September 18th eView

 

 
We’re hiring for the position of Sr. Director, Government Relations. To review the qualifications and application requirements, click here.

 

Apply Today!

 

Catalyst

 

There is still time to register for our LTA Chair’s Choice and Vision Sereis programs happening this week! You will not want to miss out on these unique opportunities! 

 

 

Join us on September 20th for LTA Chair’s Choice – ‘Unveiling the Campaign Experience’, where our panel will delve into the dynamic world of political campaigns and elections. This is a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the intricacies of running for public office.

 

Thank you to our sponsor, Insurance and Trust.
Join us on September 21st at Port Tampa Bay for our Vision Series event highlighting the impact that the port has on our region. Our panel will discuss how the port will play a vital role in the growth and future of Tampa.

 

Thank you to our sponsor, Carnival Cruise Line.

 

 

 

 

(Above Photos) Top Left: Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) & Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15), Top Right: Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17), Bottom Left: Meeting with Mayor Steve Benjamin – Director, White House Office of Public Engagement, Bottom Right: Meeting wiith Curtis Dubay – Chief Economist, Economic Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

 

Last week, a delegation from the Chamber and several of our MOU partners were in our nation’s Capital to advocate for policies important to Tampa Bay and the business community. The two-day trip was packed with meetings with members of the Tampa Bay Congressional Delegation and White House officials. The group also met with officials from the Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

 

Our advocacy efforts for the trip centered on three key areas of interest in our local economy.  We advocated for amending the locality pay guidelines for housing which directly impacts military members who serve at MacDill Air Force Base. Second, we asked for the reinstatement of the full/immediate deductibility of research & experimentation costs in Section 174 of the Jobs Act of 2017. Last, but not least, we advocated for finding solutions to the rising cost of flood insurance. We also spoke with U.S. Department of Transportation officials about various opportunities to secure federal grants and low-interest loans to help fund critical transportation projects in our region.

 

Advocacy for these policy initiatives is ongoing, and it is up to the Chamber and the community to continue to communicate with officials, expressing the need for action on these issues.

 

In the coming days, we will be publishing articles and media that take a deeper look into each of these policy initiatives.

 

Thank you to Mayor Buckhorn and the Shumaker Advisors team for sponsoring our 2023 Catalyst Trip.

 

(Below Photos) Top Left: Members of the Chamber Delegation, Top Left: (L-R) Lee Bell – President & CEO of Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, Kelly Flannery – CEO of South Tampa Chamber, Michael Maurino – Executive Director of Westshore Alliance, Bob Rohrlack – President & CEO of the Tampa Bay Chamber. Bottom Left: Mayor Bob Buckhorn – Executive Vice President and Principal U.S. Cities Practice at Shumaker Advisors. Bottom Right: Delegation at Florida House Reception

 

 

 

 

 

 

The recent Tampa Bay Chamber’s Coffee Connection event brought together 55 professionals from diverse backgrounds, all seeking to expand their networks and build meaningful relationships. The vibrant atmosphere was filled with lively conversations, highlighting the eagerness of Tampa Bay’s business community to connect and collaborate. It was a testament to the event’s effectiveness in fostering valuable connections among local professionals.

 

 

 

 

More than 100 guests registered for the annual State of the Workforce tackling the hot-topic of artificial intelligence in the workplace. As more industries turn to AI technology, public discussion on how and why it’s used is far from over. Community gatherings like the Chamber’s State of the Workforce serve as a proverbial town square.

 

 

Inclusive Organization

 

 

5PM TODAY IS THE DEADLINE for local businesses to apply for the Chamber’s Minority Business Accelerator 2025 Cohort! To be eligible, applicants must be Black and/or Hispanic owned businesses from Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk or Manatee counties. You do not want to miss this opportunity!

 

Check out the testimony of Ashley Butler of Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair about her experience in the program.

 

 

Interested applicants with questions on the online MBA Application form, please reach out to Avril Stinson via email or phone. 

 

 

 

In advance of tonight’s deadline for applications to the Minority Business Accelerator’s 2025 Cohort, Radio Rumba helped raise awareness of the program on Friday, Sept. 15. Radio host Sarykarmen Rivera interviewed Tony Selvaggio of MBA 2022 Cohort about his experience and encouraged listeners in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties to apply! Our thanks to Tony, Founder of eSmart Recycling, for the great interview. Here’s the full 7 minutes of the segment in Spanish.

 

 

 
Become a part of the Military Bay, USA™ community! Help us spread the word to our military community by using #MilitaryBayUSA in your social media posts. You must register with the Tampa Bay Chamber in order to use the Military Bay, USA™ moniker. The Tampa Bay Chamber reserves the right to ban inappropriate use of the trademark.

 

 

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