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Greetings!
There are many events coming up in the next few weeks here at the Chamber. Our Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony is this Friday! Do you have your table or tickets yet? There's still time! Call 785.5206 to reserve your spot!
Don't forget to join us for Business After Hours at Spine Care Plus on Tuesday, January 29th from 5:30-7 p.m. There will be many great door prizes! Don't forget to bring your business cards for making business contacts and to win some of those great door prizes.
Ad space is still available for our April 100th Anniversary Bay Biz commemorative issue. For rates and availability, contact Brittany at 215.3755 or Brittany@baychamberfl.com .
In this issue you will also find information and news on:
- 100th Anniversary
- Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony
- Junior Leadership Bay Silent Auction.
- Business After Hours
- Bay Young Professionals Social
- February First Friday
- Sponsorship Opportunities for 2013
- Grand Openings
- Business Referral Network Group Meetings
- Military Affairs Committee
- Creating opportunities to market your business and attain great resources on our website - www.panamacity.org
Much Success,
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff
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Bay County Chamber of Commerce History:
1913-1917
Do you remember where you were when the Titanic sunk? We don't either. I guess that could be because we weren't around in 1912; but the founders of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce were here and making plans for the Chamber we know today. The Chamber officially began on March 21, 1913, as the Panama City Chamber of Commerce. R.L. McKenzie was named the first Chairman of the Chamber.
 R.L. McKenzie, First Chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce
To further put the event into perspective, let's take a look back at a few things that happened in the 1910s as our community was in its infancy.
International / National Events:
- Girl Scouts of America was founded
- 16th, 17th and 18th amendments were ratified, giving Congress the right to impose a Federal income tax, providing for direct election of Senators and beginning prohibition of alcohol.
- World War I was fought
- League of Nations was formed
- Einstein's Theory of Relativity was presented
- US Coast Guard was established
- Congress approved daylight savings time
Local Events:
- Panama City Volunteer Fire Department was formed
- Bay County was established
- Panama City High School opened
- Lynn Haven was incorporated
- George Hardy McKenzie became the 2nd Mayor of Panama City, following his brother who was the 1st mayor
- Nelson Buick opened
- Bay County Courthouse was built
It was during the 1910s that our communities really began taking shape and becoming what we know today as Bay County. Your Bay County Chamber of Commerce was there during that time, working to provide support for businesses just as we continue to do today. We hope you enjoy looking back at the decades in our history as much as we have enjoyed researching it as we begin celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce.
By: Tricia Pearce, Life Management Center |
Junior Leadership Bay Seeking Items for Silent Auction
The Junior Leadership Bay Steering Committee is seeking items for a silent auction to be held during the Chamber's Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on January 25, 2013 at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort. Participants will receive recognition in the dinner program.
If your business is interested in contributing an item or a gift certificate, please click here. For more information or questions, please contact Elizabeth at 215.3761 or Elizabeth@baychamberfl.com. Proceeds from the silent auction sustain our
Junior Leadership Bay Program. Thank you to our contributors, Legendary Marine, Southwest Airlines, Regions Bank, Rebecca Knowles Photography, Sharks Tooth Golf Club, Serenity Spa at Bay Point, David Scott Fine Jewelry, Visual Arts Center, Gift Basket Design, SWAK Photography, Henkle Law Firm, Walt Disney World, Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union, BookIt.com, Olive Garden, Sugar Boogers, Innovations Federal Credit Union, Gulf Coast Dermatology, HSG Accounting, Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, Divers Den, Office Depot, Newks Express Cafe, Sea Screamer, Spine Care Plus, Bay Lincoln Mercury Dodge, Cahall's Deli, Emerald Coast Hospice, Lee's Consignment, The Bagel Maker, Raymond James - Frank Martin, Triple J's, 390 J. Michaels, Trigo, The Shrimp Boat, Sonny's Bar B Q, Neves Media, Camp Creek Golf Club, Bay Point Resort Golf Club, Eye Center of North Florida, Panama City Dive Center, Knology, Home Depot, Desiree Gardner Photography, Wonderworks PCB, American Eagle Outfitters, Water Color Inn, Aeropostale and Tastefully Simple. |
Mardi Gras Celebration Business After Hours
Date: Tuesday, January 29th
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
Place: Spine Care Plus
714 East 4th Street
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Join us for this fun, relaxed, informal evening social celebrating Mardi Gras. Make sure to bring your business cards for networking and doorprizes. Door prizes include massages, lunchtime facials, and more! Come enjoy networking, live entertainment, great door prizes, food and beverages.
Thank you to our sponsor!
Food catered by:
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Save the Date for the Next
Bay Young Professionals Social!
Date: Thursday, January 31st
Time: 5:30-7 p.m.
Place: Tito's Downtown Cafe and Bakery
448 Harrison Avenue
Thank you to our sponsor!
RSVP to Elizabeth at 215.3761 by January 29th. No cost for BYP members and $5 for future BYP members. |
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First Friday
Date: Friday, February 1st
Time: Networking and Coffee: 7:15 a.m. ; Program 8 a.m.
Place: FSU-PC Holley Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)
Program: Representative Jimmy Patronis
Sponsored by:
Coffee sponsored by: Golden Corral
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Sponsorship Opportunities for 2013
First Friday
This program has been going strong since 1957 and is still one of the Chamber's most popular monthly morning events. Held on the First Friday of every month from 8-9 a.m. with networking and coffee starting at 7 a.m. Attendance is typically 250 members and guests. Sponsors receive ten minutes at the podium and many other benefits.
Business After Hours
This is a great evening networking opportunity for new, current and prospective members to come to your location to network, enjoy refreshments and share what your business has to offer.
Sponsors will be included in the quarterly Bay Biz magazine if signed up before magazine deadline.
Contact Jill at 215-3757 or Jill@baychamberfl.com for more information.
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Grand Openings
Phoenix Performance Fitness
1344 W. 15th Street
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MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
 The Military Affairs Committee (MAC) of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1946 and is rich in the history of providing good public relations between our military bases and the business community.
The mission of MAC is to develop understanding, support and goodwill between our men and women in uniform and the local business and civic leaders. The committee stages various events and receptions to welcome visiting military officials and guests to the Bay County area.
If you are interested in joining MAC and supporting our local Military Installations, contact Tamara@baychamberfl.com or 850.215.3791. |
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CHAMBER |
Click here to view upcoming Chamber events. |
| COMMUNITY |
Click here to view more upcoming community events. |
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PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON THE CHAMBER WEBSITE
for rates and more information.
Did you know as a Chamber member you can post your job openings for free online? Also, if you have an upcoming event, you can also post that for free. Take advantage of the great items our website has to offer!
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Welcome
New Members | |
Hertz Local Edition
Island Air Express
Bay Clinic of Chiropractic
Bond & Associates, Inc.
Steyr Motors
Phoenix Performance Fitness
Cartridge World
Desiree' Gardner Photography
Thank you to Clear Channel Radio for our new member radio spots! |
THANK YOU
RENEWING MEMBERS
MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
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1 Year
- Coleman American Allied
- Stanley E. Peacock P.A.
4 Years
- Bay County Clerk of Court
- Counts Oakes Resort Properties
- Ladybug Embroidery Designs & Gifts
- Zel Technologies, LLC
6 Years
- La Quinta Inn & Suites
7 Years
- Gulf Crest Condominiums
- Oceaneering Umbilical Solutions
- Pitts Appraisal Technology
9 Years - Servpro of Bay County
11 Years
- The Celebration Place Inc.
14 Years
- Brain & Spine Center, P.A.
15 Years
- Bays Medical Society
- Emerald Shores Health & Rehabilitation
17 Years
- First Communications
18 Years
- Dr. J. Randal Buttram
- McNeil Carroll Engineering, Inc.
20 Years
- Advanced Eye Care of Bay County, P.A.
21 Years
- Mar-K Towing, Inc.
24 Years
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Bay County
- Cargill Steel Service Centers
25 Years
- Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance
- SSA Marine
28 Years
- Lamar Advertising
- Signal Hill Golf Course
34 Years
- Digestive Diseases Center
- The Salvation Army
36 Years
- ERA Neubauer Real Estate, Inc.
44 Years
- Hy's Toggery, Inc.
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Business Referral Network Groups | |
Four different Business Referral Network (BRN) groups meet bi-monthly for lunch meetings to network and share business leads/referrals with other group members.
Only one member of each group may belong to a particular business/trade, i.e. only one person in banking, to discourage direct competition.
Group A
Olive Garden (Hwy 77 location)
12:00 p.m.
El Jalisco
12:00 p.m.
Ferrucci Ristorante
12:00 p.m.
January 30th
Group D
Sonny's Bar B Q (Hwy 77 location)
12:00 p.m.
February 6th
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Support Bay County and its Businesses! | |
Place copies of the "Bay Biz" and "Guide to Discovering Bay County" in your business lobby/office to support and promote our area to your clients and customers.
Call 785-5206 to get your supply of these publications that lets visitors, newcomers and potential businesses know Bay County is a great place to live, work and play. |
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