Chamber Announces Semifinalists for 2015 Small Business of the Year Awards
Today, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce announced the semifinalists for the 2015 Small Business of the Year Awards, presented by Bay Cities Bank & Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors to be held on Friday, September 18 at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. These awards highlight the impact of small business on the community and celebrate the achievements of the best of the best in Tampa Bay.
Small business awards will be presented in three categories based on the number of employees, with a fourth category specifically for startup companies. Companies are evaluated on operational management, community involvement and ethical business practices. The semifinalists for these four awards include:
Presented by:
The winners will be announced at the event on September 18. For more details on the Small Business of the Year Awards, please visit www.tampachamber.com.
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Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Urges Action on Healthcare Expansion during Special Session
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Rohrlack released this statement urging the Florida Legislature to take action on healthcare expansion:
"On behalf of our over 1,200 members in Tampa and across the Tampa Bay region, we strongly urge our legislators to pass meaningful health care reform. This has been a priority issue for our Chamber for years, one which many other business organizations have since rallied around and it is imperative that our elected officials resolve this issue during this upcoming special session," said Rohrlack.
"We all suffer if our legislators do not expand health care coverage. Ultimately the cost to care for those who are not covered will be passed along to hospitals and the business community. This is an unreasonable burden to bear and one that will certainly stifle our state's economic growth," said Chamber Chair Ronald A. Christaldi, Esq.
For more information on the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.tampachamber.com.
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WFLA Daytime Segment: Chamber's Trip to Cuba
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2015 Chamber Chair Ronald A. Christaldi, Esq. and 2006 Chamber Chair Jose Valiente sat down with WFLA's Daytime host Cyndi Edwards to discuss the Chamber's recent trip to Cuba and building economic ties between Tampa Bay and the island.
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Women2Women: Advancing Women in the Workplace
Chamber's Women of Influence Committee Hosts Career Seminar
In addition to the array of women-focused events that have already taken place in 2015, the Women  of Influence Committee continues to expand its outreach efforts. This spring has been no exception as the group charges ahead with its mission to inspire and educate women through identification and response to business and community needs in collaboration with community partners.
On Wednesday, a subcommittee of the WOI Committee hosted its "Women2Women: Advancing Women in the Workplace" seminar. Partnering with PACE Center for Girls, the team led an interactive employability workshop and shared their individual professional journeys with the attendees. Content was developed by committee members and included advice on preparing for the job search, maintaining professionalism on social media, getting ready for the interview and financial wellness. The subcommittee is continuing to refine their presentation and will share it with a new audience this fall - female veterans.
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Operation: Complete & Accurate
Help Us Keep Your Membership Info Updated
It is critical that the Chamber maintains complete and accurate information for all members in order to correctly communicate messages that are applicable to bettering you and your business. Is your business minority-owned? Are you a military veteran? Is everyone that should be receiving Chamber communications receiving them? We are making a concerted effort to ensure that we have accurate information on file for your membership. Help us help you keep your membership updated. Email Ayla Freitas at afreitas@tampachamber.com to receive a copy of your current membership profile. |
Advocacy Corner
Special Session to Convene on June 1
On June 1, the Florida Legislature will convene for a special session. The call for session will include passing a budget to be implemented July 1. Both chambers passed their own version of a budget during the regular session but the two budgets were very different. Also included in the upcoming session will be a workshop in the Florida House on the Senate's health care expansion plan. This will be the first time the plan, which passed the Florida Senate during regular session, will be heard in the Florida House. The workshop is scheduled to take place on the House floor at 3 p.m. on June 1. The call for session also includes the implementation of the Water and Land Conservation Constitutional Amendment, Amendment 1, which was passed by Florida voters in 2014.
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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Why Join Emerge Tampa Bay?
Suzanne Lambert, KPMG LLP, Emerge Membership Committee Member
 When I moved to Tampa from Atlanta last summer I was fresh out of college, brand new at my job and felt somewhat disconnected from the Tampa area. All of my professional and personal connections were back home and I felt like I was missing ties to the Tampa community. I finally stumbled upon Emerge while I was looking for professional organizations online and, to put it simply, it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Read more... |
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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? This event is FREE for FIT 1 members; $15 for members; and $20 for non-members. Click here to register. |
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Chamber Welcomes New Members
Please give a warm welcome to the following companies who have recently become Chamber members:
Aerotek - Employment Agencies/Consultants
BMG Industrial Conveyor Services of Florida, Inc. - Industrial Services/Supplies | Manufacturers
Cherry Family Chiropractic - Medical Services
ConSul Partners, LLC - Restaurants
DCE Productions (Dynamic Customer Experiences) - Audio Visual-Sales/Rental | Video & Film Production Services
Dogtopia of Westchase - Pet Services
DT International, Inc. - Travel Agencies
Easy Breezy Cruises - Travel Agencies
Equality Florida Institute, Inc. - Non-profit Organizations
Fletcher & Fischer, P.L. - Attorneys
Infinite Message LLC - Business Services
Innovative Health Plan, LLC - Insurance Medical/Life
Key Person of Influence - Entrevo - Consultants
The Lightning Foundation, Inc. - Foundations
Office Space Brokers - Real Estate-Commercial
Painting with a Twist - Entertainment
Progressive Dental Marketing - Marketing
Residential Acoustics - Manufacturers
Sagicor Life Insurance Co. - Insurance Medical/Life
SavvyCard - Mobile Applications
SevaMed Institute, P.A. - Physicians/Surgeons
SiteReady - Information Technology Solutions
Social Forces - Advertising Agencies
Springboard PC - Promotional Merchandise
Trinity Graphic - Printers/Printing
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Member Marks Milestone with Chamber Ambassadors
BayCare UrgentCare is proud to offer a new urgent care center serving the South Tampa community. BayCare is rapidly expanding throughout Tampa Bay with current locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. Visit us today and experience the difference a comfortable environment
and exceptional service can make!
Last week, Ashley Furniture President and CEO Todd Wanek announced the company's decision to base its global e-commerce headquarters in Centro Ybor, along with a training center for employees.
Members wishing to host a ribbon cutting to announce 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 24 - 30, 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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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 a.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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Business After Hours 
Thursday, June 25, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc., 1306 W. Kennedy Blvd.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to Business After Hours at Ferman Motor Car Company, sponsored by Heartbeat International Foundation. 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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