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.
|
|
|
~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
|
|
BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, August 30, 2021 ~
|
|
2020-2021 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.
|
|
*Supreme Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) *Charter Sustaining Partner
|
|
~ Chamber Events and Updates ~ |
|
Junior Leadership Charlotte is a Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce program designed for high school Juniors. Students who wish to be considered for JLC should complete the application, available in schools at the start of their junior term (early August). ***Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we did not have a Junior Leadership Charlotte program for 2020-2021. Therefore, we are allowing up to 12 Seniors to participate in the Class of 2021-2022, along with the 28 Juniors, with a total capacity of up to 40 participants. The selection process is based on your answers to the questions on the application. Remember to be thoughtful and answer each question completely. Your answers need to be typed. Kindly refer to the application for further instructions. Deadline for submitting your application to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 30, 2021.
|
|
Wed. September 8 Networking at Noon will be at River City Grill, 131 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, cost is $15pp (please only 2 attendees per member as space is limited) There are food choices to make. Register in the MIC member portal. . Members Networking
Wed., September 15, 7:15 a.m. Third Wednesday Coffee at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Members Networking
Business Card Exchange, Thurs.,September 23, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Fabulous Finds, 4265 Tamiami Trail, Unit N, Port Charlotte. Members Networking and If you like, please bring a small gift to promote your business.
96th Annual Meeting Luncheon, Fri., October 1, 2021 - Noon - 1:30 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate our longevity and contributions to the community while looking forward to a successful future. Individual Tickets $75 or Tables of 6 $375. Register in the MIC member portal or call the office 941-627-2222.
We have decided to go quarterly with the printed newsletter the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Business Perspective. The next issue will be delivered in October so we'll need your inserts on September 20. Provide 1,500 inserts, complete the contract and return it with your check $150 for profit/$100 nonprofit. . Here is the link to the flier with all the details.
The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on September 2nd. Members interested in taking advantage of this new digital monthly format will save the
cost of printing a flier. We prefer a PNG file (at least 600-650 pixels wide, resolution 72PPI if possible and file size no larger than 4MG) for the "digital flyer" ad in the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER, due no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the First Thursday of the month. Sustaining Partners receive free ads as part of their partnership, or cost per issue is $145.00, and $95.00 for a non-profit. This is an exclusive opportunity for members of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. (The chamber reserves the right to deny, publish and edit any submissions.) 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.
|
|
Hope & Harmony Holistic Health
Tuesday, August 31st (Open House / Ribbon Cutting)
– Joint ribbon cutting with North Port Chamber
Location: 1032 Tamiami Trail, Unit 7, Port Charlotte
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (ribbon cutting @ 5:00)
|
|
Kavita Kadiwar - Real RE Group LLC
126 E. Olympia Ave., # 406, Port Charlotte, FL 33950
(941) 276-0009
http://realre.co
Maryann Mize
1560 Atares Drive, Unit 112, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 380-2343
|
|
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
Bob White bwhite@charlottecountychamber.org and he will follow up with them!
|
|
Watch for the Expo2022 information coming soon.
There are four sponsorship levels which include the exhibitor booth space(s), lots of promotional perks, print and digital advertising, party tickets, and more than ever before.
|
|
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.)
|
|
The newly built CoolToday Park, spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, are offering walking tours for groups. Tours are conducted the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. This tour provides fans the opportunity to see the ballpark in an exclusive way with an up close and behind the scenes look at the year round spring training facility. Tour also includes a free lunch at Superior Pools Tomahawk Tiki Bar. Group tour prices start @ $35 and must be reserved in advance by contacting us at springtraining@braves.com
During the month of August Perfectly Polished Nails is hosting a fundraiser for The Loveland Center! For the month of August get at least one nail painted maroon and Perfectly Polished Nails will donate $5 to Loveland Center. BONUS! Bring hurricane supplies to help Loveland Center participants create hurricane emergency kits. Devine Global Recovery will be helping participants pack the kits and learn how to use this life saving equipment. Visit Perfectly Polished Nails to get ideas for supplies to bring. https://puntagordanails.com/
Flora Gutierrez, ADT Security representative, is proud to be a part of this event through ADT Women’s BERG as a sponsor plus Leadership Council member. Join me at this event, our mission is focusing in assisting families facing eviction in South Sarasota County! You could visit our website https://uwscc.org/womenunited, to register or visit our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/UnitedWaySouthCounty/posts/386329412848837 or contact Flora, Residential and Small Business Security Consultant directly at 305-588-6154. The general membership meeting and new member induction ceremony takes place on Wednesday, September 1 st at Kia of Port Charlotte.
Attention Business Owners: Small Business assistance and advice is now available from SCORE Port Charlotte on a drop-in basis. Stop by the North Port City Hall, suite 302 on Friday from 9 to noon. Friday, September 3rd, Certified Mentors John Dalton and Nils Weibulll will be available for a casual chat about your business and the challenges you are facing. SCORE is powered by the SBA and offers confidential one-on-one business mentoring at no cost. Stop by the City Hall this Friday and visit portcharlotte.score.org for more information.
Join Loveland Center for our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament at Heron Creek Golf and Country Club on Friday, September 10th. Contact Becca at events@lovelandcenter.org for more information.
Charlotte Players- 4 Beekman is the first play of our 61st season! Join us September 10-19 where you will meet Deanne and Robert, a May-December couple. They have just returned from their honeymoon, and Deanne is shocked to find that Robert has unwittingly bought the very same apartment that she used to live in with her ex-husband, Skip. Located at the Langdon Playhouse, 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte. For tickets go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022.
Pirate Poker Run on Saturday, September 18th. 10:00-4:00p.m. Cash prizes, food & drink specials, raffle prizes, live music and costume contest. Pre-race Captain’s party @Sandbar Tiki, Friday, Sept. 17, after-party @the Lighthouse Grill, Saturday, Sept. 18th. We will have a BEST Pirate Costume contest with prizes for the 1st and 2nd place (male and female), and BEST Boat and Crew! FIVE FUN STOPS with Food and Drink specials at each stop! Register online https://www.englewoodbeachwaterfest.com/poker-run by September 14. Check-in/registration is 8:30am–10:00am at The Lighthouse Grill at Stump Pass!
Valerie’s House is a nonprofit organization that helps families who have lost a loved one to go on to live fulfilling lives. We have two amazing fundraising events coming up. A Night of Swing!! Suncoast Swing Band with Zarita Mattox benefitting Valerie’s House & Dream Chasers and Dream Makers Girls Mentoring Program. This event will be October 16th at 6pm. Purchase tickets at www.militaryheritagemuseum.org We also have a Bingo Fundraising event benefitting Valerie’s House on September 25th 6-9pm at the Charlotte Memorial Reception Center. Purchase tickets at https://valerieshouseswfl.networkforgood.com/events/32740-bingo-for-valerie-s-house
A Marine Electrical Systems course is offered by the America’s Boating Club® Peace River Sail and Power Squadron staring on Tuesday, September 28th at 9:30AM to 12PM for 8 weeks in Bayfront Center, 750 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. Explanation of what electricity is, followed by discussions on boat electrical wiring, DC and AC electrical systems, galvanic and stray current corrosion, and troubleshooting. Price is $55 for USPS members and $110 to public. To register or for more information: contact the Instructor Holles Dick at 717 552-3845 or h25188d@hotmail.com.
Golfers who C.A.R.E. Golf Scramble registration is NOW OPEN (carefl.org/events)! This year’s scramble will be held on September 25, 2021 at the beautiful Riverwood Golf Club located at 4100 Riverwood Dr, Port Charlotte, FL 33953. Individual registration is $90.00, team registration is $360.00. Includes: green and cart fees, driving range, breakfast, lunch, 2 beverage tickets, goody bag, raffle entry, and more! Please contact Jamie at (941) 639-5499 or email golferswhocare@gmail.com with any questions. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, advertise your business at the hottest scramble of the year.
It’s a M*A*S*H Party & FUNdraiser!! – The Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic hosts its Annual Appeal Kick-off Party on Fri, OCT 8, 2021, 6-10 PM * Special Guest “Pvt. Igor Straminsky” (TV series Chef) Jeff Maxwell * Emcee: Stacey Deffenbaugh * MASH Costume Contest * Games * Food * Cash Bar * Holy Trinity Banquet Hall (Port Charlotte). $75 /pp. RSVP by Sept. 30, 2021. Get tickets online https://volunteercare.org/mash OR Call/Email Karen: 941-276-4075 – kamador@volunteercare.org
It's Official! The Florida International Air Show will be held October 16th & October 17th at the Punta Gorda, FL Airport (PGD) featuring the F-16 Viper Demo Team. We are looking for sponsors and volunteers. Steve Lineberry, Media & Marketing Director (833) 743-3427 Ext. 703 floridaairshow@outlook.com www.floridaairshow.com
|
|
Get a free training assessment & program when you purchase a Rhino Strength & Performance gym membership. GET MOVING PACKAGE: Are you struggling to get motivated & stay consistent? During our three sessions together, we identify barriers you face and develop a clear plan of action to get you started. PRE &POSTNATAL PACKAGE: We help prepare your body for pregnancy and get back to training after pregnancy a 6-session special! NEW CLASSES: Strength & conditioning (M-W-F 5:30-6:15 am and pm) & conditioning lunch (M-F 12-12:30)! Ryan and Tarra Farnham rhinostrengthfl@gmail.com
Did you know that even “stock” mufflers need tweaking to fit properly into an exhaust system? Our pipe bender creates a perfect seal regardless of small variances in the car or exhaust equipment. Without it, you could hear too much noise or feel a vibration caused by the high-speed air leak. At Complete Auto Repair, every conventional muffler change is a custom job! To hear and feel the difference, call for an appointment at 941-623-2926
Gardiner & Sons Moving and Storage is a family-owned, multi-generational moving and storage company located in Port Charlotte. We provide long-distance moves out of Florida that include packing, unpacking, placing heavy and awkward items, storage, and crating services when needed. Extra care, courteousness, reliability, and great attitudes are available at no extra charge. When Quality Counts call Kenny Gardiner at (941) 423-5311.
Adventures in recruiting: Made up names, fakes backgrounds, interview no-shows. Hidden among them are new area residents and top performers at closed businesses. If you want to find the cream of the crop, let Patti Guerzo of Guerzo Business Consulting help you. With 15 years of recruiting success using a personality-based method, she finds the best and leaves the rest. Email Patti at Patti@guerzo.com to set up a free appointment to discuss your needs.
VA Benefits??? Toby Lynn loves helping our Veterans get the financing they need. VA Mortgages are just one of her specialties. Let her get a family member or best buddy, who is a Veteran, Pre-Qualified at no cost! That’s right….FREE Pre-Qualifying. Specializing in Happy, Smooth, and On-Time Closings! CALL TODAY! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com
Thorough pre-employment background screening has become a standard hiring practice over the past 25 years. The majority of employers view it as essential to providing a safe workplace and reducing negligent hiring liability. And, criminal record searches are the key to background checking. But, there are several different types of criminal records to choose from: original source county or statewide; federal district; or, private databases. Which to use? Which is most defensible in court? Are database records FCRA-compliant? For answers, contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks. 941-488-8500; 800-531-6522; nrginfo@atlantic.net
Do you want happier and healthier employees? Learn how Gulfcoast South AHEC can offer 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.
Rotary Club of Punta Gorda meetings are held at noon on Thursdays at the Isles Yacht Club, 1780 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda. Anyone who might be interested in joining Rotary, or Visiting and Snowbird Rotarians, are welcome. The Rotary Club of Punta Gorda promotes good fellowship and puts service to the community and to the world above self. It sponsors the annual Taste of Punta Gorda, the Healing Field of Honor, provides grants to and works with many local charitable organizations, and funds international humanitarian projects in Africa and Latin America. If you plan to join us for lunch, please call ahead to 941-875-3829. For more information visit https://www.puntagordarotary.org
We are looking for a way to recycle styrofoam. We've been told the only place we can take it is the landfill because we are a business. We are wondering what other businesses are doing with theirs. We are also looking to donate flat styrofoam pieces for art or whatever people would like to do with it. Please contact us at aactionappliance@yahoo.com if you have any ideas for us. We really hate to see this stuff end up in landfills when it could be used for other things.
Did you know that Murdock Stones Etc. sell Railroad Ties? Check them out at 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd. …look for the World’s Largest Mailbox) or 590 Prineville St. in Port Charlotte (by the Sun Flea Market). . www.murdockstonesetc.com. 941-629-6651.
BUSINESS FOR SALE. Unique concrete crack repair business located in Charlotte County. High profit margins, no competition, huge niche market that’s growing fast. Will train on using our proprietary system to fix cracks on pool decks, driveways, any concrete surface with follow-up option to paint. Have Nat'l dealer program in-place with huge [potential. Owner retiring. Asking $97k. Reply P.O. Box 511662, Punta Gorda, FL 33951.
|
|
“Before you are a leader, success is about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others. ~ Jack Welch, General Electric” |
|
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 July 16, 2021 and August 15, 2021... Take a look! |
|
MEMBER NAME and ANNIVERSARY
Florida SouthWestern State College 37
Charlotte Players, Inc. 35
Harbor View Mobile Home Park 29
Interstate Courier Service, Inc. 27
Crossroads Hope Academy 24
Dean's South of the Border 24
Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club 19
CareerSource Southwest Florida 18
Port Charlotte Adventist School 16
McGriff Insurance Services 15
Patrice Weston State Farm Insurance Agency, Inc. 15
Sleep Inn & Suites 14
Comfort Inn and Suites 13
WFTX Fox 4 - TV 13
RC Computer Services, Inc. 12
Thornberry Custom Builders, Inc. 12
Charlotte County Republican Club 11
Hancock Law, PA 11
Ingman Marine 11
Miller's Murphy Bed and Home Office 11
Pilgrim United Church of Christ 11
Reuter Accounting & Tax, Inc. 11
Truex Preferred Construction 11
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Inc. 10
Granny Nannies Home Health Agency 10
Pottery Express and Bamboo Farm 10
Punta Gorda Animal Hospital 10
Quality Homes of Port Charlotte, Inc. 10
Storm Smart 10
Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, Cemetery and Crematory 9
Murdock Stones Etc. 9
Gehring Realty, Inc. 8
Fero Construction & Remodeling, Inc. 7
Bert's Black Widow Harley-Davidson 6
CAM Realty of SW Florida, Inc. 6
Zaxby's 5
American Imaging of Southwest FL 4
Hessler Floor Covering 4
Lamar Airport Advertising 4
State Farm Insurance Co., Kathy Nash 4
TaxSavers 3
Wharton-Smith Inc. 3
Charlotte Harbor Construction, Inc. 2
J Gregory Group, LLC dba J Gregory Group Ins. Services 2
Port Charlotte United Methodist Church 2
Taglio Cucina & Pizzeria Romana 2
|
|
GOOD News! Drug Free Punta Gorda has been awarded the Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant for Year 7! Our fiscal year goes from September 30, 2021 - Sept 29, 2022. We are very thankful for the opportunity to continue teen drug prevention in Punta Gorda, FL. as a Coalition of people working to empower youth to make healthy, drug-free choices. The funding provides $125,000 per year, for prevention outreach and education. For more information about the grant or Drug Free Punta Gorda email Monica Babcock monica.babcock@yourcharlotteschools.net
|
|
~ Member-to-Member Testimonials ~ |
|
Thanks to a member suggestion, we are enthusiastically sharing testimonials from our members about their positive business experiences with other members of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. Submit a paragraph of 90 words or less describing your experience. Include your name and business name, and email your Member-to-Member Testimonial to Janet at jcaffee@charlottecountychamber.org before noon on Friday to be included the following week. We are proud of our members and this is an excellent way to let them shine even more!
|
|
Tell us about your good experience with a fellow member and we'll share it here and post is on our website. |
|
Internal Auditor Responsible for evaluating the financial and operational controls of BOCC and Clerk functions/systems. Also performs guardianship audits in accordance with chapter 744 of the Florida Statutes. Qualified applicants should have a BA in Accounting and 2 years min. audit experience preferred. C.P.A., C.I.S.A., C.I.A, C.F.E. or C.G.A.P a plus. Superior communication, organization and Excel skills is required. This is a full-time position offering a generous benefits package and enrollment in the State of Florida Retirement plan. Salary is based on related work experience. Click link to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/charlotteclerk
|
|
Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs
Your "Help Wanted" information could be here! Please submit 90 words or less to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org. AND REMEMBER you can login and post your job in the MIC (Member Portal) and it will be visible to all on our website https://business.charlottecountychamber.org/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/
|
|
Me: "Why did the chicken cross the road?"
8 yr old nephew: "To get to the idiot's house."
Me: "Oh... uh... yeah, good one, haha."
8 yr old nephew: "Wanna hear another one? Knock knock..."
Me: "Who's there?"
8 yr old nephew: "The chicken."
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
