View This Issue - Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

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Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce
your connection to the beach
COMMUNITY
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EDUCATION
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DUCAT
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MEMBER
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NEWS
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The Transformation of
Panama City Beach
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“I am so truly grateful that my education,
experience, and technology allow me to spend
every day doing exactly what I love to do.
I place enormous emphasis on my relationships
with my patients and do my best to help them
look and feel young, natural, and healthy.
I want everyone to maximize the beauty
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Shared values.
Future vision.
A new year of new opportunities
At Hancock Bank we’ve believed for over a century that when communities
prosper, everyone enjoys a greater quality of life. We’re very proud to be part of
this community, and we look forward to building on the values we all share.
In this year of great opportunity for Bay County, Hancock Bank pledges to share
our strength to help our customers, their families and businesses reach their
financial hopes and dreams. Together, we’ll see this wonderful place we call
home realize exciting new goals in 2010.
Among the nation’s
strongest, safest banks:
Bank Director Magazine
20 consecutive years.
Member FDIC
Peoples First is now Hancock Bank. To learn more, visit hancockbank.com.
4
THE CIRCUIT January/February 2010
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Vol
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W
elcome to a new year! I am excited to
start the year off as the Beach Chamber’s
new
Chairman
for
2010, taking the seat from Anthony
DuBose who did a fine job as our team
leader in 2009. Economically it was
a challenging year, but it did not stop
every Beach Chamber board member
from attending the meetings, getting
involved in the Chamber’s committees,
and supporting chamber programs and
events throughout the year.
In fact, in 2009 I saw a shift in people’s
behavior toward giving.
Instead
of pulling back when the economy
worsened, I saw our volunteers step forward and give even
more of themselves… their attendance and time, their
ideas, and their willingness to serve. I have seen this shift
occurring all over Bay County, and it’s
a beautiful thing to see our community
working together to pave the way for
future growth here.
It is my goal, as your 2010 Chairman
of the Board, to continue this trend
throughout the year. Together we really
can make Bay County a place we can
all be proud of for generations to come.
I look forward to serving this great
organization.
Philip Griffitts Jr.
President’
P
resident’s M
Messa
essage
Are You
Connected
to the
Beach?
Advertise your
business in
The Circuit!
For Rates &
Information
Contact:
Lynn Kandler
(850) 348-1137
Cyndi
Ainsworth
(850) 691-6259
6
would like to extend a heartfelt Happy New Year
to you as we welcome in 2010. For the Beach
Chamber, 2009 was a year of continual firsts as
well as monumental improvements,
and the solidification of one of the
most incredible Chamber Staffs in the
region!
I
delays and accrue expensive litigation. We are seeking
community leaders to serve! The Coalition will meet on
the first Monday of every month; if interested in serving
contact Lindsay Dring at the Beach
Chamber, (850) 235-1159. For more
information on Amendment 4, visit
Florida2010.org.
This year promises to be filled with new
beginnings, slow (perhaps) yet steady
uphill growth, and mounting excitement
as the opening of our new airport on May
18 nears. The countdown to Southwest
has begun, and the Southwest Effect is
putting our destination on the map and
in the minds of more people every day.
St. Joe is working very hard to develop a
master plan for the West Bay and, as Kevin Johnson puts
it, “make a fundamental shift in how this area is viewed
on the world scene.” (See his interview, “Bathing Suits to
Business Suits,” on page 16.)
A brand new year seems to be a good
time to reflect on our Values, Vision and
Mission. Our Values are the timeless
principles that guide this organization,
which we strongly embrace. Our Vision
addresses this aspiration, “To evolve
and cultivate the Panama City Beach
Community through partnerships with
our neighboring chambers, Convention
& Visitors Bureau and Economic Development
Alliance.” Our Mission remains, “To support, encourage
and expand business development and tourism while
enhancing the quality of life in our community.” Are
these ambitious goals? Of course! In 2010 we will
continue to create and execute a well-rounded variety of
programs, speaking engagements, networking functions,
workshops, promotional vehicles and opportunities for
you, our members, to thrive and be able to give back to
this community. Thank you once again for allowing your
Chamber Staff to continue to serve this incredible region!
The Beach Chamber has formed a “No on 4 Coalition”
opposing Amendment 4, also known as the “Vote on
Everything Initiative,” which will be on the November 4,
2010 ballot. Led by Allan Bense, Derrick Bennett and
Karen Blackerby, the Coalition’s goal is to educate Bay
County utilizing a local grassroots effort, on what the
Amendment would do to our community and WHY we
need to vote NO. This Amendment would put an end to
all functioning development in our area, create endless
Beth Oltman
Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce
309 Richard Jackson Blvd., Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Phone: (850) 235-1159 Fax: (850) 235-2301
PCBeach.org
2010
Board of Directors
Chairman of the Board Philip Griffitts, Jr., Sugar Sands Inn & Suites
Past Chairman Anthony DuBose, Coastal Community Bank
Incoming Chairman Robert Carroll, McNeil Carroll Engineering
Treasurer Paul Wohlford, Resort Collection of Panama City Beach
Secretary Karen Blackerby, Magnum Capital
CPA John Johnson, Segers, Sowell, Stewart, Johnson & Brill, P.A.
Legal Council Steven L. Applebaum
The Board
Jack Bishop, Breakers
Mike Burke, Burke Blue Hutchison Walters & Smith, P.A.
Felicia Cook, Simon Property Group
Ryan C. Davis, Regions Bank
Ramon Duvall, Beachside Fellowship
Pam George, Gulf World Marine Park
Amy Harris, Royal American Hospitality
Scott Harris, Wachovia Bank
Annie Holcombe, Oaseas Resorts
Terry Hook, Publix Super Markets
James Johnson, Knology
Jayna Leach, Sterling Resorts
Del Lee, Landmark General Contractors
Pete Mallory, L3 Communications
Procter McInnis, McInnis Builders
Chris Pariseau, Allegra Print & Imaging
Edy Rivard, Gulf Coast Medical Center
Dan Rowe, Tourist Development Council
Cil Schnitker, Comcast Cable
Claire Sherman, Lamar Advertising
Russ Smith, The Towne of Seahaven
Honorary Board Members
Mayor Gayle Oberst, CFT Pyramid
Dr. Ken Shaw, FSU PC
Dr. Jim Kerley, GCCC
Brian Connors, Naval Support Activity PC
Janet Watermeier, Bay County Economic Development Alliance
Chamber Staff
President & CEO
Vice President Communications
Vice President Finance
Director of Sales
Vice President Member Services
Special Events Coordinator
Systems Coordinator
Member Services Coordinator
Beth Oltman
Marta Rose
Jena Kimmel
Lynn Kandler
Cyndi Ainsworth
Hillary Marchman
Kristopher McLane
Lindsay Dring
7
J A N / F E B 2 0 1 0
C O N T E N T S
your connection to the beach
MEET YOUR CHAMBER TEAM: (From left) Marta Rose (seated), Cyndi Ainsworth, Beth Oltman, Lynn Kandler, Kristopher McLane,
Hillary Marchman, Lindsay Dring (seated), Jena Kimmel. Photo by Teresa Tuno
FEATURES
COMMITTEES
IN EVERY ISSUE
10 Business Spotlights
l La Maison de Lucy l Ironman
l Pier Artworks l Mardi Gras 2010
l Southwest Airlines l Diva Productions
l Hancock Bank l Sterling Resorts
22 Chamber Committee Updates
6 Chairman’s Message
6 President’s Message
16 Bathing Suits to Business Suits
The Transformation of Panama City Beach
21 2009 Accomplishments:
A Look at the Past Year
EVENTS
34 Chamber Events in January
& February 2010
8
AROUND TOWN
30
31
32
33
Education in Military / Airport Update
EDA Update / Workforce Board
TDC Update / GCCC Update
Troy Update / FSU-PC Update
MEMBERSHIP
24
34
34
35
35
Member News
Membership Report
Ambassador Update
New & Renewing Members
Ribbon Cuttings
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editorial:
Creative:
Online Content:
Social Media:
Marta Rose
Marta Rose
Kristopher McLane
Lindsay Dring
Kristopher McLane
Production:
Boyd Brothers Printing
Advertising Sales: Lynn Kandler
Cyndi Ainsworth
Distribution:
Allegra Print & Imaging
BUSINESS
Spotlights
La Maison de Lucy
M
ichael Setboun came to Panama
City Beach two years ago from
Paris, France by way of Miami.
Formerly a Doctor of Pharmacology, he came
looking for investment opportunities in the area
because of the coming of the new airport. What
he found was an old school in Alford, Florida,
just south of I-10 off Highway 231 that had
closed in 1996 and had later become an antique
store. “I was looking for upscale lodging and
there was nothing in the area,” he recalls. “My
Dad and I decided to open up a bed & breakfast,
so I purchased the building. This is my first
experience in this kind of business.”
The old building was falling apart and had
to be brought up to code. Eight months of
remodeling, decorating and painting later, La
Maison de Lucy was born, 12 spacious luxury
suites nestled together with a 6,000 sq ft “events
centre” (formerly the school auditorium). The
outdoor patio and huge deck area will be used
to book weddings, vow renewals, business
conferences and prom nights. The B&B is
dedicated to Michael’s mother, Lucy, because
“My mother is just perfect.”
What makes this B&B so unique is its concept
of decorating and furnishing each suite with
themes from different countries around the
world. “I have been traveling a lot and wanted
to share my experiences,” declares Michael.
“From the beginning, I had the concept of
showcasing a different country in each room.
For example, when you step into Kenya it’s
like you are really traveling in Kenya.”
It was important to Michael to provide
education on each country to his patrons in
keeping the educational spirit of the former
school alive. Each room contains CDs,
DVDs, books and information on that country.
“When someone stays here they can expect
relaxation and luxury,” he affirms. “On
10
weekends we’ll do wine and cheese in the
afternoons. Patrons will receive breakfast…
everything is homemade with specials on the
Pier Artworks Photographer Amanda Fagan uses
her creative vision to save special moments, from
the engagement to the reception.
or portrait so customers can look back on the
moment and enjoy it for years to come.
Whether the location is a beautiful church or a
romantic seaside ceremony, the romance and
beauty of the moment will be preserved for
all time. Pier Artworks also offers wedding
packages that include photographers, professional hair stylists and make-up artists. For
more information contact Pier Parkworks at
(850) 233-3344 or visit pierartworks.com.
Top: La Maison de Lucy’s “China” suite. Above:
The sitting area of “Morocco.” Photos by Kristopher
McLane.
weekend, like baguettes, croissants, crepes.
We have an on-site chef.”
So how does Panama City Beach compare
to Paris? “The hospitality here is great,” he
says. “The quality of life is amazing…a lot
less stress than being in a large city. The
weather is also great…we don’t have this kind
of weather in Paris, where it is predominantly
gray and rainy.”
For information and bookings, call (850) 5790138 / lamaisondelucy.com. Bon voyage!
v
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Pier Artworks
P
ier Artworks is a fine art photography
studio and art gallery located in Pier
Park. Specialties include candid
photography, custom giclee printing and
a gallery featuring work by local artists.
PhotographerAmanda Fagan uniquely blends
fine art, candid and vintage photography to
suit individual tastes. She captures the event
v
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Southwest Airlines
O
n December 17, 2009 Southwest
Airlines, the nation’s leading lowfare carrier, announced its new
flight schedule with service to Northwest
Florida’s Gulf Coast. Beginning May 23,
2010, Baltimore/Washington, Nashville,
Houston Hobby and Orlando will have
access to and from Northwest Florida
Beaches International Airport and in turn, to
the region’s sugar-white sands and blue-green
waters. Visit swamedia.com/swamedia/
SouthwestComingtoNWFlorida.pdf.
11
BUSINESS
Spotlights
Thousands turned out to support the 11th Ironman Panama City Beach on November 7, 2009.
Panama City Beach Community
Supports Ironman
Mardi Gras 2010
F
P
ord Ironman Florida celebrated its
eleventh year on November 7, 2009
in Panama City Beach. One of the
most popular races on the Ironman calendar,
the race would not be possible without the
consistent support from the local residents
and businesses in the community.
More than 3,000 volunteers from Panama
City and the surrounding area have supported
the race from the onset, many volunteering for
all eleven events to date. Ironman volunteers
include employees, families, friends and
neighbors. They represent our community
with such sincerity and inspire the athletes
to achieve their goals. Under the Homestay
Program local families host an athlete while
they are here for the event. On a regional
basis, the event has benefited from support
of the Florida Sports Foundation which has
assisted in the execution of the race.
Ford Ironman Florida has been pleased to
return the commitment of the community by
way of the Ironman Community Foundation
(ICF). Since 2001 the ICF has supported
many community organizations, making a
major contribution to Bay Medical Center
by donating a “Lion’s Den” interactive
children’s play center located in the Pediatric
Unit of the hospital.
Ironman athletes have the support of
thousands of volunteers while they test their
endurance in the most challenging day of
their lives. Ford Ironman Florida would like
to thank Tyndall AFB, NSA Panama City,
the Cities of Panama City and Panama City
Beach, and Bay County for their continued
support in making these dreams a reality. For
more information visit ironman.com.
v
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12
Krewe of Dominique Youx
reparations are underway for the
Krewe of Dominique Youx’s Second
Annual Parade and New Expanded
Weekend Festival to be held in Pier Park.
Floats are being decorated, reconstructed and
cleaned up for the giant celebration by Bay
County’s oldest and largest Krewe.
The Festival begins on Friday, February 5 at
5:00 pm. The Krewe will kick off the evening
with live music and an old-fashioned street
party complete with two live bands on both
Friday and Saturday evening, a classic car
display, Royalty Tent to meet & greet Past
Kings and Queens, photo ops, numerous
vendors and fireworks. The official radio
sponsor is Magic Broadcasting, and their
affiliated stations will be on hand with prizes
and contests throughout the evening.
Saturday, February 6 begins with a Children’s
Parade at 10:00 am. The big Parade begins
at 2:00 pm starting from Seahaven Resort,
15285 Front Beach Road, and proceeding
west to Pier Park Drive. For more information
on the festivities contact Ed Leili at (850)
236-0884 or (850) 819-8711.
Krewe of St. Andrews 2010 artwork. Below: 2009
Krewe of Dominique Youx Parade at Pier Park.
Krewe of St. Andrews Celebrates 12 Years
he Krewe of St. Andrews Royal Ball
will be held at Edgewater Beach
Resort on Saturday, January 23, 2010.
This year the events and festivities begin on
Wednesday, February 10, continue through
Thursday and into Friday for the Kid’s Parade.
The Downtown St. Andrews Parade takes
place on Saturday, February 13 at 1:00 pm on
Beck Ave. (instead of the usual 3:00 pm start
time). The 2010 King & Queen and Royal
Court includes King Charlie Coram & Queen
Linda Coram; Prince Terry & Princess Carol
Hook; Prince Don & Princess Jan Cox; and
Prince Chris Coram & Princess Janice Hanks.
T
To purchase tickets and for more information
on all the festivities, contact incoming Krewe
Board President Terry Hook at (850) 2762254 or current President Ellen Davis at (850)
785-0014. Laissez les bon temps roulez!
r
u
o
Y
Meet
2010 Leadership Team
Philip
Griffitts, Jr.
Anthony
DuBose
Robert
Carroll
Paul
Wohlford
CHAIRMAN
PAST CHAIR
Coastal
Community
Bank
INCOMING
CHAIR
TREASURER
Sugar Sands
Inn & Suites
Resort
Collection
of PCB
McNeil Carroll
Engineering
Karen
Blackerby
Jack
Bishop
Mike
Burke
Felicia
Cook
SECRETARY
Breakers
Burke Blue
Hutchison
Walters &
Smith, P.A.
Simon
Property
Group
Magnum
Capital
Ryan
Davis
Ramon
Duvall
Pam
George
Amy
Harris
Regions
Bank
Beachside
Fellowship
Gulf World
Marine Park
Royal
American
Hospitality
Scott
Harris
Annie
Holcombe
Terry
Hook
Lewis
Howell
Wachovia/
Wells Fargo
Oaseas
Resorts
Publix
St. Joe
James
Johnson
Jayna
Leach
Del
Lee
Pete
Mallory
Knology
Sterling
Resorts
Landmark
General
Contractors
L3 Communications
Procter
McInnis
Chris
Pariseau
Edy
Rivard
Dan
Rowe
McInnis
Builders
Allegra Print
& Imaging
Gulf Coast
Medical
Center
Tourist
Development
Council
Cil
Schnitker
Claire
Sherman
Russ
Smith
Janet
Watermeier
Comcast
Cable
Lamar
Advertising
The Towne
of Seahaven
(Honorary)
Bay County
EDA
Brian
Connors
(Honorary)
Naval
Support
Activity - PC
Dr.
James
Kerley
Mayor
Gayle
Oberst
(Honorary)
GCCC
(Honorary)
City of PCB
Dr. Ken
Shaw
(Honorary)
FSU-PC
13
BUSINESS
Spotlights
Sterling Resorts
Acquires Leading
30-A Rental
Management Firm
S
terling Resorts has
taken a major step
in its aggressive
growth plan with the
acquisition of Beach
Rentals of South Walton,
featuring more than 200
Wedding videography by Diva Productions. Photo by Amanda Suanne
properties along scenic
30-A between Destin and
Go Ahead. Be a Diva!
Panama City Beach. “This
ocal video production company Diva and future acquisitions allow us a portfolio
Productions is pleased to announce quality and size to attract even more guests,”
it has won a “Best of Weddings said Tracy Kundey, Sterling Resorts president,
2010” for videography from the powerhouse of the November 14 acquisition. “We will
bridal publication The Knot. Joanna Banks- continue to enhance owners’ partnership
Morgan, President of Diva Productions, says with Sterling by carefully considering new
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be the only acquisitions and units along the gulf coast,
video production company in the panhandle some of which we are pursuing at this time.”
recognized by The Knot!” Every year, The
Knot surveys recent brides to get real reviews Under the agreement, Beach Rentals of
on the top wedding vendors and venues South Walton will keep its name and focus
across the country. For more information on residences along 30-A, but will benefit
from Sterling’s infrastructure. Sterling will
visit diva-productions.com.
L
14
improve website services with user-friendly
features currently under development for
SterlingResorts.com, and will now also offer
real estate sales services. Beach Rentals of
South Walton founder Mary Brown will
continue with the company as a rental manager.
“The boutique nature of these properties and
the 30-A atmosphere is a perfect match to
Sterling Resorts’ high standards,” she said.
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Scenic Highway 30-A is considered one of
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like Grayton Beach, Seaside and Rosemary
Beach. Sterling Resorts is one of the
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current portfolio includes more than 20
condominium resorts and luxurious vacation
homes in northwest Florida, Alabama and
Mississippi. For reservations or more
information visit SterlingResorts.com or
call 1-866-5RESORT.
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bathing suits to
The Transformation of
Panama City Beach
IN
INTERVIEW
NTE
ERV
RVIE
IEW
W BY MARTA
MART
MA
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TA RO
ROSE
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E
PHOTOGRAPHED BY TERESA TUNO ON DECEMBER 29, 2009
O
n a beautiful sunny
morning in late
November I had the
privilege of speaking with Kevin Johnson, St. Joe’s new Vice
President of Economic Development who relocated to
our region several months ago from Raleigh-Durham,
North Carolina. One week before, Kevin had wowed
a jam-packed room at Edgewater Beach Resort during
the Chamber’s Friday at the Beach morning meeting.
The event, a dual presentation with Randy Curtis, Executive Director of the Airport Authority, promised to
“educate guests on the opening of the new airport and
discuss keys to success in Northwest Florida and the
West Bay.” A practical program, albeit broad and somewhat repetitive given the multitude of economic discussions a community on the verge of opening a brand new
international airport would likely be having. Kevin’s
speech on keys to success in the Northwest Florida
region was brief, direct, and dotted with visual sound
bytes. Re-branding. Regional leadership. High impact
economic development. The need to become “best in
class” at something. After taking several questions from
16
the audience he quickly left to catch a flight to North
Carolina. The remainder of the program was devoted to
construction updates and other details of the just-named
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Kevin’s bold presentation left a lasting impression.
v
v
v
“My primary responsibility is multi-faceted,” he responds when asked the standard question, What do you
do in your role as Vice President of Economic Development at St. Joe? “First and foremost, I have to create a sense of awareness of the West Bay project in the
marketplace. To align that awareness we need to connect to individuals and organizations that would have a
degree of influence and impact on how we can reshape
and reignite this economic environment in Northwest
Florida.”
The other responsibility Kevin has is attracting business into the West Bay Sector. If you couple those two
things, there is certainly a marketing focus. “There is
also a transactional piece to the puzzle,” says Kevin.
“We need to bring about a level of success that creates
jobs, that changes our perception.” Here he is careful
to clarify that he is not minimizing the value of the eco-
“We are developing a master plan for
the West Bay that we work off of…
but those things change.
We are one car manufacturing plant,
one airbus project, away from changing
the whole plan – in an instant.
We have to be mindful that we are
opportunistic. We have to frequently
shift our thinking.”
nomic structure which currently exists, but that we are capable of building a
model that suggests we are more than just a tourism-driven economy. “We do
this by leveraging our existing assets that are non-tourism related, and building upon these non-tourism clusters,” he says. “Some of those are obvious
and some are very subtle. What is obvious is building upon the defense and
military investments that are here. What is not so obvious are the sub-sectors
of those industries that have yet to be matured and merchandised into a broader
opportunity in this marketplace.”
After our Friday at the Beach event my mind kept wandering back to a phrase
Kevin had offered with regards to promoting our new Urban Mecca, ‘Bathing
Suits to Business Suits…You Can Have it All.’ I realized that however gifted
at economics and business development he is, at the core, Kevin Johnson is a
marketing guy. “This (Bathing Suits to Business Suits) is the message that I’ll
carry out to the marketplace,” he explains. “We’re talking about a paradigm
shift. When you talk about shifting you have to see it in your mind.” ‘Tarmac
to Tanning to Transactions’ is another phrase he has crafted, as well as ‘Come
to Panama City Beach to get a suntan and make a million dollars.’ Marketing
gurus love this kind of thing, and will never pass up the opportunity to attach a
provocative name to an idea.
“Let’s not just rest on the idea that all our future is about is sunshine,” says
Kevin. “I don’t want to be in that box. I didn’t come here to go to the beach
every day. I came here because I want us to try to make a fundamental shift
in how this area is viewed on the world scene.” And, he says, to make sure
Continued on Page 18
“I didn’t come here to go
to the beach every day. I
came here because I want
us to try to make a fundamental shift in how this
area is viewed on the world
scene.”
our region has the necessary infrastructure to
support that notion. “Yes, you can come here
to hang out on the beach and get a suntan.
Yes, you can establish an operation in whatever industry cluster we can support.” Our
region has been working solely with the former, but the time has come to incorporate the
latter. Some local selling needs to happen,
he says. “I’m not sure if we have complete
alignment of vision yet, of what we want to
try to create in Northwest Florida,” he notes.
“Once we get synchronization of a vision,
we will see change happen in a very satisfactory way.”
Our single greatest challenge is the establishment of strong regional leadership. “Who is
our regional cheerleader?” Kevin asks. “We
can point to an organization – but who is the
man or the woman? This is not readily identifiable. We need regional leadership to step
forward.” He also stresses the firming up of
individual political jurisdictions. “The enemy of high impact economic development is
political jurisdictions – and a lack of regional
leadership. St. Joe is the kind of company
with the pedigree that is willing to make investments that will create fundamental differences in how the community will look…
if we can get the blurring of political jurisdictions and statewide support.” Simply put,
our community and regional leaders must be
in harmony.
At Friday at the Beach he made another powerful proclamation: That we need to become
Best in Class at something. “I don’t know
what that might be yet,” he considers. “I
think there are some characteristics that if we
completely exploit, we can at least give them
a push toward best in class, and our community college system here is working hard
to potentially identify that. It could be the
healthcare industry, aerospace and aviation,
or industries related to simulation. There are
a lot of things this area does, but which ones
of these things do we want to grab hold of
and put our resources toward?” Also, who
will decide what will we be the best at?
18
“That is what Florida’s Great
Northwest’s challenge is as an
organization, and I think they do
a good job of surfacing some of
the issues that would inhibit true
regional economic development
growth.”
In July, 2005 Kevin joined the
Research Triangle Foundation
of North Carolina, the owner,
manager and developer of the renowned Research Triangle Park
(RTP), as Vice President of Business Development. RTP has enjoyed an extraordinary 50-year
history as the leading and largest
high-technology park development in North America, covering
7,000 total acres. Today, RTP is
host to more than 170 organizations. Approximately 80% of
the Park’s 42,000 full-time employees work for multinational
corporations. During his tenure,
Kevin played an instrumental
role in a record number of locate
and expansion projects totaling
over $500 million in capital investment and the projected creation of over
5,000 new jobs. He was also responsible for
leasing RTP-owned incubator Park Research
Center, successfully recruiting seventeen diverse and innovative start-up and university
spin-out organizations.
“It’s easy to be happy with
the status quo when you’ve
‘gotten yours.’ It’s easy to
be content with the system that got you to where
you are in your life. It’s not
visionary…it’s not multigenerational…but it’s easy.”
“There are some parallels to RTP and West
Bay,” he says. “When I would talk to people
around the world on how RTP was so successful in the past five decades, we would
always say ‘You need patience and perseverance.” Sometime, he says, those two
things run in conflict with one another. Lost
patience is the enemy of perseverance, and
some people don’t have patience if they think
failure of the adopted vision is imminent.
The two are equally important.
I asked Kevin what attracted him to this position in this region of the world. His answer
was immediate. “I saw the uniqueness of
1) Joe, as a company, that would be willing
to make these investments; 2) The market
potential for this project is unlimited; and
3) I am quickly discovering that the region
is thirsty for a shift in the opportunity quotient that exists here. “He went on to explain
that the quality of life index in this region is
“off the charts.” “I grew up on the beach (in
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina),” he explains.
“There is a bit of nostalgia that crept into my
psychology when I was evaluating this project. We had an air force base, a navy base,
a beach and strong tourism industry, spring
breakers, golf courses, wonderful shopping,
and we were miles away from the interstate.
This opportunity came along and reminded
me so much of my hometown.” In North
Carolina, he explained, he lived in one county
and worked in another. One thing that would
happen in county A would impact county B.
“It’s the same here,” he says. “If you remove
the county signs, I wouldn’t know which
county I was in. I live in the region.”
I asked Kevin what vision he sees for the
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West Bay Sector. “St. Joe is developing a
master plan for the West Bay that we work
off of…but those things change,” he says.
“We are one car manufacturing plant, one airbus project, away from changing the whole
plan – in an instant! You have to be mindful
that we are an opportunistic company. We
have to frequently shift our thinking.” St.
Joe, he explains, needs to clearly understand
the strengths of our labor market. For a company to relocate here, two things need to be
in place: 1) a labor market, and 2) the potential to build on the core skills that company’s
industry needs. “We are trying to understand
the transferable skills that those sub-sectors
may reveal to us,” he says. “Some of the
skills are transferable. What we won’t know
is where they are and what will be the level
of attractiveness in the marketplace.” St. Joe
has already begun a Labor Analysis to help
surface what these things are.
“When talking about major shifts on how we
view the West Bay project, the new dimension is so different than what we are currently
doing it can be rather daunting, but it is necessary,” he says. He explains that in the RTP
project the convergence of three institutions,
Business, Government and Academia, was
out of necessity in order to achieve a common objective. “It may not be those three
entities here in our region,” he says. “If we
can identify what the common objective is,
then we can bring in the pieces. In the case
of RTP, he noted, you had a strong governor
that saw a bleak future for his state and specifically for the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill
region of North Carolina. “There are certain
things a business community can do that
the public sector cannot,” Kevin explains.
“There are certain things the academic sector
can do that the political cannot. What they
CAN do is partner. The only law stopping
that is the shortsightedness of some people.
“It always goes back to ‘those that have
theirs’ who stand in the way of others trying
to achieve their dreams,” he recognizes. “It’s
easy to be happy with the status quo when
you’ve ‘gotten yours.’ It’s easy to be content
with the system that got you to where you are
in your life.” It’s not visionary…it’s not multigenerational…but it’s easy. The mark of a
great community and its leaders is that they
leave it a better place than they found it. “We
have opportunities to make this a better place,”
he proposes. “We need to have the foresight,
the will and the perseverance to do so.”
v
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v
2009 accomplishments
LOOK
I
n January 2009 the Chamber published
in The Circuit Magazine: “In 2009 the
Beach Chamber will continue to support,
share events and partner with our neighboring
chambers: Bay County and Walton Area, as
well as the TDC/CVB. The Chamber will
continue to support the new airport. The
Chamber will continue to support the branding initiative and marketing programs of
Coastal Vision 3000.”
• Developed a new logo and name for the
Chamber in early 2009.
• Welcomed 11 new Board Members in
October.
• Welcomed 135 new members and retained
79% of current members.
• Formed two new positions, Director of Sales
and Member Services Coordinator.
• Since January 1st the Chamber lobby has received over 37,000 walk-thrus and over 9,100
inquiry calls (not including web inquiries)
from visitors, chamber members, local businesses and relocation requests.
• Held Bertie Reynold’s Retirement Party after 22 years of her service.
• The Chamber sponsored, supported and promoted 2009 Community Events including:
o Pier Park events including Taste of Bay
o Arnold HS Athletics
o Seafood Wine & Music Festival
o Thunder Beach Rallies
o Library Groundbreaking
o Beckrich Road Renaming Ceremony
o Front Beach Rd CRA Groundbreaking
o Bay County Economic Dev Workshop
o Gulf Power Economic Symposium
o NW FL Leadership Summit
o FSU Annual Dinner Meeting
o GCCC Annual Dinner Meeting
o Hosted Walton Area Chamber and city
officials at new airport
o Supported “Entering the Red Zone” –
Announcement of Southwest
o FSU Blue Ribbon Committee
o GCCC’s Learning Adventures at the
Beach (LAB)
o GCCC Sun Run
YEAR
• Staff attended the ACCE (American Chamber of Commerce Executives) Conference in
North Carolina, the FACP (Florida Association of Chamber Professionals) Conference in
Orlando, Fall Leadership Summit (in Sandestin) for further learning opportunities.
CHAMBER COMMITTEES
Seven active Committees have solidified their
missions and programs of work, put chairpersons, staff liaisons and members in place, and
are off and running:
1. Governmental Affairs
• Visit from Governor Charlie Crist
• Roundtable with Jimmy Patronis, Jr.
• Breakfast with Senator Don Gaetz
• Joined EDA; Co-hosted Welcome
Reception for Janet Watermeier
• Joined Military Affairs Committee
• Became actively involved with the Bay
Defense Alliance
• Toured Navy base in ’09
• Held two Candidate Forums, for School
Board and County Commissioner
• Created ‘No on 4’ Coalition
Passed the following Resolutions:
o Resolution of the Panama City Beach
Chamber of Commerce in Support of the F-15
and F-35 Air Squadrons.
o Resolution Opposing Offshore Oil Drilling
in the Gulf of Mexico.
o Resolution of the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Opposing Amendment 4.
2. Education Partnership
• Participated in career conference at GCCC.
• Began mentoring project with Bay District
Schools, concentrating on K-12.
• Began 501-C3 Education Fund and a 2010
Scholarship Fund.
• The committee keeps mentors connected via
Facebook & Twitter.
3. Navigator - Small Business
• 6th Annual Small Business Conference at
GCCC.
• Developed Member-to-Member Privilege
Program.
• Held five ’09 Navigator workshops, open to
Chamber members & general public:
o Text2Twitter
o Marketing on a Shoestring Budget
o Guerilla Marketing Through Public
Relations
o Quick Connect: Build Your Little
Black Book
o Resolution Revolution
• Awarded four ‘Small Business Person of the
Year’ awards.
• Provided weekly “Navigator Tips” in Beach
Buzz.
• Partnered with SBDC in promoting their
course & workshop schedules.
• Launched YouTube Channel.
4. Ambassadors
• Welcomed 25 New Ambassadors.
• Held 11 Ambassador Orientations.
• Celebrated 53 Grand Opening RibbonCuttings; 7 Ground Breaking Ceremonies; 11
Ambassador Meetings and 22 Ambassador
Lunches.
5. Membership
• Developed Member Get A Member Program.
• Held a Member Appreciation Party at Bonefish Grill on November 13th.
• Held four Quarterly New Member Welcome
Days to welcome each month’s new members
and fill them in on Chamber opportunities.
• Held two Leads groups per month, sharing
leads to help businesses grow.
• In 2010 will implement a new Retention
Program.
6. Green Leadership
• Participated in two beach cleanups: One at
the City Pier, the other in conjunction w/ 4th
Int’l Coastal Cleanup Day at Rick Seltzer Park
on Thomas Dr.
• In 2009 awarded two quarterly ‘Green Leadership’ awards: to LaQuinta Inn in August,
and to the CRA in December.
• Took part in two community recycling projects: Ronald McDonald House’s “I CAN, U
21
Chamber Committee Updates
ON THE FUTURE
NAVIGATOR SPRING SERIES
U
YLJDWR
D
1
Bus
ng
th
En
tr
e
Education Partnership
Green Leadership
The Educational Partnership Committee has
been working to develop a Resource Guide
and activities to use in their new Classroom
Mentoring program. Many area business
leaders, including small business owners,
bankers, accountants, our local marine park
staff and several area directors, have each
adopted a classroom of students. They are
meeting together several times a month,
engaging in conversations and activities to
explore Leadership and Success Principles.
These experiences will help increase
students’ achievement and build a better
understanding of the “world of work.” Find
out how you and your business can make
an impact on tomorrow’s leaders...today!
Contact [email protected].
The committee presented a special recognition
award to the Community Redevelopment
Agency (CRA) at Friday at the Beach
on December 11 acknowledging their
Beautification and Preservation efforts along
Richard Jackson Boulevard. Mayor Oberst
accepted the award. In 2010 the committee
will assist in more beach cleanups, support
and promote local green and sustainability
community activities, and begin green
educational workshops and presentations
geared toward young people in our community.
For information on how you can serve on this
committee contact [email protected].
Pictured above: Mayor Gayle Oberst accepts
the Green Leadership award on behalf of the CRA
from Marta Rose on December 11.
Governmental Affairs
The committee is devoting much if its focus in 2010 to defeating Amendment 4, and has formed
a No on 4 Coalition opposing Amendment 4, also known as the “Vote on Everything Initiative”
which will be on the November 4, 2010 ballot. The goal is to educate Bay County, utilizing a
local grassroots effort, on what the Amendment would do to our community and why we need
to vote NO. This group meets most first Mondays of every month at 4:00 pm in Gulf Coast
Community College’s Language Arts Building by the gym.
The committee has plans to research offshore drilling and will support what is best for our
community, military presence and tourism industry. Fishing regulations has become an agenda
item and a sub-committee is being formed to tackle the issue. Plans for another candidates
forum are in the works for early 2010; a large responsibility of this committee is to ensure
our Chamber members are informed on issues affecting the area, as well as on the candidates
running for office. If you are interested in serving on the No on 4 Coalition or Governmental
Affairs Committee, contact [email protected].
22
iness
C h arti
Empowering Students to See
Their Own Potential
ll
FOCUS
ma
u
epr
or
eneurial Course f
S
Navigator is the Chamber’s small
business initiative whose mission is to
provide support for and promote the
small business interests of the Beach
Chamber’s membership.
Navigator
provides programs specifically for small
businesses that will enhance the value of
their Chamber investment.
The committee’s Member-to-Member
Discount Card Program provides free
advertising for the Beach Chamber’s
850+ member businesses and their
approximately 21,500 employees. It’s
easy: participating businesses sign up
and the program is managed online.
“Privilege” cards will soon be available
to Chamber businesses and their
employees.
In 2010 Navigator continues its
workshop series with a new Spring
Series called Hoist Your Sales:
FEBRUARY 12: SOCIAL MEDIA
INTERACTIVE @ FRIDAY AT THE
BEACH
Blogging/Twitter, Facebook, UTube/
Viral Media, Websites, Texting
MARCH 18: CREATING A
CUSTOMER LOYALTY STRATEGY:
YOU’VE GOT YOUR CUSTOMERS,
NOW KEEP ‘EM!
Presented by David Balmer, Dale
Carnegie
Membership Committee
APRIL 15: TURN UP THE TEMP:
MAKE YOUR LEADS COUNT
The membership committee is actively seeking members who want to get involved with our
community. 2010 promises to be an explosive year for our members. Be part of helping new
and existing businesses get connected and become an essential part of our Chamber. This year
we are focusing on retention more than ever, by offering more programs, more member benefits
and better opportunities to network. If you are looking for ways to strengthen your business and
realize the full value of your membership, contact [email protected].
Contact Hillary Marchman at (850) 2351159 or [email protected] for
more information and to register these
FREE workshops for our members.
Non-members are welcome to partipate
for a small registration fee.
The eyes are the
windows to the
soul.
Comprehensive Eye Exams
Retinal Disorders
Low Vision Care
Eye Diseases, Diabetic Eye Care
Eyelid Surgery
Senior eye care *Pediatric eye care
Full Service Optical Shop
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State Of The Art AAAHC Accredited Surgery Center
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Member News
NAVIGATOR’S SMALL
BUSINESS PERSON WINNERS
L.A.B. Learning Adventures at the Beach (LAB) is a new program offered by Gulf Coast
Community College in partnership with the PCB Convention & Visitors Bureau. Community
Education Classes are being taught on a variety of subjects, such as photography, investing,
conversational Spanish, ballroom dancing, etc. at various beach locations. Visit gulfcoast.
edu/LAB for a schedule of classes and to register.
Pictured above: L.A.B. classes are taking place at the Beach Chamber’s Board Room.
Media Matters
by Joanna Banks-Morgan
IT’S THE NEW YEAR AND YOU’VE DECIDED
TO GO AHEAD AND SPEND SOME OF
YOUR HARD EARNED MARKETING
DOLLARS ON A LOCAL TELEVISION SPOT.
No other advertising medium is as likely to eat
up your marketing budget as quickly as TV
will, so here are a few tips to ensure you get
the most out of those dollars.
You’ve only got 30-seconds. With this
amount of time it’s essential to choose the
most critical sales points for your business. The
message must me clear and precise. Typically
30-second spots are for getting one thought or
idea out and then having the viewer come to a
website or call for the rest of the story.
Make sure the script includes the NAME
of your business. This is copywriting 101,
but here’s why I feel the need to reinforce
this… I’m a big Good Morning America fan.
Although I don’t have my eyes glued to the
screen, you can bet between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.
the show is the background noise to mornings
in the Banks-Morgan household. And this is
the key here - it’s background noise. I may lift
my eyes to check out a local weather pattern,
but like many busy moms who are the key
demographic for this show, I’m only listening
in, not actively watching. So, when a local
commercial comes on mentally I’m tuned in.
Almost daily there is an ad running for a local
24
financial planner who sounds like he knows
what he’s talking about. Unfortunately, at no
point during the 30-second spot does he SAY
the name of his business. The spiel sounds
good, but I have no idea who he is.
Get an exclusivity contract signed by the
talent hired for your commercial. We’re
not a big DMA, so there isn’t an abundance of
local talent. However, if you’re spending those
hard earned dollars on television, you want to
ensure the voice /on-screen talent you hire isn’t
going to be selling air conditioning services
for you one day, and fronting a local restaurant
the next. It undermines the credibility of your
company, and as I’ve already explained, often
viewers are only listening to your commercial.
Chances are they’ll recognize the voice of
the talent. It’s the responsibility of a good
production company to scout and recruit new
talent, and if they know where to look, finding
a fresh voice/face shouldn’t be an issue.
Finally, talk to other chamber members about
their experiences with broadcast advertising.
While salespeople from TV stations and cable
providers can be very helpful, they are, after
all, trying to sell you something.
Joanna Banks-Morgan is the President of Diva
Productions, a firm specializing in providing video
production services and media training for clients
throughout the Emerald Coast. She graduated
Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Communication,
and is a member of the Public Relations Society of
America and Women in Communications.
4th Quarter 2009 Small Business Person
winners were announced on January
8 at First Friday with the Beach: Rick
Ackerman of the Betsy Ann River Boat
and Airboat Adventures; and JP Ferrell
of Fifth Gear Creative. These two
individuals along with prior winners Lisa
Adams of Thrive Partnership and Gary
Martin of Vision Payment Solutions
are finalists for the Small Business
Person of the Year. The winner will
be announced at the Chamber’s annual
dinner on February 19 at Edgewater
Beach Resort.
Pictured above, top to bottom: 3Q ‘09
Small Business Person winners Lisa Adams
of Thrive Partnership with Gary Martin of
Vision Payment Solutions; 4Q ‘09 winner
Rick Ackerman of Betsy Ann Boat and Airboat
Adventures, with Chairman Griff Griffitts; 4Q
‘09 winner JP Ferrell of 5th Gear Creative,
with Griff Griffitts.
P R I N T I N G
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Is it working with experienced professionals to create a quality
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Or is it the bottom line, knowing they are getting the most for their
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From the simplest business card to a full
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AT BOYD BROTHERS WE DON’T WANT ORDERS,
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25
u
Member News
PANAMA CITY TOYOTA
OUR “CORE SYSTEM OF BELIEFS” PUTS
OUR CUSTOMERS FIRST
Inaugural Pineapple Willy’s Golf Classic
On Monday, February 22 Beach Care Services (BCS) will hold its inaugural “Pineapple Willy’s Golf Classic” benefitting Beach Care Services. The event will be held at Camp Creek
Golf Club. Format is a 4-man scramble – net winners with handicap. Registration starts at
8:00 am. BCS is currently signing up sponsorships at a variety of levels including “Golden
Pineapple” ($1,500), “Hole in One” (4 available @ $1,250 each), the “Putting Contest Sponsor” ($1,000), the “Local Hero” ($1,000) and the “Good Neighbor” ($400). Interested parties
call Terri Hugghins at (850) 636-4940.
Golf Depot
After a successful Accounting-CPA career in
the Chicago suburbs, in 1985 Ed McAuliff
Sr. retired and moved, with his wife Helen, to
The Landings on Skidaway Island just outside
Savannah, GA. Ed Sr. had always been active
in golf and held the positions of Treasurer
and President at their club in Elgin, Illinois.
After moving to The Landings, a residential
golf course community with six golf courses,
he again became active at the club becoming
a board member and then president of the
Members Association.
While Ed Sr. was serving as president, one
of his responsibilities was obtaining the
leases for the golf car fleets; as a result this
is when he became interested in golf cars as
a business, and he created Golf Depot. The
concept of Golf Depot was originally to be an
all inclusive golf retailer including off course
pro shop merchandise, golf club making and
repair and golf cars.
In August that same year, Club Car approached
Golf Depot, Inc. to be a golf car dealer for
them for Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton
Counties; the offer was accepted. In 2002 Bay
County Florida was added to their Club Car
territory, and a store was opened in Panama
City Beach. Since then GDI’S territories
26
have expanded to include from Mississippi
Border to Mexico Beach and several counties
in Georgia.
This unprecedented growth has provided
increased opportunities, and recent changes
in local ordinances have both helped and hurt
the market. The two best examples of this are
the cities of Panama City Beach and Destin.
In 2006 Panama City Beach passed a local
ordinance to allow golf cars to be operated in
all the local neighborhoods and in all parts of
the city except several named thoroughfares.
All operators must possess a valid driver’s
license and operate during daylight hours.
This new ordinance has opened the market
for sales that previously had no use for the
product. Conversely, the city of Destin has
done exactly the opposite by prohibiting any
golf car to be operated on any public street
within the city limits. Instead, the city now
requires any golf car that is operated on a
public street to be licensed as a Low Speed
Vehicle. This helped open the market for the
cheaper, imported, street legal products. Low
Speed Vehicles (or LSV), are products that are
in our current dealership agreement through
Club Car.
In March 2004, Ed Sr. passed away; the rest
of the family has continued to operate the
business and will start our 12th year in 2010!
The “New” Panama City Toyota began operation in February of 1992. With the strong
support from all of Northwest Florida, the
dedication of outstanding colleagues, and
most important, the loyalty of our community and Chambers, we’ve grown to be Northwest Florida’s #1 volume car dealer. We
dared to be different, and adopted a “Core
System of Beliefs” that puts our customers
absolutely first. These principles are everlasting and never change, no matter what the
economy does. We are over one hundred
strong, and growing.
This “Core” philosophy has resulted in zero
lay-offs and zero pay cuts. We know that
team moral and constant training are the
keys to your 100% satisfaction. We opted
not to stick our heads in the sand and wait
for things to get better, we look everyday to
find ways to make it better. Our continued
growth has also allowed us to keep our passion alive…..helping children.
Thanks to you, we donated over $100,000 to
local charities and school activities in 2009.
From every loyal employee at Panama City
Toyota, thank you and your families.
Pictured above: Panama City Toyota President,
Rusty Hill.
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Beach Branch - next door to the PCB Chamber Office
Stop by & check out our full array of
financial products & services.
Live or Work in Bay County? You Can Join Us!
Beach 850.230.4319 • Federally Insured by NCUA
27
28
The
Early
Bird...
Shan Kishi
Sushi Bar & Japanese
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All You Can Eat Sushi & Hibachi
11 AM – 4:30 PM (except Sunday)
Served Daily
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Behind Carrabba’s
GOLF DEPOT, INC.
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850-249-6700
www.golfdepotinc.net
From everyday collection
to environmental protection,
Think Green.
Think Waste Management.
• Residential Collection • Commercial Containe
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6319 E. Hwy 22, Panama City, FL 32404
(850) 874-1019 (800) 273-9757
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WASTE MANAGEMENT
29
a
round Town
Updates on Community, Education, Workforce & Government
Education in the Military
Lynda Kent, Naval School
Liaison Officer
cludes facilitating in the permanent change of
station (PCS) process as families move from
base to base and school to school. School
Liaison Officers seek to “level the play-
The military child will move, on average, every three years and attend nine different schools from grades K-12.
This means a lot of good-byes and
a lot of stress in adjusting to new
environments. It also means difficulties in transitioning from one
school system to another, usually
to another state or sometimes to
another country.
Command. This includes being a resource
for pertinent information and training on
educational and military issues and needs for
families and schools.
To this end, Kent is facilitating
two trainings for the Bay District Schools during the first half
of 2010. These trainings will be
given free of charge to the District
Schools which is an added plus
during this time of limited funding. Both trainings will address
issues that are relevant to our local
community.
To offer help with these and other
issues that military families face,
the Naval Support Activity Panama City (NSA PC) has Lynda
Kent, the Navy School Liaison
Officer.
Airport Update
Amy Ausley, Airport Authority
Lynda Kent is the Navy’s School Liaison Officer.
A person doesn’t have to be around
Kent long to realize that she has a
true love and concern for military families.
She explains that it all began in the late 1960s
one afternoon at Daytona Beach when she
met a young Marine who was on his way to
Vietnam. They corresponded for
three years as he served two tours of
duty. Later, as she read letters from
her own brother who joined the National Guard, the concern and understanding that she had of military
life grew. Then, when her son-inlaw enlisted in the Army where he
continues to serve, military families
became most dear to Kent.
ing field” for military students by ensuring
that the students are given the opportunities
to achieve their highest potential at any assigned location. Part of that help is ensur-
As the May 18, 2010 opening
date of the new Northwest Florida
Beaches International Airport nears
and Southwest Airlines announces
it will serve the new airport, the
eyes of the world are on Bay County. Featuring integrated and adjacent industrial sites on
4,000 acres of airport property, a 10,000-foot
runway, a deepwater port, rail service and an
extensive, easily accessible highway system, the region is poised
to take advantage of an intermodal
opportunity many communities
can only dream about.
The new airport is the crown jewel
of a 75,000-acre area called the
West Bay Area Sector Plan, a massive 50 to 100-year planning effort
that ensures development around
Prior to coming to NSA PC in June,
the airport will be complementary,
Kent lived in Central Florida where
not contradictory. West of the airshe previously worked in the Lake
port there are plans for a regional
County public schools both as a
employment center and commerteacher and a school administrator. An aerial view of the new Northwest Florida Beaches International
cial areas for industries that want
Her educational background helps Airport.
to be located next to an airport.
Kent to better serve the military
Airport-related businesses such as
families that she holds in such high regard.
rental
car
outlets
and hotels will be clustered
“My love of the military coupled with my ing that proper credits transfer as the military
to
the
south.
The
area east of the airport is
love of education is a perfect marriage for students move from one state system into andesignated
for
office
buildings. At build-out,
serving as the Navy School Liaison Officer,” other where different curricula may be taught
the
West
Bay
Sector
Plan will be approxiand graduation requirements often differ.
Kent said in describing her job.
mately 37 million square feet of commercial/
One of the primary responsibilities of a Kent also serves as the focal point of contact industrial use and 27,000 residential units.
School Liaison Officer (SLO) is to help between military families, the local school The airport will usher in a new era of “conparents navigate the school system. This in- administration, and the military installation nectedness” for the Northwest Florida com-
30
a
round Town
munity. Elsewhere, new airports have been
important drivers of economic development,
and that is expected to be the case in Northwest Florida as well. Economic development
organizations like Florida’s Great Northwest,
Enterprise Florida and local and regional
Economic Development Alliances are working hard to ensure new jobs and improved
air-service arrive on schedule in 2010.
Southwest Airlines announced in October
2009 it will begin service to the new airport
on opening day in May 2010. Southwest
joins Delta and Northwest, which currently
serve the existing airport. Negotiations with
other carriers are on-going and will likely result in several more carriers providing service
to Northwest Florida Beaches International.
Protecting the environment is a major emphasis. Forty-one thousand acres of conservation land are included in the sector plan.
This conservation effort will protect watersheds that feed into the St. Andrew Bay by
creating buffers along the rivers and creeks,
some as wide as 1,000 feet, which is more
than 30 times the amount required by law.
This ensures 33 miles of West Bay shoreline
and 44 miles of creek and tributaries will be
protected forever.
Another exciting component of the preservation plan is the establishment of an Audubon
Nature Center that will provide important educational programs, help manage mitigation
and restoration efforts and serve as a public
gateway for low impact activities on portions
of the preservation lands.
The Airport Authority has committed that the
new airport terminal will be certified “green”
under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the
U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED
program is a voluntary certification program
that defines high-performance buildings
which are more environmentally responsible.
Achieving LEED certification will make the
Northwest Florida Beaches International
Airport one of the first truly “green” airports
in the United States. Some of the methods
being used to create a more environmentally
friendly terminal building include a stateof-the-art storm water management system,
extensive use of sustainable materials and a
landscaping plan that will not require supplemental irrigation.
For further information about air service and
commercial/industrial opportunities at the
new airport, contact Executive Director Randy Curtis at (850) 763-6751. You can also
follow the progress of the Panama City-Bay
County International Airport at www.newpcairport.com.
EDA Update
Janet Watermeier, Bay County
Economic Development Alliance
The Bay County
Economic Development
Alliance
(EDA) is kicking
off the New Year in
full-force with over
a dozen active location and expansion
projects. The EDA
closed out 2009
with the announcement of the location of Coast Water Efficient
Technology (WET) and its international
headquarters to Bay County. Coast WET is
currently employing 27 people, but over the
next three years, the company anticipates
creating 230 new jobs for its manufacturing,
assembly and distribution facility.
The EDA recently unveiled its draft strategic
plan outlining a vision, mission and goals for
the community, organization and EDA staff.
The EDA board of directors is reviewing the
draft plan and helping to prioritize activity.
A final plan is projected to be completed by
January 2010.
Two transportation corridor opportunities
that affect the economic development of the
area are currently undergoing Project Development and Environmental studies. These
corridors are important to Bay County’s economic development because they will help
improve traffic flow and connectivity to Interstate 10, one of Bay County’s competitive
weaknesses.
The West Bay Parkway is projected to connect the new Northwest Florida Beaches In-
ternational Airport to Walton County and an
improved or new alignment connected SR
79 to SR 77 along or near CR 388. For more
information on the corridor, visit www.westbayparkway.com.
The Gulf Coast Parkway has alignment options in both Gulf and Bay Counties. This
corridor would connect US 98 in Gulf County
with US 231 in Bay County. It would also provide a tieback to US 98 in Springfield to provide a bypass around Tyndall Air Force Base.
The EDA prefers the Bay County alignments
from an economic development, workforce
commuter patterns and connectivity to the
new airport perspective. For more information, visit www.gulfcoastparkway.com.
Bay County is well poised to emerge from
this recession sooner than other communities
around the country. Aviation, aerospace and
defense-related business, renewable energy,
health sciences, transportation and logistics,
information technology, research and engineering, manufacturing and corporate headquarters will be among the target industries
in which the EDA will focus its recruitment
efforts. The EDA looks forward to an active and aggressive marketing year geared
towards bringing diversified growth to Bay
County.
Top Performing
Workforce Board
Kim Bodine, Executive Director, Gulf
Coast Workforce Board
For six consecutive years, the Gulf
Coast Workforce
Board has been
the top performing
workforce board in
the state and is on
track for the number
one spot again for
the 2009-2010 program year. “We owe our great performance
to our hardworking staff, our dedicated volunteer board members and our service providers,” said Kim Bodine, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board.
31
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round Town
From January to October this year the Workforce Center helped 38,772 people who
walked in looking for jobs, a 70% increase
from the previous year. In addition, the
board assisted 1,200 local businesses with
employee recruitment and provided some
type of job training for approximately 2,000
individuals.
Overall, the mission of the Workforce Board
is to meet the employment and economic
development needs of the region. In doing
so, the Board works closely with a strong
network of partners to provide valuable
workforce development services in order to
develop area youth and transition them into
productive adult lives; implement federal
welfare reform programs; assist veterans to
transition from military careers into civilian
jobs; assist the unemployed by providing
access to job leads and resume preparation;
and provide training to employed and unemployed workers to ensure our workforce
meets the needs of new, existing and emerging industries.
The Gulf Coast Workforce Board is a public/private partnership chartered by the state.
Members of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board
represent a broad cross section of industry,
economic development, government and education. Bay County board members include
Alisa Kinsaul, Jimmy Vineyard, Duane Laster, Jon Cupp, Lisa Thompson, Penny Hutt,
Dr. Jim Kerley, Mike Nobles, Courtney Peel,
Brian Phillips, Tommy Ward, Fred Croon,
Rev. Billy Fox, Bill Husfelt, Janet Watermeier, Bill Dozier, and Sue Brookhart.
Tourist Development
Council
Dan Rowe, Tourist Development Council
The early forecast for winter 2010 looks
sunny, sandy and
bright for Panama
City Beach as we
extend a warm welcome to the many
out-of-town guests
who migrate to our
award-winning destination during January and February.
32
This winter season marks the 10th anniversary of the “Sun Card,” an appreciation and
discount program managed by the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and supported
by the Panama City Beach business community. Free to any winter guests, Sun Cards
can be used throughout the destination at
participating restaurants, hotels, and area attractions. This season, the Sun Card’s popularity has reached a fever pitch with more
businesses than ever before offering exclusive deals, special offers and deep discounts
to our winter guests.
When we roll out the welcome mat, it’s hard
for winter visitors not to fall in love with Panama City Beach! Combine our white-sand
beaches and emerald-green water with red
hot deals and you’ve got REAL FUN! Mark
your calendar and invite your friends to Mardi Gras on the Beach! Enjoy the renowned
festival from New Orleans, beach style! The
Krewe of Dominique Youx stages its second
annual Mardi Gras Parade on Panama City
Beach, Feb. 5 - 6. The weekend FUN includes a festival, parade, live entertainment,
Cajun favorites, low country boils, floats,
beads and revelry.
Out-of-town visitors and locals alike seeking to whisk away their loved one this Valentine’s Day will find special savings on
Panama City Beach accommodations and a
variety of unique romance packages including champagne, flowers, chocolate-dipped
strawberries, spa packages, special room service and more.
2010 promises a wave of new opportunity
and historic milestones as we embark on the
long awaited opening of the new Northwest
Florida Beaches International airport on
May 23. While Panama City Beach is busy
celebrating the commitment of Southwest
Airlines’ service and competitive fares, the
CVB is working feverishly on expanding our
marketing reach by targeting new travel audiences specifically in the gateway cities of
Nashville, Baltimore, Houston and Orlando
as well as the surrounding markets in the
west, mid-west & northeast. 2010 promises
to shine brighter than ever before as we’ll
soon offer air travelers a -15-minutes from
baggage claim to beaches - REAL FUN vacation experience!
For up-to-the-minute information on vacation deals, events and specials, go to www.
visitpanamacitybeach.com.
GCCC Update
Dr. Jim Kerley, GCCC President
As we enter a new
decade, we are
thankful for Gulf
Coast Community
College’s tradition
of excellence and
all of the positive
things that it brings
to this community.
The citizens of this
region and the students we serve are the most critical piece of
our success. We are so fortunate to live in an
area known for its generosity as well as its
natural beauty.
We are also blessed to have strong, committed partners in higher education, one of which
is located directly across the street from us.
FSU Panama City and Gulf Coast have been
working together for years for the betterment
of students in this region, but recently that
partnership has been given a boost. We continually seek to expand opportunities for students attending Gulf Coast, and that means
working to promote partnerships with universities in the hopes of easing the transition
from the community college to the university.
It is one of the key elements in our Strategic
Plan because it directly benefits our students.
Last year, GCCC partnered with FSU PC on
the creation of the Connect! Program. This
unique program allows faculty and advisors
from both institutions to help students plan
their “academic map” as they transition from
GCCC to FSU PC.
We have received positive, constructive
feedback from students about the Connect!
Program, including ways to improve it. We
also received input from business/industry
and community leaders during the many
Blue Ribbon Commission meetings held in
the last few months. One common theme
heard time and time again was that GCCC
and FSU PC, working together as partners,
was like having a full 4-year college expe-
a
round Town
rience right here for our community. We
are proud to offer higher education that is
flexible, responsive, and allows students to
maintain commitments to their families and
to their careers.
In the coming months and years, we pledge
to stay strongly connected with all of our
partners, including the K-12 schools in Bay,
Gulf and Franklin counties and institutions
such as the University of West Florida and
Troy University.
TROY Update
Lisa Kitto, Site Director, Troy
University-PC/Tyndall AFB
As the New Year
unfolds, Troy University has many
“New Beginnings”
to launch the year
with a great start.
Our University has
received reaffirmation of academic accreditation from the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges. The announcement
was made at the 114th annual meeting of
the accrediting agency held in Atlanta. Troy
University was accredited initially by SACS
in 1934. Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor of
Troy University said the reaffirmation of academic accreditation validates the work of the
faculty and staff. Most important, the Chancellor said, this action by the Commission on
Colleges is the “final piece of the puzzle” of
the unification of the University, a process
that began almost a decade ago. For the first
time in more than 30 years, all Troy University campuses and locations are now under
one academic accreditation by SACS.
Additionally beginning with this New Year,
Troy University’s 2010-2015 Strategic Plan
includes the initiative that every academic
program we offer will be available online.
SACS has suggested we are 3 to 4 years
ahead of our peers in delivering effective,
quality online programs. It is the goal of the
University to build a robust distance-learning
support system at every TROY location to
give local students personal access to faculty
and staff while pursuing an online education.
We have two such support centers in our area
that we are expanding with new faculty and
staff in this coming year because of this resolution to provide enhanced services to individuals in the local vicinity.
So, as we ease into this fresh New Year that is
filled with promise, if one of your resolutions
is to improve yourself by pursuing an advanced degree, remember that education has
often been considered the key to success and
TROY can be the key that will help unlock a
new beginning for you as well. Please view
our website at www.troy.edu to review the
educational opportunities offered by TROY
or visit us at 527 Airport Rd. or just call to
begin the new you in this New Year. Our
number is (850) 747-0634.
2010: A Look Ahead
Dr. Ken Shaw, FSU - Panama City
Dean
FSU Panama City
is well positioned to
move into 2010 and
to have a successful
year. Fall 2009 was
a very busy time as
we were in the planning phases of increasing our enrollment. Combining
the strategic plan
our staff formulated with the report produced
by the Presidential Blue Ribbon Committee,
we have 64 recommendations and 221 action items that provide the road map for our
success. Activities will include continuing to
expand recruitment efforts, working closer
with FSU central administration, exploring
ways to increase the good partnerships that
already exist with Gulf Coast Community
College and Bay District Schools, seeking
separate accreditation, and examining alternative revenue streams. The community
members who prepared the detailed plan are
to be commended for their work and their
long-standing commitment to FSU Panama
City.
With the New Year comes a new president
for Florida State University, Eric Barron. Dr.
Barron will serve as the university’s 14th
president. “I am extremely gratified and honored to return to my alma mater and serve as
its next president,” Barron said. “This is an
outstanding university that is poised to become one of the finest in the world, and I
look forward to helping it reach that goal.”
We are hoping that early 2010 will provide a
time for President Barron to visit FSU Panama City and an opportunity to introduce him
to this great community.
Dr. Barron currently serves as Director of the
National Center for Atmospheric Research
in Boulder, Colorado. He has also served
as Dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State University and
Dean of Jackson School of Geosciences at
the University of Texas at Austin. Barron
is a Fellow in the American Association for
the Advancement of Science, the American
Geophysical Union, the American Meteorological Society and the Geological Society
of America. He has received many national
awards as a scholar, researcher and distinguished lecturer, has published extensively
and has been editor or a member of the editorial boards of a dozen academic journals. He
has testified before Congress and has chaired
numerous committees in service to the federal government, such as the NASA Senior
Review for the Earth Sciences in 2005. He
has chaired committees and panels of the
National Research Council since 1987 and
currently chairs “An Ocean Infrastructure for
U.S. Ocean Research in 2030.”
FSU Panama City sincerely appreciates the
community’s continued support for our campus and the students we serve. We look forward to a great year in 2010 and to working
with all of you!
v
v
v
33
EVENT CALENDAR
visit
PCBEACH.ORG
FOR A FULL LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS
Fridays
at the Beach
February 12, 2010
Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
NETWORKING: 7:30-8:00 am
PROGRAM: 8:00-9:00 am
Join us for a program on Social Media
March 12, 2010
Location: to be determined...check
PCBeach.org Events Calendar
NETWORKING: 7:30-8:00 am
PROGRAM: 8:00-9:00 am
Friday,
9, 2010
February 1
Edgewater
m
6:30-9:00 p
5!
7
$
S
T
E
K
TIC
59
Call 235-11
Cyndi Ainsworth, VP Member Services
As 2010 begins, our community is looking forward to a much brighter future with the opening of the new airport, Southwest Airlines jet
service, and many new businesses relocating to Bay County, stimulating job growth and strengthening our economy.
The Beach Chamber made a resolution for 2009 to better serve our
community, as well as keep our members connected and well informed. It has taken the involvement of the Executive Board, the
Chamber Board members, the Ambassadors and the entire Chamber
staff to produce these impressive results. In 2010, we will continue to
build on our seven active committees and we will look to our Chamber members to get involved and share their talents to assist in the
success of their missions. Our committees are as follows:
Governmental/Military Affairs
Membership
Education Partnership
Green Leadership
YP @ The Beach
Navigator
Ambassadors
Even if you can’t participate in one of our committees, there are many
other ways to get involved, meet new people and start building strong
business relationships. We encourage you to attend any of our chamber events from Fridays at the Beach, After Hours, New Member Appreciation Breakfasts, 12 @ 12 Luncheons and our monthly small
business seminars. Check your Beach Buzz each Monday for all of
the details. Remember, we are on your team for the successful marketing of your business.
We would like to thank Pastor Ramon Duvall for all of his support
and dedication as Ambassador Chairman for the past two years and to
welcome Terry Hook as the 2010 Ambassador Chairman; it will be a
great year to be an Ambassador! We thank you for all of your support
during 2009 and wish you a very peaceful and prosperous 2010.
34
Terry Hook,
Ambassador
Chairman
Happy New Year! First
of all let me say how
proud and honored I
am to serve as your
new Chairman for the
upcoming year. I know
that I am attempting to
fill some really BIG
shoes of the past Chairperson Ramon Duvall,
and I will do my very
best to meet the same
high expectations and
standards that have
been set.
The Passing of the Scissors on December 2,
2009. Pictured from left: Patti Lowery/Gift
Baskets by Design, Secretary; Ramon Duvall/
Beachside Fellowship, Past Ambassador Chairman; Terry Hook/Publix, Ambassador Chairman;
Terri Huggins/Vision Bank, Incoming Ambassador Chairman.
Having said that, let me say I cannot wait for this year to get under
way! I feel that 2010 will be a breakthrough year in many ways, not
only for this area, but for the Beach Chamber and this region. It is
truly an exciting time to be part of the growth we are seeing now and
in the years to come.
The Ambassadors program is one that is a vital link between business, community and Chamber. If you know of anyone you feel
would benefit by being part of the Ambassadors, you owe it to them
to bring them in and join this vibrant organization!
In closing, I would like to say one more time, how thrilled I am, to be
a part of this wonderful group, and the people that make it up. Here’s
to a fantastic 2010!
m
embers
Ribbon Cuttings . New & Renewing Chamber Members . Ambassador Update
AAF Panama City
Beau Tresor
CareSouth Homecare Professionals
Derrick Bennett, P.A.
Dock Hoppers
Firehouse Subs
Flipside Entertainment By Bo, Inc.
Friends of The Grand Lagoon
Graham & Company
Green Street Lenders
IPacket Networks, LLC
L3 Communications
La Maison de Lucy Bed & Breakfast
Manpower
Mills Heating & Air
Sears on The Beach
St. Andrew Bay Ferry Co.
Verizon Wireless Corporate Store
Watson Sewell Title
Renewals - 1 Year
Coastal Marina Management
Krewe of Dominique Youx
Lori Bates Interiors
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Republican Party of Bay County
Ryerson’s Electrical Service, Inc.
Technical Systems Integration, Inc.
Renewals - 2 Years
Cher’s Hallmark, 11/6
Spring Ridge, 11/17
Vice & Virtue, 11/24
Gift Basket Designs, 12/3
Landmark Holiday Beach/Vacation Resorts Intl.
Preble-Rish, Inc
The Towne of Seahaven
Renewals - 5 Years
Acquire Land Title PCB, LLC
Capt’s Table Fish House Restaurant
Los Rancheros Mexican Restaurant
Medical Cosmetic Center
MidSouth Bank
Miss Charlotte’s
Sunset Inn
Surfside Middle School
Beau Tressor, 12/10
Hampton Inn at Panama City Beach
Tillie’s Properties
Alexan Laguna Beach Apartments
Bay Families with Dogs, Inc.
Diva Productions
Firefly
First Choice Therapy Services
Grace Episcopal Church
HP Pools, Inc.
JC Penney
Johnny’s Tint Station
Ogden Sports
Viamedia
Renewals - 6 Years
Renewals - 10 Years
Coastal Community Insurance Agency
Diamond Title Agency, Inc.
Fred Astaire Dance Studio
H & R Block
Panama City Weddings
Professional Service Industries, Inc.
Ralph Cellon, Jr.
Sandra L. Day
St. Andrews Waterfront Project
Devcon Security Services Corp. Company
Marriott Legends Edge at Bay Point
Renewals - 3 Years
Renewals - 7 Years
B & C Technologies
Bell Signs
Dooley Mack Constructors of N.W. Florida, LLC
Gail Force Protection, Inc.
Irene & Company
Seahaven Development
Sonitrol of Bay County
The Home Depot
The UPS Store
Verizon Wireless Small - Medium Business Division
Renewals - 4 Years
Beachside Fellowship
Columns @ Cabana West Apartments
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc.
Gulf Environments
Renewals - 11 Years
Beachcomber By The Sea
Century 21 Smith & Associates
Glass Center, Inc.
Panama City Downtown Improvement Board
PBS&J
Renewals - 12 Years
Beach Tower Resort Motel
Bay Mini Storage, Inc.
Keith Mortensen
Louis P. Alessandrini
Panama City Beach Rotary
SETCO Services, LLC
Thomas Stroud
Thunder Beach Productions, Inc.
White Sands Resort Realty, Inc.
Bay County Association of Realtors
Camper’s Inn, Inc.
Goodreau & Richardson Dentistry
Padgett Business Service
Sea Foam Motel
Renewals - 8 Years
Architectural Rails, Inc.
PMI Employee Leasing
Renewals - 13 Years
Renewals - 15 Years
Tim Allen Photography
CJ Ryan Media Management
Dunes of Panama A Rental Association, Inc.
Renewals - 16 Years
Renewals - 9 Years
Renewals - 17 Years
Covenant Hospice
Century 21 Ryan Realty
Comcast Cable
35
CA
CAN,
AN WE CAN” can recycling promo, and
Nike’s “SOLE IN, PEACE OUT” shoe recycling promo.
• Provided weekly “Green Tips” in Beach Buzz.
• Business Expo in 2009 had a green theme:
The Nature of Business.
• The Circuit’s final issue of the year has become
its most popular, The Annual Green Issue.
7. YP @ THE Beach
• Partnered with Coastal Vision 3000 and Walton Area Chamber to create a Young Professional organization.
• Two Professional Development Workshops
with Keynote Speakers Representative Jimmy
Patronis and Destin Mayor Craig Barker.
• Working with surrounding Young Professional organizations in the Panhandle to promote networking at events.
CHAMBER EVENTS
• Held the Annual Awards Dinner at Marriott
in February, recognizing local community
leaders for their contributions to Bay County
through:
• Pioneer of the Year: Earl Durden
• Dick Arnold Distinguished Citizen:
Lisa Powell Ashley
• Small Business Person of the Year:
John Johnson
• Humanitarian: Bill Buskell
• Ambassador of the Year: Patti Lowery
• Showcased over 100 businesses and organizations at the 16th Annual Business Expo “The
Nature of Business,” held at Edgewater. Largest Chamber networking event of the year.
• Hosted 10 Business After Hours for networking opportunities.
• Held ten 12 @ 12 Luncheons, updating
Chamber members on current events.
• Chamber Board Room has hosted numerous
meetings and workshops all year for Chamber
members.
• Held ten “Friday at the Beach” breakfasts
at Edgewater Beach Resort and Bay Point
Marriott Resort, and partnered with the Bay
County Chamber on two “First Fridays at the
Beach” in January and July.
CHAMBER PUBLICATIONS
• Distributed 20,000 2009 Business at the
Beach Relocation Guides & Member Directory to companies and families.
• In 2009 partnered with the TDC to develop,
design and produce the 2009 Official Vacation Planner. Distributed 175,000 ‘09 Vacation Planners including nearly 10,000 requests
from the website. Publication had an online
presence on two websites.
• Published six issues of The Circuit in 2009,
the Chamber’s award-winning bi-monthly
community magazine. Build three newsstands for The Circuit, placed in high-traffic
areas.
CHAMBER WEBSITE
Launched new and improved PCBeach.org
with better navigation, updated content, and
more features:
o Faster Load Time.
o Created New pages including: City Pier,
Downtown St. Andrews, Military Page, Economic Development, St. Andrews State Park,
Frank Brown Park and Committees.
o New embedded video advertisement available for members.
o Over 121,000 Vacation Planner pages have
been viewed virtually online.
• PCBeach.org has attracted over 340,000 visits from 160 different countries and displayed
almost 1.5 million pages.
• Launched new shopping cart on PCBeach.
org to allow visitors to order maps and other
publications.
• Launched Beach Buzz weekly Electronic
Chamber Communication with Beach Buzz
Blast banner sales.
• Developed three new Social Media sites:
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, to promote local
news and Chamber events, as well as promote
Beach Chamber members.
v
v
v
GO-TO
Have a question? Contact one of our staff members:
Beth Oltman
President & CEO
[email protected]
Marta Rose
[email protected]
Vice President Communications
Jena Kimmel
Vice President Finance
[email protected]
Lynn Kandler
Director of Sales
[email protected]
Cyndi Ainsworth
[email protected]
Vice President Member Services
Hillary Marchman
Special Events Coordinator
[email protected]
Kristopher McLane
Systems Coordinator
[email protected]
Lindsay Dring
[email protected]
Member Services Coordinator
36
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Hillary Marchman, Lynn Kandler, Marta
Rose, Cyndi Ainsworth, Lindsay Dring, Kristopher McLane, Jena
Kimmel. CENTER: Beth Oltman. Photo by Teresa Tuno
Panama City Toyota
Where Relationships are Born!
"" "$"#$
PanamaCityToyota.com
Ladies Day Every Wednesday
Get an Oil Change for $24.95 + tax,
Free Manicure, Complimentary Breakfast, Lunch & Flower
309 Richard Jackson Boulevard
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
PCBeach.org
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO 50
PANAMA CITY, FL

View This Issue - Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

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