August 16, 2022

Good morning! The 10th Annual Paddle at the Park Sponsored by HCA Florida Destin Emergency is this Saturday! The event features 1- and 3-mile recreational races, the 6-mile elite race for the official Destin SUP Cup, and a kids' out-and-back fun paddle. Registration is now open on Paddleguru.com. Thank you to our race partners BOTE and Henderson Beach State Park; title sponsor HCA Florida Destin Emergency; platinum sponsors Destin - Fort Walton Beach and R3 Construction; accommodations sponsors SummerPlace Inn and Vacasa; silver sponsors 99Rock, Destin Life, Eglin Federal Credit Union and Z96; bronze sponsor Circle JM Farms; photography sponsor McCain's Creations Photography; and site sponsors Buffalo Rock and Destin Fire Control District!

Fosdyck Honored as Business Person of the Month Congratulations to Cory Fosdyck, Merrill Lynch’s Senior Vice President and Resident Director, who was honored as the Chamber's Business Person of the Month during our Aug. 12 Business Before Hours Sponsored by A 2 Z Specialty Advertising! This award is presented directly from the Chamber’s Board of Directors to a Destin area businessperson showing vision for his or her business and leadership in our community.  The award was presented by our 2022 Chairman of the Board Jennifer Gutai Comella of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale. Continue reading here.

Share Your Workforce Needs Please complete the Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 – Survey Part Two. Help us understand your company’s evolving workforce needs and how we can unite the business community to secure Florida’s talent. A stronger talent pipeline will build a stronger Florida. Let’s learn from each other. Take the survey here.

Florida Chamber Shares Incumbent & Primary Endorsements The Florida Chamber of Commerce is again uniting Florida’s business community to help make Florida more competitive and recently endorsed a bipartisan list of 18 Senate incumbents and more than 50 House incumbents running for reelection this year. See the list here. The Chamber also endorsed a bipartisan list of nine Senate candidates and 24 House candidates running in primary elections. See the list here.

Important Election Information Don't forget the 2022 Primary Election is Aug. 23., and your vote is important! Check out the sample ballot for Okaloosa County here and Walton County here. For information on polling locations and times, visit govote-okaloosa.com and votewalton.com.

Business Tax Receipt Renewals for FY 2023 It’s time to renew your Destin Business Tax Receipts (BTRs). To avoid any late fees, renewal payments are due by Sept. 30. For step-by-step instructions, visit www.cityofdestin.com/btr.

Want Your Business Seen? Advertise on DestinChamber.com! DestinChamber.com averages more than 56K page views each month. Advertising packages can be tailored to your business' goals. Home page spots are available. Contact Elizabeth at espies@DestinChamber.com or (850) 837-6241 for more information.

Ready To Add New Employees To Your Team? Check out our Job Board! To add your own job listing, log into our Member Portal. If you need your login information, send us an email at mail@DestinChamber.com.

Perks of Your Chamber Membership Affordable Health Insurance for Your Employees We are pleased to offer an ACA-compliant group health benefits solution that offers premium savings from 10-20% compared to traditional carrier plans. View details here. Healthiest You by Teladoc is a high-quality virtual care solution designed to serve businesses and their employees who cannot afford traditional health insurance. View details here. Savings On Your Email Marketing Program As a chamber member, you receive some great benefits from our partnership with Constant Contact, including special savings on email marketing. Click here to see how you can save up to 25%. Save $ On Office Supplies Did you know Destin Chamber members save money on office supplies by ordering online with Office Depot? Visit https://odams.officedepot.com/registrations/portal.php?a=66487355 to sign up.

Blake Morar Joins ECCAC Board CAA Announces Program Expansion & Addition of Miramar Beach Creative Campus CAA Welcomes New Event Director Cory Fosdyck Honored as Destin Chamber’s Business Person of the Month Eco Clean Marine Hosts Successful Harbor Cleanup in August 2022 Eglin Federal Credit Union to add a location in Gulf Breeze Emerald Coast Title Services Announces Winners of 2022 Teacher Giveaway Let's Talk Title: Top 5 Tips for Realtors SocialLee Relevant Episode 25: PR Strategies to Score National Media Coverage with Des Dickerson of Uncommon Collective Cast Your Vote for Us: USA Today’s 2022 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards NWFSC Receives 2022 CLEP Honors National Military Achievement Award EFCU's Chairman William ''Bill'' Rone Inducted into the Defense Credit Union Council's Hall of Honor FL Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Three Board Members to NWFSC's Board of Trustees  Real Estate Attorney Rachel M. Miller joins Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital and Okaloosa County School District Announce Health Academy Want to see your business news, blogs and awards listed here? Send your updates to espies@DestinChamber.com.

Ladies Who Launch Powerhouse Women Series: Magda Cooper, BOTE Wednesday, August 17 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Location: Destin Chamber SOLD OUT! Find details here. Our August Powerhouse Woman is Magda Cooper, co-founder of standup paddle board and lifestyle brand BOTE.

No Cost Business Consulting Thursday, August 18 | 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Destin Chamber Find details here   Florida SBDC at UWF Business Consultant Diana Jernigan will be available for impromptu meetings assisting with business challenges or opportunities. These meetings are confidential, no-cost, and allow you skip the traditional wait period after you request consulting from the Florida SBDC.

Starting a Business Workshop with the Florida SBDC at UWF Thursday, August 25 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Location: Destin Chamber Registration and payment required   In this three-hour workshop, we will take an in-depth view of your business concept and discuss the steps to a successful start.

Business After Hours & Ribbon Cutting Celebrating Recent Remodeling Sponsored by Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Destin Thursday, August 25 | Ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. Business After Hours from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Location: 19001 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Destin Registration and payment required   Join us for networking, cocktails, and appetizers, during our Aug. 25 Business After Hours Sponsored by Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Destin!

Military Affairs Council (MAC) Meeting Wednesday, September 7 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Location: Destin Chamber Find details here Our speaker will be Col. William David Deitch, 96th Test Wing, Staff Judge Advocate.

Business Before Hours Sponsored by CRC Data Technologies Friday, September 9 | 7:30 - 9 a.m. Location: Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village Registration and payment required Please join us for our Sept. 9 Business Before Hours Sponsored by CRC Data Technologies and featuring non-profit spotlight Destin Rotary Club. Rodney Braden and Bobby Wagner, both candidates for Destin Mayor, will share their platforms and answer questions.

Save the Date for our 2022 Signature Events September 29 - Annual Golf Tournament Sponsored by Renasant Bank November 17 - 10th Annual Bourbon at the Bay Presented by Hand Arendall Harrison Sale December 13 - Holiday & Awards Party Sponsorships are available! Contact mail@DestinChamber.com for details.

Ongoing Through Monday, August 22 Food For Thought 9th Annual Stock The Pantry Team Registration Tuesday, August 16 Lawn Games in Grand Park Bands on the Beach featuring Sandy Roots Wednesday, August 17 Lawn Games in Grand Park Thursday, August 18 Lawn Games in Grand Park Join Brookdale Destin for a Walk-In Job Fair LuLu’s Destin Hosts Weekly Job Fairs Every Thursday Darts & Music at the American Legion Post 296 Friday, August 19 Lawn Games in Grand Park Karaoke at American Legion Post 296 Saturday, August 20 Lawn Games in Grand Park 10th Annual Paddle at the Park Sponsored by HCA Florida Destin Emergency Grand Boulevard’s Farmers’ Market One Blood’s Big Red Bus at CDJRF Fort Walton Beach Hype on the Harbor Sunday, August 21 Lawn Games in Grand Park Sunday Breakfast at American Legion Post 296 Sunday Brunch at 790 Monday, August 22 Lawn Games in Grand Park Bingo Fundraiser at American Legion Post 296 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.

August 25 - Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Destin

Thank You To Our Renewing Members

CertaPro Painters of Northwest Florida Clark Partington Hart Larry Bond & Stackhouse CRC Data Technologies Destin Pontoon Charters Habitat For Humanity, Okaloosa County

Health Care Exchange NW Florida Mattress Outlet Panera Bread Parrot Head Yachts, LLC Scenic Sotheby's International Realty Signarama Destin

DestinChamber.com | (850) 837-6241

‌ ‌ ‌