To all our Moms, here today and in memory…

From the President's Desk

  I hope you enjoyed what was an especially nice winter/spring season.  Now comes hazy, hot, humid, spaghetti models and politics ad nauseam! To help you get through it, your Chamber has some fun and enlightening programs/events in the planning.

    That said, we just got off a very active April with our Ballpark Bash, ChamberSMART! Women’s Leadership luncheon, happy hour reception and several ribbon-cuttings, business tours and meetings. It was great to catch up with so many of you.

    It’s been a goal to enhance our ChamberSMART! programming this year, and we’re making strides. Just last week was our session “Tomorrow’s Workplace: Technology Trends” that gave us information on changing employment patterns and a glimpse of what’s to come.

    In February, we had a panel of Chamber member experts offer “Tips for Business Success.” And coming up on June 6, we’re taking a look at “Mental Health & Workplace Wellbeing.”  It will also feature a panel of Chamber member experts on this very timely and sensitive topic. You can register for this and find a complete list of all that’s happening at www.CentralChamber.biz.

   Don’t forget to leave a business card at every event, program and meeting. It’s your entry into our ongoing “Chamber Champions” contest sponsored by GarrisonPro. The next drawing is June 11.

    Wishing you a happy and prosperous month!

    Tom Morrissette

Join us on May 16th at Inspired Living at Ivy Ridge for an After Hours Reception with drinks and light food! Register online here.

Tomorrow's Workplace: Technology Trends

   Last week's ChamberSMART! luncheon presented by the Women's Leadership Committee was packed with information on workplace technology trends. We must embrace change, but the future looks bright!

     Our thanks to the presenters who did an outstanding job, Marcus McGehee of The AI Consulting Lab, Monica Eaton, founder and CEO of Chargebacks911, and Susan Sinz, City of Largo Human Resources Director. Also a big thanks to the event sponsors Centratel Telephones, Dan Flynn State Farm, Natson Hotel Group, and Fifth Third Bank.

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Ambassador of the Month: Stacy Gillis

   It is no surprise that Stacy Gillis of Advanced Video Systems was once again recognized as the Ambassador of the Month by the Ambassador Team. Thanks to her unwavering support of the Chamber, Stacy has now been Ambassador of the Month for the eighth month in a row! Impressive!

    Interested in joining this competitive group? Reach out to Emmy at membership@centralchamber.biz. The group meets monthly on the first Wednesday at 8:15 AM.

Seeking Employees?

These Career Fairs might help!

Pinellas Technical College is inviting businesses/organizations to participate in its upcoming career fairs. You can choose which event you want to attend or both. Dates and times are as follows:



- June 20, 2024, 11 AM to 1 PM, Pinellas Technical College, Clearwater Campus 6100 154th Ave. North, Clearwater, 33760. 

- June 27, 2024, 11 AM to 1 PM, Pinellas Technical College, St. Petersburg Campus 901 34th St. South, St. Petersburg 33711.

If you’d like to participate, click the button below and register.

DIRECT CONTACT:

Maria Mediavilla-Thackrah, Placement Coordinator

727 538-7167, Ext. 2097, Clearwater Campus

727 893-2500, Ext. 2535, St. Petersburg Campus

FREE PROMO OPPORTUNITY!

Join in Celebrating Local Residents for 727 Day Deals (July 27)

Visitors help drive the economic engine of Pinellas County, but it’s our residents that make it a special destination. And it’s important that we continue to educate them on the value of tourism as an integral part of our community.

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater will be promoting to and offering residents special deals and discounts for 727 Day (Saturday, July 27) on the VisitSPC website. It’s seeking offers from participating businesses that leverage 7-2-7 in some way (e.g., A discount of $7.27, buy one get a second for $7.27, admission just $7.27).

There is no cost to participate. Just fill out this 727 Deal Form with all pertinent information about your offer or event by Friday, June 14, and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater will handle the rest, including promotion of a special 727 Day webpage and coordinating with local media for coverage.

Thanks in advance for helping make 727 Day Deals a special treat for our locals!

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Florida received 58 cents for every dollar spent on tourism marketing

State officials say Florida’s tourism marketing organization, Visit Florida, returned only 58 cents for every dollar spent on it in 2023.

Florida Icon: Suzanne Lewis

"When you work in these beautiful landscapes, and the visitors are in awe, and you see people experience things for the first time, it gives you a great sense of joy," says Lewis, the first female superintendent of eight national parks.

Save on hurricane, back-to-school supplies, more: Here’s when these 2024 Florida tax holidays are in effect

Consumers, homeowners and businesses are set to benefit the most from a tax cut plan that will save taxpayers an estimated $914 billion over two years.

Hurricane Idalia gifted Florida with a flock of flamingos

According to Audubon Florida, the flamingo population dwindled in the 19th century due to poaching for their feathers. It’s likely the current population will grow if they can find the right place to mate.

Boeing Starliner astronaut launch delayed until at least May 17

A pair of NASA astronauts were ready to go, but a single valve caused a scrub of their ride on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on Monday night. The next shot to fly won’t be until at least May 17.

Acropol Family Restaurant

Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital

Business & Family Insurors

Check Before Hire

Cloud Law Firm PA

Duke Energy

Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital

HCA Florida Largo Hospital

Home Instead/Be a Santa

Jackson & Associates CPA

Melody Hunter Homes

National Aviation Academy

Pinellas County Housing Authority

Piper Fire Protection

Platinum Information Services

Regions Bank

State Farm - Team Cocco

The Palms of Largo

Valley National Bank

Village Inn

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater

Wealth Builders