A 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce |
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Welcome New Members
We are excited to welcome the newest members of the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.
Please remember to do business with your fellow Chamber members!
Together we are Stronger.
Together we are GNV.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Join us for Business Before Hours - Virtual Networking Event
Tuesday, September 22, 8:30 a.m.
This is a virtual edition of Business Before Hours is a member event structured the same way as our past in-person events. Attendees will have opportunities to share in small groups who they are, what they do and who would make a good customer or referral for them. Come build lasting business and personal relationships at Business Before Hours.
Attendance is limited to 50 pre-registered attendees. Space is Limited and available on a first come, first serve basis, pre-registration is required.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Elevate is next week - register now
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Moving Forward with courage is all about living in the present while being mindful of what we want in our future. This event is designed to help you focus on 2020 vision for your future in spite of the circumstances and challenges that surround us.
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Digital Advertising Opportunity
When searching for business, services and an overall feel to an area, people look to the Greater Gainesville Chamber. We are excited to now offer our members a limited number of Digital Advertising opportunities available on our website, newsletter and Chamber lobby display.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Greater Gainesville Chamber Leadership Book Club
Tuesday, September 15, 8 - 8:45 a.m.
Lifelong learning is what differentiates performance over time.
Join us for our next Leadership Book Club Meeting where we will be discussing the book Making Work Work by Shola Richards.
The leadership book club creates diversity of thought as you’ll read books you might not have picked. It creates accountability as you have a deadline to read or listen to it. The discussion reinforces the takeaways from each book and how members are implementing them in their lives and workplaces.
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POLICY UPDATE
Join us September 21 for our Distinguished Speaker Virtual Lunch featuring
UF Chief Operating Officer Dr. Charlie Lane
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Charlie Lane, UF COO, as our September Distinguished Speaker on Monday, September 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dr. Lane will provide an update on UF’s plans and priorities. A Q&A will follow his remarks. This Zoom event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. These popular luncheons fill up quickly, register today!
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The Distinguished Speaker Luncheon Series is sponsored by: |
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CENSUS UPDATE
Census Countown:
22 Days!
The 2020 Census concludes September 30
The deadline to complete our Census for 2020 is looming: the count will conclude on September 30. That means just 22 days to ensure we capture every last one of the federal dollars and congressional representation to which we are entitled. Remember, Alachua County lost out on an estimated $390 million dollars this past decade, because of our Census undercount. Now more than ever, it is imperative we are all counted. In Alachua County, we stand at 64.3% counted, ahead of the state of Florida at 61.4% and about even with the nation as a whole at 64.7%.
Dedicated Census field operators are now out in the community visiting households who have not yet responded. If you haven’t had a chance to do your Census, there’s no time like now, and it is not too late to “avoid the knock.” Please continue to remind your employees, co-workers, friends and family, especially those in the Butler Plaza, Innovation Square, UF’s Sorority Row and Waldo areas, which are running behind the rest of the county. Visit www.2020census.gov for all the information you need to complete your census. And, to keep track of how the completion numbers look in your neighborhood, click here
Let’s close out this challenging year with a strong count—our hospitals, schools, fire departments, social service agencies and businesses depend on it. Remember, We’re Still Counting on You, Alachua County!
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EDUCATION UPDATE
Key Takeaways from Career Discoveries
The last 20 years have brought seismic and dynamic changes to the global economy that have shrunk some industries while growing and establishing others. Yet the careers that students see as their potential “dream jobs” have not evolved accordingly.
On August 27, FCAN’s Kathy McDonald welcomed Ian Fletcher of the Greater Gainesville Chamber and Chris Laney of CareerSource Suncoast, who each shared examples of communities with local college access networks (LCANs) bringing together employers, students, and education institutions to help students better understand careers that are available — and in-demand — in their community, as well as the education options that will help students prepare.
Each example highlights the key growing industries in their regions, so students have a better understanding where the high-growth jobs are and can make more informed choices as they plan their education beyond high school.
For key takeaways from Career Discoveries, click here.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Celebrate Junior Achievement
Thursday, September 24, 7:55 - 9 a.m.
Junior Achievement of Alachua County stands strong with our schools, our partners and our community as we continue to inspire students to realize a brighter tomorrow.
Please join us for a one-hour presentation of the extraordinary work of Junior Achievement. The program will include excellent speakers and an opportunity to financially support Junior Achievement by donating to sponsor students. Any contribution helps Junior Achievement forward its mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.
To register, please click here.
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EDUCATION UPDATE
Catalyst for Change Applications Open
The Education Foundation of Alachua County has opened up its Catalyst for Change grant program applications for 2020-2021.
Grant recipients, which include teachers, principals or other school educators, will be awarded $2,000 to $5,000 for their projects.
Applications are due October 5, 2020.
For more information, please click here or call (904) 962-2659.
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UPCOMING EVENT
HDG Hotels opens its first Gainesville hotel, overcoming the obstacle of 2020 in the process
Comfort Suites
2603 SW 13th Street, Gainesville
HDG Hotels has officially opened hotel 19 of its portfolio. The Comfort Suites is located at 2603 SW 13th Street in Gainesville just minutes away from the University of Florida, UF Health, Downtown Gainesville and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. The hotel boasts modern finishes, 105 suite rooms, 1,200 square feet of event space adjacent to an expansive lobby for additional entertaining, a fire pit and saltwater pool.
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MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT
Humane Society of North Central Florida highlights pet care in push for renter protections, rental assistance, and affordable housing in Alachua County
The COVID-19 pandemic is putting millions of pets in Alachua County and across the country at risk of being surrendered to animal shelters by the families who love them, but may be forced to choose between finding a place to live and keeping their pets.
The ability of people in Alachua County and other communities across the country to cover the costs of pet care and related expenses has been drastically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the pandemic has exacerbated affordable housing shortages that already existed for renters across the country, including in Gainesville and all of Alachua County, low-income households have often had to choose between paying rent and buying groceries, medicine and other necessities—including pet-related expenses.
As such, the Humane Society of North Central Florida supports increased rental assistance and a moratorium on evictions for low-income renters in Alachua County experiencing increased housing insecurity because of the pandemic, urges landlords to remove restrictions of pets in rental units and asks community members who are in a position to help to consider long-term fostering to help families in crisis find a temporary caregiver for their pets rather than being forced to surrender them.
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MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT
Keith Watson Events now offering rentals for DIY hosts
Whether it be for a wedding, social event, graduation, birthday, baby shower, etc., you can have complete control over the look and feel of your event. Keith Watson Events has a vast inventory of beautiful items sure to wow your guests! From table decor to linens to furniture, we have everything you need to make your wedding or special event unforgettable!
Visit www.keithwatsonevents.com to start designing. A 20% discount will be applied to your overall quote for all pick-up only rentals. Contactless pick-up also available.
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