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Chamber Announces Finalists for 2015 Small Business of the Year Awards

On Tuesday, July 14, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists 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 finalists for these four awards include:

 
Startup:  

21-50 Employees:

Awnclean USA, Inc.*

Boring Business Systems*

Hartshorn Custom Contracting

Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay

 

5-20 Employees:

Ai Collaborative, Inc.*

Brannock & Humphries 

Family Boating & Marine Centers of Florida, Inc.

Flatwoods Consulting Group Inc.

Social Forces LLC*

  

51-250 Employees:

Bill Currie Ford

Cigar City Brewing LLC*

Gator Cases, Inc.

Kobie Marketing Inc.*

Xcelience*


 

  
* Chamber Members 


 

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.
Education Connection: Spotlight on Academic Partnerships

Join us on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 as we spotlight exciting business/academic partnerships from each of our educational partners. A panel highlighting key takeaways for developing successful partnerships will be followed by a Q&A discussion. 

Many thanks to our sponsor, Suncoast Credit Union. This event is $20 to attend. Click here to register. 
Advocacy Corner

Officials to Meet Today to Decide on Go Hillsborough Next Steps

 

The Policy Leadership Group (PLG), which was tasked with developing the Go Hillsborough Community Transportation Plan, will meet today to determine the next steps for the proposed 30-year, $3.5 billion plan to improve transportation in Hillsborough County. The Policy Leadership Group includes the County Commission; Mayors of Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace; and the Chair of HART.

 

At their last meeting in June, the PLG was asked to consider approving the plan as presented and moving forward towards a November 2016 referendum for a half-percent sales tax that would fund the Go Hillsborough plan. Should the PLG vote to approve the plan today, a series of public outreach meetings across the county would follow in order to narrow down the list of projects that residents prefer.

 

The PLG meeting will be held today, Thursday, July 16, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at the Hillsborough County Center, 26th Floor. 

Host a Chamber Networking Event!

 

Are you interested in hosting one of the Chamber's recurring networking events? These events are great opportunities to provide exposure to your business, product, service or venue. The following monthly events are available to be hosted by Chamber members of any FIT level:

Get Connected

Get Connected is our monthly facilitated networking event designed to build relationships with fellow Chamber members and open the door to new business opportunities. This event takes place onsite at a Chamber member's business on the second Tuesday of every month, alternating between 7:30 - 9 a.m. and 4:30 - 6 p.m. This "speed networking" event places participants in small groups where each person has a few minutes to talk about his or her product, service or business. After each participant in the group has had a chance to introduce him or herself, the groups switch up and everyone is paired with a fresh set of faces. 

 

The host is responsible for providing up to seven tables of seven seats with the ability to accommodate up to 49 people, light hors d'oeuvres / refreshments and beverages, and complimentary parking. In return, the host company will receive publicity as the title sponsor of the event on our website, flyer, and eView newsletter, two minutes to speak at the event, and one representative to participate in the networking activity. The Chamber will manage registration of attendees as well as all communication regarding the event.

 

Only TWO available months remaining for 2015! 

Business After Hours

Business After Hours is held onsite at a Chamber member's business on the final Thursday of every month from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Attendance generally ranges from 75 - 100 members. This event allows for networking with your fellow Chamber members in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

 

Hosts are responsible for providing a gathering space for up to 100 attendees, hors d'oeuvres, complimentary parking and one complimentary alcoholic drink per attendee. In return, the host company will receive publicity as the title sponsor of the event on our website, flyer, and eView newsletter, as well as two minutes at the event to speak. The Chamber will manage registration of attendees as well as all communication regarding the event.

 

We are currently booking 2016 for Business After Hours. 

 

To inquire about availability or to get more details about hosting these events, please contact Jessica Hohman, Events Manager at jhohman@tampachamber.com.

Member Highlights: July 12 - 18, 2015

 

Click here to view more details on this week's member highlights including:

Member News
  • Chamber Member Company Now Hiring
  • Absolute Mobile Solutions Makes It Easier for Customers to Learn About AstraCare's Services with Revamped Website 
  • Share Your Thoughts with HART
  • The Iron Yard is Offering Scholarships
  • JLL Completes Lease Renewal with Centre Club at One Urban Centre in Tampa
  • NorthStar Bank is Pleased to Announce its New Loan Production Office in St. Petersburg
Member Events
New Hires & Promotions
Member Accolades
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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Forgot your login? Click here to have your credentials sent to you. 

Business After Hours

Thursday, July 30, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

TPC Tampa Bay, 5300 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz, FL 33558

 

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to Business After Hours at TPC Tampa Bay's ¡Cuatro Restaurant & Bar. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cocktail while networking with your fellow Chamber members. FREE for members, $15 for non-members. Register before July 23, 2015 to play 9 holes at TPC Tampa Bay at $25 per person. Players must arrive by 2:20 p.m. with payment to play. Click here to register.
Member Orientation

Wednesday, August 5, 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.
Senior Enlisted Reception
Thursday, August 6, 2015 | 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
MacDill Air Force Base - Surf's Edge Club, 7315 Bayshore Blvd, Bldg 499

Join us on Thursday, August 6 for the annual Senior Enlisted Reception, presented by USAA, from 4:30 - 7 p.m. at Surf's Edge Club on MacDill Air Force Base. This is an opportunity for members of the business community to network with and recognize the contributions of the senior enlisted members of the military who serve in the Tampa Bay area. These are the men and women who defend our freedoms at home and abroad. 

For each civilian ticket purchased, a senior enlisted member receives a complimentary ticket to be distributed by the Chamber. Prior registration is required for this event. To purchase tickets or sponsorships, click here.

Get Connected

Tuesday, August 11, 2015 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Nova Southeastern University, 3632 Queen Palm 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. Sponsored by Nova Southeastern University. Must arrive no later than 7:45 a.m. to participate. Walk-ins will only be accepted if space is available.

Return on Relationships

Thursday, August 13, 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:

  • 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.

Emerge Tampa Bay's The Buzz 

Thursday, August 13, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Cigar City Brewing, 3924 W. Spruce Street
 

Join Emerge Tampa Bay for "The Buzz," a monthly networking event for young professionals. This month's event will be hosted by Cigar City Brewing. Drinks and light appetizers will be provided to the first 100 guests. This event is FREE for Emerge Tampa Bay members and $10 for potential members. Click here to register.
Competitive Edge: How to Start a Branded Revolt Against the Status Quo

Friday, August 14, 2015 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., Suite #201
 

In order to compete at the highest level, your brand has to be different. This workshop, presented by Dan Stevenson, Executive Creative Director of Schifino Lee Advertising + Branding, will show you how to distill your message into what "it" is that makes your brand unique and special.  The presentation will walk you through the process for creating the most memorable branding and advertising possible for your business. And we'll demonstrate how best to communicate your singular message in today's media environment. A Q&A session will follow including Schifino Lee's principals. Attendees will learn:

  • Where to look within your organization for true brand differentiation
  • The process for identifying (and marketing) the one thing that makes your brand truly different
  • Some innovative examples of brands that have disrupted their entire categories
  • How to outsmart when you are being outspent using Challenger Brand strategies and thinking
  • Can I lead my company to behave like a Challenger Brand?

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
Emerge Tampa Bay General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, August 18, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., Suite #201 

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. We will also review leadership opportunities available within Emerge Tampa Bay. If you are interested in applying to be on the Emerge Leadership Team, this is your time to ask questions about what we look for in an ideal candidate! Applications will be available in August. 

 

Click here to register. If you are a non-member and interested in joining Emerge, click here.
Public Policy Roundtable 
Featuring Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam 
Friday, August 21, 2015 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The Tampa Club, 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite #4200 

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce cordially invites you to join us for breakfast with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam. Commissioner Putnam was re-elected in 2014 to serve a second term. In this role, his priorities include fostering economic growth, protecting the quantity and quality of the state's water supply, safeguarding consumers from fraud and deception, and ensuring kids have a healthy start in life. Commissioner Putnam will brief guests on these initiatives and how he's working to support the businesses of the Tampa Bay community. 

This event is FREE for FITs 3, 4, and Partner-level members; $35 for members; $40 for non-members. Corporate tables of 8 are also available. Click here to register. Thank you to our sponsor, Tampa Bay Water.
Education Connection: Spotlight on Academic Partnerships
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 | 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
University Club of Tampa, 201 N. Franklin Street 38th Floor

Please join us as we spotlight exciting business/academic partnerships from each of our educational partners. A panel highlighting key takeaways for developing successful partnerships will be followed by a Q&A discussion. Many thanks to our sponsor, Suncoast Credit Union. This event is $20 to attend. Click here to register.