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Join Us for Pearls of Wisdom on Wednesday, August 26
Women & Investing: Building Your Confidence to Build Your Wealth

Join us on Wednesday, August 26 as we welcome Miranda Reiter of Raymond James Financial for our quarterly Pearls of Wisdom event at the Tampa Museum of Art. Miranda will explore why women should consider investing in the stock market, why women make excellent investors and how to build confidence in investing.

Miranda Reiter is a certified financial planner who helps successful women make smart decisions about money and investing through goal-focused financial planning. As a huge advocate of education, Miranda enables her clients to build confidence with investing by teaching them foundational principles on how to build and grow their wealth. Miranda believes that women are natural investors and with more confidence, education and guidance, they can achieve ultimate success in their financial lives.

Click here to register. This event is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Thank you to our sponsor Adams and Reese LLP and venue partner Tampa Museum of Art.   
Advocacy Corner

Emerge Public Policy Event: Tampa to the Core
On Thursday, August 20, join Hillsborough Commissioner Ken Hagan, Strategic Property Partners COO Jim Shimberg, and Tampa Downtown Partnership President Christine Burdick for a discussion on Tampa's future at the annual Emerge public policy event. 

Presented by RSA Consulting, and moderated by Adams & Reese Partner Marilyn Mullen Healy, this event will touch on the redevelopment occurring downtown and in the Channel District. To purchase tickets, visit the event page



Public Policy Round Table Featuring Commissioner Adam Putnam:
Join us for a public policy roundtable with Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam on Friday, August 21. Commissioner Putnam will discuss 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. 

Visit the event page for registration information. Thank you to our sponsor, Tampa Bay Water.

Open Positions at the Tampa Chamber

Now Hiring for Leadership Programs Manager & Strategic Initiatives Coordinator

 

The Chamber is now hiring for the following positions. Candidates who do not submit all requested items will not be considered. Due to the anticipated volume of responses, no phone calls please.

Leadership Programs Manager

To apply, candidates should submit the following to resumes@tampachamber.com:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Three references
  • Two writing samples:
    • An external communication to existing Emerge Tampa Bay members inviting them to upcoming events
    • An email to a potential new member about the benefits of membership in Emerge Tampa Bay
Strategic Initiatives Coordinator
To apply, candidates should submit the following to resumes@tampachamber.com:
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Three references
  • Two brief essays (no more than 500 words) addressing the following questions:
    • Why is it important that businesses have a strong relationship with academic institutions?
    • Why is it important for a community to support local entrepreneurs?
Enterprise Florida Announcement
Business Opportunities in Honduras Roadshow

You are invited to join Enterprise Florida and our trade partners as we host "Business Opportunities in Honduras Roadshow" around the state of Florida. Honduras ranks as Florida's ninth top merchandise trading partner, having exported nearly $4.5 million of merchandise in 2014. Honduras is expected to continue to grow and will provide Florida exporters a wide range of opportunities for U.S. goods and services. The guest speaker for this event is Ms. Rossana Lobo, Commercial Director, U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

The roadshow is an excellent opportunity for companies to learn more about:
  • The economic, political and social environment of Honduras
  • Best export opportunities for Florida companies
  • How companies can participate in Enterprise Florida's Export Sales Mission to Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2015 | 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin Street, Suite #201
Cost: FREE

To register, email mstewart@eflorida.com by Wednesday, August 19.

A limited number of one-on-one appointments with Ms. Lobo will be available after the briefing on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve an appointment, please email Max Stewart at mstewart@eflorida.com.
All Call for Committee Members: 9th Annual Sporting Clays Tournament

Mark your calendars! The Chamber's 9th Annual Sporting Clays Tournament is set for Friday, December 4, 2015 at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays. Registration will begin later this summer, but the planning committee is kicking into high gear in August. If you have an interest in clay shooting, special event planning or just want to meet some other Chamber members, get involved! Committee members are asked to help plan the tournament, recruit sponsors and find raffle prizes. If interested in participating, please contact Jessica Hohman at jhohman@tampachamber.com.

Members Saving Money

 

Are you participating in the Office Depot affinity program? You are eligible simply by being a Chamber member. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce serves you by advocating for initiatives that will improve the Tampa Bay business climate and by creating programs that will help you promote and grow your business while watching your bottom line. 

 

The Office Depot "Chamber Perks" program is free to GTCC members and gives you access to the power of a $70 million group purchasing program, resulting in a very aggressive pricing structure on items you use the most. The program is also very convenient. When you find the office items you need, you can order them online through a dedicated gateway on the Office Depot website and receive next-day delivery, or you can use your Affinity Program Discount Card to buy discounted items at your nearest Office Depot store, helping you realize substantial savings.

 

If you would like to learn more about the program, contact Thomas Sander at Thomas.Sander@officedepot.com or 813-453-9996 for a price analysis to demonstrate your significant savings potential. 

Member Highlights: August 2 - 8, 2015

Member News
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

Member Marks Milestone with Chamber Ambassadors

 

 
Sky Zone, founders of the world's first indoor trampoline park, is now open in Tampa! Sky Zone offers open jump, a SkySlam court, SkyRobics fitness classes, and Ultimate Dodgeball. Located at 10137 E. Adamo Dr, in the Home Depot shopping center. Host birthday parties, youth group outings or corporate events at Sky Zone for high flying fun!

  

 
Crayola Experience, Orlando's newest and most colorful family destination, opened early last month to a cheering crowd of officials and hundreds of guests at The Florida Mall. The adventures of Crayola Experience help kids and adults alike explore art and technology, express their creativity and experience color in a whole new way. With 25 hands-on attractions and live entertainment guests will do everything from name and wrap their own Crayola crayon (Wrap it Up!), star in their own coloring page (Be a Star), paint with melted wax, bring their coloring page to life in 4-D and animate it with their touch (Color Magic) and learn how crayons are made in the live Factory Show.

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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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. 

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 UniversityMust arrive no later than 7:45 a.m. to participate. Walk-ins will only be accepted if space is available.

Return on Relationships: Professional Development Seminar

Thursday, August 13, 2015 | 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

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

 

Want to be a better networker? Make plans to attend "Return on Relationships: Professional Development Seminar." 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.
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 Kevin Byrd, associate at 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, VerizonFREE 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 provide 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.

Emerge Tampa Bay Public Policy Event: Tampa to the Core  
Thursday, August 20, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 
The Tampa Bay History Center, Inc., 801 Old Water Street 

Join us for our annual Emerge Tampa Bay Public Policy event. Marilyn Healy, partner Adams and Reese LLP and Chamber Transportation Committee co-chair will moderate a panel with Jim Shimberg, COO, Strategic Property Partners, LLC; Christine Burdick, President, Tampa Downtown Partnership; and Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan. They will discuss downtown development and implementing transportation plans like the streetcar along with development. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the experts about the plan! This event is $10 for Emerge members and $25 for non-members. Click here to register. Parking for the History Center is available at several private and city-owned lots in the Channelside District. Thank you to our sponsor, RSA Consulting Group, LLC.
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. 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 up to two attendees 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. 

Pearls of Wisdom - Women & Investing
Building Your Confidence to Build Your Wealth
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tampa Museum of Art, Inc., 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza 

Everyone strives for financial security and the skills to invest our money to earn even more in the future. Yet, women, on average, are less confident about their investment skills although research shows that their thoughtful and patient approach makes female investors effective! Join us as Miranda Reiter, CFP, (Raymond James Financial) shares why women should consider investing in the stock market, why women make excellent investors, and how to build confidence in investing. Hourly paid parking is available in the Poe garage.

Click here to register. This event is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Thank you to our sponsor Adams and Reese LLP and venue parnter Tampa Museum of Art.        
Business After Hours
Thursday, August 27, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Ducky's, 1719 W. Kennedy Blvd. 

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to Business After Hours at Ducky's. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres while networking with your fellow Chamber members. FREE for members, $15 for non-members. Click here to register.
Siege the Day: Back to Football Forum with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Drive 

Join us on Tuesday, September 8 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay for "Siege the Day: Back to Football Forum with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," presented by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce

 

Enjoy lunch and a season preview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Lovie Smith, General Manager Jason Licht, Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer and Bucs players


This event is $50 for general admission. Corporate tables of 10 are also available. Click here to register. This event will sell out quickly!