May 12, 2020
Greetings!
We are excited to welcome our newest Trustee member Eglin Federal Credit Union ! We appreciate your support of this community and our Chamber. We look forward to working with you to reopen, recover and reimagine our local economy.
Destin Water Users, Inc.
Golf Tournament Rescheduled, Renasant Bank Claims Title Sponsorship
Thank you to Renasant Bank for sponsoring our Annual Golf Tournament, which has been rescheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, at Emerald Bay Golf Club. Half Shell Oyster House will join us for a cookout featuring oysters, hamburgers and hotdogs before the tournament begins, and Acme Oyster House will be shucking oysters all afternoon. We will also have a putting content and prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin. Check out sponsorships and team registration here.
Governor Expands Phase 1: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Executive Order
Check out the links below for additional information on the expanded Phase 1 order, which now includes barbershops, cosmetology salons and cosmetology specialty salons:

Join Tomorrow's Webinar to Discuss EPA & CDC Guidelines to Reopening
Join U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, the National Institute for Occupational Safety’s Dr. Margaret Kitt, the CDC’s Dr. Jennifer Murphy, Florida Chamber Safety Council President Katie Yeutter and Florida Chamber President & CEO Mark Wilson on Wednesday, May 13, from 2:15 - 3:15 p.m., to discuss the latest EPA and CDC guidelines businesses should follow to keep workers and customers safe. Register to reserve your seat today.
Message to Governor DeSantis: Open Our Short-term Vacation Rentals
Last week, zhis chamber joined with Okaloosa Tourist Development and other leading organizations in our area to send a letter in support of our vacation rental companies to Governor DeSantis asking him to remove the VR ban for Northwest Florida. Vacation rental companies make up 78.5% of the lodging units in Okaloosa County and 87% of the lodging units in Walton County. Read the letter here.  
Check the Most Current COVID-19 Stats
Visit TheFloridaScorecard.org for up-to-date metrics statewide and locally. Click on the dropdown in the top right of the screen to toggle between counties.
FloridaScorecard
Your Census Makes A Difference
From directing federal funds to local communities to determining political representation in all levels of government, accurate census counts are vital. Destin is only reporting a 28.9% response rate to the 2020 Census. Please take time to complete the census today! Call (844) 330-2020 or complete the Census online at  www.My2020Census.Gov .
Are You Open For Business?
Now that we are in Phase 1, have your business operations changed? Please email your updated hours, services and job openings to espies@DestinChamber.com . We will use it to update our ' Open For Business ' web page.
Air Force Salute
Destin's Drive By Blessing of the Marketplace is May 20
Despite COVID-19, the annual Blessing of the Marketplace will take place on May 20, from 7:30 - 9 a.m., with three drive by locations throughout the city. Locations are separated by industry.

Location 1: Shoreline Church
140 Palmetto St, Destin, FL 32541
Fishing, Boating, Water Sports, Recreation, Miscellaneous

Location 2: Destin United Methodist Church
200 Beach Dr, Destin, FL 32541
Government/Schools, Retail, Real Estate & Construction

Location 3: Coastline Calvery Chapel
310 Mountain Dr, Destin, FL 32541
Not for Profit, Health, Fitness, Beauty, Medical, Hospitality, Professional

To register, please click here .
Leadership Okaloosa Applications Available Now
Leadership Okaloosa is an esteemed leadership training and development program with a 30-year history of being a vital part of Okaloosa County’s growth and development of its leaders. This 9-month experience is designed to enhance the participant’s leadership skills and provide community awareness. Find details and application here.
While our lobby is still temporarily closed to visitors, we are open and ready to serve you. Please call us at (850) 837-6241 or email mail@DestinChamber.com .










Thank you to those businesses and organizations stepping up to help each other and the community. We want to share your upcoming events and highlight your good works. Please send updates to espies@DestinChamber.com .
Protect Yourself From Frivolous COVID-19 Lawsuits Sponsored by Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, LLC
Thursday, May 14 | 10 - 11 a.m.

As we begin following Governor DeSantis' plan to reopen the Florida economy, are we ready for any legal issues that arise? Let our panel of legal experts help you create a plan to Protect Yourself From Frivolous COVID-19-Related Lawsuits. This is sponsored by Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, LLC.

Panelists include Leslie D. Sheekley, Board Certified Business Litigation Attorney with Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, and Mark L. Bonfanti, Partner with Hall, Gilligan, Roberts & Shanlever llp.

Tourism Industry Interest Group: COVID-19 Initiatives & Resources With VISIT FLORIDA
Wednesday, May 20 | 12 - 1 p.m.

Brenna Dacks, Regional Partnership Manager with VISIT FLORIDA, will provide an update on VISIT FLORIDA industry resources and its consumer marketing initiatives (both current and future) related to COVID-19.

Managing Problem Employees
How to Manage Problem Employees & Handle Difficult People
Friday, May 22 | 9 - 9:45 a.m.

This is a SHRM-accredited 45-minute webinar with management expert Glenn Shepard. There is no charge for Chamber members. The cost is $199 for non-members.

Email espies@DestinChamber.com for registration information.
Annual Golf Tournament Sponsored by Renasant Bank
Thursday, October 1 | Noon Shotgun Start

Half Shell Oyster House will join us for a cookout featuring oysters, hamburgers and hotdogs before the tournament begins, and Acme Oyster House will be shucking oysters all afternoon. We will also have a putting content and prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin.

Save $ On Office Supplies
Did you know Destin Chamber members save money on office supplies with Office Depot? Click here to print a store purchasing card to use in the Destin location or visit www.mychamberadvantage.com/Chamber_SignUp to sign up online.
DestinChamber.com | (850) 837-6241