Bay County Chamber of CommerceJuly 29, 2014
eBIZ newsletter


On September 30, 2014, the citizens of Panama City will be given a chance to " VOTE YES" for the Panama City Tourist Development Tax.  This "user fee" tax will only be paid by those that rent motel or hotel rooms, apartment units, condominiums or houses for less than six months.  


 This tax is currently collected in Panama City Beach and Mexico Beach to promote their areas.  The funds generated by this tax will give our community the needed revenue to promote itself and draw more visitors to the area to support the Panama City business community.  


 

We encourage you to help us inform your employees, friends and family to vote YES on September 30th and help us shed a new light on the community we all call home.  For more information click here or call Theresa at 850.215.3759.


 

 

  

Additional Topics Include:

  • Leadership Bay Applications for the 2014-2015 Class
  • August First Friday
  • Industry Appreciation Celebration
  • First Responders Appreciation
  • Color Vibe 5k
  • Ireland Trip 
  • Grand Opening
  • Military Affairs Committee
  • Business Referral Network Group Meeting Dates

Much Success,


The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff

Now Accepting Applications for
2014-2015 Leadership Bay Class
    
The Leadership Bay Steering Committee under the chairmanship of Petie Bailey with Gulf Power, is accepting applications for the Leadership Bay 2014-2015 class. 

 

The mission of the program is to cultivate a broadened network of well-informed leaders whose strengthened commitment to community involvement will affect positive change in Bay County.

 

Leadership Bay was founded in 1983 and is a community leadership development program of the Bay County Chamber Foundation, in conjunction with Gulf Coast  State College.  Based on the premise that people are our most important resource, the purpose of the program is to offer potential leaders a curriculum in community leadership training. 

 

Leadership Bay sessions begin in October, with a mandatory overnight kick-off retreat October 3rd-4th at Tyndall Air Force Base.  The selected class will participate in full day sessions held every other Wednesday beginning in October and graduating in May.  Participants are responsible for producing a project of benefit to the Chamber and/or the community outside of the regular curriculum hours.     


The deadline for applications is Friday, August 1st at 4 p.m.  Applications and information are available by clicking here. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin at 215.3757.


  
Friday, August 1st
FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center (4750 Collegiate Drive)
Networking and Coffee: 7:15 a.m.
Program: 8 a.m.  
Panama City Tourist Development Tax 


 
 
Sponsored by: 

Emcee:


Andrew Levy
 
Coffee Sponsored by:
 
Industry Appreciation Celebration
 
   

The Bay County Chamber of Commerce celebrates local industry contributions through the prestigious Industry Appreciation Awards.  Industry Appreciation is held in September to increase awareness of the industries that boost Bay County's economy and improve our quality of life.  The Chamber is recognizing local companies that have made a significant contribution to our local economy through expansion, export excellence, innovation, newcomer, and entrepreneurship. To apply for one of these awards, click here. For more information on any of these events, contact Elizabeth at 215.3761 or Elizabeth@baychamberfl.com.

 

Mark Your Calendar for these events:

 

Industry Appreciation First Friday

Friday, September 5th

FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center

Sponsored by: The Clemons Company


 

 Industry Appreciation Skeet and Trap Tournament

Friday, September 19th

Tyndall Air Force Base

Corporate Sponsorships Available
Click here for more information

  

Industry Appreciation Celebration Awards Breakfast

Tuesday, September 23rd

FSU Panama City Holley Academic Center

Click here for more information

 

Want to sponsor all the events for the month? 

Click here for presenting sponsor information.


Save the date for the 4th Annual First Responders Appreciation 

Thursday, October 23rd 

Wyndham Bay Point Resort

Sponsorship Opportunities are available. For more information, or to serve on the task force,please contact Elizabeth at 215-3761.

Color Vibe 5K 

The Color Vibe 5k will be held on November 15th at the former Panama City - Bay County International Airport site. If you are one of the first 500 to register, you will receive $5 off your registration fee by using the coupon code "PANAMACITY5". Click here for early registration. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Bay County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation. Become the official "Race Place to Stay". Click here for more information.

Take a Trip to Ireland
 
 

The Bay County Chamber is teaming up with Collette Vacations to offer our members a 10 day trip to Ireland starting March 10, 2015. During your 10 day trip you will experience Mass at the Marian Shrine of Knock, enjoy a guided tour of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, spend two nights in the charming waterside village of Kinsale, renowned as Ireland's "gourmet capital" and much, much more. The cost of $2,699 for the trip includes airfare out of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, all accommodations and 12 meals.

 

Join us for lunch on August 12th in the Chamber Boardroom (235 West 5th Street) from 12-1 p.m. to learn more about how you can spend your next vacation in Ireland! There is no cost to attend, but you must reserve your spot by August 6th by calling 850.785.5206 or emailing Elizabeth.   Space is limited to the first 25 people who reserve their seats. Still want to learn more but can not make the lunch? Contact Elizabeth to set up an appointment to learn more.

Grand Opening
 

All Clear Hearing Center
2949 Hwy. 77 

  

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 Theresa@baychamberfl.com or 850.215.3759.

 
CONNECT
 
CHAMBER 
Click here to view upcoming Chamber events. 
COMMUNITY
Click here to view more upcoming community events.
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON THE CHAMBER WEBSITE
for a great way to get in front of your target market! Email Brittany@baychamberfl.com
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!
 
  
  
  
 
Welcome
New Members

 

GTS Entertainment

Dana Morris, Attorney at Law  

Thank you to Clear Channel Radio for our new member radio spots!

 Thank You Renewing Members  

Member Anniversaries  
 1 Year
- PM Cat
- RX Express Pharmacy of Panama City  

 

2 Years

- Treatment Center of Panama City

 

4 Years 

- Mathison Retirement Center
- Pirates Island Adventure Golf
- The Shrimp Boat   

 

5 Years 

- Georgia Tech Research Institute   

  

7 Years

- Area Glass   

 

9 Years 

- Kelley, Kronenberg, Gilmartin & Wander
- Michels and Michels Marketing Group 

- Pineapple Willy's 
- Register's Enterprises 

 

10 Years 

- Dale Carnegie Training
- First Choice Physical Therapy  

 

11 Years 

- Girls Inc. of Bay County
- Gulf Coast Triathlon Foundation
- Ideal Dentistry
- Lawnscapes, Inc.
- Panama City Surgery Center
- Select Specialty Hospital Panama City
- Staats, White & Grabner  

 

14 Years 

- BB&T

 15 Years

- Southerland Family Funeral Homes
 

16 Years 

- Second Chance of Northwest Florida   

18 Years 

- HealthSouth
- PMI Employee Leasing
- Rubber & Specialties, Inc.    


20 Years

- SWS Environmental Services
 

26 Years 

- Junior League of Panama City   

 

28 Years 

- Florida Offshore, Inc.
- St. Andrews Bay Nursing and

  Rehabilitation Center  


Chamber Name Tags 
If you've ordered a Chamber name tag, please pick it up at our office at 235 West 5th Street or at any First Friday event. 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.

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 at no extra charge.
 
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.) 
 
Interested in joining? Contact Tamara at 215.3791 or Tamara@baychamberfl.com for availability.
Business Referral Network Groups Meeting Dates

Group A
El Jalisco
11:30 a.m.
August 5th
Group B
El Jalisco
11:30 a.m.
August 14th
Group C
Ferrucci Ristorante
11:30 a.m.
August 13th
Group D
Sonny's Bar B Q (Hwy 77 location)
11:30 a.m.
August 6th

If you are interested in joining a BRN group, contact  Tamara@baychamberfl.com
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. 

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 FREE publications that lets visitors, newcomers and potential businesses know Bay County is a great place to live, work and play.