small businesses
- Private IPs: what they are and why businesses should use them with wireless devices
- Why businesses are using wireless technology where they used to use landlines and why it makes sense
Click here to register or for more information! Thank you to our presenting sponsor Verizon. FREE for FIT Two members; FREE with benefit for FITs One & Three; $35 for all other members; $50 for non-members.
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 Business After Hours & Veterans Networking Thursday, October 23, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The American Victory Ship, Inc., 705 Channelside Drive Berth 271
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to a Business After Hours at the SS American Victory Ship. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres while networking with your fellow Chamber members! In addition to our regular networking program, this month we will extend a special invitation to veterans, activity duty and military spouses in our community.
FREE EVENT for Chamber members, veterans, active duty military and military spouses. Thank you to our sponsor: Catering by the Family. Click here to register.
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 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 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. |
Education Connection: How to Develop a Quality Internship
Thursday, October 30, 2014 | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., # 201
Join us and members of Tampa Bay's academic community for the third event in our Education Connection Series on developing quality internships.
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Fall Women's Series Luncheon featuring Gayle Sierens
Thursday, October 30, 2014 | 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Columbia Restaurant, 2025 E. 7th Avenue
Join us for our Fall Women's Series Luncheon featuring WFLA News Channel 8 news anchor Gayle Sierens. Gayle has announced she'll be retiring next year after nearly 40 years with WFLA. She'll be speaking about how she got started in the world of broadcast television in the '70s - at that time, a very male-dominated field - and how she rose to success here in Tampa.
This event is presented by UF | MBA. Admission is $50 for Chamber members, $60 for non-members; $40 for Emerge Tampa Bay members. Corporate tables of 8 are also available. This event will sell out quickly. Click here to register today!
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