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Greetings!
We need your help to protect our red snapper season here in Bay County. A recent federal ruling could possibly close our Red Snappe fishing season in federal waters for 2014 & maybe 2015. To view more on the issue and what you can do to help, click here.
Thank you for voting us into the Top 10 of the News Herald's Best of Bay in the Events category for First Friday! We could not do this monthly event without our members and our sponsors. If you would like to cast a vote, click here.
Last week our staff met with other area Chambers at the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP) regional meeting to look at ways we can improve our organization. This year for the first time, Bay County will host the statewide annual conference this year along with our friends at the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to showing the rest of the state what Bay County has to offer.
Governor Scott visited Panama City last week to sign the Florida GI Bill into law. The bill increases funding for the Educational Dollars for Duty program, creates the Florida is for Veterans, Inc., and much more. The Florida GI Bill will make Florida the Top "Welcome Home" state for the military, veterans and their families. Read the full document here.
Additional Topics Include:
- Annual Block Party
- May First Friday
- Tourism Appreciation Month
- Grand Openings & Ground Breakings
- Military Affairs Committee
- Business Referral Network Group Meeting Dates
Much Success,
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff
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Our April Business After Hours will be the Bay County Chamber's 3rd Annual Board of Director's Block Party!
Date: Tuesday, April 29th
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Place: Bay County Chamber of Commerce (235 West 5th Street)
Join us for this pet friendly block party which will include food, live entertainment, games for the kids, and more.
Get your free commemorative t-shirt by donating one or more of the items for the Bay County Humane Society. Items needed are Purina Dog or Puppy Chow, Purina Cat or Kitten Chow, Kitty Clumping Litter, Pine Sol, Peanut Butter, Liquid Laundry Detergent, Tall Kitchen Trash Bags, 33-Gallon Trash Bags, Bathroom and Hand Towels, Large Dog Harnesses, Leashes, Collars, Brown Paper Bags or Plastic Shopping bags and Pill Pockets.
Sponsored by:
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Inktrax
Business After Hours sponsorships are still available for 2014. If you would like this great opportunity to showcase your business, contact Elizabeth at 215.3761.
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Friday, May 2nd
Networking and Coffee: 7:15 a.m.
Program: 8 a.m.
FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)
Program: Tourist Development Council
President and CEO, Dan Rowe
Sponsored by:
Flowers provided by Panama City Florist and Gifts
First Friday sponsorships are still available for 2014.
Contact Elizabeth at 215.3761 for more information.
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The Bay County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with CareerSource Gulf Coast to present the 10th Annual Career Expo Thursday, May 15th.
Employers who have job openings that pay a minimum of $12 per hour/$25,000 per year are invited to be a part of the event.
You must act quickly, as spaces are going fast. Call CareerSource Gulf Coast at 850.872.4340 for more information. Job seekers are invited to join us at the event 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the Panama City Mall. The first hour is for Veterans only!
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Mark your calendar for these exciting events to celebrate Tourism Appreciation Month in May!
7th Annual Jungleball Volleyball Tournament
& Business After Hours
Date Tuesday, May 13th
Time Tournament: 4:30 p.m.
Business After Hours: 5:00 p.m.
Place Beach Behind Boardwalk Beach Resort
Join us for this fun event that involves member businesses competing in a friendly game of volleyball for first, second and third place.
If you don't play, you can cheer on a team while enjoying live music, refreshments, networking and more! Click here for sponsorship information and to play in the tournament.
A Co-sponsorship is available for this event at a great price. Contact Elizabeth at 215.3761 for more information.
Sponsored by:
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Date: Friday, May 30th
Time: Lunch & Registration: 11 a.m.
Shotgun Start: Noon
Place: Hombre Golf Club
Please join us for a relaxing day on the course and an opportunity to network with other Chamber members.
To sponsor the Carts and Scorecards, click here
To sponsor the Gazebo, click here
To sponsor the Hole in One, click here
Thank you to our sponsors!
Beverage cart sponsor:
Eagle sponsor:
Lunch sponsored by:
Finale Enterprises
Driving Range sponsored by:
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The Great Golf Ball Drop will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the 18th Annual Spring Classic Golf Tournament. 250 golf balls will be dropped, and the first one to land in the hole will win $1,000! You do not have to be a golfer or be present to win.
Tickets are 1/$10 or 3/$25. To purchase tickets, call 850.785.5206 or stop by the Chamber office.
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Grand Openings & Ground Breakings
Bay County Gun Range
Near the Steelfield Landfill Off Highway 79
 McDonalds/David Costa Enterprises 1025 W. 23rd St.  Bay Arthritis Institute
2195 Jenks Ave. Ste. C
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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
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Keller Williams Success Realty
Dave and Busters
Nicte Creative Design LLC
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
- Aaron's Sales and Leasing
- Chez Amavida
- ReliantSouth Construction Group
- Sweet Frogs
- Giambra Vending
- Verizon Wireless
3 Years
- BP Claims Group
4 Years
- Doral Bank
- Gangwisch, Grandy and Melzer Family Dentistry
- Home Depot
- Larry Arnold
- Personnel Resources, Inc.
- Southwest Airlines
5 Years
- Panama City Visitor's Map
9 Years
- Preston Executive Partners
10 Years
- CF Sign & Stamp Company
11 Years
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
14 Years
- Angelo's Steak Pit
- Fowhand's Furniture
15 Years
- Preble - Rish Inc.
- Trustmark Bank
17 Years
- Tom Gladstone Homes, LLC
21 Years
- Best Western Suites
32 Years
- Engility Corporation
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Chamber Name tags
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If you've ordered a Chamber name tag, please pick it up at our office at 235 West 5th Street. If you would like to order one, please call 850.785.5206 or visit the name tag table at First Friday. The first one is free, and a replacement is $5.
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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
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Group A
El Jalisco
12:00 p.m.
El Jalisco
12:00 p.m.
April 10th
Ferrucci Ristorante
12:00 p.m.
April 9th
Group D
Sonny's Bar B Q (Hwy 77 location)
12:00 p.m.
April 16th
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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!
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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 FREE publications that lets visitors, newcomers and potential businesses know Bay County is a great place to live, work and play.
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