Community Partner Spotlight | | |
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(Discount only applies to First Friday Coffee, Nothing But Networking, & Business After Hours)
| | Upcoming Committee Meetings: Are you seeking opportunities for professional development and personal growth. Come to one or all eleven of our chamber committees to see what the buzz is about! | | Brandon Greene & Jibrasha Moore, Emerald Coast Center | Sarah T., T's Farms | Lauren Ewashko, Advanced Sacred Hope Academy | Ashley Sukalski, Ross Gardner & Mike Coupe, The Petermann Agency | Jill Wesson, Bunnychick Haven of Navarre | Dan Carr & Brian Young, Carr's Floor Trader Design Outlet | Donovan Chandlet, Amazon Hub Delivery | Alexandra Schwandt, Colony Bank | Cliff Sabo, College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving | Luis Espinel, The Gulf Restaurant & Sports Pub | Frank Clark & Daniel Weeks, North Florida Pro Wash Solutions | | | Check out these short tutorial videos that provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate through the online Member Information Center (MIC). These instructional videos will show you how to update your profile, add keywords, add job postings, register for chamber events/add your benefit discount, add events to chamber community calendar, pay invoices and much more! | | |
The Destin–Fort Walton Beach Convention Center has been named a ConventionSouth Readers’ Choice Award winner, recognizing top venues in the South for outstanding service + unforgettable events. Thank you to our incredible clients for your continued trust + to our dedicated Convention Center team for making every event shine.
Meet where excellence meets the beach!
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Okaloosa County Commissioners recently passed the master plan for the 165-acre Patriot Park in Crestview. The property is located east of State Road 85 between Shoal River Drive and the Shoal River. This new park plan was developed with input from local residents and designed to keep as much of the natural aesthetic as possible. The new park will be completed in two phases. A portion of the first phase will open, possibly in spring 2026, with parking, bathrooms, a dog park and a portion of the walking trail. Once both phase are complete, guests can enjoy a 1.25 mile walking trail, pickleball courts, mini obstacle courses and a dock overlook on the Shoal River.
View a video of the property at https://youtu.be/IZJdiFqlDxE
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Online Permitting Portal COMING SOON!
Beginning in early November 2025, applicants seeking licensing, building permits and development-related approvals from Okaloosa County can apply online using the Customer Service Support (CSS) portal. Applicants are encouraged to create an account and apply for permits and approval using this online system.
This new system will provide a more efficient process without in-person visits to the office. Applicants will also be able to view all of the components of their project in one place and upload necessary documents via the new online permitting portal. Citizens will also be able to create accounts and search for permits on a property.
Some simpler applications, like ones for trades and irrigation, will be able to receive their permit the same day using the Department’s new fast lane service. When these permits are applied for online they will go into the Fast Lane Queue for expedited processing. A new staff member has also been hired to help with account issues and online permitting questions.
Questions? - email buildingpermitting@myokaloosa.com
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New store at Temple Mound Museum set to open Nov. 1, 2025
The City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center is proud to announce that the new Museum Store at the Indian Temple Mound Museum is set to open on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Operating hours in November will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Beginning December 6, the Museum Store hours will expand to Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The new Museum Store and Indian Temple Mound Museum renovation was made possible with property donated by former Fort Walton Beach Councilwoman Chris Gibson and her family. Ms. Gibson was a tireless supporter of the museum and its mission to preserve, present, and share the thousands of years of unique local history.
The building expansion was made possible through funding from the Fort Walton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department, and the Okaloosa County ½ cent sales tax.
The new building will allow more gallery exhibit space to be developed. The museum will open in phases over the coming months, as staff and volunteers use this opportunity to update exhibits and displays.
Come by to see the new store and browse the unique items and artwork for sale.
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Sponsorship available at Fort Walton Beach Golf’s new Trackman Driving Range
The City of Fort Walton Beach is seeking a single vendor to sponsor their logo on the 25 Trackman touchscreens that were recently installed at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club’s Driving Range.
Your logo would appear on each of the 32-inch screens when they’re in idle/standby mode, even outside of regular operating hours. When users click on the screen to activate it, “Presented by LOGO” will appear every time before the play begins. The City of Fort Walton Beach is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the logo on the displays.
The bid closes at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. For more information, contact Diana Reimer at dreimer@fwb.org or 850-833-9523.
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Fall Carnival on Friday, Oct. 24
The City of Fort Walton Beach’s annual Fall Carnival is set for Friday, Oct. 24, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center (132 Jet Drive NW). We’ll have a walking trick-or-treat trail, bounce houses and other family activities that are sure to make for a fun evening. We hope to see you there!
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Concerts Fall 2025 series concludes with Flow Tribe
Our Concerts at The Landing Fall 2025 Series closes out with the high-energy, funky sounds of New Orleans-based band Flow Tribe. Come check them out; you won’t be disappointed. This free show will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.
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Okaloosa County School District Unveils 2024–2025 Annual Report
The Okaloosa County School District is proud to announce the release of its 2024–2025 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive overview of the district’s achievements and its steadfast commitment to educational excellence. As one of Florida’s top-performing A rated districts, the report highlights the outstanding accomplishments of our students, teachers, staff, and administrators, each contributing to a culture of high expectations, innovation, and success. “The collaborative efforts of our students, teachers, administrators, School Board, and community partners are the foundation of the Okaloosa County School District,” said Superintendent Marcus Chambers. “We are proud to share our vision for the Next Generation of Okaloosa Schools. Together, we will continue to create an environment where every student thrives and uphold our long-standing tradition of excellence.”
To view the full 2024–2025 Annual Report, please visit www.okaloosaschools.com.
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The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) is excited to announce its 5th Annual BBQ & Bingo fundraising event, set for Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the HSU Educational Foundation, located at 70 Ready Ave NW, Building 5, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. The evening will kick off with a social hour at 5:00 p.m., followed by Bingo from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Guests can look forward to great food, exciting games, and opportunities to win prizes, all while supporting programs that directly benefit students and educators across Okaloosa County. Read more...
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Okaloosa County School District and Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Partner for Angel Tree Program to Support Students in Need This Christmas
In the true spirit of the season, Superintendent Marcus Chambers and Sheriff Eric Aden are excited to announce a collaboration between the Okaloosa County School District and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office for this year's Angel Tree Program, which aims to bring joy and holiday cheer to students throughout the county. This joint initiative is designed to ensure that students in need, many of whom may not otherwise experience the magic of Christmas, receive gifts, essential items, and a reminder that their community cares for them. At the start of the school year, school staff and SROs identified students and created wish lists for community members to donate funds or sponsor students directly from the program. Read more...
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It's time to supercharge your advertising! Join our upcoming webinar November 12th, led by Matt Weber of ROAR! Internet Marketing, to master the new wave of Google Ads AI. We'll show you exactly how to harness these powerful, infused tools to drive greater marketing success for your business. Don't risk having these fast-changing features work against you. Register today to unlock their full potential and ensure your campaigns are optimized for maximum results. tinyurl.com/ai-googleads
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Fort Walton Beach area small business owners! Level up your business with AI this October at the UWF Emerald Coast campus. 💡 Our special Google AI University “lunch & learn” workshop gives you practical, non-technical ways to use AI. You'll learn how to implement it for saving time on administrative tasks, creating high-quality content faster than ever, and boosting customer engagement. It's time to put AI to work for you! Lunch will be provided. Don't miss out.
Secure your spot—Register now! tinyurl.com/fwb-aiu
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Ready to get crucial insights into the state of small business lending? Our webinar on November 6th is your opportunity to hear directly from financial experts, understand your funding options, and get the guidance you need to secure financial support for your venture. Make sure you don't miss out on this valuable session and register now! tinyurl.com/sbdc-capital
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