Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Greetings!
Last night Destin City Council voted to stop a crucial piece of public infrastructure, the completion of the Crosstown Connector. This project has been in the works for 28 years, and tens of millions of dollars have been spent on studies and planning. The misrepresentation of the facts by certain council members scaring the public into thinking this was going to be a four-lane speedway through the neighborhoods of Destin won out over the true facts of what the connector is and what it was going to be. The Destin Chamber has supported this project from its inception, and I thank your chamber’s board of directors for their support and allowing me to continue to push for the completion of this road. 

The council, in stopping this project, turned away millions of dollars from the TDC, county, and state that would have paid for the connector’s completion. Please send an email to city council at council@cityofdestin.com and thank Mayor Jarvis and Councilors Morgan and Overdier for continuing to support the project, and let those who voted ‘no’ on the connector’s completion know that, as a business leader and business person in Destin, you are disappointed that connector has been stopped.
The 2019 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday was passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis last week. This sales tax holiday begins Friday, May 31, and extends through Thursday, June 6. Click here to see what items qualify.
What do our recent Destin Forward graduates say about their experience?

"This was an amazing class. I’d recommend it to anyone and encourage all local chamber member businesses to send an employee (or three) through the program!"
Jenni Brunson, Okaloosa Gas

"Great class. I recommend to everyone and anyone! You learn a lot about Destin and get to meet some amazing people along the way! Thank you, Destin Chamber!"
Denise Kendust, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center

Leadership Okaloosa registration is open. This 9-month experience is designed to enhance the participant’s leadership skills and provide community awareness. Hosted from September to May, participants receive classroom training by certified instructors and are given opportunities to interact with various key community leaders throughout the process. Find the application here.
Business After Hours
Sponsored by BOTE
Thursday, May 23 | 5 - 6:30 p.m.

BOTE is giving away an AERO or Rigid BOTE to one lucky Chamber member in attendance!
Military Affairs Council (MAC) Meeting
Wednesday, June 5 | 12 - 1 p.m.
Location: Destin Chamber Conference Room
Business Before Hours Sponsored by Destin Commons
Friday, June 14 | 7:30 - 9 a.m.
Location: LuLu's

Our guest will be Florida State Rep. Mel Ponder to tell us what we need to know about the recent legislative session.

Nonprofit spotlight: Fisher House of the Emerald Coast & The Sonder Project
VISIT FLORIDA Update
Thursday, June 20 | 1:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Bonefish Grill

Lino Maldonado, Chairman of VISIT FLORIDA and Vice President of Operations for the Gulf Region for Wyndham Vacation Rentals North America, will give an update on VISIT FLORIDA and the effects of the recent legislative session.

Thursday, June 6, at 4 p.m.

Thursday, July 25, at 4 p.m.
DestinChamber.com | (850) 837-6241