July 7, 2020
Greetings!
Thank you to the Florida Department of Health of Okaloosa County for providing 2,500 masks for us to distribute to our members! If you would like to pick up masks for your place of business, please email espies@DestinChamber.com to arrange the quantity and pickup.
SOF Missions Gala
Deadline Extended to August 8 for Businesses to Secure PPP Loan
For an economy to work, people need jobs, rent has to be paid, and the doors to your business must remain open. In an extension passed by Congress and signed by President Trump last week, the deadline for small businesses to apply for PPP funding is now Aug. 8. 
 
Since the launch of the Paycheck Protection Program on April 3 of this year, 5,458 lenders have approved loans to more than 4.5 million small businesses for more than $518 billion. To put some scale around the size of the program, for the last five years, the SBA has averaged annual total loans approved under its 7(a) small business loan program (the same umbrella under which PPP loans fall) of roughly $17.4 billion.  
BizTech Fall 2020 Logo
BizTech is Back!
Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 13, for a daylong conference and expo connecting Destin area small business owners and employees with the technology-related information and companies they need to improve their business operations and protect their electronic assets. From IT 101 and business continuity plans to cybersecurity and infrastructure discussions, topics are designed to appeal to a wide range of needs and experience. 

The expo begins at 9 a.m. and ends with a reception from 4:15 – 6 p.m. Keynote speakers and breakout sessions are scheduled throughout the day.  Sponsorships are available!
Current COVID-19 Data Now Available on DestinChamber.com
Visit our website for up-to-date, local COVID-19 metrics.
Destin Water Users, Inc.
Destin Forward Offers In-Depth Learning Experience of our Community
Applications for Destin Forward, our community education and leadership program, are now available. See what alumni say about the program:

"This was a very good class/experience for me being fairly new to the area. It helped me learn Destin, but also helped me form new, meaningful relationships that will be with me forever."
Denise Kendust, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center

"The things I found valuable about the Destin Forward experience were the behind the scenes look we got at so many of the businesses and organizations not only in the city but the county and state as well. I also met and worked with other class members that have become close friends of mine. Almost all the organizations I’m involved with now are a result of what I learned and who I met while in the Destin Forward class."
S kip Overdier, Destin City Councilman

Find details and the application here. $75 scholarships are available upon request.
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.
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 30.4% 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 .
July 2020 Drive Thru COVID Testing


















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 .
Florida SBDC Virtual Office Hours at the Destin Chamber
Thursday, July 9, 16, 23 & 30 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Virtual

Beginning July 2, the Florida SBDC at UWF will begin outreach hours with the Destin Chamber each week through virtual consulting hours specifically for business owners in our area. Florida SBDC at UWF Business Consultant Diana Jernigan will be available by email for impromptu meetings assisting with business challenges or opportunities.
7th Annual Great American Cookout Sponsored by Community Bank & Emerald Coast Title Services, LLC
Tuesday, July 14 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Destin Chamber

Join us for the Great American Cookout at the Destin Chamber! Prepayment is required, and walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
Okaloosa County Commission Candidates Forum
Tuesday, July 21 | 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Destin Community Center

Do you have a question for the candidates? Please email them to ceo@DestinChamber.com or you may submit them at the forum.
Annual Golf Tournament Sponsored by Renasant Bank
Thursday, October 1 | Noon Shotgun Start
Emerald Bay Golf Club

This 4-person scramble sponsored by Renasant Bank takes place at Emerald Bay Golf Club . Enjoy a cookout with lunch sponsor Cavinder Elevator Company . Acme Oyster House will be shucking and serving raw oysters. Half Shell Oyster House will be grilling oysters. We'll also have a putting contest, hole-in-one prizes and more.

BizTech2020
Thank you to our renewing members!
90Works
A 2 Z Specialty Advertising
Ace Hardware Of Destin
American Family Care
American House Senior Living at Bluewater Bay
Anderson Engineering, Inc.
Angler's Beachside Bar & Grill
Bean Team
Ben Anderson, Okaloosa County Tax Collector
Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
Blue Marlin Vacation Rentals
Brannon & Brannon
BrightView Landscape Services, Inc.
CareerSource Okaloosa Walton
Century 21 Blue Marlin Pelican
Championship Title Agency, LLC
Clear Harbor Wealth Management
Coastal Carpet & Tile Carpet One
Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology
Community Broadcasters, LLC
DAG Architects
Destin Cleaners
Destin Getaways Vacation Rentals
Dr. Nathan Hall, DMD
Duncan McHugh Investments
Eagle Vision Services LLC
Emerald Coast Bar & Grill
Emerald Coast Title Services
Emerald Coast Wine Cellars and Gift Baskets
Escape Zone 60
Eye Center South
Fantasea Scooter Rentals
Fisher House of the Emerald Coast
Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC
Harbor Cigars
Harry T's Lighthouse
Health Care Exchange NW Florida
Insurance Claims 911
Jenkins Transfer & Storage, Inc.
JourneyPure Emerald Coast
JourneyPure Fort Walton Beach
Junior League of the Emerald Coast
Les Porterfield
loanDepot
Marie Di Giovine, Officiant - Wedding/Vow Renewal Ceremonies
Mary Kay Cosmetics Consultant Sondra Pace-Sabolick
Progressive Management of America, Inc.
Rain Forest Black Light Golf & Arcade
Remol Reed, P.A.
Rocky Bayou Christian School
Rooms to Go
Sea Dunes Realty
Setco Services LLC
Shoreline Towers Assoc. Realty
Sign Erectors Inc.
SmartBank
SocialLee PR & Media Co
SOF Missions
SoWal Health & Drug
Sunpro Solar
The Arc of The Emerald Coast
The Village Inn
Tommy Bahama's Restaurant, Bar & Store
Travel South Media, LLC
Uniti Fiber
Wigs by Cheyenne
Wild Willy's Adventure Zone
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