Posted by: Tampa Bay Chamber on Friday, July 8, 2022

Catalyst

The June 2022 Public Policy Roundtable series featured Florida Department of Transportation Secretary, Jared W. Purdue, PE.

The Chamber’s Policy Council heard an insightful presentation from the region’s hospitals on the Directed Payment Program for Hillsborough County Hospitals

The Chamber held a successful Face the Chamber breakfast featuring Mayor Jane Castor and moderated by Bay News 9’s Holly Gregory.

Ahead of formulating policy positions regarding two important community issues, the Chamber’s Policy Council hosted a robust Q&A with representatives of both the Hillsborough County’s 1% Transportation Sales Surtax and the Hillsborough County Public Schools 1-mill Operating Millage Increase referenda.

The Chamber’s Transportation Council heard an overview of the privately-initiated text amendment request regarding parking in Downtown Tampa presented by MOU partner, Karen Kress, Director of Transportation & Planning at the Downtown Tampa Partnership.

The Chamber participated in a regional business community event featuring Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority (TBARTA).

Policy Advisory Committee hosted Christine Kefauver – SVP of Corporate Development at Brightline.

The Advocacy team at the Chamber held a wide-ranging meeting with Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART)’s leadership.

VP of Advocacy met with the newly appointed Administrator of Development and Economic Opportunity for the City of Tampa.

Led by Hillsborough’s Transportation Planning Organization, the Chamber participated in a stakeholder meeting regarding freight supply chain resiliency.

The Chamber’s Advocacy, Membership, Workforce Development, Military, and Membership departments met with Bay Area Manufacturing Association (BAMA) about collaborative efforts for the manufacturing industry.

Workforce Housing

Met with the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County to discuss workforce housing programs and incentives.

Met with by Neil Gobioff, President of the Gobioff Foundation, to learn more about the Artspace Arts Market Study Report of Findings.

The Workforce Housing Committee met to discuss 2023 legislative agenda items.

Workforce Development Committee

Participated in the Hillsborough Community College Brand Campus President’s Advisory Council.

Hosted the second event in our Work Redefined series focusing on developing inclusive hiring practices. Over 40 Chamber members heard from Nikki Pardo, Founder of Global Alliance Solutions on the business case for DEI and how organizations can apply an equitable lens to recruitment, retention, and the entire employment life cycle of their talent.

Members of the Workforce Development Committee heard from Dr. Byron Clayton at CareerSource Tampa Bay regarding their programs that connect businesses with talent.

Participated in the Tampa Mayor’s Workforce Development- Returning Workers work group.

Inclusive Organization

Military

Over 30 employers joined us for our first Operation Partnership: Employer Roundtable as we discussed how organizations can leverage veteran talent in their company.

Briefed the Tampa ONU Class on how the Tampa Bay Chamber is supporting military families.

Hosted the Transition Tampa Bay: Industry Connect event at KnowBe4 where 8 transitioning service members learned more about career opportunities in Tampa Bay.

Sent letters of support to Senators Rubio and Scott in response to recent legislation that would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses.

Met with Secretary Melanie Griffin to discuss military spouse licensure reciprocity and how we can work together across the state to remove barriers to military spouse employment.

Participated in the MacDill Air Force Base Housing Task Force to address the economic and housing impact on military families in the Tampa Bay community.

Hosted Congresswoman Castor’s office and Farooq Mitha, Director of the DoD Office of Small Business Programs, as they met with local GovCon small businesses to discuss opportunities to contract with the government and areas of improvement that will help diversify the small business GovCon pipeline.

The Military Advisory Committee heard from Ed Turanchik on the status of the ferry project and its impact on military family quality of life.

Transitioning service members participated in Operation Partnership: Transition Tampa Bay, a one-day professional development event that helps service members enter the Tampa Bay business community.

Over 25 Chamber members joined us for a discussion with former SOCOM Contracting Officer Jerry McGhee for the second event in the Business with the Government series. During this unique opportunity, members were able to gain insight and knowledge into contracting with the DoD and how businesses can take advantage of these opportunities to diversify their revenue streams.

Hosted by Raymond James Financial, transitioning service members participating in Transition Tampa Bay: Industry Connect were able to gain an understanding of career opportunities, meet with senior executives, and tour the Raymond James Financial campus.

Minority Business Accelerator

The Minority Business Accelerator Alumni Kick-Off Reception was held June 22. Guests included MBA Alumni prospects, participants, mentors, and sponsors, Minority Empowerment participants and Chamber Board members. Pictures can be viewed here.

Q1 2022 Impact Metrics: Cohorts ’22 and ‘23

New Jobs Created: 82
Vacancies Filled: 99
New Corporate Contracts: 8
Strategic Introductions Made: 20
(Company) Secured Capital: +$2.4M
Gross Sales: +$6.2M

MBA Sessions

April 8 – Joint Cohort Session: ’23: “Doing Business With”
- BayCare
- Hillsborough County Procurement
- Hillsborough County Economic Development
May 13 – Joint Cohort Session: How Leaders Build Successful Company Culture
June 3 - Cohort ’23: Employment Law/Insurance
June 10 - Cohort ’22: Finance & Lending

2022 MEP Program

Inaugural sponsors AT&T, Amgen, Regions, Moffitt, Whiting Turner, and Nielsen, agreed to underwrite the Minority Empowerment Program (MEP) again for 2022. Bank of America joined the list of sponsors and the program welcomed 18 new minority businesses to the Chamber. Members have attended Orientation, a professional development training, and were invited to attend a networking event with the Minority Business Accelerator program. After the successes of 2021, 28% of last year’s MEP members have found value in their Chamber partnership and are continuing their participation in 2022.

MEP Session Held

June 15 – Sales & Marketing: Boosting Sales Leads to Get Results

Collegiate Leadership

Collegiate Leadership is a program for 24 college students from the University of Tampa, St. Leo University, and the University of South Florida. It mirrors the Leadership Tampa program and allows the college students to explore different career paths, understand how Tampa operates, and hopefully it’ll lead to us retaining the amazing talent in Tampa Bay.

Chair, Lindsay Grinstead (LT’18) and Vice-Chair, Rebecca Arends (Emerge)

The 2023 class was selected and announced in Q2.

Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leaders hosted a Vision Series event focusing on the Future of Education in Tampa Bay. Speakers included Superintendent Addison Davis, Hillsborough County Public Schools; Grace Maseda, Helios Education Foundation; and Sara Rubinstein, Carrollwood Day School, and they discussed how mental health, parental involvement, DEI, technology, and teacher retention are top priorities.

Hosted 8 Group Meetings in Q2
Current ELTB membership is 406

Hub For Business

Membership

Businesses continue to value Chamber membership. We welcomed 77 new member companies in the second quarter of 2022. This includes a new Partner member, National University. Membership retention remains strong at 92.7%.

Ambassador Committee

Our Chamber Ambassadors continue to connect with first year members to offer their expertise and help ensure that they are finding ways to make the most of their Chamber membership. “Thank you for Your Membership” gift bags were delivered to members celebrating their One Year and Five-Year Chamber anniversaries. Ambassadors also attended Ribbon Cutting celebrations for nine members who opened their businesses in Tampa Bay.

Business Around the Bay held its first Business Leaders Roundtable in February. 17 top-tier members discussed issues from finding talent, to transportation, return to the workplace among other topics. This bi-monthly, program format is for top-tier leaders to connect, provide insights and exchange ideas as we work to move forward together.

Community Outreach Committee

The Chamber and Emerging Leaders teamed up to work at the Special Olympics Area 5 Summer Games April 9. Over 700 athletes competed in track & field, cycling, bocce, cheerleading, volleyball, soccer, and tennis. Volunteers manned the various sports venues and helped with scoring, timing, and cheering the athletes on as they competed. It was a joyful day for both athletes and volunteers.

Leadership Tampa

Leadership Tampa Class of 2022

Chair, Amanda Uliano (LT’13) and Vice Chair, Mark Colvenbach (LT’12)

The 2022 Leadership Tampa class graduated on June 1.

Leadership Tampa Class of 2023

LT’23 Chair Mark Colvenbach (LT’12), The University of Tampa and LT’23 Vice-Chair Terrie Daniels (LT’20), Cardinal Consulting Group will lead the 2023 Leadership Tampa class.

LT’23 recruitment has concluded, and the selection committee is hard at work selecting the class.

Leadership Tampa Alumni

April 27 – LTA Chair's Choice event. We heard from speaker and author Jennifer Currence (LT'15) on Leading for Impact at WFLA, which included a behind-the-scenes experience and tour.

June 1 – Leadership Tampa Alumni members welcomed LT’22 graduates joining LTA.

June 23 – Connect with Coffee event was a behind-the-scenes experience at the brand new Ferman Center for the Arts at The University of Tampa.

Committee Meetings – 21
Current LTA membership is 525

Insight Tampa Bay

The Insight Tampa Bay program allows CEOs, Presidents, and comparable level executives who have been recently promoted or relocated to the Tampa Bay market to connect, discuss, and explore the issues and concerns that affect business in the Tampa Bay Area. The program is held bi-annually and is by invitation only.

The 2022 Insight Tampa Bay class attended 3 program days in Q2. In April they visited Hillsborough Community College Health Sciences Building at the Dale Mabry Campus for Education, Talent Supply, and the Workforce Day. In May they gathered at the Tampa Bay Chamber for Government and Economic Development Day. And for their final program session they came together at Tampa Theatre for Quality of Life and Places Day and an evening celebration reception.

Events

Hosted attendees at events across Tampa Bay in person and virtually.

Q1 January 1 - March 31: 2,100+
YTD January 1 - March 31: 2,100+

Membership Events

The membership team hosted several events for over 250 members in the second quarter including:

Business Around the Bay
After 5
Coffee Connection
Tamp Bay @ Sunset at Cigar City Brewing
Member Orientation
Get Connected

Past Events

Women of Influence Luncheon

On April 14, our 16th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon was held, featuring Rhonda Kallman, Co-Founder of The Boston Beer Co. & Founder/CEO of Boston Harbor Distillery. More than 500 registered attendees joined the lunchtime celebration at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Tampa General Hospital.

Military Appreciation

On May 4, the Chamber hosted its 23rd annual Military Appreciation event at The Florida Aquarium. Close to 400 military personnel and business professionals came together for a night of fun, networking, and celebration of our active-duty military community here in Tampa Bay. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, USAA.

Circle of Influence

In June, top tier members attended the second Circle of Influence event of the year and heard from featured speaker, Conan Gallaty, Chief Executive Officer and President of Times Publishing Company/Tampa Bay Times. After attendees heard remarks from Mr. Gallaty, a live Q&A session was held.