Volume 70 l April 2022

Weekly eConnection 801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770 Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112

Thank You! Edition & Members' Promotions

Taste of the Chamber Registration: https://form.jotform.com/220655466059057

2022 Business in Springtime Expo Thank you for being a part of our Expo!

Thank you to our Passport Partners: Spectrum Reach, Piper Fire Protection, Fly High Business Builders and Professional Systems Printing & Promotions! Some of the awesome feedback we received: "Amazing event and can't wait to participate in the next one! Thanks to our Chamber staff for all the hard work putting this together." - Premier Martial Arts "It was so wonderful to connect with the community. Top notch event!" - Learning Empowered Shout out to Advanced Video Systems for the photos! Check out the Expo video on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/ZwGr4_Zf8LQ

We Convene: Arts and Tourism

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater is partnering with Creative Pinellas to Co-Host the upcoming May 12 We Convene meeting focused on Arts and Tourism. Keynote speakers include Stephanie Barkow, Account Planning Director at BVK and Malinda Horton, Executive Director of Florida Association of Museums, with Steve Hayes as the moderator. Learn more about our destination strategy, travel trends and how art connects to travel. We look forward to the conversation and collaboration and encourage all those interested to RSVP.

FACP Regional Meeting

Your Chamber was in attendance at the FACP West-Central Regional Meeting. There were some great discussions about membership, events and regional issues. Thank you to the Sarasota Chamber for hosting and providing a delicious lunch!

Save the Date!

2022 State of the City of Largo Breakfast "Community is based on Partnerships" Wednesday, May 18, 2022 - $20.00

Registration 7:30 a.m. - Program 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Pinellas Technical College, 6100 154th Avenue N., Clearwater Join us for this informative GAP event! It’s designed to provide information about city projects and plans, and to establish dialogue between city management and business representatives. Mayor Woody Brown and other city leaders will offer commentary. Presentations/demonstrations will include the new Horizon West city hall complex, new Public Safety technologies (drones, body cams), Workforce Housing Initiatives, and more. Register here: https://www.centralchamber.biz/index.php?id=154&eventuid=7249

2022-23 Business & Community Go-to-Guide TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SUBMIT YOUR AD AND PAYMENT! Email Zoe at membership@centralchamber.biz

Thank you to the following businesses for reserving their ads: Gulf Coast Consulting, Fly High Business Builders, Centratel Business Telephones, Holiday Inn Express, Business & Family Insurors, England Brothers Construction, Home Instead Senior Care, City of Largo, Signature Voices, Pinellas Technical College, McManus & McManus P.A., Professional Systems Printing & Promotions, Premier Martial Arts, First Citizens Bank, Melody Hunter Realty, BayCare/Morton Plant Hospital, Florida Botanical Gardens Foundations, Gulfside Home Health, Elison at Pincrest, Valley National Bank, Fritts Marketing and Kemco Systems.

Piper Fire Protection

Florida is the least affordable place to live in the U.S. Rents, which are rising by double-digits nationwide, are positively ballooning across Florida, fueled by a surge of people who relocated to the state during the pandemic. Opponents ask court to block new Florida congressional districts Focusing on a North Florida district that has become a legal and political battleground, voting-rights groups and other plaintiffs are asking a judge to block a congressional redistricting plan pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. South Florida office market remains promising in a post-pandemic world With offices reopening their doors and many employees returning to work, the South Florida office market remained promising given its performance in the first quarter of 2022. Florida has the two best large cities to start a business in the nation Orlando was ranked as the best large city to start a business in the nation with Miami right behind it in second place. Five cities from the Sunshine State placed in the top 20. Florida-grown mango and dragon fruit program launches A Florida shipper is hoping its new state-based program will offer new opportunities for Florida mango and dragon fruit growers.

Thank you to our Trustees and Newsletter Sponsors

Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital Business & Family Insurors Cloud Law Firm PA Duke Energy Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital Home Instead/Be a Santa Jackson & Associates CPA Melody Hunter, Charles Rutenberg Realty National Aviation Academy

Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay Piper Fire Protection Platinum Information Services Regions Bank Spectrum Reach The Palms of Largo Valley National Bank Village Inn Wealth Builders

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

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