October 20, 2026

Good morning!

Early voting started yesterday. It runs through Oct. 31, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., every day including weekends. Election day is Nov. 3. For election details, polling places, sample ballots, and candidate information, please visit VoteOkaloosa.gov or VoteWalton.gov.

Speaking of elections, the candidates for Destin City Council have been invited to attend Thursday's Progressive Business After Hours at Regatta Commons. Come learn more about them, as well as our participating businesses, including:

- Farrow Contracting, Inc.

- GameDay Men's Health-Destin

- Krueger, Fosdyck, Brown, McCall & Associates

- Matthews & Matthews LLP

- Realty ONE Group Emerald Coast

Registration is required!

Chamber Vice Chairman & President/CEO Represent Destin During Governor's Press Conference Yesterday

Yesterday, Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Jackacuda's Seafood | Sushi to announce more than $4.5 million has been approved through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaias. Chamber Vice Chairman Tyler Jarvis of The Bald and the Beard Restaurant Group and Chamber President & CEO Shane A. Moody, CCE, FCCP, joined Gov. DeSantis at the podium. They praised the Governor for his policies that allowed a speedy recovery for this area following the hurricane, as well as the work he has done to grow Florida's economy into the 14th largest in the world. Watch the full press conference here.

To learn more about the emergency bridge loan program, click here.

National Small Business Week 2027 Awards Nominations Due Soon

Nominations are officially open for the SBA's National Small Business Week Awards. Small businesses are the heart of free enterprise, powering America's economy. Know an exceptional business owner? Submit a nomination at sba.gov/nsbw by Dec. 7. 

Seeking Business & Technical Professionals for Destin High School Career Day

Help Destin High School juniors discover new opportunities by sharing your career story and answering questions. The format will be speed networking, which offers a quick-paced information exchange between professionals and small groups of students. The event is Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 9 - 11 a.m., at Destin Community Center. Email espies@DestinChamber.com to participate.

**Please note that we are hosting the Destin High School sophomores on Wednesday, April 7, for a similar event. You may volunteer for one or both days.

Perks of Your Chamber Membership

Affordable Health Insurance for Your Employees

• ACA-Compliant Health Insurance Plan

Savings On Your Email Marketing Program

• Save up to 25% with Constant Contact

Save $ On Office Supplies

• You now have access to savings on everything your business relies on with ODP Business Solutions (Office Depot® OfficeMax®). Register today for your no-cost business account with ODP Business Solutions or use this card to save in-store.

Enjoy Credit Union Membership

• Members of the Destin Chamber are eligible for membership with Eglin Federal Credit Union!

Power Hours With Kevin: Free Business Consulting

Thursday, October 22 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Location: Destin Chamber

Find details here.

Florida SBDC at UWF Business Consultant Kevin Oster will be available for impromptu meetings assisting with business challenges or opportunities. These meetings are confidential and at no cost to you. No appointment is required; however, you are welcome to email KOster@uwf.edu if you would like to schedule one.

Progressive Business After Hours at Regatta Commons

Thursday, October 22 | 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Location: Start at Destin Chamber

Registration and payment required.

Join us and these Regatta Commons neighbors for our 6th Annual Progressive Business After Hours!

- Farrow Contracting, Inc.

- GameDay Men's Health-Destin

- Krueger, Fosdyck, Brown, McCall & Associates

- Matthews & Matthews LLP

- Realty ONE Group Emerald Coast

Military Affairs Council (MAC) Meeting

Wednesday, November 4 | 12 - 1 p.m.

Location: Destin Chamber

Find details here.

Lt. Col. Donald "Grizzly" Adams, Director of Staff for the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing at Eglin AFB, will speak. Anyone with an interest in the military is invited to attend. 

Business Before Hours Sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union

Friday, November 13 | 7:30 - 9 a.m.

Location: Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer

Registration and payment required. 



Connect with fellow business and community leaders to strengthen relationships and gain business insights, while enjoying a delicious breakfast overlooking the Destin Harbor with sponsor Eglin Federal Credit Union and non-profit spotlight DEFENSEWERX.

Tourism & Hospitality Lunch

Wednesday, November 18 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Destin Chamber

Registration and payment required.

Anyone involved in a tourism-related business or with an interest in area tourism is welcome to attend. 

Concierge Inc

Thank You To Our Renewing Members

• Cantina Laredo
• Longhorn Steakhouse, Inc.
• Pelican Adventures Destin
• Rebuilders Group

• Rhodes Auto Repair
• United Way Emerald Coast
• Wingate By Wyndham Destin

November 11 - Homeport Neurosurgery and Spine

Rebuilders Group Supports Commercial Hurricane Recovery

City of Destin Announces Storm Debris Collection

BookingCentral Launches AI Connector, Letting Rental and Tour Operators Ask Claude or ChatGPT About Their Fleet, Bookings and Customers in Plain English

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Tourism Support to Northwest Florida Following Hurricane Isaias

Okaloosa County Sets Timeline for SS United States Deployment as the World's Largest Artificial Reef

Volunteers Needed for the 31st MKAF Festival of the Arts | Oct. 24–25

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces More Than $4.5 Million Approved for Florida Small Businesses Through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program Within 10 Days Following Hurricane Isaias

Walton County Introduces Debris Removal Dashboard to Keep Residents Informed of Hurricane Recovery Progress

Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Okaloosa County School District Launch Operation Jingle Bells to Bring Holiday Joy to Students in Need

HCA Florida Healthcare Shares Halloween Safety Tips

Read the October 2026 Issue of Destin Life

HCA Florida DeFuniak Springs Emergency Partners with DeFuniak Springs Police Department to Host Crush the Crisis

IRS Announces Tax Relief for Taxpayers Impacted by Hurricane Isaias



If you would like your event listed here, please submit it to the Events Calendar at DestinChamber.com. Be sure to include your company name, as we only publish events of Destin Chamber members.

**Please double check event details with contact information provided for each event. Some may have changes due to post-storm conditions.**

Tuesday, October 20

A Superior Mechanical Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Lunch

Wednesday, October 21

LLL PIRATE ADVENTURES, NETWORKING & SPOOKY FUN

City Of Destin Open House

How to Unlock the Power of AI in Google Ads

Underwater Yoga

Thursday, October 22 - Saturday, October 24

30th South Walton Celebrity Golf Classic

Thursday, October 22

Power Hours With Kevin: Free Business Consulting

Destin Chamber's Progressive Business After Hours at Regatta Commons

All Sports Association - Casino Night & Raffle Royale

Little Black Dress Night at Marina Cafe

Friday, October 23

First National Bank Customer Appreciation Day

Beach Liquors Wine Tasting

Broadway Magic Awaits

Karaoke at American Legion Post 296

Saturday, October 24 - Sunday, October 25

GulfScarium 2026

31st Annual Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Festival of the Arts brings Art, Music and Creative Experiences to Destin

Saturday, October 24

Yoga with Dolphins

Crush the Crisis Prescription Drug Take Back Day

STORYBOOK VILLAGE / COMMUNITY DAY

2nd Destin High School Harbor Boil

Haunted Hall of Terror 2026 – Free Niceville Halloween Event

Sunday, October 25

Sunday Breakfast at American Legion Post 296

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Brings BrunchFest to Phineas Phogg’s in Pensacola’s Seville Quarter

Mattie Kelly - Mahjong Games

Monday, October 26

Fall Festival at Destin Community Center

Tuesday, October 27

Monthly Caregiver Support Group

If you would like your event listed here, please submit it to the Events Calendar at DestinChamber.com. Be sure to include your company name, as we only publish events of Destin Chamber members.