April 8th eView

 

 

 

Catalyst

 

 

Since 2004, Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay has been positively impacting the Tampa Bay area and now has 450+ members, hosts 62 events a year, serves over 1,000 community service hours every year, and has an exclusive mentorship program that has paired over 1,000 members. Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay, dockside, at Yacht StarShip!

 

April 25, 2024

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

603 Channelside Dr
Tampa, FL 33602

 

 

 

 

 

Last Wednesday we welcomed Crystal Lewis of HNTB, Jessica Long of Hiring our Heroes, and Rebecca Mohan-Gonzales of Raymond James Financial, as our panelists for our Operation Partnership: Recruit & Retain Military Talent session. The discussion was centered around how private sector organizations can, and should, recruit military and military spouse talent and how to retain those individuals hired. They spoke of the many qualities that the military instils in its personnel such as teamwork, adaptability, and leadership; qualities that every employer desires in their employees. Thank you to our sponsor, USAA.

 

Spectrum Bay News 9 reported on our Operation Partnership program during its morning newscast, interviewing the former Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, Shae Gee. She retired from the military just one month ago and is now working in human resources at Tampa International Airport, thanks in part to the Chamber’s military transition programs.

 

 

 

 

 

Updates from Military Bay, USA. It’s a busy time of year in the Chamber’s military programming, participating in a handful of important meetings and gatherings in the last month! For starters, Chamber Members served as subject experts during the panel at the 2024 Military Spouse Career Seminar hosted by the USF Office of Veterans Success. Attendees heard from Chamber members Kerry Irvin of Operation Healing Forces and Kelly Douglas of Douglas & Yates – both military spouses sharing how they maintained their professional careers alongside their service member. The panel was moderated by Katie Lopez, Vice President of Member Engagement.

 

During the Lunch & Learn by Special Operations Command (SOCOM) on March 5 and the March 18 meeting of the Tampa Cohort of “Operation New Uniform”, our Chamber was invited as a guest speaker. Both gave us an opportunity to speak to military attendees about our programming and efforts to help service members transition into the business community in civilian careers. On March 26, we were honored to host Retired Major General Rita Broadway, the State Chair of Florida’s Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR).

 

And preparations are underway for the 25th Annual Military Appreciation – salute to Tampa Bay’s service members. In advance of the May 16th event at Armature Works and National Military Appreciation Month in May, we’re raising community awareness to new heights, starting highway billboards along I-275 and digital ads in the Tampa Bay Times!  Check out this story spotlighting how Chamber businesses help military families here in Military Bay, USA!

 

 

 

Guests of the April 5 Circle of Influence breakfast had the pleasure of meeting Christina Unkel, President of Tampa’s newest professional women’s soccer team, Tampa Bay Sun FC. Sharing her love of sports, entrepreneurship, and growing up in an immigrant family that constantly told her she could do anything, Unkel captivated the audience without looking down at notes even once. Joanne Sullivan, AVP of USF Health, summed it up best when she stood at the microphone and declared “I don’t know what you’re on or what you’re doing, but I want it!” The rest of the room exploded in laughter and applause. Unkel made it clear that there is a lot to be excited and pumped up about, sharing her vision for the professional women’s soccer team she is building here in Tampa Bay!

 

Special thanks to our event’s Presenting Sponsor, BMO!

 

 

 

We are now taking nominations for the 2024 Small Business of the Year Awards. This is an exciting opportunity to recognize your favorite small business in Tampa Bay. With the incredible diversity among the business community, we are excited to work with nominees and help them showcase their incredible work. We are calling on YOU to nominate a deserving small business today!

 

APPLICATIONS FOR SBOY ARE DUE ON MAY 10TH!

 

 

 

Inclusive Organization

 

 

Lauren Wittenber Weiner is a member of our Board of Directors and founder of WWC Global. She recently was able to share her leadership story as a speaker for the TEDxTalks in Eustis, Florida, one of only 14 Floridians selected! You can read more about her story and view her talk below!

 

 

 

 

LEADERSHIP TAMPA APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

 

If you know someone who is a good fit for Leadership Tampa, let them know the Leadership Tampa information sessions are posted right here.  Applications for the next Leadership Tampa class are now open and can be submitted here; these are due by May 6, 2024 at 5pm. The first step toward LTA membership is going through the Leadership Tampa program – one of the oldest and most prestigious programs of its kind.

 

 

 

 

 

The Tampa Bay Chamber has several sponsorship options remaining for 2024, please contact Staci Fraser if interested:

 

*Presenting Sponsor of our Circle of Influence Series: Circle of Influence is an event series offered three times per year exclusively to the Chamber’s top-tier members: Fit 3, Fit 4, and Partner. The program provides them the opportunity to hear from key influencers in the Tampa Bay region. This tri-annual breakfast meeting welcomes an average of 150 guests.

 

*Presenting Sponsor for our Competitive Edge Series: these sessions are crafted for our members’ specific needs. Explore topics to elevate your business goals and professional growth. Expect diverse workshops offering practical skills for immediate application, empowering you with a competitive edge in the market.

 

*Work Redefined: Investing in a skilled and educated workforce is essential to growing Tampa Bay’s economy. This includes addressing the gaps that exist in workforce development and workforce talent. By advocating for innovative educational initiatives, developing workforce talent, and inspiring meaningful academic and business partnerships your organization will be uniquely positioned to address the workforce needs of our community.