Weekly Wave

October 24, 2023

Good morning, Elizabeth!

Join us this Thursday for our 3rd Annual Progressive Business After Hours & Tailgate Party at Regatta Commons! Guests will check-in at the Destin Chamber and will receive a map to explore other businesses and delicious food and beverages around the office park.

Participating businesses include Dippin' Dots Okaloosa, Emerald Coast Business Intermediaries, LegacyHouse Title, Legendary, Legendary Home Builders, Matthews & Jones LLP, Priority Title, Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club, and Regatta Chiropractic & Laser Center.

Thank you to Ecco Motors for providing golf carts to allow easy transportation between stops for those who may need a little assistance.

Registration and prepayment are required.

Do You Have An Award-Worthy Boss or Coworker?

Get your nominations in now for the Ann Gibson Community Service Award Sponsored by Okaloosa Gas and the Business Person of the Year Sponsored by Trustmark! Nominations are due by Friday, Nov. 17, and the awards will be presented during the Jan. 18 Awards Party & Wine Pairing Dinner Presented by Trustmark.

Bourbon at the Bay Sponsorships Available & Tickets on Sale Now

Grab your sponsorship for the 11th Annual Bourbon at the Bay Sponsored by Hand Arendall Harrison Sale quickly! There are only a few left, and they will not last long. This Nov. 16 event held at Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club includes a bourbon, scotch and champagne tasting; silent auction; wine pull; and decadent appetizers and dessert.

Tickets are on sale now!

Florida Ranks #1 in the Nation for Entrepreneurship

Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida is the most entrepreneurial state in the nation, according to a recent study published by researchers at The Digital Project Manager. Florida has the highest percentage of the population that has started a business with 13,238 small businesses per 100,000 residents, which is 3,000 more small businesses per 100,000 residents than the second place state of Georgia. The study also found that new start-up businesses in Florida had the highest number of jobs created in the first year with 6.53 new jobs per 1,000 Floridians. Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the national average for nearly three years and more than one million Floridians have joined the workforce. Florida has outpaced the national rate for labor force growth and private sector job growth for over two years.

Perks of Your Chamber Membership

Affordable Health Insurance for Your Employees

Savings On Your Email Marketing Program

Save up to 25% with Constant Contact

Save $ On Office Supplies

Save on office supplies with ODP Business Solutions

Power Hours With Kevin: Free Business Consulting

Every Thursday | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Location: Destin Chamber

Find details here.

Florida SBDC at UWF Business Consultant Kevin Oster will be available for impromptu meetings assisting with business challenges or opportunities. These meetings are confidential and at no cost to you. No appointment is required; however, you are welcome to email KOster@uwf.edu if you would like to schedule one.

Progressive Business After Hours & Tailgate Party at Regatta Commons

Thursday, October 26 | 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Location: 34902 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Destin

Registration and payment required.

Guests check-in at the Chamber to receive a map showing participating businesses & the delicious food & beverages they are offering. Participants include Emerald Coast Business Intermediaries, LegacyHouse Title, Legendary, Legendary Home Builders, Matthews & Jones LLP, Priority Title, Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club, & Regatta Chiropractic & Laser Center.

Thank you to Ecco Motors for supplying golf carts to help transport guests between stops!

Military Affairs Council (MAC) Meeting

Wednesday, November 1 | 12 - 1 p.m.

Location: Destin Chamber

Find details here.

Our speaker will be Mr. Patrick Colloton, Colonel, USA (ret.), Deputy Commander, Garrison, Camp "Bull" Simons, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Anyone with an interest in the military is invited to attend.

Business Before Hours Sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union

**Thursday, November 9 | 7:30 - 9 a.m.

Location: LuLu's Destin

Registration and payment required.

Please join us for our Nov. 9 Business Before Hours Sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union and featuring our non-profit spotlight DEFENSEWERX! Our speaker will be Colonel W. Anthony Meeks, Commander and Director for the Munitions Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base. The Rocky Bayou Christian School Chamber Singers will open the event with the National Anthem.

**Please note that this breakfast will take place on Thursday instead of Friday, due to the Veterans Day Holiday.

Tourism & Hospitality Lunch: VISIT FLORIDA Update

Wednesday, November 15 | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Location: Beach Walk Henderson Park

Registration and payment required.

Our speaker will be Matt Tuchman, Regional Partnership Manager with VISIT FLORIDA.

Culligan of Fort Walton Beach

Luther's Pontoon, Waverunner and Kayak Rentals

Thank You To Our Renewing Members

October 26 - LegacyHouse Title

November 2 - Beachside Chiropractic & Wellness

December 4 - Snowbirds Roost

Tuesday, October 24

Taco & Tequila Tuesday at Mezcal Mexican Grill

Beachworx Speed Networking Hour

3rd Annual BBQ and Bingo for Schools

Wednesday, October 25

Wellness Wednesdays

Destin's Annual City Open House

Best Fondue Friends Forever at Melting Pot Destin

Unplugged feat. Erin Enderlin

Wednesday Night Concert Series

Thursday, October 26 - Saturday, October 28

Alys Beach Crafted benefiting Cultural Arts Alliance

Thursday, October 26

Power Hours With Kevin: Free Business Consulting

LegacyHouse Title Ribbon Cutting

Thursdate at Melting Pot Destin

SmartBank Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

Barktoberfest

Destin Chamber's Progressive Business After Hours & Tailgate Party at Regatta Commons

Darts & Music at the American Legion Post 296

Friday, October 27

Day of Beauty at Aqua Medical Spa

Mattie Kelly Art Foundation's Arty Kick Off Party

Halloween Haunt at the Destin Commons

Halloween Movie on the Beach: Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Karaoke at American Legion Post 296

Saturday, October 28 - Sunday, October 29

Gulfscarium

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation's 28th Annual Festival of the Arts

Saturday, October 28

Fenner Ride

Grand Boulevard’s Farmers’ Market

Baytowne Wharf Farmers Market

CALM Furniture Resale Store Open 9am -1pm

Boo on the Beach

Sunday, October 29

Sunday Breakfast at American Legion Post 296

Sunday Brunch at Soleil

Destin Commons Market

Monday, October 30

Troy University Open House

City of Destin Fall Festival

Okaloosa County Delegation Meeting

Bingo Fundraiser at American Legion Post 296

If you would like your event listed here, please submit it to the Events Calendar at DestinChamber.com. Be sure to include your company name, as we only publish events of Destin Chamber members.