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

   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” 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 70th 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

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 tom@CentralChamber.biz.

Floridian sentiment drops, in contrast with national consumer outlook

Consumer sentiment among Floridians dropped 2.1 points in July to 66.8, down from a revised figure of 68.9 in June. The decline contrasts with national consumer sentiment, which surged over seven points.

Florida’s controversial laws impacting convention business

The fallout from Florida's recent laws is starting to spread to a key economic artery for an income-tax-free state heavily reliant upon tourism taxes: Florida’s convention business.

COVID takes a back seat: Here are the 2023 health threats getting all the buzz in Florida

Florida has seen multiple scares surrounding diseases since the beginning of the year which may grab the attention of people concerned with their health and potential risks.

One of Florida’s major citrus growers sees its harvest decrease by about 50 percent

Alico, Inc., a major Florida citrus grower, saw its harvest decrease 51 percent during the recently completed season, after Hurricane Ian hammered the industry.

String of fish kills along Florida Keys ring more hot water alarms. Is seagrass next?

Researchers blame soaring sea surface temperatures off the southern coast of Florida that have at times approached 100 degrees and are running some seven degrees above normal.


Thank you to our Trustees and Newsletter Sponsors

Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital

Business & Family Insurors

Check Before Hire

Cloud Law Firm PA

Duke Energy

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital

Home Instead/Be a Santa

Jackson & Associates CPA

Melody Hunter Homes

National Aviation Academy

Pinellas Technical College

Piper Fire Protection

Platinum Information Services

Regions Bank

State Farm - Team Cocco

The Palms of Largo

Valley National Bank

Village Inn

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

Wealth Builders

The Weekly E-Connection is made possible by the following generous sponsors:

Facebook  Linkedin  Twitter  Instagram  Youtube