Weekly eConnection
801 West Bay Drive, Suite 602 Largo, FL 33770
Tel: 727-584-2321 Fax: 727-586-3112
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Annual Meeting Reflections Edition |
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68th Annual Chamber Meeting & Awards Breakfast |
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Last week we held our 68th Annual Chamber Meeting & Awards Breakfast at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort. We reflected on the year with Rob England as Chairman, and we welcomed our new Chairman Nate Cocco. Thank you to our Sponsors: Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Duke Energy, Home Instead Senior Care, Pinellas Technical College, Regions Bank, National Aviation Academy, Gulfside Wealth and Louis Haskel CPA. Thank you everyone for coming out to celebrate our Chamber and honor the recipients of these distinguished awards. Thank you to Advanced Video Systems for the photos. |
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The Chamber’s top honor – Citizen of the Year – was presented to attorney Bruce McManus (right) of the firm McManus & McManus, P.A. It recognized his efforts to improve the quality of life in Central Pinellas through work success and distinguished community service. In 1962, Bruce joined the law firm started by his father. It’s now a 4th generation business with the addition of his daughter Mary and granddaughter Danielle, both attorneys. Bruce has been a longtime supporter of the Community Service Foundation; Clearwater Audubon Society and Florida Audubon Society; he is a founding member of the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation and the Central Park Performing Arts Foundation. His charitable affiliations include Indian Rocks Baptist Church, Hospice of the Florida Suncoast Foundation, Largo Library Foundation, the American Red Cross and Friends of Ridgecrest.
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The Chamber’s Mac Norcross Small Business Leader of the Year Honor was presented to Danny Lehan (center), owner of six area Village Inn Restaurants employing 230 people. Danny’s passions go deeper than business. He has been on the Board of the Suncoast Performing Arts Foundation since 2006 and is the current president. He has been a member of the Chamber Board of Trustees for many years and is a longtime supporter of our prestigious Inspire Awards. He was an Inspire recipient in 2013. He has also served on many Largo advisory boards including Parks & Recreation. And he has donated hundreds of pies and gift cards for just about any worthwhile cause. Danny is a true believer that a big part of success is in giving back.
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The Chamber’s coveted Silver Hammer was presented to Ensurem (center) for its new 29,000 square foot corporate headquarters at Starkey Lake Conference Center, Largo. The $1.5 million project features open floor plan, distance learning/virtual training room, several multi-use meeting spaces with full virtual technology support, a video/recording studio, two kitchens, game room and more. Accepting the honor was the company’s Vice President of Technology Mike Aja who oversaw the project.
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Stay tuned for more award photos in our next E-Connection! |
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NEXT WEEK - Coffee An' Networking |
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When: October 14th @ 7:45 a.m.
Where: Serenity Funeral Home, 13401 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo 33774
Start off your day with some informal networking and a fun
"get to know you" round robin. Free for members;
$25 for non-members.
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Thank you to our host and sponsors! |
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Diagnostic Clinic Medical Group Ribbon-Cutting |
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Last week we celebrated Diagnostic Clinic Medical Group with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony. What a great celebration! Shout out to the St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman and the St. Pete Chamber for coming out to celebrate with us! Check out the ribbon-cutting video here. |
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While the number of aerospace companies operating in the Sunshine State is the nation’s second-highest, more people are working in high-wage aerospace jobs in at least six states.
Trulieve, the state’s largest medical marijuana operator, is now the nation’s biggest cannabis retailer, after closing on a $2.1 billion deal to acquire former competitor Harvest Health & Recreation Inc.
Hurricane Sam finally devolved from a major hurricane Sunday after spending more than a week over Category 3 status. Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Victor continued to fall apart, but the National Hurricane Center began investigating a system closer to Florida.
In the early days of the campaign to raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, the predictions were dire: This move would send small businesses cartwheeling toward insolvency. Then COVID happened.
Under Amendment 2, passed last November by a 60.8% margin, Florida’s $8.56 an hour minimum wage goes to $10 an hour and then increases $1 annually through 2026 when it will be $15 an hour.
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Thank you to our Trustees and Newsletter Sponsors
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Bay Care/Morton Plant Hospital
Business & Family Insurors
Cloud Law Firm PA
Duke Energy
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
Home Instead/Be a Santa
Jackson & Associates CPA
Melody Hunter, Charles Rutenberg Realty
National Aviation Academy
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Nova Southeastern University - Tampa Bay
Paradise Air
Piper Fire Protection
Platinum Information Services
Regions Bank
The Palms of Largo
Valley National Bank
Village Inn
Wealth Builders
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The Weekly E-Connection is made possible by the following generous sponsors: |
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