President's Edition & Members' Promotions E-Connection

Volume 129 l June 2023

Weekly eConnection

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770

Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112

President's Edition & Members' Promotions

From the President's Desk...

*****“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

*****In our communities are many unsung heroes who inspire us through their actions and deeds. And each year, your Chamber provides an opportunity to see them recognized.

*****Our 2023 Inspire Awards, what many call our “feel good event of the year,” takes place on Thursday, August 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. This is the 13th year of the event presented by our Women’s Leadership Committee.

*****The Inspire Awards celebrate individuals who have had a positive impact on the lives of others through their leadership in the workplace and/or involvement in the community. Nominations are now being accepted in five distinct categories: Business, Community Service, Public Service, Inspirers of Youth and Youth Who Inspire.

*****Take the time to salute someone whose actions have impacted you and others. Submit a nomination today, and while you’re at it, register to be a part of the awards ceremony. You’ll be happy you did! Here’s the link with nomination and registration info: INSPIRE LINK

*****All the best for a happy and prosperous month,

*****Tom Morrissette

Welcome Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School!

*****Chamber Ambassador Trudi Greig of Hancock Whitney Bank presents a Chamber membership plaque to Ija Hawthorne, principal of Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School at 6410 11th Avenue N. in Largo.

*****Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School’s mission is to provide the highest academic achievement through a positive and safe learning environment to prepare every scholar for college, career and life.

*****The school made national headlines last week when its 8th Grade student Dev Shah won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. It’s been more than 20 years since a Florida student captured the title!

*****For more about Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School and Dev’s big win, visit: https://www.pcsb.org/fitzgerald-ms

Congrats, PIE!

****The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recognized St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) as the 2022 Airport of the Year in the small to medium sized airports category. This recognition is part of the annual TSA Honorary Awards. To win this award, PIE had to compete with 333 airports of similar size.

****The TSA workforce at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport was recognized for their outstanding team achievements in key operational and mission support functions that resulted in measurable improvements, superior performance and low passenger wait-times while successfully navigating through record-breaking passenger volume. TSA’s mission locally and across all federalized airports remains focused on protecting the nation’s transportation systems to ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Free for Members | $25 guests.

When: NEXT Thursday, June 15

7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Where: Keiser University

16120 US Highway 19 N,

Clearwater, 33764

O Canada: Tourists ‘flocking' to Florida

Travel to Florida from Canada has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, but visa issues continue to complicate the state’s efforts to draw overseas visitors, according to tourism officials.

‘I’m going to Miami:’ Soccer legend Lionel Messi says he intends to play in Florida

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi has signed a historic deal with Inter Miami. He instantly becomes the highest-paid and highest-profile athlete not only in Florida, but in the entire United States.

Florida property insurance costs rising faster than any other state

Anyone in Florida who has opened a home insurance bill in the last few years knows premiums have been skyrocketing. New estimates show they’ve actually been rising faster than in any other state — a lot faster.

Recreational marijuana may be on Florida ballot; here's why leading pot advocate isn't happy

A leader in the Florida cannabis community fears a proposed recreational marijuana initiative may be doomed because it offers little change for consumers, but provides a bigger market for the medical marijuana giant backing the proposal.

'Move over' for everyone — it's the law. Here's what Floridians need to know

Florida's current "Move Over" law requires drivers to slow down and/or move over one lane for emergency responders. It includes tow trucks, municipal vehicles and utility vehicles.