Your Chamber News

Our Chamber Home Dedication Has Been Postponed!!!

Last week we celebrated Freedom Flooring & Refinishing's Ribbon Cutting! They just opened a showroom on Missouri Avenue in Clearwater!

Empower Adventures is Florida’s ultimate zipline destination, nestled between Tampa and the beaches of Clearwater & St. Petersburg. Their main mission is to empower individuals and teams through adventure experiences. They seek to improve the way individuals and teams lead themselves through challenges and fears and motivating them to step outside their comfort zones--and their zipline courses are the best opportunity to go out on a limb and find out how strong you truly are. At their location in Oldsmar, you’ll encounter over 3,000 feet of zip line and highly acclaimed aerial challenges while overlooking the wildlife and waters of Bayou Wilderness and Tampa Bay.

Joe DeRing is president & founder of Empower Adventures. Having served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Joe returned from service seeking to use his leadership skills in a way that would allow him to contribute to society. Partnering with advisors and fellow veterans, Dev Pathik & Jason Clement, Joe developed Empower Leadership Sports in Middletown, Connecticut. Later, the team created Empower Adventures in Tampa Bay. The center and Joe’s incredible personal journey from battlefield to inspirational adventure operator has now been featured on CNN, FOX, and numerous other media outlets across the U.S.

Empower Adventures was also named Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Small Hospitality Business of the Year for 2019!

Learn more about Empower Adventures HERE!

FRLA Marketing & Operations Summit in Tampa

FRLA’s Marketing + Operations Summit is back for our 6th annual premier Florida hospitality event held August 13 – 14, 2019 at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. Join Florida’s most influential hospitality professionals and top-level executives and expect to see powerful players such as Coca-Cola, MillerCoors, Marriott, Disney, Firehouse Subs, Sonny’s BBQ, Tony Roma’s, Loews Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Tijuana Flats, Bloomin’ Brands and many more.

The annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism (GC) is the premier educational conference for the Florida tourism industry. This event brings together tourism industry professionals, advertising agencies, travel experts and state leaders to explore the latest trends and opportunities for the industry. The conference takes place September 4-6, 2019.

Download the PIE Passenger Report HERE

VISIT FLORIDA WEBINAR:

How younger generations are shaping the future of travel

INPUT REQUESTED: Survey for Smoking Ban on Beaches

This is a survey on the proposed legislation to prohibit cigarette smoking on Florida public beaches. While it was not reviewed in 2019, it will likely be a topic during the 2020 session. Survey results will be shared with Florida legislators and media. Thank you for completing the survey, which will take approximately 5 minutes.

Transportation Updates

Envision 2030 TBARTA Regional Transit Development Plan

FDOT Funding Overview

MPOAC Legislative Update - FINAL 2019

Florida Influencer Poll: Ron DeSantis won 2019 Legislative Session

The 2019 Legislative Session saw a show of strength for conservative policy. But will any of the policies bring blowback?

And just how much of that $91.1-billion budget will make it past Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto pen?

We asked more than 100 close observers of the political process about how the aftermath of this year’s session plays out. The bulk agree it’s DeSantis’ state and we’re all just living in it.

It's DeSantis' State

Sunburn — The morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics

Here’s your AM rundown of people, politics and policy in the Sunshine State.

Upcoming Public Meetings

Click on links below for meeting agenda and location details.

Government Affairs Committee Meeting

Tuesday June 18 - 7:45 am

Presentation: BayCare Health System

BayCare offers a wide range of programs and services to meet the health care needs of individuals and communities throughout Florida. Our goal is to offer exceptional service at every level and in many forms. Whether you require emergency surgery, prenatal counseling, or outpatient imaging, you can always turn to BayCare as your single trusted source for comprehensive care. We are proud to be known throughout the Tampa Bay area for 15 not-for-profit hospitals, in addition to more than 300 facilities that offer a wide variety of additional medical services and more.

Transportation Committee Meeting

Tuesday June 18 - 9:00 am

Presentation: Florida Department of Transportation District 7

Location:

"The Ring" Workspaces

600 Cleveland Street Suite 300 Clearwater, FL 33755