Recap: Post-Cuba Debrief 
On Monday, May 18, the members of the Tampa delegation to Cuba hosted a media debriefing on their trip to the island at the Chamber offices. The panel of speakers included Chamber Chair Ron Christaldi, past Chair Jose Valiente, Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano, former USF President Betty Castor and Busch Gardens Park President Jim Dean. To view the debriefing in its entirety, click here. Visit www.tampachamber.com/cuba to stay up-to-date on the Chamber's position on Cuba and recent media coverage.
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Recap: Legislative Wrap-Up
Special Thanks to Presenting Sponsor, TECO
 Members of the Hillsborough legislative delegation joined the Chamber on Wednesday to discuss the 2015 session and Chamber initiatives. In attendance were Representatives Janet Cruz, Shawn Harrison, Dan Raulerson, Darryl Rouson, Ross Spano and Dana Young, and Senators Tom Lee and John Legg.
As a panel moderated by Chamber Chair Ron Christaldi, the elected officials spoke about healthcare expansion, ride sharing, the funding of USF's medical school in downtown Tampa and the special session that will convene on Monday, June 1. Many offered their personal views on the unusual end to session and what they hope to accomplish when they return to Tallahassee in two weeks. Despite their differences on issues, the delegation emphasized their ability to work together for the greater good of Tampa Bay. All of the members look forward to working on a budget that both the Florida House and Senate can agree upon.To view photos from the event, visit our Facebook page. Join the conversation on Twitter using #GTCCpolicy.
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Join Us for Pearls of Wisdom on Wednesday, June 10!
Guiltless Nutrition: Say 'So Long' to the Rules and Embrace YOUR Healthy Lifestyle
 As busy professionals, it's especially challenging to incorporate healthy nutrition into our daily lives. Join us on Wednesday, June 10, as we welcome Abigail Dougherty, a registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist. You will learn how to take the guilt out of nutrition and learn some tips and tricks on how to painlessly enjoy your healthy lifestyle as a professional on the go.
Abigail is the owner of The Soul of Health, LLC and primarily works with service organizations, sports teams, news media and private clients to help them become their best through realistic lifestyle nutrition. She enables her clients individually and as a group to transform their eating, one step and one meal at a time.
This event is $15 for Chamber members and $25 for non-members. Click here to register online.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor Adams and Reese LLP and venue sponsor Mise en Place.
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Florida Chamber Small Business Survey 
Tell Us Which Issues Affect Your Business
Your opinion matters and we want to hear from you! The Florida Chamber's Small Business Survey is open and we need your feedback to measure the health of Florida's small businesses. Please click the button below to take our Small Business Index Survey. The Florida Chamber's Small Business Council conducts this quarterly Small Business Index Survey to track trends with the issues and challenges facing Florida's small businesses. As the voice of business, we communicate your feedback to the legislature and statewide stakeholders. As with all of our surveys, your answers will be kept confidential. This survey closes on Friday, May 22, 2015.
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Introducing Return on Relationships 2.0
You've done some networking, found a prospect that is interested in your business, and you have a meeting set up. Now what? Return on Relationships 2.0 is going to give you strategies and techniques to ensure your efforts are successful. Please join Clint Babcock, Sandler Training, on June 11 as he helps build upon your professional skill set. He will help you identify ways to move your contacts forward and take the next step toward creating more business. We will discuss pre-call planning strategies, how to position yourself with "Equal Business Stature" as well as ways to gain rapport and possibly trust in the first five minutes of your conversation. This session will be very interactive and is limited to the first 50 people enrolled. Sound like something for you? Click here to register. |
Advocacy Corner
Operation: Partnership Returns on June 8
Our annual program connecting active duty military with business professionals returns with Operation: Partnership. This program pairs military participants with their civilian counterparts, allowing active duty members to experience day-to-day activities in the civilian workforce before transitioning out of the military. Business professionals looking to host a military member at their workplace can register on our events page. Active duty who would like to participate can email Michael Maurino at mmaurino@tampachamber.com. This event is complimentary for active duty military.
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Get Your Copy of the 2015-2016 Membership Directory & Location Guide!
 The Chamber is proud to announce the release of our 2014-2015 Membership Directory and Location Guide! This edition serves as an all-inclusive resource for individuals looking to navigate the area and those seeking to discover more information about Tampa Bay's local economy, communities, leisure attractions, education and healthcare opportunities, as well as modes of transportation.
The Membership Directory listing highlights more than 1,300 Chamber member businesses with a wide variety of services they provide to the Greater Tampa Bay market. View the guide here.
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Members Mark Milestones with Chamber Ambassadors
Last week, officials announced that the new Jewish Community Center campus under construction at the historic Fort Homer Hesterly Armory will be named the Bryan Glazer Family JCC. The facility will include a visual arts center run by the City of Tampa as well as an event center with seating for more than 650, an outdoor pool, indoor track and gym. The space will also house an Innovation Center for Israeli start-up companies that wish to do business in the United States.
Studio+, a national design practice, recently celebrated the opening of their new studio in Tampa, located at 2211E. 7th Avenue. With a focus on healthcare, educational and commercial architecture design, the Tampa team collaborates with their local and national clients to deliver truly innovative solutions.
Members wishing to host a ribbon cutting announcing a new opening or expansion of your business should contact Tracy Wilson at 276-9464 or twilson@tampachamber.com.
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Member Highlights: May 17 - 23, 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 Series: Increasing Your Online Presence - SEO, Social Visibility & Video Platforms
Tuesday, May 26, 2015 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street, Suite 201
First impressions are made online. Join the Chamber for our monthly Competitive Edge Series featuring a panel discussion with Lauren Albert (Elevate, Inc.), Leslie Laney (A Media Marketing), and Jenni Walsh (Bayshore Solutions) about getting noticed on the Web. They will explain how to develop a site with high impact and increase traffic by using the following:
- SEO algorithms
- Strategic content development
- Video marketing
- UGC video
- Hashtag campaigns
- Social media
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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Business After Hours 
Thursday, May 28, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Commercial Design Services, Inc., 5805 Barry Road
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to Business After Hours hosted by Commercial Design Services, 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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Member Orientation 
Wednesday, June 3, 2015 | 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street, Suite 201
Member Orientation is the first step to getting the MOST out of your Chamber membership! 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 2015 Member Orientation sponsor, Office Depot.
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Operation: Partnership 
Monday, June 8, 2015 | 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street, Suite 201
Join us as we seek to strengthen the ties between Tampa's military and civilian communities by engaging local business professionals and active military members. This half-day program begins with breakfast at the Chamber, then military participants will shadow civilian participants at their workplace to learn the ins and outs of their civilian counterpart's day-to-day business activities. This event is $20 to participate. Click here to register. Active duty members who would like to participate can email Michael Maurino at mmaurino@tampachamber.com. This event is complimentary for active duty military. Thank you to our sponsor, USAA.
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Get Connected 
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Shooters World LLC, 116 E. Fletcher Ave.
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. Sponsored by Shooters World. Must arrive no later than 7:45 p.m. to participate. Walk-ins will only be accepted if there is space available.
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Pearls of Wisdom - Guiltless Nutrition:
Say 'So Long' to the Rules and Embrace YOUR Healthy Lifestyle 
Wednesday, June 10, 2015 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Mise en Place, Inc., 442 W. Kennedy Blvd. Suite 110
We have all heard that healthy eating is good for you, but sometimes it's hard to get through all the
facts and get down to why it really matters. As busy professionals, it's especially challenging to incorporate healthy nutrition into our daily lives. Nutrition is so much more than a fad diet or a specific weight - it's truly a journey that can be enjoyable. Join Abigail Dougherty, registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist, to learn how to take the guilt out of nutrition and learn some tips and tricks on how to painlessly enjoy your healthy lifestyle as a professional on the go.
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Emerge Tampa Bay's The Buzz 
Thursday, June 11, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
GameTime, 1600 E. 8th Ave., Suite A147
Join Emerge Tampa Bay for "The Buzz," a monthly networking event for young professionals. This month's event will be hosted by GameTime. Drinks and light appetizers will be provided. This event is FREE for Emerge Tampa Bay members and $10 for potential members. This Buzz is also our 2015 Prot égé Program Mid-Session Mixer! Mentors are invited to join us! Click here to register. |
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Competitive Edge Series: Ready, Set, GOAL!
Tuesday, June 23, 2015 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street, Suite 201
Resolutions rarely stick. Still, people want to make changes and advancements each year, and even each day! The key to professional goal-setting involves you, your perspective, your plan, and your accountability. Featured speaker Debbie Lundberg (Presenting Powerfully by Debbie Lundberg) will show attendees:
- A worthwhile approach to professional goal-setting
- How to set, track, and measure results to professional goals
- Ways to hold yourself and others accountable to goals
- What to do if/when goals are not attainable/attained
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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