Policy & Advocacy

During our Legislative Wrap Up event, presented by TECO, we brought together lawmakers from across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties to break down what happened during this year's legislative session and what it means for Tampa Bay. From major legislative developments to upcoming priorities, our attendees got the inside scoop on how recent legislation impacts our region. Thank you to the members of our legislative delegation who were able to join us: Florida Representatives Adam Anderson (57), Fentrice Driskell (67), Michele Rayner-Goolsby (62), Berny Jacques (59), Karen Gonzalez Pittman (65), and Susan Valdes (64).

Congresswoman Kathy Castor opened the Chamber's Public Policy Roundtable by setting the stage with a federal policy update for attendees. The event featured a panel of experts including a small business owner, a real estate development expert, and an economic consultant who discussed how current federal tariffs are shaping business operations and regional housing affordability. The session quickly sold out, underscoring strong interest among local stakeholders in understanding emerging policy impacts. 

The Chamber's Public Policy Roundtables are proudly presented by St. Joseph's Hospital - BayCare Health System.

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Suzy Lopez, State Attorney, 13^th Judicial Circuit joined the August Tampa Bay Chamber Board of Directors meeting to share an update on how her office is working with local law enforcement to help create a safer community for all.

In partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CLA, we hosted a webinar educating members on the tax implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law earlier this year. The session focused on what these changes mean and what opportunities and risks they present, encouraging attendees to adapt their planning strategies now to take meaningful action before year end.

The Policy Advisory Committee conducted weekly virtual meetings throughout August to complete an initial review of the Chamber's legislative agenda. During these sessions, members discussed key priorities, updates, and proposed changes in preparation for the upcoming legislative session. The committee also received presentations from representatives of the Military Advisory Committee and Workforce Development Committee, who shared their committees' insights and expertise regarding their respective guiding principles within the agenda.

In support of Congresswoman Lee’s H.R. 2784 Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act, the Tampa Bay Chamber’s guest column was published in the Tampa Bay Times.

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Workforce Development 

During the August Workforce Development Committee meeting, members reviewed the Workforce Development and Education guiding principle outlined in the Chamber's legislative agenda. The committee conducted a thorough discussion of each issue and developed specific recommendations for consideration by the Policy Advisory Committee.

Military 

During the August Military Advisory Committee meeting, members heard from Bobby Farnand, MacDill Housing Advocate. He provided the MAC with an update on on-base housing and shared their recovery efforts post-storms. 

In partnership with the South Tampa Chamber and the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance, our application for the 2024 Abilene Trophy was submitted. The Abilene Trophy is an award presented annually by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce to the Air Mobility Command community that proves to be the most supportive of their local military installation. The winner will be announced in November at the ATA Convention in Nashville, TN.

Hosted by the University of South Florida, the Tampa Bay Chamber participated in a regional roundtable discussion with Christopher Covalt, International and Interagency Director for the Maritime Industrial Base to demonstrate the area’s capability and capacity to meet new naval shipbuilding demands.

During the September Military Advisory Committee meeting members heard from Valerie Lavin with the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance regarding their efforts to create a central repository of all organizations in the region that provide resources for military members and veterans. Staff from James A. Haley VA also announced that Tampa will be home to the 2026 Golden Age Games – a weeklong series of events that underscore the preventive and therapeutic value of sports medicine for older Veterans who receive health care at VA facilities.

On August 13th, the Collegiate Leadership Class of 2026 officially kicked off, with the 32 participants given the opportunity to meet each other, the Chairs, and Chamber staff, and hear from two alumni of the program ahead of their Opening Session at the Tampa Bay Chamber on September 19th.

On Friday, September 19th, the Tampa Bay Chamber welcomed the 32 members of the 2026 Collegiate Leadership Class for their Opening Session. This inspiring day helped set the tone for the year ahead, and they heard from incredible Tampa leaders including Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Kari Goetz, Ernest Hooper and Rebecca Cain, and more! The students also connected with their young professional mentors from Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay.

Applications for the 2027 Collegiate Leadership class are open for undergraduate students at Saint Leo University, University of South Florida, and University of Tampa. Modeled after our Leadership Tampa program, Collegiate Leadership is an academic-year-long program that gives students the opportunity to explore career paths in the nonprofit, private, public, and philanthropic sectors through immersive program days. Interested students are encouraged to submit an application by November 10th.

Collegiate Leadership Application

Hosted by Northwestern Mutual, the August Engage @ Sunset brought together Chamber members and Emerging Leaders to network, learn, and engage with Tampa Bay's rising business leaders and hear from representatives of one of the region's most respected financial partners.

Nominations for the Deanne Dewey Roberts Award were closed on August 14^th. A tradition dating back more than a decade, the Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award has recognized young professionals whose leadership has made a positive impact on Tampa Bay. The honor is awarded by the Tampa Bay Chamber's Emerging Leaders program for young professionals 21 - 35 years old, a special honor established in memory of Deanne Dewey Roberts, the extraordinary business leader, graduate of Leadership Tampa, and Chamber member who helped create Emerge in 2004. Join us on December 9^th at the Emerging Leaders Annual Meeting to see who was selected as this year’s recipient.

The Young Professional Summit at the Tampa Convention Center brought together young leaders from across the area for a great day of networking, collaboration, and learning. The event showed how working together across the region can make a real difference as Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay and AMPLIFY Clearwater Young Professionals teamed up to connect rising business and community leaders throughout Tampa Bay.

Thank you to our sponsors, Baker Barrios Architects, Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, Philadelphia Phillies & Clearwater Threshers, and Tampa Convention Center!

The Tampa Bay Chamber proudly announced its 55th class of Leadership Tampa (LT). As one of the nation's earliest leadership initiatives, Leadership Tampa has celebrated over five decades of excellence, cultivating influential leadership and building community. The class will be led by Chair Kari Goetz, a graduate of LT 2018, and Vice Chair Shadel Hamilton, a graduate of LT 2019.

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Leadership Tampa Class of 2026 officially kicked off their journey! Class members had the chance to meet each other for the very first time, building connections that will carry them through the year ahead. Thanks to Union New American part of the Next Level Brands Hospitality for hosting!

LT’26 Opening Retreat as another memorable year for Leadership Tampa. Thank you to Board Member, Dr. Sandra Braham, Board Chair Edwin Narain, and LT Alum, Joanne Sullivan, LT’99 for speaking to the class about resilient leadership, leading from passion and service, and making genuine connections. The theme for the year: Play at the top of your intelligence.  We want this LT class to support each other, say yes when you can, be present and aware of those around you, and make your scene partners look good — that’s how we lead together.

Leadership Tampa Alumni's Connect with Cocktails sold out event welcomed LTA members back from summer break with the first event hosted at the newly renamed Benchmark International Arena. LTA members enjoyed networking and cocktails at Cigar City Taphouse on Thunder Alley while hearing from Travis Pelleymounter (LT '17), SVP of Ticket Sales and Services with Vinik Sports Group. Travis shared exciting updates about the upcoming Lightning season, including the NHL Stadium Series coming to Tampa on February 1st, the newly renamed arena, and other upcoming events on the horizon. Thank you to Vinik Sports Group, Benchmark International Arena, and Cigar City Taphouse for hosting this outstanding event!

Leadership Tampa proudly recognized a special check presentation from Leadership Tampa Alumni, 2022 Past Board Chair, Andy Mayts, Jr., LT’10, Partner at Shumaker, the 2025 Parke Wright III Award recipient. In true LTA tradition, Andy chose to give back to the program by donating to support a scholarship for the MacDill Air Force Base LT’26 class member. His leadership and legacy continue to pave the way for others, and Leadership Tampa Alumni extends its deepest gratitude for his support.

On September 17, 2025, Leadership Tampa Alumni gathered at Tampa International Airport’s SkyCenter One for an evening of connection, celebration, and camaraderie. The event featured a stunning rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the runway, where attendees enjoyed an unforgettable sunset as the backdrop to meaningful conversations and renewed friendships

We are especially grateful to Tampa International Airport for graciously hosting this year’s reunion. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our in-kind sponsors: Soul de Cuba Cafe for the delicious catering and Livy O’s Catering Co. for providing the bar service. Their generosity helped make the evening a success. It was inspiring to see alumni from across the decades—stretching back as far as the Class of 1987—come together to share stories, laughter, and the unique bond of Leadership Tampa. The night was a wonderful reminder of the strength of our LTA network and the impact of staying connected.

Cohort 2025

Cohort ’25 of the Tampa Bay Business Accelerator participated in a “Doing Business with Healthcare” session, engaging in open dialogue with Moffitt, TGH, AdventHealth, and Florida Rehabilitation Hospital on building strong vendor partnerships.

As Cohort ’25 of the Tampa Bay Business Accelerator prepares for graduation, participants took part in a pivotal session focused on conducting a SWOT analysis of their businesses. This exercise challenged each entrepreneur to take a strategic look inward to better position their companies for sustainable growth after the program. Ralph Garcia with RGA Advisory guided the cohort through practical frameworks for evaluating internal capabilities, spotting external challenges, and aligning business strategies with long-term goals. By fostering candid dialogue and structured reflection, the session equipped participants with actionable insights to carry forward beyond graduation.

Cohort 2026

Tampa Bay Business Accelerator participants dove into the world of Tax & Accounting with the experts from CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen). From navigating industry-specific tax rules to strengthening accounting practices, our small business owners gained valuable insights to better manage and grow their businesses.

The Tampa Bay Business Accelerator Cohort ‘26 session centered on Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, and Retention, providing participants with strategic guidance critical to scaling their businesses.

The panelists included:

• Shay Russell, Director of Talent Acquisition, Northwestern Mutual - Greater Tampa Bay
• Monica Miranda, Assistant Vice President, University Community Partnerships, Office of the President University of South Florida
• Tori Moldovan, Senior HR Account Manager, Group Management Services (GMS)
• Mark Hurrell, Vice President of Sales-Southeastern Region, Group Management Services (GMS)

These industry experts led discussions on effective strategies to identify and secure top talent, streamlining HR processes to enhance operational efficiency and compliance, and developing workplace cultures that foster engagement and retention. The session delivered actionable insights that will enable participants to strengthen internal operations, support workforce development, and build capacity for sustainable growth.

The inaugural Tampa Bay Business Accelerator Alumni Legacy & Leadership Speaker Series brought together entrepreneurs and community leaders for an evening of collaboration and inspiration, with Ernest DuBose II, CEO of DuCon Construction sharing his powerful story about vision, persistence, and bold leadership. We celebrated Ashley Butler, President & Franchisor at Ice Cold Air as our first-ever Legacy Leader Award recipient, recognizing her outstanding leadership, innovation, and community commitment.

The Economic Inclusion staff continues to actively meet with Accelerator Alumni members to assess the support they need and identify ways the Chamber can provide ongoing value beyond the program. These one-on-one conversations help Alumni remain connected to resources, opportunities, and networks that strengthen their businesses and expand their impact in the Tampa Bay community. In addition, the recent session on Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, and Retention was open to Alumni and their team members. This approach not only reinforces the program’s commitment to sustaining long-term business growth but also creates opportunities for Alumni and their business leaders to continue learning and collaborating.

Access Tampa Bay cohort members participated in a legal and strategic planning session for small businesses. Legal experts from Bush Ross, Law Office of Amanda Uliano, and Shumaker shared best practices on business & estate succession planning, employment law, and startups. Rounding out the morning’s conversation, business leaders participated in an interactive human scoresheet breakout session led by Kadian Douglas and heard from Nicholas Glover on how policy and advocacy directly impact businesses. 

Allied Marketing Insurance is a Florida Blue Authorized Health Insurance Agency with over 14 years of experience and leadership in the Florida health insurance market. They are equipped with the backing of their founders' combined 34+ years of industry experience.  

Ascend Concierge Medicine is a Physician-owned direct primary care practice offering membership-based healthcare to adults with or without insurance. They place an emphasis on preventative health and wellness and practice a more proactive approach to healthcare. Their goal is to provide comprehensive primary care with patient experience in mind.

Marine Corps Recruiting Station Tampa, that held their ribbon cutting right here in the Tampa Bay Chamber office! As the newest United States Marine Corps Officer Recruiting Station, they serve a vital region from Ocala to Naples by identifying, mentoring, and preparing the next generation of Marine Corps Officers.

Riverside Recovery recently opened a new location in New Port Richey. They are a premier addiction treatment center for men and women, offering a full continuum of care for individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. 

SoFlo Customs is the largest custom vehicle builder and retailer in the United States, specializing in hand-built, high-performance trucks. With a production facility in Pompano Beach and dealerships in West Palm and Ft. Lauderdale, celebrated the Grand Opening of their first location outside of south Florida in Tampa.

TheraVolve Wellness Co. is a certified Woman-Owned and Minority Business Enterprise based in Tampa, FL, providing skilled bilingual Speech-Language Pathology services for children and adults, specializing in speech, cognitive, and swallowing therapy.

TMG Global celebrates 9 years in business and the grand opening of its new headquarters with a ribbon cutting ceremony, marking a milestone in the company’s continued growth and commitment to innovation in IT infrastructure and project management.

VEG ER for Pets is a 24/7 veterinary emergency hospital that specializes exclusively in urgent pet care with no appointments needed and a transparent, open environment where pet owners can participate in their pet's treatment.

Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County broke ground on Windhorst Commons, their newest community development—a 23-home hurricane-fortified neighborhood in Brandon. Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay has partnered with fellow Chamber members including Carlton Fields P.A., Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Verizon to make this transformative project possible. Leadership Tampa Class of 2025 will also be supporting the initiative by constructing a neighborhood park on the site as their class service project.

Congratulations to AlphaGraphics Tampa, Eggs Up Grill Riverview, and The Collective Wellness Institute who celebrated their one-year milestone as dedicated members of the Tampa Bay Chamber!

Member Benefits, Committees & Community Outreach

During the August Member Orientation welcomed 53 participants, including both new members and employees newly representing their companies. The program featured Marcey Walsh of Dale Carnegie, who shared practical networking strategies to help attendees build stronger connections. The session provided an engaging introduction to Chamber membership while equipping participants with tools to expand their professional relationships

What an incredible turnout for our sold-out Coffee Connection event! The energy was high as Chamber members filled the room, creating meaningful connections and learning valuable strategies to maximize their Chamber membership benefits. Our dedicated Chamber Ambassadors facilitated engaging conversations while Bendecido Coffee fueled the networking with their exceptional premium coffee drinks and mobile espresso bar service.

We had quite a Krewe at our Cannon Fire & Cocktails event with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers! Our Chamber members enjoyed an unforgettable night at Armature Works, mixing business networking with exclusive team access! Event Highlights: Members experienced an exclusive fireside chat with Owner/Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer, GM Jason Licht, Head Coach Todd Bowles, QB Baker Mayfield, center Graham Barton, and linebacker Lavonte David, while enjoying premium cocktails, gourmet bites, and exciting raffle prizes.

Thank you to our sponsors who made this event possible: Presenting - Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Touchdown - Phelps Dunbar LLP, Tampa Steel Erecting Co. | Red Zone - Red Cap Plumbing, Air & Electric, Maximus | Media Partner - Tampa Bay Times

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Pearls of Experience: The Stories that Shape Us, presented by Hancock Whitney Bank, was a beautifully curated evening that honored the strength, reinvention, and authenticity found in life’s turning points. Guests were moved by powerful personal stories of resilience, thoughtfully interwoven with a dynamic fashion showcase that celebrated the many roles that women embody. From moments of reflection to sparks of connection, the event offered an inspiring reminder of how challenges can shape something truly luminous.

A special thank you to our Activation and Venue Sponsor Premier Choice Group, and A/V Sponsor Clemco.AV.

The 2025 Small Business of the Year Finalists participated in an information session featuring past winners and judges, providing insight into the final stages of the program and what to expect moving forward. The next major milestone is the site visits on September 10th, which serve as the final round of judging before winners are announced at the awards ceremony on November 6th.

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Our September Get Connected event was completely sold out, bringing together Tampa Bay's most dynamic professionals for an afternoon of high-energy, fast-paced networking. Attendees came prepared with their two-minute pitches and left with new connections and strategic partnerships. The energetic atmosphere and facilitated format delivered exactly what we promised - meaningful business relationships that are already turning into real opportunities.

Our Networking 101 session with Clint Babcock from Sandler Training was filled with valuable insights on mastering authentic networking techniques - from crafting compelling elevator pitches to confidently introducing themselves and transitioning conversations into meaningful business relationships.

We had an outstanding turnout for our "Competitive Edge: AI Will Shape the Future of Marketing" presented by HOCS and featuring Marc Mustachio from Kraus Marketing. Attendees gained valuable insights into how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing Search Engine Marketing, including practical applications of Generative Engine Optimization and AI-powered strategies that are reshaping digital engagement. The interactive discussion and thoughtful questions from our members demonstrated a high level of interest in staying competitive in today's rapidly evolving marketing landscape.

Tampa Bay Chamber Events

Event Registrations

We celebrated the small businesses impacted by last year's hurricanes that received grants from the Glazer Family Small Business Fund with a special on-field recognition during halftime at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason game. This celebration honored the important contributions of our small business community and highlighted their strength in overcoming challenges. We sincerely thank the Glazer Family for their continued support of our region's small businesses, especially as they work to recover from the devastating storms.

The Chamber team participated in Visit Tampa Bay's 813 Day celebrations. It was a great opportunity to showcase the Chamber's work and the opportunities we provide for the business community alongside so many other outstanding organizations that make Tampa Bay the place we love to call home.

We were proud to join the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners as they proclaimed August 2025 as Black Business Month! The work we do through the Tampa Bay Business Accelerator would not be possible without strong partners like Hillsborough County.

The Tampa Bay Business Journal released their 40 Under 40 class of honorees with several Chamber Members making the list.

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The Tampa Bay Chamber proudly presented another round of relief checks from the Glazer Family Foundation Small Business Fund Hurricane Relief Grant to local businesses: Bendecido Coffee, Island Fin Poke, Hallmark Homecare, HoodKlean, SGD Communications, Tampa Counseling Place, Jobsite Theater, ABA on Demand, Vie Wellness Center, Alexa Insurance, Brittany Elise Photography, The Collective Wellness Institute, and TheraVolve Wellness Co. 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.

Meaghan Gelinski, Sr. Director, Events marked nine years with the Chamber.

Nzinga Barnette, Director, Advocacy, Francisco Gleim, Director, Leadership Programs, Hunter Holcomb, Foundation Program Coordinator, and Shaní Wilkinson, Creative Services Manager marked one year with the Chamber.

Katie Lopez, Vice President, Advocacy was appointed to the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Board of Directors for a one-year term. In this role she will help advance the chamber industry statewide through leadership and collaboration.

Small Business of the Year Awards (SBOY):

Co-presenting Sponsor (with TD Bank) $22,500, Beverage $10,000, Diamond level $10,000, Platinum level $5,500, Gold level $2,750 | Event in November 2025

Emerging Leaders Annual Meeting:

Co-presenting Sponsor SOLD (UMA and Leadership Tampa Alumni), Founding Sponsor SOLD (Chappell Roberts) - Available Sponsorships are Gold level $2,500 | Event in December 2025

Tampa Bay Chamber Annual Meeting:

Presenting Sponsor SOLD (TECO) - Available Sponsorships are Platinum level $5,500, Gold level $2,750, and Silver level $1,850 | Event in December 2025

Leading Forward Forum:

“Leading” Sponsor: $8,000, “Forward” Sponsor: $5,000 | Event in January 2026

Legislative Kickoff:

Presenting Sponsor SOLD (St. Joseph’s Hospital BayCare) – Available Sponsorships are Gold level $2,500 | Event in January 2026

Pearls of Experience Series:

Presenting Sponsor $6,000 | Events in February and August 2026

All Sponsorship Opportunities

Contact Anna del Castillo