Spreading Holiday Cheer

   Last week, the Women's Leadership Committee presented its Annual Holiday Luncheon at the Holiday Inn-Harbourside! Thanks to our many gracious donations, we raffled 31 baskets and 4 silent auction to raise money for the Chamber's Education Fund.

    As always, the event could not go on without our generous Presenting and Marketing Sponsors: State Farm-Team Cocco, Regions Bank , Centratel Telephones, The DRIPBaR Largo, Threat Angler, The Palms of Largo, Ciarciaglino, Gell & Fiorentino, P.A., Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, and ArchWell Health.

    A big shout out to Advanced Video Systems for the photos, the Chamber Board of Directors for their help drawing tickets, and the Women's Leadership Committee for putting it all together.

D.O.D. Coffee Roastery

Tale of the Gold Bag

The annual gift swap at the Chamber Leads Team at Village Inn last week featured plenty of laughs! The “gold bag” made it around several times until finally ending in the hands of Claudia Cometa of Peace Advocacy Group. And what riches did it hold? A blanket! If you’re interested in joining a Leads Team as we kick-off a new year, reach out to Tom at the Chamber.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

Oliver Kugler, Community Relations Manager at Visit St. Pete Clearwater, meets with the Chamber’s Business Development & Advocacy Committee to discuss the county tourism agency’s new campaign. Called “From Visitors With Love,” it’s aim is to educate Pinellas residents and businesses on the significant economic benefit visitors provide. According to Visit, tourism dollars have an annual economic impact exceeding $11 billion. That’s $353 every second. To learn more, check out www.FromVisitorsWithLove.com

City-wide Survey for Largo Business Owners and Residents

   The City of Largo is launching the second year of a city-wide survey for all residents and business owners within Largo's Planning Service Area (includes city limits and unincorporated areas). The purpose of the survey is to receive public input from community members across 10 key areas of community livability including the economy, education, workforce, utilities, and more. Survey results will inform city planning and potential funding priorities.

    The survey is available in English and Spanish. Complete the survey here.

Florida’s complicated cost of living explained

Florida’s economy is on the mend. Unemployment is low, the gross domestic product has risen and population growth keeps a steady pipeline of cash flow into the state. But residents across the state are still wrestling with drastic price increases.

Feds “deeply alarmed” after 360k Florida kids lose Medicaid, CHIP coverage

The HHS urged Florida and eight other states to make it easier for families to renew coverage. About half of all terminated Floridians lost coverage for procedural reasons such as failing to update their contact information.

U.S. intelligence finds Cuba tried to influence Florida races during 2022 elections

The Cuban government conducted influence operations in the United States “aimed at denigrating specific U.S. candidates in Florida” during the 2022 midterm elections, the U.S. intelligence community said.

Life expectancy is dropping across the US. How long can Florida residents expect to live?

When it comes to how long you can expect to live, there's good news and a little bad news for Florida residents, along with the rest of the United States.

Florida insurance market shows recovery signs after steep rate increases

Last year, lawmakers put new reforms in place, and now Florida’s insurance commissioner says the bleeding has stopped and the state is seeing improvements but is the industry finally in the clear?

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 Technical College

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