Policy Advisory Committee 

During a joint meeting with the Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Catalyst Committee, attendees heard from Greg Slater, THEA, and Former Senator Jeff Brandes, Florida Policy Project on traffic signal timing and artificial intelligence. The discussion focused on how AI can be used to shape traffic management, improve efficiency, and help our region address the growing challenges of congestion.

In June, the Policy Advisory Committee convened a special meeting to initiate the first review of the legislative agenda. During this session, members examined the issues within the Business and Economic Development guiding principle and developed recommendations for presentation to the Policy Council. The committee will meet throughout August to complete the initial review phase, with all recommendations expected to be compiled and submitted to the Policy Council by October.

Thought Leadership & Civic Engagement

Tampa Bay Chamber Hosts the Florida League of Mayors 

The Tampa Bay Chamber was proud to host the Florida League of Mayors Regional Roundtable last week. The conversation focused on connecting entrepreneurs, innovation, and City support to drive local economies.
 

Mayor Castor Faces the Business Community

During our Face the Chamber event, Mayor Jane Castor delivered her annual address to the business community and participated in an engaging conversation moderated by Jamison Uhler of WTSP/Channel 10. This event provided valuable insights into the city's ongoing initiatives and future plans, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the business community and local government to drive Tampa Bay forward. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Tampa Electric!

WUSF Public Media coverage during the event.

Protecting a Regional Transit Investment

Speaking on behalf of the Tampa Bay Chamber, Policy Council Co-Chair Lorena Hardwick shared with the HART Board of Directors the importance of a dedicated ferry service between Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. Read More

Tampa Bay's business leaders united to advocate for a transformative regional transit solution: a permanent Cross-Bay Ferry service. In an op-ed, Edwin Narain, Bob Rohrlack, Owen LaFave, and Chris Steinocher—representing the Tampa Bay Chamber and St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce—urge the transfer of a $4.86 million federal grant from Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to fund this initiative. Read More

WTSP/ Channel 10 Tampa Bay coverage of the PSTA meeting and vote.

Chamber Leadership meets with Florida Congressional Delegation

Tampa Bay Chamber Chair Edwin Narain and Chair-Elect Rob Ledford recently met with members of the Florida Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. to advocate for key federal policies impacting the Tampa Bay region’s workforce and military community. Our leaders met with Reps. Kathy Castor, Laurel Lee, Mike Haridopolos, and Greg Steube and the offices of Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Anna Paulina Luna, Aaron Bean, Vern Buchanan, focusing on two major priorities: adjusting Federal Locality Pay for federal employees in Tampa Bay and expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses. Read More

 

During the June Board of Directors meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from Representative Fentrice Driskell who shared her leadership journey as well as a high level overview of what transpired during this year's legislative session.

During the April Board of Directors meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera who shared how the City is investing in stormwater infrastructure and flood mitigation efforts ahead of hurricane season.

  

Workforce Development 

Chamber Hosts AP Career Kickstart Webinar

In June, the Chamber hosted a webinar to discuss the Advanced Placement Career Kickstart: Business Principles/Personal Finance, a groundbreaking new AP course from the College Board in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

Work Redefined

Work Redefined: Managing AI

The Tampa Bay Chamber recently welcomed James Gress from Accenture for an informative discussion about how businesses are adjusting their teams to work with AI technology. Our members learned practical strategies for integrating AI tools while maintaining a skilled workforce ready for tomorrow's challenges. This valuable session demonstrated why staying current with technological trends remains essential for businesses looking to succeed in our changing economy.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, MUFG; platinum sponsors Suncoast Credit Union and Ultimate Medical Academy; and gold sponsors Hillsborough Community College and Shumaker.

Workforce Development Committee

Hosted by Helios Education Foundation, the Chamber's Workforce Development Committee met in June where they presented the Florida's Future Billions report which highlights how expanding access to postsecondary education can drive sustained economic growth.

In partnership with the Collegiate Leadership program, members of the Workforce Development Committee volunteered to work with the students to review their resumes and help them refine their interview skills during the program’s closing session.

  

 

 

 

Collegiate Leadership '26 Class Announced

The Tampa Bay Chamber was pleased to announce the Collegiate Leadership Class of 2026. This cohort is comprised of thirty-one student leaders, proudly representing Saint Leo University, the University of Tampa, and the University of South Florida.

Read more about the 2026 Collegiate Leadership Class here.

 

Collegiate Leadership '25 Impact Report

The 2025 Impact Report for Collegiate Leadership Tampa Bay was released and highlights the achievements of its fifth graduating class. This year’s cohort was comprised of 29 exceptional students from Saint Leo University, the University of South Florida, and the University of Tampa. A special thank you to CL ’25 Chair Yvette Segura and Vice Chair Antoine Richards for their leadership throughout the program. Thank you to the Bellini Foundation and the Riley Education Foundation for their continued support of this program.

The closing session and graduation for the 2025 Collegiate Leadership Class was held on April 4^th. Twenty-nine students from Saint Leo University, the University of Tampa, and the University of South Florida graduated from the program. 

 

Read more about the 2025 Collegiate Leadership Class graduation here.

 

Emerging Leaders Media Spotlight

The Tampa Bay Chamber's Emerging Leaders program, spotlighted in a recent WFLA Daytime interview, continues to empower young professionals aged 21 to 35 through mentorship, networking, and community engagement. In the interview, 2025 Chair Chris Yanes discussed the program's impactful mentor-protégé pairings and its over two-decade legacy of cultivating leadership in the region.

 

Vision Series

Emerging Leaders hosted their Vision Series event focused on bringing together industry leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities we face in shaping the housing landscape in our region. Attendees heard from Thomas Mantz, Feeding Tampa Bay and Jeff McKittrick, City of Tampa. Special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Tomlin St Cyr Real Estate and our venue host, Feeding Tampa Bay.

   

 

Empower Series

Jeff Gigante, Co-Founder of Next Level Brands Hospitality, joined Emerging Leaders for their Empower Series event and shared his journey with Tampa Bay’s future leaders. His insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building strong leadership teams were truly inspiring. Thank you to Union New American for hosting us!

 

 

YP Summer Social with Amplify Clearwater

Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay teamed up with Clearwater Young Professionals for a rooftop social at the Karol Hotel. The night was filled with great conversations and new connections! 

 

 

Leadership Tampa Class of 2025   

Leadership Tampa, the nation’s third-oldest program of its kind, proudly celebrated the graduation of its 54th class on May 21st at The Straz. With 51 accomplished professionals completing the rigorous nine-month journey, the LT Class of 2025 brings the total number of alumni to over 2,600 strong. Thank you to Vistage Florida for sponsoring the LT Graduation and Tampa General Hospital for sponsoring the LTA Reception for LT Graduation.

Read more about the graduating class here.

 

  

 

LTA Behind the Scenes

Leadership Tampa Alumni and guests received a behind-the-scenes look at Moffitt Cancer Center's amazing biotech innovations and their mission to save more lives through faster scientific research. The morning included a great discussion with Jamie Wilson, Vice President of Government Relations, and Dr. Jhanelle Gray, Department Chair of Thoracic Oncology, who explained how Moffitt turns new research into better ways to find, prevent, and treat cancer. This meaningful experience helped attendees better understand how creative healthcare leadership is changing the fight against cancer in our community.

 

 

 

LTA Behind the Scenes

Leadership Tampa Alumni and guests received a behind-the-scenes look at Moffitt Cancer Center's amazing biotech innovations and their mission to save more lives through faster scientific research. The morning included a great discussion with Jamie Wilson, Vice President of Government Relations, and Dr. Jhanelle Gray, Department Chair of Thoracic Oncology, who explained how Moffitt turns new research into better ways to find, prevent, and treat cancer. This meaningful experience helped attendees better understand how creative healthcare leadership is changing the fight against cancer in our community.

 

 

LTA Conversations with Influence

LTA’s Conversations with Influence event delivered an insightful exploration of Tampa Bay's evolving food scene, featuring culinary experts Michael Blasco, Lennise Germany, Helen Freund, and Nicole Kinzel. The panel discussion highlighted how the region's expanding culinary landscape is successfully attracting visitors, businesses, and talent, while prestigious recognitions like Michelin stars are establishing Tampa as a premier dining destination. Attendees enjoyed networking opportunities and a plated lunch while learning how local restaurants are shaping Tampa's identity and driving its transformation into a dynamic, sought-after city. Thank you to our sponsor, Tampa Bay Food Trucks!

NXTPoint Logistics opened a new 194,000 square-foot logistics facility in Tampa. Their goal is to deliver flexible supply chain solutions tailored to solve customers’ real-world business challenges. Their warehouse is ideal for high-touch warehousing, distribution and fulfilment services.

Links Car Wash officially cut the ribbon at their second Tampa Bay location. With exceptional service, cutting-edge facilities, and a customer-first approach, Links Car Wash makes it easier to keep your car looking its best.

SpringHill Suites Tampa Downtown celebrated the grand opening of the newest all-suite hotel in the Tampa Arts District. Featuring a rooftop restaurant, bar and pool the hotel is withing walking distance to the Tampa Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, The Straz Center for the Arts as well as several local museums.

HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital held their groundbreaking ceremony for a new stand-alone 10,000+ square foot, full-service Emergency Room in Carrollwood. This is their second free standing ER and will be completed at the end of 2025 or early 2026.

NUC Florida Technical College celebrated the grand opening of their Tampa Campus, their eighth in Florida. This event marks an important milestone in their ongoing commitment to providing access to education and workforce development across Florida and reflects our dedication to supporting students, strengthening communities, and preparing the next generation of professionals.

Aldi Supermarket opened two of its newest locations at 2001 Suddath Park Street in Tampa and 18407 US Hwy 41 Lutz.  ALDI is a popular German-owned grocery chain that offers exceptional value through its carefully curated selection of high-quality private-label products at unbeatable prices. The store's efficient shopping experience, featuring convenient cart rentals and self-bagging, allows ALDI to deliver incredible savings that help families stretch their grocery budgets further. 

   

Bay Food Brokerage celebrated the grand opening of their new office location and re-brand! They are a retail food brokerage company serving the retail food brokerage needs of perishable and CPG manufacturers. With 30 years in the industry, they’ve built strong, successful relationships with the major retailers and key distributors throughout the Southeast U.S.

Florida Rehabilitation Hospital at Tampa is a 60 Bed inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital that focuses on intensive rehabilitation therapy for patients recovering from serious illness, injury, or surgery.

Hillsborough Community College celebrated the grand opening of their brand new learning lab, known as the Institute of Financial Technology. This is the first Associate of Science in Financial Technology degree in the State of Florida and will prepare students for a career in the growing financial technology industry.

Verdex Construction has quickly become a notable contractor in the State of Florida by building both ground-up and renovation projects ranging from $1 million to $100 million.They offer preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and general contracting services. 

AtWork Tampa East is a staffing & recruiting agency focused on light industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, admin/clerical, and healthcare industries. They work with candidates at all levels, from entry level to management and will assist clients in finding their next job quickly, ensuring weekly pay and a flexible schedule tailored to client needs.

 

Scandinavian Design Furniture distilled the timeless Scandinavian concept of home into a brand based in simplicity and style. Their furniture showcases clean, minimal lines and multi-functional designs that organically fill any space with the feelings of life and warmth.

Lawrence Group is a nationally recognized design firm offering a wide range of services, including architecture, interior design, master planning, landscape architecture, furniture procurement, and graphic design. The firm serves various markets such as healthcare, education, hospitality, retail, and senior living. Known for its visionary approach, Lawrence Group combines creativity with a deep commitment to clients and communities, creating impactful projects across the nation.

 

Charles Perry Partners, Inc. (CPPI) is a professional general contracting, design-build and construction management firm with offices in Orlando, Gainesville, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Palm Beach, and Savannah. Since 1968, the firm has established a tradition of excellence by providing an impressive array of services for our clients. CPPI’s services cover a wide range, including project planning, modeling, budget estimating, cost management, project scheduling and construction. The firm is a leader in sustainability and is dedicated to the communities in which it serves.

 

Trademark Metals Recycling held their Ribbon Cutting on Earth Day at their newest Tampa location on Madison Ave that purchases all types of scrap metal and recycles it.  They also handle the aluminum cans collected through curbside recycling programs. They have multiple locations in Tampa, Hillsborough County and all over Florida and the US.

 

Seacoast Bank celebrated the grand opening of their new regional headquarters location in Midtown Tampa.

 

Versa-Tile & Marble INC celebrated their 5-year Chamber Membership Anniversary. 

 

BCI Integrated Solutions celebrated their one year Chamber anniversary.

E2E Cleaning Services celebrated their one year Chamber anniversary.

Competitive Edge - Malinda Gagnon, CEO of Uprise Partners, shared practical ways for small and mid-sized businesses to prepare for unexpected challenges. Using her extensive experience from working with companies like Google and major corporations, Gagnon taught business owners how to spot risks, protect their operations, and keep running during difficult times. Attendees gained useful tools to safeguard their businesses, protect important information, and use technology to stay strong when facing business disruptions. Thank you to our sponsor, HOCS Consulting!

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Coffee Connection - Professionals from across the Tampa Bay region came together for a dynamic morning of networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing at the Chamber. Attendees gained valuable business insights, exchanged best practices, and left with meaningful new connections—demonstrating the Chamber’s role as a catalyst for relationship-building and regional business growth.

Get Connected - This event brought together diverse business professionals for an afternoon of meaningful relationship building and vibrant conversation. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to expand their professional networks, exchange ideas, and discover potential collaborations as Chamber Members.

Circle of Influence - In April we welcomed Jeff Davis, Park President of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as our featured Circle of Influence speaker. Davis shared his impressive 30-year journey from starting at Sesame Place to now leading one of Tampa Bay’s most popular attractions. He stressed three key priorities in his leadership approach: listening carefully to visitor feedback, supporting his team members’ growth, and advancing important conservation work. Focusing on people – both guests and staff – drives the park’s success. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, USAA.

Michael Stephens, newly appointed CEO of Tampa International Airport, joined us as our featured speaker at the June Circle of Influence event. A consistent theme throughout his remarks: relationships matter — with customers, employees, and government partners alike. He spoke about the airport’s vital role in connecting the region, its ongoing push for innovation and modernization, always optimizing the guest journey, and a bold vision to grow from 20 million to 30 million annual passengers in the next decade.

Tampa Bay @ Sunset - Chamber Members came together for an enjoyable evening of relaxed networking at Rapid7. Their modern, high-energy space was the perfect place to inspire big ideas and meaningful connections.

  

Return on Relationships - Chamber Members filled the room for our interactive Return on Relationships workshop with expert Clint Babcock of Sandler Training Tampa. This session provided attendees with the strategies and techniques needed to successfully navigate meeting with prospective clients.

Member Orientation - We welcomed over 75 new members during our Member Orientation events this quarter, where they were introduced to the full scope of resources, connections, and advocacy efforts available through their membership. These sessions play a vital role in helping members immediately engage, maximize their investment, and contribute to the region’s economic growth.

 

Small Business of the Year

In June we celebrated our Small Business of the Year Award Semi finalists and Outstanding Business Leader of the Year Finalists during the SBOY Semi finalist Luncheon presented by American Momentum Bank and Bay Food Brokerage. This was a great opportunity for us to recognize these incredible businesses and leaders and reflect on the journey each has had to reach this phase of the program.

On July 16, the Semifinalist businesses completed the second phase of the program, a panel interview conducted by SBOY committee member judges. The Finalists were announced on July 21. These outstanding businesses and leaders showcase entrepreneurial excellence and innovation that define Tampa Bay's vibrant business ecosystem. The final phase of the judging process will take place on September 10. Read More

 

Women of Influence Committee  

 

Pearls of Wisdom: Transportation Crossroads - The Tampa Bay Chamber recently hosted a dynamic Pearls of Wisdom event discussing transportation in Tampa Bay. This discussion featured leaders from Tampa's key transit organizations shared their vision for improving the city's growing mobility needs. Kenyetta Bridges of Tampa Downtown Partnership moderated the conversation between Joyce Cotton (Friends of Tampa Union Station), Keisha Pickett Boyd (Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority), Veronica Cintron (Tampa International Airport), and Margaret Kubilins (City of Tampa) as they discussed practical solutions for better connecting our community. Chamber members gained valuable insights into how these organizations are working together to create transportation systems that will support Tampa's economic growth while making the city more accessible for everyone. Thank you to our sponsor, Greenberg Traurig!

Community Outreach Committee   

  

In a partnership between the Tampa Bay Chamber and Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay, members volunteered at Calhoun Head Start, supporting BookWorks' incredible literacy mission! Our members experienced the pure joy of reading to children and distributing books to those who might not have them at home. As a Goodwill Industries-Suncoast program promoting literacy across eight counties and serving over 40,000 children annually, BookWorks demonstrates how sharing stories transforms young lives.

Event Registrations

6,400+	Registrations for events that have occurred to date
7,800+	Registrations for all 2025 events to date, including those occurring in the future

  

45th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards

We’re excited to announce the Semifinalists for our 45th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards! This milestone year celebrates the innovation, resilience, and impact of local businesses across Tampa Bay. Read More

Save the Date: The Small Business of the Year Awards, Co-Presented by TD Bank, will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

 

Glazer Family Small Business Fund: Recipients Announced

On April 28^th, the Glazer Family Foundation announced the second round of business recipients who were selected to receive the $5,000 Small Business Hurricane Relief Grant. Congratulations to: Booze and Bubbles, E2E Cleaning Services, Elevate Smiles Dental, IAT, M&R Café Southern Cuisine, Mona’s Floral Creations, New Life Village, One Day Came, Soul de Cuba Café, and The Playground Pro. Read More

 

Throughout the month of April, we proudly presented the first round of $5,000 relief checks from the Glazer Family Foundation Small Business Fund Hurricane Relief Grant to 10 local businesses: Advanced Auto Air, Bay Bay’s Burgers, Ceiba Ltd Co, Eggs Up Grill, Event Technology Solutions, Home Dental to You, Ice Cold Air, Saturday Morning Shoppe, Seattle Engraving Center, and WR Party Treats and Events. The grants will empower these resilient entrepreneurs to rebuild after last year's devastating hurricanes, accelerating their return to full operational capacity while strengthening our region's economic recovery.

   

   

 

  

  

The Tampa Bay Chamber proudly presented $5,000 relief checks from the second round of the Glazer Family Foundation Small Business Fund Hurricane Relief Grant to ten deserving local businesses: Booze and Bubbles, Cuba de Soul, E2E Cleaning Services, Elevate Smiles Dental, IAT, M&R Café Southern Cuisine, Mona’s Floral Creations, New Life Village, and One Day Came. These grants will empower these resilient entrepreneurs to rebuild after last year's devastating hurricanes, accelerating their return to full operational capacity while strengthening our region's economic recovery.

    

  

 

 

Kourtney Sanchez, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, John Diaz, Ceiba Ltd Co, and Bob Rohrlack, Tampa Bay Chamber appeared on the Morning Blend to share the impact this program has had on the small business recipients. Watch Here

 

Congratulations to this year’s Women of Influence Award recipient, Dotti Groover-Skipper, for being chosen as an inductee to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame for her work leading the fight against human trafficking.

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Denise Rangel has moved into the Membership Retention and Program Manager at the Tampa Bay Chamber and leads our membership retention efforts as well as the Minority Empowerment Program.

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Meaza Morrison, Director of Economic Inclusion at the Tampa Bay Chamber, received the Junior League of Tampa Martha Ferman Spirit Award! This prestigious recognition celebrates her exceptional dedication, selfless service, and remarkable commitment to our community.

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Patie Powers, Director of Membership at the Tampa Bay Chamber, graduated from Leadership Tampa '25. 

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Katie Lopez, Vice President of Advocacy at the Tampa Bay Chamber, was accepted into the Association of Chamber of Commerce's Next Generation Leadership Program's inaugural cohort. This program is designed to cultivate and empower the next generation of chamber of commerce professionals through targeted professional development and robust networking opportunities.

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Tampa Bay Chamber staff participated in the Facilitating with Your DISC Style workshop, hosted by Diversity of Thought, Inc. As Chamber of Commerce professionals, we’re always looking for ways to strengthen our communication, leadership, and facilitation skills to better serve our members and community. This dynamic training helped us understand how to use our individual DISC styles to lead with confidence, connect with diverse audiences, and facilitate with purpose and impact.

The Chamber's leadership team attended the Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Michelle Ciudad Real, Vice President, Member Engagement completed her first year and Avril Stinson, Vice President, Economic Inclusion and Leadership Development completed her third year. Bob Rohrlack, President and CEO, serves on the Southeast Institute's Board of Regents and served as faculty throughout the week and Katie Lopez, IOM, Vice President, Advocacy was selected to serve as a class advisor for the program.

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Francisco Gleim, Director, Leadership Programs and Max Kunkel, Manager, Leadership Programs attended the 2025 Association of Leadership Programs National Conference in Fort Worth, Texas in July. Over three days, they connected with more than 250 leadership professionals and participated in engaging, hands-on workshops. They returned with fresh insights and practical strategies that they’re eager to bring to the Chamber’s leadership programs.

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Michelle Ciudad Real, Vice President, Member Engagement, Katie Lopez, Vice President, Advocacy, and Taisha Edwin-Williams, Sr. Director, Leadership Programs attended the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Annual Convention where they participated in professional development sessions covering timely topics impacting Chambers and the communities they serve.