News
Chairman Mort O'Sullivan speaks before Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission
This week, Pensacola Chamber Chairman, Mort O'Sullivan spoke before the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission regarding Constitutional Proposal 45 voicing opposition to this proposal due to its severe impact to the business climate and economic development of our community. Projects for future job creation which depend upon public infrastructure development may be very limited or abandoned altogether under this proposal. This has direct impact to several community projects currently underway within our region. The Florida TBRC is convened every 20 years to examine the state budgetary process, the revenue needs and expenditure processes of the state as well as tax structure. For a copy of the Pensacola Chamber's position statement, please click here to go to the Chamber's website. The Chamber contact is Natalie Prim at 850.438.4088.
The Best Companies Join Chambers of Commerce
The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) recently announced study results confirming the value of Chamber membership stating, "The best places to work tend to belong to their local Chamber of Commerce." The Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's membership is currently 1,476 and many initiatives are in progress now that bring substantive value to our local economy. Your Chamber is working to increase jobs in the Bay area and improve the local economy. With projects like the Business Incubator with Pensacola Junior College, development of a new Technology Campus, a tourism industry driving 3.5 million over night lodgings last year and Strategic Health Intelligence in partnership with surrounding armed service agencies, your Chamber is making strides to make Pensacola a greater place to live, work and play.
The following is an excerpt from a recent press release from the ACCE:
The best places to work tend to belong to their local chamber of commerce, according to a recent study by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). Of Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" in the United States and Canada this year, 94 are members of their local chamber, including all of the top 24.
Separately, ACCE found that in a random sample of 100 companies in the Fortune 1000, at least 75 were members of their local chamber.
"This 'Best Companies to Work For' information is one more indication that the best companies tend to be chamber members," according to ACCE President Mick Fleming. "If a company cares about its employees, there's a good chance it also cares about its community and the chamber is the way that great employers invest in both."
Local chambers of commerce are associations of businesses that come together to improve the local economic climate and help members network and find new business. Strong employers link with and learn from like-minded peer companies through business-led civic organizations – chambers of commerce.
ACCE plans to probe further into which kinds of companies join their local chamber and which ones don't. "We are not surprised that many of the best companies join chambers of commerce," said Mick Fleming. "And, I believe when more people are aware of this, we're going to see still more firms joining their local chamber."
Source: American Chamber of Commerce Executives
Legislative Updates
Guns at Work
This week there were two votes approving the controversial "Guns at Work" bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee and Florida House of Representatives. It appears the bill will proceed to the Florida Senate as early as next week and then go on to Governor Crist. In late 2005, the Chamber's Board of Directors defined this issue as a property rights issue for business owners and determined that property owners should make decisions affecting their property and controlling their work environment including safety in the workplace. Although legislative efforts for the "Guns at Work" issue were defeated in past years, the legislation appears to have momentum this year as it winds its way through the current legislative session. We will keep you informed. For questions, the Chamber contact is Natalie Prim at 850.438.4088.
Transportation
Discussions are being held in the Florida House of Representatives to divert $500 million in State Transportation Trust Fund (STTF) dollars away from transportation projects.
In the Senate, they are considering an additional $500 million for ready-to-go transportation projects, which is good news. Investing in ready-to-go transportation projects will help stimulate our economy in the short term and will lay a foundation for prosperity in the future. The Florida Chamber of Commerce, along with our partners at Floridians for Better Transportation, strongly believes that now more than ever it is crucial that the Legislature invest in transportation. Given the current economic downturn, diverting transportation dollars to purposes other than transportation would be a mistake.
The Florida Chamber will continue to fight to prevent any raid of the State Transportation Trust Fund.
Source: Florida Chamber of Commerce
Education and Talent Development
As we dialogue with area educators and workforce development officials on "needed skills" of our businesses, we would like you to let us know what’s on your minds. All things being equal, what are the top three education, talent development or workforce issues within your organization? For example, is it basic skills, critical thinking, information technology skills--such as specialized certifications or issues such as work ethic and soft skill development. Please email Natalie Prim with your top three comments.
Congratulations to EXPO Booth Winners
Most Creative: Beach Community Bank
Most Informative: Total Employee Leasing
Best Use of Theme: Lanformation
Chamber Banners and Magnets Available
Please contact the Chamber at 850.438.4081 to request a banner for your business that features one of 6 wonderful descriptors of Pensacola: Glorious, Beautiful, Innovative, Spirited, Heroic and Genuine. Our colorful magnets are also available at the Chamber office in limited quantities.
Northwest Florida Venture Forum
Organizers for the NW Florida Venture Forum (AKA: the Pensacola Venture Forum) have announced that the next forum meeting will be held in May 2008.
Interested area entrepreneurs should submit project summaries on or before April 18th to the program committee chaired by Larry Strain, Executive Director of the University of West Florida Small Business Development Center, located at 401 Chase Street, Suite 100, Pensacola, FL, 32501. The forum's new application is available at www.sbdc.uwf.edu and the organizers note that while preference is generally given to existing businesses with significant annual revenue growth potential, outstanding start-up plans are also considered by the committee. The NW Florida Venture Forum provides area entrepreneurs with the opportunity to demonstrate their growth potential to an audience interested in investment opportunities.
FOR ENTREPRENEURS: More information on the application process, contact Strain by phone at 850.473.7830 or email.
FOR INVESTORS: Admission is open to the public with an advance registration and potential investors are encouraged to contact Richard Hawkins for a reservation on the guest list. For general information, contact Hawkins by phone at 850.474.2656 or email.
Live Green Escambia Update
The LeaP Class of 2008 is preparing to distribute over 3,000 free Green Kits to residents of Escambia County. On April 19, the bins will be given out at multiple stations free of charge to any interested Escambia County citizens.
Free Green Kit distribution locations:
Neighborhoods |
Parks |
Location |
Time |
North Hill |
Alabama |
Gonzalez & |
10am - 1pm |
Dunmire Woods |
Dunmire |
Northbrook & |
10am - 1pm |
East Hill -Earth Day- |
Bayview |
20th Avenue |
10am - 3pm |
Pineglades |
Pineglades |
Euclid St. |
10am - 1pm |
Belmont DeVilliers |
Wyer Park |
Belmont & |
10am - 1pm |
The LeaP Class extends a special thank you to its generous project sponsors: Cox Communications, Cox Conserves, Pen Air Federal Credit Union, Gulf Power, Cat Country 98.7, Baskerville-Donovan, Morette Company and Lamar Advertising.
There are many simple things that you can do to help make Escambia County Greener. Visit LiveGreenEscambia.com to learn more.
For your free Green Kit, please email the following information:
First Name
Last Name
Address
City
Zip Code
Phone Number
to: LiveGreenEscambia@gmail.com.
Chamber Events
Chamber Series ~ April 3
"You Started a Business. Now What?"
April's Chamber Series program features Leslie Yandle of Yandle and Associates. Her presentation is an entrepreneurial program designed for business owners who are evolving from business start up to business growth. The event will be at the Chamber of Commerce located at 117 W. Garden Street in downtown Pensacola beginning at 11:30 a.m. and concluding at 1 p.m.
Most people starting their business are risk-taking, passionate, visionary, highly energetic and able to excite others. They may revel in overcoming the challenges and barriers to experience the birth of a new and successful endeavor. Building a sustainable business capable of continued growth requires additional skills, disciplines and organization. This program is designed for those entrepreneurs and business owners who are ready to transition to the next level of business growth. Attendees will also receive a self administered assessment to identify and prioritize the next steps for improving profitability and productivity. All seminars take place at the Chamber and are sponsored by Spherion.
The cost to attend Chamber Series Seminars is $10 for Chamber Members and includes lunch. Please RSVP to Azalea Webb or call 850.438.4081. Space is limited. [RSVP]
Chamber Series sponsored by:
If you are interested in being an educational speaker at a Chamber Series Event, please send your bio and topic information to Nicole Webb. (You must be a Chamber Member.)
Chamber Night with the Ice Pilots
Join the Pensacola Chamber at the Pensacola Ice Pilots game on April 5 at 7:05 p.m. Call Craig Cooper with the Pensacola Ice Pilots at 850.432.7825 to purchase your tickets, at a special price for Chamber members and their families, for $5 each. When ordering your tickets, tell Craig your business name and you will also receive an announcement and matrix board display during the game.
Gopher Club ~ April 8
The April Gopher Club Breakfast will be held on the 8th at 7 a.m. at the Pensacola Civic Center. Crystal Spencer, Charter Review Commission Chair, will discuss the Charter Review Commission. Her speaking points will include the State of the City of Pensacola when the Charter was created in 1931, historical aspects of the city, origination of the idea to review the Charter, future of the Charter, looking ahead to what the CRC hopes to achieve, how often the charter will be reviewed and call to action.
Tickets are $12 for Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce members and $22 for non-members. For more information please call 850.438.4081. RSVP's are due by Friday April 4.
Chamber Golf Tournament ~ April 10
The Chamber Golf Tournament Presented by Landrum Companies is April 10 at Tiger Point Country Club. Registration and practice begins at 10:30 a.m. and lunch is at 11:30 a.m. There will be a shot gun start at 1 p.m. Teams and sponsorships are still available. Please download the Chamber Golf Tournament brochure to register.
Gold Sponsor: Baptist Health Care
Silver Sponsor: Highpointe Corporation
Hole-in-One Sponsor: Sandy Sansing
Beverage Cart Sponsor: Pen Air Federal Credit Union
Putting Sponsor: Edible Arrangements
Closest to the Pin (tee) Sponsor: Corporate Knowledge, LLC
Sponsorships are available.
For more information call Nicole Webb. [EMAIL]
Small Business Week: April 21-25, 2008
Small Businesses are the heart of the American and our local economy! Every year the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates our local small businesses for their entrepreneurial spirit, contributions to our community and positive impact on our overall quality of life through Small Business Week. This year we are celebrating in conjunction with the National Small Business Week and are pleased to bring an exciting week of events to our members.
The Chamber is looking for volunteers to speak and mentor high school youth at the "Inspiring the Next Generation" program on Friday April 25. The event focuses on retaining talent in the area and fostering entrepreneurship. Please call Summer Burdick at 850.438.4081 to volunteer at this event.
Visit our website for detailed Small Business Week event information.
Small Business of the Year Luncheon: April 22
The 2008 Small Business of the Year Luncheon is presented by Total Employee Leasing. This is a premier event for Small Businesses in the Pensacola Area. The highlight of this event is the Chamber's Small Business of the Year award. The Small Business of the Year distinction is based on financial success, community involvement and ethical business practices.
The event is hosted this year by Angus Seafood- Meats- Spirits located at 1101 Scenic Hwy. beginning at 11:30 a.m. and concluding at 1 p.m. The cost is $25 for members RSVP to Azalea Webb. [RSVP]
Presented by Total Employee Leasing
For more information about Small Business Week, please visit our Small Business Week website.
Deluxe Tour of China Pre-Tour Meeting
Our next meeting to discuss the fall trip to China will be Monday, April 28, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pensacola Chamber. This will give interested individuals (members and non-members) the opportunity to hear details of the trip and to ask questions. The University of West Florida is also showing an excellent power point presentation showing the tourist spots we will be visiting like Tian an Men Square and The Great Wall. Please join us and tell your friends and family. Everyone is welcome. The Chamber contact is Natalie Prim. Please call her directly at 850.438.4088, or visit the Chamber's website for the Tour of China.
Member News
Congratulations to Coastal Moving and Storage, April's Small Business of the Month!
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Cat Country Personalities Nominated by Academy of County Music
CatCountry 98.7 radio personalities Brent Lane and Dana Cervantes have been nominated as Academy of Country Music (ACM) Radio Personalities of the Year.
The award will be presented in Las Vegas during the ACM Awards show on CBS Television in a ceremony hosted by Reba McEntire on May 18, 2008.
"We are so humbled to receive this nomination for doing something we love in a community we love," says Brent Lane. Known for their community service and military support, Dana spent Thanksgiving with locally-trained Navy and Marine Troops in Iraq and Kuwait.
Brent Lane and Dana Cervantes have been part of the Cat Pak Morning Show at CatCountry 98.7 for two years. They can be heard live every weekday morning from 5 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Cat Country 98.7. Brent and Dana are among only 4 other finalists in the country.
OSHA Basics for Business
On Monday, April 14, the University of West Florida is presenting OSHA Basics for Business. Join us for this presentation of UWF's School of Allied Health and Life Sciences. The event will take place at Sacred Heart Hospital in Suite 255 of the Payne Building in the Medical Mall in Pensacola. The program begins at 11 a.m. and concludes at 12 noon. Bring your lunch. The course if free and soda, water and cookies will be provided.
Learn how to develop an Injury and Illness Prevention Plan for your workplace, including Commitment to Health and Safety, The Hazard Assessment, Safe Work Practices, Workplace Inspections, Employee Hazard Reports, Investigating Injuries and Illnesses and Safety Meetings.
To register, visit: uwf.edu/sahls/workshops
United Security Alliance
Twenty three years ago, United Security Alliance (USA) had a vision that the philosophy of honesty, hard work and a positive mental attitude would serve as the "building blocks" of a foundation for a solid future. It was that foundation in 1985 on which United Security Alliance, Inc. was built.
Over the last 23 years, USA has become an industry leader in the emerging technology of closed circuit television security surveillance systems. Now that the industry is converging with IP based systems, the company offers integrated solutions that include card access, intrusion detection, mobile video surveillance and GPS systems for vehicle and mobile asset tracking.
As an industry leader, USA has strived to be pro-active to stay ahead of the curve with the latest changes in technology. Establishing strong strategic partnerships with the leading manufacturers in the CCTV and security industry has the company staying on the cutting edge of technology.
Visit USA online at www.usacctv.com or call 866.620.0505.