Bay County Chamber of CommerceMarch 22, 2016
A big shout out goes to Rep. Jay Trumbull for bringing Bay County more than $1.5 million for three local water projects and nearly $1 million for Haney Technical Center's Licensed Practical Nursing Center renovation. Governor Rick Scott has indicated that he plans to sign the 2016-2017 budget passed by the Legislature with the Bay County projects included.

The Military Affairs Committee held its 70th Anniversary Celebration on March 17th. Fifteen past MAC Chairs were in attendance at the event and participated in the ceremonial cutting of the cake. Watch for your next issue of Bay Biz for a complete article.

Triumph Gulf Coast held its Board meeting in Panama City also on March 17th under the Chairmanship of Allan Bense. Triumph is a nonprofit corporation organized to oversee 75 percent of all funds recovered by the Florida attorney general for economic damages to the state that resulted from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill intended to be distributed to the eight disproportionally counties affected by the spill. Those counties include Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin and Wakulla. For more information on Triumph, click here.

Our Bed Races and Block Party is next Thursday! If your company wants to enter a bed, the deadline is this Friday, March 25th. More details are below.
Additional Topics Include:
  • Bed Races and Block Party
  • Bay Young Professionals Social 
  • April First Friday
  • CareerSource Job Fair
  • Tourism Appreciation Month
  • Ribbon Cuttings
  • Military Affairs Committee
  • Bay Business Connection (BBC) Group Meeting Dates

Much Success,

The Bay County Chamber of Commerce Staff

    

Get Ready... Set... GO!!!!!!

2nd Annual Bed Races and 
6th Annual Board of Directors Block Party

Thursday, March 31st
5-7 p.m.
Bay County Chamber of Commerce
(235 West 5th Street) 

Join us for this fun event which includes food, beverage, live entertainment, and of course, bed races! Bring diapers and wipes for the Junior League of Panama City and receive a commemorative Block Party t-shirt provided by InkTrax! This event is open to the whole community. Please invite your family and friends.

Entertainment provided by:


Bed registrations are now available! Click here or contact Elizabeth at 850.215.3761.
 

Save the Date for the Next BYP Social

Monday, March 28th
5:30-7 p.m.
G. Foley's
(3212 West 23rd Street) 

No cost for BYP members or guests. Please RSVP by Friday, March 25th, to Bethany at 850.215.3779.

Sponsored by:
g foleys


Friday, April 1st
Networking and Coffee 7:15 a.m.
Program 8 a.m.
FSU Panama City
(4750 Collegiate Dr.)

Program:
Sponsored by:


Sponsorships for June and August available! Contact Elizabeth at 850.215.3761.
 

Join Us for the Best Hiring Event of the Year!

Area employers are now registering for the 12th Annual Career Expo, an event we sponsor in partnership with CareerSource Gulf Coast and the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce. This year's event promises to be better than ever, with a new location at the Holley Academic Center on the campus of FSU Panama City, where career-ready college students may more easily attend.

The event is 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 13th, with the first hour set aside for our veterans. Registration is now open for employers who have positions paying a minimum of $12-$14 hourly.

Booth fee is $50, payable to CareerSource Gulf Coast. The deadline is April 1st, but don't wait! This is one of the biggest and best hiring events of the year, and booths go fast. Click here for registration form. Questions? Email Kathy Motley at CareerSource Gulf Coast MotleyK@careersourcegc.com or contact her by phone at 850.872.4340, ext. 128.


 
Mark your calendar for these fun events!
May 6th
First Friday
Bay County Tourist Development Council, Dan Rowe
 
May 20th
Spring Classic Golf Tournament
Bay Point Resort Golf Club 
Click here for sponsorships!
Sponsored by:
    
 
Date: TBD
Business After Hours & Volleyball Tournament
Click here for sponsorships
Ribbon Cuttings

 
Denise H. Rowan & Associates
1002 West 23rd Street
Suite 330


Florida Coastal Closing & Escrow
1002 West 23rd Street
Suite 330


Watson Landings
1654 East 5th Street 

Happy 70th Birthday, MAC!

Past Chairs of MAC at the 70th Anniversary Party  

The Military Affairs Committee was formed during the March 15, 1946, Chamber Board meeting.  This committee was formed to better understand and serve the needs of NSA and TAFB as they were selected as permanent installation sites after World War II.  Seventy years of continuous hospitality and strategic efforts has made the Bay County Chamber's MAC one of the largest and well known in the country.

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

Dunkin Donuts (4 Locations)

Bay Guns & Gear

PTL Cleaning Services

BW Daly Contracting LLC

Treasure Island Bingo

Shipt

Tudor's Biscuit World

Flux Labs

Grass Roots Lawn Care

   
Thank you to iHeartMedia for our new member radio spots!
 Thank You Renewing Members  
Member Anniversaries  
1 Year
- Grimail Crawford, Inc.
- Smartbank
- The Gayle & Brian Foundation
4 Years
- General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)

5 Years
- Graybar Electric
- Michael Reiter, Attorney at Law
 
7 Years
- Dunkin Donuts
 
8 Years
- The Retreat at PCB

 9 Years
- Roussos Air Conditioning 

10 Years
- Mexico Beach Community Development 

12 Years
- Party America
- Paul Harris Insurance, Inc.
 
14 Years
- Cox Pools 
 
 16 Years
- Panama City Urological Center
 
18 Years
- Emerald Shores Health & Rehabilitation

19 Years
- Florida Linen

21 Years
- Adecco Employment
 
32 Years
- Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort

 36 Years
- American Cancer Society

42 Years
- Don Hood Insurance
 
65 Years
- People First Insurance Services
- The News Herald

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.
April 5th
 
Ferrucci's Ristorante
11:30 a.m.
March 24th

Sonny's Bar B Q (Hwy 77 location)
11:30 a.m.
April 6th

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.