Chamber Connection - Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce

Page 6
Chamber Connection
March 2009
Celebrate Opening Night!
Largo Chamber Ballpark Bash
at Clearwater Threshers
Thursday, April 9
Bright House Networks Field
601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater
Chamber President Tom Morrissette, Peri Craven of Moss
Feaster Funeral Homes, Phinley, Christina Rohloff of Art Attack
and High Velocity Entertainment, George Glover of Bay Star
Hotel Group and Kim Feaster cheer on the Threshers at the 2008
event.
6:00 pm - Party begins at the Hot Corner Cafe
7:00 pm - Threshers VS Dunedin Blue Jays
Admission - $16 includes game and
all-you-can-eat at the Hot Corner Cafe
Be part of Opening Night baseball excitement! The annual “Largo Chamber Ballpark Bash” will take place on Thursday, April 9 - the Opening Night of the Clearwater Threshers season - beginning at 6:00 pm at Bright House Networks
Field, 601 Old Coachman Road, Clearwater.
It will be held at the park’s Hot Corner Cafe and feature a game between the Threshers and Dunedin Blue Jays. Tickets
cost $16 a person which includes the Hot Corner Cafe’s all-you-can-eat menu featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, peanuts, chips, ice cream sandwiches, soft drinks, bottled water and $2 draft beers.
The event will also feature exhibits by Chamber-member civic and non-profit organizations promoting their programs
and services as part of the “Quality of Life Showcase.” To purchase tickets, please look for the yellow insert in this
edition of Chamber Connection or visit our Downtown Largo office at 151 3rd Street NW.
Chairman’s Report, Continuued ...
Other opportunities in February included the Member Benefits Clinic, several Ribbon-Cuttings (yes - NEW Business
Openings!) and so much more. Too busy to participate? Post the calendar on the back page of this newsletter - members of
your organizataion are welcome at events too!
And don’t forget to give your business great exposure at this month’s Annual Logo Luncheon and treat yourself to a
networking happy hour at DeLosa’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant for Business After Hours. Bring lots of business cards as
more than 100 businesses were represented at each of these events last month. Also, gear up for the Tallahassee Mission in
April for a chance to get face-to-face with your elected officials and get an update on where the state’s headed.
Speaking of “where we are headed,” members of your Chamber’s leadership attended a Florida Chamber Forum
presented by key leaders from several industries. All serve regional organizations focused on future gorwth and positioning
our region to both prepare for challenges and maximize opportunities. Look to us for information about Fast Forward
Florida and similar initiatives in the days and months ahead.
Rest assured, your Chamber is working hard to provide the resources you need to thrive now and in the future. Your job
is to make certain to use your membership to its very fullest. If we can help, let us know!
Chamber Connection
Page 7
March 2009
Success on the Agenda at
Chamber Workshops
Your Chamber filled the month of February with workshops that help Chamber members thrive in the real world,
build customer loyalty and make the most of Chamber membership. Special thanks to Largo Medical Center for hosting
the HYPE Pinellas “Making It in the Real World” workshop
and to The Columns at East Bay for hosting the Chamber
Benefits Clinic.
City of Largo Human Resources Director Susan Sinz shares
important information on conducting successful interviews
and creating/deciphering job descriptions at the “Making It in
the Real World” workshop.
Barbara Dandro of B.J. Dandro, MBA & Associates, talking
about personal strengths at the HYPE Pinellas Workshop in the
above photo, also led an interactive Chamber seminar on
“Building Customer Loyalty.” Above Right: Adam Luther of The
Columns at East Bay welcomes Laverne Welch of Sonnenberg
Insurance to the Chamber Benefits Clinic.
Members Making News
Congratulations to Publix Super Markets for ranking number 6 and Ace Hardware for ranking number 10 as
national Customer Service Champs in this year’s Business
Week survey. This is the third year the publication has
presented its listing of top customer service companies. The
results were based on customer data collected by Business
Week’s Market Advisory Board and J.D. Powers & Associates. The full list of this year’s Customer Service Champs
can be found in the March 2 issue of Business Week or at the
publication’s website at http://images.businessweek.com.
Information
Technology
Collaborative
Industry Forum,March 19
WorkNet Pinellas has partnered with PTEC, St. Petersburg College, the Pinellas Education Foundation and
Pinellas County Economic Development to present an
information technology industry forum that will focus on
current and emerging workforce needs. The forum will
focus on current and future staffing needs and offer
businesses an opportunity to be heard by educators
regarding curriculum development and class offerings.
Date: March 19, 2009
Time: 11:30 - 12:30 pm (lunch provided)
Place: EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. N.
Clearwater, FL 33760
Contact Kristin Dailey at (727) 507-4300, ext. 3004 or
[email protected] to secure your reservation.
Help Shape the Future of
Public Transit in Pinellas County
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is
Pinellas County’s public transportation provider, and
they’re looking to double ridership over the next 10
years. In order to do so, they need your input. As a
member of the business community your insights would
be a very valuable addition to PSTA’s Transit Advisory
Committee.
This mixed group of interested citizens and riders
meets monthly and provides input into the transit planning process and the day-to-day operation of the Authority. This year, the Committee’s work plans include assisting staff with evaluating options for service increases.
Monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday of each
month at PSTA Headquarters, 3201 Scherer Drive, St.
Petersburg, FL. If you have time to dedicate to this
worthwhile cause, please contact Donna Crosson in
PSTA’s Planning Department at (727) 540-1801.
AXA Advisors has announced that Dean J. Rosko,
CLU, ChFC, has been awarded its highest honor, The
Hall of Fame Medal, for qualifying 10 times in the
National Leaders Corps during a distinguished career in
the financial services field. AXA-Advisors/Dean J.
Rosko and Associates is located at 304 S. Belcher, Suite
B, Clearwater, 596-1805.
Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce
151 3rd Street NW
Largo, Florida 33770
727.584.2321
www.largochamber.org
Chamber
Connection
Upcoming Chamber Meetings & Events
* Thursday, March 5
8:00 - 9:00 am
Coffee An’Networking - Beef O’Brady’s, 841 West Bay
Friday, March 6
8:00 - 9:00 am
Business/Education Partnership - Chamber Board Room
Monday, March 9
1:30 - 2:30 pm
Women In Business Council Meeting - Chamber Board Room
Tuesday, March10
7:30 am
Executive Committee - Chamber Board Room
* Tuesday, March 10
11:45am - 1:15 pm
Chamber Business Logo Luncheon - East Bay Country Club
702 Country Club Drive
* Thursday, March 12
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Joint HYPE & Business After Hours Event
at DeLosa’s Pizzeria, 2535 East Bay Drive
Tuesday, March 17
8:00 am
Ambassadors - Chamber Board Room
Wednesday, March 18
8:00 am
Economic/Small Business Dev. - Chamber Board Room
Thursday, March 19
8:00 am
HYPE Steering Committee - Chamber Board Room
Tuesday, March 24
7:30 am
Board of Directors - Chamber Board Room
* Thursday, April 2
8:00 - 9:00 am
Coffee An’Networking - Beef O’Brady’s, 841 West Bay Drive
* Thursday, April 9
6:00 pm
5th Annual Chamber Ballpark Bash - Threshers Opening Night!
Bright House Networks Field, 601 N. Coachman Rd.
*-
Don’t miss these Chamber events!
Reach over 550 Business People:
• Newsletter Inserts - $100 with required
600 copies of 8 1/2 X 11 flyers
• Newsletter ad this size and location - $200
• Web Site ads through event sponsorships
Chamber Bucks can be used to purchase up
to 50% of advertising costs.
Call (727) 584-2321 for more information.
Steve’s Windows & Doors will give
all Chamber members 5% off on
vynyl products, impact and nonimpact windows and sliding glass
doors with this ad!
Lee Gleaton of Steve’s Windows &
Doors won this ad ($200 value) at a
recent Coffee An’Networking. The
next Coffee An’Networking’s are
March 5 and April 2 at Beef
O’Brady’s West Bay, 841 West Bay
Dr.
To reserve this ad space for a future
issue at $200 , contact Cindy Paquin
at
[email protected] or
584-2321.