Mission Statement:
The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the prosperity and general welfare of its business members and the community they serve.
|
|
|
~ 97th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
|
|
BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, April 4, 2022 ~
|
|
2021-2022 Sustaining Partners
Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.
|
|
Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) |
|
~ Chamber Events and Updates ~ |
|
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 2nd ANNUAL EGGSTRAVAGANZA Join us on Saturday April 16th 2022 at Kiwanis Park, 501 Donora St. Port Charlotte. Egg Hunts Begin 10:15a.m. Children with Special Needs, 10:45a.m. 3-5 years old, 11:15a.m. 10-13 years old, 11:45a.m. 6-9 years old, 12:15p.m. 14-16 years old Other Entertainment is Bounce Houses, Games, Food Trucks, Giveaways, Appearance by The Easter Bunny & Special Guest Dewayne Hill. ALL Donations Received will Benefit Loveland Center. Sponsored by 8 Charlotte County Businesses and the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. Print the flyer for more information.
Third Wednesday Coffee on Wed., April 20 will be held at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. Our Coffee Sponsor will be Southwest Florida Insurance Associates, Inc. Our program speaker will be Pam Davis, Punta Gorda Chief of Police. The Chamber Coffee will be followed by a New Member Orientation at 9:00 a.m. for those who wish to attend. Kindly RSVP in the MIC (Member Portal).
Business Card Exchange, Thurs., April 28 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Tiki Bar/Four Points by Sheraton, 33 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. Remember to bring your business cards, and if you like, a small gift to promote your business. Please RSVP in the MIC (Member Portal).
Sorry, this event is full - Lunch & Learn on April 26, 2022 "Plan to Win, Prepare to Win, Expect to Win" presented by Frank Menard, Coach, Speaker and Trainer at The Menard Team. The focus of this facilitation is to help business owners and entrepreneurs to: Identify their Priority, Identify the 20% Activities that will accomplish their 80% Results. The lunch is sponsored by The Menard Team and will be held at the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, 2702 Tamiami Trial, Port Charlotte 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Charlotte County Public Schools are expecting about 150 New Teachers for the 2022-2023 school year. We are asking our Charlotte County Chamber members to Sponsor a New Teacher for Breakfast on Thursday, July 28, 2022. Your sponsorship of $45 covers the cost of breakfast for you and a teacher. We also invite all members who sponsor a teacher to bring us 150 items for Teacher Welcome Bags. Gifts for inclusion need to be delivered to the Chamber office at 2702 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 15th. (Gifts/promo items only-NO Flyers please.) Kindly register for this event in the MIC.
The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on April 7. (Digital flyers are due by April 5.) Members interested in taking advantage of this new digital monthly format will save the cost of printing a flier. ($100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue) . Email your ad to advertiser@charlottecountychamber.org and include the web address we should link it to, or call us 941-627-2222 for more information.
Business of the Year Nomination Form-2022 - Nomination forms are due back by August 22, 2022. You may nominate you own business, or nominate another business for this award. Print the form to see the criteria and answer five questions. We encourage you to blow your own horn and self-nominate. The selection committee will be made up of past recipients, and the awards will be presented at the 97th Annual Meeting Luncheon on September 30, 2022.
Members, the Charlotte County Chamber Newsletter Business Perspective is going DIGITAL Quarterly beginning in 2022 and publishing January/April/July/October. Members who want to include a Digital page to ride with the newsletter should complete and return the agreement and provide their digital page by the 20th of the month before publication. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. Send your digital flyer to Newsletter@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for information.
The Leadership Charlotte Class of 2022 is raising funds for Mental Health Matters with a "Glow Gala" scheduled for June 4th. Funds raised will benefit four nonprofits. The Guardian Ad Litem Foundation's Alternative Therapy program for children in foster care. Purchasing items for The Family Services Center of Charlotte County to create a sensory room for all 14 nonprofits at the center to use. Purchasing items for Charlotte Behavioral Health Care to create a sensory room in the crisis stabilization unit. and to Purchase items for the Animal Welfare League to enhance their real-life room project, allowing dogs a break from stressful kennel life and space for staff and volunteers to enjoy the mental health benefits that come with comforting the dogs. Additionally the class plans to make a donation to the Leadership Charlotte Endowment fund and Junior Leadership Charlotte. Email them at leadershipcharlotte22@gmail.com for more information. Print the Glow Gala Sponsorship Flyer.
|
|
|
|
The 12th Annual Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Business Expo date is February 2, 2023! Remember to save the date and set aside a little of your marketing budget ($395 for a booth space) for the Hottest Business Day in Paradise, Expo2023!
|
|
Print Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix
Bag Sponsor: WhitCo Insurance-Alexia Martin Agency
|
|
Know of a business who would also benefit from being a Chamber member?
Businesses may join online now on our website or please recommend a business to
|
|
~ Join us for a Ribbon Cutting ~ |
|
Bliss Nail Bar - Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening
Tues., April 5th at 5:30 p.m.
24430 Sandhill Blvd. Ste 304-305, Punta Gorda
Eggstra Special - Ribbon Cutting
Thurs., April 7 at 5:30 p.m.
125 Colonial St. SE, Port Charlotte
Nibbles and Drinks provided
Seeport Optometry - Ribbon Cutting
Wed., April 13th at 5:30 p.m. Ribbon Cutting
4381 Aidan Lane, North Port FL. 34287
Doma - Ribbon Cutting
Originally scheduled for April 14 has been Cancelled
Monarch Direct - 40th Anniversary and Ribbon Cutting
Wed., April 20 at 5:30 p.m.
1264 Market Cir., Unit 6. Port Charlotte FL 33953
Anniversary Party is from 4-7pm
Boys & Girls Clubs of Charlotte County - 25th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting
Tues., April 26, 2022
At Family Services Center Building
21500 Gibralter Drive, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
From 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting at 5:30 p.m.
|
|
Everyone is invited to attend Chamber ribbon cutting events. Come out and support your fellow members. |
|
Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)
|
|
#OurFutureisNow! #OneCommunity |
|
O ne in five women have been victims of a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault. This means that the chances that you have encountered one of these victims is very high. April is “Sexual Assault Awareness” Month and join us as we show our support to these brave survivors. Teal is the official color of our cause so April 5th is “Teal Day”. We encourage everyone to wear the color teal and send us a picture in honor of our survivors and tag our face book page at http://facebook.com/carecharlottecounty.
Craft Beer & Wine Fest presented by Village Brewhouse and Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association to be held at Fishermen’s Village Sat, April 9, 2022, 12 noon-4 p.m. Sample a variety of over 50 beers and wines. Need details? Please click on the link
Rally 'Round 4 Prevention. Come play Pickleball for a great cause on April 9th from 5-9pm. Play by your skill level-all skill levels welcome. Poker hand, round robin, pickleball tournament benefiting scholarship funds for Charlotte County Teens. Being hosted at PicklePlex of Punta Gorda at Florida SouthWestern State College. Email questions to Drug Free Charlotte County volunteer@drugfreecc.org or register at bit.ly/RegisterPickleball2022 Registration deadline is April 5th.
During Operation Green Light, customers with suspended driver licenses will have an opportunity to pay overdue court obligations, including traffic tickets, and save up to 40% in additional fees. The Charlotte County Clerk’s office will be open Saturday, March 26th from 8 am to 12 pm to accept payments at our Justice Center location only, located at 350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Payments must be made in full either in person, online at www.charlottecourtpay.com or by telephone at 855-796-5772. Operation Green Light continues Monday March 28th through Friday April 1st (8:00am - 5:00pm) and Monday April 4th through Friday April 8th (8:00am - 5:00pm) at both the Justice Center and Murdock Administration Building.
The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau is accepting nominations for the Annual Tourism Awards, presented in partnership with the Charlotte chapter of the FRLA. These awards recognize stand out employees from local Restaurants, Hotel/Motel/Resorts, Vacation Rentals, and Attractions. The online nomination form can be accessed here. The nominations are due by April 11, 2022. The awards presentation will take place at the Annual Tourism Celebration lunch on May 5th.
Valerie’s House is participating in “Pizza for a Cause” on Tuesday, April 12th (11am-10pm) at Bocca Lupo. Proceeds from all 3 locations (dine-in or take-out) will go to Valerie’s House. Port Charlotte: 1900 Tamiami Trail, 33948 North Port: 4301 Aidan Lane, 34297 West Villages (Venice): 12105 Mercado Drive, 34293 If you have questions about this event Contact Christine Carey (239-841-0382 or christine@valerieshouse.org). www.valerieshouse.org
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 2nd ANNUAL EGGSTRAVAGANZA Join us on Saturday April 16 th 2022 at Kiwanis Park, 501 Donora St. Port Charlotte. Egg Hunts Begin 10:15a.m. Children with Special Needs, 10:45a.m. 3-5 years old, 11:15a.m. 10-13 years old, 11:45a.m. 6-9 years old, 12:15p.m. 14-16 years old Other Entertainment is Bounce Houses, Games, Food Trucks, Giveaways, Appearance by The Easter Bunny & Special Guest Dewayne Hill. ALL Donations Received will Benefit Loveland Center. Sponsored by 8 Charlotte County Businesses and the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. Print the flyer for more information.
Charlotte Players- There’s a Burglar in my Bed. April 13-24. After thirteen years of marriage, William W. Worthington III (Billy) and his wife Ashley, wealthy New England socialites, are contemplating divorce. Thanks to a pre-nuptial agreement, both know precisely what to expect from a divorce settlement. Located at The Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle in Port Charlotte. For tickets call 941-255-1022 or go to www.charlotteplayers.org
Please help your Charlotte County Public Schools spread the word that Kindergarten registration begins this month. You may register online by following this link, Kindergarten Registration or you may visit your school April 19-25. By making certain that every student who is 5 on or before September 1st is registered, you help us to hire the appropriate number of Kindergarten teachers.
On April 20th, 2022 MonarchDIRECT celebrates 40 years of being in business. Throughout the years, Monarch has expanded its portfolio beyond printing to signs, promotional items and most recently, a commercial sign and digital marketing division. Our clients are always our number one priority as we take great pride in making sure that each one of our clients receive a VIP experience from the moment we ask, “How can I make your day outstanding?”
MonarchDIRECT has been the product and marketing leader in Southwest Florida for almost 40 years. With that being said, we invite you to join us in celebration of this monumental anniversary event! Please keep an eye out for more details in the coming weeks.
Complete Auto Repair is co-hosting an event on April 20th for teens at the Charlotte County Library, called Drive Smart Auto Maintenance Workshop for Teens. We’ll cover the basics and teach the “why” behind maintenance that will keep their repair costs down for a lifetime. To register them, go to Charlotte County Library Facebook Page. If you have an organization who would like to host this class, call Ron Morgan at (941) 623 – 2926 to discuss.
Alaska Land, Rail & Sea Presentation on April 22, 2022 @ 2pm. Experience the diversity Alaska has to offer by land, rail & sea with the cruise line that started it all 75 years ago. Alaska experts dedicated to explorers, foodies and music lovers of all ages, Holland America cruise tours combine the best of an Alaskan cruise with the most authentic and immersive ways to experience Denali National Park & Preserve. Learn more with CarmichaelTravel.Com and Holland America by registering at https://www.carmichaeltravel.com/form/AlaskaPresentation
Susan Craig a financial coach from Independent Financial Coaching will be presenting her "Financial Literacy Class" at the Port Charlotte and Englewood Libraries on April 29th as part of their “Family Financials Program". She will be sharing the basics of budgeting, savings, and retirement. This information is useful to people of any age group and individuals wanting to think strategically and simply about their money. The program is at Port Charlotte Library at 11 AM and the Englewood Library at 4 PM. Come join us for this Free Event. https://www.yourifc.com/post/family-financials-program-presents-financial-literacy
Cancer treatment is a journey no one should make alone. Advocate Radiation Oncology care team guides patients every step of the way. This year, Popping the Cork on Cancer is raising money for Children’s Cancer Center. This benefit on May 12 from 6-8PM is organized by Ken Johnson and Carol King-Murphy, from Advocate Radiation Oncology, cancer survivors themselves, with the support of Noelle LaPonte and Lexington Manor. Please help us help them, they didn’t choose to have cancer, we can choose to be their Champions and provide our support for this worthwhile cause. For Tickets & Info call Ken 941-380-5650
Caring for a loved one? Finally, take the "daycation" you both deserve! Enter to Win free care for an entire year right here at ActivAge at Chelsea Place Enjoy peace of mind while your loved one is having the time of their life! Our Daycation Giveaway is open now to May 31st, 2022. If you are caring for a loved one, don't miss this opportunity to win an entire year of care, FREE at our Port Charlotte location. Visit https://www.activagecare.com/free to enter! Winner will be chosen/announced in June 2022.
|
|
When you get new tires for your car, make sure you give out your home address. Why? Because this is how you will be notified if a recall has been issued. Tire blowouts cause over 78,000 crashes each year. At Complete Auto Repair, we file this information religiously so that you will be notified. Call Mary Holstein at (941) 623 – 2926 to schedule an appointment to check your tires.
At Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage, we like to say that we take good care of your stuff. Here is part of a recent review, where Jamie said it even better – “Everything was taken care of like they were packing up their mama’s house.” For a high-quality move, call Kenny Gardiner at 941-423-5311.
Waggles, Port Charlotte’s neighborhood puppy store is finally open! We are excited to share our passion for pets with the community. If you or someone you know is looking for a puppy or you just want to come in and play, we welcome you to stop by and meet us and our beautiful fur babies. We are open Tuesday-Sunday 11-7PM and Monday 11-5PM. We welcome the opportunity to show you how we provide quality, happy, healthy puppies.
Charlotte Harbor Water Shuttle is Punta Gorda's newest water attraction. Cruise the beautiful isles of Punta Gorda to the Riviera Bar & Grill. Shuttle runs Twice daily, leaves Laishley Marina at 11:30a.m. for lunch and 4:00p.m for Dinner. Why wait in line for seating at the restaurant, just call Captain Phil to reserve your seat on the Tip~C~Gull and he’ll make your reservation for the restaurant. It’s a win win and no wait. Phone: 941-219-2917 or email: captnphil@aow.com
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recommends not asking about criminal convictions on job applications. But, if you do, limit inquiries to convictions related to the specific position and consistent with business necessity. The EEOC also discourages asking about arrests and stipulates arrest records alone may not be used to screen-out applicants. But, you may make an employment decision based on the conduct underlying an arrest if it makes the applicant unfit for the position. For FCRA-compliant background screening, contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks. 941-488-8500; 800-531-6522; nrginfo@atlantic.net
Spring into well-being by having happier and healthier employees! Gulfcoast South AHEC offers FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges at no cost for qualifying participants. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today.
Toby Lynn helps families buy, build, or refinance their home. Let’s get the ball rolling for a family member, co-worker, or your best buddy! Toby Lynn can help get them financing for Primary Residences, Secondary Homes, Investment Properties, or Construction Loans. Specializing in Happy, Smooth, and On-Time Closings! CALL TODAY! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com
|
|
“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” — Conrad Hilton |
|
We encourage members to shop with other members to keep our community and local economy strong. If you do business with one or more of our renewing members please congratulate them for their Chamber Anniversary. These are members who renewed between February 16, 2022 and March 15, 2022... Take a look! |
|
The Charlotte County Human Resources Department in partnership with CareerSource Southwest Florida has scheduled a job fair from 3-7 p.m., Monday, April 11 at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St. in Punta Gorda. This is a multi-agency event with employers from Charlotte County Public Works, Utilities, Building Construction Services, Recreation and Pools, Information Technology, Public Safety, Fire & EMS as well as the Tax Collector, schools and more. Potential on-site interviews and resume assistance will be available. For information contact Charlotte County Human Resources www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/human-resources. For all jobs available at Charlotte County, visit www.charlottecountyfl.gov/jobs.
|
|
Showcase your business through sponsorship! |
|
Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your business? A great opportunity would be sponsoring one of our Third Wednesday Coffees. Sponsors receive recognition in Business Online, on Facebook and in the Chamber calendar. Sponsors may place marketing materials on the tables at the event and will have 4-5 minutes to introduce yourself/staff/business. Available slots are limited. Please contact Janet Caffee jcaffee@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for details. Cost to sponsor is $300.
|
|
LOCAL-
Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.
STATE AND FEDERAL-
Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus
Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/
|
|
My daughter was doing her homework and asked me what I knew about Galileo.
I, proudly and confidently, told her that he was just a poor boy from a poor family.
___________
What's the difference between a vegan and a computer programmer?
One is disgusted by a rack of lamb and the other is disgusted by a lack of RAM.
|
|
Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)
|
|
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
