May 2013
Golf Tournament Offers Big Prizes, Networking & Advertising Opportunities April 17 was a beautiful day at Indian Bayou
Closest to the pin prizes included three 2-night
Thank you to our sponsors, including hole
Golf Club, as 88 golfers teed off in the Chamber’s
vacation stays from ResortQuest by Wyndham
sponsors Acentria, Inc.; Air Force Enlisted Village;
annual Golf & Dine networking tournament.
Vacation Rentals and a 2-night stay from Dale E.
Allstate Insurance - Ryland/Morrow Agency;
Participating restaurants included Bubba Gump
Peterson Vacations. These were won by Jamie
Brannon & Brannon; Centennial Bank; Coastal
Shrimp Company, Hooters, and Poppy’s Crazy
Carter, Randy Hammer, Kevin Lack, and Ken
Accounting of NW Florida, PA; Conerly, Bowman
Lobster.
Stevenson. Geoff Brower won the longest drive
& Dykes, LLP; Cox Communications; Destin
prize, which included four rounds of golf to
Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center; Emerald
Emerald Bay Golf Club and four rounds of golf to
Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.; Fort
Seascape Resort.
Walton Beach Medical Center; Galati Yacht Sales;
The Life’s A Beach team, comprised of Geoff Brower, Rory Cassidy, Rod Dent, and Rick Seevers, won first place. Second place was awarded to the SimpleHR team of David Barton, Shaun Eubanks,
Though not awarded during the tournament,
Merrill Lynch; SimpleHR; SmartBank; Pleat, Perry & Ritchie, P.A.; Transaction One, LLC; Trustmark
Dave Jefferson, and Bill Lindsley, while third place
fantastic hole-in-one prizes included $15,000,
was awarded to the Cabana Café team of Wayne
sponsored by the Chamber; a 2-year lease on a
Anderson, Blake Dumas, Mike Kelly, and Corbin
2013 Mercedes C250 Coupe (MSRP $42,000) from
Pearcy. All winners received etched glasses,
Quality Imports - Mercedes Benz - BMW - Toyota
Check out the Chamber’s Facebook page at
courtesy of awards sponsor BayArea Awards &
- Mazda; and a one year membership from Legacy
www.facebook.com/destinchamber for all of the
Engraving.
Boating Club.
event photos.
National Bank; and Warren Averett O’Sullivan Creel.
Find more information and register for upcoming events at www.DestinChamber.com!
Want to see your company highlighted here? Contact Suzy Nicholson Hunt at (850) 837-2711 x2 or suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com or Jen Skillman at (850) 837-2711 x3 or jskillman@DestinChamber.com.
Congratulations to the Area’s Future Leaders As April closes and May arrives, we realize that summer is just around the corner. From all I’ve heard, spring was a good time for all in 2013. One thing I know for sure is there were a lot visitors in town. This is also the time of year we say ‘congratulations’ to a very important group of people, our current Destin Forward class. After nearly nine months of work, education, and bonding, we’ll celebrate the successes of our fifth class. This has been one of the more fun groups we’ve had. They took the class seriously, accomplishing their tasks, attending city council meetings, and completing their projects. And while they approached the class and responsibilities this way, they never took themselves too seriously. They made the program about the program. I’m very proud that we’ll have 15 members graduating this year. They’ve learned the inner-workings of the city. They’ve learned the important roles that non-profit organizations fill in our community. They’ve seen first-hand the needs of the area. They know more about the history of Destin. They experienced what it’s like to work with the Coast Guard, be an airman at Hurlburt, and how to navigate the halls of the Capitol in Tallahassee. Visits to the History and Fishing Museum, the docks during the Rodeo weigh-ins, the airport, and Henderson Beach State Park gave them a better appreciation of the value of our home. They were so moved at the work of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance that they chose CBA as the recipient of their project. After organizing and administering some fundraising activities and volunteering, they earned enough money to purchase a boat for CBA to use in its efforts to maintain and clean our waterways. The dedication of this project on April 24 is the culmination of months of hard work. It’s something for which they should be very proud. So on May 7, we’ll thank and congratulate them. They’ve accomplished something that only 90 or so others have, and that’s the completion of Destin Forward. They join a unique and elite alumni. So, to Matt, Holly, Missy, Rosanna, John, David, Maggie, Marilu, Lanier, Sarah, Sara, Melissa, Justin, Pam, and our very own Suzy, congratulations. Thank you. And most importantly, accept the challenge of carrying on this great program and going out into the community and lead!
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 Mary Anne Windes, Chairman of the Board
Real Estate Professionals of Destin, Inc. Destin Fishing Fleet Marina
Amy Perry, Chair-Elect Pleat, Perry & Ritchie, P.A. Bill Lindsley, Immediate Past Chairman SimpleHR
Shaun Eubanks, Treasurer Julie Cotton, Vice Chairman/ Communications & Marketing Northwest Florida State College Karen McCarthy, Vice Chairman/ Community & Economic Development Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union Ken Wampler, Vice Chairman/Membership Development Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc. Jami Jones, Vice Chairman/Harbor Association Destin Charter Service
Mike Freeman, Most Immediate Past Chairman/Ex-officio Acentria, Inc.
Directors Hayward Dykes, Conerly, Bowman & Dykes, LLP Steve Jay, Warren Averett O’Sullivan Creel Rebecca Jones, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Andi Mahoney, White-Wilson Medical Center Pam Martin, Gulf Power Dave Morrow, Allstate Insurance - Ryland/Morrow Agency Jonathan Ochs, Trustmark National Bank
Finally, a huge thank you to your bosses, employers, supervisors, and families. They gave you the time and commitment to allow you to be part of this class.
Cyndy Thomas, ResortQuest By Wyndham Vacation Rentals
If you’ve not participated in Destin Forward and would like to become part of this dynamic leadership and community education program, please contact Suzy at our office. We’d love to have you become part of this program. After all, educating and developing future leaders is how we’ll build this world-class community one business at a time.
Chairman’s Appointee Charles Morgan, Harbor Docks Restaurant
With wishes for continued success, and until next month,
Kim Wintner, Alliance Association Management Co. Inc.
Carey Trotter, Trotter’s General Contractors, Inc.
Special Appointees Jim Breitenfeld, Breitenfeld Development Services, LLC Management Team Shane A. Moody, CCE, FCCP, President and CEO
ceo@DestinChamber.com
Shane A. Moody, CCE, FCCP 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 March 2013: Phone Calls/Emails — 809 Incoming Mail — 305 Relocation Packages - 19 Lobby/Welcome Center Visitors — 337 Directories Mailed — 532
Elizabeth Spies, Vice President of Communications espies@DestinChamber.com
Suzy Nicholson Hunt, Events Coordinator suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com Jen Skillman, Membership Consultant jskillman@DestinChamber.com
Ashley Johnston, Information Specialist mail@DestinChamber.com
THE CHAMBER MONTH AHEAD MAY
1
Our Military Affairs Council (MAC) will meet in the Chamber’s
conference room at 12 p.m. Keep upto-date on happenings at local bases and enjoy hearing military members share their stories. Join us for our Leaders In Business Lunch sponsored by Dr. Bawa & Associates at the Palms of Destin Resort & Conference Center from 11:30 a.m. - 1 pm. All registrations are due by Friday, May 10, at 3 p.m. MAY
14
The Chamber’s Social Media Group offers members a forum to discuss social media tools and strategies, learn about new applications, and connect with likeminded Chamber members. Join us from 12 - 1 p.m., in the Chamber’s conference room. MAY
23
Our Business After Hours sponsored by BOTE will be held at the BOTE store at 383 Harbor Blvd., in Destin. Event hours are 5:30 7:30 p.m. Please do not forget to bring your business card for networking and our door prize drawing. There is no charge for members to attend this event. The non-member fee is $20. MAY
23
MAY
28
The Board of Directors Meeting will be held in the Chamber conference room at 11:30 a.m.
For information about all Chamber Events, please visit the Events Calendar at DestinChamber.com or call (850) 837-6241!
Play in May at the Destin Area Chamber Thank you so much for reading the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce’s NETWORK publication...in May no less! If you’re in business, I know you’re busy. If today’s your day off, there are so many fun things to do, and you’re reading the NETWORK ...wow, thank you, thank you, thank you! As businesses are gearing up for the summer, the Chamber continues to work on your behalf to improve our community with the promotion of economic diversity, oversight, and common sense. We don’t schedule as many functions during the summer as in the shoulder season because we know how busy you are, and we’re happy for you that you are so busy. 2013 is starting with a boom - a business boom with lots of people in town who are spending money, and we know you are helping them make happy memories. As busy as you are, there are some things that you might want to take time out to do. Our Leaders in Business Lunch will be held on Tuesday, May 14, at the Palms of Destin and is sponsored by Dr. Bawa & Associates. It begins at 11:30 a.m. We started to spice things up last month, and you guys said you liked it, so more of that to come! If you’ve never attended one of our lunches, I invite you to join us. The food is always surperb, but you’ll love the people you meet there the most; they are the core of the Destin community. One of my favorite things in the entire year happens in May. Destin’s Week of Blessings is an opportunity to have your community, your family, and your business blessed. This year is the 10th anniversary for many of the events, and the 56th anniversary for the Blessing of the Fleet! The Church of Destin is comprised of 17 churches of many denominations who come together as one unified “Church of Destin” throughout the week in a series of events that brings the community together. It starts on Sunday, May 5, with the Blessing of the Families. This event will be handled independently by each congregation at their favorite place of worship. Monday, May 6, is a day of fasting and prayer. Tuesday is the Blessing of the Community where teams of pastors, priests, and elders will go out in the community to bestow blessings at city hall, sheriff’s station, fire department, schools, etc. A HUGE event for business people on Wednesday is the Blessing of the Marketplace. Everyone is invited to have their business blessed on that day. We’ll meet at the Destin Life Center, 200 Beach Drive, in Destin, at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served. On Thursday evening, a long-time tradition, the 56th Annual Blessing of the Fleet, will be held at the Destin Fishing Fleet Marina, 210 Harbor Blvd., in Destin, beginning at 4 p.m. Boats are available to take you out, or you can stand on the dock to watch the huge boat parade and enjoy a community fish fry. Friday will be Blessing of the Schools where the Youth will wear their special T-shirts to school, and on Saturday evening, we’ll have the Blessing Celebration at HarborWalk Village, beginning at 7 p.m. It’s a full week of fun, thanksgiving, and blessings. Our Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, May 23, at BOTE Boards at 383 Harbor Blvd., in Destin. Last but not least, don’t forget Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12. We live and work in paradise. Work hard, play hard, and don’t take a single moment of it for granted, but at the end of the day, smile, reflect, rest, and be thankful.
Mary Anne Windes 2013 Destin Area Chamber Chairman Real Estate Professionals of Destin, Inc. Destin Fishing Fleet Marina
March Ribbon Cuttings
Boulevard 10
Covenant Hospice
Designer Consigners
Alyssa Harvey 465 Grand Blvd. Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (706) 576-3460 www.carmike.com Movie Theaters
Rachael Mayew 220 Eglin Pkwy. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 (850) 729-1800 Non-Profits
Sharon Griffith 763 Harbor Blvd. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 654-7227 Furniture & Accessories Please forgive our mistake: The website address for PML International - LegalShield, which was featured in last month’s ribbon cutting section, was incorrect. Correct contact information is listed below:
The Emerald Coast Health Institute
i Brow Experts
Dr. Thomas McKnight 4566 Hwy. 20 E. Ste. 105 Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 279-6949 www.theemeraldcoasthealthinstitute.com Healthcare Facilities
Tania Dipali 98 Eglin Pkwy. Ste. 3 Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 (850) 549-8501 www.ibrowexperts.com Salons
Celebrating Ambassador Successes
Congratulations to top Ambassadors for March 2013! 55 points — Jennifer Barrett, Acentria, Inc. 50 points — Linda Kuykendall, A 2 Z Specialty Advertising 45 points — Bill Head
PML International LegalShield Linda Kedy 778 Scenic Gulf Dr. A 312 Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (770) 318-1282 www.lindakedy.com Legal Services
June Leaders In Business Lunch & Non-Profit Appreciation Expo We are excited to spotlight our non-profit members during our June 11 Leaders In Business Lunch & Non-Profit Appreciation Expo! This is our regular scheduled monthly lunch with a little bit of a twist. We are encouraging our non-profits to display their promotional material, as well as speak for 2-3 minutes, explaining how their services benefit the Destin community. The cost for this opportunity to share your non-profit’s mission is $75. For that investment, you will receive 2-3 minutes to present to the lunch attendees, a table to display your promotional material, one complimentary lunch, and inclusion in lunch promotions, as well as the lunch recap in the monthly Network newsletter. Participating non-profits include Air Force Enlisted Village, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Horizons, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and Taylor Haugen Foundation. If you would like for your non-profit to participate, please contact Suzy Nicholson Hunt at suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com or (850) 837-2711 x2.
May 2013 Network Newsletter
Page 3
Wintner Named DSI Chair Long-time Destin Area Chamber Military Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Kim Wintner, owner and president of Alliance Association Management Co., Inc., has been tapped to serve the Defense Support Initiative (DSI) as chairman. Wintner retired from the Air Force in 2000 after 30 years of service, culminating in consecutive assignments as support group commander at Hurlburt Field and vice wing commander at Eglin AFB .
SETCO Welcomes New Hires, Opens New Office SETCO Services LLC added three team members and opened a downtown Pensacola office on Palafox Place. Valerie A. Watson, Esq., will be the executive counsel and closer for the new Pensacola office. Mary Riddle will be her counterpart and closing agent. Lisa Whitman will be a closing agent in the Panama City Beach office, and Carmen Barclay will be a processor in the Seacrest Beach office.
FWBMC Program Achieves Certification Fort Walton Beach Medical Center earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for its Orthopedic Joint Replacement Program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes Fort Walton Beach Medical Center’s dedication to Page 4
continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-theart standards.
Golf Tournament Raises $22,000
The recent 7th Annual Children in Crisis (CIC) Charity Golf Classic in March raised $22,000 for the abused, neglected, and abandoned children of our community. Seen here, Ken Hair (center), CIC president and CEO, presents the first place trophy to the winning team David Henderson, Tracy Jernigan, Don Reese, and Tommy Serigne.
Study Shows Impact of NWFSC on Region A new statewide study indicates Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) produces graduates who are better prepared to become higher-income earners and that the college plays a significant role in the health of the local economy. According to the report, the estimated annual impact of those who attended NWFSC is some $332.3 million in added regional income due to the higher earnings of alumni and increased output of businesses in the Okaloosa and Walton County service area. Dr. Ty Handy, NWFSC president, noted that the economic impact study, released Monday by the Florida College System (FCS) at a press conference held at the Department of Education, showed that graduates of all of Florida’s 28 public colleges, known as the Florida College
System (FCS), pumped an additional $26.6 billion per year into the state’s economy. More details may be found at www.fldoe.org/fcs.
Follow A Dream Team Visits CIC
Jay Blake, founder and President of “Follow A Dream” and the only totally blind crew chief in the worldwide sport of auto racing, visited the Kids of Children in Crisis (CIC) this week. Blake leads his team of racing professionals in NHRA Top Alcohol Funny Car competition, where they finished the 2011 season ranked 7th in national points. Seen here are (left to right) Steve Baker of Steve Baker Productions; Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO; Jay Blake, crew chief of the “Follow A Dream” Alcohol Funny Car; and Ed Parker, “Follow A Dream” team member.
Snowbirds Donate $1K to CIC
The Walton County Snowbirds, Inc., presented Children in Crisis (CIC) with a check for $1,000. Seen here, Snowbirds president Tom Schwichtenber and incoming president Dom Trolian present $1,000 to CIC president and CEO Ken Hair and development director Carla Musgrove.
Church Donates to CIC
The Shalimar United Methodist Church donated $12,615.62 to help provide a home to the children living at the Children In Crisis (CIC) Children’s Neighborhood. Seen here, Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, receives a check for $12,615.62 from pastors Larry Bryars and David Hoppenjan.
NWFSC Offers New Degree The State Board of Education has approved a new bachelor’s degree for Northwest Florida State College – a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education that will focus on training professionals to work with children ages birth through four years. The new degree will start in the Fall term, and the college will begin accepting applications for new students to enter the program in mid-April.
Warren Averett Named to Top 100 Firms Warren Averett, LLC, was recently ranked as the largest accounting, tax, and business consulting firm in the four-state Gulf Coast region comprised of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi by Accounting Today. The Firm received several accolades in the accounting industry trade publication’s 2013 “Top 100 Firms” report. It was recognized as the number 27 firm among the Top 100 Firms in the nation. Warren Averett was also recognized as the number one pacesetter in growth, nationwide. www.DestinChamber.com
Drake Earns Certified Sommelier Distinction Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood is proud to announce bar manager Dan Drake as the restaurant’s newest certified sommelier. A native to Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, Drake is a veteran of the restaurant and hospitality industry. In 2006, he was named wine steward at Seagar’s and subsequently passed the Introductory Sommelier Examination.
profitability; patient satisfaction; adherence to clinical standards of care; post-discharge mortality; and readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, and pneumonia. Sacred Heart was also recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals in 2012 and 2008.
RE/MAX Coastal Properties Recognizes Agents
Williams Joins Horizons Team Horizons welcomed Tracey Williams to its Community Development team to fill a newly created position in support of Horizons’ growing administrative and marketing functions. Her primary job involves increasing brand awareness; incorporating social media; supporting all aspects of fundraising and charitable events; and community development through local affiliations with chambers of commerce and other local organizations. She will also pursue grants and alternate funding sources for Horizons and expand chapter programs affiliated with state and national Arc organizations.
Sacred Heart Named to Nation’s Top 100 Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast has been named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® by Truven Health Analytics for the third time since opening in 2003. The Truven Health 100 Top Hospitals® study evaluates performance in 10 areas: mortality; medical complications; patient safety; average patient stay; expenses; May 2013 Network Newsletter
Jennifer MacBride
Jane Araguel
RE/MAX Coastal Properties recognized Realtor Jennifer MacBride for achieving Top Sales Award and Jane Araguel and Team for achieving Top Listing Award for the month of February 2013. Jane Araguel and Team was also recognized for achieving the RE/MAX Executive Club Award.
SimpleHR Welcomes Johnston SimpleHR announced Jennifer Johnston as its front desk operations and receptionist and the official “Director of First Impressions.” She is directly responsible for the day-to-day front desk operations, which include inventory management, departmental communications, and customer service administration. She handles the processing of all client new hires and their paperwork. Johnston is a native of the Florida Panhandle,
graduated from Crestview High School, and attended Northwest Florida State College. She comes to SimpleHR with more than 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry.
SimpleHR Welcomes Blessinger SimpleHR announced Sarah Blessinger as its new staffing administrator. She is responsible for all staffing activities to include recruiting for the company job bank, answering candidate’s questions, interviewing, completing new hire paperwork on temporary employees, and other numerous responsibilities related to staffing. She is also responsible for overseeing the strategic development of SimpleHIRE and is integral to the success of the staffing functions. Blessinger recently moved to the Destin area from Nashville. She has a Human Resource certificate and a Master’s in Psychology from the University of Phoenix.
Purses with a Purpose Earns $7,800 The two-day purse sale and auction Purses with a Purpose raised more than $7,800 to support programs and services of Shelter House, Inc. “Since its inception, Purses with a Purpose has brought in over $33,000 for critical services,” said Michelle Sperzel, Shelter House executive director. “The best thing about this event is that it is women helping women. All funds raised at Purses stay right here in our community and help women and children who
could be your neighbors.”
Hilton Certified as Office Green Meetings Site Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa received the 201314 Green Meetings Approved by ConventionSouth certification from ConventionSouth magazine, a leading national resource for meeting planners holding events in the South. The annual certification program evaluates and recognizes properties for their green meeting initiatives and the ability to help meeting planners meet their own green meeting objectives.
Hilton to Begin Capital Improvement Project Closely following a renovation of meeting space, accommodations, and the finedining Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood restaurant, the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa has announced a new multi-million dollar capital improvement project. Scheduled to begin Oct. 1, the five-month project will include a number of enhancements, such as complete redesign and refurnishing of all Spa Tower rooms, upgrade of the award-winning, 11,000-squarefoot Serenity by the sea Spa, and a drastically enhanced entrance and lobby, providing guests a breathtaking view of Florida’s Emerald Coast immediately upon arrival.
Featherston Named New Marina Manager Legendary Marine announced that Greg Featherston is its new marina manager. Featherston comes to Legendary Marine from the position of harbor master continued page 12 Page 5
Thank you to Gulf Power, sponsor of the April 9 Leaders In Business Lunch and Hurricane Preparedness Seminar. Whenever a tropical storm or hurricane threatens Northwest Florida, Gulf Power’s primary concern is safety —for the public and its employees — followed by the efficient restoration of power. The company begins monitoring storms as they enter the Gulf of Mexico, and we activate our Emergency Management Center when it’s determined we may be impacted. Gulf Power crews are ready to respond and are recognized nationally for their storm restoration efforts. The company’s Emergency Management Center is a sophisticated command center coordinating the actions of the company’s 1,400 employees — not to mention thousands from other utilities who come to help. As soon as the storm passes, we begin a comprehensive assessment of the electrical system. This way we’ll know where to begin deploying workers. However, the key to surviving storms, whether tropical or not, is preparation. Gulf Power employees work hard to prepare the electric system before a major storm strikes the area. Please, visit gulfpower. com/storm to make your own preparations, so you’ll be ready when the next storm strikes. On the website, you’ll find tips like how to prepare for a power outage, how to stay safe in the aftermath of widespread damage, and how to safely use a generator. Our Storm Center site will be featured prominently on our home page during the entire Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 each year.
Thank You for the Door Prizes! • Capt. Nemo Kid Cruises • Coastal Reflections • Destin Charter Boat Association • Destin Seafood Festival • Eglin Federal Credit Union • Emerald Coast Chiropractic
• Party Boats Destin Princess and Destiny • Pleat, Perry & Ritchie, P.A. • ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals • ResortQuest Real Estate • Revive Media Services
• Gulf Power
• S.E.A. Chase Watersports, LLC
• Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
• SimpleHR & SimpleHIRE
Thank you to Apex Broadcasting, home of 102.1 The Wave, Highway 98.1 Country, Q92.1, and 103.1 The Blaze, for hosting our March 28 Business After Hours at its HarborWalk Village location, overlooking the beautiful Destin Harbor!
Visit www.
apexbroadcasting.com or call (850) 654-1000 for information on advertising on any of the stations. Crab Island Cantina provided delicious appetizers, and guests enjoyed the stunning view and harbor sunset.
Thank You for the Door Prizes! • Coastal Reflections
May 2013 Network Newsletter
• PML International – LegalShield
Page 7
Chamber Welcomes New Members www.nicevillehearingcenter.com for your hearing aid needs. The Emerald Coast Health Institute is located at 4566 Hwy. 20 E. Ste. 105, in Niceville. Call (850) 279-6949 or visit www. theemeraldcoasthealthinstitute.com for your preventive, family, and sports medicine needs.
On April 9, new members were introduced to the Chamber, its Board Members, and staff at a new member reception held in the Chamber conference room. Those attending included the following: BayArea Awards & Engraving strives to be the area’s best supplier of recognition products. It serves the highest, long-term interests of its customers, employees, community, and company. Its employees are craftsmen at heart, producing creative and unique products. Visit its 102 Bailey Drive location in Niceville to see inspirations for your next awards, trophies, plaques, and more, or call (850) 729-2664 for more information.
partnering with clients to provide assistance in restoring life issues, promoting personal growth, and offering a broad scope of services to families, couples, individuals, and our military population. Dr. Goldberg provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment and is certified in Suboxone Treatment. Morgan specializes in addiction, anger management, crisis intervention, HIV, DUI, court ordered population, couple and marriage, mood disorders, P.T.S.D., and anxiety disorders. For more information, call (850) 226-7100.
Beach Community Bank is located at 661 Harbor Blvd., in Destin. Call (850) 6509041 or visit www.beachcommunitybank.com for your banking needs.
Divorce Docs provides non-attorney, self-help divorce services by a FloridaSupreme Court Certified Family Mediator. Legal documents provided by the Florida Supreme Court, neutral mediation, document completion, and filing at the courthouse are included. Call (850) 502-3627 for an appointment, or visit DivorceDocs.Net online.
Dr. Eric Goldberg, D.O., and Naomi Morgan, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, of The Crane Center, LLC, are dedicated to
Ear Care Associates, Inc., is located at 1001 College Blvd. W. Bldg. 2 Ste. I, in Niceville. Call (850) 678-3211 or visit
Founded more than thirty years ago and well-grounded in Northwest Florida, Harrison Sale McCloy offers a full-service practice that extends from Tallahassee to Pensacola. Practice areas include: Business & Commercial Law, Civil & Commercial Litigation, Employment Law, Health & Hospital Law, Probate & Estate Planning, Real Estate & Land Use, and Wealth Preservation. Call (850) 269-7218 or visit www.HSMcLaw.com. For more than 40 years, PML International - LegalShield has provided access to outstanding legal services by quality law firms for a low monthly fee. Similar to an HMO, its members, collectively, become the largest client of its provider law firms, which are carefully selected and closely monitored to maintain the highest standards of service. It offers memberships for individuals, families, small businesses, and an excellent employee benefits plan. Last year its attorneys took 2.1 million calls from members, even offering 24/7 emergency access in certain situations. For details, contact Linda Kedy, Ind.Assoc., executive director, at (770) 318-1282 or www.LindaKedy.com. The Spine Institute on the Emerald Coast is located at 155 Crystal Beach Dr. #200, in Destin. Call (850) 460-2350 for all of your spinal related issues and needs.
UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER MAY WORKSHOPS May 2, from 1 – 4 p.m. Starting a Business May 10, from 12 - 1 p.m. Brown Bag Lunch: Financial Statement You Can Read May 16, from 1 - 4 p.m. How to Write a Business Plan To register, call (850) 833-9400 or visit www.sbdc.uwf.edu.
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www.DestinChamber.com
MAY
May 1 - 31 Military Appreciation Month
May 10 - 12 ArtsQuest Fine Art & Music Festival
May 2 Concert in the Village: Fountain City Players
May 11 3rd Annual Sinfonia BRAVO! Beat 5K Run/Walk
Location: Silver Sands Premium Outlets www.premiumoutlets.com/silversands
7 p.m. Location: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org
May 3 - 5 Burning Up the Beaches Benefiting Horizons
Location: The Boardwalk in Fort Walton Beach www.BurningUpTheBeaches.com
May 4 No Reservations: The Musical 7 p.m. Location: HarborWalk Village www.HarborWalkDestin.com
May 5 Cinco de Mayo Fest
12 p.m. Location: HarborWalk Village www.HarborWalkDestin.com
May 6 Melanoma Monday
1 – 5 p.m. Location: Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology www.coastalskinsurgery.com
May 9 Concert in the Village: Michael Stacey Band
7 p.m. Location: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org
May 10 - 11 Destin Relay for Life
Location: Destin Community Center (850) 244-3813
May 10 Premier Golf Tournament
8 a.m. Location: Burnt Pine Golf Club, Sandestin www.CVHNgolf.com
Location: WaterColor Inn & Resort www.culturalartsalliance.com
8 a.m. Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org
May 15 Wealth & Wisdom Series: Retirement Income Solutions
8:30 a.m. Location: Vue on 30A/Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club (850) 650-0990
May 15 PTAC Workshop: How to do Business with Eglin AFB
Location: University of West Florida, Pensacola (850) 473-7830
May 16 Concert in the Village: Ron Adams “Reflections”
7 p.m. Location: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org
May 17 Sandestin Beach Bicycle Tour
Location: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort www.SandestinBicycleTour.com
May 18 4th Annual Little Black Dress Party
6 – 10 p.m. Location: Emerald Coast Convention Center www.fwblittleblackdressparty.com
May 18 No Reservations: The Musical 7 p.m. Location: HarborWalk Village www.HarborWalkDestin.com
May 18 6th Annual Okaloosa Arts Alliance Family Fun Arts Fest 12 p.m. Location: HarborWalk Village www.okaloosaarts.org
EVEN
TS
May 18 Spring Fling
12 – 3 p.m. Location: Destin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (850) 654-4588
May 23 Concert in the Village: China Grove 7 p.m. Location: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org
May 24 - 27 Memorial Day Weekend Sale
Location: Silver Sands Premium Outlets www.premiumoutlets.com/silversands
May 25 Memorial Day Concert Celebration 7 p.m. Location: HarborWalk Village www.HarborWalkDestin.com
May 28 Pardi Gras Parade Kick-Off 6:30 p.m. Location: HarborWalk Village www.HarborWalkDestin.com
May 30 Concert in the Village: Déjà vu
7 p.m. Location: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org
May 30 Red, White & Blue Celebration Kick-Off 6:30 p.m. Location: HarborWalk Village www.HarborWalkDestin.com
To submit your events, please log into the Members Only section of our website at www.DestinChamber.com or email your event information to mail@DestinChamber. com. For your login information, please call (850) 837-6241.
BusinessPalooza Hits Chamber on September 10 On Sept. 10, the Destin Area Chamber’s monthly Leaders In Business Lunch will be all about business with the first ever BusinessPalooza! Members are invited to participate in this mini-expo format, which offers a 2-3 minute presentation to lunch attendees and a table to showcase products and services. Limited space is available. For more information on this opportunity, which is only $100, please contact Events Coordinator Suzy Nicholson Hunt at (850) 837-2711 x2 or suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com.
May 2013 Network Newsletter
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A Condo by the Gulf
DIXIELECTRICAR OF DESTIN
Northwest Florida Daily News
Alexan Henderson Beach
Easy Street Pet Friendly Vacation Rentals
Payne Chiropractic Wellness Center
Faith Assembly Christian Church
S.E.A. Chase Watersports, LLC
Family Visitation Centers
Sam Taylor Buick Cadillac
Fleet, Spencer & Kilpatrick, P.A.
Seacove Condominium & Townhomes
Becki Downs (850) 502-0804
Donald Davenport (850) 650-3676
Allied Waste / Republic Services Genie Frazer (251) 666-5730
America’s Swimming Pool Co. Ryan Eiland (850) 603-0879
Another Broken Egg Cafe Marcia Green (850) 650-0499
Better Business Bureau Norman Wright (800) 729-9226
Bit-Wizards Custom Software Solutions Jonathan Clark (850) 226-4200
Boyd Brothers Jody Detrick (800) 677-2693
Breakers East Condominium Jon Hufstedler (850) 837-1010
Brilliant Minds Gloria Scaife (850) 837-1200
Cal’s Appliances Charles Clark (850) 678-4838
Clements Antiques Of Florida Debbie Krutz (850) 837-1374
Coastal Realty of Destin, Inc Stephanie Dickerson (850) 650-3480
Destin Days, LLC Donna Ryan (850) 650-0809
Destin Jewelers Lisa Peters (850) 837-8822
DestinDirect.com Deronda Redden (850) 217-3880
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Cindy Launch (850) 269-0011
Rick Scali (850) 420-6288 David Butler (850) 502-7050
Sharon Rogers (850) 609-1850 H. Bart Fleet (850) 650-7299
Ft. Walton Beach High School Charlene Couvillon (850) 833-3300
Gilligan’s Restaurant & Water Sports Mike Abadie (850) 650-4400
Hooters
Stuart Houston (850) 654-1007
Inlet Reef Club Condominium Assoc Virginia Purser (850) 837-2303
Jane Araguel and Team Remax Coastal Properties Jane Araguel (850) 650-0300
Jim McDaniel, PA, Realtor
Michelle MacLeod (850) 863-1111
Alan Payne (850) 654-8770 Sheri Andrews (850) 607-0071
Karen Taylor Hutson (850) 244-5165
Manager (850) 837-7810
Southern Business Interiors Ed Marcell (850) 376-0040
Sugarloaf Luxury Apartments Leasing Office Tricia Lingad (850) 837-3131
Taco Bell
Ashley Siner (850) 837-4422
Track Recreation Center Annette Manuel (850) 654-4668
Wonderworks Panama City Beach Mike Walsingham (850) 249-7000
James (Jim) Wood (850) 269-0196
Jim McDaniel, ABR, GRI, RRS, RSPS, SFR, SRES (850) 685-2098
Kelly A. Seebaldt D.M.D., P.A. Kelly Seebaldt (850) 837-2189
LaFlorida Coastal Properties L.L.C. Jeff Landreth (850) 231-7896
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Marcia Hull (850) 650-2226
McMahon Hadder Insurance, Inc. Donnie McMahon (850) 650-7404
Want to join the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce? Contact Jen Skillman, Membership Consultant, at (850) 837-2711 x3 or jskillman@DestinChamber.com.
www.DestinChamber.com
Beach Community Bank
McLaughlin Mortuary
Rachael Doan 661 Harbor Blvd. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 650-9041 www.beachcommunitybank.com Banks
James Bass Okaloosa Crematory 17 Chestnut Ave. S.E. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 (850) 244-5163 Funeral Home & Funeral Advanced Planning
Business Interiors
Opportunity Inc. - Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care
Allison DiSalvio 6 Eleventh Ave. Ste F-1 Shalimar, FL 32579 (850) 651-1632 www.businteriors.com Office & Business Furnishings
Shelley Poirrier 305 Lovejoy Rd. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 (850) 409-3070 www.okaloosawaltonhomeless.org Non-Profits
Hope Medical Clinic Tim Roberts 150 Beach Dr. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 837-8474 www.hopemedclinic.org Non-Profits
Stubbs Orthodontics Zack Stubbs 4633 E. Hwy. 20 Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 687-8338 www.stubbsortho.com Orthodontists
Johnny O’Quigley’s
Charlie Gleason 34940 Emerald Coast Pkwy. Ste. 101 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 837-1015 www.oquigleysdestin.com Restaurants - American
The Crane Center, LLC Dr. Eric Goldberg, Psychiatrist, & Naomi Morgan, LMHC Naomi Morgan 4507 Furling Ln. Ste. 212 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 226-7100 Mental Health Counseling
Twin Cities Cremation & Funeral Services
James Bass 1405 E. John Sims Pkwy. Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 678-7768 Funeral Home & Funeral Advanced Planning
Unifirst Corp.
Robert Hormilla 17740 Ashley Dr. Ste. 107 Panama City Beach, FL 32413 (850) 233-8586 www.unifirst.com Uniforms
TerraMar Apartment Homes Jilenna Parmeley 93 Dune Lakes Circle Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 622-9111 www.terramarwest30a.com Apartments
Member Spotlight
Sherry Harlow, Eglin Federal Credit Union This month’s Member in the Spotlight is Sherry Harlow, APR, marketing and public relations director for Eglin Federal Credit Union (EFCU).
credit union membership eligibility available to their staff. If your business is interested in offering this benefit to your staff with no cost to you, contact the Membership Development Office at 862-0111 x1315.
EFCU was chartered in 1954 to serve area military. Today it is a $1.5 billion member-owned financial cooperative with nine local branches, serving 113,000 members worldwide. EFCU not only serves area military, but also the employees of many local Destin businesses who have made
Sherry Harlow has served EFCU for 37 years. She is a graduate of the former OWJC and the University of West Florida. She earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and has been a member of the Florida Public Relations Association for 28 years. She is a founding member of the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization, which is now 21 years old, is an
May 2013 Network Newsletter
EFCU is known for low cost loans, low fees, and excellent member service…it’s the place Where Members Matter Most!
officer for the ECPR Foundation which provides college scholarships, and serves on the board for the Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) covering the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Northwest Florida. Sherry was selected from 1,200 professionals for the SPRF Professional Achievement Award in 2000, was the first woman named to the SPRF Hall of Fame housed at Mississippi State University in 2011, and is currently serving a three-year appointment on the 20-person Universal Accreditation Board in New York City, overseeing professional development of public relations in the United States. Attend our May 14 Lunch for your chance to win the Member Spotlight! Page 11
Business Briefs (continued from page 5) at HarborWalk Marina in Destin, a job he held for four years. Featherston has served previously as dock master at Marbella, as well as in a variety of executive and corporate positions within the hospitality industry.
Barrett Promoted to Team DLT Manager Destin Land & Title recently promoted licensed title agent Darlene Barrett to manager. Barrett will lead the newly branded Team DLT. She began her career as a licensed realtor and has now been in the title industry for more than 15 years.
SimpleHR Hires Day SimpleHR announced Chelsea Day as its corporate staff for the Human Resource Department. As the HR generalist, she is responsible for the company unemployment program for multiple entities. She will oversee all functions of the program and is charge with developing strategic policy to efficiently administer the unemployment process. Day graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida State University. Prior to joining the SimpleHR team, she worked as an HR business partner for BAE Systems.
County Purchasing Manager Recognized Jack Allen, Okaloosa County’s Purchasing Department services manager, was recognized by the Central Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Association as Page 12
Chapter Manager of the Year. This recognition qualifies Allen for consideration of the National Manager of the Year 2013. The Purchasing Department is responsible for administering purchasing policies and contracts, as well as maintaining records and inventory.
Blue Marlin Realty Group Announces Expansion Blue Marlin Realty Group recently added Kate Mast, Candyce Gray, Lindsay Fullerton, and Ashley Blasbichler to its team. Joining the team as a realtor, Mast moved to the area 10 years ago from Colorado. She graduated from University of West Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and has worked in the service industry for more than 11 years, as well as owned and managed her own business, Crave Cupcakes.
2001, Fullerton has developed extensive experience in Emerald Coast real estate, in addition to traveling to sell in Europe. Joining the team as a new realtor, Blasbichler was born and raised in Destin. A graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School and Northwest Florida State College, Blasbichler grew up working with her family in a local vacation rental business, Sea Oats Motel & Management. After receiving her real estate license more than 10 years ago, Blasbichler worked in real estate and vacation rentals at Holiday Isle Properties, Inc.
Chiefs Group Sponsors Bob Hope Golf Classic Eglin Chiefs Group recently presented Air Force Enlisted Village president and CEO James C. Binnicker with a $2,500 check
as a Silver Sponsor of the 10th Annual Bob Hope Memorial Charity Golf Classic. This event, AFEV’s major local fundraiser, will be held May 17-18, at the Eglin Golf Course.
CVHN Names Treatment Room After Foundation Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) named a treatment room in its CVHN Dental Clinic in honor of Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF). DCWAF awarded CVHN $179,000 in 2012 and a total of $395,000 since 2008. The funds have been utilized to support two of CVHN’s major programs, the CVHN Dental Clinic and the ‘Just for Grins’ Mobile Dental Clinic, and other projects that help local uninsured and underinsured children gain access to medical, dental, and mental health care services.
Please send your news releases to Elizabeth Spies at espies@ DestinChamber.com.
Gray, the team’s new office administrator, was raised in Birmingham, Ala., and grew up spending family vacations in Destin. Her dream of living on the Emerald Coast came true in November 2012, when she relocated to the area. New real estate sales manager Fullerton was born and raised in Destin. A graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School, Fullerton received her real estate license from Ed Kofflers School of Real Estate. Since beginning her career in www.DestinChamber.com
Chamber Donates $500 to CBA
DESTIN BUSINESS FORUM In partnership with Cox Communications, the Chamber’s monthly TV program hosts the following in May 2013: - Blue Marlin Realty Group - Covenant Hospice - Destin Forward Leadership Award Winner
On March 28, the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce presented a $500 check to the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) in appreciation of its assistance during the 2013 Bayou, Bay & Back 5K Run/Walk, 10K & Half Marathon. The CBA provided volunteers and marketing assistance with the event. Since the race courses offer sweeping views of the Choctawhatchee Bay and waterways of Destin, the CBA is the perfect partner for the race. The CBA is an organization committed to sustaining and providing optimum utilization of the Choctawhatchee Basin watershed. The health of the area’s water resources is the foundation of its identity and economy. Be it fishing, tourism, or quality of life, everything revolves around a healthy watershed. For more information about CBA programs, please visit www.basinalliance.org or ‘like’ it on Facebook: www.facebook.com/basinalliance. The 2014 Bayou, Bay & Back event is set for Saturday, Jan. 25.
Weekly Schedule on Cox Channel 6 is as follows: - Sundays, at 8:30 p.m. - Mondays, at 7:30 p.m. - Wednesdays, at 9:30 a.m. - Thursdays, at 7:30 p.m. Shows are also available on Cox InDemand and the Chamber’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/destinchamber. Contact Suzy Nicholson Hunt at (850) 837-2711 x2 or suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com to have your business featured here. This is a free benefit of Chamber membership!
Host Amy Perry Pleat, Perry & Ritchie, P.A.
Thank you to Cox Communications for its support of this program.
www.DestinChamber.com May 2013 Network Newsletter
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Destin Area Chamber of Commerce 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A Destin, FL 32541
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DESTIN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Destin Forward Tours Hurlburt Field On April 11, for its last official class, the Destin Forward Class of 2013 toured Hurlburt Field. Class members received a briefing from the 4th Special Operations Squadron and toured Combat Arms Training and the Airpark. For a detailed account of the day, see The Destin Log reporter and class member Matt Algarin’s Behind The Gate story from April 12 on www.thedestinlog.com. The Destin Forward program uses a hands-on approach to its indepth study of the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village. Applications for the class of 2014 are now available. Please contact Suzy Nicholson Hunt at (850) 837-2711 x2 or email suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com for an application or more information. Applications will be due by July 22, and the new class will begin in August.