The event recognized young professionals in the Tampa Bay community and announced the organization's 2015 leadership team. Click here to read more and view photos from the event.
Transportation Survey Results
Survey Shows Respondents Want Improved Transportation System
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce completed a survey of more than 2,500 people on transportation issues and found that respondents seek an improved transportation system with more services and better technologies.
More than 92 percent of respondents said they drove their car alone as their primary mode of transportation. But, 65 percent of respondents said they would take advantage of improved transit at their home or work. Read more...
Leadership Tampa: Law Enforcement Day
By: Jennifer Currence, Mario Camacho Foods
The Leadership Tampa class of 2015 was fired up (no pun intended) for Law Enforcement Day on October 15. Most of us had already done our ride-alongs with a Tampa PD or HSCO patrol officer, and we had many jaw-dropping stories to share and listen to over the course of the day.
We started the morning at the Falkenburg jail. I was amazed to hear that our local law enforcement is desperately seeking recruits. It's a pervasive problem that came up several times over the course of the day. Major Mike Perotti indicated to our class that only about 3 percent of all applicants are selected to join the force. It's a rigorous hiring process that few are able to get through, and the number of applicants is dwindling. It's an issue that will require some fresh solutions in the upcoming years. Read more...
International Business Committee Announcement
Join Us for a Special Viewing of "Renoir to Chagall: Paris and the Allure of Color"
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce International Business Committee invites you to a special event at the Tampa Museum of Art on Wednesday, November 19, 5:30 - 7 p.m. as committee Co-Chairs Maryann Ferenc and Andrew McIntosh discuss the accomplishments of the past year and plans going forward in 2015 with the International Business Committee. There will also be a special viewing of the "Renoir to Chagall: Paris and the Allure of Color" exhibit. R.S.V.P. to Deborah Wilkinson at dwilkinson@tampachamber.com by November 14. Click here for the event flyer.
Member Anniversaries
Congratulations to these members who are celebrating Chamber membership milestones this month! We appreciate your loyal commitment to the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and our community.
Now Accepting Award Nominations for the 2015 Military Appreciation Banquet
The Chamber is now accepting nominations for the awards given at the 2015 Military Appreciation Banquet, including the Bob Cutler Volunteer Award and the Business Partner of the Year Award. To nominate a person or business for one of the following categories, please complete each section of the nomination form. Any endorsements the nominator feels will help the selection committee in its deliberations are welcome. All community activities during 2014 should be mentioned.
Nomination forms must be received no later than 5 p.m. on January 9, 2015. Awards will be presented at the event on February 25.Click here for more information on the 2015 Military Appreciation Banquet. Thank you to our presenting sponsor Bright House Networks.
Nominations Now Being Accepted for the H.L. Culbreath, Jr. Profile in Leadership Award
The H.L. Culbreath, Jr. Profile in Leadership Award was created in 1997 to annually recognize an individual whose leadership has made a positive impact on the Greater Tampa community. Named in honor of its first recipient, a man whose civic philanthropy and service personified leadership, the award has quickly become the area's most prestigious honor.
This award, established by Leadership Tampa Alumni, will be presented at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce's Annual Meeting on December 18 at the Tampa Convention Center. It recognizes leadership in a variety of forms such as civic, cultural, economic, charitable, recreational and education. Click here to nominate a deserving community leader today. The deadline for nominations is November 21.
Port Tampa Bay Welcomes Carnival Pride to Home Port for 2014-15 Cruise Season
Celebrate the Season with Holiday Cards that Benefit St. Joe's Kids!
iTrekkers Recruits "Beta-Trekkers" for Free Fishing Excursion
Member Events
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to Host Special Recycling Collections for America Recycles Day
Stageworks Theatre Presents the Romantic Comedy, Handle With Care, Dec. 4 - 21
Member Accolades
Fisher & Phillips Named "Law Firm of the Year"
Trenam Kemker Receives 20 First-Tier Rankings in 2015 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" Guide
New Hires & Promotions
VetCor Services Welcomes New CEO
Tampa Law Firm Bush Ross, P.A. Welcomes Two New Associates
Want to include your organization's news in Member Highlights? Send a brief description of your news or event to news@tampachamber.com.
Chamber Celebrates Ribbon Cutting
Member Marks Milestones with Chamber Ambassadors
The law firm of Becker & Poliakoff celebrated the opening of their new office in the Westshore District with a ribbon cutting and reception for local business leaders and clients. Pictured left to right, Robert Chase, Astrid Guardardo, Lisa Castellano, Ann Hathorn, Bret Perry, Ann Glatkowski, Tampa Bay Managing Shareholder Gary Schaaf, Phyllis Calloway, Michael Boutzoukas and Keith Murphy.
Members wishing to host a ribbon cutting announcing a new opening or expansion of your business should contact Tracy Wilson at 813-276-9464.
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Get Connected
Thursday, November 13, 2014 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore, 700 N. Westshore Blvd.
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 Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore.
Public Policy Roundtable: Post-Election Wrap Up
7:30 a.m - 9:30 a.m
University Club of Tampa, 201 N. Franklin St., Suite 3800
Now that election day has come and gone, discover what the outcomes mean for the Tampa Bay
area. Join us on November 14 for our final Public Policy Roundtable of 2014, a special post-election wrap up moderated by Tampa Bay Times columnist Ernest Hooper, featuring a panel of experts that will review the good and the bad of the 2014 elections. Hear what's next in Washington, Tallahassee and Tampa, as well as a breakdown of what the Greenlight Pinellas outcome will mean for transportation in Hillsborough County. Learn how our votes impacted the election outcome and how this will influence the future of the Tampa Bay region.
FREE admission for up to two for FITs Three, Four and Partner; $35 for members, $40 for non-members. Corporate tables of eight are also available.Click here to register and for more information. Sponsored by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority.
Coffee Connection
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 | 7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St. #201
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 Ambassadors who are volunteers and will serve as your contact! This free event is recommended for first-year members, but is open to all Chamber members. Click here to register.
2014 Sporting Clays Tournament - LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
Friday, November 21, 2014 | 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay Sporting Clays, 10514 Ehren Cutoff, Land O'Lakes, FL 34639
Join us for the 8th Annual Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Sporting Clays Tournament! Sign your team up today to network with fellow Chamber members, entertain clients and enjoy a healthy dose of competition in the great outdoors.
The tournament, co-presented by Gresham, Smith and Partnersand EKS Security Services, will take place on Friday, November 21 at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in Land O'Lakes. Deadline to register is this Friday, November 14, at noon. 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.
Competitive Edge Series: Building "A" Teams and Developing Your Own Personal Leadership Philosophy
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., #201
Join us as Mark House, LEED AP, Managing Director of Strategic Projects with The Beck Group, shares how to develop and share your own personal leadership philosophy. Attendees can expect to learn:
The difference between leading and managing
Getting the best out of everyone on your team
Communicating with your team and making sure everyone understands the common mission
Leading by example and getting through the good times and the challenging times
Click here to register or for more information! Thank you to our presenting sponsor Verizon. FREE for FITs One, Two and Three; $35 for all other members; $50 for non-members.
Member Orientation
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 | 8:30 a.m. - 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, December 11, 2014 | 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St.
During this interactive session featuring Clint Babcock of 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! Chamber Members $15, Non-Members $20. FREE for FIT One members.
BUZZ-ness After Hours
Thursday, December 11, 2014 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to a combined Business After Hours/Emerge's "The Buzz" eventhosted by the Tampa Convention Center. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cocktail while networking with your fellow Chamber/Emerge members. FREE for members, $10 for non-members. Click here to register.
PROSPERITY!: 129th Annual Meeting
Thursday, December 18, 2014 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce will hold its 129th Annual Meeting on December 18 at the Tampa Convention Center to celebrate the Chamber's 2014 achievements. Robin DeLaVergne of Tampa General Hospital and 2014 Chamber Chair will pass the gavel to 2015 Chair Ronald Christaldi of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. The Chamber will also present the 2014 H.L. Culbreath, Jr. Profile in Leadership Award to an individual whose leadership has made a positive impact within the Greater Tampa community. Click here for online registration.Click here for more information.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor: Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities for the Annual Meeting, please contact Staci Fraserat 813-276-9453.
the Bob Cutler Volunteer Award and the Business Partner of the Year Award. To nominate a person or business for one of the following categories, please complete each section of the nomination form. Any endorsements the nominator feels will help the selection committee in its deliberations are welcome. All community activities during 2014 should be mentioned. 
