File - Key West Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER CHOWDER©
510 Greene Street ~ 1st Floor, Key West
Wal-Mart Executive Answers
Questions, Addresses Concerns
Key West Chamber of Commerce President Nicki Will, second from right, thanked representatives
of Wal-Mart and the new shopping center proposed for Rockland Key for their presentation during the
chamber’s July membership luncheon. Pictured left to right are: Peter Rysman, attorney; shopping center
developer David Garfunkel; Wal-Mart Public Affairs Director Glen Wilkins; Chamber President
Nicki Will and land planner Owen Trepanier.
he dialogue between the local business community and Wal-Mart
representatives continued July 22nd when a Wal-Mart public affairs specialist
met with members of the Key West Chamber of Commerce to address some
of their most pressing concerns.
Greg Wilkins, director of public affairs and governmental relations for Wal-Mart
Stores, Inc., presented an overview of the Wal-Mart Super Center that would occupy
roughly one-third of a new shopping center being planned on Rockland Key. Wilkins then
answered questions submitted by chamber members during the lunchtime discussion.
Wilkins acknowledged the community’s concerns and mixed emotions toward the
retail giant, but vowed to maintain an open dialogue and a transparent planning process.
“If there are skeletons in the closet, if there are concerns, then let’s have the dialogue,”
he said. “Whether we agree or not, let’s talk.”
Traffic impacts, employment issues and local economic impacts emerged as some
of the top concerns, which Wilkins addressed following an introduction of the project
proposed near Mile Marker 9.
The 135,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Super Center would be a 24-hour, full-service
Wal-Mart featuring general merchandise, a full supermarket, fresh food, a vision center, a
hair salon and pharmacy offering Wal-Mart’s $4 prescription medication.
“We decided people shouldn’t have to choose between their prescription medication
and their food, so we started offering more than 400 medications for just $4,” Wilkins
said, adding that other retailers like Target and Publix have since followed suit, which
helps more consumers get more affordable medicine.
When asked whether the Rockland Key store would be open 24 hours, Wilkins said
it is the norm for the chain’s Super Centers, and would be a convenience likely utilized by
this area’s hospitality workers and bartenders who often work until the early morning hours.
“But each store manager has the authority to decide whether to keep their store open
24 hours a day,” Wilkins said.
He told chamber members that an average Super Center employs about 300 people
working a combination of full-time and part-time jobs, but that figure varies widely
among different stores.
One other financial figure that interested chamber members was the starting hourly
wages for Wal-Mart employees, who will have to be able to afford Florida Keys rents.
“We understand we have to pay competitive wages,” Wilkins told the chamber audience.
continued on page 3 4
T
Page 1
Chamber Chowder
Vol. 18, No. 8
www.keywestchamber.org
Message from President Nicki L. Will
T
his time of year
the Chamber’s
Economic Development Committee is
gearing up for a variety
of meetings with governmental entities such as
the City of Key West, the
Monroe County BOCC,
the Monroe County
Sheriff’s
Department,
Mosquito Control, Keys Energy System, Monroe
County School Board, and the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority. The reason for these annual meetings
is to review and discuss their proposed budgets for
fiscal year 2015-2016. For many years the Economic
Development Committee has met with local government officials, reviewed proposed budgets, and asked
probing questions.
The mission of the Key West Chamber’s
Economic Development Committee has been to
work with Chamber staff to obtain and analyze
data to understand current and future economic
conditions and trends, which may affect the
general business climate in Key West. At this time
of the year there seems to be nothing more central
to the business climate than the proposed tax
structure and assumptions that are the foundation
of these budgets.
continued on page 34
Table of Contents
Business Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chamber to Elect 5 Directors of the Board . . . . . 4
July 1st and 15th Elisa Levy Seminar . . . . . . . . 5
Tom Sawyer 5 Star Program . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Business Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
27th Annual Trade Show Information . . . . . . . . 8
Business After Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Cruise Ship Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dog Daze Promotion Program . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chamber Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . 12
August 2015
Spotlight Shines on ... Mike Petro, RE/MAX Keys Connection
Each month, the Chamber of Commerce spotlights
a business or professional person whose business card is
drawn at the Business After Hours. This month’s winner
is Mike Petro, RE/MAX Keys Connection.
F
rom cell phones to second homes,
Mike Petro has spent his career in
some form of sales.
“I’ve always been in sales and sales
management of some sort,” said the Key West
Realtor who joined broker Curtis Skomp at
RE/MAX Keys Connection in March. “One of
the reasons I joined RE/MAX was to expand
my commercial real estate experience.”
Petro moved to the Keys in 2000 after selling
a chain of cellular stores he had owned in the Boca
Raton area. He obtained his real estate license in
2005, and at one time was both an active Realtor
and the director of real estate advertising sales for
the Key West Citizen newspaper.
He left The Citizen in 2007 to focus solely
on real estate transactions.
“I’ve done both residential and commercial
properties,” he said, adding that problemsolving is one of his stand-out skills. “I’m a
good negotiator, and can solve problems to
make all the puzzle pieces fit to facilitate a deal
and get the highest and best value.”
He used the example of a recent
commercial property that had been on the
market for six years when he got the listing.
“The property was appraised at $2.6
million, but I ended up getting $4.6 million
for it,” Petro said. “It was a matter of getting
the proper licenses and permits in place to
ensure the best possible use of the property.
“The seller hadn’t originally owned their
bay bottom, and didn’t have the license for a
marina. With everything in place, the property
had a much bigger potential for the buyer.”
Key West’s outstanding tourism statistics have
made the island a destination market, Petro said,
adding that the island’s high average daily rates
for hotel rooms and impressive occupancy figures
are attracting a host of international investors
interested in owning Key West hotels and resorts.
“We’ve done business with Swedes, Russians
and Italians, to name just a few,” said Petro, who
also has spent time in recent years lobbying for his
profession in Tallahassee and Washington, DC.
As incoming president of the Key West
Association of Realtors and a former board
member, Petro has represented local Realtors on
flood insurance issues and in their efforts to preserve
the federal mortgage interest tax deduction.
“Without that tax deduction, why buy a
home?” said Petro, who acknowledges that 2007
probably wasn’t the best time for him to enter the
full-time real estate fray. “In 2007, properties were
still selling and the banks were still lending money
without any support until things finally fell off.”
But Petro’s problem-solving skills with
tough transaction kept him afloat.
“We made it through the downturn, and now
obviously the market is again doing very well.”
Petro is happy to meet with potential buyers
and sellers, and enjoys the location of the RE/
MAX Keys Connection office in the historic
Heritage House Museum at 410 Caroline St. Stop
by to see him there, or call 305-296-1400.
The Chamber Chowder Heartily Thanks These Businesses for Their Generous Support of this Issue of the Newsletter
Ernest Hemingway
House Museum
907 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
305-294-1136
Page 2
Porter Allen
Insurance Company
513 Southard Street
Key West, FL 33040
305-294-2542
La Concha
Crowne Plaza
430 Duval Street
Key West, FL 33040
305-296-2991
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
YP.com
9850 NW 41st St.
Doral, FL 33178
305-482-2601
Old Town Key West
Development
201 Front Street, Suite 301
Key West, FL 33040
305-294-3225
August 2015
President’s Message continued from page 1 4
“Wal-Mart ...” continued from page 1 4
In a recent headline-making move, WalMart upped its starting salaries across the
country to ensure that every Wal-Mart associate
earns at least $9 per hour. The Arkansas-based
company has announced plans to further
increase that to $10 per hour in the coming year.
One audience member asked Wilkins to
address salary levels in a place — like the Keys
— where unemployment is unusually low.
Wilkins told chamber members about a
store in an area of North Dakota that is home to
oil rig workers and other skilled workers.
“There’s an area up there with almost
no unemployment, where our starting wages
were something like $19 per hour,” Wilkins
said. “We know we have to pay better than
the competition to get the best employees and
we have to offer them a better package to get
them to stay.”
The retailer also has to offer convenient
access to its Super Center for both workers and
shoppers, Wilkins said, addressing concerns
about traffic impacts on U.S. 1.
“We understand there’s only one way
in and out of the Keys,” he assured chamber
members, adding that the retailers are well aware
of the Keys’ commuter and tourist populations
who depend on U.S. 1 every day. “We also
understand that people won’t want to come to
our store if they have to sit in a line of cars for 10
minutes to enter the shopping center. We know
we have to get this right.”
And they’ll do everything in their power
to get it right, but local land planner Owen
Trepanier told the chamber audience that they
have no authority to install traffic signals or
change the timing of existing lights.
“Those decisions are made by the Florida
Department of Transportation, explained
Trepanier, who is working with shopping center
developer David Garfunkel to get the project
permitted and approved by local, state and
federal government officials.
“We did a maximum-level traffic study
from the Triangle at the entrance to Key West,
to Big Pine Key,” Trepanier said. “We’re hoping
to have a light at the driveway into the center,
with two lanes heading toward the mainland
that are unaffected by the light and continue
northbound. Then we’d like two left turn lanes
into the shopping center.”
He added that they would like to have the
traffic light blinking during non-peak hours,
similar to the signal near Sugarloaf School,
which blinks yellow when the school is empty.
“But,” he reminded the audience, “We have
no control over whether we get a light, or what
that light does.
Page 3
“That’s all up to FDOT, and it’s been my
experience to ‘trust them, they’re here to help,’”
Trepanier said wryly, remaining at the podium
to address some submitted questions about
employee housing, another factor that the
developers cannot entirely control.
Trepanier explained that the shopping center
property includes 33 residential building rights,
“But the county won’t let us build residential
housing on the site, so we’re working with Habitat
for Humanity to put those building rights to use
in a Habitat community on Big Coppitt Key.”
When talk turned to retail pricing in the
Keys, Wilkins returned to the podium, and said,
“We look at the area where our competition is.
My store has to have the lowest price. I want
to compete. I welcome competition. It makes
me run a cleaner, cheaper store with better
customer service, so we’ll look at the prices of our
competitors and will probably set prices in line
with the Homestead/Florida City Wal-Mart.”
He also got a few chuckles from the audience
during a discussion about competition and WalMart’s impacts on locally owned shops. Wilkins
assured the audience that Wal-Mart officials
know their store’s strengths and weaknesses.
“Obviously, fashion isn’t one of our strengths,”
he said laughing. “So we’re not going to compete
with or affect a women’s clothing boutique.”
One chamber member asked whether WalMart had conducted any studies of local retailers
that had closed after a Wal-Mart opened nearby.
Wilkins said he did not know of or have any
studies at hand, but said, “In my 11 years with WalMart, we’ve seen that other businesses can thrive.”
He reminded the audience that Wal-Mart
does not carry the array of specialized items that
are available in smaller electronics shops and
other niche retail outlets.
Wilkins also emphasized his willingness to
work with local product manufacturers to get their
items on the local Wal-Mart shelves provided their
production can keep up with the demand.
“If we can make it work, I want to do it,”
he said, acknowledging the new faces of WalMart who were in Key West for this meeting,
compared to the original trio of speakers who
offered similar reassurances to the Keys business
community a few months ago.
Wilkins told the audience there would not be
a “revolving door of representatives” down here.
“I hope to be the continuing face for you
guys down here, and I hope to see you again
soon,” he said, wrapping up his presentation and
promising to stick around after the luncheon to
address any additional concerns from individual
chamber members.
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
This seems like an especially critical
year with numerous governmental
entities planning to increase various
forms of revenue through taxes, fees,
user fees and other forms of revenue
generation that generally falls to the
businesses and individuals living within
the Keys. The Economic Development
Committee intends to ask pointed
questions, probe changes in revenue
and expenses, and obtain information
that can be presented to the chamber as
a whole in order to educate and inform
our members.
It is also with heavy heart that
I inform the membership that the
chamber has recently lost one of
its long time Board members, past
president and longtime supporter,
Sharon Moore. A light dimmed much
too early in life. As a businesswoman
Sharon was a part of the Keys Business
Community for many years. As a
member of the chamber, Sharon will
always be remembered for her years
of leadership and support of chamber
activities, most recently with a relentless
passion for the Education Committee
and support for teachers and the youth
of our community. As a human being
we will never forget her beautiful smile
and the unique laugh.
Through Sharon’s leadership the
Education Committee continued to
work closely with school officials to
maintain our scholarships, teacher
fellowships, internships, and seminars.
The committee had designed the Tom
Sawyer Five Star Program to recognize
chamber members who donate
to the programs for teachers and
students which includes the Honor
Roll of 100, Teacher Enrichment,
Teacher Recognition, Mentoring, and
sponsoring classrooms.
Thank you for your continued
support of the chamber. Please let me
know how we may better serve you.
August 2015
Key West Chamber Members to Elect Five Directors of the Board
T
hirteen community-minded people are
vying for five seats on the board of the
Key West Chamber of Commerce. Some
are up for re-election, while others are hoping to
serve their first three-year term that will begin
January 1, 2016. All candidates have expressed a
commitment to the business community and act as
the community’s eyes and ears.
TheThe Chamber of Commerce depends on
them to help the organization serve local businesses.
The Chamber Board consists of 15 elected directors
and 10 others who are appointed by the Nominating
Committee. Ballots will be mailed to all Key West
Chamber of Commerce members on August 1st and
must be returned to the Chamber offices by 5:00
p.m., August 18th. All members will be asked to vote
for five of the following 13 candidates introduced
below in alphabetical order.
Joyce W. Benavides has owned Cayo Hueso
Cottages for more than two decades. She has
been a proud member of the Chamber for
more than 24 years and has served on the
board for the past six years. Joyce serves on
the Golf Tournament Committee, and cochairs the Membership Committee. She also
donates her time and talents to several other
community-minded organizations, including
the Silverliners, Sunset Rotary, Key West
Woman’s Club, Salvation Army, Navy League,
Catholic Daughters of St. Mary’s Church, Old
Firehouse Museum and the Gator Club.
Raquel Crummitt is a district manager for
JSA Promos & Print, a division of Brown
& Bigelow that specializes in promotional
products, embroidery and screen printing. The
promotion to district manager allowed her
to expand her sales experience and expertise
into South Florida and Key West, where her
grandmother and uncle have lived for 38 years.
She has served on the Chamber board for the
past two years and is involved in several other
local organizations, including the Rotary Club
of Key West, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging
Association, Key West Attractions Association,
Key West Business Guild and the Lodging
Association of the Florida Keys & Key West.
Ron Day took the helm as general manager
of the Casa Marina and The Reach, both
Waldorf Astoria resorts, in December 2014.
Ron has 25 years of leadership experience in
hotel management in the United States and
Caribbean. He has managed resorts in Arizona,
Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Philadelphia and New
York. He has a bachelor’s degree from Florida
State University’s College of Business; School
of Hotel & Restaurant Administration. He is
an avid college football fan who also collects the
works of artist and musician Ronnie Wood.
Dr. Jonathan Gueverra is president and CEO
of Florida Keys Community College who has
been a member of the Key West Chamber of
Commerce for the past three years, serving on
its Economic Development Committee. He
holds an MBA and a doctorate in Education
from University of Massachusetts and has
received numerous leadership awards. He
also serves on the board of the American
Page 4
Association for Community Colleges, and he
chairs the Commission for Academic Student
and Community Development. Gueverra
has consulted for colleges and businesses in
areas related to planned change, program
development, evaluation and assessment.
Cara Higgins is an attorney and partner at
Horan, Wallace & Higgins who is dedicated
to protecting her clients, their businesses, and
the Key West business community. She was
elected to the Chamber Board in 2007 and to
the Executive Committee in 2009 and 2010.
Cara was Chamber President in 2011 and
serves on the Image Committee. Cara is also
on the board of directors for the Florida Keys
Aqueduct Authority and the Lower Florida
Keys Hospital District. She has also served
as a past president of the Monroe County
Bar Association, and was on the board of the
Montessori Children’s School and Key West
Montessori Charter School. Cara is a Take
Stock in Children mentor and a Key West
Rotary member.
Mark Rossi has been active in the business
community since 1984 when he opened the
Rick’s/ Durty Harry’s Entertainment Complex
on Duval Street. He has been the District 2 city
commissioner since 2005 and currently serves
as vice mayor. Mark also is the representative
for the city as the cruise ship and Fantasy Fest
liaison. Mark has been an active chamber
member since 1985 and is a current board
member. He serves on the Military Affairs
Committee, and is involved in the Key West
Rotary Club, Navy League, Sons of Italy, Elks
Club and the Historic Military Memorial.
Catherine Smiley is the director of sales at the
Doubletree by Hilton Grand Key Resort. She
has served on the Chamber’s board for the past
11 years and is active within the organization’s
Image Committee and Candidate Forum
Committee. “I value my Board membership,
as it allows me to actively participate in the
important contributions the Chamber makes to
our community,” Smiley said when announcing
her candidacy for another three-year term.
Lynne Tejeda has been general manager and
CEO of Keys Energy Services since 2005, and
has worked for the utility since 1989. She is
active in the Florida Municipal Power Agency
(FMPA), where she currently serves as secretary
of the board, and is vice chair of the Executive
Committee. She is also a past president of
the Florida Municipal Electric Association
(FMEA). Tejeda has served on the Chamber
board since 2006. She chairs the Image
Committee and is a member of the Chamber’s
Economic Development Committee.
Daniel P. Toppino is currently the assistant
secretary/office manager of Charley Toppino
& Sons, Inc., and has previously served in
several managerial capacities for Toppino’s,
Inc. in both Key West and Naples. He
has served on the Key West Chamber of
Commerce board since 1993, was treasurer
in 1994 and 1995, and second vice-president
in 1996. Toppino has either chaired or been a
member of numerous Chamber committees,
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
and he received the prestigious Hall of Fame
Award in 2009. Danny is presently a trustee
and former chairman of the Historic Florida
Keys Foundation and is a long time member
of the Key West Military Affairs Committee.
Through the Charley P. & Orsolina Toppino
Memorial Scholarship, he is a major sponsor
of the Chamber’s Honor Roll of 100
scholarship program.
Linda Hamlin Russin has been a member of
the Chamber since 2006 and has volunteered
with its Membership Committee since
2007, bringing several members into the
organization, “Because I believe if you
would like to market your company in Key
West, you should always market through the
Chamber.” Russin, whose background is in
public relations, is now seeking a seat on the
Chamber board. She and her husband have
owned a residence in Key West and Island
107.1 radio station since 1995. She is also
active with the Rotary Club of Key West,
which named her Rotarian of the Year in
2015, and with the Key West Business Guild
and the Key West Attractions Association.
Damian Vantriglia was born and raised
in Key West. In 2001 he became a partner
with National Campaign Supply and for the
past 14 years has provided strategic services
to public interest campaigns, such as tax
referenda and constitutional amendments.
He is a founding member of Hometown! PAC
and looks forward to serving the Chamber of
Commerce and the local business community.
As a partner and account executive with
Computer
Doctor,
Damian
executes
marketing & technology initiatives. His
community involvement includes a number
of organizations, including the advisory board
of Monroe Computes, MARC, Hospice/VNA
picnic committee, Bahama Village Music
Program and Reef Relief.
Joseph Walsh is a local restaurateur who
owns Caroline’s, Fogarty’s, Jack Flats, Redfish
Bluefish, Mangoes and TGI Friday’s. As
owner of Hayes Robertson Properties, Walsh
develops, owns, leases and manages residential
real estate in Key West. He is currently
developing an affordable housing project on
Big Coppitt Key and is a managing partner
of Waterfront Brewery at the Key West Bight.
He has been a Chamber board member since
2013, serving on its Homeless Committee and
FIRM Committee. Joe is an avid fisherman
and diver who is concerned about affordable
and workforce housing, as well as recruitment
and retention of talented people for the Key
West community.
Kim Works has been involved in Key West
media and advertising sales since her arrival in
the Florida Keys in 1985. She is currently an
on-air announcer and sales director for Pirate
Radio. Works has been a Chamber board
member since 1989 and was president of the
Chamber in 1996. She has also been involved
with the TDC District Advisory Council,
Leadership Monroe, Key West Sunrise Rotary
and the Red Barn Theatre.
August 2015
Support Our Local
Educators and Students Through
the Tom Sawyer 5 Star Program
Attendees at the July 1st and July 15th Elisa Levy’s Seminar on “Leadership, Management
and Inspiring Others” were taught how to communicate assertively, hold staff accountable for doing
their work, correct inappropriate behaviors, and to engage and inspire your people to do their best.
If you missed out, don’t worry we will have more seminars coming up in the future. We
would like to hear from you also, let us know the topics you would like to have presented. Stay
up to date with our daily Facebook status, our weekly newsletter- the Chamber Chatter and
our monthly newsletter- the Chamber Chowder. We are here to serve you.
Share You’re Event Information
he Key West Chamber of Commerce strives for comprehensive
coverage and promotion of Key West events that benefit our local
organizations, businesses, citizens and visitors; however, we can
only do this with your help!
We’d like to remind everyone that we do have an online calendar of
events that we are happy to add your organization events to. In addition, your
event would be listed in our weekly newsletter, The Chamber Chatter, and
our monthly newsletter, The Chamber Chowder, for all fellow members to
see. Best of all—your event listing is free! To submit an event, please contact
Emily at [email protected] with your event details.
T
Visit Dan for
FINANCING made easy!
Centennial Bank’s local loan expert DAN understands
the uniqueness of the islands, and he’s dedicated to
finding the perfect loan for you.
We offer FNMA, FHLMC, FHA,VA and non-traditional
loans. Conventional, Jumbo, FNMA, FHLMC, FHA and VA
Financing Available.
Dan Blagriff, LOAN ORIGINATOR • NMLS 675375
305-676-3146 • [email protected]
MY100BANK.COM
A Home BancShares Company (Nasdaq:HOMB)
Page 5
HOW MANY STARS WILL YOU
EARN FOR THE 2015/2016
SCHOOL YEAR?
Earn your First Star by donating to
the Teacher Recognition Program.
How to earn your Star:
A donation of 22 gifts from your
company with a minimum value of $25.00
each (for a total value of $550.00), or
a cash donation of $550.00. These are
combined into gift bags and are awarded
three times within the school year to a total
of 22 outstanding Key West teachers.
Gifts or cash donations should be made
to the Chamber before our October 28,
2015 General Membership Meeting.
For more information on how you can
donate to the Teacher Recognition Program
contact any member of our Education
Committee:
Teresa Axford, Monroe County School District
Ms. Kate Bauer-Jones, United
Way of the Florida Keys
Dr. Teri Beers-Rossi, Teri Beers-Rossi, MD, PA
Jennifer Barrios, Monroe County Schools
Shannon Burgess, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Kay Miller, First State Bank of the Florida Keys
Edward Perez, City of Key West
Brittany Snyder, Florida Keys Community College
Allison White, Monroe County
Teachers Federal Credit Union
Nicki L. Will, Ph.D., Lower Keys Medical Center
Virginia Panico, KW Chamber of Commerce
or Contact the Chamber offices at 305-294-2587
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
August 2015
Passenger arrivals to Key West
International Airport in June 2015 totaled
25,284. This is an increase of 1.7%
when compared to June of 2014.
Key West International Airport Arrivals
January 2010 - June 2015
50,000
AirTran service began 12/2009
Southwest service ends 06/07/14 and
Silver Airways assumes limited routes
45,000
Deplanements
40,000
35,000
Total pasenger arrivals for the first six
months of 2015 were 192,357. That is a
13.2% decrease over the same period in
2014. However, this is similar to the
arrivals seen before Southwest began
service. Our monthly arrivals closely
mirrored 2012 coming into June, and we
are only 2.9% behind the arrivals to date
in 2012.
Southwest acquired
AirTran 11/2012
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Source: Key West International Airport
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
A total of 35,358 cruise ship passengers
disembarked in Key West during June
2015. This was 27.8% lower than June
2014, which saw 48,950 passengers
disembark.
Key West Cruise Ship Passengers
January 2010 - June 2015
120,000
For the six months of 2015, cruise ship
arrivals saw 418,672 passengers
disembark from 184 port calls. While port
calls are down 4.7% so far for 2015,
passenger counts are down 8.6% over the
same period in 2014.
Passengers
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
The cruise ship schedule for August to
October 2015 compared to the same three
months in 2014 is shown below:
20,000
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
August
September
October
Source: City of Key West Port Operations
2010 Source:
2011
2012
2013
2014
Key West International Airport
2015
Bed Tax Collections in Dollars
2,500,000
Triangle Properties offline
for renovation 6/16/13
(519 Beds)
BP Oil Spill 4/20/10
2,000,000
4th Penny Tax
Implemented 6/1/09
1,500,000
According to Smith Travel, May 2015
occupancy was 86.6%, a 1.9 percentage
point decrease from the May 2014
occupancy rate of 88.5%.
1,000,000
500,000
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Source: Monroe County Tax Collector
2010
Page 6
2011
2012
2013
2014
Number of Ships
2014
2015
13
11
15
14
20
16
Reported Bed Tax Collections for Key
West were $1,564,583 for May 2015, an
increase of 4.3% compared to May
2014.
Key West Bed Tax Collections
January 2010 - May 2015
0
Losses from Air Tran & Cape Air have
largely been picked up by American &
Silver, with Delta & US Air contributing.
The Average Daily Rate (ADR) was
reported at $274.49 for May 2015, an
increase of 1.8% from the ADR of
$269.57 posted for May 2014. This ADR
of $274.49 is the highest recorded for the
month of May. This continues the record
of 64 months where the ADR has been
higher than the previous year. In fact, the
last 50 months are all-time records for
each month.
2015
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
August 2015
Chowder Trends Special Focus: Key West Property Tax (Part I )
Municipal Budget process is Underway with a 10.3177 Millage Proposal*
0.8%
Homestead Values Increase
Mosquito
Control
District
0.5019
5%
Total Property
Taxes
Down
$2.67
to $4,746.14
On a $460,000 Homestead valuation in Key West*
Water Mgt Districts
0.3551, 4%
Property values in Key West increased citywide by 7.5%
this year. A “Roll-Back” in property tax rates will be
necessary this year to avoid a tax increase on property
owners whose increases have not been capped.
Public Schools 3.5500
34%
In next month's Chamber Chowder we will discuss how
to review your "TRIM Notice" and provide more
information to help you participate in the public hearing
process. Public input is critical to the budget process.
Your local officials are elected to serve you; for them to
properly do that you must let your voice be
heard.
Remember that it's your money they’re
spending and the tax rates can be changed.
Proposed Millage Rates for Key West* The chart above shows the composition mix of your
property tax, as currently proposed.
The chart on the right, has a blue line connecting the
millage rates for the City of Key West's General Fund for
the Tax Roll Years of 2002 through 2015, compared with
property values for the same period. Declines in property
values does not automatically mean lower taxes, as the
red line shows connecting the amount of Ad Valorem
taxes levied during the period. Note that the tax bills
levied bear little relationship to property values. Ad
Valorem taxes are assessed based on what a government
thinks will be required to provide services that it believes
the residents want.
3.5000
18.0
3.0000
16.0
14.0
2.5000
12.0
2.0000
10.0
8.0
1.5000
6.0
1.0000
4.0
0.5000
2.0
0.0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Property Value
Ad valorem
0.0000
Millage Rate per $1,000 of Taxable Value
Property Value in Billions of Dollars
Ad Valorem taxes in Millions of Dollars
City of Key West
Property Values, Millage Rates, & Ad Valorem Taxes
Tax Roll Years 2002 through 2015*
20.0
City of Key West 2.9354
28%
Monroe County 2.9753
29%
One should be mindful that the millage rate is not the
final objective. The focus should be on how government
is spending your tax dollars, by attending budget meetings
and speaking out. Your Chamber of Commerce will be at
these meetings, keeping you informed.
Millage Rate
*2015 millage rates are proposed numbers, subject to change.
Didn't fill out a Citizen Survey?
call or email your Commissioner.... or tell them face to face
VOTE !
August
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
find budget information under Finance Department
MC| MonroeCounty‐FL.gov
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
MCSD| KeysSchools.com
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
FKMCD| KeysMosquito.org
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
FKAA| FKAA.com
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
KES| KeysEnergy.com
30
31
find budget information under Budget & Finance Department
find budget information under Finance Department call for budget information
find budget information under Reports
find budget information under Financial Information
from the About KEYS menu
Page 7
5:30p - FKMCD
Workshop
6:00p - MCSD
Workshop
10:00a - FKAA
Final Hearing
5:00p - KES
Workshop
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
Saturday
Legislative Calendar
KWCity| CityofKeyWest‐FL.gov
August 2015
The Key West Chamber of Commerce and
Waste Management
Present the 27th Annual
“Showcase of Key West Businesses”
Trade Show at the
Key West Marriott Beachside
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Open from 3:00p.m. to 5:00p.m., for the General Public,
and the members only Business After Hours continuing from
5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m.
Listen
forfor
ourthe
future
promotions
the
showon
onthe
theradio
radioand
and in print!
Listen
promotions
of of
the
show
print!
The Key West Chamber of Commerce offers you an opportunity to showcase your business during
the Business Trade Show at the Key West Marriott Beachside. Last year as in previous years this
highly successful show was sold out, with more than 400 people attending making it a fun day for all.
This year’s trade show hours will be 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a ½ hour break at 5:00 p.m. to
prepare for the members only Business After Hours sponsored by the Key West Marriott Beachside.
We encourage you to participate in this year’s trade show to display the products and information your
business offers. As an exhibitor you will receive maximum exposure from residents and members of
the business community who look forward to this show yearly. Don’t forget to provide giveaways as
an added attraction resulting in a greater marketing exposure for your business.
BOOTH SIZES AVAILABLE
Presented by:
Co-Sponsored by:
OMI/CH2M
Oversized Corner Booths:
Located in the four corners of the room,
ideal for oversized displays. The booth
space includes a six foot draped table.
$600.00
Standard Wall Booths:
Located along the perimeter of the room,
ideal for back drops and free standing
displays. The booth space includes a six
foot draped table, all displays cannot be
wider than six feet, and not to extend
beyond one foot from the wall. $475.00
Extended Wall Booths: A limited
number of wall spaces with extended
space on both sides are available.
*Please contact Chamber for details
and pricing.
Center Room Booths: located in the
inside of the room and ideal for table top
displays. $375.00.
For more information or to reserve
your booth contact:
Kerry Baker
305-294-2587
[email protected]
510 Greene Street, 1st Floor
Key West, FL 33040
Page 8
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
August 2015
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS | CHRISTMAS IN JULY “TOYS FOR TOTS” | WEDNESDAY, JULY 15TH, 2015
Co-Sponsored by: The Key West Chamber of Commerce,The Hard Rock Café, and Winn Dixie
Page 9
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
August 2015
Cruise Ship Schedule
August 2015
08/01 NO SHIPS
08/02 NO SHIPS
08/03 Carnival Freedom
08/04Ecstasy
08/05 NO SHIPS
08/06 Majesty of the Seas
08/07 NO SHIPS
08/08 NO SHIPS
08/09 NO SHIPS
08/10 Carnival Freedom
08/11Ecstasy
08/12 NO SHIPS
08/13 Majesty of the Seas
08/14 Carnival Victory
08/15 NO SHIPS
08/16 NO SHIPS
08/17 NO SHIPS
08/18Ecstasy
08/19 NO SHIPS
08/20 Majesty of the Seas
08/21 NO SHIPS
08/22 NO SHIPS
08/23 NO SHIPS
08/24 NO SHIPS
08/25 NO SHIPS
08/26 Majesty of the Seas
08/28 Carnival Victory
08/29 NO SHIPS
08/30 NO SHIPS
10:00am-6:00pm
7:30am-1:30pm
9:30am-6:00pm
10:00am-6:00pm
7:30am-1:30pm
9:30am-6:00pm
7:00am-2:00pm
7:30am-1:30pm
9:30am-6:00pm
9:30am-6:00pm
7:00am-2:00pm
August 2015
22nd Annual Battle
of the Bars,
www.schoonerwharf.
com 305-292-3302
8/6-9
Key West LobsterFest,
www.keywestlobsterfest.com
305-296-7170
8/13-16 Tropical Heat 305-292-3223
8/14-16 2nd Annual Mystery
Writer’s Key West
Fest michaelhaskins@
bellsouth.net & www.
mysterywriterskeywestfest.com
Page 10
The Key West Chamber of Commerce welcomed seven new members during its July
luncheon at the Marriott Beachside Hotel. From left, New member Julie Crane of
U.S. Health Advisors; Membership Co-Chair Joyce Benavides; new members Robert
Lockwood; Eugenia Simons of The Gates Hotel; Kristina Welburn of 211 Helpline
of the Keys; Tom Whitney of the Fairfield Inn & Suites; Zachary Branum of Florida
Keys Pressure Washing; Key West Chamber of Commerce President Nicki Will and
Membership Co-Chair Kim Works. Seacamp/New Harbor Marine Institute (not
pictured) also recently joined the chamber.
2-1-1 Helpline of the Keys
Community Calendar
8/2
Welcome New Members!
P.O. Box 2186
Key West, FL 33045
305-295-0136
www.switchboardmiami.org
Contact: Kristina Welburn
Non Profit Association
Fairfield Inn & Suites
The Keys Collection
3852 No. Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, FL 33040
305-320-0910
Contact: Thomas Whitney
Hotel
Florida Keys Pressure Washing
1216 B Gilmore Drive
Key West, FL 33040
305-407-5666
www.keyspressurewashing.com
Contact: Zachary Branum
Cleaning Exterior – Pressure Washing
The Gates
The Keys Collection
3824 No. Roosevelt Blvd.
Key West, FL 33040
305-320-0930
www.gateshotelkeywest.com
Contact: Eugenia Simons
Hotel
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
Robert Lockwood
18 Allamanda Terrace
Key West, FL 33040
305-791-0021
www.robertlockwood.org
Contact: Robert Lockwood
Associate Member
Sponsored by: Robin Lockwood, MD
Seacamp/New Harbor
Marine Institute
1300 Big Pine Avenue
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
305-872-2331
www.seacamp.org
Contact: Grace Upshaw
Not for Profit – Marine Science Camp
US Health Advisors
412 Caroline Street
Key West, FL 33040
305-797-6361
www.ushagent.com/JulieCrane
Contact: Julie Crane
Health Insurance Brokerage
August 2015
Sponsored
by:
Key West Tropical Forest
El Meson De Pepe – 410
& Botanical Garden - 5210 Wall Street, Mallory Square
10% off for locals
College Rd., Stock Island
Buy One, Get One Free
Hard Rock Café –
Admission. Children under 12 free.
313 Duval St.
Buy
One Drink. Get One
Ripley’s Believe It or
Free.
*
Of equal or lesser value
Not – 108 Duval St.
$2.00 off Admission to Ripley’s
Believe It or Not! Odditorium or
Promotion dates: Aug. 1-31, 2015 Ripley’s Haunted Lock-Down.
ACTIVITIES
BOATING
Audubon House &
Tropical Gardens –
205 Whitehead St.
Afternoon Delight –
230 Margaret St.
2 for 1 Adult Admission
Dolphin Research Center –
MM59, Overseas Hwy, Grassy
Key $3.00 off general admission
Ernest Hemingway
Home & Museum –
907 Whitehead St.
10% off of any $25 or
more purchase at the Ernest
Hemingway Home & Museum
Bookstore/Giftshop
Dolphin Research Center
– MM59, Overseas
Hwy, Grassy Key
$3.00 off general admission
Key West Butterfly and
Nature Conservatory
– 1316 Duval St.
½ price admission and 10%
off merchandise for locals.
Must have Local ID.
Key West Golf Club –
6450 W. College Rd.
Free Bucket of Range Balls
Key West Premier
Helicopters
– 3491 S. Roosevelt Blvd.
Take 15% off ANY Helicopter
Tour and receive FREE Shuttle
Service TO and FROM Airport!
Page 11
Mention this ad and get $75.00
discount! 305-296-0600
Charterboat Ramerezi
– 1801 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
$50.00 discount from
website published rates
Danger Charters – Westin
Marina, 305-304-7999
20% off when you book 2
separate excursions, 10% off
when you book one excursion.
Wedding Service: 20% off
the trip and the ceremony
Fury Water Adventures
– 237 Front St.
10% off any Fury Tour
Sea-Clusion Charter
Sport Fishing – 5950
Peninsula Ave., Slip 650
$50.00 off any charter when
you mention the Chamber
Sunset Watersports –
Book: 855-9SUNSET
10% off any Sunset
Watersports Tour
($6.75 value). One coupon
per person per visit.
Kelly’s Caribbean Bar &
Grill – 301 Whitehead St.
10% off food and liquor. Excludes
happy hour and other promotions
Margaritaville Cafe
– 500 Duval St.
10% off food, beverage, or retail.
Must present local ID for discount.
Marriott Beachside
Tavern-N-Town – 3841
N. Roosevelt Blvd.
For locals only, be seated by 6:30
pm and every entrée on the menu
is $19.95; good seven days a week.
Pier House Resort
– 1 Duval St.
15% off dinner (excludes alcohol)
and a complimentary piece of Key
Lime pie with the purchase of
two entrees. Local ID required.
Pinchers Crab Shack
– 712 Duval St.
Free Drink or Dessert
Rusty Anchor Seafood –
5501 5th Ave., Stock Island
10% off your order. Offer excludes
alcohol and cannot be used
with any other promotions.
Subway- 422 Eaton St.
Any Cold Cut Combo or Ham
Foot long Sub for $5.00
DINING
Croissants De France, Le
Bistro – 816 Duval St.
Free Key Lime Crepe or Mimosa
with purchase of entrée.
The Reach Resort
Spencer’s By The Sea –
1435 Simonton St.
For our valued Monroe County
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
residents, from 5:30pm-7:30pm
daily, enjoy one of our delicious
dinner entrees for only $24.95
LODGING
Avalon Bed & Breakfast
– 1317 Duval St.
Book a two or more night
stay Sun.-Thurs. receive a
complimentary bottle of wine.
Best Western Key
Ambassador – 3755
S. Roosevelt Blvd.
Stay 3 nights get 4th night
50% off rack price. Not valid
with any other discounts.
Cayo Hueso Resort –
509-515 United St.
10% off nightly rack rate
Crowne Plaza La Concha
– 430 Duval St.
$4.50 Appetizers and Drinks
during Happy Hour
Wine-O: 10% Off with Local
ID, Complimentary 2oz.
tastings from 12pm-4pm,
get your 12th Bottle Free
Duval Gardens –
1012 Duval St.
Stay two or more nights Sun. –
Thurs. or three nights over any
weekend and save 10% per night
Hyatt Key West601 Front St.
Locals receive 20% discount at
Shor Restaurant, Blue Mojito
Bar and Jala Spa with Valid ID.
Southernmost Point
Guesthouse – 1327
Duval St.
10% off nightly rack rate
Vacasa – www.vacasa.
com/usa/florida or
850-583-2899
August 2015
Book your stay within seven days
of arrival and save 25% off the
nightly rate on most properties.
RETAIL
Hog’s Breath Saloon
– 400 Front St.
15% off in-store purchases.
Some restrictions apply.
Islamorada Beer Company
Abaco Gold – 418 Front St.
– 82229 Overseas Hwy
15% off any purchase except Rolex
10% off Your Visit
Alan S. Maltz Gallery
– 1210 Duval St.
Key West Aloe
– 416 Greene St.
and 1075 Duval St.
Free $50 poster as well as 15%
off all limited edition prints
Diamonds International
– 129 Duval St.
Free Heart Necklace with
any purchase or/and Free
Tanzanite Slide & Omega
Necklace with any Tanzanite
Purchase. (Valued at $100.00)
Diva Designs
– 218 Whitehead St., #3
Buy One Salt Scrub, Get
another Salt Scrub ½ off!
Key West Handbags &
More – 531 Southard St.
10% off anything in the store
Kutchey’s Flowers
in Key West – 1223
White St., Suite 101
10% off any purchase
Monday’s 3pm-5:30pm 50% off all
fresh cut flowers. Cash & Carry.
Emeralds International
– 104 Duval St.
La Naturelle – 604
A Duval St.
10% locals discount on
purchase. Free cleaning and
inspection of your jewelry.
$25.00 off one ring sizing.
Fairvilla Mega Store
– 524 Front St.
15% off a purchase (does
not include sale items).
Fishbusterz
– 6406 Maloney Dr.
10% off all of Our fresh seafood
Hog, Black & Red
Grouper, Yellow, etc.
Florida Keys SPCA –
5230 College Rd.
“Name Your Own Price” on all
adoptions/fee for every animal for the
entire month of August. For locals
only, must show local id for discount.
Store Wide 30% Off
Naples Soap Company
– 128 Duval St.
20% off entire purchase at time
of sale. Code: KWCH2015
Ron Jon Surf Shop
– 503 Front St.
15% off purchase of $30 or
more, exclusions may apply
Small Dog Electronics
– 1001 Truman Ave.
Buy a new iPad with Applecare+
and get a free car charger
and lightning cable.
Tervis – 431 Front
St., Unit 3
Select Tumblers for $5.00
when you spend $50.00
SERVICES
A Simple Wedding –
1125 Angela St.
Receive a free DVD
slideshow with your wedding
package. A $75.00 value
15% off all accounting and
booking services; and bookkeeping
package starting at $99 a month
Boulevard Business Center
Just Shoot Me Photoz –
– 3706 N. Roosevelt
1107 Key Plaza, #328
Blvd. Suite i-208
15% Discount Photo’s Same Day
Key West Premier Virtual
Keys Federal Credit Union
Office Solution
– 3022 N. Roosevelt
$69/Month ($95 Value)
Blvd. – Key Plaza
0.25% off new auto,
Choice Storage Centers
boat
or personal loan rate
– 2600 N. Roosevelt Blvd
three months for the price of
two! 3rd month is FREE.
Firma IT Solutions
– www.firmaitss.com
& 305-302-4617
35% off on-site computer
services including retainers.
Regular Price $ 165/hr
Florida Keys KEYNOTER
– 3015 Overseas Hwy.
(restrictions may apply)
Pirate Radio – 951
Caroline St.
Summer Menu Guide $300 per month and they’ll
spotlight your restaurant on
air and online every day!
T.E.M. Environmental
& Mechanical Services
– 3210 Flagler Ave.
10% Discount for Chamber
Buy one get one free print retail Members on Duet Cleaning Service
advertising or digital ad (on
keysinfo.net) on regular rate card.
TRANSPORTATION
– 25% off regular rated/priced
classified display ad or line ad.
Key West Express –
Florida Keys Pressure
Washing – 1216 B
Gilmore Dr.
10% off all services
Flow Spa – 508
Southard St., #105
10% off all spa services
Four Star Rentals – 5216
US 1, MM 4.5, Stock Island
10% off all rentals
Island 107 – 1075
Duval St. #C17,
Buy one commercial, get two free,
must purchase from rate sheet.
Page 12
JRM Bookkeeping and
Accounting Services
– 3706 N. Roosevelt
Blvd., Suite I-208
Chamber Chowder ©
Vol. 18, No. 8
100 Grinnell St.
$50.00 off roundtrip full fare
for travel originating from
Key West. Must present valid
Key West driver’s license.
Cannot be combined with
other offers or online providers.
Reservations required.
Island Safari – 424
Greene St.
10% off Any Rental
Sunshine Scooters –
1910 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
10% off Bicycle, Scooter,
and Electric Car Rentals
August 2015
CHAMBER CHOWDER©
510 Greene Street ~ 1st Floor, Key West
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Nicki Will, President
Lower Keys Medical Center/294-9200
Greg Sullivan, Vice President
Waste Management/434-9140
Randy Moore, Treasurer
First State Bank/296-6231
Sam Holland/Secretary
The Conch House/293-0020
Robin Lockwood MD, Past President
Robin Lockwood, MD/296-2212
Melissa Kendrick, Appointee
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum/294-2633x24
Cara Higgins, Appointee
Horan, Wallace & Higgins, LLP/294-4585
Virginia A. Panico, Executive Vice President
Key West Chamber of Commerce/294-2587
CHAMBER STAFF
Virginia A. Panico
Executive Vice President
Steven Weed
Director of Research
www.keywestchamber.org
Key West Chamber Calendar of Events
August 2015
September 2015
Business After Hours
Date: Wednesday, August 5th
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Hosted by: Key West Woman’s
Club - Hellings House Museum
Location: 319 Duval Street
Members Only Networking Event
General Membership Meeting
Date: Wednesday, August 26th
Noon
Candidates Forum for
Key West City Commission
Moderator: Mr. Wayne Markham,
former publisher of The Keynoter
Location: Key West Marriott Beachside
Please RSVP to the Chamber
at 305-294-2587 or email:
[email protected]
Business After Hours
Date: Thursday, August 27th
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Hosted by: Spencer’s By The
Sea, The Reach Resort
Location: 1435 Simonton Street
Members Only Networking Event
26th Annual Key West
Chamber of Commerce
“Showcase of Key West Businesses”
Community and Business
Exposition Trade Show
Wednesday, September 16th
Location: Marriott Beachside
3841 North Roosevelt Blvd
Presented by: The Key West
Chamber of Commerce
Sponsored by: Waste Management, Inc.
Co-sponsored by: OMI/CH2M
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Open to the Public
Business After Hours
“Showcase of Key West Businesses”
Community and Business
Exposition Trade Show
Wednesday, September 16th
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by: Marriott Beachside
Members Only Networking Event
General Membership Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 28th
Noon
Speaker: TBA
Topic: TBA
Location: Key West Marriott Beachside
Please RSVP to the Chamber
at 305-294-2587 or
Via email: committees@
keywestchamber.org
Lesley Cuttler
Executive Assistant
Kerry Baker
Membership Director/Special
Events Coordinator
Gladys Clarks
Tourist Information Receptionist
Emily Brogdon, Nancy Caruthers
Office Assistants/Tourist
Information Operators
Virginia A. Panico
Newsletter Editor
Cindy Jefferson
Art Director
Page 13
Chamber Chowder
Vol. 18, No. 8
August 2015