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2015 Small Business of the Year Awards
35th Annual Awards Ceremony Set for Friday, September 18

This year marks the 35th annual Small Business of the Year Awards to be held on Friday, September 18 at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. This event is attended by close to 800 people and will highlight some of our most prominent small businesses and leaders in Hillsborough County.

Join us as we celebrate Tampa's Architects of Success! Learn more about how these small businesses have laid strong foundations to become integral building blocks in the Tampa Bay community. See who measures up as the best of the best! 

Registration is now open for sponsorships and seating in blocks of ten. Click here to register. Individual admission will go on sale in September. Join the social media conversation: #SBOY2015
Advocacy Corner

Special Session B Begins This Week
State lawmakers are in Tallahassee this week to redraw the state's congressional maps. Last month, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that eight Congressional districts need to be redrawn in order to comply with the Florida Constitution. This will be the second special session in 2015; the first special session was called to pass a state budget. Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli have also called for a third special session to take place in October to allow lawmakers to redraw the State Senate maps which have also come under scrutiny by the courts.

Business Damage Assessment Survey- West Central Florida Flooding 2015
In response to the "West Central Florida Flooding 2015 Event" and the issuance of Governor's Executive Order 15-158, the State Emergency Response Team through its Emergency Support Function-18, Business, Industry, and Economic Stabilization has activated the Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center (FLVBEOC) to assist in assessing the impact that local businesses have experienced from the flooding. Affected businesses are being asked to complete a Business Damage Assessment Survey that can be obtained at: http://flvbeoc.org/index.php?action=bda. 

The survey results will be shared among various state and local agencies to expedite implementation of appropriate disaster relief programs for affected businesses.

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 and Reese LLP Partner and Transportation Council Co-Chair Marilyn Healy, this event will touch on the redevelopment occurring downtown and in the Channel District. To purchase tickets, visit the event page. 
Meeting Space Available at the Tampa Chamber!
Hold Your Meeting in the Downtown Central Business District
 
Is your company in need of space to host a meeting, conference or client presentation? As an added benefit of your Chamber membership, the Skanska Board Room and/or Conference Room are currently available for rental on a full or half-day basis from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Rates start at $125. Contact Vicki Dunn at 813-276-9403 or vdunn@tampachamber.com for more information! Click here to view the meeting room rental form online. 

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?
Ambassador of the Quarter: Victoria Jorgensen, A Media Marketing

Congratulations to Victoria Jorgensen on being named Ambassador of the Quarter! Victoria is an award-winning Tampa-based producer/director who has helmed the 46 year old A Media Marketing since 1987, providing video production, social media management and training, as well as web and print services. Jorgensen grew up in Tampa and is the area's #1 cheerleader. She considers giving back an integral part of leadership.
 
Victoria has been a Chamber member for over 20 years and an Ambassador for approximately 5 years. Jorgensen says her return on investment has increased exponentially in the past few years due to the amount of time she has invested in working on the Ambassador Committee. Read more...
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.

Member Highlights: August 9 - 15, 2015

Member News
  • AAA Travel Event: Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Presents "China and the Yangtze"
  • B2 Communications "pARTners" with Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts
  • Copa Airlines Specials from U.S. to Venezuela
  • The Florida Aquarium Announces Historic Partnership with the National Aquarium of Cuba
  • Port Tampa Bay to be Cruise Home Port for Norwegian Jade Beginning November 2016
New Hires & Promotions
Member Events
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
 
iCuatro Restaurant and Bar at TPC Tampa Bay celebrated its grand opening with over 60 attendees on Thursday, July 31 during Business After Hours. The restaurant is a new addition to the club and, just like TPC Tampa Bay, is now open to the public.

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. 
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, 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 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, Esq., partner Adams and Reese LLP and Chamber Transportation Council 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 projects. 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.
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 partner, 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!
2015 Small Business of the Year Awards
Friday, September 18, 2015 | 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place 

Join us as we celebrate our Architects of Success! Learn more about how these small businesses have laid strong foundations to become integral building blocks in the Tampa Bay community. See who measures up as the best of the best!

Registration is now open for sponsorships and seating in blocks of ten. Click here to register. Individual admission will go on sale in September. Join the social media conversation: #SBOY2015