Bay County Chamber of Commerce

September 23, 2014

Congratulations to Representative Jimmy Patronis on his appointment to the Public Service Commission by Governor Rick Scott. Patronis was also the keynote speaker at our Industry Appreciation Celebration Awards Breakfast this morning where our award winners were announced. Congratulations to all the winners!

Innovation Award: Applied Research Associates (ARA)
Business Expansion Award: Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center
Entrepreneurship Award: Aaron Rich Marketing & IT Services
Newcomer Award: Florida Architects
Export Excellence Award: Berg Steel Pipe Corporation

Speaking of awards, your Bay County Chamber of Commerce took home three communication awards at our Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP) Annual Conference. These prestigious awards recognize Chamber achievement in communications, marketing, and public relations. Click here to view the projects that won.

We are a week away from the Tourist Development Tax Referendum in Panama City. If you are a registered voter in Panama City, please vote YES on September 30th. To find your polling location, visit BayVotes.org.

Additional Topics Include:

BYP Luncheon
Business After Hours
First Friday
First Responders Appreciation
Color Vibe 5k
Ireland Trip
Ribbon Cuttings
Military Affairs Committee
Business Referral Network Group Meeting Dates

Much Success,

The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff

Upcoming BYP Luncheon

Control Your Money Before it Controls You Luncheon

by Dan Hinz Coaching

Thursday, September 25^th

G. Foley's (3212 West 23rd Street)

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Free for BYP Members, $15 for future Members
RSVP to Kevin at 215.3757 by September 19th.

Sponsored by:

Save the date for the

4th Annual First Responders Appreciation

Thursday, October 23rd
11:30 a.m.

Wyndham Bay Point Resort

Sponsorship Opportunities are available. Click here.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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.

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. Want to learn more about the trip? Join us on Monday, October 6th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Chamber Boardroom. You must RSVP by October 3rd.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Elizabeth at 215.3761.

Ribbon Cuttings

Emerald Coast Insurance
202 Forrest Park Circle

Sonny's BBQ
532 North Tyndall Parkway

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

www.PanamaCity.org

CHAMBER

Click here to view upcoming Chamber events.

COMMUNITY

Click here to view more upcoming community events.

WWW.PANAMACITY.ORG

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

Armed Forces Benefits Network

Boy Scouts of America

Coastal Care Pharmacy

McKenzie Real Estate

Sonny's Real Pit BBQ (Callaway)

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

Thank You Renewing Members

Member Anniversaries

1 Year

- Business Innovation Center
- Guyson Construction
- RSAE, LLC

2 Years

- Elliott Vocal Studios
- Harley Davidson of Panama City Beach
- Homeless and Hunger Coalition of NWFL
- Meadows & Kelley P.A.
- VBA Design, Inc.

3 Years

- Allstate Insurance - Baytown Agency

- Ameris Bank

- Carpe Diem Community Solutions, Inc.

4 Years

- BASIC of NWFL, Inc.
- FL Neuro Pain & Spine Center
- Hare Taylor LLC
- Shalimar Retreat & Athletic Center

6 Years

- Suburban Extended Stay

8 Years

- Tractor & Equipment Co., Inc.

9 Years

- Courtyard by Marriott

12 Years

- Gulf Coast Charity Celebration

13 Years

- First Command Financial Planning

14 Years

- Patriot Flags & Flagpoles

16 Years

- Jensen USA, Inc.

28 Years

- Bay County Board of Commissioners

29 Years

- CareerSource Gulf Coast
- City of Panama City

34 Years

- Bay County Association of REALTORS

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 Social Capital?

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.

October 7th

Group B

El Jalisco

11:30 a.m.

September 25th

Group C

G. Foley's (for the month of September)

11:30 a.m.

September 24th

Group D

Sonny's Bar B Q (Hwy 77 location)

11:30 a.m.

October 1st

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.