A 5-Star Accredited Chamber of Commerce |
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Save The Date!
What makes Gainesville Greater? Why, all of our AMAZING businesses, of course! Make plans now and save the date for the upcoming Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, presented by VyStar Credit Union, to be held the evening of Wednesday, December 7th at the Best Western Gateway Grand! Applications will be opening in August, so stay tuned for that announcement.
This year's categories are: Commitment to the Environment, Community Involvement, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Employer of the Year, Large Business of the Year (>$2M), Large Non-Profit of the Year (>$2M), Leading Women's Business, New Business of the Year (2 years or less), Small Business of the Year (<$2M), Small Non-Profit of the Year (510c3, <$2M), Technology Company of the Year, and in celebration of our centennial next year, we are introducing two new awards: Veteran Owned Business of the Year AND Latin Owned Business of the Year!
If you are interested in sponsoring one of these new awards or the Large Business of the Year Award, please reach out to Steve Cannon - stevec@gainesvillechamber.com TODAY; these opportunities will go QUICK! |
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EVENT TOMORROW!
Drink GNV Cocktail Event
Wednesday, July 26th
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Fairfield Inn & Suites
3877 SW 37th Blvd
Gainesville, FL 32608
Each admission ticket includes appetizers and your choice of a beverage from the Fairfield Bar, including beer, wine or a featured handcrafted cocktail of either a Mango Berry Daiquiri or a Fairfield Lemonade.
Plus, if you bring a donation of school supplies to the event, you will receive a second complimentary cocktail courtesy of Seacoast Bank.
Conveniently located off I-75 near downtown Gainesville and UF, the Fairfield by Marriott is a contemporary hotel with over 2,300 sq. ft. of meeting space, a lovely pool and deck area with fire pits and grills, and a full-service bar. Come out and see what sets them apart in the greater Gainesville region.
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EVENT TOMORROW!
GGYP THRIVE Event:
Money Talk with Randy Persad
Wednesday, July 26th
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce
300 E. University Ave, Suite 100
Gainesville, FL 32601
Join the Greater Gainesville Young Professionals for their next THRIVE event! Thrive events are monthly professional or personal development opportunities for our young professionals.
This month, we’re focusing on finance! Learning how to handle your money is important for success, but nobody tells you how to do it. Randy Persad is a Financial Advisor who has spent years using different perspectives to make sure people have a clear view around their values and finances throughout all aspects of life. This seminar will cover hot topics such as debt, budgeting, retirement, and more! A Q+A will be held to answer any questions you may have surrounding finances.
This event is only for members of the community that are between the ages of 21-39.
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UPCOMING EVENT!
Business Before Hours: UF Psychiatric Hospital
Tuesday, August 15th
8:30am - 10:00am
4101 NW 89th Blvd
Gainesville, FL
Join us for Business Before Hours sponsored by UF Psychiatric Hospital, 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.
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UPCOMING EVENT!
Lunch & Learn: Your Brand's Storyline
Wednesday, August 16th
12:00pm - 1:00pm
LifeSouth Community Blood Center
1221 NW 13th St.
Gainesville, FL
Are you ready to tell your brand's story?
Learn the look, feel, voice and tone of your brand and why it's far more than your logo and colors. Learn how trustworthy your brand is and why now may be the time to change the narrative.
Presented by Kandra Albury, Co-CEO and Founder of More Than Expected (MTE) Publishing, a full-service publishing agency in Gainesville, FL.
Thank you to our sponsor:
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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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Local Employers Take Interns/Internship Survey
To support the businesses and talent in our community, your Chamber recently surveyed a small group of employers regarding their experience with interns and internships. One of the more interesting results showcased which skills and competencies (based on the NACE standards) employers expected interns to already have vs. those that they were prepared to teach.
Being present and prepared, displaying curiosity, and communication skills are among the top skills that employers expected their interns to have. Topping the list of skills employers were willing to teach interns were when to send an email vs. when to send a text and preparing them to be empowered. The skills that they were least likely to be willing to teach were being proactive and navigating change.
When asked what help or support the employers needed: Finding Interns took top place, with helping to better prepare those interns with basic skills and competencies coming in second.
Interested in contributing your thoughts? Take the survey by clicking the link below; it should take you less than 10 minutes:
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Florida SBDC To Host Small Business Success Summit
The Florida SBDC Network Small Business Success Summit will take place August 2-3, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This event will bring small business owners, Florida SBDC Network experienced business consultants, and partners from across the state together to help small business owners walk away with strategies and connections to help further their business.
The summit will feature keynote speakers, over 20+ breakout sessions, and networking opportunities that will allow small business professionals to walk away with tangible strategies and connections to help their business start, grow and thrive.
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Archer, Florida: Small Town Becomes Gig City
Last week we had the honor of attending the celebration of Cox Communication's new fiber network service expansion to Archer! Cox has been connecting people and communities for 125 years; they are a family-owned business with an ethos of giving back to the community and taking care of their employees. This storied history of making connections is now being put to use, building a better future for the next generation in Archer, granting more opportunity and access for students and residents.
Guests in attendance heard from Market Vice President (and Chamber board member) Aimee Pfannenstiel, as well as the President of Cox Communication, Mark Greatrex, on the investments they are making in our local communities. Mayor Iris Bailey expressed her appreciation for all that their team has done to turn their small (but mighty) town into a Gig City!
In addition, Cox Communications presented a check for $10,000 to Archer Elementary School, via The Education Foundation, to purchase educational components which will allow every student in the school to learn about robotics and coding at a fundamental age.
Thank you for your investment in our region!
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The Matheson is honored to host The Friends of the Thelma Boltin Recreation Center committee on Saturday, July 29, to make a presentation about the significance of the building originally built as the Serviceman's Center in 1943.
The eighty-year-old building is a contributing building in a National Register Historic District and a State Heritage Site. It is significant for likely being the only building in the State of Florida that was built for World War II soldiers to relax and socialize and do activities before being shipped off to fight.
Thelma Boltin was hired as the Program Director in 1943. After the War ended, she became... read more
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All Four Rotary Clubs in Gainesville Proudly Announce Women Presidents for the Year 2023/24
The Rotary Clubs of Gainesville, a network of service-minded professionals, are excited to announce that each of the four clubs will be led by outstanding female presidents for the year 2023/24. This is a significant milestone in the history of our clubs as we continue to champion diversity, inclusion, and the empowerment of women in leadership roles.
The four Rotary Clubs in Gainesville, namely Rotary Club of Gainesville, Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville, Rotary Club of Greater Gainesville, and Sunrise Rotary Club of Gainesville — are thrilled to have highly accomplished women leading the way in their respective clubs. This year the two Area Governors are also led by women.
From Left to Right –
1. Dorothy Zimmerman, Assistant Governor 2 for Area 1
2. Diane Robar, Assistant Governor for Area 1
3. Sherry Houston, Sunrise Rotary Club of Gainesville
4. Christina Ramos, Rotary Club of Greater Gainesville
5. Lynda Reinhart – Rotary Club of Gainesville
6. Stephanie Esposito, Rotary Club of Downtown Gainesville
These women presidents possess exceptional professional backgrounds and a strong commitment to the Rotary.
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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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