Volume 138 l August 2023

Weekly eConnection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770

Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112

President's Edition & Members' Promotion

We have a great many opportunities for you to be seen and your business promoted as we roll through the end of 2023.

On August 17, our signature Inspire Awards Reception takes place at Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. It’s our “feel good” of the event of the year presented by the Women’s Leadership Committee. Limited seats remaining. You can register here: Inspire Awards

And if you want an evening of fun for a good cause, join us for our Charity Poker Party on Friday, Aug. 18. Proceeds benefit our 501(c)3 Business Education Fund. Players are $80, guests $30, food and drink provided. Top prize is $500. Here’s the registration link: Charity Poker Party

Next month, we celebrate our 70^th Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast. It includes the presentation of our “Citizen of the Year” and “Mac Norcross Small Businessperson of the Year” awards. We’re now accepting nominations, so please consider someone you know who meets the qualifications of these distinguished honors. Here’s a link with more information: 2023 Chamber Awards

Hope to see you at one of these or other Chamber happenings in the weeks ahead.

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous month. It’s great to belong!

Tom Morrissette

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Coiffure Style in Belleair

Friday, August 18th 9-10 am

Free for members. $25 guests.

Your nominations, please

2023 Chamber Annual Awards

It’s your chance to nominate someone for the Chamber’s highest honors!

Throughout our community and within the organization are many individuals worthy of acclaim. To spotlight their contributions in helping to make our community a better place to live and work, the Chamber each year presents its “Citizen of the Year” and “Mac Norcross Small Businessperson of the Year” awards.

These distinguished honors will be presented at our 70th Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. It’s with much pomp and circumstance that we add these two individuals to the celebrated company of past recipients.

Use this link for an Awards Criteria, Nomination Form and list of past recipients: 2023 Chamber Awards

Please take the time to consider if there is someone you know who embodies the characteristics of these honors, and submit your nomination by Friday, August 19. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give me a call at 584-2321 or email [email protected].

'Major wild card' could drive gas prices even higher in Florida

While some factors – like back to school and the end of busy summer driving season – might alleviate pressure on gas prices, there's a "major wild card" that might cause another spike: hurricane season.

Boeing's plagued Starliner will remain grounded until next year despite progress made

The spacecraft won't be ready for operation until at least March of next year. The earliest launch date Starliner could actually fly, however, remains unknown by both NASA and Boeing.

A new organization is recruiting Florida retirees to fight climate change

With the launch of the Florida chapter of an organization called Third Act, older Americans are taking action to preserve the state’s natural resources.

Florida officials predict that highway license and fee revenues will increase

Florida officials forecast that the state’s revenues from highway licenses and fees will continue to increase in the next few years.

Florida prisons temporarily allow shorts, among other measures to address sweltering heat

In what advocates called an “unprecedented move,” the Florida Department of Corrections has lifted uniform restrictions allowing incarcerated people to wear shorts and a single-layer shirt in response to hotter-than-average temperatures afflicting the state.