Face the Chamber Featuring Mayor Bob Buckhorn
Tampa Mayor Set to Give His Annual Address to Chamber and LTA Membership on April 13
Join us on Monday, April 13 for Face the Chamber, the annual address
 from Tampa's mayor to our membership and members of Leadership Tampa Alumni. Mayor Bob Buckhorn will be placed on the "hot seat" and asked questions on behalf of the local business community. You're invited to hear his response and learn what we as a Chamber can do to keep Tampa moving forward. Do you have a question you would like to ask the mayor? We will be taking questions up until the luncheon. Send your questions to news@tampachamber.com or tweet @Tampa_Chamber using #FacetheChamber. We look forward to hearing from you! Click here to register for the luncheon. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Saint Leo University.
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Startup Scholars Marketplace at Women of Influence Luncheon on April 2
Join us at our entrepreneurial marketplace at the 2015 Women of Influence Luncheon on Thursday, April 2 at A La Carte Event Pavilion, featuring displays from the Chamber's Startup Scholar businesses!
In the spirit of promoting entrepreneurship, as our event speakers Emily and Betsy Nuñez of Sword & Plough embody, our Startup Scholars will be setting up shop at the annual luncheon, educating interested attendees on their products or services and promoting their businesses.
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.
Luncheon attendees will have the opportunity to peruse the booths of current and past Startup Scholars at our marketplace both prior to and following the luncheon program.
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2015 Annual Chamber Golf Challenge
Limited Number of Gold Sponsorships Remaining
 Start working on your swing! Mark your calendars now for the 2015 Chamber Golf Challenge, Monday, May 4 at Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club. Proceeds from the tournament, presented by BBVA Compass and Skanska, will benefit the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Foundation and all the Chamber's educational and leadership programming.
A limited number of Gold Sponsorships are still available! Click here for more details and to sign up today!
Your contribution to the GTCC Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Florida Senate Advances Healthcare Expansion; House Likely to Oppose
The Florida Senate Health Policy Committee unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday that would provide for expanded healthcare coverage in Florida. The bill would create the "Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange," and could meet the healthcare coverage standard required by the Affordable Care Act. About 800,000 Florida residents would be eligible for healthcare coverage, with the state accessing about $47 billion in federal funds to support the program in the next eight years.
However, the Florida House has reiterated their opposition to healthcare expansion. Without a state-run insurance exchange, Florida has the most enrollees of any state in the federal exchange - 1.6 million of the 8.8 million who have enrolled. Of Florida's enrollees, 96 percent receive federal help to pay for insurance.
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2014 - 2016 Strategic Plan Updates
The Chamber has been working diligently on the goals we set in our three-year strategic plan. Click here to view our fourth quarter progress report. And don't forget to check out our strategic plan webpage to learn more about our goals for the next three years and the progress we are making. |
Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Council/Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Announcement
Invitation to Bid on the Revitalization Project of the Guaiba Waterfront, Porto Alegre, Brazil
During Mayor Bob Buckhorn's mission to Porto Alegre in December 2013, the mayor signed an important Sister Cities Agreement with Mayor Fortunati of Porto Alegre, Brazil. One of the outcomes from this relationship and agreement is to give Tampa businesses an opportunity to bid on projects, such as The Porto Alegre Baywalk of Guaiba, a large waterfront project similar to Mayor Buckhorn's vision for downtown Tampa.
 The bid includes the first 1,320 meters of waterfront revitalization between Usina do Gasômetro and Rótula das Cuias at Edvaldo Pereira Paiva Avenue. After announcing the winning company, they expect that the work will be completed in 18 months. The Guaíba Waterfront Urban Park will restore the city's relationship with the Guaiba through landscape design which provides bike lanes and paths lit with optical fiber and LED lamps, allowing its use all day long.
More information about the new waterfront bid is available on the City Hall website: www.portoalegre.rs.gov.br/smgae - at the "Bids" (licitação) menu.
Bidders and investors will be invited to participate by contacting Eliane Fialla with the International Relations Office in Porto Alegre City Hall. Click here for a presentation of the project. Interested parties can contact Eliane Filalla at eliane.fialla@smgl.prefpoa.com.br for more information.
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International Business Committee Announcement
2015 International Town Hall
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a partner in this exciting annual event, presented by Tampa Bay Export Alliance, recognizing World Trade Month and the people and programs driving international business growth in our community. The program includes a variety of information that we believe you will find very interesting and beneficial and we encourage you to join us on Friday, May 8, 2015. As a member of the Chamber, we are pleased to offer you a special discount to attend. To take advantage of this discount click here to register and enter the exclusive discount code: GTCC.
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Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Council Announcement
Brazil-Florida Business Council, Inc. Welcomes Guest Speaker on Understanding the Brazilian Market
The Brazil-Florida Business Council, Inc., headquartered in Tampa, is where businesses can learn more about Brazil and become involved in trade and investment. On Monday, March 30 at 11:30 a.m., Sueli Bonaparte, president of the organization, will welcome guest speaker Stephen P. Knode who will speak on "Understanding the Brazilian Market: Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Business Opportunities." Knode serves as Deputy Senior Commercial Officer, Commercial Consul U.S. Commercial Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce Consulate General of the United States São Paulo, Brazil. If you are interested in attending, please click here to register. |
Open Position at the Tampa Chamber: Education Connection Intern (Paid)
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Three references
Please feel free to forward to your circles of influence. Candidates who do not submit all of the requested documents will not be considered. No phone calls please.
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Member Highlights: March 8 - 14, 2015
Click here to view more details on this week's member highlights including:
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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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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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Competitive Edge: Conflict Negotiation
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street, Suite 201
Join the Chamber for our monthly Competitive Edge Series featuring Bruce Napier, Senior Administrator, Assessment and Organizational Development, for TECO Services Inc. Workplace conflict is unavoidable, but there's a way to allow it to nurture rather than ruin your business. This interactive workshop will provide attendees with the necessary skills to diffuse workplace conflict and determine how to strengthen an organization from the inside.
Attendees will learn how to: - Realize that conflict is inevitable and good for us
- Determine the costs, causes, and approaches to conflict
- Prepare for conflict
- Assess needs and fears
- Value asking questions
Click here for more information and to register today! Thank you to our presenting sponsor
Verizon. FREE for FITs One, Two and Three; $35 for all other members; $50 for non-members.
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Coffee Connection
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 | 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., Suite 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.
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Emerge Tampa Bay Tour at Port Tampa Bay 
Friday, March 20, 2015 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Port Tampa Bay, 1101 Channelside Drive
Join Emerge Tampa Bay for a FREE tour of Port Tampa Bay and learn about Florida's largest and most diversified seaport. Port Tampa Bay's longstanding supremacy among Florida ports is based largely on its leadership in handling of bulk and break-bulk cargos, including phosphate, steel and petroleum, as well as in the shipbuilding industry. Port Tampa Bay over the past decade has impressively advanced its container-handling capabilities and seen a rapid growth in regional distribution facilities. Click here to register.
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Emerge Tampa Bay General Membership Meeting
Monday, March 23, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street, Suite 201 
Are you a new member of Emerge Tampa Bay or have you been around for a while and not found your niche? Join us for the Emerge General Membership Meeting. You will hear from representatives from the Emerge Leadership Team who will be on hand to give you information about the organization. Click here to register. You must be a member to attend. If you are a non-member and interested in joining, click here.
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Business After Hours
Thursday, March 26, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
Big Sur Technologies, Inc., 4631 Woodland Corp Blvd., Suite 110
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to Business After Hours hosted by Big Sur Technologies, Inc. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cocktail while networking with your fellow Chamber members. FREE for members, $15 for non-members. Click here to register.
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Leadership Tampa Information Sessions
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street, Suite 201
The Leadership Tampa selection process is rigorous and competitive for the 50-60 seats available in each class. Come find out how to be a successful Leadership Tampa applicant while learning about the history and benefits of the program at these FREE upcoming information sessions.
- Session 1: Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Click here to register.
- Session 2: Monday, April 6, 2015, 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Click here to register.
- Session 3: Tuesday, April 7, 2015, 8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Click here to register.
- Session 4: Wednesday, April 8, 2015, 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Click here to register.
- Session 5: Tuesday, April 14, 2015, 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. Click here to register.
PLEASE NOTE: We encourage anyone with an interest in Leadership Tampa to attend an information session, however, you must be a Chamber member to apply. To inquire about Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce membership information, please contact Rosanne Versaggi at 813-280-1456 or rversaggi@tampachamber.com.
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2015 Women of Influence Luncheon
The Journey of Sword & Plough: From Kickstarter to Kandahar & Beyond
Thursday, April 2, 2015 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
A La Carte Event Pavilion, 4050 Dana Shores Drive
Ranked by Forbes as two of the top social entrepreneurs in the country, Emily and Betsy Núñez are recycling and repurposing military gear with a fashionable touch. These young professionals have turned one idea into an up-and-coming fashion brand that empowers veteran employment, reduces waste and strengthens civil-military understanding. Join us and hear their story firsthand and learn why they were named one of the "20 Most Inspiring Companies of 2014." This event is $75 for members and $90 for non-members. Sponsorships and corporate tables of 10 are also available. Click here to register. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, PNC Bank.
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Return on Relationships
Thursday, April 9, 2015 | 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., Suite #201
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 any 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.
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Buzz-ness After Hours 
Thursday, April 9, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Topgolf, 10690 Palm River Road
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to a combined Business After Hours/Emerge's "The Buzz" event hosted by Topgolf Tampa. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres while networking with your fellow Chamber/Emerge members. FREE for members, $10 for non-members. Click here to register.
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Face the Chamber: 2015 Mayor's Luncheon
Monday, April 13, 2015 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, 700 S. Florida Avenue
Join us for the mayor's annual address to the Chamber and Leadership Tampa Alumni membership  including the popular "Face the Chamber" segment. We'll put the mayor on the proverbial hot seat as we ask him the tough questions on behalf of the business community. Come hear his response and learn what we as a Chamber can do to help move Tampa forward.
This event is $45 for Chamber/LTA members; $40 for Emerge members; and $55 for non-members. Tables of 10 are also available! Click here to register. Thank you to presenting sponsor, Saint Leo University.
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Get Connected
Tuesday, April 14, 2015 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office, 4422 E. Columbus Drive
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 DACCO. Must arrive no later than 7:45 a.m. to participate. Walk-ins will only be accepted if there is space available.
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2015 Chamber Challenge Golf Tournament 
Monday, May 4, 2015 | 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd.
Combine Chamber networking with a healthy dose of competition! Don't worry if your skills aren't up to par - there's a chance for everyone to go home a winner with our raffle and course activities. Tournament proceeds benefit the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which supports the Chamber's educational and leadership programs. Limited space available. Click here to reserve your sponsorship now! Foursomes will be available at a later date. Your contribution to the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization, is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Thank you to our co-presenting sponsors, BBVA Compass Bank and Skanska.
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