Hillsborough Day  

 

Over 100 business and community leaders gathered in Tallahassee on March 26^th to meet with the Tampa Bay region Legislators at the State Capitol and advocate for legislation that impacts insurance and housing affordability. By bringing local business perspectives directly to state policymakers, the Chamber continues to serve as an essential bridge between the business community and legislative decision-makers.  

Tariffs & Your Business: What You Need to Know Webinar

On March 18^th we hosted a webinar featuring Isabelle Icso, Senior Director of International Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where she discussed the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders on tariffs and their impact on small businesses. An exclusive, members-only event, this provided attendees with valuable insights into the broader economic implications of these trade policies as well as guidance on how to navigate moving forward. 

Tampa Bay Business Leaders Urge Transfer of Federal Ferry Grant

A coalition of Tampa Bay business leaders issued a joint statement in strong support of transferring the U.S. Department of Transportation Passenger Ferry Grant from the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). This transfer would enable the purchase of a dedicated passenger ferry, improving regional connectivity and providing a sustainable, long-term transportation solution for the growing Tampa Bay community.

On March 5^th, Tampa Bay Chamber Policy Council Co-Chair, Jeff Chernoff, and Policy Advisory Committee Chair, Mattie Velasco, spoke at the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners meeting in support of this effort.

Legislative Kickoff 

 

Leaders from across the Tampa Bay region shared their priorities for the upcoming 2025 session during the February 25 breakfast event, offering attendees valuable insights into the future direction of our region and state. Representatives from both the Florida Senate and House engaged with Chamber members, discussing critical topics including business development, transportation, and workforce initiatives that will have a long-term impact in the region. The morning provided an excellent opportunity for business leaders to connect directly with lawmakers while learning more about the Chamber's Legislative Agenda and Key Issues. Thank you to St. Joseph's Hospital - BayCare Health System for sponsoring this event.  

Thought Leadership & Civic Engagement   

 

During the February 27 Board of Directors meeting, we had the pleasure of hosting State Senator Jay Collins who outlined his legislative priorities for the upcoming session and emphasized the importance of continued engagement of Chamber Members to ensure business community priorities remain at the forefront of policy discussions.  

Chamber Members also heard from outgoing Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano, retiring after more than 20 years of service, and incoming CEO Michael Stephens, who is currently the airport's Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Both leaders highlighted significant achievements at TPA and discussed ongoing and future projects, including progress updates on the new Airside D terminal construction. 

February 19th - Policy Council Co-Chairs Jeff Chernoff and Lorena Hardwick shared with our members Key Legislative Priorities for the Upcoming Session

January 15th - Chamber Chairman Edwin Narain shared with our members The Power of Advocacy: Why Business Leaders Must Engage

Policy Advisory Committee  

March - The Policy Advisory Committee met with Jeff Chernoff, Policy Council Co-Chair, as he briefed the committee on the Chamber's key priorities for the 2025 State Legislative Session and our strategies to advocate for them. Jeff also offered an analysis of the political landscape heading into the session and included a helpful orientation for new members on the session process and effective ways to track legislation.

February - The PAC hosted an insightful panel discussion focused on regional resilience, recovery, and emergency preparedness strategies. City of St. Petersburg representatives David Thompson and Maeven Rogers provided valuable perspectives on St. Pete’s response to recent hurricane challenges and outlined their legislative priorities for 2025. Hillsborough County experts, Commander K. Moore and Robert Pierce III focused on FEMA's 50% rule, explaining its impact on residents and detailing Hillsborough’s approach to implementation. Through these collaborative discussions, committee members gained valuable insights into how different jurisdictions are working to strengthen our community's resilience against future natural disasters. 

January - This month featured guest speakers Marcia Mejia, District Director for Congresswoman Kathy Castor's Office, and Matthew Blair, Managing Partner at Corcoran Partners. Marcia discussed the local impact of several federal issues, plus updates on state issues our committee is advocating for.  Matt provided insights on what’s expected during the upcoming State Legislative Session as well as an overview of what the budget process may be like. 

 

Benchmarking Dallas  

 

Benchmarking Dallas - January 27 – 29 our Tampa Bay Chamber delegation wrapped up a productive Benchmarking visit, after a three-month delay caused by Hurricane Milton. Our group met with officials at AT&T Stadium, Southwest Airlines Headquarters, and more – learning about their winning strategies in leadership development, about their business operations, the building blocks of their strong workplace cultures, and factors contributing to their continued growth. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor The Beck Group, and our five Program Sponsors: Miller Electric Company , Tampa Electric, Tampa General Hospital, Tampa International Airport, and Verizon. 

Work Redefined: Transforming Talent Assessment with Essential Skills

On March 5^th, the Tampa Bay Chamber's workforce development committee hosted their first event of the year focused on innovative strategies employers can use to create dynamic workforce pathways, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in today’s professional landscape. The expert panel included Felix Pulido - President and CTO of Diversity of Thought, Inc. (DOTI), Matthew Battista - Manager of Employer Development at The University of Tampa, and April Neumann - Executive Vice President, Workforce Transformation of Ultimate Medical Academy.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, MUFG; Platinum Sponsors, Suncoast Credit Union and Ultimate Medical Academy; and Gold Sponsors, Hillsborough Community College and Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.

How Childcare Challenges Impacting Florida's Workforce - Our Chamber supported the efforts of the Florida Chamber Foundation for its February 18 roundtable on childcare challenges impacting the workforce. The Tampa Bay Early Learning Employer Roundtable was held at the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg and provided guests with information on the state’s new Child Care Tax Credit. Professionals in Human Resources professionals, also joined the conversation with business leaders and community partners to discuss innovative practices, and the impact of childcare on employee retention, productivity, and talent acquisition. 

The Workforce Development Committee held an engaging in-person meeting at Junior Achievement, where they focused on planning for their upcoming May "Work Redefined Series" event. During this meeting, committee members brainstormed and collaborated on strategies to make the event a valuable experience for attendees. After the meeting concluded, committee members generously volunteered their time to work directly with students in Junior Achievement's Finance Park. In this hands-on session, they guided students through various financial literacy simulations and exercises, helping them gain practical skills in budgeting, investing, and managing money. It was a rewarding day of collaboration, learning, and community involvement, as members of the committee actively contributed to shaping the future of young learners in their financial education journey. 

 

The Tampa Bay Chamber kicked off the year with a dynamic first Workforce Development Committee meeting, hosting over 30 members from diverse industries at Visit Tampa Bay's offices. Under the leadership of Chair Olivier Millour and Vice Chair Rebecca Siviglia the committee engaged in collaborative discussions focused on securing Tampa Bay's future through workforce growth and sustainability. Chamber Member company, Bendecido Coffee, provided refreshments for guests. 

 

 

March - Chaired by JL Bielon, ZooTampa, and Baillee Schott, Yacht StarShip & Craft, the class began the day bright and early at Stageworks Theatre for an insightful panel on the arts in Tampa, featuring leaders from the Straz Center, Vinik Sports Group, the Tampa Theatre, and Stageworks. Afterwards, the class traveled to Amalie Arena, where they had the opportunity to participate in a discussion on #Champa Bay and the impact of sports on the economy. Moderated by Ernest Hooper, United Way Suncoast, many in the class were able to envision themselves working at organizations like the Tampa Bay Bucs, the Tampa Bay Sun, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, and Vinik Sports Group. Following a self-led tour of the Tampa Bay History Center, the class boarded the Pirate WaterTaxi and enjoyed a discussion of the arts, entertainment, and history in Tampa from the water with Rodney Kite-Powell, Tampa Bay History Center. The class finished the day at ZooTampa, learning about the multitude of career opportunities available, regardless of major.

February - The Collegiate Leadership Class of '25 explored the topics of advocacy and elections during their tour of the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office in February. During the Government Day programming, they explored the machines used in elections, and got an inside look at the warehouse where supplies are stored. Amanda Uliano, the Chair of CL’25 Government Day, provided an insightful overview of government at the federal, state, and local levels, providing scholars with a rare look inside government operations, advocacy, and legal careers. 

Also in February, scholars embarked on their program day centered on Military and First Responders. Chaired by Heather Bragdon, USAF, Chief Ruth Cate, Tampa Police Department, and Major Eric DeFelice, Tampa Police Department, the class go to see first-hand the importance and scope of these vital industries through visits to MacDill Air Force Base and the Tampa Police Training Academy. 

January - Collegiate Leadership Class of 2025 embarked on important program days starting with a focus on Healthcare and Mental Health. Led by Day Chairs Tina James of Florida Blue, and Jasmine Nicholas of St. Anthony’s Hospital, scholars visited the USF Taneja College of Pharmacy and St. Joseph’s Hospital. Among the community leaders and org representatives, scholars heard from Florida Blue, The Crisis Center, BayCare Health Systems and Moffitt Cancer Center. January 31, the program day  was centered on Government, Legal and Real Estate. Led by Day Chairs Amanda Uliano of the Law Office of Amanda M. Uliano, P.A., and Emma Tomlin of Tomlin St Cyr & Associates, scholars visited the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office, the Hillsborough County Courthouse, and Cushman & Wakefield. They heard from a wide variety of speakers including Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer, Mike Moore of the 13^th Judicial Circuit, as well as Mitch Allen from the Tampa Bay EDC, Stacy Miller of BayView Financial Planning, and more!

 2026 Collegiate Leadership Selection Committee began reviewing all the applications for the next CL class and conducting in-person interviews on the campuses of Saint Leo University, The University of Tampa, and University of South Florida.

Thank you to the Bellini Foundation and the Riley Education Foundation for their continued support of this program.

 

 

 

The University of Tampa hosted the ELTB Hub for Business Committee meeting where Bert Seither and Mark Culvenbach facilitated a discussion on workforce development and entrepreneurship. Emerging Leaders gained insider knowledge on UTampa’s cutting-edge approach to preparing students for the workforce, equipping them with real-world skills and game-changing resources as well as a behind the scenes tour of the renowned John P. Lowth Entrepreneurship Center.

Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay and Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay came together for an impactful Engage Series event, fostering connections between young professionals and the next generation of leaders. Hosted and sponsored by The Beck Group, the evening provided a unique opportunity for attendees to expand their networks, exchange insights, and discuss the future of their professional careers.

Emerging Leaders Catalyst Committee focused on Opportunity Zones during its February meeting. With 20+ attendees, committee members shared insightful perspectives on investment incentives, housing affordability, and the future of community development in Tampa Bay. Special thanks to our subject expert, Brian Gaudet, for breaking down the complexities of Opportunity Zones & New Markets Tax Credits and helping Emerge members explore how these policies can better serve our communities.

2025 Mentor-Protégé Program launched on February 25. At the kick-off event, this year’s leadership cabinet revealed the highly anticipated 59 pairings and set the stage for a year of growth, guidance, and game-changing connections. A shoutout to our amazing mentors for investing their time and expertise, and a special thanks to Scott Morrison and The Skills Center for being our venue host sponsor; Jeff Chernoff and IAT for being our program sponsor; Booze and Bubbles for donating their time to facilitate our bar service; and Gaston’s Culinary Services for providing delicious catering. Among the guest speakers was Mallory Kuba, ELTB 2024 Chair for 2024, who shared her perspective as a past protégé and the importance of the program.

Emerging Leaders kicked off the new year with strong engagement across all three committees—Inclusion, Catalyst, and Hub for Business—boasting 85%+ attendance across all committee meetings. The Inclusion Committee focused on identifying nonprofits to support, Catalyst Committee members explored Workforce Housing & the Live Local Act, and the Hub for Business Committee launched a Professional Development Resource Guide featuring recommendations for books, podcasts, networking groups and more.   

The first Engage Series networking event of 2025 was held at the CI Group in downtown Tampa, with an impressive 90% attendance rate. Attendees had the opportunity to explore CI Group’s modern office and showroom, learn about their contributions to the Tampa Bay business community, and connect with fellow young professionals.  

 

 

Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation Receives $1 Million Grant

The Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation announced it has received a $1 million grant through the 2024 TD Ready Challenge, an annual initiative of TD that seeks to support nonprofit organizations developing impactful, measurable solutions for communities within the bank's footprint. This year, the program sought organizations finding innovative solutions that support underserved small business owners in developing, launching, or growing their businesses. 

 

MBA '26 Cohort: Session 1 

MBA ’26 Cohort session on February 21, featured expert Ralph Garcia of RGA Advisory on Strategic Visioning and Planning. The session focused on equipping participants with the tools and frameworks necessary to navigate business challenges effectively. The session emphasized that business success is not defined by the absence of problems, but by the ability to address them strategically. Key topics included identifying the core components of a strategic plan, action steps taking ideation to implementation phase, how to apply structured planning methods, the “Pareto Principle” and the Now-Where-How Analysis, tracking strategy thru a one-page-plan, leveraging brainstorming and mind mapping, and increasing employee fluency in business tools for effective decision-making.

MBA 2026 Cohort Orientation 

On January 17, the MBA Cohort '26 Orientation began with breakfast and networking, followed by welcome remarks from Cohort ’26 Chair Michael Eubanks of the Bank of Tampa and Tampa Bay Chamber President & CEO Dr. Bob Rohrlack. Rosanne Versaggi, Senior Director, Membership, provided an overview of Chamber membership benefits and opportunities to engage outside of the MBA program. Board Chair Edwin Narain discussed advocacy initiatives. Rounding out the session, Board Member Clint Babcock of Sandler, helped cohort participants maximize their experience in the two-year accelerator.  

 

Updates from MBA '24 Cohort 

MBA ’24 Cohort Member and 2025 Chamber Board Member - Sherrel Sampson, received state recognition! The founder of Canviiy was honored as Supplier of the Year (Class I) at the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council's 50th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration! 

Congratulations to Ed Reyes, Esq., of MBA Cohort ’24, created Med Legal Safe Keep, an APP that securely stores medical, financial, and legal information accessible via QR code. The idea stemmed from his father's recent cardiac arrest. Reyes said this emergency highlighted the need for easily accessible medical information. Reyes’ APP can notify emergency contacts and track your location for up to 4 hours during medical emergencies. Here's local news coverage on Bay News 9 and News Channel 8. 

  

 

MEP '25 Cohort 

The Selection Committee of the Minority Empowerment Program processed 20+ applications for the upcoming program year with Black and Hispanic business owners for MEP's '25 Cohort. The selection committee narrowed down the pool of candidates to 14 minority owned companies.  Thank you to our returning sponsors: Amgen, Bush Ross, Fifth Third, Florida Natural Gas, Moffitt Cancer Center, Regions Bank, Tampa Bay Food Trucks, Whiting-Turner.

Minority Empowerment Program & Accelerator Join Forces

For the annual collaboration between MEP Entrepreneurs and MBA Cohorts, Suncoast Credit Union hosted the CEO Experience. The featured guest speakers were Kadian Douglas, Chair of MBA Cohort ’25, Director of Information Security for BCD Travel, cybersecurity expert and Martika Brianne Jones, MEP 2024 Entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of BŪP, shared insights from her company’s experience with A.I. driven sales performance. Guests also gained access to local business leaders they might not have met otherwise. 

 

 

Cambridge Christian School celebrated their recent expansion which includes a new high school building.

Regions Bank recently opened their newly renovated Downtown Tampa office.

Verdex Construction celebrated their move to a new office in Tampa.

Celebree School of South Tampa hosted a groundbreaking for a new preschool in South Tampa opening October 2025.

Karl Davis Consulting celebrated their 1-year Chamber Membership anniversary.

GTE Financial celebrated its new Community Financial Center at 140 South Meridian Avenue in the Channelside District, also marking their 90^th year in the Tampa Bay region. 

Island Fin Poke – South Tampa celebrated with a ribbon cutting at their location on West Kennedy Boulevard.

Links Car Wash celebrated their new location on Busch Blvd in East Hillsborough County – the local business specializes in the acquisition, development, and management of premium express car wash services.

Big Sur Technologies celebrated their 25^th anniversary. The IT services company founded in 1999 provides customized, technological solutions to businesses and nonprofits across various industries.

Joffrey’s Coffee celebrated the groundbreaking of their new corporate headquarters on Princess Palm Avenue in Tampa! A member of the Chamber since 2002, Joffrey’s was the first coffee provider at the Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts in Orlando!

Nothing Bundt Cakes celebrated their newest location on East Fowler Avenue in Temple Terrace. They are famous for their 12 flavors and the four sizes of cakes - "Bundtinis", "Bundlets", plus 8 inch & 10-inch cakes. 

 

Member Spotlight Series

In January, our Chamber entered year three of the Member Spotlight Series sharing the stories of member companies at all levels. 

•  Envision Construction Services - March 21           
• Roger West - March 14     
• Dress For Success Tampa Bay - March 7          
• Next Level Brands Hospitality - February 28 
• BayCare Health System - February 21             
• Forvis Mazars - February 14                            
• Gasparilla Festival of the Arts - February 6           
• Mad Bear Productions – January 31                     
• ProVise Management Group – January 24              
• WEDU Public Broadcasting Station – January 17  

 

Networking Events for Members Chamber-wide

Tampa Bay Chamber Members participated in an exclusive networking reception hosted by the Tampa Bay Lightning before cheering them on against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Chamber Members filled the room for our interactive Networking 101 workshop with expert Clint Babcock of Sandler Training Tampa. Attendees gained valuable strategies for making meaningful business connections at Chamber events and left equipped with practical skills for confident introductions, purposeful conversations, and turning new connections into productive business relationships!

After 5 in February was held at the television studios of WEDU PBS, which serves the entire West Central Florida region. Top Tier Chamber Members enjoyed an evening of meaningful connections and engaging conversations while exploring the fascinating world of public broadcasting. The highlight of the evening was an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the station hosted by WEDU’s President & CEO Paul Grove. Chamber guests got a firsthand look at the PBS station serving our region for more than 65 years. 

 

Coffee Connection on February 12 drew more than 40 attendees for a morning of meaningful networking and relationship building. New members had the opportunity to connect with our dedicated Chamber Ambassadors, who led the event in our Chamber Boardroom, and also learned about the benefits and opportunities available to them through Chamber membership. 

Competitive Edge workshop on February 11 was led by Shay Russell of Northwestern Mutual - Greater Tampa Bay. She delivered valuable insights on people-centered recruitment strategies in today's technology-driven business landscape. Attendees gained practical tools for crafting ideal candidate profiles, implementing value-based recruiting techniques, and optimizing their hiring processes to boost offer acceptance rates. The interactive session equipped business leaders and HR professionals with innovative approaches to attract and retain top talent.  

 

The first Pearls of Experience of 2025, hosted by the Women of Influence Committee, focused on women's heart health. The February 13 event was sponsored by Tampa General Hospital, the event combined education, hands-on learning, and connection, it featured various experts as guest speakers. Dr. Gaelle Laurore-Fray, of Tampa Family Health Centers, shared the latest in lifestyle medicine and preventative care. Courtney Burt, of the American Heart Association, led a powerful conversation on heart disease prevention and response, teaching the group how to properly administer CPR and providing guests with take-home kits. Colleen Reiner, of USF Health, showcased the innovative work being done at the USF Health Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) – our Venue Sponsor & Host.  

 

Tampa Bay's Thriving Trade Network  - February 19, our Chamber proudly served as 1 of only 6 stops in the state for SelectFlorida's ABC's of Exporting Roadshow. Select Florida Vice President Michael Schiffhauer delivered expert guidance on export readiness and international market entry strategies. Local businesses gained invaluable insights into leveraging Tampa Bay’s strategic position as a major international trade hub, learned more about the region’s thriving trade network, and best practices for positioning their businesses for success in foreign markets.  

On January 21 the Chamber hosted its first Member Orientation of 2025. New members learned about all that the Chamber has to offer and the different areas in which members can participate and collaborate. 

Also in January, we hosted the Get Connected networking event. Always a Chamber Member favorite, participants enjoy the facilitated, fast-paced networking event where participants share their two-minute pitch and have the opportunity to hear about the work of every guest in the room.

Women of Influence Committee  

The Women of Influence Committee opened the nomination period for the Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award in January. Closed in February, the committee received nearly a dozen nominations. The honor will go to a local businesswoman whose leadership has made a positive impact on our region and goes above and beyond the normal expectations of a leader. The annual award will be presented March 7 during the Women of Influence Luncheon.

The 19^th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon SOLD out in January! It became official on January 31^st when the last of four sponsorship levels was sold. Presented by Tampa General Hospital, the keynote speaker will be Sarah Thomas, the NFL’s first female official and the first to officiate an NFL Super Bowl.

Community Outreach Committee   

Special Olympics Florida hosted their Area 5 Summer Games and the Tampa Bay Chamber was there to support and cheer on over 1,200 athletes. The competition featured multiple sports including track & field, cheerleading, basketball, soccer, cycling, and tennis.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay presented the Chamber's Community Outreach Committee with the MVP Volunteer of the Month plaque for support given to the Crisis Center's mission over the holiday season. This recognition highlights how the Chamber and its members exemplify the business community's commitment to making a meaningful difference in Tampa Bay through strategic partnerships and dedicated community service.

Chamber Members volunteered at Crisis Center of Tampa Bay on Saturday, January 11. Organized by our organization's Community Outreach Committee, more than 20 Chamber Members participated. Volunteers completed a much needed beautification project at Crisis Center Tampa Bay. Operating 24/7, this essential community resource supports individuals facing sexual assault, domestic violence, financial hardship, substance abuse, medical emergencies, and a mental health crisis 

 

Volunteer Day at Feeding Tampa Bay

Chamber staff members volunteered at the Feeding Tampa Bay warehouse on January 10, where they helped to inspect perishable and non-perishable foods for their expiration date and quality. The goods were then organized and packaged for distribution. 

 

 

 

Leadership Tampa Class of 2025  

 

On March 26-27, the Leadership Tampa Class of 2025 embarked on an exciting two-day retreat to Tallahassee, immersing themselves in the workings of Florida’s state government. The early morning departure at 6:30 a.m. from Tampa set the tone for an action-packed experience. For many in LT’25, this was their first time visiting the state capital, making the retreat even more impactful. The purpose of the trip was to provide a deeper understanding of Florida’s legislative, judicial, and executive branches through direct engagement with key leaders and policymakers. Throughout the retreat, class members expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to see legislation in action. “This was an invaluable experience,” many remarked, highlighting the importance of civic engagement and leadership in shaping the future of Florida.

Over the course of two days, class members gained invaluable insights into the inner workings of state government, witnessing firsthand how decisions are made at the highest levels. The retreat’s itinerary included visits to all three branches:

• Florida Supreme Court – Observing judicial proceedings and understanding the role of the state’s highest court.
• Florida Senate & House of Representatives – Engaging with legislators and learning about the lawmaking process.
• Governor’s Office & Cabinet – Exploring the executive branch’s role in shaping Florida’s policies.

Leadership Tampa continues to foster informed and engaged community leaders, and this trip to Tallahassee reinforced the class’s commitment to understanding and contributing to state government.

Members of Leadership Tampa’s Class of 2025 reached the halfway mark of their program year. Program days included Healthcare Day, Military Day, and Community Outreach Day. Read more about their experiences. 

LT '25 is the first class to create a Challenge Coin for its members. Inspired resilience after the region's three hurricanes in less than three months last year, Chair Kerry O'Reilly helped design the coin's message. It reads "Rising above the storm to shape Tampa's future" on one side and "Strength in Leadership. Power in Community." on the other side. 

 

Leadership Tampa Class of '26

Recruitment is underway for the Leadership Tampa Class of 2026. Applications are online thru May 6. Prospects can learn more about LT in detail by attending any of the remaining information sessions happening in April. 

LT'26 Chair Kari Goetz, Winzig Consulting and Vice Chair Shadel Hamilton, Ultimate Medical Academy were interviewed on WFLA Daytime where they shared more information about the Leadership Tampa program and the application process.

 

  

Spring Fling & LT'26 Recruitment Reception

 

Hosted at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Leadership Tampa Alumni members had the opportunity to re-connect with fellow alumni and share their Leadership Tampa experience with prospective LT'26 class members. The enthusiastic turnout and engaging conversations highlighted the program's continuing impact on our community's professional development.

When the devastating wildfires in California literally “hit home” for a classmate, members of her Leadership Tampa Class of 2005 took action to help her and her family! Twenty years after graduating from LT ’05, their actions are a reminder of the power of belonging. Read full story. 

LTA Annual Meeting – On January 30 LTA presented its 2025 Cabinet and the winner of the Parke Wright III Leadership Award.  Leadership Tampa Alumni members gathered at Hotel Haya to celebrate the accomplishments of 2024 with Chair Wendy Ross as well. The recipient of the Park Wright III Leadership Award was former Chamber Chair (2022) and LT ’10 graduate, Andrew J. Mayts Jr. Thank you to our sponsors Baker Barrios and CI Group. Parke Wright IV is part of the annual award presentation in memory of his father, Parke Wright III. Click here to enjoy video announcing winner.

 

Leadership Tampa Alumni Member Ruth Cate was elected the 2025 President of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association! She is only the second women to hold this position! Cate is currently the City of Tampa’s Deputy Police Chief of Operations, is a 29-year veteran of the police force, and is the highest ranking Asian American officer to serve in TPD’s history.  The LTA member now leads the association of law enforcement officers representing more than 30 agencies across 7 counties of the Tampa Bay region. The LT ’24 grad was sworn in January 9th by fellow LT alum Judge Thomas Palermo, LT 2022! 

 

Event Registrations

3,300+	Registrations for events that have occurred to date
4,100+	Registrations for all 2025 events to date, including those occurring in the future

19th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon & Award Presentation

On March 7^th we proudly presented the 2025 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award to Dotti Groover-Skipper in front of a sold out crowd at the 19^th Annual Women of Influence Luncheon presented by Tampa General Hospital. As the Founder and CEO of HeartDance Foundation, Inc., Dotti is nationally recognized for her advocacy against human trafficking. 

The sold-out event at the J.W. Marriott Tampa Water Street, featured keynote speaker Sarah Thomas, the NFL’s first female official. Speaking to a crowd of 650+ business and community leaders, this trailblazer shared her inspiring story – how the little girl in Pascagoula, Mississippi grew up to take her place on the national stage, changing the game in the world’s quintessential male-dominated sport - football. Drawing thunderous applause from the audience, Thomas encouraged everyone to adopt a mindset where “no barrier or ceiling is shatterproof.”

45th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards

As our Tampa Bay Chamber enters the 45th year of the Small Business of the Year awards program and nomination season, we are sharing inspiring messages we have received from past nominees and winners. The 9-month journey, working with the SBOY Committee members, SBOY judges and mentoring/team building experiences that result from it are among the fruits of this process. Whether you end up with the title of "Small Business of the Year", countless participants say there are no losers in this process. Nominations for Small Business of the Year closed on Friday, March 28^th.

This year’s Small Business of the Year Awards Committee Chair Kristin Johnson and 2024 Outstanding Business Leader Micha Seal spoke about the SBOY nomination season and the application process on the WFLA's DayTime TV show.

Michelle Delker, Founder & CEO of The William Stanley CFO Group shared with our members why she applied for the prestigious award and what it meant to her to participate. 

Tampa Bay Business Journal's BusinessWoman of the Year

Congratulations to the exceptional leaders who have been named as honorees for Tampa Bay Business Journal's BusinessWoman of the Year! Nineteen of the thirty-two honorees are affiliated with member companies of the Tampa Bay Chamber. These outstanding professionals exemplify excellence in leadership, innovation, and community impact.

Synapse Summit

 

Tampa Bay Chamber Members and Staff attended the Synapse Summit, an ultimate celebration of innovation where groundbreaking ideas transform into reality. Our team connected with Florida's brightest minds, explored cutting-edge technologies, and championed the incredible entrepreneurial spirit of our region. From networking with visionary startups to discovering emerging market opportunities, we continued to drive Tampa Bay's innovative future forward!

Tampa Bay Sun Honors 2025 Chair Edwin Narain

 

Our Chamber's Board of Directors Chair Edwin Narain had the honor of serving as the ceremonial Coin Toss Captain at Tampa Bay Sun FC's Black History Month celebration match on February 22. Surrounded by his family and fellow Chamber members, Narain represented the business community at this meaningful sporting event that brought together athletics and cultural recognition. Read full story.  

Tampa Bay Business Journal Power 100 List

The 2025 Chair of our Chamber's Board of Directors Edwin Narain, and Chamber President & CEO Dr. Bob Rohrlack were named among the region’s top 100 most influential leaders by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The annual list also included a significant number of leaders from Chamber Member companies. Congratulations to all! See full list of TBBJ’s Power 100 for 2025.  

Chamber Staff Recognitions 

Director of Advocacy, Nzinga Barnette, was selected to participate in the eleventh cohort of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Business Leads Fellowship Program. The cohort, comprised of only 34 members, trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and trade associations with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.

 

Vice President of Advocacy, Katie Lopez, was honored with the Mighty MilSpouse Award for Tampa, in recognition of her outstanding commitment and service to our Tampa Bay military community as a military spouse. The February honor made her a finalist for the national Mightly MilSpouse of the Year to be announced at the Military Influencer Conference, in Atlanta later this year.

 

On January 20, TOBA hosted its 45th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Breakfast, where its prestigious Ike Tribble Civic Leadership Award was presented to Avril Stinson, Vice President of Economic Inclusion and Leadership Programs, Tampa Bay Chamber. The annual event honors the life and legacy of MLK. It brought together approximately 1,000 attendees, including community and civic leaders, elected officials, government and business leaders, educators, religious leaders, students and youth leaders and grassroots organizations. The annual leadership award presented to a local civic leader holds special meaning to our Chamber. Its namesake, Ike Tribble Jr., was the 1997 Chair of our Board of Directors.

 

The Power of Belonging

In March, the Glazer family, owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced funding to 95 local businesses throughout the Tampa Bay and West Central Florida regions impacted by the most recent hurricane season as part of the Glazer Family Small Business Fund.

Working with Chamber Member companies, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Glazer Family Foundation, our Chamber launched the application portal for the Small Business Fund Hurricane Relief Grants. Since January 10, our Chamber has received 150+ applications. Each of the 8 local chambers administering the submissions will select 10 local businesses in this first round. The fund will provide grants of up to $5,000 to qualifying small businesses affected by Hurricane Milton and located across Tampa Bay and West Central Florida.

As announced at the Tampa Bay Chamber’s 139th Annual Meeting, in December, The Glazer Family Foundation has launched a $1 million Small Business Fund to support local businesses impacted by the hurricane in October. The application period closed on February 2. The Bucs have not yet announced when round 2 of applications will begin. The full amount to be distributed is $1 Million.

Collaborating Chambers are:  

• Tampa Bay Chamber
• South Tampa Chamber
• North Tampa Chamber
• Greater Plant City Chamber
• Amplify Clearwater
• St. Petersburg Area Chamber
• Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce
• Manatee Chamber of Commerce

 

Inaugural Leading Forward Forum  

On January 23 John Spence helped kick off our inaugural Leading Forward Forum, bringing business leaders together to learn about modern leadership. Spence is a top leadership expert and published author. He shared strategies for success in business and community work and helped guests understand how to tackle complex challenges more effectively. The event also featured a panel discussion led by 2025 Chamber Chair Edwin Narain, with local leaders Michael Griffin from Savills, Joanne Sullivan from USF Health and Thomas Mantz from Feeding Tampa Bay. These experts shared real-world insights about leadership. Forum guests gained practical tools to help them adapt, innovate, and make a positive impact in their organizations and communities. A unique aspect of the forum was a behind the scenes tour of Feeding Tampa Bay’s brand-new facility. Thank you to our forum’s inaugural sponsors TD Bank and The Glazer Family Foundation, and our host for this year’s event, Feeding Tampa Bay.