A 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce |
|
|
In addition to this being the month with the MOST staff birthdays here at the Chamber (seriously, we're talking A LOT of cake around here), May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Tune into our social media platforms next week for some easy tips and tricks to help boost your mental health. Also, be sure to sign up for our next Lunch & Learn: Mental Wellness in the Workplace to develop valuable strategies for balancing the pressure of work and the wellbeing of your team. |
|
Next Up on PIVOTED!
For over 50 years Pinner’s Fine Shoes has been an iconic Gainesville establishment, attracting customers from all over the country. In the latest episode of Pivoted, Julianne hangs out with Duke Pinner as they discuss the heart and SOLE of his business. (Don’t boot us to the curb; we’ll just slide on out of here)
Speaking of fantastic, have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? We haven't seen the scientific data yet, but we have heard that subscribing to our YouTube makes your hair grow faster*!
(* no scientists were harmed in the blatant fabrication of this fact)
|
|
Major Legislation Passes to Soften Fiscal Cliffs in Florida, Informed by Florida Chamber Foundation Research
In 2016, the Florida Chamber Foundation set out to unite the business community behind a bold stance: childhood poverty is one of the greatest economic challenges we face, and if not combated, it will not only impact the economic well-being of Florida’s residents but Florida’s future economic growth. Since then, the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Project, a program of the Florida Equality of Opportunity Initiative, has led a movement to unite the business, civic, and philanthropic community to ensure every child in Florida has a pathway to prosperity.
To help Florida leaders help lead the effort, the Florida Prosperity Project created the Florida Model highlighting the 10 root causes of poverty, and the path to prosperity to eradicate them – one zip code at a time. That effort is paying off.Today, the Florida Legislature passed HB 121, a historic expansion of the Florida Healthy Kids Program. The Florida Healthy Kids Program, also known as Kidcare, allows for the purchase of subsidized health insurance for children that are uninsured and in low-income households, addressing Health as one of the 10 root causes of poverty. This expansion considers recommendations from the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Less Poverty, More Prosperity: The Florida Fiscal Cliffs Report and will increase the Kidcare eligibility threshold through a phased-in approach to soften fiscal cliffs many families face as they climb up the economic ladder.
Current eligibility requirements create a healthcare coverage gap, thus disincentivizing upward mobility for Florida’s families. As families climb the economic ladder, they should never have to choose between a pay raise and healthcare for their children. Under the new bill, a Florida family of four will now be able to access high-quality, affordable health insurance for their children if they are making $90,000 or less. Softening these fiscal cliffs will go a long way in improving prosperity outcomes for Florida’s families and helping us achieve the Florida 2030 Blueprint goal of cutting Florida childhood poverty in half by 2030 and ensuring 100% have a pathway out.
|
|
Visit Gainesville, Alachua County Shares Tourism Impact Information
Visit Gainesville, Alachua County celebrates National Travel and Tourism Week from May 7 through May 13. National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual tradition celebrating the industry’s critical role in powering economic development, employment, and destination growth.
This year’s Tourism Week theme is “Travel Forward.” In support of that, Alachua County is pleased to report record-setting tourism impacts across all key performance indicators for visitors who stayed in paid overnight accommodations in 2022:
- Visitors created $789,429,800 in economic impact, an increase of 25% (nearly $160 million) over 2021.
- Visitors spent over $495 million in Alachua County on local lodging, entertainment, dining, shopping, groceries, and transportation, an increase of 22% over 2021.
- Alachua County attracted nearly 1.4 million visitors that stayed in paid accommodations, an increase of 15% over 2021.
- Visitors to Alachua County generated 1,460,200 room nights in paid accommodations.
- Jobs supported by Alachua County visitors generated over $272 million in wages and salaries for local jobs, an increase of 29% over 2021.
- Visitors generated approximately $64 million in state and local tax revenue, saving each Alachua County household $621 in taxes.
- This economic data was compiled by Downs & St. Germaine and excludes visitors who took day trips to Alachua County and visitors who stayed in the residences of friends or family or in personal second homes.
“Alachua County’s investment of tourist development tax into capital projects and programs that enhance tourism and visitor spending has created a thriving tourism industry in the County,” said Alachua County Tourist Development Council Chair Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler. “There is so much to celebrate, including the upcoming ribbon cutting at the new Alachua County Sports and Events Center at Celebration Pointe, which will bring significant impacts to the industry for decades.”
A proclamation celebrating National Travel and Tourism Week will be read at the Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Alachua County Commission Meeting.
“Visitation and visitor spending will be a consistent driver of economic advancement and workforce expansion in Alachua County,” said Tourism Development Manager Jessica Hurov. “Industry partnerships and investments into nature, culture, and sporting opportunities create the foundation of historically high visitation to the County, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with our industry partners to expand County investments, destination enhancement, and marketing projects in the coming months and years.”
Alachua County deploys a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to increasing tourism through the investment of tourist development tax into Countywide capital infrastructure projects; marketing and advertising strategies deployed to targeted regional and national audiences; grant programs and funding support to arts, nature, and culture organizations, attractions and event producers; outreach and sales to conference and meeting planners; support of participatory sporting activities including the Gainesville Sports Commission; hosting travel writers, supporting film crews; and more.
|
|
EVENT TODAY!
Swamp City Fitness Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, May 11th
4:30pm-6:30pm
4315 NW 29th Ave,
Gainesville, FL, 32608
Join us as we celebrate Swamp City Fitness's Grand Re-Opening!
Since 2017, Swamp City Fitness has been a gym where people train to enjoy their lives as a way of life here in Greater Gainesville. Swamp City Fitness was once a CrossFit Gym and now they have Certified Coaches, Classes and Programming for Powerlifting, Strongman, Calisthenics, Long Distance Running, Olympic Weightlifting and a Certified Performance Nutritionist. Swamp City is excited to share these new changes with the community and would love for you to come see their new equipment as well!
Make plans to be with us as we congratulate Swamp City on their new additions. There will be drinks, hors d'oeuvres, giveaways, tours, music and more! The ribbon cutting ceremony will commence at 5:30pm.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENT
GGYP: Pancakes & Presidents
Wednesday, May 10th
9:000am - 10:30am
300 E. University Ave., Ste100
Gainesville, FL 32601
Join the Greater Gainesville Young Professionals for their quarterly Thrive event, Pancakes & Presidents!
This event is only for young professionals in Greater GNV between the ages of 21-39.
Our second President of the 2023 series is Kevin Spellicy!
Kevin Spellicy is the President and Principal Engineer for Campbell Spellicy Engineering, which is a Gainesville-based mechanical, electrical, and plumbing consulting engineering firm specializing in commercial and institutional building systems design. Kevin started with the firm in 2009 as an intern and progressed through the ranks to full-time, Professional Engineer, Partner, VP and eventually as sole Owner of the firm in 2016. Since that time, Campbell Spellicy has more than doubled revenue, tripled it’s full time staff, and been awarded as a Gator100 fasted growing Gator-led company as well as the 2018 Small Company of the Year and 2022 Community Engagement Company of the Year by the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.
Outside of the office, Kevin spends time with his wife, Whitney, and two daughters, Harper and Austen. On days off, you will find him and his family enjoying one of the Gainesville Area’s many parks, springs, hiking trails, museums, or a Gator sporting event. Kevin is also a passionate community leader and volunteer, serving on as Past President for the Leadership Gainesville Alumni Association, Vice Chair for Grace Marketplace, member of the United Way’s Community Investment Council, and active volunteer with a variety of local non-profit agencies.
Join us for breakfast and great conversation! Seating is limited.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENT
Business Before Hours:
HarborChase
Tuesday, May 16th
8:30am - 10:00am
1415 Fort Clarke Blvd
Gainesville, FL 3206
Join us for Business Before Hours, a structured yet relaxed environment for making effective connections within the Chamber business community. Participation in Business Before Hours is included in your Chamber Membership. You may find a strong referral source, a new vendor, the perfect client or simply get a foot in the door for connecting at larger events. Come build lasting business and personal relationships at Business Before Hours.
Participation is limited to 50 attendees.
If you register to attend then find out you will not be able to attend, email us so we may free up your seat for another Chamber member.
|
|
UPCOMING EVENT
Lunch & Learn: Mental Wellness at Work
Wednesday, May 17th
12:00pm - 1:00pm
LifeSouth Community Blood Center
1121 NW 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
1 in 5 adults in the United States will experience mental illness. However, only 1 in 3 will ask for help. As a result, many people will either miss work or will get less done on the job. That is why it is important to focus on workplace mental health. Addressing mental health and providing comprehensive programs for the prevention and treatment of mental illness at work can prevent / reduce burnout.
Key Take-aways by attending:
- Learn how to prevent / reduce burnout
- Understand how mental health impacts your employees and coworkers
- Identify practical strategies to cultivate a sense of calm, clarity and stability, even when things are stressful and overwhelming at work
- Learn to build strong and positive connections to provide a source of support
Presented by: Dr. Kent Mathias, Medical Director of UF Health Psychiatric Hospital Substance Abuse Unit
Thank you to our sponsor:
|
|
UPCOMING EVENT
GGYP Strive Event: Diaper Drive With Early Learning Coalition
Wednesday, May 10th - Wednesday, May 24th
Every month, the Greater Gainesville Young Professionals select a different philanthropic focus point so they can STRIVE to be better members of their community!
This month, GGYP is helping the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County with a Diaper Drive. The Early Learning Coalition promotes high-quality school readiness, voluntary pre-kindergarten, and after-school programs, thus increasing all children’s chances of achieving future educational success and becoming productive members of society.
Right now, ELC has a great need for diapers and wipes. You can purchase diapers and/or wipes and drop them off at The Greater Gainesville Chamber, Gainesville Health and Fitness Womens Center or the Starbucks on 13th street OR you can purchase them online.
|
|
Join us on June 2nd for the Annual DRINK GNV Brewery Tour Presented by: Servpro of Gainesville West/Alachua County West
Guests will meet at Swamp Head Brewing Company at 2:45pm (Parking available). We'll visit all four local brewers including Blackadder, Cypress & Grove, First Magnitude, and Swamp Head. Each guest will receive a seat on the coach bus, a commemorative pint glass, a swag bag, food and beverage (BEER!) at each location and a chance to win prizes.
Space is limited and this event sells out every year so take advantage of the Early Bird pricing available now through April 30th.
For more information and to reserve your seat on the bus:
|
|
Now Accepting Diplomat Applications!
Are you interested in becoming more involved with the Greater Gainesville Chamber? The Chamber Diplomat Committee is now accepting applications for new Diplomats. Chamber Diplomats are a group of representatives from member businesses who volunteer as an active extension of the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce staff.
Their mission is to cultivate, promote and maintain a positive relationship between the Chamber, our members and the community. Chamber Diplomats meet monthly to discuss Chamber updates and volunteer to attend Chamber events to connect, refer, and help ensure every member of the Chamber is getting the assistance they need. Participation in the Chamber Diplomat Committee is open to anyone who has been a Chamber Member for at least one year and is a Member in good standing. To get started with your application, click here.
|
|
Showcase Your Business:
Host a Chamber Event in 2023!
Calling all businesses: hosting a Chamber Business Before Hours or a Business After Hours Event is a great way to build exposure for your company!
These popular series of networking events draw attention from the professional community and are an excellent opportunity to showcase your business to entrepreneurs and customers from across our community. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to give your business more exposure and to become a familiar face in our community!
|
|
The 2023 Opportunities Book is now available! Take a look and see where you'd like to get involved this year. Partnership opportunities range from joining the Circle of Champions to hosting a Business Before Hours at your location and everything in between! |
|
Zero Waste Ordinance - Prescription Take-Back |
The City of Gainesville’s recently passed Zero Waste Ordinance includes the requirement for pharmacies to provide drop-off containers for the disposal of expired and unused prescription drugs. Enforcement of the ordinance begins June 1 2023.
An effective and convenient way of disposing of expired or unused prescriptions drugs reduces the potential of drug misuse and abuse and mitigates the impact of drugs on the environment.
The three primary reasons the FDA strongly discourages the use of expired medications are:
- The chemical composition and potency of a medication can change over time.
- Holding on to unused drugs may promote prescription drug misuse and abuse, a dangerous practice that is growing at an alarming rate in the U.S.
- A well-managed medicine cabinet reduces the risk of a child or pet mistakenly taking medications.
When prescription drugs enter our wastewater systems are not treatable and may affect fish and other wildlife. This includes reproduction and feeding habits of many fish species.
The ordinance applies to all pharmacies, stand-alone and those within retail locations. They are required to be near where people pick up their prescriptions. For more information visit www.gainesvillefl.gov or contact us at 352-334-2330.
|
|
Boys & Girls Clubs Welcome New Gainesville Community Development Manager
David Rountree joined Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida on April 17 as the organization’s Alachua Community Development Manager charged with planning and executing the resource development and marketing plans to further their mission of helping Gainesville young people reach their full potential.
As the Community Development Manager, Rountree will support the development department in six primary areas: board leadership, annual giving, special events, stewardship, marketing and public relations, and administration. These fundraising efforts directly support the after-school and summer youth development programs offered to hundreds of local kids and teens at two Boys & Girls Club locations in Gainesville.
Rountree, a University of Florida graduate, brings a wealth of local relationships and connections strengthened through his previous roles with United Way of North Central Florida, the Community Foundation of North Central Florida and other local Gainesville businesses.
In addition to his familiarity with the Gainesville business community, Rountree will also contribute valuable expertise in facilitating strategic partnerships as well as diversity and inclusion initiatives.
“I’m proud to be a part of this impactful organization that has a 70-year legacy of helping Gainesville kids reach their full potential. I look forward to connecting our local community with this worthwhile cause in a more powerful way,” said Rountree.
One of Rountree’s primary objectives in this role will be to recruit and engage active volunteer board members who help champion the mission through financial support and community advocacy. Other important objectives include strengthening corporate partnerships and enhancing community awareness.
“We’re excited to see the impact that David’s ambition and expertise will bring to this vital role. His wealth of knowledge and local connections will expand our reach, allowing us to better serve local young people who need us most,” said Megan Weinstein, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida Chief Development Officer.
In addition to his professional experience, Rountree’s volunteer work has enhanced and strengthened his connection with his local community. His various roles with the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County and the American Cancer Society provided him with unique nonprofit involvement as a volunteer, in addition to his roles as a development professional. He also boasts a unique connection to the University of Florida (UF) having served as the UF team mascot Albert E. Gator for four years while in college.
|
|
Jamie Swick Joins The Colliers GNV Commercial Advisory Team
Jamie Swick has joined the Colliers GNV Commercial Advisory Team to add a new layer of expertise, student housing. The team specializes in commercial and land transactions (sales and leasing) including office, retail, industrial and multi-family.
A licensed real estate broker since 2000, Swick has served the commercial real estate industry by specializing in the niche of private off-campus student housing (POSH) and is excited to diversify. The GNV Commercial Advisory Team has the most combined team experience of any CRE team in the market and was the top performing group in North Florida in 2022. The collaborative and comprehensive approach of the team offers many investment options for clients across multiple segments. Swick will be engaged in them all.
Swick’s 23-year career started in on-the-ground operations and marketing, working for the two largest property management groups in the Gainesville area. In 2018, Swick became the fourth member of the elite Colliers Student Housing Practice Group, servicing clients nationwide. After successive career promotions, Swick has assisted in acquisitions and dispositions totaling more than $1 billion.
Swick was born and raised in the city of Alachua and is a fourth-generation resident of Alachua County. A student at both Santa Fe College and the University of Florida, Swick was the recipient of a BS in Advertising. As a third-generation commercial real estate broker Swick was raised in the business and understands how real estate professionals shape a community.
The GNV Commercial Advisory Team works together closely to offer a collaborative and comprehensive approach to achieve their clients’ real estate goals. Swick is excited to have returned to Gainesville to apply her expert knowledge in her backyard and diversify her commercial real estate knowledge while supporting the best team in the business.
|
|
Depth Wish Free Diving's Deep End Weekend To Take Place June 1-4
Deep End Weekend is a four day retreat designed to develop a safety-conscious community of freedivers in the Central Florida area. In the clear waters of the springs, divers of any level of experience make lifelong connections and learn skills from expert-led workshops. These workshops include yoga, breath work, basic and advanced freediving techniques, rescue techniques, and training strategies designed to minimize risk while maximizing benefits.
During this event, freedivers make their way out to several local springs to dive and learn from instructors. In the evenings, freedivers make their way back to the community campsite - an area where raffle prizes are on display, merch is for sale, restaurant catering and food trucks offer meals after diving days. Artists display and sell their amazing creations while live music is played near the camp fires. A perfect place to promote your business, as they are currently seeking business partners to help them bring this event to the next level. Customers of this event dive locally throughout the springs regions of Orlando, Gainesville, Williston, Fort White, High Springs, and Ocala - among others.
Deep End Weekend Event Details:
Frequency: Twice a year
Location: Ichetucknee Springs Campground
Cost: $25/per person (does not include campsite rental or food)
Attendance: 65-100 guests
|
|
Tioga Movie Night This Friday
This Friday, Great Scott! Tioga Town Center will be screening Back To The Future on May 12th from 8:00-10:00pm outside under the stars! An eccentric scientist builds a time machine, which accidentally transports a high-school student back to the 1950s, where the teen inadvertently interferes with the budding romance between his future parents. The boy must figure out how to set things right, or risk completely altering the future. Back to the Future (1985) © NBC Universal Studios is rated PG and has a movie runtime of 1h 56m. This movie screening is free and open to the public!
Don’t forget those blankets, lawn chairs, and time machines. Be sure to stop by one of the amazing Tioga Town Center restaurants to grab dinner before the movie, or pick your food up to-go and enjoy during the show! Other Tioga movie nights coming later this year include;
6/2 – Aladdin (1992 classic version) at 8:30 pm
6/3 – Aladdin (2019 live-action version) at 8:30 pm
7/7 – The Little Rascals at 8:30 pm
8/4 – DC League of Super-Pets at 8:30 pm
10/27 – Ghostbusters (1984) at 7:30 pm
12/8 – The Santa Clause (1994) at 7:30 pm
|
|
This week is NATIONAL HOSPITAL WEEK and we are so fortunate to have the very best hospitals right here in GNV. UF Health Shands (Hospital, Cancer Hospital, Childrens Hospital), HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, Malcom Randall VA, and Select Specialities provide not only our community, but our entire region, with top notch healthcare. Thank you to all of our outstanding facilities for taking such amazing care of us!
|
|
Did you know that as a member you can post your open job listings on our website?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
