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Greetings!
Our 100th Anniversary celebration was officially kicked off at the Chamber's Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on January 25th. If you missed the dinner be sure to view our special 100th Year celebration video by clicking here Thank you to Neves Media for creating such a dynamic piece. In this issue, you will see who was presented with the Lauren Merriam and Member of the Year awards. We would like to thank our many sponsors and supporters made it a success!
Attention all sales professionals! Looking to increase your sales? The Chamber is hosting an Effective Sales Bootcamp at the end of the month. See details on how to sign up in this issue.
The Chamber is celebrating all year long, however, our actual "birthday" is in March. A big block party to celebrate the momentous occassion will be held on March 21st.
Time is running out to advertise in the 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 Award Winners
- Junior Leadership Bay Silent Auction Thank You
- Business Insight Alliance
- Bay Young Professionals Tour
- Effective Sales Bootcamp
- March First Friday
- Chamber Centennial Birthday Block Party
- 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:
1918-1922
R.L. McKenzie, First Chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Chairman from 1913 to 1922 was R.L. McKenzie (1913 to 1923 as Chamber Chairman), who also served as Panama City's first Mayor in 1909. He also served two terms (1909-1913) as a representative from Washington County in the Florida House of Representatives. In 1913, McKenzie succeeded in his efforts to have Panama City named the seat of Bay County, which he had also helped to create. During World War II, McKenzie served as Chairman of the Bay County Chapter of the Red Cross (1941-44) and as a member of the Selective Service Board (1940-47).
Some other important events from 1918 to 1922:
1918:
Great Britain's Royal Air Force founded
The Influenza Epidemic (20 million worldwide died)
The Red Baron killed
1919:
World War I ends
League of Nations founded
U.S. Congress approves Daylight Savings Time
18th Amendment ratified (Prohibition)
Key West Hurricane
1920:
First radio broadcast
Women granted right to vote
1921:
The Lie detector was invented
1922:
Insulin was discovered
Reader's Digest first published
Written by Matthew Howard, Lamar Advertising
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Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony Winners
On January 25th the Bay County Chamber of Commerce held the Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort.
The Lauren Merriam Award, the Chamber's highest honor, was presented to Julian Bennett. Congratulations, Julian!
Julian Bennett and Gerry Clemons at the Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony
The 2012 Member of the Year award went to David Powell for all his hard work and dedication to the Chamber. Congratulations, David!
2012 Bay County Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Al McCambry and 2012 Member of the Year, David Powell.
To view more photos from the dinner, please visit our website at www.panamacity.org . |
Junior Leadership Bay Silent Auction
On January 25th the Junior Leadership Bay Steering Committee held a silent auction during the Chamber's Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort. Proceeds from the silent auction will help sustain the Junior Leadership Bay program. The committee would like to thank the following businesses for their contributions.
Aeropostale
American Eagle Outfitters
AL.com
Avenue Sea
The Bagel Maker
Bay Point Golf Club
Boatyard Restaurant
Bonefish Grill
Bookit.com
Cahall's Deli
Camp Creek Golf Club
David Scott Fine Jewelry
Desiree Gardner Photography
Diver's Den
Emerald Coast Hospice
Eye Center of North Florida
Gift Basket Designs
Gulf Coast Dermatology
Henkle Law Firm
Home Depot
HSG Accounting
Innovations Federal Credit Union
Knology
Lee's Consignment
Legendary Marine
Neves Media
Office Depot
Olive Garden
Panama City Dive Center
Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union
Rebecca Knowles Photography
Raymond James Investments - Frank Martin
Regions Bank
The Resort Collection
Schooners
Sea Screamer
Serenity Spa at Wyndham Bay Point
Shark's Tooth Golf Club
The Shrimp Boat
Sonny's Bar-B-Que
Southwest Airlines
Spine Care Plus
Sugar Boogers
SWAK Photography
Tastefully Simple - Crystal Hubbard
Trigo
Triple J's
Visual Arts Center
Walt Disney World
Watercolor Inn
Wonder Works
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Business Insight Alliance
The Bay County Chamber is proud to announce its new committee, Business Insight Alliance. Business Insight Alliance exists to provide real world experiences and resources to address business challenges and opportunities. Meeting monthly, the committee hosts roundtable discussions and will include tours to local businesses.
The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 13th from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. in the Chamber Boardroom. Our roundtable discussion will be From Fizzle to Sizzle: Pushing Profits and Managing Expenses.
For more information please contact Elizabeth at 215-3761. |
Bay Young Professionals Tour
Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at Gulf World Marine Park? To learn more about the park, its efforts in animal rescue and the economic impact in the tourism industry, be sure to mark your calendar for the next BYP Tour.
Friday, February 15th
Gulf World Marine Park
15412 Front Beach Road
Tour is 3-4:30 p.m.
Reservations are required by Wednesday, February 13th. Space is limited to the first 25 BYP members who sign up.
To reserve your spot, contact Elizabeth at 215-3761 or Elizabeth@baychamberfl.com. |
Effective Sales Bootcamp
Calling all sales professionals!! Are you looking to create more selling opportunities? Motivate the buyer to take action? Improve your cold calling ratio? Then be sure to sign up for Effective Sales Bootcamp on Friday, February 22nd from 8:15 - 3 p.m. in the Chamber Boardroom. Click here for the registration form or for more information contact Elizabeth at 215-3761 or Elizabeth@baychamberfl.com. |
First Friday
Date: Friday, March 1st
Time: Networking and Coffee 7:15 a.m.; Program 8 a.m.
Place: FSU-Panama City (4750 Collegiate Drive)
Sponsored by: Gulf Coast State College Continuing Education |
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. Only two months available to sponsor in 2013, July and August.
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
First International Title
100 Richard Jackson Blvd.
Suite 110
Workout Anytime PCB
12117 Panama City Beach Pkwy.
Wal-Mart
513 W. 23rd St.
Tito's Downtown Cafe & Bakery
448 Harrison Ave.
VITA
819 E. 11th St.
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Advertising Account Executive, Krista Barker
Krista Barker joins the Bay County Chamber of Commerce as the newest Advertising Account Executive. She has worked in the sales and sales management field for the last 25 years, most recently working with multi-dwelling properties on their phone, cable and internet needs. Krista has served in the Chamber for almost two decades. A graduate of Leadership Bay, Krista says she is excited about this new opportunity. Contact her at 630.1541 or Krista@baychamberfl.com for advertising opportunities available.
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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 | |
First International Title
Complete Signs
Ronik Films and Media Group
Blossoms
Complete Signs
Gravestone Cleaning Service
Thank you to Clear Channel Radio for our new member radio spots! |
THANK YOU
RENEWING MEMBERS
MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
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1 Year
- Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
- Emerald HR Solutions, Inc.
- G. Foley's
- Ink Trax, Inc.
- MaceTech Security Solutions, Inc.
- Pyne Law Group, P.A.
- Sunbelt Credit
- Allstate Insurace - Baytown Agency
- Fresenius Medical Care
- Pregnancy Resource Center of Panama
City
- Studio 424 Medical Spa & Body Massage
- Valley Crest
3 Years
- Amvets Post 2298
- Bay County Veterans Council
- Bay Point Wyndham Resort
- Cubic Global Tracking Solutions
- Hard Rock Cafe
- Mexico Beach Sundance Realty
- The Palms Conference Center
- Topix Salon
4 Years
- Affordable Body Shop/Beach
5 Years
- Alexan Laguna Beach Apartments
- Cathey Construction & Development
6 Years - Accents Home Decor & Gifts, LLC
- Dowgul & Hatcher, P.A.
7 Years
- David H. Melvin, Inc.
8 Years
- Daystar Cleaning Inc
- Navy League of the United States
10 Years
- Affordable Body Shop
13 Years
- Country Inn & Suites
14 Years
- Bay County Health Dept.
- Chevron USA, Inc.
- NWFL/Big Bend Health Council
- P.C. First Assembly of God
15 Years
- Adams Pharmacy
16 Years
- Capt. Tom Corley and Son Marine
Surveyors
17 Years
- St. Andrew Baptist Church
18 Years
- King Aerospace
- McNeil Carroll Engineering, Inc.
19 Years
- Office Depot
20 Years
- Best Western Suites
23 Years
- Panama City Housing Commission
25 Years
- Coldwell Banker Carroll Realty Inc.
- The Natural Light, Inc.
26 Years
- Anchorage Children's Home
- Nichols & Associates
- WJHG News Channel 7
28 Years
- Burke, Blue, Hutchison, Walters & Smith
- Cardiology Associates PA
33 Years
- Haney Financial Services
39 Years
- Don Hood Insurance
41 Years
- Nervig Travel Service/American Express
43 Years
- Paulk's Moving & Storage
62 Years
- TECO Peoples Gas
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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.
February 13th
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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