Volume 7 l February 2020
 
 Weekly eConnection
801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770
Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112

Membership Edition
The Weekly E-Connection is made possible by the following generous sponsors:
Central Pinellas Chamber Upcoming Events
Check our home page for registrations, times and locations

 
2/20 - Chamber B2B Happy Hours at Slyce Pizza - 5:30p - 7:30p     
3/5 - 14th Annual Business Expo / After Hours - 4:30p - 7:00p      
3/31 - Coffee An' Networking at Keiser University - 7:30a - 9:30a     
The Recent Wine Tasting presented by the Women's Leadership Committee raised funds for the Chamber's Education Foundation. Thank you to the 60 in attendance for making the event success while enjoying networking, delicious hors d'oeurves and wine.
The Chamber's Education Foundation awards scholarships to select students from Largo High School and Pinellas Technical College. Please stay tuned for upcoming events that help the Chamber's Education Foundation. It's for the kids!
Early Bird Extended through Friday, Feb 21!
Join us this Thursday, February 20th!

Renewed Business Members

Our sincere thanks to the following businesses who renewed during the past four weeks. Their continued loyalty is inspiring! To learn more about them, please visit www.CentralChamber.biz
Acropol Family Restaurants – 7 years
Bay Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, PA – 15 years
Charleston on 66 th – 3 years
Chris' Carpet Service & Water Restoration – 7 years
Cloud Law Firm, PA – 3 years
Cove Cay Golf Club/Shriver Golf Academy – 4 years
CPA Partners, LLC – 6 years
DITEK- Diversified Technology Group – 27 years
Evermore Café – 3 years
Flutter Fetti – 2 years
Full Torque Fitness, LLC – 3 years
Impact Sports Performance and Rehab, LLC – 2years
Infinium Medical, Inc. – 13 years
Keiser University – 11 years
Largo High School – 29 years
Office Services 101, LLC – 6 years
Okey Ryan Associates – 6 years
Phillies Florida LLC/Clearwater Threshers – 23 years
RS Williams and Associates, Inc. – 9 years
St. Petersburg Marriott Clearwater – 2 years
Sheraton Sand Key Resort – 38 years
Signature Voices – 4 years
TeamLogic IT/Central Pinellas – 2 years
The Flying Locksmiths – 5 years
Ultimate Medical Academy – 2 years
Welcome New Members!
To learn more about them, please visit www.CentralChamber.biz
Benedict's of Largo
Pell Insurance Group LLC
Are you a part of a Chamber Committee?
Not only are Chamber Committees great for networking, they are very active while keeping you in the know.
At our February WLC Meeting, committee Chair Pang Thao, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway and Vice-Chair Tracy Hampton of Key Palm Insurance had committee members begin work of their Dream/Vision boards. What is a vision board? It is a visualization of what you want to achieve and experience. Visualization is one of the most powerful mind exercises you can do.

The WLC also discussed the upcoming WLC co-hosted with Working Women of Tampa Bay (WWOTB) Power Lunch Speaker Series. Stay tuned for more details on this dynamic event as we line up the panelists. There are sponsorship opportunities available for only $250! Learn more here: https://www.centralchamber.biz/index.php?id=154&eventuid=5549

Our Economic Development Committee (EDC) meets the third Wednesday of every month. The EDC w orks in partnership with city and county representatives on business growth/retention strategies and programs supporting small business advancement.   This month they meet on Wednesday, February 19th and are touring the new Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay Regional Campus on Thursday, February 27th.

The Chamber's Government Advocacy Panel (GAP) addresses issues that can have a positive influence on business and on those that can be costly and unfriendly. It provides communication channels between business and government and provides education and advocacy on priorities of the membership to the proper government body. We’ve got your back! GAP meets on the Third Tuesday of every month.

The Chamber also has a Membership and Mentor Outreach Committee . An Energetic team of volunteers who make regular contact with the membership to involve them in Chamber activities; provide Chamber leadership and staff with membership feedback; and participate in Chamber events, grand openings, ribbon-cutting ceremonies and other public events involving Chamber visibility.

Contact Kelvin for more details on the various Chamber Committees.
Board of Trustees
We greatly appreciate our Board of Trustees . Their added financial investment supports our diverse program offerings. If you’re interested in joining this celebrated leadership association to take advantage of specialized benefit offerings, please contact Tom at tom@CentralChamber.biz or 727-584-2321.

CHAIRMAN -Rob England – England Brothers Construction
PLATINUM - Duke Energy, Piper Fire Protection
GOLD – Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, Home Instead Senior Care/Be a Santa to a Senior, Jackson & Associates CPA, Melody Hunter-Charles Rutenberg Realty, Paradise Air, Platinum Information Services, Regions Bank, Serenity Funeral Home, Spectrum Reach, Tech Data
SILVER –Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital, Brown Insurance Services, Hampton Inn & Suites-Largo, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, Nova Southeastern University Tampa Bay Regional Campus, The Palms of Largo, Valley National Bank, Village Inn, Wealth Builders
Tech Data shareholders approve $6 billion sale to Apollo Global Management
Tech Data (Chamber Gold Trustee) shareholders last Wednesday voted to sell the company to Apollo Global Management for $6 billion. “When do we get the money?” stockholder Phyllis Minton asked at the close of the meeting. The answer is not right away, as the merger is expected to close in the first half of this year. More from the Tampa Bay Times .
U.S. January Net Job Gain: 225,000  
The Department of Labor’s latest employment report exceeded expectations. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg projected 165,000 net new hires last month. The main jobless rate ticked north to 3.6%; the U-6 rate including the underemployed rose 0.2% to 6.9%. This upside surprise points to ongoing strength in the economy.
We’re about Value!

A new Chamber program year is upon us! And we’ll be continuing to tout our five “value” principles and how each relates to being part of the organization.
            Value of Investment - The Chamber brings members valuable cost-savings resources that directly impact their bottom line. From member-to-member discounts to affinity partnerships - all are designed to lower the cost of doing business.
            Value of Information – The Chamber brings members unique resources. Roundtable discussions, workshops, advocacy on local and state issues, contacts, reference to other businesses, expertise, etc. Information that is timely and relevant to the success of all business operations.
            Value of Influence – The Chamber represents the interests of its members and communities. Whether at the local, state or federal level, it is the advocate on all issues of importance to business.
            Value of Interaction – The Chamber provides its members opportunity. People want to do business with people they know, like and trust. Networking events, B2B programs, and partnerships foster relationships that encourage leads, referrals and more business for our members.
            Value of Impact – The Chamber is one of the few, if not the only, organization that can impact the three main pillars in its service area – government, citizens, and businesses. We deliver results that directly benefit our members.
If you would like to assist in volunteering on a committee to help influence these values, just give us a call. It’s another sure way to build business connections. It really is great to belong!
Reserve your space now!

Run your Ad or Logo in the Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce's eConnection Newsletter that publishes weekly. Be seen by over 2,000 members and friends. Take advantage of an open/read rate that exceeds 25%.
 
Contact Kelvin at the Chamber, 727.584.2321 or events@centralchamber.biz