A 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce |
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Depending on which calendar you are checking, today is either National Hot Chocolate Day OR National Brussels Sprouts Day. Which one are YOU celebrating?
Whether you pick hot chocolate or being wrong, be sure to check out our Eat GNV page on Facebook and see where you can get the treat of your choice!
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The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce proudly invites you to attend our upcoming Annual Meeting, presented by Seacoast Bank! Corporate tables are now available, but going FAST!
This is a chance to celebrate the successes of the previous year, set the tone for the upcoming year, network, and witness the passing of the gavel as we say farewell well to the outgoing Board Chair, Clay Martin, and welcome in new Chair, Domenic Scorpio! This year, the theme is Opportunity; make plans now to join us as celebrate our 99th Annual Meeting!
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Duke Energy Grants Awarded to Cities of Hawthorne and Alachua
Duke Energy Florida recently worked alongside the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Foundation to identify local projects that have meaningful impacts in north central Florida communities. Last week, our COO, Ian Fletcher, had the pleasure to team up with Duke Energy's Staci Bertrand to deliver grant funds to Hawthorne and Alachua.
“At Duke Energy Florida, we are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “By investing and collaborating with our local chambers, cities and municipalities, we are honoring that commitment. We will continue to work together to create strong, vibrant communities where our customers, employees and neighbors live, work and thrive.”
The targeted grants, in the amount of $20,000, support initiatives ranging from park revitalization and signage projects, as well as equipment and plan upgrades, among others.
“Building strong connections with our residents, visitors, businesses and communities is what the Greater Gainesville Chamber does best,” said Eric Godet, Sr., Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce president & CEO. “We are proud to work with a community champion like Duke Energy and assist them in identifying areas where their investments will create even greater opportunity, success, engagement and prosperity.”
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Grant dollars will be put towards the Hawthorne Historical Park |
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The City of Alachua plans to invest in improvements at Mill Creek Preserve |
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UPCOMING EVENT
No H20 Auto Detailing Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, February 8th
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Parking Garage South
Celebration Pointe
Join us as we congratulate No-H2O Auto Detailing on their location at Celebration Pointe's Parking Garage!
No-H2O is a revolutionary car wash system. Their car wash uses virtually no water. Instead, your car will be cleaned and protected using a state-of-the-art system that emulsifies dirt particles and then safely absorbs the dirt into a microfiber cloth. There's no abrasion on your car which means it won't scratch your paint. And the protective finish will help keep your car clean and polished much longer than a traditional car wash.
So, join us as we celebrate No-H2O Auto Detailing with mingling, refreshments, giveaways and more! The ribbon cutting ceremony will commence at 2:30 pm.
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UPCOMING EVENT
Business Before Hours
Tuesday, February 14
8:03am - 10:00am
Top Hog BBQ
Kanapaha Station
6500 SW Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32608
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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UPCOMING EVENT
Lunch & Learn:
Making or Breaking It on Social Media
Wednesday, February 15th
12:00pm - 1:00pm
LifeSouth Community Blood Center
1121 NW 13th Street
Gainesville, FL 32601
In 2023, having a presence on social media is crucial for a businesses success. But it's constantly changing and the algorithms keep evolving. Jen Pagh with Liquid Creative is going to break down what worked for businesses with social media in 2022, trends to be on the lookout for in 2023, what the heck is happening with Meta, and walk through a social media guide. She will talk through what analytics to be mindful of and what content will drive engagement for your organization.
Jen at Liquid Creative will help break down what is working in the market place and share insights on how to set up a winning social media campaign.
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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. Don’t 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 Circle of Champions offers you a year-long marketing and engagement plan that includes exclusive invitations, advertising, event tickets and sponsorship recognition at all annual Chamber signature events!
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DIGITAL ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY!
Introducing Trihelix!
The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce and Trihelix are excited to share a new digital advertising opportunity for our members! This opportunity will enable you to precisely target your desired customers based on real-world behaviors, create the ability for you to reduce your cost of acquiring customers, and allows you to track how many potential customers received your marketing message!
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Karen Kearney Named Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Karen Kearney, the newly named Teacher of The Year!
Kearney, a Buchholz High School science teacher AND alumna, was among the three finalists for the award, with the runner-ups being the dean of Kanapaha Middle School, Richard Thomas, and Sidney Lanier Center behavior specialist Lilliemarie Gore. A total of 39 honorees were recognized at the event, each receiving $500 checks from businesses and community members as a token of their appreciation.
Since 1992, The Education Foundation has helped Alachua County Public Schools in recognizing and empowering its teachers through the annual Teacher of the Year program. This year approximately 500 people came out to Trinity United Methodist to show their support for these amazing educators!
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The Gainesville Zero Waste News: Commercial Recycling Requirements
Recently passed changes to the City’s solid waste ordinance have expanded the requirements for recycling of materials.
Any business generating 15% or more by volume of the following designated recyclable materials in their waste stream are required to separate and recycle these materials.
Containers:
Metal Cans (steel and aluminum)
Glass Bottles and Jars
Plastic Bottles, Jugs and Jars
Papers:
Corrugated Cardboard
Paperboard
Newspaper, Magazines, Catalogs, Manuals, Paper Bags, Phone Books, and Paperback Books
Office Paper (including shredded paper) and Junk Mail (unwanted mail)
Previously, only specific materials that met the 15% requirement needed to be recycled. Now business must provide recycling for other materials. For example, businesses that might only have cardboard service may be required to add these other materials
Contact your current recycling provider to discuss options to meet these requirements or for more information on the new Zero Waste Ordinances, visit gainesvillefl.gov/ZeroWaste.
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The Chamber, in partnership with Santa Fe College and the District Export Council invite you to join us for a deep dive into opportunity- Grow Sales Through Exports. Did you know that in addition to products, you can export services like architecture and engineering? There are so many resources at your disposal and the DEC is ready to share them with you. Whatever your business produces, there is an opportunity to share it with the world. We hope to see you there! |
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Dream on Purpose Celebrates 7 Years of Making a Difference!
Every year, Dream on Purpose hosts an appreciation dinner in which its team members present a year-end review, discuss future programming and acknowledge supporters and friends. This year, we hope that you will join us!
Join Dream on Purpose for our 7th annual dinner “Dine with DOP” rescheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2023 at the Fairfield Inn, 3877 SW 37th Blvd., Gainesville, FL. You will have an opportunity to hear directly from youth and learn more about how we empower them, specifically young ladies between the ages of 11-18, to dream and actualize their dreams; all while enjoying a cocktail reception, dinner and program. The cocktail reception starts at 5:30pm and the program will start at 6pm. Visit https://bit.ly/2022dopannualdinner to learn more about “Dine with DOP” and www.dreamonpurpose.org for ways you can make a difference!
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Salon Ziba and The Shoppes at Thornebrook Invite You To The First Annual Nowruz Festival
Join us for the first annual Nowruz and International New Year Festival happening March 18th 2023 at the Shoppes at Thornebrook! This event will focus on the Persian tradition of celebrating the new year or "Nowruz" while inviting international vendors to take part and share their lovely crafts, gifts, food, and more!
We are encouraging everyone to circulate this poster, scan, and sign up as a vendor for this wonderful event. It will be fun for the entire family. We look forward to strengthening our local community while giving opportunities to small and large vendors alike.
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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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