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Greetings!
March was certainly a busy month and from the looks of things, April will be no different.
We hope you all enjoyed our 100th Birthday Block Party we held on March 21st. Thank you to all the volunteers and businesses who donated their time and products to help us celebrate. We look forward to continuing to celebrate our 100th anniversary this year. To view pictures from the event, please click here.
The ECP Airport Authority said farewell to our airport Executive Director, John Wheat at its March 27th meeting. We wish John well as he pursues opportunities in beautiful California. At the same meeting, it was formally announced that the Deputy Director, Parker McClellan, will now serve as the new Executive Director. Parker has done a wonderful job at ECP and we look forward to continuing to work with him and his team. The meeting was full of changes happening and much to everyone's surprise, K.J. Rice, Station Manager for Southwest Airlines, will be transferring to New York. K.J. has been a wonderful community partner and he will also be missed. Best wishes to all in their endeavors!
Speaking of changes, we are proud to welcome the new Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce President, Lance Allison, who will be coming to our community from Kentucky. Lance, welcome and we look forward to continuing to work with you and your team!
And even more changes, congratulations to Pat Holley, who was over our Governmental Affairs Department, on her retirement. Pat will be missed. Chelsea Hamati, who has been interning with us, will take over the position. Please welcome Chelsea to our team.
Our Governmental Affairs Committee has been very active following issues affecting business. In March, you received an alert to support Governor Scott on his priority to remove the sales tax on the purchase of manufacturing equipment. This effort is certain to bring new industry to our great state and will encourage expansion of local industry. We encourage you to continue to reach out to our delegation, Representative Jimmy Patronis, Representative Marti Coley and Senator Don Gaetz.
In this issue you will also find information and news on:
- 100th Anniversary
- April First Friday
- Business Insight Alliance
- Non-Profit Executive Director Roundtable & Coffee
- April Business After Hours
- Bay Young Professionals Social
- Tourism Appreciation Month
- 9th Annual Career Expo
- Small Business Development Center Conference
- Sponsorship Opportunities
- Money for Members Contest
- Ambassador Spotlight
- Business Referral Network Group Meetings
Much Success,
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff
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Bay County Chamber of Commerce History:
1936-1939
1936 to 1939 was quite a progressive time for our country, but also a tragic time.
In 1936, the Hoover Dam was completed and Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" was published. This was one of the first best-selling self-help books ever published.
There was great tragedy in 1937. Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot, vanished while attempting a circumnavigation flight around the globe.
Another tragedy was the Hindenburg Disaster which marked the end of the airship era.
This was also a progressive year. The Golden Gate Bridge opened in San Francisco and the Panama City News Herald was created from the purchase of the Panama City Pilot.
In 1938, panic broke out as radio listeners heard Orson Welles' broadcast of "War of the Worlds." The broadcast play was so well done that listeners thought Martians were actually invading their town. Panic broke out because many of the listeners did not hear the station announce multiple times that it was just a story based on a fictional novel. Here in Bay County, the Panama City Federal Building opened that same year.
Finally, in 1939, the first commercial flight over the Atlantic took place, the helicopter was invented, and World War II began in Europe.
Old Panama City Pilot Building
Martin Theatre, 1936
Written by: Angela Segers, Downtown Improvement Board
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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
As part of our 100th birthday celebration, enjoy a step back in history from 1933-1943.
Sponsored by:
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Do you take on tasks that should be delegated to others?
Join Business Insight Alliance on Wednesday, April 10th, from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. in the Chamber Boardroom as we discuss transforming from Doer to Delegator.
For more information please contact Elizabeth at 215-3761 or Elizabeth@baychamberfl.com.
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Non-Profit Coffee Executive Director Round Table
Do you know all of the benefits that Chamber membership provides to your non-profit? If you are an Executive Director of a non-profit, please join us for coffee and a roundtable discussion.
Tuesday, April 23rd
Bay County Chamber Boardroom
235 W. 5th Street
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
During the coffee, you will learn ways to take advantage of your Chamber membership in order to make new connections for your organization.
RSVP's are required by April 21st. For more information or to RSVP please contact Elizabeth at 215-3761. |
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April Business After Hours
When: Tuesday, April 23rd
Time:5:30-7 p.m.
Place: Gulf Coast Dermatology - New Beach Location
12111 Panama City Beach Parkway
Sponsored by:  |
Save the date for the next BYP Social
Tuesday, April 30th
The Shrimp Boat Restaurant
1201 Beck Avenue
5:30-7:00 p.m.
Thank you to our Sponsor!
RSVP to Elizabeth at 215-3761 by April 29th . No cost for BYP members and $5 for future BYP members. |
May is Tourism Appreciation Month
Mark your calendars Tourism Appreciation Month events sponsored by Bookit.com and Simon Properties/Pier Park
Get your co-workers together and start practicing for the Annual Jungleball Volleyball Tournament at Bookit.com Beach at Pier Park to be held on May 9th. The 17th Annual Spring Classic will be held on May 17th at the Hombre. Contact jill@baychamberfl.com for more information. Sponsorships are available. |
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9th Annual Career Expo
The Workforce Center and the Bay County Chamber of Commerce invites you to participate in the 9th Annual Career Expo. It is an excellent opportunity to meet jobseekers who have high level skills and are looking for specialized employment. Since the expo is geared towards 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 $50, payable to the Gulf Coast Workforce Board.
The Expo will be held on Thursday, May 16th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Panama City Mall. Interested in participating? Click here for more information. |
Small Business Development Center at
Gulf Coast State College presents
"Get to the Point... Sharpen Your Business Skills"
Business Conference with your Congressman, Steve Southerland on
Thursday, May 30th located at Gulf Coast State College
in the Student Union East Conference Center.
During National Small Business Week, business owners will sharpen their business skills at no cost! Discover tips from industry experts such as Marvin Smith, President of Spectrum Marketing Group & Authorized Local Expert for Constant Contact.
We will have tips on:
- Social Media Marketing & Facebook
for Business - The Power of E-mail Marketing
Unique Networking Opportunity - Bring your business card to share with others at the conference.
Exhibitor Showcase - Take advantage of break time
to see all the exhibitor displays.
Breakfast - Enjoy Continental breakfast as we kick off the day's events!
Lunch - Enjoy your lunch at no cost during Congressman Southerland's Town Hall Forum.
Sponsorship opportunities available!
For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, please click here. |
Sponsorship Opportunities for 2013
Business After Hours
This is a great evening networking opportunity for new, current and prospective members to come to your location to network, enjoy refreshments and share what your business has to offer. Months available are July and August.
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$ 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! |
Ambassador Spotlight
Don Heaton, Agent at Don Hood Insurance Agency, has been selected as March's Ambassador Spotlight.
Don has been an active Chamber Member for over 50 years
and has served as a Past Chairman of the Chamber's Ambassadors. Additionally, he introduces our new members at First Friday.
Don is also very active in the community as a member of the First Baptist Church of Panama City Choir, is a Mason, Shriner, and a former Elk and Lions Club member. Thank you Don, for all that you do for the Chamber!
If you are interested in becoming a Chamber Ambassador please contact Don Pitts at don@baychamberfl.com or 215-3753. |
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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 | |
Gulf Coast Office Products
Shepard Law Firm
Thank you to Clear Channel Radio for our new member radio spots!
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Thank You Renewing Members
Member Anniversaries
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1 Year
- Allstate
- Dunkin Donuts Callaway Location
- BP Claims Group
- Big Lots
- Mike Reiter & Associates
3 Years
- Larry Arnold
4 Years
- Kenny Strange Electric Inc.
- Newk's Express Cafe
- Panama City Visitor's Map
5 Years
- St. Andrew Bay Land Co.
6 Years
- Panama City Boatmen Association
7 Years - HSG Accounting
8 Years - Navy League of the United States
9 Years - Mason Title 11 Years - Sunglass World of NW FL. Inc 12 Years - Panama City Health Club & Spa 14 Years - Preble - Rish Inc. 18 Years - Adecco Employment 27 Years - Brock Lawn and Pest Control, Inc. 28 Years - Merrill Lynch 32 Years - Panhandle Anesthesiologists, Inc. 33 Years - American Cancer Society 40 Years - Fran's Travel, Inc. |
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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
El Jalisco
12:00 p.m.
El Jalisco
12:00 p.m.
Ferrucci Ristorante
12:00 p.m.
April 10th
Group D
Sonny's Bar B Q (Hwy 77 location)
12:00 p.m.
April 3rd
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Include Your Business in our Relocation Packet Program |
Each year the Bay County Chamber of Commerce provides relocation guides to individuals and businesses looking for information on relocating to our area. In addition to the relocation guide, we have created a way for our members to market to these individuals who may soon need their products and services.
For more information on how you can get involved, contact Brittany at brittany@baychamberfl.com or call 215-3755. |
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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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