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Greetings!
On March 19th, the Bay County Board of Commissioners will read a proclamation declaring March 21st "Bay County Chamber of Commerce Day". On that day, we will celebrate our 100th anniversary. Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this milestone, and thank you to the Bay County Commission for helping us celebrate!
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Doug Merkle has been reappointed to represent the Chamber on the Bay District Schools Citizens Oversight Committee that monitors usage of the one half cent sales tax for facility improvements. Doug has represented us for many years and is now the Chairman.
In addition, Wayne Lindsey has been appointed to represent the Chamber on the Technical Coordinating Committee that provides input to the Transportation Planning Organization on projects and issues. This will enable the Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee to stay more informed on transportation priorities. Thank you both for giving of your time to these important groups.
In this issue you will also find information and news on:
- 100th Anniversary
- Education Committee
- Business Insight Alliance Breakfast
- Bay Young Professionals Lunch
- Military Affairs Committee Golf Tournament
- April First Friday
- Workforce Board Education Summit
- 100th Birthday Block Party
- Apple of our Eye Awards
- Grand Openings
- Ambassador Spotlight
- Sponsorship Opportunities
- Money for Members Contest
- Business Referral Network Group Meetings
Much Success,
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff
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Bay County Chamber of Commerce History:
1927-1931
As we look back at how we got to where we are today, we are taking a look back at the Roaring 20s, the liberal period following the end of World War I.
During this time the world experienced the Scopes Monkey trial, bringing evolution to the forefront of national attention; and Hitler's Mein Kampf was published, first introducing the world to his beliefs of racial superiority. On a lighter note, Winnie the Pooh was first published, Babe Ruth set the home run record and Lindbergh flew his prize winning solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic.
It's interesting that many things that had their beginnings in the 20s are still a big part of our lives today. For example, penicillin, bubble gum and the car radio all had their starts at the end of the decade. The nation also enjoyed its first Mickey Mouse cartoon and the first Academy Awards was held during this time. Most of us can't imagine a time without these things in our lives.
Locally, many things were also happening that still influence our lives today. Here's some major events that happened during that time:
- Panama City, St. Andrews and Millville combined to become one Panama City instead of small, separate municipalities
- Bay High School and the Hathaway Bridge opened
- The Bay County Chamber began pushing for an airport in Panama City
- The Hotel Dixie Sherman was completed
- Bob Jones College opened here
- The Chamber moved its offices to the 2nd floor of City Hall
View of First Baptist Church in 1925
View of First Street in 1920
Written by: Tricia Pearce, Life Management Center
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Education Committee Update -
Educate, Retain, and Employ!
Join the Education Committee on Thursday, March 7th, at 9 a.m. in the Chamber Boardroom as we hear from Tom Besaw, Consultant for Ford Motor Company Next Generation Learning Community, and Ann Leonard, CTE Director, discuss the importance and changes of Career and Technical Education in Bay County. |
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Military Affairs Committee Golf Tournament
MAC members, don't forget to sign up for the upcoming golf tournament! It will be held on March 22nd at Tyndall Air Force Base's Pelican Point Golf Course. Shotgun start is at 12 noon, and lunch is provided.
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April First Friday
When: Friday, April 5th
Time: Networking and Coffee: 7:15 a.m.; Program: 8 a.m.
Place: FSU-Panama City Holley Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)
Program: Congressman Steve Southerland
Sponsored by:
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Presents the Annual Workforce-Education Summit
Wednesday, March 6th
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Gulf Coast State College, Student Union East Conference Center
This year's theme for the Annual Workforce-Education Summit is "Launching Bay's Academies." There will be twelve career academies launched at our area high schools for the 2013-14 school year.
This collaboration brings together key members of the community to engage with high school students to make school even more relevant and engaging, as well as allow students to explore career pathways for their futures.
This event is free but you must register by clicking this link.
If you have already registered, then forward this to another business owner. |
 Raffle tickets are 1/$10, 3/$25, or 7/$50. For ticket information, call the Chamber at 785.5206 or come pick them up at our office. |
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9th Annual Career Expo
The Workforce Center and Bay County Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in the 9th Annual Career Expo. It is an excellent opportunity to meet with jobseekers who have high level skills and are looking for specialized employment. Since the expo is geared toward professional jobseekers, we are asking for employers who have positions that pay at least $12.00 per hour or $25,000 per year to attend. Booth fee is $50, payable to the Gulf Coast Workforce Board.
The Expo will be held on Thursday, May 16th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Panama City Mall. Interested in participating? Click here for more information. |
Apple of Our Eye Award Winners
Renovation
Meadows & Kelley P.A.
433 Oak Avenue
New Construction
Wal-Mart
512 West 23rd Street |
Grand Openings
Bay Clinic of Chiropractic
1613 St. Andrews Blvd.
Sunbelt Rentals
1046 West 23rd St.
Hope Radiation Cancer Center
2900 Hwy. 77
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February Ambassador Spotlight
Colin McMichen, Attorney with Manuel & Thompson, has been selected as February's Ambassador Spotlight. Colin has been serving as a Chamber Ambassador for three years and is also a member of the Bay Young Professionals. Colin is also very active in the community as a member of the Panama City Kiwanis Club and serves as the Vice President of the Bay County Bar Association. Thank you Colin for all that you do for the Chamber!
If you are interested in becoming a Chamber Ambassador please contact Don at don@baychamberfl.com or 215-3753. |
Sponsorship Opportunities for 2013
Business After Hours
This is a great evening networking opportunity for new, current and prospective members to come to your location to network, enjoy refreshments and share what your business has to offer. Months available are July and August.
Contact Jill at 215-3757 or Jill@baychamberfl.com for more information.
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$ Money for Members $
We are pleased to announce a contest for our members. You can win some cash and have fun competing with other Chamber members!
You will receive $25 cash or credit on your Chamber account.
Click here for more details on how you can participate! |
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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 | |
Boardwalk Beach Resort
Advisory Solutions
Aaron's Sales & Leasing
Woman's Club of Panama City
Fletcher Auto Group
Combined Insurance Company
Hal Eddins
Thank you to Clear Channel Radio for our new member radio spots! |
Thank You Renewing Members
Member Anniversaries
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1 Year
- B&C Technologies
- Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
- AFLAC- Lance Stanley
- Ferrucci Ristorante
- KT Social Media Inc.
3 Years
- Bay County Awards & Engraving
4 Years
- Smile Specialist Orthodontics
5 Years
- The Tech Group
6 Years
- Roussos Air Conditioning
7 Years - Balfour Beatty Communities
8 Years - Allstate/ Pam Johnson, P.A. - First Baptist Church of Lynn Haven 9 Years - Neves Media Productions - Northstar Church - Paul Harris Insurance Agency - Ron Wolff 11 Years - Brown's Electrical Service - Home Instead Senior Care - J&J Enterprises of Bay Co. Inc 13 Years - Fowhand's Furniture - Turtle Lake Assoc., Ltd 14 Years - Gent's, Inc 15 Years - Ecological Resource Consultants - Rotary Club of Panama City - Tim Allen Photography 16 Years - Harrison Dental Associates 28 Years - Specialists of the South, Inc 30 Years - Inacomp Data and Voice Systems Inc. 50 Years - Panama City Florist & Gifts, Inc. 54 Years - Captain Anderson's Restaurant |
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Need New Customers? | |
Business Referral Network (BRN) provides an opportunity for groups of business professionals to come together to network, share business leads and referrals with other group members.
BRN is available to any member in good standing with the Bay County Chamber of Commerce.
They must attend the scheduled bi-monthly meetings and one referral or lead is requested at each meeting. Members are encouraged to bring one guest (guest may be non-member).
A member may only join one Business Referral Network group. The Business Referral Group also makes sure no single business will be in direct competition with another member of the group. (For example, only one person in banking can be in each group.)
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Business Referral Network Groups Meeting Dates | |
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.
March 13th
Group D
Sonny's Bar B Q (Hwy 77 location)
12:00 p.m.
March 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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