December 2012
Bayou, Bay & Back 10K & Half Marathon Courses Receive Certification Registration may be completed by downloading and completing the race registration form at DestinChamber.com. You may also register on Active.com until Jan. 23. On race day, the registration fee is $35 for the 10K and 5K and $70 for the Half Marathon, and registration may be completed at Clement Taylor Park, located at 131 Calhoun Avenue, in Destin, from 6 - 7 a.m. T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 600 participants. Thank you to all event sponsors, including title sponsor Shoreline On Saturday, Jan. 26, Destin’s 3rd
The USATF-certified half
races are located at Clement Taylor
Bayou, Bay & Back 5K Run/Walk,
marathon course showcases the
Park in Destin. The Half Marathon
10K & Half Marathon sponsored
Choctawhatchee Bay, Destin Harbor,
begins at 7:30 a.m., and the 10K and
by Shoreline Church will feature
and East Pass, as it leads runners
5K begin at 8 a.m. Awards will be
USA Track & Field (USATF) certified
through Destin, along a 4-mile
given to all winners, both male and
10K and Half Marathon courses!
undeveloped stretch of Okaloosa
female, runners and walkers, in eight
This means the course distances
Island, and back. The USATF-
age divisions. Those completing the
have been certified for accuracy,
certified 10K course and the 5K
Half Marathon will receive finishing
and runners may compare their
course take runners on a tour of
medals.
performance times with other
Destin neighborhoods, with peak-a-
certified courses and may use their
boo bay views.
times for national rankings.
The start and finish lines of all
Chamber’s Annual Holiday Party Tuesday, December 4 6 p.m. until... Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill
Until Jan. 25, the race registration fee is $30 for the 10K and 5K
Church and silver sponsors City of Destin, Ecco Motors, and Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill. Additional sponsorships are available. Please contact Events Coordinator Suzy Nicholson Hunt for details at (850) 837-2711 x2 or suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com. Certification codes are FL112080EBM for the 10K and FL12079EBM for the Half Marathon.
and $60 for the Half Marathon.
In partnership with Cox Communications, the Chamber’s monthly TV program will host the following in December 2012: - Emerald Coast Rehabilitation, P.A. - Salty’s Rolls & Gumbo - Sugar Baby’s Candy & Ice Cream Shop, LLC Refer to Tuesday Talking Points for a show schedule or visit the Chamber’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/ destinchamber. Thank you to host Amy Perry, Pleat & Perry, P.A.
Find more information and register for upcoming events at www.DestinChamber.com!
Place your ad here! For details, please contact Suzy Nicholson Hunt at suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com or Sarah Sholtis at sarah@DestinChamber.com. You may also call (850) 837-6241.
Spend Your Holiday Dollars Locally This Year By the time you read this, we will be in the heart of the holiday season. We will have spent quality time with our family and friends and eaten way too much for Thanksgiving, decorated our homes and businesses for festive activities, our kids will be wondering if Santa is going to come this year, and we’ll begin supporting all the great causes to help those less fortunate in our community. We’ll be making our plans for the two weeks around Christmas and New Year’s. We’ll be deciding if we’re going to a bowl game or not. College basketball holiday tournaments will be on all the sports channels. And we’ll be looking ahead with New Year’s resolutions. As we make decisions about what gifts we’re buying for our family and friends, keep in mind what the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce has always emphasized – shop locally, buy locally. We have incredible opportunities, especially during this time of year, to boost our local economy. We support our local businesses and Chamber members, and we pump money into the pockets of the locals who work in these members’ businesses. They, in turn, invest that money back into the local economy, and the process continues. There really is no need to shop online, or travel to other cities and states to shop. We have it all right here. So shop locally, buy locally, and keep Destin’s economy strong.
4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A Destin, FL 32541 (850) 837-6241 • (850) 654-5612 fax www.DestinChamber.com mail@DestinChamber.com Building a World-Class Community One Business at a Time
Executive Committee Bill Lindsley, Chairman of the Board
SimpleHR
Mary Anne Windes, Chairman-Elect
Real Estate Professionals of Destin, Inc. Destin Fishing Fleet Marina
Mike Freeman, Immediate Past Chairman Acentria, Inc.
Amy Perry, Treasurer Pleat & Perry, P.A.
Karen McCarthy, Vice Chairman/
Communications & Marketing Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union
Shaun Eubanks, Vice Chairman/ Community & Economic Development Community Bank, Destin Steve Jay, Vice Chairman/Membership Development Warren Averett O’Sullivan Creel
Carey Trotter, Vice Chairman/Harbor Association Trotter’s General Contractors, Inc. Brian Haugen, Most Immediate Past Chair/Ex-Officio Emerald Coast Wealth Advisors of Raymond James & Associates
Also mark your calendars for upcoming Chamber events. Our holiday party is Dec. 4, at Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill in Destin Commons. The Annual Banquet is scheduled for Jan. 18, at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. The Bayou, Bay and Back Run sponsored by Shoreline Church is scheduled for Jan. 26. And with certification for the 10k and half-marathon courses, we hope to draw more competitive runners and continue to build this race as a signature event for Destin.
Directors Julie Cotton, Northwest Florida State College
As always, we wish you the very best during this great time of the year. Enjoy the freedoms we have, and enjoy your family and friends. Destin is a wonderful place, with wonderful people. And that’s why we can continue to build this world-class community one business at a time.
Jonathan Ochs, Trustmark National Bank
With wishes for continued success, and until next month,
Tim Edwards, Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill Rebecca Jones, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Andi Mahoney, White-Wilson Medical Center Dave Morrow, Allstate Insurance - Ryland/Morrow Agency Cyndy Thomas, ResortQuest By Wyndham Vacation Rentals Kathy Whidden, Emerald Coast Chiropractic Chairman’s Appointees Hayward Dykes, Conerly, Bowman & Dykes, LLP Ken Wampler, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc. Special Appointees Jim Breitenfeld, Breitenfeld Development Services, LLC Kim Wintner, Alliance Association Management Co. Inc.
Shane A. Moody, CCE, FCCP President and CEO
Management Team Shane A. Moody, CCE, IOM, President and CEO
Advertising our World-Class Community In our mission to support Destin as a world-class community, our Welcome Center recorded the following numbers in October 2012: Phone Calls/Emails — 583 Visitors to the Welcome Center Lobby — 225
Incoming Mail — 187 Relocation Packages — 7
ceo@DestinChamber.com
Elizabeth Spies, Vice President of Communications espies@DestinChamber.com Suzy Nicholson Hunt, Events Coordinator suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com Sarah Sholtis, Membership Consultant sarah@DestinChamber.com
THE CHAMBER MONTH AHEAD DECEMBER Please join us for our Annual Holiday Party
4
on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from
6 p.m. until... We will be celebrating at Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill in Destin Commons. Door prizes include $100 Destin Commons gift card. Cost is $30 per person and attire is business/holiday casual. DECEMBER Join us for our Leaders In Business Lunch at Destin
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United Methodist Church
from 11:30 a.m. - 1 pm. Lunch is $15 for those members who pre-register, $20 for members at the door, and $30 for non-members. All registrations are due by Friday, Dec. 7, at noon. Checkin begins at 11:15 a.m. Please bring a non-perishable food item. DECEMBER The Chamber Board of Directors Meeting will
17
be held in the Chamber
conference room at 11:30 a.m.
JANUARY
18
Save the date for our Annual Awards & Installation Banquet!
Pushing the Reset Button As we exit a heated and divided election season, we have an opportunity to refocus for the holiday season and the year ahead. I, like so many of you, have been caught up physically, mentally, and emotionally trying to help those candidates who shared my passion for business development and small business fairness. My personal opinion, based partly on a business perspective, is that these efforts were unsuccessful. At this point we can either have self-pity and doubt the logic and reasoning skills of the electorate, or we can pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and work harder at building our businesses, our community, and our country. I would suggest that we put the political season behind us, that we hit the reset button and refocus our efforts to thrive and survive in a new environment for business. One of the ways we can succeed in this new atmosphere is by pulling together as a business community to speak more loudly with one voice. If you have been sitting on the sidelines, now is your chance to make a difference. If not now, when? Your Destin Area Chamber of Commerce continues to provide opportunities for engagement in the political process. Whether the issue is local, statewide, or national, we are at the forefront of information and activism. We as a Chamber, with Shane Moody as our President and CEO, are highly respected throughout Florida for our efforts. To see this firsthand, I highly encourage each of you to attend Chamber days in Tallahassee during the next legislative session. There you will have an opportunity to engage our legislators on the issues that are important to your business and family. Ultimately, the goal of Chamber days in Tallahassee is for the Legislature to receive the message that Florida businesses are speaking in one loud unified voice. Another way for business-minded folks to hit the reset button is to seek out qualified expertise to help us navigate the upcoming storm of the Affordable Care Act. This legislation is complicated, in fact so complicated that some in Washington really don’t know what its effects will be, even though they voted for it. I highly encourage each of you to seek expertise from companies that manage HR and employee benefits or even a labor attorney. The Chamber has several members who can help provide this valuable information. Finally, the holidays present the perfect time to hit the reset button. They give us an opportunity to remember what we are thankful for (and I’m not talking about black Friday). They give us an opportunity to renew our faith. They give us an opportunity to renew our friendships. They give us an opportunity to celebrate with our family. For me, I also use this season to reflect on my year in business and to genuinely appreciate, for better or worse, all that has occurred during the past 12 months. I use this time to formulate my strategy, not only for next year, but for the next four, if you know what I mean. I hope you will too. Until next month,
The Chamber will present its most prestigious awards and install the 2013 Board of Directors. Details will be announced soon.
Bill Lindsley 2012 Destin Area Chamber Chairman SimpleHR
Celebrating Ambassador Successes Congratulations to our top Ambassadors for October 2012!
For information about all Chamber Events, please visit the Events Calendar at
DestinChamber.com or call (850) 837-6241!
70 points — Fred Fenn, St. Andrews by the Sea Episcopal Church 55 points — Richard Barrington, Holiday Isle Properties, Inc. 50 points — Larry Phillips, Keller Williams Emerald Coast 50 points — Mike Schneider, Compass Real Estate 50 points — Sherry Schneider, America’s Swimming Pool Co.
Thank you to Fred Fenn for welcoming new member Blueprint Health Studio and to Rick Seevers for welcoming new member High Maintenance of Destin.
October Ribbon Cuttings
Centerline Martial Arts
Crab Island Cantina
Pepito’s Cantina & Grill
10859 Emerald Coast Pkwy. Ste. 403 Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 585-6153 www.centerlinewingchun.com Category: Martial Arts Instruction Contact: Chris Damiano
2 Harbor Blvd. #100 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 424-7417 www.crabislandcantina.com Category: Restaurants – Mexican Contact: Carlos Shaffran
11225 Emerald Coast Pkwy. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 269-7788 www.mypepitos.com Category: Restaurants – Mexican Contact: Yzanel Garduno
Chamber Welcomes New Members
On Nov. 1, new members were introduced to the Chamber, its Board Members, and staff at a new member reception held in the Chamber conference room and sponsored by Red Brick Pizza. Those attending included the following: Alabama Media Group is a digitally-focused news and information company combining the quality journalism of “The Birmingham News,” “The Huntsville Times,” Mobile’s “Press-Register,” and “The Mississippi Press” with the up-tothe-minute access of AL.com and gulflive.com. To reach Alabama’s largest audience and beyond, contact Lee Ann Leonard at (850) December 2012 Network Newsletter
630-1061 or lleonard@al.com. Apricot Lane, in Destin Commons, carries an impressive collection of designer labels, branded fashion apparel, and accessories to create the hottest looks for an affordable price! Apricot Lane features key pieces every woman wants, offering a limited quantity of each item, allowing customers to create their own unique look! Berney Office Solutions, a Xerox Company, is your local Xerox Direct connection, providing efficient, effective office technology, service, and solutions. Berney offers ways to work with technology and information flow within the seven
core areas driving the alignment of technology and business process initiatives. Visit berney. com or call (850) 619-6440. Blueprint Health Studio, Destin’s very first customized personal training and fitness facility. Specializing in personal training, boot camps, youth sports training, and corporate wellness programs. Blueprint provides our clients with the best atmosphere and tools needed to reach health and fitness goals. Visit blueprinthealthstudio.com. Class6 Medias serves the Emerald Coast, helping small businesses with their web design needs. Our staff will align you with an affordable website that can help increase sales, service, and support to your customer base. Our priority is giving you a product tailored to your business needs. Visit www.class6medias. com. Fat Clemenza’s is the best Italian restaurant on the Emerald Coast. With award-winning chef’s preparing fresh traditional family recipes and a stellar staff making you feel like part of the family. Why go to Italy when you can come eat at Fat
Clemenza’s and enjoy a true Italian dining experience? Visit www.fatclemenzas.com. First Baptist Church, located at 201 Beach Drive in Destin, is a caring ministry proving spiritual growth for members and opportunities for our community with Child Development Center, Christian Elementary School, and services that build a bridge to a relationship with God. Call (850) 837-6515 or visit firstbaptistdestin.com. Melissa Forte, ACN Independent Business Owner, provides essential home and small business services, from telecommunication and energy companies. She is an authorized dealer for Dish, Direct TV, ADT, Vivant, CenturyLink, AT&T Uverse, Spring, T-mobile, and Verizon. ACN offers Voice Over Internet Phone for home or office, wireless, and video phone. Visit www.melissaforte.acndirect. com. Discover the rich heritage of Northwest Florida through historic exhibits, a children’s Discovery Room, craft classes, history programs, free lectures Continued on page 9
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Fest Raises Nearly 34,000 Shelter House and Alaqua Animal Refuge recently announced that the Share the Shelter Music Fest raised nearly $34,000 for both charities. The day long music fest held on Saturday, Sept. 29, attracted nearly 800 attendees and featured several area artists, food vendors, and musicians.
recognized the Niceville resident for his long-term distinguished works in public relations. Prior to his current position, Hair was the director of marketing and development for the Air Force Enlisted Village.
opened in April 2012, will now be seeing children who qualify for Medicaid. As of September 2012, CVHN had facilitated more than 9,900 medical, dental, vision, and mental health care procedures since inception in 2005.
Bielawski Earns Top Honors in Third Quarter
SETCO’s Team Grows
Crye-Leike Coastal Realty welcomed Realtor and Alabama-native Walt Radford. Radford is a University of Kentucky graduate and obtained his Real Estate license in 2012, after an extensive sales career.
Jerry Bielawski, veteran top producer and sales associate with NewmanDailey Resort Properties, Inc., was honored as the top sales and listing agent for the Third Quarter 2012. Bielawski earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Central Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Michigan State University. Following a rewarding career with Dow Chemical in sales and marketing, he moved to Destin.
ECAR Raises Almost $9,000 for Charities
BBB® Recognized at International Assembly
Crye-Leike Welcomes Radford
On Oct. 1, the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors® (ECAR) Toys for Tots Golf Tournament and Homes for Our Troops Silent Auction saluting Gunnery Sgt. John Hayes was held at the Eglin AFB Golf Course. A total of $8,985.50 was raised for the two charities.
Hair Inducted into PR Hall of Fame Children in Crisis, Inc., president and CEO Ken Hair was inducted into the Southern Public Relations Federation Hall of Fame, during a conference held at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The award Page 4
Your BBB Serving Northwest Florida was recognized at the 42nd International Assembly of Better Business Bureaus, held Sept. 30 – Oct. 3, in Washington, D.C. It received an award for Outstanding Outreach (Consumers or Businesses) for its participation in a pilot program to create a financial literacy workshop using curriculum from BBB and from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Money Smart materials.
CVHN Dental Clinic Takes Medicaid The Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) Dental Clinic in Santa Rosa Beach, which
During the past three months, SETCO Services, LLC,has added four new hires to its team. Kristin Couvillion, executive assistant at the Miramar Beach office, graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Justin Smith, an escrow officer at the Seacrest Beach office, has worked in the real estate industry since 2004 and recently transitioned from lending to title. Britt Alexander, a processor and marketing representative for the Perdido Key office, recently graduated from Columbia Southern with a degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Pre-Law. Daphne Day, also a processor and marketing representative for the Perdido Key office, has years of experience as a real estate paralegal, as well as with real estate auctions.
Shelter House Receives $20,000 Grant Shelter House received a grant for $20,000 from The Mary Kay FoundationSM. In observation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Mary Kay FoundationSM awards $20,000 grants to more than 150 domestic violence
shelters across the country for a total of $3 million.
Gulf Power Gives Big
Gulf Power employees donated more than $35,000 through their annual campaign for the United Way. Gulf Power will also give a corporate gift, making the total more than $43,000. Seen here, the Gulf Power Campaign Committee presents a check to Ronda Davenport of the United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties.
Boeing Helps Children in Crisis
The Fort Walton Beach Boeing Employee Community Foundation has awarded a grant of $4,800 to Children In Crisis, Inc., to purchase computer and educational equipment for at risk children living at the Children’s Neighborhood. Seen here, Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, receives the check from the Fort Walton Beach Boeing employees and the Boeing Employee Community Foundation.
Okaloosa Arts Alliance Announces Board The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) announced its new Board of Directors for 2012-2013. The Executive Board of Directors are president Rae Schwartz, chair of the Okaloosa Volunteer Arts Program (OVAL); vice president www.DestinChamber.com
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Esther Tiedemann, Okaloosa Chamber Singers ; treasurer Shirley Boylan, Print PR; and secretary Amy Baty, also the executive director for the OAA. The Board of Directors are Ken Hair, Children in Crisis, Inc.; Ashley Bailey, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office; Nellie Bogar, Youth Village; Demetrius Fuller, Sinfonia Gulf Coast; Ursel Behnken, Emerald Coast Concert Association and the German Club; Susan Kneller, Emerald Coast Concert Association; Delores Merrill, Mattie Kelly Arts Center of NWFL State College; Chris Manson, Beachcomber; Keri Woods, Pyramid Inc.; Ann Wagner, Northwest Symphony Guild; Jean Starkey, Stage Crafters; Gayle Vann, HarborWalk Village; and Bill Johnston, Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums.
September’s Top Producers
Colleen Regan
Kim Kirby
Crye-Leike Coastal Realty announced that Colleen Regan and Kim Kirby were the Top Producers Sherry Edmundson in Closed Transactions for the month of September, and Sherry Edmundson was the Top Listing Agent for the month of September. Regan has a degree in Control in Systems Engineering and 12 years in sales management of the largest December 2012 Network Newsletter
interior design firm in Destin. Kirby, who graduated from the University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Real Estate and Business Law, is a broker/ associate and holds accreditation as a short sales/foreclosure specialist. Edmundson, a Tennessee Realtor since 1987, obtained her Florida license in 2003 and has worked in strategic planning for non-profit organizations for more than 20 years.
RE/MAX Coastal Agents Receive Recognition
clothe and care for the children living at the CIC Children’s Neighborhood.
BBB® Introduces BBB Scam Stopper Your Better Business Bureau® and Western Union recently launched BBB Scam Stopper, an education campaign to help consumers in the United States and Canada avoid common scams that con artists use to commit consumer fraud. At www.bbb.org/scamstopper, consumers may find facts and tips to help reduce their chances of becoming a victim and sign up to receive weekly scam alerts.
Mitchell Joins Bit-Wizards
Jane Araguel
Tammy LaMarche
RE/MAX Coastal Properties recognized the Jane Araguel Team for achieving Jennifer McBride Top Sales Award and Tammy LaMarche for achieving the Top Listing Award for the month of October 2012. Jennifer MacBride received the RE/MAX Executive Award and the Jane Araguel Team received the RE/MAX Chairman’s Award, for reaching $500,000 in commissions for the year 2012.
In a move that adds Office 365 implementation and migration services to its bevy of offerings, Bit-Wizards Custom Software Solutions announced the addition of Jeff Mitchell to its
staff. Mitchell assumes the newlycreated position as director of information technology and Office 365 practice manager. His expertise in the development of public, private, and hybrid cloud solutions completes Microsoft’s Cloud stack at Bit-Wizards, earning it the designation of Cloud Accelerate Partner.
SimpleHR Welcomes de la Torre SimpleHR announced Sharleene de la Torre as its new payroll coordinator. She moved to the area in 2011 when her husband was transferred to Eglin AFB. She has an accounting degree from Campbell University and has worked in payroll for more than three years.
Continued on page 8
Kiwanis Helps Children in Crisis Members of the Kiwanis Club of Fort Walton Beach presented Children in Crisis, Inc., president and CEO Ken Hair with a donation of $1,750 to help feed, Page 5
Thank you to White-Wilson Medical Center for sponsoring our Oct. 9 Leaders In Business Lunch! White-Wilson Medical Center is one of the largest multi-specialty out-patient physician groups on Florida’s Emerald Coast and has been serving this community for more than 60 years. With more than 20 different specialties, ranging from neurosurgery to pediatrics, White-Wilson provides patients with coordinated healthcare services and the convenience of one electronic medical record and one location for most healthcare needs. White-Wilson is home to more than 70 providers and offers multiple locations throughout Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Niceville. WhiteWilson employs state-of-the-art technology, coupled with skilled and experienced providers, friendly and caring staff, and the convenience of “one-stop” shopping. Visit www.white-wilson.com for a list of specialties and services.
Thank You for the Door Prizes! • Chartwell Hospitality • Coastal Reflections • Emerald Coast Chiropractic
• Libertarian Party of Okaloosa County • Life’s A Beach, LLC
• Gulf Power
• Monograms by Me & Mom, Inc.
• Jersey Mike’s
• Pleat & Perry, P.A.
• Junior League of the Emerald Coast
• SimpleHIRE
• Dr. Kelly Seebaldt, DMD
• White-Wilson Medical Center
Thank you to the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise Destin for hosting our Oct. 25 Business After Hours! The Buccaneer Pirate Ship docks at HarborWalk Village. Experience sword fights, water gun battles, story telling, dancing, and treasure hunts. Adults may enjoy the Scurvy Dogs’ Club evening cruise, which offers more mature entertainment. For details, including pricing, cruise schedules, and more, please visit www.destinpirateship.com or call (850) 269-0896. We are booking 2013 Business After Hours sponsors now. Please contact Events Coordinator Suzy Nicholson Hunt at (850) 837-2711 x2 or suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com for details.
Thank You for the Door Prizes! • Buccaneer Pirate Cruise
• Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill
Member Spotlight
White-Wilson Medical Center, Destin Clinic
White-Wilson Medical Center (WWMC) is one of the largest multi-specialty physician groups on Florida’s Emerald Coast. With more than 50 physicians in more than 20 different specialties, it provides a range of healthcare services to fit most needs. It employs state-of-
the-art technology, coupled with skilled and experienced providers, friendly and caring staff, and the convenience of “one-stop” shopping. WWMC’s Destin Clinic provides more than 20 different specialties with Pediatrics and Immediate Care. It is also equipped with lab and x-ray on-site, which provides more convenience for patients. The practice was voted Best in Destin in 2011 and 2012, as well as the Best Medical Practice on the Emerald Coast. WWMC has been in business since 1946 and has served the Destin
area since 1983. Its Destin location is at 990 Airport Road, and the phone number is (850) 269-6400. It also has locations in Niceville at 2001 E. Hwy. 20 with phone number (850) 897-4400 and in Fort Walton Beach at 1005 Mar Walt Drive with phone number (850) 863-8100. You may also visit its website at www.white-wilson.com for a list of its specialties, services, and physicians. Attend our Dec. 11 Leaders In Business Lunch at Destin United Methodist Church for your chance to win this spotlight.
Business Briefs (continued from page 5) Rosemary Supports Boys & Girls Clubs
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast won the national Day for Kids photo contest for a picture taken at its Okaloosa County Day for Kids, hosted at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. The prize was a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.
October’s Top Producers The Rosemary Beach Foundation donated $1,700, raised by its Taste of Rosemary Beach event, to the Boys & Girls of the Emerald Coast (BGCEC) to support the programs of the BGCEC South Walton.
Crye-Leike Celebrates 10 Years Crye-Leike Coastal Realty announced its 10-year anniversary. John Paulsen and Wanda Duke opened the local franchise in 2002. It is now a full service realty company, which also offers vacation rentals through Destin Getaways Vacation Rentals.
Boys & Girls Clubs Wins National Contest
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formed The John Paulsen Group in 2005. Both hold professional memberships in Emerald Coast Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors. The Wanda Duke Team is made up of Wanda Duke, Randy Morris, and Elke TremmelRedmond. Duke is a partner in Crye-Leike Coastal Realty, which is a franchise of Crye-Leike Realtors, Inc.
SimpleHR Announces Employee of the Quarter John Paulsen
Suzanne Sweatt
Wanda Duke
Randy Morris
Crye-Leike Coastal Realty announced the Top Producer in Closed Sales for the month of October Elke Tremmel Redmond was the John Paulsen Group, and the Top Listing Producer was the Wanda Duke Team. John Paulsen and Suzanne Sweatt
SimpleHR announced its Employee of the Quarter is benefits administrator Shannon Coccia.
InDyne Raises More Than $41,000
Seen here, Jim Heald, InDyne Inc., presents Ronda Davenport, United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties, with a check
for $41,635.72 for its annual United Way Campaign.
Airport Director to Speak at Industry Conference Greg Donovan, Okaloosa County’s airports director, was a featured speaker on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the 34th annual Airport Consultants Council (ACC) conference in Bonita Springs, Florida. He joined a panel to discuss the future of a proposed national aviation policy on funding airports.
Coldwell Banker Welcomes Skinner Coldwell Banker United Realtors welcomes back Mary Silla Skinner as managing broker of its Destin area residential sales office. She left Destin in 2007 for a position in Charlotte, NC.
Joint Replacement Program Recognized Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for its Joint Replacement Program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety orthopedic joint replacements. Continued on page 9
www.DestinChamber.com
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December 2 A World Affair
December 8 2nd Annual Luminaria Run
December 5 Exclusive Tequila Dinner Featuring Don Julio Tequila
December 8 Yule of Yesteryear
Location: Linkside Center at Sandestin Time: 1 – 4 p.m. www.covenanthospice.org
Location: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Time: 5 p.m. www.shelterhousenwfl.org
Location: Cantina Laredo Time: 7 p.m. www.cantinalaredo.com
Location: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. www.heritage-museum.org
December 5, 12, 19, & 26 Wednesday Night Concert Series
December 8 Christmas Tour of Homes
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf Time: 6 – 8 p.m. www.baytownewharf.com
December 7 Sounds of the Season Community Christmas Chorus Location: Village Baptist Church Time: 7 p.m. www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org
December 7 Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra Presents “Holiday Pops” Location: Mattie Kelly Arts Center Time: 7:30 p.m. www.mattiekellyartscenter.org
Business Briefs (con’t)
Location: Kelly Plantation Time: 5 – 8 p.m. www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org
December 8 City of Destin’s 27th Annual Christmas Parade Location: Harbor Blvd. (Hwy. 98) Time: 10 a.m. www.CityofDestin.com
December 8 Reunion Tea in Celebration of Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary Location: Eleanor Lewis Service Center Time: 2 – 4 p.m. www.gscfp.org
December 2012 Network Newsletter
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December 9 26th Annual Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade Location: Along the Harbor Time: 6 p.m. www.destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org
December 15 Breakfast With Santa
Location: Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Time: 8 – 10 a.m. www.bubbagump.com
December 15 3rd Annual Baytowne Holiday Lantern Parade
Location: The Village of Baytowne Wharf Time: 6 p.m. www.baytownewharf.com To submit your events, please log into the Members Only section of our website at www.DestinChamber.com. For your login information, please call (850) 837-6241.
New Member Reception (continued from page 5)
and annual events, such as Saturday in the Park and Yule of Yesteryear. Experience the past Local PBS TV station, WSRE today at the Heritage Museum recently held its 24th Annual of Northwest Florida. Visit Wine & Food Classic fundraiser. heritage-museum.org for hours Its two community events, “The and admission information. Grand Slam Taste of WSRE,” New to the Destin area, Dr. held Oct. 21, at the Pensacola Nathan Hall DMD is currently Bay Center and “The Diamonds accepting new patients. Our goal & Duds Dinner,” held Oct. 18 at is to provide the highest quality Sanders Beach – Corinne Jones dental care. We offer a friendly Resource Center, raised more environment that caters to all than $85,000. ages from young children to those only young at heart. Please Sandestin Holds Serve2Cure Tournament call (850) 460-2801 to schedule On Saturday, Oct. 6, Sandestin today! While Debby McKinney Tennis, its staff, volunteers, launches a new business (stay guests, and the community tuned!), she wants to be involved raised more than $24,000 for in the community and network Sacred Heart Hospital on the with business professionals. Her Emerald Coast and its program passion is to coach, train, and to help meet breast cancer needs of underserved patients, with the mentor entrepreneurs to start/ grow/ explode a business. Stay Serve2Cure Fundraiser.
Wine & Food Events Hit a Homerun
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in touch: www.linkedin.com/in/ debbymckinney. Miller’s Ale House restaurant provides top-quality food at a great value in a casual neighborhood tavern atmosphere. We feature a fullservice bar, daily lunch and dinner specials, military discount, kids eat free special, and ladies night. Holiday party bookings and special catering menu are available. For details, visit millersalehouse.com. Monograms By Me And Mom, Inc., offers custom monogramming, corporate logo embroidery, and digitizing services, specializing in services for small businesses. It is known for customer service, quality workmanship, and fast turn-around time. It is located at 114 Palmetto Street, Unit 9, in Destin. Visit the shop or
monogramsbymeandmom.com. As Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors, our role is to work with you to help you develop a plan that lays out a clear path to your goals – a plan that you can follow with confidence in the face of the market’s ups and downs. Visit http://fa.morganstanleyindividual. com/theklinedensmoregroup or call (850) 863-7270. SimpleHIRE makes hiring simple! SimpleHIRE is a fullservice talent acquisition firm designed to assist businesses with their employment needs. SimpleHIRE provides the expertise of a dedicated recruiting consultant who knows the business and culture, as well as leading-edge tools to optimize all aspects of the recruiting process. Visit mysimplehire.com. Continued on page 12
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850 Realty & Beach Rentals, LLC (850) 499-4487 Contact: Tim Dever
Chartwell Hospitality (850) 654-8611 Contact: Richard Butler
Edward Jones (850) 650-2616 Contact: Stephanie Duffield
A 2 Z Specialty Advertising (850) 654-3080 Contact: Gabby Bruce
Chef On The Go (850) 729-3377 Contact: Mary Churillo
Elite Physique Personal Training (850) 598-7263 Contact: Colleen Riddle
Air Force Enlisted Village, Inc. (850) 651-3766 Contact: Scarlett Bauman
Children In Crisis, Inc. (850) 864-4242 Contact: Ken Hair
Emerald Coast Association Of Realtors (850) 243-6145 Contact: Pat Doman
All Climate Controlled Self Storage (850) 837-7867 Contact: Tracy Campbell
Compass Solar Energy (850) 439-0035 Contact: Karen Hepworth
Emerald Coast Foundation (850) 243-3800 Contact: Ginger Walker
Cumulus Broadcasting (850) 243-7676 Contact: Aaron Hyland
Emerald Coast Urgent Care, LLC (850) 654-8878 Contact: Brennan Uter, MHA
Destin Family YMCA (850) 837-8440 Contact: Michael Rojas
Emerald Lady Jewelry (850) 424-3823 Contact: Priscilla Davis
Allstate Insurance - Mike Cheney (850) 862-0131 Contact: Mike Cheney Amenity Services, Inc. (850) 654-9889 Contact: Darrell Blanton American Business Center, Inc. (888) 334-5806 Contact: Robbie Yeats AMI Kids Emerald Coast, Inc. (850) 244-2711 Contact: Maria Pryzbylski Ava’s Attic Consignment Boutique (850) 424-6767 Contact: Courtney Hood Barton, Fenstermaker, Tondello & Associates, LLC (850) 243-2602 Contact: David Barton Bay Cafe (850) 244-3550 Contact: Julien Lorant Bay Club Of Sandestin (850) 837-8866 Contact: Tina Leger, CAM Bistro Bijoux (850) 622-0760 Contact: Robert Bulgarella BOTE (850) 460-2250 Contact: Magda Cooper
Destin Fishing Rodeo, Inc. (850) 837-6734 Contact: Helen Donaldson Destin Flooring, Inc. (850) 650-8511 Contact: Candace McLeod Destin Ice & Seafood (850) 837-8333 Contact: Jim Bass Destin Locksmithing, Inc. (850) 654-9910 Contact: Nicholas Reimer The Destin Log (850) 837-2828 Contact: Billy Kirk Destin Surgery Clinic (850) 837-8831 Contact: Dr. James Moody Destin Water Users, Inc. (850) 837-6146 Contact: Lockwood Wernet DestinWebPages.com (970) 458-5463 Contact: Julio Fernandez
Enterprise Rent A Car (850) 654-5991 Contact: Robert James FastSigns (850) 314-7446 Contact: Dick Marks Feline Friends of Destin Inc. (850) 837-3869 Contact: Rachel Simerly Fisher Brown Bottrell Insurance, Inc. (850) 837-6138 Contact: Rick Long FNBT.Com Bank (850) 837-9171 Contact: Peggy Threadgill Goldring Gulf Distributing (850) 432-9883 Contact: David Gaines Greg Goodson and Associates, Inc. (850) 650-1070 Contact: Greg Goodson Gulf Coast Electric (850) 837-8474 Contact: Jeff Linn
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC (850) 837-3141 Contact: Sonia Mitchell. CPA
Dixon-Kazek-Morrison Custom Homes, LLC (850) 650-7539 Contact: Steve Dixon
Carter & Company CPA, LLC (850) 650-0125 Contact: Christine Carter, CPA
Downtown Destin Shopping Center (251) 342-8600 Contact: Cheryl Smith
Gulf Power (800) 225-5797 Contact: Pam Martin
Celebration Hall (850) 499-2652 Contact: Alice Pauls
Dr. Bawa & Associates (850) 424-7320 Contact: Shruti Bawa
Gulf Terrace Condominiums (850) 837-4720 Contact: Don Carter
Century 21 Island View (850) 939-2774 Contact: Ira Mae Bruce Page 10
Dune Allen Realty Vacation Rentals (850) 267-2121 Contact: Beth Godwin
Harvest House, Inc. (850) 837-2277 Contact: Lori Joyner www.DestinChamber.com
Gulf Coast Immediate Care Center, Inc. (850) 244-3211 Contact: Mary Jane Swanson
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30-A Suites 6904 W. Co. Hwy. 30A Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 499-5058 www.30asuites.com Category: Accommodations-Hotels Contact: Carol Pauls
Cabana Cafe 112 Seascape Blvd. Ste. 1 Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 368-1911 www.cabanacafedestin.com Category: Restaurants - American Contact: Wayne Anderson
Jersey Mike’s 817 Harbor Blvd. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 269-2925 www.jerseymikes.com Category: Restaurants - Deli & Catering Contact: Patrick Decker
Aegean Restaurant 11225 U.S. Hwy. 98 Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 460-2728 www.aegeanfl.com Category: Restaurants - Greek Contact: Christopher Rakas
Coastline Furniture Showroom 4507 Furling Lane #107 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 424-3691 www.coastlineshowroom.com Category: Furniture & Accessories Contact: Patti Muench
Debby McKinney (850) 598-0200 Category: Individual Members Contact: Debby McKinney
Alabama Media Group 2201 4th Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 325-2280 www.al.com Category: Media Contact: Lee Ann Leonard
Coastline Luxury Rentals LLC 4507 Furling Lane #105 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 502-9835 www.coastlineluxuryrentals.com Category: Long Term Residential Leasing Contact: Patti Muench
Berney Office SolutionsA Xerox Company 2405 Langley Ave. Pensacola, FL 32504 (850) 619-6440 www.berney.com Category: Xerox Office Equipment Contact: TJ Edwards
Cooling Services LLC 47B Batchelor Button Dr. Destin, FL 32540 (850) 269-1964 www.coolingservicesllc.net Category: Air Conditioning & Heating Sales & Service Contact: Rick Gonzalez
Blackstone Golf Course 108 Blackstone Lane Defuniak Springs, FL 32433 (850) 520-4670 www.blackstonemossyhead.com Category: Golf Courses Contact: Ty Bilbrey
Destin Chiropractic Center 3999 Commons Dr. Ste. C Destin, FL 32541 (850) 654-6912 www.destinchiropracticcenter.com Category: Chiropractors Contact: Dr. Ryan J. Garcia
Blue Marlin Realty Group 970 Gulf Shore Dr. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 837-7800 www.bluemarlinrealtygroup.com Category: Real Estate Contact: Todd Leonard
Fat Clemenza’s Brick Oven Pizzeria Holiday Plaza Ste. 101 Miramar Beach, FL 32579 (850) 650-5980 www.fatclemenzas.com Category: Restaurants - Italian Contact: Joy Robison
Blueprint Health Studio 4421 Commons Dr. E. Ste. B-108 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 460-2588 www.blueprinthealthstudio.com Category: Fitness Centers Contact: Matt Staver
Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida 115 Westview Ave. Valparaiso, FL 32580 (850) 678-2615 www.heritage-museum.org Category: Non-Profits Contact: Gina Marini
The Boardwalk 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 (850) 796-3652 www.theboardwalkoi.com Category: Restaurants - Seafood Contact: George Golematis
High Maintenance of Destin 418 Overstreet Dr. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 699-6288 Category: Cleaning & Maintenance Service Contact: Elson Machado
December 2012 Network Newsletter
Osaka Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar 34745 Emerald Coast Pkwy. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 650-4688 www.osakadestin.com Category: Restaurants - Asian Contact: Linda Williams Risa’s Interiors 13370 Emerald Coast Pkwy. Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 654-7472 www.risasinteriors.com Category: Furniture & Accessories Contact: Risa Priestley Southeastern Mortgage & Insurance 4458 Legendary Dr. Ste. 140 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 424-6040 www.semifl.com Category: Insurance Contact: Terry DuBose Whataburger 101 U.S. Hwy. 98 E. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 650-7708 www.whataburger.com Category: Restaurants - Fast Food Contact: Sara White
Want to join the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce? Please contact Chamber Membership Consultant Sarah Sholtis at (850) 837-2711 x3 or
sarah@DestinChamber.com. Page 11
Renewals (continued from page 10) Rick Hausen 850-687-0140 Holiday Inn on the Beach (850) 837-6181 Contact: Joe Farley Holiday Isle Properties, Inc. (850) 837-0010 Contact: Pat Denny Holiday Surf & Racquet Club (850) 837-6108 Contact: Kent Lungstrom Homes & Land Of The Emerald Coast (850) 650-1014 Contact: Joe Nacchia Hurlburt Field Force Support Marketing (850) 884-2189 Contact: Tom Cason Indian Bayou Golf Club (850) 837-6191 Contact: Jim Carpenter Jim ‘N Nicks Bar-B-Q (850) 424-5895 Contact: John Dupuis Judy Shillingburg, Special Touch Gallery (850) 424-3212 Contact: Judy Shillingburg Keller Williams Realty Emerald Coast (850) 654-2900 Contact: Jeff Adamson Jim Liufau Ins. Agency, Inc., State Farm Ins. (850) 837-1329 Contact: Mr. Jim Liufau Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc., Dallas TX, Sondra Pace, Independent Beauty Consultant and Team Leader (850) 654-1353 Contact: Sondra Pace McGill Escrow & Title, LLC (850) 654-6997 Contact: Robert McGill Morgan Stanley (850) 650-7300 Contact: Mark Kaltz Okaloosa Gas, South Walton Customer Service Center (850) 729-4700 Contact: Gary Long
Prime Lending (850) 837-7360 Contact: Wendy Kotowske Regional Self Storage (850) 837-8717 Contact: Chip Carter Regus (850) 269-6802 Contact: Michelle Tommey ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals (866) 239-3583 Contact: Lino Maldonado Bernie Robin (850) 654-9305 San Gelato Cafe (850) 243-5455 Contact: Simona Faroni Sandpiper Cove (888) 672-6835 Contact: Tammy Turner Santa Rosa Mall Management Office (850) 244-2172 Contact: Julie Harrell Shalimar Yacht Basin (850) 651-0510 Contact: Steve Peterson Silver Dunes Condominium (850) 837-6104 Contact: Pam Beal Silver Plus (850) 665-2669 Contact: Bill Cimbalo Transaction One L.L.C. (850) 622-5881 Contact: Michael Smith Transfield Services (850) 398-8568 Contact: Jessica Campbell Twin Cities Transmission & General Repair (850) 729-6629 Contact: Brandy Pirc United Way Of Okaloosa Walton County (850) 243-0315 Contact: Bill Robinson Vandy Vela-Schneidt (850) 502-6592
Old Pier Motel Apts. (850) 837-6442 Contact: Kathi McGowan
Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC (850) 837-5366 Contact: Dean Blissit
Pleat & Perry, P.A. (850) 650-0599 Contact: David B. Pleat, Esq.
Wells Vision and Laser Eye Center (850) 424-6677 Contact: Kevin Wells
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New Member Reception (con’t) Mark your calendar for Skinny’s Nutrition Destin Ribbon Cutting ceremony at 4 p.m., on Nov. 29 . Find out how our nutrition club (first of its kind in Destin) provides its members “Nutrition for a Better Life.” Enjoy a free wellness evaluation, fit camp, weight loss challenge, healthy happy hour, etc. Visit skinnysnutritiondestin.com. The Tallman Group, LLC, offers insurance services, including health, life, disability, and long-term care; employee benefits; and retirement and educational planning. For information, contact owner and financial advisor Jonathan Tallman at (850) 279-6964 or www.TheTallmanGroup.com. Visit the office at 4591 E. Hwy. 20, Suite #201, in Niceville’s Bluewater Bay. A breath of fresh air is a necessity when it comes to advertising in our area. Think, L.L.C., is a full service marketing/advertising firm, but really we are a team of creative geniuses’ who crave a challenge. We can handle your needs from advertising plans to custom zip drives. Visit www.WeLoveToThink.com. Whataburger has focused on fresh, madeto-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950, when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Today, Whataburger has more than 735 locations in 10 states. Visit www.whataburger.com for more information or become a fan at www.facebook.com/whataburger.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE COSTA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE DECEMBER SCHEDULE
December 6 & 7 Tax Practitioner’s Update Seminar 8:30 a.m.
To register or get details, please contact the Costa Leadership Institute at (850) 729-6880 or visit www.nwfsc.edu/LI.
UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER DECEMBER WORKSHOPS December 6 Starting a Business 1 – 4 p.m.
To register or for information, please contact UWF’s Small Business Development Center at (850) 833-9400 or www.sbdc.uwf.edu.
www.DestinChamber.com
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Happy Holidays!
December 2012 Network Newsletter
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Destin Area Chamber of Commerce 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A Destin, FL 32541 Return Service Requested
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