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Tuesday Talking Points - May 6, 2008
• Read Exciting News and Events on our Member News Page
• See Okaloosa Regional Airport’s Low Fares at www.flyvps.com
• 30th Annual Destin Seafood Festival Returns to Harbor
• Applications Available for Destin Forward Class of 2009
• Reach More Than 1,850 Area Professionals Through Talking Points Sponsorship
• June Breakfast Focuses on Hurricane Preparedness
• Third Annual Workforce Summit on May 8-9
• Reach Young Professionals Through Sponsorships
• Schedule for Destin Business Forum
• Welcome, New Members
• Thank You to Renewing Members
• Upcoming Events
Hello, Chamber members!
Glimpse the future of Northwest Florida's economy at Friday's breakfast. The Chamber and sponsor Howard Group will host Al Wenstrand, President of Florida's Great Northwest, as he presents The Future of Northwest Florida's Economy. The breakfast will take place this Friday, May 9, at Destin United Methodist Church beginning at 7:15 a.m. Please click here to register. Registration is required.
Read Exciting News and Events on our Member News Page
Click here to read the latest news from Chamber members. Are you taking advantage of this free way to promote your business events, specials, and more?
See Okaloosa Regional Airport’s Low Fares at www.flyvps.com
The Okaloosa Regional Airport now has a watch dog on its website – an airfare watch dog. This added feature continuously searches the web for the lowest airfares from the Okaloosa Regional Airport to many destinations across the country. “The airlines regularly adjust their airfares throughout the day due to competition and often without advertising them. This feature allows you to see reduced fares to select destinations and dispels perceptions that other airports are always cheaper than VPS”, noted Airports Director, Greg Donovan.
Visit www.flyvps.com today to see your low airfare postings from the Okaloosa Regional Airport (ORA). ORA passengers are up over six percent for the year, compared to Pensacola which was up just over two percent, and March alone showed increases of over three percent.
Sponsorships Available
for 30th Annual Destin Seafood Festival
For its 30th anniversary, the Destin Seafood Festival is returning to the spot of its origin, the Destin harbor. Thank you to all who have already signed up to sponsor and volunteer. Sponsors include ResortQuest, Extended Stay America of Destin, Eglin Federal Credit Union, Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union, Flooring America of Destin & Crestview, Peoples First Community Bank, and Whitney Bank. Please click here to view available sponsorships.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary and return to a harbor-front location, the Destin Seafood Festival is issuing a call to artists for the 2008 Destin Seafood Festival Poster Contest. The theme of this year’s contest is ‘Back to the Harbor.’ Please click here for an application.
For more information about the festival or to volunteer, please contact Events Coordinator Risa Garner at (850) 837-2711 x2 or rgarner@destinchamber.com.
Applications Available for Destin Forward Class of 2009
As the inaugural class of Destin Forward looks toward graduation, the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce announces applications are now available for the next class, set to begin in September 2008. Up to 25 business professionals will be accepted into this community education and leadership program for a hands-on learning experience into the issues facing the Destin area on a day-to-day basis. Participants learn from community and business leaders and experts in fields ranging from the environment and boat safety to tourism promotion and government affairs.
Click here to download your application now!
Reach More Than 1,850 Area Professionals
Through Talking Points Sponsorship
Want to reach more than 1,850 Destin area business representatives for just $100 per week? We are now selling banner ad space at the top of each Tuesday Talking Points email. Space may be purchased in weekly or monthly increments. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Spies at (850) 837-2711 x5 or espies@DestinChamber.com.
June's Breakfast Focuses on Hurricane Preparedness
As June approaches, so does the start of hurricane season. While we hope that our region is spared again this year, we do want our members to be prepared. Our June breakfast, to be held Friday, June 13, will feature Destin City Deputy Manager John Paton, Destin Fire Control District Medical Division Chief Phil Metz, and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Greg Gaddis speaking and answering questions about the City of Destin Emergency Management Operations.
We do have one sponsorship spot remaining for this event. Each of our four sponsors will receive 2-3 minutes to speak, a table on which they may set up a display, and the opportunity to provide 250 words in our July Progress newsletter to tell Chamber members about products and services that will safeguard their businesses from a potential disaster. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Events Coordinator Risa Garner at (850) 837-2711 x2 or rgarner@DestinChamber.com.
Third Annual Workforce Summit on May 8-9
The Third Annual Workforce Summit will be held May 8-9, at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. Come and collaborate with fellow leaders from workforce development, business, education, economic development, and community-based organizations. The theme for the one and a half-day event is Economic Stimulus: Florida Style. Attendees will leave excited, energized, enthused, and equipped with the tools needed to be a part of Florida’s economic future. In addition to keynote speakers from legislative representatives and workforce leaders, the Workforce Summit will feature Audience Interaction and Electronic Polling. The 2008 Winners of the “Best Places to Work” will be announced at the Breakfast of Champions on day two of the event, Friday, May 9. Registration, agenda and schedule information is available online at www.JobsPlusOneStop.com. Registration for the 1 ½ day event is $100 per person, which includes breakfast and lunch. The Workforce Summit is jointly sponsored by Florida’s Great Northwest and the CHOICE Secondary Banner Center. The local chambers of commerce of Okaloosa and Walton counties and the economic development councils of Okaloosa and Walton counties have also partnered with the Workforce Board in this third annual event. Click here to register. For additional information call (850) 651-2315.
Reach Young Professionals Through Sponsorships
Emerald Coast Emerging Leaders (ECEL) is seeking sponsorships for its remaining 2008 events, which include lunches and after hours. This is an outstanding opportunity to reach the area's emerging leaders with your products and services. For more information, please contact Risa Garner at (850) 837-2711 x2 or rgarner@DestinChamber.com.
Schedule for Destin Business Forum
Destin Business Forum, the Chamber’s TV show on Cox Channel 6, features Prominence, FL; ResortQuest; and Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, this month. It will be aired Wednesday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. Tune in to learn more about your fellow Chamber members.
Welcome, New Members
We would like to welcome the following new members to the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce:
Hampton Ruff N Tuff Electric Vehicles
14091-G Emerald Coast Pkwy.
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 244-8600
Category: Electric Vehicles
Chamber Rep: Mark Kiene
MDM Concessions LLC
9903 Huntsman Path
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850) 476-5870
Category: Catering Sales & Service
Chamber Rep: Mike DeBrabant
Thank You to Renewing Members
We would like to thank our renewing members for their continued support in building a world-class community one business at a time:
AT&T Real Yellow Pages
Boomer Aviation
Club Destin Resort
Emerald Coast Scuba
Glass Bottom Boat
Healthy Start Coalition of Okaloosa-Walton Counties
Hog's Breath Cafe
Life Options Institute
McNeese Law Firm
O'Charley's #325
Okaloosa Arts Alliance
Payne Chiropractic Life Center
Sandcastle Designs, Inc.
Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise
White Sand Vacation Rentals
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, May 6
Ribbon Cutting for P.F. Chang's China Bistro
4 p.m.
Location: 640 Grand Blvd.
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=558
Wednesday, May 7
Ribbon Cutting for Motel 6
4 p.m.
Location: 405-A Harbor Blvd.
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=535
Thursday, May 8
Ribbon Cutting for G & L Marble, Inc.
4 p.m.
Location: 217 Serenoa Rd. in Santa Rosa Beach
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=546
Friday, May 9
Business to Business Breakfast
sponsored by Howard Group
7:15 a.m.
Location: Destin United Methodist Church
Follow this link for more information and to register:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=477
Tuesday, May 13
Ribbon Cutting for Bit Wizards Custom Software Solutions
4 p.m.
Location: 189 N.E. Eglin Pkwy. Ste. 201 in Fort Walton Beach
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=554
Wednesday, May 14
Ribbon Cutting for Pelican Real Estate
4 p.m.
Location: 4141 Indian Trail
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=551
Wednesday, May 14
ECEL Birthday BASH and Emerging Leader of the Year Award
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: Fisherman's Wharf
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=483
Thursday, May 22
Ribbon Cutting for Gulf Coast Shutter
3:30 p.m.
Location: 12889 E Emerald Coast Parkway Ste. 111A
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=550
Thursday, May 22
Business After Hours
sponsored by The Twisted Palm
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: 14051 Emerald Coast Pkwy.
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=476
Tuesday, May 27
Ribbon Cutting for Destin's Premier Martial Arts
4:30 p.m.
Location: 501 Harbor Blvd. Ste. F/G
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=559
Wednesday, May 28
Ribbon Cutting for Bonnie's Pawsitively Pampered Petsitting
4 p.m.
Location: Destin Area Chamber of Commerce
Follow this link for more information:
http://destinflcoc.weblinkconnect.com/CWT/External/WCPages/
WCEvents/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=555
If you have a question about anything mentioned here, please call Wendy at our front desk at 837-6241.
Have a wonderful and prosperous week,
Shane |
