Bay County Chamber of CommerceJanuary 12, 2016
We had a great First Friday event last week. Former Speaker of the House, Allan Bense, was our emcee and President/CEO, Mark Wilson, of the Florida Chamber of Commerce was our featured program speaker. Click here to view a video from the Florida Chamber regarding Small Business Rent Tax.
Speaking of First Friday, sponsorships are now available for both First Friday and Business After Hours. For rates and availability, contact Elizabeth at 850.215.3761.
This Friday is the last day to place an ad in the 2016 "Guide to Discovering Bay County". For more information please contact Brittany at 850.215.3755.
If you would like to view our 2016 Business Plan, which includes our top priorities for the year, please click here. Printed versions are available at our office.

Our Business Referral Network is now known as the Bay Business Connection (BBC). We have also changed the locations of two of the meetings. More information is below on the sidebar.
Additional Topics Include:
  • Bay Biz
  • Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony
  • JLB Silent Auction
  • January Business After Hours 
  • Bay Young Professionals Social
  • February First Friday
  • Tuscany Trip
  • Ribbon Cuttings
  • Military Affairs Committee
  • Bay Business Connection (BBC) Group Meeting Dates

Much Success,

The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff


Save the date for our Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony. For sponsorship information, please click here. For more information, contact Elizabeth at 850.215.3761.

Platinum sponsors:
  Edgewater

  
Gold sponsors:
 
FSU Panama City, WestRock, NAI Talcor, 
Manuel & Thompson, PA, NorthStar Church, 
Barron & Redding, PA, HealthSouth
Gulf Coast State College, SweetBay, and 
Early Education and Care.


Silent Auction Donations

Our silent auction for Junior Leadership Bay will be held at our Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony. Donations help sustain this leadership program for high school juniors. If you are interested in donating an item, please contact Bethany at 850.215.3779.

Thank you to our donors:
 
Walt Disney World
Georgia Aquarium
The Eye Center of North Florida
Vineyard Vines
Fancy Camps
Hard Labor Creek Hunting Plantation
Out of the Box Gifts
That's Too Cute
Planted True
Grease Pro
Capt. Anderson's Restaurant
St. Joe Company 
 

Join us for Business After Hours!

Thursday, January 28th
5-7 p.m.
Dave & Buster's
(Pier Park) 

Sponsored by:
   
 
Save the date for the next BYP Social! 
 
Tuesday, February 2nd
5-7 p.m.
Fishale Taphouse & Grill
7715 Front Beach Road
 
No cost for BYP members; future BYP members $5.  Please RSVP by Monday, February 1st, to Bethany at 850.215.3779.
 
Thank you to our sponsor:
 


Friday, February 5th
Networking and Coffee 7:15 a.m.
Program 8 a.m.
FSU Panama City
(4750 Collegiate Dr.)

Sponsorships available! Contact Elizabeth at 850.215.3761.


Join us on March 15-24th to Discover Tuscany!
 
The rolling hills of Tuscany are home to sprawling vineyards, charming medieval hill towns and enchanting cities steeped in history, culture and legend. 

Discover them for yourself on this relaxing sojourn into the Italian countryside. Visit Rome, Assisi and San Gimignano. Savor a six-night stay in Montecatini Terme, the famous resort and spa town. 

Enjoy free time to explore the cultural treasures of Florence, including Michelangelo's "David." Discover the charming town of Lucca, Italy's best-kept secret. Learn about the heroic deeds of WWII at remains of the Gotic Line and visit the Museum of Liberation. Enjoy fabulous local wines and the region's famous cuisine. This is Tuscany as you always imagined it.

Visit the Academy Gallery and Michelangelo's famous statue of David. Sample delectable wines during an included wine tasting in the heart of the Chianti region. Visit the breathtaking and historic city of San Gimignano. Enjoy a guided tour of historic Assisi and visit the Basilica of St. Francis, a World Heritage site containing famous frescos by world-renowned artists. Enjoy regional wines with every included dinner. Experience the benefits of personal audio headsets, designed for better communication between you and your guides throughout your tour. Enjoy a relaxing 6-night stay in Tuscany, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

For more information, click here or contact Elizabeth at 850.215.3761.
Ribbon Cuttings


BBIA Scholarship Home Ground Breaking
1633 White Western Lake Lane

About MAC
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 Brandi DeRuiter at Brandi@baychamberfl.com or 850.215.3759.
CONNECT
 
CHAMBER CALENDAR
Click here to view upcoming Chamber events.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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 for rates and more information.
  
Did you know as a Chamber member you can post your job openings and available internships for free online? Also, if you have an upcoming
community event, you can also post that for free. Take advantage of the great items our website has to offer! Call 850.785.5206 for more information or click here.
 


 


  


  


  


   


   


   


   


   
  
 
Welcome
New Members

Denise Hallmon Rowan & Associates

Florida Coastal Closing & Escrow

Focus on Behavior

Hutt Insurance Agency (Lynn Haven)

   
Thank you to iHeartMedia for our new member radio spots!
 Thank You Renewing Members  
Member Anniversaries  
1 Year
- Marshall Brothers Industrial, Inc.

2 Years
- Outback Steakhouse

3 Years
- Leitz Music Company FWB
 
4 Years
- Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
 
6 Years
- Mexico Beach Sundance Realty
- Sterling Resorts/Laketown Wharf

 7 Years
- Kenny Strange Electric, Inc.
- Ladybug Embroidery Designs & Gift

10 Years
- HSG Accounting 

12 Years
- NAI Talcor
- Servpro of Bay County
 
14 Years
- The Celebration Place Inc.
 
 17 Years
- Mary Kay Cosmetics

20 Years
- First Communications 
- Royal American Management, Inc.

 22 Years
- Wow! Business
 
23 Years
- The Olive Garden

28 Years
- Coldwell Banker Carroll Realty Inc.
- The Natural Light, Inc.

29 Years
- Nichols & Associates 
 
31 Years
- Lamar Advertising Co.
- Vittles Companies - PoFolks & Triple J 

 65 Years
- H.G. Harders & Son, Inc. 
Thank you to Powell Broadcasting for our renewing member appreciation radio spots!
Member to Member Discounts
The Member to Member Discount is a special discount, pricing structure, service, or product that is extended only to other members of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce.

Your discount will be featured on the Chamber website www.panamacity.org, next to your business listing. If your business would like to participate, please visit this link and complete the form. Call the Chamber Office at 850-785-5206 with any questions.
Need Social Capital?
Bay Business Connection (BBC) provides an opportunity for groups of business professionals to come together to network, share business leads and referrals with other group members.
 
BBC 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 BBC group. BBC 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.
Bay Business Connection Meeting Dates

Fishale Taphouse and Grill
11:30 a.m.
January 19th
 
Ferrucci's Ristorante
11:30 a.m.
January 14th

Sonny's Bar B Q (Hwy 77 location)
11:30 a.m.
January 20th

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 
Your Fellow Members!
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 850.785.5206 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.