Recap: Education Connection: Spotlight on Academic Partnerships
Yesterday, the Chamber hosted a packed house
for Education Connection: Spotlight on Academic Partnerships. The breakfast provided an opportunity to showcase business collaborations from each of our partner educational institutions, sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union. Each program demonstrated the value of the business community working together with academia, a key focus for the Chamber this year. Click here for photos from yesterday's breakfast.
Our featured partnerships:
Hillsborough Community College & Tribridge
Hillsborough County Public Schools & Grow Financial
Saint Leo University & TECO Energy
Stetson University College of Law Veteran's Advocacy Clinic
The University of Tampa & HART
University of South Florida & USF Federal Credit Union
Each presentation shared background on how their collaboration started and the positive impact the collaboration had on both entities. At the event, we were also joined by several of the leaders of our academic institutions: Dr. Kenneth Atwater, President of Hillsborough Community College, Jeff Eakins, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools, Christopher Pietruskiewicz, Dean of the Stetson University College of Law and Dr. Ronald Vaughn, President of The University of Tampa. Our next Education Connection event will be on October 28, How to Develop a Quality Internship. Click here to register. For more information about the overall program, please click here.
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Sold Out Crowd for Emerge "Tampa To The Core" Discussion on Transportation and Downtown Redevelopment
By Michael Maurino, Director, Government Relations, Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
 More than 120 people filled the Tampa Bay History Center TECO Hall for the Emerge Tampa Bay "Tampa to the Core" event last Thursday. Presented by RSA Consulting, "Tampa to the Core" focused on transportation improvements and redevelopment in Tampa's urban core.
Attendees heard from Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, Tampa Downtown Partnership President & CEO Christine Burdick, and Strategic Property Partners COO and Tampa Bay Lightning Executive Vice President & General Counsel Jim Shimberg. The panel was moderated by Marilyn Mullen Healy of Adams and Reese, LLP. Following the panel discussion, Emerge members tweeted their questions to the panel during the Q & A session. Read more...
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Advocacy Corner
Recap: Public Policy Roundtable Sponsored by Tampa Bay Water
On Friday, August 21 the Chamber welcomed Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam as a guest speaker for a Public Policy Roundtable sponsored by Tampa Bay Water. Commissioner Putnam spoke about the importance of water quality and agriculture throughout Florida. The Commissioner also answered several questions from the audience on issues ranging from consumer protection to food insecurity in our state. The event was a good opportunity to hear what the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is doing not only in Tallahassee but across Florida. Click here to view photos from the event
Special Session B Ends
Special Session B in Tallahassee ended without the House and the Senate agreeing. The special session was called after the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the congressional maps the legislature passed in 2012 were in violation of the Fair District amendment passed by the voters in 2010. Each chamber had its own version of how the congressional districts should look, but were unable to reach a compromise by noon on Friday when the special session ended. What happens next is up to a circuit court judge. The legislature will return in October for Special Session C when they will redraw the Florida Senate maps.
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Startup Scholars Complete Program at Annual Leadership Retreat
 The Chamber's 2015 Startup Scholars completed their program on Wednesday, August 19 by participating in a product pitch day at the Chamber's annual leadership retreat. The Startup Scholars Program is an initiative which aims to encourage innovation as a part of our community culture and increase instances of entrepreneurial success. This year's class included Hannah's Shoebox, LilyPad Solutions, No Mo Nausea and Pikmykid. Click here to view their pitches. Applications for the 2016 Startup Scholars Program will be available in mid-September. |
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Open Positions at the Tampa Chamber
Now Hiring for Strategic Initiatives Coordinator
The Chamber is now hiring for the following position. Candidates who do not submit all requested items will not be considered. Due to the anticipated volume of responses, no phone calls please.
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?
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Chamber Welcomes New Members
Please give a warm welcome to the following companies who have recently become Chamber members:
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Member Highlights: August 23 - 29, 2015
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- Chamber Member Company Now Hiring!
- A Media Marketing Launches "Tampa Bay Transformers"
- Absolute Mobile Solutions Helps Keep the Waters of Tampa Bay Clean with the Suncoast Waterkeeper Initiative, Pepin Distributing and SweetWater Brewing Co.
- Copa Airlines Business Class Promotion
- Florida Poly Set for Second Year of Innovative Learning
- 10,000 Organ Transplants through LifeLink Transplantation Immunology Laboratory
- Port Tampa Bay Enters into Lease Agreement with Port Logistics to Develop New Cold Storage Facility | Port Tampa Bay Customer Tampa Tank Inc./Florida Structural Steel Expansion and Additional Job Creation Touted By Gov. Scott
- Tampa Electric Has Provided More Than $1.2 million in Rebates to Hillsborough County School System for Energy-Efficiency Improvements
- Valspar Championship Presented by BB&T Ends Exceptional Year with $1.8 Million in Generated Charitable Contributions
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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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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
This event is $50 for general admission. Corporate tables of 10 are also available. Click here to register. |
Coffee Connection
Wednesday, September 16, 2015 | 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., Suite 201
Coffee Connection is held every other month. This event focuses on Chamber members within their first year of membership. It is designed to help engage new members and build relationships. The program is facilitated by Ambassadors who volunteer and will serve as your contact! This FREE event is recommended for first-year members, but is open to all Chamber members. Click here to register.
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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
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Get Connected 
Monday, September 21, 2015 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Hivelocity Hosting, 8010 Woodland Center Blvd. Suite 700
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 Hivelocity Hosting. Must arrive no later than 4:45 p.m. to participate. Walk-ins will only be accepted if space is available.
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Competitive Edge: Global Diversity and Inclusion 
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, 201 N. Franklin St., Suite #201
Join us for an interactive workshop that will help you to consider and understand global diversity and interconnectedness and how these factors influence your ability to function effectively and inclusively in a diverse environment. Guest speaker Farah Khorsandian-Sánchez will explore the extent to which global interdependence, communication technologies and workforce mobility have profoundly changed the dynamics of the U.S. workplace and our individual realities. Participants will engage in a series of perception exercises and games covering topics such as value orientation, culture, norms, generalizations and stereotypes.
Attendees will learn:
- How cross-cultural competence and a global mindset are imperatives for diversity & inclusion and survival in this global and interrelated market
- Ways in which a globally diverse workforce fosters creativity, enhances innovation and helps build on a company's progress
- How the majority-minority shift that has occurred in various states has led to a more multilingual USA
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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Buzz-ness After Hours 
Thursday, September 24, 2015 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Harbour Island Athletic Club & Spa, 900 S. Harbour Island Blvd.
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce invites you to a combined Business After Hours/Emerge's "The Buzz" event hosted by Harbour Island Athletic Club & Spa. Join us for complimentary hors d'oeuvres while networking with your fellow Chamber/Emerge members. FREE for Chamber and Emerge members, $10 for non-members. Click here to register.
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Member Orientation 
Wednesday, September 30, 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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