Weekly E-Connection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602

Largo, Florida 33770

Tel: 727-584-2321 www.CentralChamber.biz

Celebrating Our Members Edition

March 24, 2026

Getting to Know You! President's Networking Lunch

A diverse group of business and community leaders got together last week for Chamber President Tom Morrissette's Networking Lunch. The bi-monthly gathering provides an opportunity to learn about one another and to discuss hot topics of interest. It's generously hosted by the Royal Palms of Largo. Reach out to Tom if you're interested in attending a future event.

President Tom extends his arms to greet his lunch guests who included, from left, Matt Towers of Sunrise Irrigation, Carrie Orozco of Serenity Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, Carla Robinson of Professional Systems Printing & Promotions, Cristopher Frye of Thrivent Financial, Chris Tillett of City of Largo, Stacy Gillis of Advanced Video Systems and Ben Peterson of Spectrum Reach.

OUR ONLY ANNUAL BIZ TO BIZ TO CONSUMER TRADE SHOW!

Here's the link to become a Passport Partner or to reserve your Expo space today! SPRINGTIME EXPO

Friendly competition!

The Ambassadors rule

Wendy Swertfeger of LegalShield/IDShield, seated, holds a brick to celebrate how she's paving her way to "Ambassador of the Year." She took top honors again this month for her volunteer outreach efforts to Chamber member businesses. Ambassadors compete with one another on a points-based system and earn recognition for their important work.

If you'd like to meet other businesses while helping to promote the Chamber, The Ambassadors is for you! The group meets the first Wednesday monthly at 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Reach out to Tom for more: Tom@CentralChamber.biz.

Join us on Friday!

Do you have a grand opening or major anniversary to celebrate? We want to help share your success. The Chamber will provide you with the large scissors, ribbon, and Chamber members. Membership required plus $150. Reach out to Tom@CentralChamber.biz

Saluting Chamber Loyalty!

Our sincere thanks to the following businesses who renewed during the past five weeks. Their continued loyalty is inspiring! For more about them, please visit: www.CentralChamber.biz

Advanced Video Systems, 5-Year Member

Alexander Spine Center, 15-Year Legacy Member

AMIKids Pinellas, First Renewal

Bonham Dental Arts, 41-Year Legacy Member

Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc., 14-Year Member

Chris' Carpet Service & Water Restoration, 13-Year Member

Cloud Law Firm, PA, Gold Trustee, 9-Year Member

DITEK- Diversified Technology Group, 33-Year Legacy Member

Duke Energy, Platinum Trustee, 55-Year Legacy Member

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, 22-Year Legacy Member

Knapheide Truck Equipment Center Tampa, 3-Year Member

Largo Coin & Currency, 39-Year Legacy Member

Lighthouse of Pinellas, First Renewal

R.D. LifeSciences, LLC, First Renewal

Tampa Bay Newspapers, Inc., 3-Year Member

Legacy Member = 15+ Years

Welcome VITAS Healthcare!

It's back! Tickets and Sponsorships Available

Purchase your tickets/marketing table here: Ballpark Bash

Florida businesses may be missing out on R&D tax credits -If you run a business in Florida, there’s a good chance you’re already doing the kind of work the IRS rewards – you just don’t know it yet. Whether you’re a manufacturer improving efficiency, a software firm writing new code, or a construction company developing safer techniques, there’s a powerful but often-missed incentive designed for you: the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Central Florida Expressway Authority eyes $370M+ in road expansions

As Central Florida’s traffic surges, the Central Florida Expressway Authority is planning new lanes and interchange upgrades on State Road 408, a key infrastructure move expected to bolster the region’s economy. The 22-mile tolled road runs from Florida’s Turnpike in West Orange County to Colonial Drive, east of Alafaya Trail in East Orange County, with more than 164,000 vehicles a day traveling on the route through downtown. CFX has identified multiple projects to increase capacity as traffic is projected to grow. More from the Orlando Business Journal.

March Madness brings thousands to downtown Tampa, delivering economic boost alongside the brackets - Two major March Madness matchups brought thousands of college basketball fans flooding into downtown Tampa on Sunday, filling restaurants, bars and sidewalks while injecting a surge of spending into the local economy. The back-to-back games capped a jam-packed sports weekend in the region, which also hosted the Valspar Championship golf tournament in St. Petersburg. More from WTSP.

War gives Palm Beach International Boat Show mixed sales outlook

At this year's Palm Beach International Boat Show, more than ever, luxury mega-yachts are a major focus for yacht sellers and brokers catering to consumers who can pay millions of dollars for a floating toy. What's different this year is that America is at war. But will oil wars wilt interest in ships, even among the very rich? Most Palm Beach International Boat Show professionals are trying to put a brave face on things, while others are bracing for an uneven sales event. More from the Palm Beach Post.

NASA Artemis II launch may bring $160 million impact to Florida's Space Coast - NASA's milestone Artemis II launch to the moon from Kennedy Space Center may draw 400,000 visitors to Florida's Space Coast — generating $160 million in Brevard County economic impact, a national consulting firm projects. “Most folks are going to spend a few days in town. They’re going to spend money in restaurants, hotels, bars. All of that drives economic impact, and it all creates new tax revenue," said John Boyd, principal with The Boyd Company Inc. of Boca Raton. More from Florida Today.

Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital

Business & Family Insurors

Cloud Law Firm PA

Duke Energy

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital

Florida Blue

HCA Florida Largo Hospital

Jackson & Associates CPA

Melody Hunter Homes

National Aviation Academy

Pinellas County Housing Authority

Piper Fire Protection

Platinum Information Services

Regions Bank

State Farm - Team Cocco

The Palms of Largo

Tommy's Express Car Wash

Valley National Bank

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

Vitas Healthcare