Catalyst
Advocacy
The Chamber’s 2023 legislative agenda, titled Key Issues has been unanimously adopted.
The Chamber’s Policy Council looks forward to continuing to partner with Tampa Bay’s newly-elected legislative delegation – Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas
The Chamber’s Transportation Council received an update on Hillsborough County’s Health Impact Assessment of 2045 LRTP Complete Street Projects project from Transportation Planning Organization staff.
Workforce Development
The Workforce Development Committee hosted their final meeting of the year and heard from Olivier Millour about the Junior Achievement 3DE initiative.
Over 30 members attended the Work Redefined: Leveraging Apprenticeships event which focused on how companies can develop apprenticeship programs within their organizations to build diverse talent pipelines.
Workforce Housing
Members of the Workforce Housing Committee met with their counterparts at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce to discuss their efforts to address workforce housing and learn best practices that can be implemented in the Tampa Bay community.
The Workforce Housing Committee met with Lorena McDowell and Mark Perlman of Wake County Government to discuss their community workforce housing fund that allows them to provide financial incentives to developers.
Inclusive Organization
Military
Presented at the Florida Defense Alliance Semi-Annual meeting on the work we are doing in Tampa Bay to support military spouse employment and how that impacts a community’s ability to recruit and retain missions.
Members of the Military Advisory Committee meeting heard from Simon Bollin, Hillsborough County Government and Dr. Bill Erysian, Fresno State University about the Agricultural Development for Armed Forces Pre-Deployment Training (ADAPT).
Operation Partnership
Over 75 members attended the Operation Partnership: Tampa Bay @ Sunset at the Victory Ship which brings together members of the business community, transitioning service members, and military spouses for professional networking.
Transition Tampa Bay
Accenture hosted the final Transition Tampa Bay: Industry Connect event of the year which provided 10 service members and spouses with an exclusive opportunity to meet senior leadership, learn about the company’s culture, and explore various career opportunities.
State of The Base
Over 75 members attended the State of the Base event and heard from Colonel Adam Bingham, 6th ARW Commander about the economic impact of MacDill Air Force Base and how the business community can support defense growth in our region.
Minority Business Accelerator
The Tampa Bay Business Journal highlighted the Chamber's Minority Empowerment Program which is beginning its third year. Led by Avril Stinson, Senior Director, Minority Business Accelerator & Economic Inclusion, the Chamber will continue to build on the program's success which is leading the charge to empower these minority-owned businesses in the region.
The participants of the Minority Business Accelerator’s active cohorts have made great strides during their time in the program. Over the last year alone, they have reported a combined:
- $19 million+ in Gross Sales
- 193 New Jobs Created
- 249 Vacancies Filled
- 81 New Corporate Contracts
- $4.2M in Secured New Capital
- $300k in New Assets Acquired
- 41+ Strategic Introductions Made
*All metrics are self-reported. We are eagerly awaiting the Q3 and Q4 updated numbers.
Emerging Leaders
- Hosted 4 Group Meetings in Q4
- Current ELTB membership is 504
The Emerging Leaders Leadership Team is currently recruiting new members, ages 21-35, to get involved in 2023.
10th Annual Emerging Leaders Nonprofit Fair
On October 25, the Nonprofit Fair gave young professionals the opportunity to connect with 30 local nonprofits that are looking for volunteers and committee/board positions.
Emerging Leaders Annual Meeting
Held Dec. 6, the Emerging Leaders Annual Meeting was an evening of celebration, as we recognized the work that Emerge is doing to prepare the next generation of Tampa Bay business leaders. The 2023 leadership team was announced along with the 2022 Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award winner, Wyatt Krapf with Berkadia.
Collegiate Leadership
- Chair, Lindsay Grinstead (LT’18) and Vice-Chair, Rebecca Arends (Emerge)
The 2023 class of Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay had three program days in the fourth quarter.
Hub for Business
Membership
The Chamber welcomed 40 new member companies, including a new Partner, Phoenix Portfolio Partners. Membership retention continues to reflect the value our members place in with 91.1% of our members renewing year to date. We strive to reflect the community we support, and 26.4% of the total Chamber membership identifies as a business that is Black owned, Hispanic owned, Veteran owned, Women owned, or any combination of those classifications.
Committees
Ambassador Committee
Chamber Ambassadors connected 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 celebrated Ribbon Cutting celebrations with 11 members all around Tampa Bay.
Community Outreach Committee
In October, 23 volunteers teamed up with volunteers from Hancock Whitney and the City of Tampa to transform a once barren area to a fun-filled playground for the Williams Park community.
In December, Chamber volunteers helped Feeding Tamp Bay in their warehouse preparing food for local families in need.
Business Around the Bay
This program was held in October for top-tier leaders and Board members to connect and led by Carlos Echeverry of BMO Harris to exchange insights and ideas as we work to move forward together.
After 5
Trenam Law hosted an evening networking event exclusively for our top tier members in October.
Member Orientation
65 new members participated in Member Orientation in either October or November. Attending this event is an important step for new members to learn how to make the most of their Chamber membership. With time to network and meet Chamber staff and other members
Get Connected
A diverse mix of member companies and businesses participated in our very popular facilitated networking event.
Coffee Connection
Ambassadors hosted our morning networking event at the Chamber in November for 44 members.
Leadership Tampa
Class of 2023
- Class of 23 Chair, Mark Colvenbach (LT’12) and Vice Chair, Terrie Daniel (LT’20)
- LT’23 class had 5 program days
- Donated food items to Feeding Tampa Bay. Our drive collected 371 pounds which provides 309 meals to our neighbors.
Leadership Tampa Alumni
- Committee Meetings - 21
- Current LTA membership is 553
It's 2023 LTA Membership renewal time! Take advantage of Early Bird discounted pricing and enjoy a savings of more than 15% when you join before Dec. 31, 2022.
LTA Holiday Party
The LTA Holiday Party was held Dec. 15 at the Straz Performing Arts Center’s outdoor terrace. It provided an opportunity to network with classmates and other alumni. (Hub for Business)
Events
Event Attendance
- Q4: 3,200+
- YTD: 11,400+
21st Annual Benchmarking Visit
Oct. 23 - 25, over 80 of Tampa Bay's business leaders went on the Tampa Bay Chamber's 21st Annual Benchmarking Trip to Raleigh, Durham, & Chapel Hill, NC, an area fondly known as the Research Triangle. The group focused on innovation, higher education, advocacy, workforce development and workforce housing, ultimately bringing back best practices and innovative ideas to implement here in Tampa Bay. Thank you to all of our Benchmarking event sponsors for helping to make this an incredible trip: PNC Bank, Baker Barrios Architects, Inc. DPR Construction, Ellison Construction, SHUMAKER, Tampa Electric, and Tampa General Hospital
42nd Annual Small Business of the Year Awards
After a postponement due to Hurricane Ian, on Nov. 9 the Chamber hosted its annual Small Business of the Year Awards with a sell-out crowd of 400 at Armature Works. The evening was a celebration of small business in Tampa Bay, honoring the event finalists and announcing the winners in 5 categories: Startup, 5-20 Employees, 21-50 Employees, 51-250 Employees, and Outstanding Leader. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsors, Adcock Financial and Vistra Communications.
137th Annual Meeting
On Dec. 1, the Tampa Bay Chamber held its 137th Annual Meeting at the Tampa Convention Center. Attendees came together to celebrate the Chamber's 2022 achievements. 2022 Chamber Chair, Andy Mayts, SHUMAKER, passed the gavel to 2023 Chair Brian Butler, Vistra Communications. The Chamber also announced that they received re-accreditation through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a 5-Star Accredited Chamber for another 5 years. The Chamber collected toys at the event, teaming with Metropolitan Ministries to help bring gifts to the Holiday Tent, which serves more than 26,500 children in the Tampa Bay area. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, TECO.
Upcoming 2023 Signature Events
17th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon featuring Dr. Shirley Davis
Friday, March 24, 2023
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Hilton Tampa Downtown
Registration will open soon.
24th Annual Military Appreciation
Thursday, May 4, 2023
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The Florida Aquarium
Registration will open in February.
A grand salute to Tampa Bay’s armed forces, this event is the Chamber’s opportunity to recognize the contributions of active-duty military personnel stationed with MacDill Air Force Base and the US Coast Guard. Annually more than 400 guests join in honoring those who are actively serving our country at home and abroad.