Catalyst

Policy & Advocacy

Community Investment Tax

Apr. 1 – Continued to push information on the Community Investment Tax (CIT) to our Chamber membership and the public via our social channels and eView. Encouraged membership to sign up to make a public comment to the Hillsborough County Board of Directors urging them to continue to fund education in the CIT.

Apr. 11 – The Policy Advisory Committee and Policy Council held a special joint meeting where attendees heard from Hillsborough County Commissioner Michael Owen on the Community Investment Tax renewal.

The Commissioner stated that he supported CIT and the 15-year renewal proposal. The final approval for the measure to be placed on the November ballot will be on April 17th. This tax is critical as it funds Hillsborough County infrastructure projects, which include capital improvements for schools. Schools will receive 5% of this tax money, representing approximately $187 million.

Between April 17th and August 1st, decisions will be made on which projects the tax will fund, as the measure now requires the disclosure of expenditures for the full 15 years. If voters approve of this tax in November, the funding will begin on January 1, 2027.

Apr. 17 – Just before 11:30am the Hillsborough BOCC voted 5-2 to place on the November ballot ordinance to renew Community Investment Tax at:

• a 15- year term (down from 30 year)
• with 5% of the CIT funds going to education (down from 25%)
• 70% of CIT is the maximum amount that can be bonded (new item added today)

Two Hillsborough County Commissioners voting NO to these terms were: Pat Kemp and Ken Hagan. Five Commissioners voting YES were Michael Owen, Donna Cameron Cepeda, Harry Cohen, Gwendolyn Myers and Joshua Wostal. Details and our Chamber’s position on this vote were shared with Members across media platforms that same day. Click to read.

In all, six Tampa Bay Chamber representatives spoke during Public Commentary on April 17, urging commissioners consider a CIT renewal of no less than a 20-year term and keeping the full 25% of CIT funds going to education.

• Jeff Chernoff – Board Member
• Sarah Combs – Board Member
• Avril Stinson – VP
• Ron Weaver – Chamber Member
• Ed Narain (virtual) – Chair-Elect, BOD
• Bob Rohrlack (virtual) – Pres/CEO

In the audience were Melissa Meshil, HCA Healthcare Government Relations Manager & Chamber Member; Kristin Davis, Spokesperson HCPS; and Lissette Campos, the Chamber’s Senior Director of Strategic Branding, Marketing & Communications.

Community Investment Tax Renewal

Our Chamber continues to take every opportunity to raise community awareness of the Community Investment Tax in advance of the November 5 election. After 30 years in existence, CIT is set to expire in 2026. Since 1996, CIT has helped pay for local infrastructure including for first responders, parks and public schools. The tax paid for by residents and visitors alike has alleviated the pressure to rely on sales and property tax increases in Hillsborough County. Raising awareness of infrastructure and other project needs paid for with CIT funds is an important part of our strategy. We continue to amplify voices and content on CIT that can serve as a resource to voters. Media pitches and marketing to external audiences, as well as an internal communications strategy with our member companies will intensify in the 6 weeks prior to election day.

Community Organizations Active in Disaster

Apr. 2 – Marketing Manager Sam Zang met with the Hillsborough County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) for their monthly meeting over Zoom. COAD is a collaborative partnership between community stakeholders – voluntary, private, and non-profit organizations – that assists in supporting Hillsborough County Emergency Management to provide needed services to community members that arise as the result of a disaster that occurs in the County.

Transportation Council hosts THEA

Apr. 15 – The Chamber’s Transportation Council hosted the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) CEO Greg Slater where he shared his insights on upcoming projects and answered various questions about projects and plans that aim to ease the burden of traffic congestion, utilize space under overpasses, and create a safer environment for pedestrian traffic.

Policy Advisory Committee on County Items

May 2 – The Tampa Bay Chamber Policy Advisory Committee met to discuss the recent decisions made by the Hillsborough BOCC regarding the Community Investment Tax (C.I.T.) specifically regarding public school funding. The BOCC will meet in August to finalize the distribution of funds should the measure be renewed. The committee discussed collaboration with MOU members for “get out the vote” strategies and creation of voting cheat sheet collateral. The Hillsborough County Millage increase proposal was discussed. The Committee proposed a meeting with the Superintendent to do a deep dive on the millage proposal and other ballot initiatives impacting the schools. The committee discussed the likely special session in the FL legislature and increased likelihood that new amendments/issues are added to the November ballot.

Policy Council on State Impacts to Federal Summer EBT Program

May 9 – The Tampa Bay Chamber Policy Council, heard from Sky Beard, Director of No Kid Hungry Florida to discuss the federal summer EBT program that impacts over 2 million Florida children and their families. The State of Florida declined to participate in the program in 2024 despite the opportunity to receive $249 million in federal aid for roughly $9 million in administrative costs for the State. Policy Council Co-Chair Lorena Hardwick and Sky Beard asked that the Chamber advocate for the State to opt-in to this program for 2025. The item to be considered for discussion by the Chamber Board.

Transportation Committee Received Innovation Update from TPA

May 20 – The Tampa Bay Chamber Transportation Committee met at Tampa International Airport. The committee was hosted by Gina Dew, director of government and community relations at the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. The group received an overview of airport operations, along with a progress update and viewing of the construction of the red side express curbs and Airside D shuttle station. The new red side express curbsides, which will improve traffic flow and make dropping off/picking up passengers more efficient when completed. The Airside D shuttle station renovations that will enhance the passenger experience with a modern upgrade.

Face the Chamber

May 21 – Mayor Jane Castor participated in an interview style discussion, addressing the Chamber and the greater business community about important issues facing the city and region. 10 News Tampa Bay Morning Anchor Jamison Uhler moderated, skillfully posing the questions submitted by Chamber members on behalf of the business community.

In her responses, Mayor Castor emphasized Tampa's responsibility to grow thoughtfully and inclusively, highlighting the city's diversity as part of its identity. On transportation, she acknowledged the failed All for Transportation Referendum but outlined initiatives to improve mobility. These include increasing parking signage, promoting the DASH circulator, exploring water transit like a ferry to MacDill Air Force Base, and building more protected bike lanes to encourage e-bike usage. The mayor's goal is to get traffic moving more quickly overall.

She also discussed efforts to address the high cost of living, touting the Live Local Act to provide housing at all levels. She stressed workforce housing and transportation are "interwoven issues", with housing costs outpacing wages. Increasing the supply of housing units is viewed as the best way to improve affordability. The mayor further emphasized education, voicing support for raising teacher wages as "teachers are foundational to the success of the community." Looking ahead, Castor wants the Riverwalk to become a true transportation option and hopes to advance larger projects like Brightline rail.

Public Policy Roundtable: Supporting Families. Building Business

The Tampa Bay Chamber held a Public Policy Roundtable discussion provided an eye-opening look at the urgent childcare issues impacting Florida's workforce and economy. The panel discussion emphasized how family-friendly policies can help fill open job slots, increase talent pools, and facilitate re-education and upskilling of the workforce. The panelists collectively emphasized the high cost of early education exceeding that of higher education in Florida. They urged employers to support working parents, advocate for family policies, and give back to early learning initiatives. The panelists also offered to assist the business community in determining how to leverage the new tax credits. The event showcased the Tampa Bay Chamber's commitment to being a catalyst for solutions on crucial workforce issues impacting the region's growth and prosperity. Our panel included Makayla Buchanan of the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Dr. Frederick Hicks of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, Madeleine Thakur of Children’s Movement of Florida, and State Representative Traci Koster.

Transportation Policy Council Meeting

The Tampa Bay Chamber Transportation Policy Council met with the city’s Mobility Director Vik Bhide who shared plans for the Tampa Streetcar expansion project. The current system has exceeded expectations, prompting plans to extend it along Florida Avenue and Tampa Street. Funding looks promising, with potential for up to 65% federal contribution and $67 million set aside by the state. The city is also considering using part of the Community Investment Tax for local funding. There is also approximately $120 billion appropriated for infrastructure projects through the federal Build America program. The project faces challenges such as upgrading facilities for larger vehicles and maintaining frequent service. A new regional infrastructure accelerator could help leverage additional funding, including TIFIA dollars that count as local match. This expansion aims to reduce congestion, improve connectivity, and support Tampa's urban growth, making it a key part of the city's future transportation strategy. To receive a premium amount of funding, it is critical for the Chamber and the community to continue to advocate for projects like the Tampa Streetcar expansion which needs not only city support, but county and state support as well.

Workforce Development

Workforce Development Meeting

Apr. 2 – The Workforce Development Committee was thrilled to welcome Angela Corbett, TrueCandor Behavioral Health; Cortney Young, Tampa General Hospital; and April Neumann, Ultimate Medical Academy to our April Committee Meeting for an insightful panel discussion on mental health and wellness in the workforce, as well as the challenges and opportunities for employers in the healthcare space since the COVID pandemic. The committee also discussed the ‘Live Healthy’ legislative package, which among other things, increases the number of residencies in the state, as well as establish a teaching hospital designation for facilities to train mental health service providers.

Employee Recruitment & Retention Best Practices

May 7 – The Chamber’s Workforce Development Committee met with Kassidy Johnson, MBA, Senior Corporate Affairs Communications at Amgen, Christopher Townsend, Director of Talent Acquisition at Suncoast Credit Union, and Diana Santangelo, PhD, Director of Community Foundation Tampa Bay, to discuss best practices employers can adopt to attract and retain talent. Kassidy Johnson and Christopher Townsend both discussed employee benefits that their respective organizations offer to recruit and retain talent. The benefits discussed, including hybrid/remote work, paid leave, healthcare options, childcare, and wellness programs, are considered family-friendly policies. Dr. Santangelo discussed the Community Foundation's Thrive by Five program initiative, Family Friendly Tampa Bay, that encourages employers to implement family-friendly policies at their organization and become a certified Family-Friendly Workplace. She shared that a Family-Friendly Workplace is one that has policies providing flexibility and support to employees that balance family, work, and community life.

Dr. Santangelo shared that in a 2020 survey of more than 900 working parents in Florida, paid leave and flexibility were rated among the most desired workplace benefits. Another statistic she shared is that nearly 40% of parents nationwide say they've left a job because it lacked flexibility, and 15% of young parents leave their job because of childcare issues. The flexibility to care for a child is a top priority for parents in the workforce, as 1/3 of them say they need childcare. Eighty percent of U.S. Millennials say they are less likely to leave a job with this type of benefit. Not only is it important for organizations to implement policies that ease the burden of childcare for their employees in order to retain them, but having these family-friendly policies can also positively impact the organization’s bottom line. In Florida, today, there is an annual loss of $5.38 billion due to childcare difficulties faced by employees. Family-friendly policies also help increase the completion of postsecondary education, raise labor force participation, and increase workforce productivity. Through the Family Friendly Tampa Bay program, employers can become a certified "Family Friendly Workplace" and be publicly honored at the annual Family Friendly Awards Banquet as well as receive other exclusive benefits. You can learn more about becoming a certified family-friendly business and apply for recognition here.

In The News

Apr. 16 – Workforce Development Story by 10 News Tampa Bay – interviewed Vice President Avril Stinson, positioning Tampa Bay Chamber as a subject expert on workforce development and workforce trends in the region. See TV story.

2nd Annual AMP Conference

May 7 – The Tampa Bay Chamber partnered with the University of South Florida Muma College of Business for the 2nd Annual AMP Conference (Academia Meets Practice Conference). The event on the campus of the business school gathered influential academic and business leaders to share ideas and solve problems. Chamber President and CEO Bob Rohrlack delivered opening remarks to a crowd of over 200 attendees, followed by Chamber Board member Dr. Sarah Combs of the University Area CDC who delivered the keynote address. Additionally, Olivier Millour, the Chamber’s Vice Chair of the Workforce Development Committee, was among the subject experts during the panel on workforce talent, recruitment, upskilling and retention. Story link: 2024 AMP Conference at University of South Florida: Where Academia Meets Practice - Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce

Workforce Development Committee Vice Chair on local TV

May 31 – The Chamber’s vice chair of the Workforce Development Committee Olivier Millour was interviewed on Fox 13 Tampa Bay. The in-studio interview focused on Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay’s 3DE program for high schools – which partners select schools with local businesses to collaborate on real-world, workforce related projects. Joining Olivier for the interview was 17-year-old Queen Foster, a graduate of Chamberlain High – who explained the apprenticeship project she and 4 students worked on for the City of Tampa.

Inclusive Organization

Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay

Class of 24 Graduation

Congratulations to the Collegiate Leadership Class of 2024. This year's class of 30 scholars was celebrated at the University Club. Students from Saint Leo University, The University of Tampa, and University of South Florida represent the next generation of engaged citizens and community leaders who are poised to make a positive impact on the Tampa Bay region. Over the course of the program, scholars connected with local business leaders, government officials, and nonprofit executives, learning firsthand what makes Tampa Bay a thriving place to live and work.

USF 25 Under 25

University of South Florida College of Business named three of the Chamber’s Collegiate Leadership ’24 scholars among its prestigious award recipients. The 25 Under 25 honorees were announced in April by the business school. Congratulations to Amna Wajahat, Abdul Muqeet Khawaja and Rachel Rodrigues de Oliveira. Click here to read their stories. The 25 Under 25 program recognizes outstanding undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Business who are under age 25 years of age and have demonstrated excellence in at least two of the following four areas: scholarship, professional development, leadership and community/campus service.

Class of 25 Announcement

May 8 – Collegiate Leadership Class of ’25 was announced.

Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay

Vision Series

Apr. 25 – Vision Series marked its 20th Anniversary with an evening of great networking and fellowship aboard the Yacht StarShip. Since 2004, Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay has been positively impacting the Tampa Bay area and now has 450+ members, hosts 62 events a year, serves over 1,000 community service hours every year, and has an exclusive mentorship program that has paired over 1,000 members.

Engage Series

May 9 – Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay hosted its May Engage Series at Top Shelf Sports Lounge. Thank you to Top Shelf Sports Lounge for hosting our May Engage Series at its new Downtown Tampa location. We had 75 young professionals come out to learn more about their Company and network. Top Shelf generously donated a $300 corporate lunch for the raffle prize, which was won by Caleb Easters. Local businesses seeking to partner and host an Engage Series, should contact Taisha Edwin-Williams directly.

Mental Health Awareness Month

Thank you to Rob Ledford with Baker Barrios Architect and Treasurer of our Board of Directors for speaking at our May Hub for Business meeting on Avoiding Burnout. We had over 35 attendees at this event. Guest speakers are an important component of Emerging Leaders’ group meetings. Interested Chamber Members should contact Taisha Edwin-Williams directly, for details on group meetings by Inclusion, Catalyst, or Hub for Business for 2025.

Empower Series

May 31 – THANK YOU sparkles to Misty Akers and Dennis Akers of The Candle Pour for hosting a group of Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay members for a morning Empower Series! Attendees learned about leading teams, specifically, how to create, empower, and enrich them to foster success. Participants also learned how to build a business concept that offers specific services, meaningful to the community and delivers in a memorable way. The Emerge Info Session that same week attracted 21 prospective members, demonstrating increased awareness of this program for young professionals.

Engage @ Sunset

Sold Out! – Emerging Leaders and Chamber Members came together for a unique Engage @ Sunset at Elev8 Fun Tampa. Networking was paired with go-cart racing, putt-putt golf game and more!

Military

Operation Partnership

Apr. 3 – Our Operation Partnership: Recruit & Retain Military Talent welcomed Crystal Lewis of HNTB, Jessica Long of Hiring our Heroes, and Rebecca Mohan-Gonzales of Raymond James Financial, as our panelists for our Operation Partnership session, centered on how and why private sector organizations can recruit military and military spouse talent and increase their retention. Thank you to our sponsor, USAA. Vice President Katie Lopez was interviewed by Bay News 9 for their preview story of Operation Partnership event at Chamber offices. See TV story on Operation Partnership by Spectrum Bay News 9.

Apr. 24 – the Chamber’s Operation Partnership: Transition Tampa Bay event provided support to service members preparing for their transition from active duty to the civilian workforce. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between military service and corporate careers, offering a comprehensive framework to navigate the unique challenges of this transition. A special thanks to our sponsor USAA and its Site Director Keith O’Malley who also served as one of our speakers. Through engaging panels and insightful discussions, attendees gained insights into career exploration, building professional networks, understanding corporate culture, and mastering the hiring process.

During National Military Appreciation Awareness Month, Fox 13 Tampa Bay News Anchor Mark Wilson showed viewers how the Chamber’s Operation Partnership program helps service members transition from military careers to civilian careers, telling the story through the eyes of two veterans: Chamber Member, business owner and longtime retiree from the US Army Corp of Engineers Paul Huszar and recent Army retiree Bill Greer.

U.S. Special Operations Command

Apr. 16 – Community partners were invited to attend a meeting with General Fenton, Commander, SOCOM to discuss supporting service members and veterans during their transition. The discussion focused on what the organizations are doing and how we can strengthen collaboration with the Command to provide comprehensive support during the military transition.

Camaraderie Foundation’s Mentor Leadership Program

Apr. 16 – Celebrated Chamber Member Camaraderie Foundation’s Mentor Leadership Program graduates as they completed a tenth month program that consisted of classroom sessions, mentoring, networking, and community service events.

MacDill Air Force Base Pathways to Success Symposium

Apr. 22 & 23 –Over 300 attendees, including 180 students from 13 schools and youth programs, attended the MAFB’s symposium. The two-day event guided youth and youth influencers along three pathways (college, workforce, and the military). This experience helped youth understand the various professional opportunities when serving in the Air Force.

Our Community Salutes

Apr. 24 – Members of the community joined “Our Community Salutes” to celebrate 115 Hillsborough County high school seniors who have enlisted in the United States Military.

Bosslift Chamber Member highlight

Apr. 26 – Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR) Bosslift Chamber Member highlight – Chamber members John Astrab, Managing Director at BMO and Laura Minichiello, Senior Talent Specialist at Suncoast United Way joined the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve for their annual Bosslift. During this event, local employers were transported by an Army Black Hawk to Camp Blanding to observe Florida National Guard members on duty. Employers were able to participate in chemical weapons response training, weapons training, and meet with senior Florida National Guard leadership.

Lauren Wittenberg Weiner on TEDxEustis

Chamber Board Member Lauren Wittenberg Weiner is taking her company’s story to an even wider audience – the TEDx Talk community! She was one of only 14 Floridians tapped by TEDxEustis for the filming in Eustis, Florida. Her TEDx Talk helps showcase the untapped talent of military spouses.

Military Appreciation

Promotion of the 25^th Annual Military Appreciation showcased Chamber Members who are military veterans or service members engaged in different areas of our Chamber programming. The features stories launched in April, and shared across Chamber media platforms, helped promote the event by focusing on the human capital of our military community. See list below. Promotion also included digital ads in Tampa Bay Times, highway billboards and TV interview on News Channel 8’s Daytime Show.

• Meet Veteran Aaron Santosus in Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay.
• Meet Army Master Sergeant Golan Perry, Raffle Winner in 2023 MA event.
• Meet Marine Veteran Ryan Pusins in Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program.

May 16 – The Tampa Bay Chamber hosted 200+ actively serving military at Armature Works during its 25^thAnnual Military Appreciation. The salute, held each May during National Military Appreciation Month, honored the region’s military community, which is home to service members from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Space Force. For a seventh consecutive year, USAA served as the presenting sponsor and Marcel Blythe, USAA Associate Vice President of Claims Operations, spoke of the company's long-standing commitment to military families in the region and across the nation. Because of the generosity of other local businesses, this year’s raffle – exclusive to service members only – was the biggest one to date. Prizes included airline tickets, autographed sports memorabilia, entrances to local attractions and “staycations” at area hotels and resorts, just to name a few.

2024 Military Appreciation Video Series

For a second year in a row, we produced a series of branded interviews with Chamber Members to coincide with National Military Appreciation Month in May. New this year, we selected military veterans to interview based on their engagement in different areas of Chamber programming.

Part 2: Milton Butler III, Navy Veteran & MEP Entrepreneur

Part 3: Ryan Pusins, Marine Veteran & Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Participant

Media Exposure for Chamber Partner Hiring Our Heroes

May 10 – National Military Spouse Appreciation Day, our Chamber Member & Partner was Featured on Fox 13. Aleksandra Johnston, Deputy Director of Corporate Fellowships of Hiring Our Heroes spotlighted their first fellowship for Military Spouses in 2020 and how it’s grown.

Welcome Bags for Military Families at MacDill Air Force Base

Military Advisory Committee members assembled "Welcome to Military Bay, USA" bags which will be distributed to military families who recently PCS to MacDill Air Force Base this summer. The bags each contain $50 worth of common household items military families have to purchase every time they move. In an effort to help reduce some of the financial stress on military families, these bags will help get families up & going when they arrive. Thank you to Walmart for their generous support that made this initiative possible.

Minority Business Accelerator

Information Session Promotion

May 22 – we previewed the Minority Business Accelerator’s Information Session to recruit Black and Hispanic owned businesses for its 2026 MBA Cohort. In advance of the June 12 Info Session, we published the success story of ’24 Cohort Pezco Aquafarming. The web story debuted on our website, then shared in eView Newsletter and our social media platforms.

MBA In The News

• May 16 – Carl Chaisson of United One Communications
• May 17 – Ashley Butler of Ice Cold Air

MBA’s 2026 Cohort Recruitment

Marketing efforts for the recruitment of MBA’s 2026 Cohort were launched in June and will continue until the September 18 deadline to apply. Among the assets used this year are OutFront Media highway billboards in key business districts in Hillsborough, story pitches to English and Spanish language media outlet and the Info Session at the Tampa headquarters of Suncoast Credit Union. Aspiring participants heard from current and past cohort members.

Business of Pride Awards

Jun. 19 – Ashley Butler, Chair of the Minority Business Accelerator Alumni association was among this year’s honorees for the annual Business of Pride Awards by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. More than half of the honorees are members of the Tampa Bay Chamber. Congratulations to all! Our thanks to TBBJ for amplifying the voices of our member companies across the region!

Juneteenth Washington DC

Jun. 19 – Sherrel Sampson, member of the MBA’s 2024 Cohort, was part of Juneteenth celebrations in Washington D.C. – The inventor and founder of Canviiy was invited by CVS Health for its in-store experiences on celebrations showcasing Black owned businesses they partner with at CVS stores nationwide.

Minority Empowerment Program

2024 Member Updates

Apr. 16 – Minority Empowerment Program 2024 Cohort Member Milton Butler III helped launch our marketing campaign promoting the 25^th Annual Military Appreciation Event by the Chamber. His profile story featured details of his time in the Navy and how the Chamber’s MEP program has helped him advance his career as business owner and founder of Butler & Gary Logistics trucking company.

Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters

May 22 – MEP Entrepreneur Roberto Torres was at the center of the State of Latino Entrepreneurship event, hosted by alumni of the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN). Several Tampa Bay Chamber members, including Torres, have graduated from the prestigious program at Stanford University’s business school, amplifying Hispanic entrepreneurs across the country. The event was held at the Ybor City location of Torres’ Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters. Torres is currently in the 2024 cohort of the Chamber’s Minority Empowerment Program and sponsored by Florida Natural Gas. The event for business owners and community leaders in our region’s growing Hispanic community, shared business research methods and how to apply them. Representing the Chamber was Avril Stinson, Vice President of Economic Inclusion and Leadership Programs.

E2E Cleaning Services

May 15 – Chamber Member and MEP participant Johnny Nunez was recognized by the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida. Nunez, owner of E2E Cleaning Services was named Minority Owned Business of the Year during the SBDC’s annual business awards.

The Almond Group

May 22 – Monica Maybank, Founder & CEO of The Almond Group was featured on the nationally syndicated health & wellness show filmed in Tampa, Bloom TV. Our Chamber Member was interviewed as a subject expert on mental health during the interview coinciding with National Mental Health Awareness Month.

MEP 2024 Session 2

The MEP Session for the 2^nd Quarter focused on Doing Business with Hillsborough County and City of Tampa. Entrepreneurs were provided with resources and information to have success in navigating through the contract process. This session helped attendees to understand how to be competitive and provided strategies to win contracts and meet the needs of our community.

Alumni Update

The USF Office of Supplier Diversity featured MEP Alum DuCon Construction in its recruitment for its next Mentor Protégé Program. The annual program, done in partnership with Skanska USA, is designed to help minority owned businesses become more competitive when bidding for major construction projects at the university and beyond. DuCon was part of the Mentor Protégé Program in 2021.

2024 MEP Entrepreneurs

Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters’ Owner Roberto Torres was interviewed on Fox 13’s popular morning show live-segment “Charley’s World”. TV Personality Charlie Belcher sat down with Torres at his first Blind Tiger location in Ybor City. The former accountant shared the story of why he pivoted from the career that brought him to the U.S. from Panama.

The Almond Group’s Founder / CEO Dr. Monica Maybank was interviewed on Bloom TV. Maybank was interviewed as a subject expert on mental health issues, especially among teenagers, on the nationally syndicated health & wellness show originating out of Tampa Bay.

Women’s Programming

Pearls of Wisdom

May 3 – Pearls of Wisdom event entitled Raising the Game was hosted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at their AdventHealth Training Center and attended by 100+ guests! This program was all about women in professional sports, both as athletes and executives. Our dynamic panel included top female sporting executives: Rafaela Amador Fink of the Tampa Bay Rays, Tara Battiato of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Coach Denise Schilte-Brownof Tampa Bay Sun FC, and Andrea Murphy of the Vinik Sports Group. Our moderator was Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Megan Keplinger.

Combatting Human Trafficking Series

May 29 – Tampa Bay Chamber partnered with the Strategic Alliance to Fight Exploitation in Tampa Bay (SAFE) to host the 3^rd and final session of our series this year Combatting Human Trafficking Series and Training. The session focused on long term after care for survivors, such as access to housing, education, employment opportunities, mental health support, and legal advocacy.

Hub For Business

Membership

In the second quarter, the Chamber welcomed 58 new members.

Ambassador Committee & Ribbon Cuttings

April was a busy month for the Chamber’s Ambassador Committee, with members attending more than half-a dozen Ribbon Cuttings.

Apr. 25 – Family Care Center celebrated their Grand Opening of their first location in Florida. Their new Tampa office provides comprehensive behavioral health services, including counseling, medication management and more.

Apr. 24 – The Peninsula at Rhodine Lake hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the occasion of David Weekley Homes' newest community in Riverview. DWH is one of the largest privately held home builders in America, spanning across 13 states and 19 cities, striving to make a positive impact in the lives of residents in these communities.

ReStore: Habitat For Humanity of Hillsborough opens a New 50,000 sq ft ReStore, selling new and used appliances, furniture, flooring and other household goods and specialty items at discounted prices.

Minority Empowerment Program participant Renee Edwards, owner of the Saturday Shoppes concept in St. Petersburg, recently opened Everyday Shoppes at Brandon Town Center Mall. This is her business' first brick and mortar store stocked with products from more than 44 entrepreneurs & small business owners and another 189+ are on a waiting list.

The Cottages at Cypress Cay offer brand new rental cottages and townhomes, offering an innovative housing concept to Tampa Bay. Beautifully located on property bordered by conservation area, the Cottages at Cypress Cay provides resort style living in unique rental home options.

Hotel Flor celebrated its Grand Opening after extensive renovations as a new member of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. The black-tie themed ribbon cutting marked the first time many residents have been able to enjoy the major revitalization of this 100-year-old building, formerly known as the Floridan.

Fortessa Tableware Solutions celebrated their Grand Opening of their Tampa showroom. Its products are found at fine restaurants and eateries all over the Tampa Bay area. Their products are also used in over 1350 hotel locations in the US and Canada, is sold in 80+ online sites, 6600+ retail stores and 160 countries.

Hudson Manor Assisted Living celebrated their grand opening after extensive restoration and improvements to the 99-year-old former Palmerin Hotel, which is a registered U.S. National Historic Place on Davis Island, since 1989.

Craft Body Scan offers affordable preventive full body scans. With a state-of-the art CT Scanner, they can detect the smallest irregularities months, or even years, before most symptoms. If you are up against silent killers such as heart disease or cancer, early detection increases your chances of survival exponentially.

Life International Academy is dedicated to educating the next generation of global change-makers. Grounded in the principles of Montessori Philosophy, International Education, and sustainable living, the institution offers an innovative, life-based learning experience designed to be directly applicable to real life. Their "Path of Virtue" program focused on ethics, and also nurtures students to become responsible global citizens.

TH Logistics is committed to driving efficiency, reliability, and excellence in logistics. They recently expanded into Plant City, a milestone for the company. With strategic location advantages and cutting-edge technology, their new facility is poised to redefine supply chain solutions for businesses across industries.

Since 2016 Toorak Capital Partners provides capital for residential real estate loans. The Ribbon Cutting celebrated the grand opening of their new headquarters in 1001 Water Street with John Beacham, CEO of Toorak, along with Mayor Castor and Josh Taube of Strategic Property Partners.

Ultimate Marine hosted its ribbon cutting celebration surrounded by its premier boats. The dealership offers a wide range of boats from top brands, serving customers across Central FL.

Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters celebrated its Downtown Tampa location with city leaders, business professionals and Chamber Ambassadors. Started in Ybor City, Blind Tiger is a member of the 2024 Cohort of the Chamber’s Minority Empowerment Program.

City Thrift opened its 5th Florida location here in Tampa! City Thrift’s mission is to meet the needs of thrift families, providing an array of quality, gently used merchandise priced far below retail.

Feeding Tampa Bay celebrated the grand opening of their new space, the Causeway Center. The 215,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility creates a one-stop-shop for access to FTB services, community connection and collaboration.

Community Outreach

Apr. 27 – Our Community Outreach Committee organized and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Tampa, helping families at RMH Charities with various tasks so they can focus on their sick child in the hospital.

May 11 – Twenty Chamber members, Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay and Leadership Tampa Alumni teamed up to remove 103 pounds of trash along the Tampa Riverwalk in Partnership with the Friends of the Riverwalk.

Leadership Tampa

Class of 2024

Apr. 3 – Education Day for LT’24 was held at Ultimate Medical Academy – Tampa Campus. This is the 11^th day of programming for the group as it nears the end of its 9-month leadership development program. In addition, the programming day included visits to Mort Elementary School, University of South Florida’s Research Park, Pepin Academies and Chamberlain High School.

May 15 – Leadership Tampa Alumni welcomed LT’24 into the fold at the Graduation Event held at Oxford Exchange. Thank you for our Sponsors: Oxford Exchange, Take2 Consulting and Vistage.

Leadership Tampa Alumni

Apr. 25 – Conversations with Influence: Driving Social Change and Economic Impact Through Nonprofits was held at the City of Tampa’s new “City Center at Hanna” building. Sponsored by Wharton-Smith, Inc. the insightful session featured panelists Mallory Dimmitt of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, Mindy Murphy of The Spring of Tampa Bay domestic violence center, Celeste Roberts of The Skills Center, and was moderated by JL Bielon of ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Over 50 LTA members and guests were in attendance.

May 24 – Leadership Tampa Alumni members and Chamber paid tribute to retiring UT President Dr. Ronald Vaughn and LTA member Renee Vaughn – a fitting tribute to longtime supporters of Chamber initiatives.

Events

Event Registrations

7,100+	Registrations for Events That Have Occurred to Date
8,200+	Registrations for All 2024 Events

Circle of Influence

Apr. 5 – Circle of Influence featured guest speaker Christina Unkel, President of Tampa’s newest professional women’s soccer team, Tampa Bay Sun FC. Sharing her love of sports, entrepreneurship, and growing up in an immigrant family that constantly told her she could do anything, Unkel captivated the audience without looking down at notes even once. Unkel shared her vision for the professional women’s soccer team she is building here in Tampa Bay! Special thanks to our event’s Presenting Sponsor, BMO!

Return on Relationships

Apr. 11 – Return on Relationships featured led by facilitator Clint Babcock of Sandler Training, equipping attendees with practical strategies to elevate their sales meetings.

Key insights included: pre-call planning is necessary; approach the meeting with a consultant mindset; and position yourself as an equal business peer, not a subordinate salesperson.

Get Connected

Apr. 18 – Get Connected provided members with a valuable opportunity to expand their professional networks and forge new business connections. Forty-four attendees shared their two-minute pitch, exchanged business cards, and learned about potential partnership opportunities across various industries represented at the event.

Competitive Edge

Apr. 23 – Competitive Edge session focused on creating memorable presentations. Delivering the “Competitive Edge: Unlock the Secrets to Crafting High-Impact Presentations” was facilitated by Rick Gallegos of Dale Carnegie Tampa. More than 50 Chamber members registered for the event.

Coffee Connection

May 8 – Hosted by our Chamber Ambassadors, Coffee Connection provides members the opportunity to gain insights from our volunteer Ambassadors and learn from their successes as members. Our 43 attendees left with new connections and opportunities to partner with other Tampa Bay professionals.

Member Orientation

May 14 – The Chamber welcomed 49 new members to attend Member Orientation. This event gives our members the opportunity to meet our team as they present a comprehensive overview of the programs, initiatives, events and leadership opportunities that their membership offers.

Tampa Bay @Sunset

May 23 – Sold Out - Our popular Tampa Bay @ Sunset networking event was hosted at the beautiful Columbia Restaurant Museum in Ybor City, last Thursday. Guests enjoyed complimentary food and drinks while enjoying the historical backdrop of one of Tampa’s most famous restaurants. It was a perfect venue for our professionals from across Tampa Bay to connect with one another.

Upcoming Signature Events

Small Business of the Year Awards

Nov. 1, 2024
6PM – 8:30PM
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay 6PM – 8:30PM

139^th Annual Meeting of the Tampa Bay Chamber

Dec. 6, 2024
11AM – 1:30PM
Tampa Convention Center

Small Business of the Year

Apr. 2 – The final information session for business owners interested in participating in the 2024 SBOY process was held in April. The two virtual sessions, and in-person sessions in morning and afternoon time periods were designed to facilitate participation across all industries.

Circle of Champions

May 8 – At Raymond James Stadium, the Chamber hosted winners of the 2023 Small Business of the Year Awards during the annual Circle of Champions. The evening event gave Chamber Members the opportunity to network with past winners of SBOY and learn about their business developments since winning SBOY. The traditional gathering is also a great way for Chamber Members to learn about what’s impacting local businesses in various sectors and changes/trends in the Tampa Bay region.

Business Continuity: How Resilient Businesses Plan for Hurricane Season

Subject experts from the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County, OUTFRONT Media, Tampa Electric and The University of Tampa outlined proactive steps businesses can take to minimize the impact on their operations, protect assets and ensure the safety of employees. Panelists stressed the need for protocols on everything from communicating with employees before, during and after a storm; to identifying several suppliers you can rely on post-emergency. Cross-training employees to ensure business continuity when other staff members are impacted by storm and unavailable in the aftermath was also part of the discussion. Our thanks to panelists Katie Goodwin of the University of Tampa, Alan Hill of Tampa Electric, and Robert Pierce III of the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County; and moderator Don Kiceina, Jr. of OUTFRONT. The panel coincided with the update to our Chamber’s website, adding Hurricane Season Resources to our Public Health & Safety subpage.

Business Around the Bay

Business Around the Bay, sponsored by BMO, focused on industry trends, opportunities and challenges in the local workforce. The forum with business leaders and by-invitation-only continues to be a valuable platform for local leaders to share insights and collaborate on strategies driving the region’s economy.

Circle of Influence

Circle of Influence, sponsored by PODS, welcomed guest speaker Jason Outman, CEO of the Greater Tampa Realtors association. He spoke about the importance of “participatory leadership” to drive innovation within teams. He also discussed the association’s merger with other realtor groups to become the 3rd largest in Florida with its 25,000 members.

Pearls of Experience

Pearls of Experience was hosted at the iconic Tampa Theatre, first opened in 1926. Guests received a guided tour delving into the rich history and architecture, and its mighty Wurlitzer organ.

After 5

After 5, sponsored by Kraus Marketing, attracted one of the largest After 5 crowds so far this year. The exclusive cocktail reception for top tier members only was hosted at Forbici Modern Italian restaurant in Hyde Park.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Presenting Sponsor of our Circle of Influence Series: ($5,000)

Circle of Influence is an event series offered three times per year exclusively to the Tampa Bay Chamber’s top-tier members: Fit 3, Fit 4, and Partner levels. The program provides them with the opportunity to hear from key influencers in the Tampa Bay region, followed by a live Q&A session. Remarks focuses include sharing leadership journeys, addressing key issues in the Tampa Bay Area, and discussing strategic visions for their organization’s growth and development. Sponsorships are currently available and needed for the October event.

Sponsors for our Competitive Edge Series: ($1,000 level remaining)

The Competitive Edge Series is open to all Chamber members and is our leading educational program designed to enhance business and professional development. These sessions deliver fresh competencies with direct, real-world utility. Attendees can expect to acquire valuable new skills and immediately apply them in their own business endeavors, giving them a competitive edge within the market. Sponsorships are currently available and needed for the November events.

Work Redefined: ($15K, $5K and $2.5K levels)

Investing in a skilled and educated workforce is essential to growing Tampa Bay’s economy. This includes addressing the gaps that exist in workforce development and workforce talent. By advocating for innovative educational initiatives, developing workforce talent, and inspiring meaningful academic and business partnerships your organization will be uniquely positioned to address the workforce needs of our community. Presenting, Investor and Support level sponsorships are available for September and November events.

Small Business of the Year Awards: ($2,750 - $5,500 levels)

For over 40 years, the best-of-the-best small businesses in Tampa Bay have been recognized in front of a 500+ person audience at the Chamber’s most spectacular celebration of the year. More than 400 companies vie annually for the chance to take home the coveted title in 5 categories: Startup, 5–20 employees, 21–50 employees, 51–250 employees, and Outstanding Leader of the Year. 2024 SBOY Awards will be held Friday, November 1, at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Presented by Adcock Financial and Vistra Communications. Gold and Platinum level sponsorships are available.

All Sponsorship Opportunities

Contact Staci Fraser

Organizational Excellence

Celebrating Chamber History with Past Chairs

Our Chamber hosted a special gathering of past chairs of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. President/CEO Dr. Bob Rohrlack and Chair Elect Ed Narain welcomed those in attendance, thanked them for their years of service, and shared the Chamber’s progress – now in year 8 of our 10-year Strategic Vision Plan. Past BOD Chairs in attendance spanned 30 years! They included 1992 Chair James Ferman Jr., President of Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc., 2009 Chair Henry Gonzalez, III, Partner/Founder of SI Private Capital, 2015 Chair Ronald Christaldi, Esq., Managing Partner of Shumaker, 2018 Chair of Steven Bernstein, Esq., Regional Managing Partner of Fisher & Phillips; 2019 Chair Jamie Harden, President/CEO of Creative Sign Designs, 2021 Chair Yvette Segura, President of Yvette Segura Consulting, 2023 Chair Brian Butler, Pres/CEO of Vistra Communication and 2024 Chair-Elect Edwin Narain, Esq., AT&T.