E-Connection - Springtime Expo & Happenings Edition

Volume 231 | May 2025

Weekly E-Connection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770

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

It's Great to Belong!

Springtime Expo Reflections Edition

May 20, 2025

A look back...

Business in Springtime Expo

It met and exceeded the hype. The Chamber's 2025 Business in Springtime Expo was the networking event of the year!

Thanks to the dozens of member businesses and organizations that took part. The creativity that went into this year's exhibits was inspirational, all keeping with the theme "Florida - A Springtime Paradise." The cream of the crop -- 2025 Best Exhibits -- are featured below.

And a big shout out to all who attended. It was great to see so many from throughout the region supporting our local businesses.

(Photos courtesy Stacy Gillis, Advanced Video Systems.)

Free breakfast to help us grow! Final days to register

Bring a member prospect and enjoy a free breakfast provided by Pinellas Technical College Culinary Arts.

Here's the link to register yourself and a member prospect guest. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the form, change the 0 to 1, and add the prospect's name, business and email. Thanks for your support!

TASTE OF THE CHAMBER RESERVATION

An the winners are...

Business in Springtime Expo

Get your ad today! Deadline 5/30

2025/26 Chamber Biz Go-to-Guide

Members of the Chamber Board (Jake Prokop, Danielle Noble, Tom Wilson, Karen Gonzalez, Dan Flynn and Laurie Bunce) remind you that now is the time to act. Our Business & Community Go-to-Guide is a once-a-year opportunity to advertise in our only printed publication. It's mailed directly to all our members and distributed in bulk to our advertisers, city and community centers and more. Advertising deadline is Friday, May 30!

Rates range from $150 to $1,400

Sizes still available include:

Half Page - 5 x 3.625 - Quarter Page Vertical - 2.5 x 3.5

Quarter Page Horizontal - 5 x 1.75 - One-Eighth Page - 2.5 x 1.75

To request a copy of the advertising rates and reservation form, email Tom@CentralChamber.biz or call 727-584-2321.

How will cuts to federal weather agencies affect Florida hurricane forecasts? - With another hurricane season almost upon us, it’s unclear how staffing changes may impact the accuracy of weather and hurricane forecasts. But experts are sounding the alarm.

State jobless rate at 3.7 percent -Florida’s unemployment rate increased to 3.7 percent in April, the third time it has ticked up this year.

Column: U.S. ports have fallen behind. Florida can move them forward -- In terms of container port efficiency, U.S. ports don’t even crack the top 25. That lag carries consequences: higher consumer prices, supply chain delays and lost opportunities for American businesses. But what if Florida could be the turning point?

State appeals in manatee protection fight -The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has gone to a federal appeals court after a U.S. district judge last month ruled that the state has violated the Endangered Species Act.

Scientists rediscover orange tree variety that may be tolerant to greening disease - ARS scientists at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce made a "sweet" discovery that may be important to solving a major problem within the citrus industry.