Mission Statement:
The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the prosperity and general welfare of its business members and the community they serve.
| |
|
|
~ 98th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
| |
|
BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, December 25, 2023 ~
| |
We so hope that your holiday season is filled with the love and joy of family and friends!
Merry Christmas,
Charlotte County Chamber Board of Directors & Chamber Staff
| |
Charlotte County Facilities Construction & Maintenance is conducting a feasibility study for accessibility to/from the bridgeless barrier islands (Palm Island, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island, Knight Island/Thornton Key). This study seeks community input on the need for additional modes of access between the islands and mainland. A Public Drop-In Input Event will be held Jan. 11 at the Mac V. Horton West County Annex, 6868 San Casa Drive, Englewood. Stop by anytime between 11:30 -1:30 to provide input and ask questions or provide input online: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ISLANDS (closes Jan. 26).
| |
|
2023-2024 Sustaining Partners
Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.
| |
|
Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed)
| |
|
|
Our 2024 Community Guides and Business Directories are here!
Our Community Guides are “everything you need to know about Charlotte County”. These beautiful publications are available at the chamber office and we encourage any member who would like a supply for their lobby or customers to stop in and pick some up. One of the exciting features of the 2024 Community Guide is that the online version contains links to the websites for many of the events, services, advertisers, and members. We encourage you to preview the publication online here
| | | |
|
Thursday, January 4, 2024 - Expo2024 Participants Kick-off party. Save the Date. We'll have the workshop from 4:00 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. and then start the Party at 5:00 p.m. This event is open to those members who have signed up for a booth space or sponsorship at the Expo in February.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 - Networking at Noon at IHOP Port Charlotte. Please arrive at 11:45 a.m. to get settled. RSVP in the member portal and choose your meal. 1) Grilled Chicken salad with bacon, tomatoes, red onions, four blend cheese & avocado with ranch dressing 2) The Classic bacon cheeseburger with French fries 3) Philly cheese steak stacker with French fries. $20.00 includes lunch choice, soft drink, tax & tip.
Thursday, January 25, 2024 - Business Card Exchange at Lake Michigan Credit Union, 2120 Kings Hwy., Port Charlotte. From 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.. Please RSVP in the member portal.
| |
Decades Music Trivia!
Finally a trivia game where everyone actually has fun as they guess classic TV Shows, Movies, and Radio Hits from the 50's-80's. Gather up your dream team of couch potatoes, movie buffs, and music lovers to win it all. Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Twisted Fork in the Green Room. Cost: $20pp. Our Social Committee plans this to be the first event in a series of fun, social events for our current members and those persons who may be considering membership. Individuals can order off the menu and self-pay. Register in the Member Portal
| |
|
Shop Members ~ Shop Local for the Holidays | | |
|
|
Post your deal on the Charlotte County Chamber website for additional promotion!
It’s free for all members.
If you have not done this before, it’s easy.
Login to the Member portal at charlottecountychamber.org, at the left in the Shortcuts area choose Hot Deals, (or Member to Member Deals) then click on add a Hot Deal and put in your deal and description with start and end dates. When complete, click on submit.
Member Portal
| | |
The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on January 4th. (Digital flyers are due by January 2) Email your ad to advertiser@charlottecountychamber.org and include the web address we should link it to, or call us 941-627-2222 for more information. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. . Learn More
| | |
Members, the Charlotte County Chamber Newsletter Business Perspective is a DIGITAL Quarterly publishing January/April/July/October. Members who want to include a Digital page to ride with the newsletter should complete and return the agreement and provide their digital page by the 20th of the month before publication. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. Send your digital flyer to Newsletter@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for information, or click here to learn more.
| |
Did you know you may set up automatic payments! Never forget another membership payment! Save on stamps, checks and time. To do so, login to the Member Portal. In the shortcut menu, choose Company Information, at the bottom of the list choose Billing, choose Payment Profiles and enter your credit card. Then from that same Billing area choose Autopay & Billing to select your payment profile. That's it! | |
13th Annual Business Expo | |
Thank You Expo2024 Sponsors: | |
|
Print Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix
Newspaper Sponsor: The Daily Sun
Radio Sponsor: iHeart Media, Inc.
Platinum Title Sponsor: Kittle Property Group: Swiftwater at West Port - The Flats at Sundown - Vantage Apartments
Silver Sponsor: Southwest Florida Insurance Associates, Inc.
Silver Sponsor: Life Care Center of Punta Gorda
Silver Sponsor: True Fence, LLC
Silver Sponsor: Chapman Insurance Group
Silver Sponsor: Florida Tree & Ground Maintenance, Inc.
Bronze Sponsor: MD Pressure Cleaning and Softwash
Bronze Sponsor: Better Business Bureau of West Florida, Inc.
Bronze Sponsor: J & J One Stop Gun Shop, Inc.
Bronze Sponsor: Succentrix Business Advisors
Bronze Sponsor: The Mosaic Company
Bronze Sponsor: Elite Hurricane Home Protection
Main Stage Sponsor:
Speed Networking Sponsor:
After Hours Party Sponsor: Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions
Bag Sponsor: WhitCo Insurance, Alexia Martin Agency
Refreshment Station Sponsor: The Purple House Salon by Shawn Gilstad
Kick off Party Sponsor: Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center
Lanyard Sponsor: Chapman Insurance Group
Event Map Sponsor:
Passport Sponsor:
| | |
|
"The Hottest Business Day in Paradise!" Over 1,000
attendees expected.
| |  |
|
Make sure to Save the Date - February 8, 2024
For this all day event!
| | |
|
David Sussman Photography
5206 Blackjack Circle
Punta Gorda, FL 33982
David Sussman
(850) 866-8566
Mat@choicegraphx.com
http://www.dwsussman.com
The Meridian at Punta Gorda Isles
2001 Aqui Esta Dr.
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Jennifer Neuman, Meg Wright
(941) 421-7606
mpgi.sc@meridiansenior.com
http://www.themeridianatpgi.com
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
1700 S. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
Mackenzie Jones, Samantha Solie
(941) 917-6693
mackenzie-jones@smh.com
https://www.smh.com/
Pier One Yacht Sales LLC
1200 West Retta Esplanade, #49
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Michael Mullinger
(513) 518-9800
mikem@pieroneyachtsales.com
http://www.pieroneyachtsales.com
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota
6400 Edgelake Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240
Sam Alexander
(941) 921-8600
samuel.alexander@encompasshealth.com
http://www.encompasshealth.com/sarasotarehab
| |
~ Join us for a Ribbon Cutting ~ | |
|
Thursday, January 11, 2024 5:00-6:30 p.m. (RC=5:30)
SimpliFi Home Loans
425 Cross St., Suite 116, Punta Gorda
Business Card raffle for multiple basket giveaways, door gifts for attendees. Food and drinks will be served.
Please RSVP in the Member Portal
Thursday, January 16, 2024
Gasparilla Boat Tours - detail soon.
Thursday, January 18, 2024 5:00-6:30 p.m. (RC=5:30)
Ribbon Cutting and Grand ReOpening
Soul Dental
941 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
Appetizers, Refreshments & Raffle Baskets
Please RSVP in the Member Portal
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 5:00-6:00p.m. (RC=5:30)
Brighter Than Ever Salon
425 Cross St., Suite 212 &213, Punta Gorda
There will be raffles for attendees, Hair Blow Out, Nails Gel Manicure and a Mans Hair Cut. They will also be serving light food/appetizers along with wine & water. Please RSVP in the Member Portal
| |
Everyone is invited to attend Chamber ribbon cutting events. Come out and support your fellow members in a casual, fun, atmosphere! Networking opportunity. | |
#ConnectingBusinessesTogether | |
Members Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.) | |
|
Loren Putnam and the Staples Port Charlotte store wants to wish you a Merry Christmas! We are having The Print Big Sale! $20 off your print purchase of $100 or more, $50 off your print purchase of $200 or more, $100 off your print purchase of $300 or more. Valid 12/17/23 through 2/10/24. Exclusions apply. Visit Staples.com/print for more details
Cryotherapy of Charlotte County - Treat yourself to our December SPECIAL: CryoSkin Revolution Facial $150.00 (Reg $200.00) by our licensed esthetician. Call and book today (941) 979-7057 GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
Christine Hause, Vice President and Senior Wealth Strategist, and Kerry Hunter, Wealth Strategist, have scheduled free estate-planning seminars in several Crews Bank & Trust locations for January. Hause and Hunter, members of the bank’s Trust and Wealth Management Services division, will present vital information on the topics from a trust officer’s point of view. "These seminars will help you create a strong plan for the future," explained Lory Weisensee, President of Trust and Wealth Management. Registration is available at any Crews Bank & Trust branch office, online at www.crews.bank, via email at trust@crews.bank or by calling Trust Operations Associate Linda Ferrara at 941-624-1943. All seminars run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
All December long, our wedding ceremony room will be decorated in Winter Wonderland colors and theme. Say I do under the twinkling lights and falling snowflakes. Please go to marriage.charlotteclerk.com to schedule your Winter Wonderland wedding today! Roger D. Eaton Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller, 350 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 941-637-2329
Charlotte County Community Services - Freedom Run 5k, Sunday, December 31, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park. Join us for one of the last 5k's of the year and leave 2023 in the dust. T-shirts for all registered runners-Cost $30. Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place per age group. The race will start and end at the William R. Gaines jr. Veterans Memorial Park. Contact info@wrgainesjr.org for questions or sponsorships or go to sign up at WRGainesJr.org
Ring in the New Year Fishermen’s Village style! This family friendly event runs from 6pm-12pm on December 31st and will keep you entertained throughout the night. Hundreds join the celebration and keep the dance floor at Center Court groovin' until the clock strikes midnight! Enjoy family fun activities and live music featuring the Shane Duncan Band on the Beach, DJ Michael White at Center Court, tattoos, face painting, and more. Plus, don’t miss the fireworks at midnight. This is a refreshing way to meet the new year with family, friends, and like-minded neighbors. www.fishermensvillage.com / 941 639-8721
The Small Business Development Center offers workshops for small businesses. Competing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, 11:00-1:30 at the CDBIA, 17984 TOLEDO BLADE BLVD, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33948-1021. To register: https://charlottedesotobia.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/XpjxYYZL?mode=Attendee In this one-stop seminar, learn how your business can benefit from using AI.
Tickets on sale now for the Bingo Blowout being held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Event Center on Saturday, January 13, 2024 to benefit Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic. $50 includes 10 Game Bingo Card & dauber, lunch from FM Don's. There will be a Chance Auction, 50/50, lottery tree and cash bar. Visit www.volunteercare.org or call Barbara Wastart 941-368-8863.
Charlotte Local Education Foundation is hosting the Golden Apple Awards for the Teacher & Support Employee of the Year Celebration on Friday, January 19, 2024 presented by Suncoast Credit Union and being held at the Holy Trinity Event Center at 6:00p.m. We are looking for support from our community in the form of charitable sponsorships for the celebration. If you would like to sponsor, please return this form with payment by January 12, 2024.
| |
|
The staff at Korman Relief & Wellness Center would like to wish you all a Christmas filled with love and laughter, and a new year filled with good health and happiness! We would also like to thank all of our patients for their generosity in helping to make the Christmas holiday for all of our local senior citizens a little merrier, a little brighter, and letting them know that they are loved and not forgotten. Thank you for sharing the spirit and magic of Christmas with them. Merry Christmas - Korman Relief & Wellness Center.
Calling all creative money-saving ideas! The Small Business Development Center will present a class in late January called Money Saving Tips for Seniors. If you have a tip you would like to be included in this class, please email Patti Guerzo at pguerzo@fgcu.edu. Thank you for your ideas; you will be credited!
BubbleUp Exterior Cleaning wishes you and your’s a wonderful Christmas!! BubbleUp is offering two promotions for the holiday season: 50% off driveway cleaning with the purchase of any regular exterior cleaning and 20% off rust removal restoration services! Schedule now so your home will be beautiful for 2024!! We do soft washing and pressure washing depending on the surface to be cleaned. We clean the house, roof, driveway, walkways, pool cages, lanai's, fences, walls, gutter cleanouts, etc. BubbleUp is licensed and insured. Visit: BubbleUpcleans.pro or call or text: 941-587-0654.
From all of us at Complete Auto Repair. We will be closed from Christmas Day to January 2nd to give our employees quality time with family. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
From Our Family at Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage to your family, "wherever you are, whether traveling to or from, we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. If moving is a part of your New Year, we recommend planning three months whenever possible. call Kenny Gardiner at 941-423-5311 for an estimate.
The Small Business Development Center offers workshops for small businesses. In 2023, the SBDC presented 18 workshops to over 220 entrepreneurs. January’s lineup includes an in-depth class on Artificial Intelligence tools for businesses, and Money Saving Tips for Seniors. Contact Patti Guerzo at pguerzo@fgcu.edu or information on all of our 2024 workshops.
Go4Golf Sim Lounge & Instructional Facility - Enjoy over 600 Courses on our indoor golf simulator. Hourly simulator rentals, or 30 to 60 minute lessons. Stop at your neighborhood golfing hotspot at 1101 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. We have leagues, swing analysis and youth clinics. 941-889-7802 go4golfllc@gmail.com for more information go4golf.org
Last minute Christmas Gifts! Murdock Stones Etc. just got in their annual Lawn Ornament shipment...Statues include animals, religious, bird baths, and military/service personnel among others. Check them out at: 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd. …look for the World’s Largest Mailbox), 590 Prineville St. in Port Charlotte (behind Murdock Wal-Mart). www.murdockstonesetc.com. 941-629-6651.
This holiday season, give your employees something they’ll never forget! Gulfcoast South AHEC offers FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges at no cost for qualifying participants. Let’s get back to happy and healthy together. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today.
This week's Trivia Challenge from Dellutri Law Group:
Q: Which sport are played by the Florida Panthers?
Q: What is the name of the bay in Miami?
Q: What is the main NFL team in Miami?
Q: What is the name of the Haitian district in Miami?
Elizabeth Etnoyer eetnoyer@DellutriLawGroup.com 239-210-7253 (Call/Text)
BubbleUp Exterior Cleaning is offering two promotions for the holiday season: 50% off driveway cleaning with the purchase of a regular exterior cleaning and 20% off rust removal restoration services! Schedule now so your home will be beautiful for the holidays!! We do soft washing and pressure washing depending on the surface to be cleaned. We clean the house, roof, driveway, walkways, pool cages, lanai's, fences, walls, gutters and many other things. BubbleUp is licensed and insured. Visit: BubbleUpcleans.pro or call or text: 941-587-0654.
If you filed as self-employed during the 2020 and or 2021 tax periods and you or your family were in anyway affected by Covid, and you lost time at work as a result. You may be eligible for a substantial rebate of the taxes you paid during those tax years. To check your eligibility and pre-qualify go to www.applyforcovidtaxcredits.com and answer 10 easy questions, there is no cost or obligation to see if you qualify. For questions, William Moeshlin, Certified Independent Agent for Jorns & Associates CPA's-ERC Funds for Business Email: support@ercfundsforbusiness.com Phone: 941-276-4020 www.ercfundsforbusiness.com
Restoration Bar is excited to offer half off of our 2024 essential level membership through Dec 31, 2024. Feel amazing knowing that you are locking in your savings on our services with an annual membership. Give the gift of health and wellness ! Restoration Bar recently upgraded our already state of the art technology and would love to show you! Call / text 941-347-7707 or email info@restorationbar.com and let us know when you would like to come by to visit!
| | |
| |
|
Here is a great way to Use Your Membership. The option to post Deals, Jobs and News Releases is a FREE benefit! Do it yourself through the Member Portal. | |
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Dec. 15, 2023 — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Thomas “T.J.” Thornberry to the Charlotte County Airport Authority. Thornberry, of Port Charlotte, is the President and Contractor of Thornberry Custom Builders, Inc. Active in his community, he is the Vice Chair of Leadership Charlotte, a member of the City of Punta Gorda Building Board, and previously served as the President of the Florida Home Builder’s Association. Thornberry earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Florida State University and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Florida. | |
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln | |
|
Why is it so cold at Christmas?
Because it's in Decembrrrrrr.
______
Why are Christmas trees so fond of the Past?
Because the present's beneath them.
______
What did one Christmas tree say to another?
Lighten up!
| | |
|
|
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
| | | | | |
