A 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce |
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This week of St. Patrick's Day is filled with Irish vibes as our very own Communications Extraordinaire, Miss Anne Polo, greets the sandy shores of the Emerald Isle đ! In her stead this fair holiday (and spring break) we salute you all and wish you all slĂĄinte!
ï»żâCheersâ in Irish is slĂĄinte which is pronounced a bit like âslawn-chaâ.
SlĂĄinte means âhealthâ! However you say it and however you celebrate it, we wish you a lucky St. Patrick's Day!
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RIBBON CUTTING
Gainesville City Lifestyle Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, March 15th
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriot
3877 SW 37th Blvd
Gainesville, FL 32608
Join us as we celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of Gainesville City Lifestyle!
Gainesville City Lifestyle is a community-focused, local magazine that connects Gainesville residents to the people, culture and places that make our area special and unique. Whether new or a longtime resident, their goal is to inspire you and to be your guide. Celebrating their 2nd year now, they are excited to invite you to share in this celebration, and so they can thank the community for all of their support and encouragement over these past 2 years.
Join us for drinks, hors d'oeuvres, giveaways and more! The ribbon cutting ceremony will commence at 5:45pm.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Gainesville Regional Airport and University Set For Gator Fly-In And Armed Services Appreciation Day
Saturday, March 25th
10:00am - 3:00pm
4701 NE 40th Terrace
Gainesville, FL, 32601
Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) and its FBO, the University Air Center (UAC) will once again host the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day Saturday, March 25, 2023.
A fly-in is a gathering for pilots who arrive by air. The event takes place from 10 a.m. â 3 p.m. at University Air Center, 4701 NE 40th Terrace, Gainesville, Fla. (Enter at General Aviation Entrance, Waldo Road) and is open to the public. Admission and parking are free, and a complimentary shuttle will be provided.
âOur annual Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day is our way of honoring all branches of the military, including some great Gator dignitaries, military and civil aviators who will be flying in many different types of aircraft to the UAC for the event,â says Allan Penksa, CEO, Gainesville Regional Airport.
ï»żâItâs an exciting day for our community â especially anyone who is curious about flight â to learn more about aviation. We are honored to dedicate this yearâs event to our dear friend and Gator Aviator Col. Joe Kittinger with a fitting and poignant âFlown Westâ ceremony with a squadron of beautiful T-6 Texan and T-34 Mentors. We always look forward to sharing this very special celebration at our airport with the community.â
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UPCOMING EVENT
Lunch & Learn:
Hire And Retain More Superstars
Wednesday, March 22nd
12:00pm - 1:00pm
LifeSouth Community Blood Center
1121 NW 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
Technology has changed the options people have to earn a living. Virtual work options are becoming more and more commonplace.
For companies who are sticking with a traditional sense of the workplace, it is beginning to feel impossible to attract and retain engaged talent to come work in our buildings. With record low unemployment numbers, lack of ability to hire and retain talent is crushing many businesses.
People will always need to work, but will they work for you?
Join this session to learn about the current state of hiring and developing talent so your business can continue to thrive now and well into the future.
Session Take-aways:
- Learn modern, best in class approaches to hiring and retaining talent in the era we are in.
- Takeaway tips you can implement to make your workplace more attractive so you can attract and retain more talent.
Presented by: Lila Ressler, HR Consultant and Owner of PeopleSolutionsNOW
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UPCOMING EVENT
Business Before Hours
Tuesday, March 21st
8:30am - 10:00am
LifeSouth Community Blood Center
1121 NW 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
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. Thank you to our sponsor:
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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. Donât miss out on this great opportunity to give your business more exposure and to become a familiar face in our community!
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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! |
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The Alachua County Sheriff's Office will host an onsite career fair on April 1, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Come join an "A" team where we are Always Committed to Serving Others! |
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Our Team Tours JAXPORT With Free Trade Zone Discussion
Located in Jacksonville's seaport, the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) sits at the crossroads of the nationâs rail and highway network. Our Economic Development team, along with our CEO, Eric Godet and COO, Ian Fletcher, traveled to Jacksonville, FL to hear updates and the many successes of our state's most effective transit port.
With dozens of ocean carriers that call at JAXPORT, it's no wonder they can boast competitive transit times to 140 ports in over 70 countries, and efficient transportation via 100 trucking firms and 40 daily trains via Class I railroads CSX and NS and regional rail.
Discussion included facilitating economic opportunity, community engagement and prosperity for our state, as Alachua County will be included in the ports' Free Trade Zone.
This has been a discussion for years' in the making, and should offer even more benefits to the local businesses looking to explore exporting options. The final note and announcement is expected to happen later this year!
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The 125th Florida Legislative Session Is Off And Running
We are off and running with the 125th Regular Session, with Governor DeSantis delivering his State of the State address last week and proclaiming âyou ainât seen nothing yet.â Click remarks to read his full address. The Session opened on Tuesday, March 7th and is expected to close on Friday, May 5th.
We look forward to bringing you weekly updates every Thursday throughout session. Weâll be focusing on legislation related to infrastructure, affordable housing, workforce education and business regulation, as well as those bills introduced by our local delegation and appropriations requests by our community partners.
If you would like to receive our Weekly Legislative Update or have a particular issue or bill you would like us to follow, please reach out: Vicki Gervickas, Director of Public Policy + Grassroots Engagement, vicki@gainesvillechamber.com.
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Scenthound Franchisees Joseph And Kathryn Pizzurro Named Franchise Owners Of The Year By The International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association (IFA) has announced that Joseph and Kathryn Pizzurro, franchise owners of the Gainesville, Florida locations of dog wellness concept Scenthound, have been recognized as 2023 Franchisees of the Year. The annual award program recognizes outstanding franchise establishment owner-operators that are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees.
The Pizzurros joined the Scenthound family after over 30 years in the corporate world, opening their Gainesville location in May 2021. They were drawn to Scenthound's wellness-focused concept by their desire to bring local pet owners an option for routine care that would lead to happier, healthier dogs. Since opening, their location has serviced almost 3,000 local dogs through Scenthound's monthly membership and offerings that address five core areas of needed care â Skin, Coat, Ears, Nails, and Teeth.
"Our ultimate goal is to partner with pet parents to help provide their dogs with the routine care needed to stay clean and healthy. We love what we do and are honored to have received this award," explained Joseph Pizzurro. Kathryn Pizzurro added, "Our journey with Scenthound has been so fulfilling, to be able to see the impact that we have on the wellness of the dogs that come through our doors. We look forward to continuing to serve our community's pets in the years to come."
Link to full article below:
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J.Crew Factory To Open At Butler Plaza West This Spring
Wilder announced that J.Crew Factory has joined Butler Plaza West. The store is located at 3910 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608, and officially opens Spring 2023.
J.Crew Factory offers fun, classic and colorful styles for women, men, and kids, and stays committed to dressing every family for any occasion. The retailer offers new arrivals monthly, plus exclusive in-store-only offers and events.
Customers are offered various store services, including the option to buy online and pick up in-store, book private shopping appointments and benefit charitable causes while they shop. Discounts are offered to teachers, college students, healthcare workers, first responders, and military personnel.
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Gainesville Regional Airport and Tailwind Concessions Announce Opening Of Alachua Grill
The Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) and Tailwind Concessions have announced the recent opening on March 9th of the Alachua Grill, a new restaurant as part of the airports' expansion project now open to passengers!
The opening of the 980-square foot Alachua Grill will provide an option for breakfast, lunch and dinner for travelers coming in and out of the GNV airport. The restaurant offers a range of healthy and convenient grab-and-go options and various hot meals for a restaurant experience. Their offerings also consider medical, dietary-restrictions and the cultural needs of passengers and provide options for all.
The airport will continue to remodel the existing concession and retail areas near gates 3, 4 and 5 to offer even more to travelers departing the airport and before boarding a flight.
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UF Collaborates With DMV For A Specialty License Plate
For the first time in nearly 15 years, the University of Florida has released a redesigned specialty license plate. Available now statewide at all county tax collectorâs offices, the refreshed Florida Gators plate is a great way for Gators to take their Gator pride on the road.
All first-time buyers are eligible for a $25 rebate. Visit UFplates.com for more information. And remember, wherever you go, Go Gators!
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Health By Serrano, M.D. Set To Open Bilingual Direct Primary Care Practice
Health by Serrano, M.D., is the first bilingual Direct Primary Care practice owned by a female and Hispanic Physician in Alachua county. It will open doors on Wednesday, March 15th for those patients interested on receiving a personalized, high quality medical care through an affordable membership service.
No healthcare insurance is needed! Health by Serrano, M.D., offers an extensive variety of services included on their membership for patients 2 years and older. Services and care they will provide are as follows: acute and chronic care, minor surgical procedures, IV infusions, whole sale prices on medications in their in-house pharmacy, labs and much more. Enroll now!
You can contact them to 352-505-8731 or 352-554-4966 or visit their website with the link below:
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City Of Gainesville Schedule Community Meetings on GPD K-9 Unit Updates
City of Gainesville leaders have scheduled two community meetings this month to inform and give updates on the status of the Gainesville Police Department K-9 Unit and hear from the community.
First meeting:
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14
Where: Martin Luther King, Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1028 NE 14th Street
Second meeting:
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21
Where: Lincoln Middle School, 1001 SE 12th Street
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First Annual Nowruz and International New Year Festival To Be Held at Shoppes at Thornebrook
The first annual Nowruz and International Festival is happening March 18th 2023 at the Shoppes at Thornebrook!
This event will celebrate the new year or "Nowruz" with authentic Iranian and international dancing and will feature authentic international cuisine, music and more! All are invited to wear and represent your country's traditional clothing to this event.
The various vendor tables will showcase many international flags, sweets and treats. Please come out and support the Iranian Women's Revolution and your local community.
There will be filming of the festival for a documentary capturing this beautiful collaboration of traditions and cultures!
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Did you know that as a member you can post your open job listings on our website?
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