MINDING YOUR BUSINESS - tampabaychamber.com · OUR MISSION To serve our members and enhance our community by building business success. OUR MANTRA Minding your business through valuable

2014ANNUAL REPORT

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS

2 2014 GREATER TAMPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL REPORT

Thank you for your continued investment in the long-term success of

Tampa Bay’s business community. Our membership comes from

diverse economic backgrounds – small businesses, international corporations,

entrepreneurs, executive management, government leadership and the

military. Together, we become a unified front with the power to create a new

level of economic prosperity for Tampa Bay.

The Chamber is a not-for-profit, membership organization that helps promote

the businesses and business interests of our members. We work to help your

company grow, become better connected throughout the community and

bring visibility to your organization.

The Chamber remains the most effective and efficient way to connect with

peers, possible partners and potential customers in the Bay area. Programming

such as Competitive Edge Series, Emerge Tampa Bay and Leadership Tampa

help to build valuable business and leadership development skills. Sold-

out events such as our Military Appreciation Banquet, Women of Influence

Luncheon and Small Business of the Year Awards offer unparalleled

networking opportunities. Innovative initiatives such as our Startup Scholars

and Education Connection program continue to keep the Chamber on the

forefront of growth and change in our community. Our advocacy on behalf of

the business community is unmatched by any other organization.

Be sure to visit www.tampachamber.com for accurate and up-to-date

information on all Chamber events, programs and policy positions. It is

our pleasure to serve you as our valued member, and we appreciate your

continued commitment to the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

Bob Rohrlack, CCEPresident & CEO

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

“

OUR MISSION

To serve our members and enhance our community by building

business success.

OUR MANTRA

Minding your business through valuable connections, enriching events,

leadership development and business advocacy.

OVERVIEW

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce began as the Tampa Board

of Trade in 1885 and was reorganized in 1928 to become the Tampa

Chamber of Commerce. We were formed to advance the general

business conditions of this area, backed by the support of a growing

agricultural and industrial industry base that would branch out to

become one of the most diverse economies in the nation. Through

our strong volunteer leadership and unique partnership with the cities,

county and our own members, the Chamber has had an enormous

impact on the Tampa business community for more than 125 years.

CORE VALUES

Diversity — We will create an environment where diversity is

cherished, placing great value on differing perspectives while

embracing and celebrating differences.

Integrity — We will operate honestly and ethically, doing the right

thing even when no one is watching.

Visionary — We will be proactive leaders in implementing the Mission

and Vision of our organization.

Innovative — We will use a member focus to anticipate emerging

needs, identify trends and establish expectations, using those

expectations to continuously measure and improve our performance.

Teamwork — We will work together as an integrated team,

accountable for our actions and objectives and focused on creating

organizational excellence and celebrating successes with our partners.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3

ABOUT THE CHAMBER4 Executive Committee

5 Chamber Leadership

6 Membership

7 Finance & Administration

8 Event Programming

10 Business Advocacy

11 Military Support

12 Leadership Programs

13 Marketing & Communications

14 International

15 Innovation Leadership

The Chamber was recognized as the “2013 Chamber of the Year” by the Florida

Association of Chamber Professionals

The Chamber is a 4-star Accredited Chamber, a designation held only by the top 2% of all

Chambers across the U.S.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIR Robin DeLaVergne

Tampa General Hospital*

CHAIR-ELECT Ronald A. Christaldi, Esq.

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP*

TREASURER Joseph Meterchick

PNC Bank*

FINANCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION LEADERSHIP

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MILITARY COUNCIL

PROGRAMS PUBLIC POLICY LEGAL COUNSEL SECRETARY

Thomas FeindtGrow Financial

Federal Credit Union *

Corey NeilThe Bank of Tampa*

Mark HouseThe Beck Group

Bemetra Simmons BB&T*

Doug PaceBayshore Solutions

Susan StackhouseStellar Partners, Inc.*

Bill CarlsonTucker/Hall, Inc.

Bruce FaulmannTampa Bay Times*

Mike GriffinVertical Integration, Inc.

Guy King, IIIM.E. Wilson Co., Inc.

Jon BaylessPinnacle Holdings

Brian MurphyReliaQuest, LLC

Stephanie AglianoAgliano Utility

Solutions

Jamie HardenCreative Sign Designs

Sandra W. Callahan TECO Energy, Inc.*

Lee NelsonShutts & Bowen, LLP*

Steven Bernstein, Esq.Fisher & Phillips, LLP

Bob RohrlackGreater Tampa

Chamber of Commerce

WWW.TAMPACHAMBER.COM 5

CHAMBER LEADERSHIPBOARD OF DIRECTORS

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Anne Adams, B-AG Contract

Andy Alford, WFLA-TV*

Peter Anderson, Vology, Inc.

Mark Andrzejewski, Laser Spine Institute*

Patrick Baskette, EFP Now

Beth Bernitt, Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc.

Neil Bosland, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)*

Wendy Bowman, Florida Blue*

Stuart Brown, Accenture*

Evan Brownstein, Well Strategics

Brian Burns, The Tampa Tribune*

Chris Butler, Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc.

John Byczek, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Hugh Campbell, AC4S

Vince Cassidy, Majesty Title Services, Inc.

Ginger Clark, Ph.D., Hillsborough Community College*

Robert Clark, Tampa Steel Erecting Co.

Karin Coleman, HCI Group, Inc.*

Joseph Conrod Sr., All Children’s Hospital*

Juan Davis, Fast Lane Clothing Company

Julius Davis, VoltAir Consulting Engineers

Jim Dean, Busch Gardens/Adventure Island*

Kimberlee DeBosier, Bayside Engineering, Inc.

Scott DeThomas, GTE Financial*

Carlos del Castillo, Bright House Networks, LLC*

Doug Dieck, Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Peter Diniaco, Aetna*

Lee Evans, Bristol-Myers Squibb*

Preston Farrior, Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc.

Maryann Ferenc, Mise en Place, Inc.

Doug Fisher, Empire Office*

Ryan Freking, Cassidy Turley

Ralph Garcia, Warren Averett Pender Newkirk

Richarg Ghent, Mosaic*

Bill Goede, Bank of America*

Steve Griggs, Tampa Bay Lightning*

Marilyn Healy, Adams and Reese LLP*

Tom Henderson, Hill Ward Henderson

Greg Hoerbelt, Regions Bank*

Dan Howat, JP Morgan Chase*

Robert Hoyland, USAA*

Mariela Hurst, SunTrust Banks, Inc.*

Mickey Jacob, BDG Architects

Lauren Key, Florida Hospital*

Arthur Kirk, Ph.D., Saint Leo University*

Cheryl Kleiman, Peak 10

Rob Ledford, Baker Barrios*

Jeffrey Leitman, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.*

Edgel Lester, Esq., Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, P.A.*

John Long, University of South Florida*

Joseph W. Lopano, Tampa International Airport*

Orlando Lopez-Isa, Gresham, Smith & Partners

Debbie Lundberg, Presenting Powerfully by Debbie Lundberg

Lorraine Lutton, St. Joseph’s Hospital*

Mark MacMillan, Proshred

Drew Marshall, CI Group

Andy Mayts, Gray Robinson*

Page McKee, DPR/Hardin*

Greg Morton, Citi*

Jeff Mount, Wright’s Gourmet House

Rick Nafe, Tampa Bay Rays*

Christal O’Donoghue, Verizon Wireless*

Chris Pietruszkiewicz, Stetson University College of Law

Scott Riley, Fintech*

Alba Rodriguez, Skanska Building USA, Inc.

Hala A. Sandridge, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney*

Amy Saxon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers*

Renee Scott, State Farm Insurance

Deborah Sheridan, Pilot Bank

Kevin Shukur, BBVA Compass Bank

Kareem Spratling, Bryant Miller Olive P.A.

Chase Stockon, Panther International, LLC

Thom Stork, The Florida Aquarium

Roger Swinford, Calhoun International

Yvette Tremonti, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer & ResearchInstitute, Inc.*

Ed Turanchik, Akerman LLP

Christine Turner, ChappellRoberts

Renée Vaughn, The University of Tampa*

Gary Vien, Suncoast Credit Union*

Joe Waggoner, Tampa Hillsborough ExpresswayAuthority*

Ronald Weaver, Stearns Weaver Miller WeisslerAlhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.

Jim Weiss, Fifth Third Bank*

Enrique Woodroffe, Woodroffe Corporation Architects

Brian Zophin, Crowe Horwath, LLP

John Zettel, AVI-SPL*

Ron Barton, Hillsborough County Economic Development

Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa

Christine Burdick, Tampa Downtown Partnership

Santiago Corrada, Visit Tampa Bay

MaryEllen Elia, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Rick Homans, Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp.

Stuart Rogel, Tampa Bay Partnership

Ron Rotella, The Westshore Alliance

LEADERSHIP TAMPA ALUMNI CHAIR Troy Atlas, Raymond James

LEADERSHIP TAMPA CHAIRJim Porter, Adams and Reese LLP*

EMERGE TAMPA BAY CHAIRBrian Seel, The Beck Group

MILITARY ADVISOR TO THE BOARDCol. Daniel Tulley, MacDill Air Force Base

2013 Gregory Celestan, Celestar Corporation

2012 Chuck Black, Black & Black Consulting Services

2010-11 Chuck Sykes, Sykes Enterprises Incorporated*

2009 Henry Gonzalez, III, Platinum Bank

2008 Judy Genshaft, Ph.D., University of South Florida*

2007 Fredrick H.L. McClure, Esq., DLA Piper US LLP

2006 Jose Valiente2005 C. Samuel Ellison, EWI Construction, LLC

2004 John Ramil, TECO Energy, Inc.*

2002 A.D. Sandy MacKinnon, MacKinnon Equipment & Services

2001 Bob Martinez, Holland & Knight

1999 Rhea Law, Esq., Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC*

1998 Richard Dobkin 1995 Joe House1993 Gay Culverhouse1992 James Ferman, Ferman Motor Car Company, Inc

1990-91 James Apthorp1989-90 William Starkey1988-89 Stella Thayer, Esq., MacFarlane Ferguson & McMullen

1987-88 James Urbanski1985-86 Mandell Shimberg, Shimberg-Cross Co.

1984-85 G. Robert Blanchard1983-84 T. Terrell Sessums

PAST CHAIRS

*PARTNER MEMBER


MEMBERSHIP

PARTNER LEVEL MEMBERS

Chamber membership has grown with year-round recruitment resulting in the addition of 212 new

members. Furthermore, 32 existing members committed to a higher level of participation and

increased their membership level. Overall, the Chamber experienced year-over-year membership

sales growth of 19%

Retention remains at an all-time high at 91% as members continue to find value in the networking,

programming and educational opportunities offered.

Program attendance steadily increased with the Chamber hosting over 14,400 members in 2014.

The eView electronic newsletter is a proven effective and strategic avenue for communication with

our members and potential members about events, member information and community news for

enhanced engagement.

The Ambassadors are a key component of the retention process acting as an extension

of the Chamber staff. Ambassadors are responsible for several programs designed to

engage members and help guide them through a successful Chamber experience.

Anniversary recognition for 1st and 5th year members, along with ribbon-cuttings placed

our Ambassadors in face-to-face contact with 255 member companies. Additionally,

Ambassadors proactively called over 600 members as part of the overall retention

strategy.

The Ambassador mentor program has shown great results partnering with new members and assisting with engagement

activities in the first few months of membership.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS

AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS

RETENTION

91%

(As of December 31, 2014)


COMBINED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

HIGHLIGHTS

HUMAN RESOURCES Added two full-time staff members

for Government Relations & Programs, and one paid part-time internship to support strategic initiatives

Continued use of individual strategy maps to ensure employee performance is goal-driven and focused on board approved organizational outcomes

Annual staff planning retreat at MacDill Air Force Base

Provided paid time off for staff to volunteer at local charitable organizations

ADMINISTRATION & GOVERNANCE Successfully completed all goals

outlined in the first year of a three-year strategic plan

Successfully converted to a new database solution, creating a better user experience for members and greater staff efficiency

Continued to reduce operating costs by elevating organizational needs utilizing RFPs and doing business with member companies


EVENT PROGRAMMING

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce annually hosts more than 150 events and programs designed to meet the

varied needs of our diverse membership. These events provide members with the opportunity to build business networks,

learn from respected industry professionals and gain insight into pertinent issues affecting Tampa’s future. The Chamber

continues to focus on quality programming with attendance numbers tracking positively year over year.

MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

Over the course of three days, nearly 90 Tampa Bay business

leaders traveled to “Steel City” to meet with Pittsburgh’s city

leadership and Allegheny Conference representatives. Topics

discussed included riverfront development, public transportation

and innovation. Attendees also explored Pittsburgh’s iconic

treasures with tours of the Andy Warhol Museum, PNC Park, the

city’s cultural district and the Just Ducky land and sea tour through

downtown and the Three Rivers.

BENCHMARKING TRIP

YTD COMPARISON 2012 - 2014 EVENT TOTALS


SIGNATURE EVENTSMILITARY APPRECIATION BANQUETWith the strong military presence in Tampa Bay, the annual Military Appreciation Banquet has become one of the most celebrated events of the Chamber’s yearly calendar. The Chamber honored our community’s military personnel at the 2014 Military Appreciation Banquet with more than 400 people in attendance, including leadership from all five service branches. Awards were presented to local servicemen and women for their volunteer contributions throughout the community. Vice Admiral Mark Fox, Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command gave an inspirational speech on the relationship between Tampa’s business community and our servicemen and women

stationed throughout the area.

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE LUNCHEONIn April, a sold-out crowd of 900 people attended our annual luncheon, designed to celebrate and foster success among female business professionals in the Tampa Bay Region. Barbara Pierce Bush gave the keynote address about her work with Global Health Corps, a nonprofit organization she founded with a team of six twenty-somethings who met through a summit focused on engaging young people in the future of global health. Former First Lady Barbara Bush joined the discussion via live video chat from her Texas home. Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor was selected as the

recipient of the 2014 Dottie Berger MacKinnon Woman of Influence Award.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDSMore than 600 attendees celebrated the accomplishments of Tampa Bay’s small business community and toasted the evening’s winners at the 34th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards. Awards were presented in three categories based on the number of employees and a fourth business category honoring a startup company. Companies are evaluated on financial success, community involvement and ethical business practices. An award was also presented to the Outstanding Small Business Leader of the Year. AWARD WINNERS: Outstanding Leader: Dr. Madelyn Butler, The Woman’s Group Startup Company: Shooters World | 5 – 20 Employees: Nitro Mobile Solutions21 – 50 Employees: ReliaQuest, LLC | 51 – 250 Employees: Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company

ANNUAL MEETINGMore than 750 attendees came together to celebrate the Chamber’s 2014 achievements. Outgoing Chamber Chair Robin DeLaVergne passed the gavel to 2015 Chair Ronald A. Christaldi, Esq. Christaldi offered a preview of the Chamber’s priorities in 2015. The Chamber also presented the 2014 H.L. Culbreath Jr. Profile in Leadership Award to Dick Beard and announced its 2015 class of Startup Scholars.


BUSINESS ADVOCACY

In January, the Chamber hosted Governor Rick Scott’s visit with over 50 local business leaders, covering topics such as transportation, Medicaid expansion and flood insurance. Gov. Scott’s visit coincided with the release of the Chamber’s 2014 State Legislative Agenda.

A group of Chamber members traveled on a people-to-people license to Cuba for the Chamber’s second trip to the island nation just 90 miles from Florida.

The Chamber advocated for extending healthcare coverage to working, uninsured Floridians through the use of available federal funds which would stabilize healthcare costs and help Florida businesses avoid penalties if they are unable to provide healthcare insurance to their employees.

The Chamber joined other area chambers of commerce to successfully oppose House Bill 1151 and Senate Bill 1648 which would make public the records of each chamber of commerce, economic development organization and any other organization that has public agencies of any kind that are members.

The Chamber joined fifty of the country’s largest metropolitan regional chambers of commerce in a letter urging Congress to address the impending insolvency of the Federal Highway Trust Fund.

Members and representatives of the Chamber’s Board of Directors met with White House policy staff and cabinet department policy staff in Washington, D.C. The Chamber was one of 15 chambers nationwide invited to brief the White House Office of Public Engagement on issues that affect local business. It was the second of two trips the Chamber took to Washington in 2014.

The Chamber completed a survey of more than 2,500 people on transportation issues and found that respondents seek an improved transportation system with more services and better technologies. The survey was one of the tasks of the newly-formed Transportation Committee at the Chamber, which also advocated for improved transportation in Hillsborough County. The Transportation Committee hosted U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in September.

The Chamber supported the concept of high speed ferry service in Tampa Bay to provide a transportation alternative to MacDill Air Force Base personnel and for collaboration between Tampa and St. Petersburg.

HIGHLIGHTS

U.S. Interest Section, Havana, Cuba

White House Economic Briefing, Washington, D.C.


MILITARY SUPPORT

CHAMBER MEMBERS RALLY TO SUPPORT TAMPA BAY AIR FESTMembers of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Military Council raised more than $250,000 in community support of the 2014 Tampa Bay Air Fest at MacDill Air Force Base. The two-day event returned to MacDill after federal sequestration forced the cancellation of prior Air Fests. This was only the second time the Air Force was able to stage an air show with support from private fundraising. MacDill Air Force Base was presented with the Air Force Thunderbirds Award for “Best Military Show Site.”.

CHAMBER OF VALORThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation named the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce a three-star Chamber of Valor in 2014, the highest honor given to business organizations that support transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses seeking meaningful employment. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce also supported the U.S. Chamber’s Hiring Our Heroes job fair, which is an annual effort by the U.S. Chamber to connect employers with service members, veterans and military spouses.

MILITARY APPRECIATION BANQUETMore than 400 people, almost half of them military veterans and active duty service members, attended the Chamber’s 16th Annual Military Appreciation Banquet. Awards were presented to commissioned and non-commissioned officers in each branch of the military, plus ROTC cadets from the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.

OPERATION PARTNERSHIPThirty Chamber members contributed to our efforts to strengthen ties between Tampa’s military and civilian communities by spending a morning with transitioning service members for Operation Partnership. Service members paired up with local business executives to learn about civilian employment and how their unique skills from military service can be applied in the civilian workforce.

SENIOR ENLISTED RECEPTIONThe Chamber provided an excellent opportunity for members of the Tampa Bay business community to personally thank our local service men and women at our annual Senior Enlisted Reception. Nearly 300 service members attended the event.

FLAG OFFICERS’ AND KEY COMMANDERS’ RECEPTIONThe Chamber’s Military Council and Tampa Electric Company hosted the Flag Officers’ and Key Commanders’ Reception, an annual event to recognize leaders with tremendous responsibility to the security of our nation. Honorees included the commanders of: U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, 6th Air Mobility Wing, 927th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Communications Support Element, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

DOING BUSINESS WITH MACDILLAttendees heard directly from base leadership about their needs and step-by-step instructions to get their companies connected with MacDill. This year’s event incorporated elements from the past along with new additions, such as discussions on new military technology like the armored “Iron Man” suit, and cyber security.

HIGHLIGHTS


LEADERSHIP PROGRAMSEMERGE TAMPA BAY Emerge Tampa Bay, the leadership program of the Chamber for young

professionals ages 21 to 35, celebrated its tenth anniversary. Emerge Tampa Bay was launched in May 2004 from an initiative to recruit and retain talent in the Greater Tampa Bay Area.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority CEO Brad Miller and HART CEO Katharine Eagan joined Emerge for a town hall event. The panel, which focused on expanding transportation throughout Tampa Bay, was moderated by award-winning Tampa Bay Times Political Editor Adam Smith.

The Protégé Program aims to develop long-term mutually beneficial relationships between experienced business leaders and motivated emerging professionals. Forty-four Emerge members were paired with mentors that included Chamber board and Leadership Tampa Alumni members.

Emerge held its second annual Nonprofit Volunteer Fair at the University of Tampa. Over 40 nonprofits were there to connect with over 200 students, young professionals, families and community leaders who came to learn about how they could make a difference in Tampa Bay.

Emerge hosted Tomorrow’s Tampa: An Idea Summit which welcomed Mayor Bob Buckhorn and keynote speaker Mickey Jacob, executive vice president of BDG Architects. Topics of discussion included expanding Downtown transportation options, increasing Downtown tourism, and how young professionals envision the future of Downtown and Channelside.

Emerge capped off the year with its annual Emerging with Influence dinner where the Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award was presented to Jessica Muroff, a founding member and former co-chair of Emerge Tampa Bay.

LEADERSHIP TAMPAThe Chamber provides area executives the chance to experience Tampa in an incredibly in-depth way with the nation’s third oldest leadership development program, Leadership Tampa. The program introduces its class members to major facets of the Greater Tampa community through an intensive nine-month course that includes educational sessions, tours and candid conversations with community leaders. Topics including law enforcement, education, social services, arts and culture, health sciences, economic development and sports – to name a few – challenge members to see their community as they never have before.

The Leadership Tampa Class of 2014 consisted of 58 professionals in leadership positions within their companies and organizations. They demonstrated a concern for community issues and volunteered their time with service and professional organizations. This class graduated in May of 2014.

For their class project, LT ’14 unveiled a new outdoor maternity deck for the Alpha House of Tampa Bay, a nonprofit organization founded in 1981 to serve pregnant women in crisis and their families. The new deck consists of a brand new structure complete with AstroTurf and grass, multiple sitting areas and a covered pergola space. The outdoor maternity deck provides Alpha House residents with a beautiful space to congregate and provide support to one another.


LEADERSHIP TAMPA ALUMNIIn 2014, members of Leadership Tampa Alumni continued to broaden their networking, community service and business perspective to a level that enables them to turn challenging opportunities into remarkable successes. With 670 members, these “Leaders in Action” helped our community in many ways in 2014 including:

Partnering with Feeding America Tampa Bay

Teaming up with Metropolitan Ministries for the “Back to Work Boot Camp”

Supporting LT ’14 class project at Alpha House of Tampa Bay

Continuing the partnership with the Tampa Police Department’s R.I.C.H. House Robles Park

Supporting Operation Santa, a program of the Tampa General Hospital Foundation

Providing scholarships for nonprofit workers and civil employees of the Leadership Tampa Class of 2015

Serving as mentors to young professionals in the Emerge Tampa Bay Protégé Program

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS CAMPAIGNThe Chamber continued its marketing campaign in an effort to boost membership while also cementing itself as the voice of small business in the Tampa Bay region. The campaign featured print and online promotion as well as participation from 31 Chamber members.

SOCIAL MEDIAIn 2014, the Chamber focused on increasing its social media outreach to members as well as the Greater Tampa community. Content shared included business news, member news, Chamber events, professional development articles and guest blog posts written by Chamber members. The total number of subscribers across all Chamber social media platforms increased more than 27% from January to December, bringing the Chamber’s total online reach to more than 30,000.

HIGHLIGHTS


INTERNATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMITTEEThe Chamber reinforced its efforts towards international trade by

identifying Tampa Bay as an international hub and working with member

companies throughout the area in public policy, arts and culture, education,

tourism and building capacity in the trade arena. The International

Business Committee was created and serves as a venue where Chamber

business owners, educators, tourism and service providers gather to

share strategic ideas on how to build business success on an international

level for the Tampa Bay area.

INTERNATIONAL INDIAN FILM ACADEMY (BOLLYWOOD) AWARDSA group of Tampa leaders, including the Trade Council and Visit Tampa Bay, traveled to Macau, China to bring the Bollywood

Awards to the Tampa Bay region. Over 800 million people viewed the Bollywood event, which was held in April 2014 and had

an approximate local economic impact of $26.4 million. The Tampa Bay Trade & Protocol Counci (TBTPC), l along with Visit

Tampa Bay, processed approximately 700 visas for companies and visitors. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed

by the Federated Indian Chamber of Commerce Industries (FICCI) during the global business symposium held in April 2014.

CITY OF TAMPA CULTURAL EMBASSIESThe Tampa City Council passed a resolution designating the Straz Center, the Museum of Science & Industry, the Florida

Aquarium and the Tampa Museum of Art as its first four cultural embassies for international visitors. More cultural embassies

will be added as Tampa grows its vision as being the place to conduct international business and tourism.

INBOUND MISSIONSThe TBTPC and the Chamber’s International Business Committee facilitated inbound missions from Barranquilla, Colombia

twice in 2014 resulting in meetings with Visit Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Solid Waste, Parks and Recreation and the City

of Tampa’s redevelopment experts.

WEBSITE LAUNCHIn 2014, the Tampa Bay Trade and Protocol Council launched a new website: www.tampabaytpc.com. Since then, the site

has seen traffic from international visitors seeking the TBTPC as a resource. Polk County has made plans to launch a similar

site in 2015 while partnering with the TBTPC to bring international visitors to the region. The site provides information on

the consular corps, sister cities, bi-national chambers, trade facts and organizations on the local and federal levels that have

assisted Chamber members in growing their businesses.

HIGHLIGHTS

TIA announcement of direct flights to Frankfurt, Germany.


INNOVATION LEADERSHIP

STARTUP SCHOLARSThe Chamber’s Startup Scholars Program is an initiative which aims to encourage innovation as a part of our community

culture and increase instances of entrepreneurial success. Our mission is to increase the competitiveness of the Tampa Bay

business community by addressing and nurturing Tampa’s entrepreneurs and related business innovation in any industry

sector. The Chamber’s 2014 Startup Scholars received guidance and assistance in three critical areas: seed capital, best

management practices and sales growth. The second Startup Scholars class completed their program by participating in a

product pitch day at the Chamber’s annual leadership retreat.

EDUCATION CONNECTIONIn 2014, the Chamber launched Education Connection, a new initiative to bridge the gap between business and academia

through partnerships with Hillsborough Community College, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Saint Leo University,

Stetson University College of Law, University of South Florida and The University of Tampa. The program is aimed at

developing workforce talent, encouraging industry-leading research and inspiring meaningful relationships to create one of

the most respected communities in the world. Education Connection focuses on internships, local research partnerships and

curriculum influence.

201 North Franklin Street, Suite 201Tampa, Florida 33602

(813) 228.7777

www.tampachamber.com

Documents

MINDING YOUR BUSINESS - tampabaychamber.com · OUR MISSION To serve our members and enhance our community by building business success. OUR MANTRA Minding your business through valuable