November 2012
Bowyer and Pleat & Perry, P.A., Team are Big Winners of Chamber Golf & Dine
On Oct. 17, the Chamber held its Golf & Dine
Four people (seen left to right in above right
Tournament, at Emerald Bay Golf Club. The
photo), including Jim Wood, Terry Clements,
tournament’s big winner was Kevin Bowyer of
Chase Hurt, and Eric Sass, qualified for the final
Warren Averett O’Sullivan Creel for his hole in
shot in the $100K Shoot Out for Education,
one on #16, earning him a Rolex and a ladies
though none made the hole in one to claim the
ceramic watch, both donated by McCaskill &
big prize.
Company. He is seen in the photo to the right being congratulated by David Kirk (left) of McCaskill & Company. The winning team was from Pleat & Perry, P.A.
Thank you to tournament host Emerald Bay Golf Course and to golf team with hole sponsors Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.; Fort Walton Beach Medical Center; Pleat &
Team members (seen in the above left photo)
Perry, P.A.; ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation
were congratulated by Chamber Chairman Bill
Rentals; Simple HR; Trustmark National Bank;
Lindsley of Simple HR. They include (from left to
Wal-mart Stores, Inc./Sam’s Club; and Warren
right) Ken Stevenson, Lindsley, Jim Bagby, West
Averett O’Sullivan Creel; and hole sponsors Air
Ritchie, and Ryan Garrity. Second place went
Force Enlisted Village, Coastal Accounting of
to the Gulf Power team of David Beach, Ron
NW Florida, P.A., and Eglin Federal Credit Union.
Busbee, Tom Dorsey, and Jim Kubik. Third place
Restaurants participating in the Golf & Dine
was the Wells Vision & Laser Eye Surgery team
included Harry T’s Lighthouse, Poppy’s Crazy
of Eddie Cowen, Dr. Kevin Wells, Mike Farne,
Lobster, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
and Chris Speight. Longest drive winner was Ken Stevenson, and closest to the pin winners were Drew Armacost, David Beach, Kevin Bowyer, and Pete DeBogory.
To view all tournament photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/destinareachamber or www.facebook.com/destinchamber.
The Chamber is offering exciting new ways to promote your business to its members and visitors! Call (850) 837-6241 or read Tuesday Talking Points for details.
Find more information and register for upcoming events at www.DestinChamber.com!
A Time to Make Decisions It’s kind of scary that I write this with Halloween just a couple of weeks away. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, meaning the fat man in the red suit will be visiting soon – if you’ve all been good, that is. College football season is more than half-over, and college basketball practices have begun. So what does this time of year mean for the Chamber? We’ll be closely watching the election. There has never been a more important election in our history. More so than I can ever remember, small businesses need more relief, not more taxes, regulation, and mandates. Americans need jobs. Our economy needs to be turned around. When you go to the polls, there are 11 amendments to Florida’s Constitution to vote on. The Destin Area Chamber, at the time I’m writing this, has not taken a position on any of them. What we ask you to do is think about whether any of the amendments on the ballot should be part of Florida’s Constitution. Is the Constitution the place for this? And remember, it takes a 60% ‘yes’ vote for any amendments to pass. This time of year also brings us to our annual board retreat. With the 6 Pillar Community Kick-off event having taken place, I feel that economic development will be front and center for us. There seems to be desire to localize economic development for Destin. There seems to be some drive for diversifying our economy. It will be interesting to see what direction your board moves concerning economic development. I know what I hope they do.
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
Simple HR
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
We’ll also spend some time evaluating our programs and services. That’s an annual task. We want to make sure you, our members, are benefitting from what we do. Any ideas? Email them to me, and I’ll take them to the board. Also, be sure to call Sarah or Suzy about some new, exciting, and very valuable advertising opportunities through the Chamber.
Directors Julie Cotton, Northwest Florida State College
This is also Seafood Festival time. Again, my sincere thanks go to Capt. Mike Eller, Melissa Steffan, the Destin Charter Boat Association, and all of the property owners and partners who have worked together to take this festival to a new level. Great job, all! And don’t forget to visit the docks for the Rodeo weigh-ins.
Andi Mahoney, White-Wilson Medical Center
Finally, I’d like to give a big shout-out to all of our members. You make this a great Chamber and a great place to live, work, and play. You also make it possible for us to work daily at building this world-class community one business at a time.
Kathy Whidden, Emerald Coast Chiropractic
With wishes for continued success, and until next month,
Tim Edwards, Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill Rebecca Jones, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Dave Morrow, Allstate Insurance - Ryland/Morrow Agency Cyndy Thomas, ResortQuest By Wyndham Vacation Rentals 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, IOM President and CEO
Management Team Shane A. Moody, CCE, IOM, President and CEO
ceo@DestinChamber.com
Advertising our World-Class Community
Elizabeth Spies, Vice President of Communications espies@DestinChamber.com
In our mission to support Destin as a world-class community, our Welcome Center recorded the following numbers in September 2012:
Wendy Schaefer, Information Specialist
Phone Calls/Emails — 526 Incoming Mail — 140 Visitors to the Welcome Center Lobby — 175 Relocation Packages — 3 Visitor’s Guides & Membership Directories Mailed — 211
mail@DestinChamber.com
Suzy Nicholson Hunt, Events Coordinator
suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com
Sarah Sholtis, Membership Consultant sarah@DestinChamber.com
THE CHAMBER MONTH AHEAD
Government as a Business? This month, along with some new material, I would ask you to indulge me a little while I revisit some points I made in my column from a couple of months ago entitled “Our Civic Duty” (available on the Chamber’s website). With the first Presidential debate under our belt and the general election approaching, I find the timing of my previous column fitting. My hope is that you have the opportunity to read this before the Nov. 6 election. Please note that the views expressed in this article are my personal views and not necessarily the views of the Chamber, its staff, or Board of Directors.
NOVEMBER Join us for our Leaders In Business Lunch
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sponsored by SimpleHR,
to be held at Destin United Methodist Church. This is also our Veteran’s Day Celebration where our Military Affairs Council awards the Retired Military Person of the Year. 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, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. Check-in begins at 11:15 a.m., and the lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. NOVEMBER The Chamber Board of Directors Meeting will
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be held in the Chamber
conference room at 11:30 a.m.
DECEMBER Save the date for our Annual Holiday
4
Party! We will welcome
the season at Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar & Grill. Invitations will be mailed soon. If you would like to donate an extra cheery door prize, please contact the Chamber. JANUARY
18
I strongly believe that it is our duty as business owners, leaders, and promoters of commerce to encourage pro-business candidates and legislation. While making this assumption, we need to understand that there are members from both sides of the aisle who support pro-business agendas. My personal opinion of our goal is to encourage legislators, commissioners, and councilmen and women, from both political parties, to pass legislation and ordinances that promote business fairness, competitiveness, efficiency, and diversity. Without these qualities, business in the Destin area and in our great country cannot flourish. Without these qualities, jobs will not be created. It is a duty of your Chamber Board and its staff to promote these characteristics. As for the Presidential race, I think we, as business-minded individuals, need to ask a very important question. Which candidate would you trust to run your business? Some would argue that Government should not be run like a business. Personally speaking, I strongly disagree. The utter lack of business acumen possessed by some of our current and past leaders is why we are in this current economic mess. To let our national debt soar to $16 Trillion (estimated to be at $20 Trillion by 2016) is completely irresponsible. Borrowing money from countries like China only seeks to give them economic and political leverage and weaken our diplomatic and military advantages. We, as an educated society, cannot sit back and let this objectionable behavior continue. We cannot continue to borrow our way out of our problems. Just as in most of our homes, when we overextend ourselves, the bank will cut us off. What would happen if the “bank” cut our country off? It is time for the electorate to step in place of the bank and cut off the borrowing - now. The easiest way to do this is to implement an easy litmus test of your candidates of choice, have they successfully owned or run a business? If they don’t have experience running a small budget, how can we expect them to run a budget that tops almost $4 trillion! Obviously there are other qualities that make a good leader, but from a business perspective, this one stands out significantly to me. Until next month,
Save the date for our Annual Awards & Installation Banquet!
The Chamber will present its most prestigious awards and install the 2013 Board of Directors. Details will be announced soon. For information about all Chamber Events, please visit the Events Calendar at
DestinChamber.com or call (850) 837-6241!
Bill Lindsley 2012 Destin Area Chamber Chairman Simple HR
Celebrating Ambassador Successes Congratulations to our top Ambassadors for September 2012! 45 points — Mike Schneider, Compass Real Estate 45 points — Trisha Chason, SimpleHR and SimpleHIRE **Paul Woolman, Copy Systems Business Center, Inc., should have been listed in last month’s top Ambassadors. We apologize for the omission.
Thank you to Mike Schneider of Compass Real Estate for welcoming new member Destin Guns Inc.
September Ribbon Cuttings
Honest Medicare Solutions
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 (850) 543-5076 www.honestmedicaresolutions.com Category: Insurance Chamber Rep: Jeff Treganowan
Landshark’s Pizza Company 763 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL 32541 (850) 424-6743 www.landsharkspizzacompany.com Category: Restaurants – Pizza Chamber Rep: Brian Hassmann
Deserted Sandcastle Wins Photo Contest Seven years ago, the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce launched the Destin Area Summer Photo Contest to give area visitors and residents a forum to share their favorite Destin memories. During the 2012 contest, which ran from Aug. 20 to Sept. 6, 61 photos were entered by people from nine different states. One winner was chosen in each of three contest categories – Family, Beach, and Harbor/Bay – along with an overall winner. Overall winner (photo at left) was Diane McAndrew of Houston, TX; family winner was Amy Orcutt of Clinton, MS; beach winner was Jennifer Ray of LaGrange, GA; and harbor/bay winner was Juda York. To view all winners and entries, please visit the Events section of DestinChamber.com. Thank you to members donating prizes, including Jetty East, Poppy’s Crazy Lobster, Buccaneer Pirate Cruise, Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill, Hard Rock Café, Hurricane Lanes, and Sugar Baby’s Candy & Ice Cream Shop.
November 2012 Network Newsletter
Page 3
Crye-Leike’s Top Producers for August
Colleen Regan
Kim Kirby Crye-Leike Coastal Realty announced its Top Producers in Closed Sales Volume for the month of Lynn Stoner August were Colleen Regan and Kim Kirby, and the Top Producer in new listings was Lynn Vaughn Stoner. Regan grew up on the Emerald Coast and has worked in the Destin area for the past 25 years. She has a degree in Control in Systems Engineering and 12 years in sales management, before becoming a REALTOR. Kirby 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. Stoner, who grew up in northwest Georgia, attended the University of Georgia and has worked in the airline industry.
Ramada Goes Green The Ramada Plaza Beach Resort was recently recognized for accomplishments in environmental management and corporate social responsibility and achieved a rating of 3 Green Keys, according to the Green Key Eco-Rating Program. “The Ramada Plaza Beach Page 4
Resort is proud of the 3 Green Keys rating achievement and will continue to further improve Green initiatives and performance while significantly increasing cost savings,” said director of sales Jackie Blue.
Teaching Children To Save Winners of the 2012 “Teaching Children to Save” project, which encourages parents and grandparents to talk with their children about money and the importance of savings, were recognized at the Okaloosa County Commission meeting on Sept. 4. In 2012, 280 youth in area deposited $20,118.21 into savings accounts. Since the program began in 2004, youth deposits have been $221,119.12.
Hodgdon and Carnes Join Sandestin
Mark Hodgdon Ron Carnes Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort announced the appointment of Mark Hodgdon as general manager and Ron Carnes as director of engineering. Hodgdon has more than 30 years of hospitality experience, including management of some of North America’s leading properties and destinations. He has a strong commitment to operational excellence, customer service, and to the staff who help achieve those important benchmarks. Carnes has more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality
industry. His impressive hospitality background includes management of operations and maintenance at ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, and he is also a licensed Community Association Manager.
Eglin Spouses Help Children in Crisis
project that gives students a direct role in the restoration of Choctawhatchee Bay. The 20122013 Grasses in Classes program will work with 3rd and 5th graders to establish saltmarsh nurseries. In this photo, Kristen Meredith helps 5th graders at Laurel Hill School place smooth cordgrass in their new saltmarsh nurseries.
2 Okaloosa EMS Employees Honored
The Eglin Spouses Club helped the kids of Children in Crisis, Inc., (CIC) get ready for back to school again this year. Thanks to the generous donations from the members of the ESC, all the kids at the Children’s Neighborhood received new socks to take them through the new school year. Pictured are Carla Musgrove, CIC development director; Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO; Judy Wiseman, Eglin Spouses and a CIC board member; Natalie Rodriguez, CIC volunteer and events director; and Betty Hefner, CIC board member.
Local Students Establish Saltmarsh Nurseries
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) of Northwest Florida State College, in partnership with AmeriCorps program, is implementing 13 Grasses in Classes Programs throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties. This is a handson, environmental education
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) Tammy Franklin and Richea Driskell were recognized with a HERO Award at the Sept. 18 Okaloosa County Commission meeting. The HERO Award recognizes a deed, act, or event in which an employee not only goes beyond the scope of what his or her job entails, but has done something of a humanitarian or heroic nature. Franklin and Driskell have been recognized for their heroic treatment of a patient, while at the same time being stung by yellow jackets.
Twin Cities Earns Top Performer Recognition Twin Cities Hospital was named one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. Twin Cities Hospital was recognized for exemplary performance in using evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, stroke, and venous thromboembolism, as well as inpatient psychiatric services. www.DestinChamber.com
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Destin Commons Announces Expansion
Horseshoe Bayou dock at sunset by award-winning photographer David Hillegas.
Kiwanis Key Club of Niceville-Valparaiso Help Children
Medical Center Earns Top Performer Recognition
Destin Commons announced an expansion that will enhance the look, feel, and experience of the center. Continuing with the trend of attracting nationally recognized brands, Turnberry Associates will add more than 20 new retailers and three new restaurants to its 75 tenants. Currently, 60 percent of the new space is already under commitment. Ground breaking and initial construction is slated to begin in January 2013, with a completion date set for mid2014.
Sandestin Selected for Coastal Living Cover Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was selected as the location for the cover photo of the October issue of Coastal Living Magazine. The scenic cover photo was taken by Julia Rutland, Coastal Living’s senior food and entertainment editor. The photo features glowing sea-inspired carved pumpkins sitting on the sugar white sand and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico in the background. This issue of the magazine also includes an inside, two-page spread of a lineup of creatively carved pumpkins, an image that was taken on Sandestin’s November 2012 Network Newsletter
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center was named one of the nation’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America for the second year in a row. As the only hospital in the tri-county area named to this distinguished list in all four measure sets for two consecutive years, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center was recognized for exemplary performance in using evidencebased clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, children’s asthma, stroke and venous thromboembolism, as well as inpatient psychiatric services.
The Kiwanis Key Club of Niceville-Valparaiso donated its time, talents, and hard work during a recent workday to help make the Children in Crisis, Inc., (CIC) Children’s Neighborhood look great. Workdays are held every Saturday morning to maintain and improve the CIC Neighborhood and several times each year the Kiwanis Key Club Students of Niceville High School do their part. Seen here, Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, thanks Tim Parson, Key Club coordinator, and Key Club members.
Holiday Inn Closes for Remodeling The Holiday Inn Destin On The Beach, which has been in Destin since 1971, closed its doors on Sept. 24, to begin a remodeling project. It will re-open in June 2013. Plans include a complete gutting and remodeling of the round building, as well as the demolition and removal of the east building. Plans for the pool area include a 300 plus foot lazy river, a zero depth entry pool, private cabanas, lush landscaping, and more. A second phase will begin in the fall of 2013 to include 5,000 square feet of meeting space, an indoor pool, and 9-10 floors of oversized hotel rooms, all offering a spectacular view of the beach, the Gulf Of Mexico, and the new pool area. Continued on page 8
Twin Cities Hospital Auxiliary Installs Officers
Twin Cities Hospital Auxiliary installed its 2012-2013 officers during its September luncheon. Officers are (from left to right) Claire Meade, assistant treasurer; Anne Sauceda, second VP; Pat Willoz, treasurer; Barbara McDermott, corresponding secretary; Bobbie Humphrey, president; Bonnie McKinney, recording secretary; and Mariann Johnson, first VP. Page 5
Thank you to Trustee Member Trustmark National Bank for its sponsorship of our Sept. 11 Leaders In Business Lunch. Trustmark Corporation, with $9.9 billion in assets, is a diversified financial services company. Founded in 1889, it provides banking, wealth management, and insurance solutions through its subsidiaries, including Trustmark National Bank, TRMK Risk Management, Inc., Trustmark Investment Advisors, Inc., and The Fisher Brown-Bottrell Insurance Agency, Inc. With locations in Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, it has more than 2,600 associates working to achieve outstanding customer satisfaction by understanding customers’ businesses and needs and providing appropriate financial solutions. Trustmark belives building strong customer relationships is the result of knowing its customers, understanding their businesses and needs, and providing appropriate financial solutions. For more information, please visit www.Trustmark.com or call (850) 337-9100.
Thank You for the Door Prizes! • Capt. Nemo Kid Cruises • Destin Charter Boat Association
• Party Boats Destin Princess and Destiny • PT Solutions
• Destin Cleaners
• Simple HIRE
• Eglin Federal Credit Union
• White-Wilson Medical Center
• Emerald Coast Chiropractic
Thank you to Destin Commons for hosting a Multi-Chamber Business After Hours and Gallery Night on Sept. 27! For more information about Destin Commons, its retailers, and its current expansion project, please visit www.DestinCommons.com.
Thank You for the Door Prizes! • Bay Limousine • Building Industry Association • Buckle • Century 21 – Patsy Bland • Chartwell Hospitality • Destin Commons • Diamond Dan DJ Services • Emerald Coast Rehabilitation, P.A. • End Zone Apparel • Godiva Chocolatier
• Monograms by Me and Mom • Old South Land Title • Peoples National Bank • Private Gallery • The Reach Institute • Rotolo’s • Silver Plus • Simple HR • Swim ‘n Sport
Member Spotlight
Melissa Forte, ACN Independent Business Owner Melissa Forte, ACN Independent Business Owner, is this month’s Member in the Spotlight. Through her online storefront at www. melissaforte.acndirect. com, she provides essential home and small business services from various telecommunication and energy companies. She is an authorized dealer for such companies as Dish, Direct TV, ADT, Vivant, Century Link, AT&T Uverse, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Her own company offers
Voice Over Internet Phone for home or office, wireless without credit check or contract, and, her favorite, the video phone. She uses the video phone to “visit” with family and friends across town and across the country. Forte enjoyed 15 years of working in almost every department at Sam’s Club, where she honed her customer service and marketing skills. She then spent five years working for the Emerald Coast Convention Center, helping showcase the area she loves. At present, and in addition to her work as an ACN Independent Business Owner, she cares for a 94-years-young family member and works
with her favorite charities. She is the Marketing Committee Chair and a Loaned Executive for the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. She and her family have been volunteering for the Harbor Docks Habitat for Humanity Thanksgiving fundraiser for eight years. Forte is a current member of the Chamber’s Destin Forward Class. She has two sons, Anthony, a freshman at NWF State College, and Thomas, a junior at Choctawhatchee High School, and one grandchild, Delilah Joy. Attend our November Lunch for your chance to win this spotlight.
Business Briefs (continued from page 5) Rotary Club Sponsors Middle School Interact
The Rotary Club of Destin announced its sponsorship in support of the Destin Middle School Rotary Interact Club. Interact is Rotary International’s service club designed for young people ages 12 to 18 to provide support and guidance, but are self-governing and selfsupporting.
Massage Envy Raises $749.55 for Arthritis Massage Envy Spa Destin raised $749.55 during the second Healing Hands for Arthritis. The one-day national event took place at more than 800 Massage Envy clinics on Sept. 19. Here, $10 from every massage and facial was donated to the Arthritis Foundation to benefit the organization’s mission to prevent, control, and cure arthritis.
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Legendary Marine Wins Top Performance Awards For the second consecutive year, Legendary Marine won the #1 Dealer Nationwide for Sales from Sea Hunt Boats, in Columbia, S.C. It also took home top sales honors as the #1 Dealer Nationwide for Everglades boats based in Edgewater, Fla., as well as receiving the coveted Bob Dougherty Award for overall outstanding performance. At the national Cobalt Boats dealer meeting, Legendary Marine received the #1 Top Customer Service award for the region. On a regional basis, Legendary Marine was voted by readers of Emerald Coast Magazine as the “BEST of the Emerald Coast for Boat Sales and Service.
RE/MAX Coastal Agents Receive Recognition In September, RE/MAX Coastal Properties recognized the Jane Jane Araguel Araguel Team for the Top Sales Award and Chris Carter
Chris Carter Tammy LaMarche for the Top Listing Award and the RE/MAX 100% Award. Tammy LaMarche achieved Top Commissions. Continued on page 12
www.DestinChamber.com
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NOV
EMB
EVEN
November 3 Race for the Arts
November 17 Crop Drop
November 4 FREE Community Movie Night
November 17 Sparkling Wines & Holiday Lights
Location: Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village Time: 8:30 a.m. www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org/events
Location: First Baptist Church of Destin Time: 5 p.m. www.firstbaptistdestin.com
November 8 Taylor Haugen Foundation 3rd Annual “Savor The Season” Location: Alys Beach, Caliza Pool Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. www.TaylorHaugen.org
Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf Time: 4 – 7 p.m www.baytownewharf.com
November 18 Grand Community Feast
Location: First Baptist Church of Destin Time: 12 p.m. www.firstbaptistdestin.com
November 18 8th Annual Evening of Giving
November 10 Blues, Brews, & BBQ
Location: Silver Sands Premium Outlets Time: 3 – 7 p.m. www.premiumoutlets.com/silversands
Location: HarborWalk Village Time: 12 – 4 p.m. www.harborwalkdestin.com
November 23 Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting
November 10 4th Annual Christmas Bazaar
Location: HarborWalk Village Time: 12 p.m. www.harborwalkdestin.com
Location: Harvest House Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. www.HarvestHouseDestin.org
November 15 A Taste of France – The Magic of Beaujolais Nouveau Location: Grand Boulevard Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org
November 15 “Sizzle and Bling”
Location: HarborWalk Village Time: 12 p.m. www.harborwalkdestin.com
November 23 Movie - “Arthur Christmas”
Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf Time: 7 p.m. www.baytownewharf.com
November 24 Visit with Santa
Location: Ruth’s Chris Steak House Time: 5 – 6:30 p.m. www.mccaskillandcompany.com/events/
Location: HarborWalk Village Time: 12 – 4 p.m. www.harborwalkdestin.com
ER
TS
November 24 Holiday Show
Location: HarborWalk Village Time: 5 – 9 p.m. www.harborwalkdestin.com
November 24 Here Comes Santa Claus
Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf Time: 6 p.m. www.baytownewharf.com
November 28 JobsPlus Mobile Unit
Location: Silver Sands Premium Outlets Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. www.premiumoutlets.com/silversands
November 29 Fall Concert and Silent Auction Location: Destin Middle School Time: 6 p.m. www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/destinm/
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. To ensure your event is included, please submit it by the first of the month prior to the month when the event will be held.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
COSTA LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE NOVEMBER SCHEDULE
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER NOVEMBER WORKSHOPS
November 2
November 8
November 2
November 8
Website SEO and How to Monetize Your Website
Servant Leadership
Starting a Business
Creative Capital for Small Business - Roundtable
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
November 6
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The Power of Positive Communications November 8
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Board Effectiveness Training for those in Service to Non Profits November 2012 Network Newsletter
8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
1 – 4 p.m.
November 9
November 7
Stress Management
Quickbooks Basic
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
To register or get details, please contact the Costa Leadership Institute at (850) 729-6880 or visit www.nwfsc.edu/LI.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 – 3:30 p.m.
To register or for information, please contact UWF’s Small Business Development Center at (850) 833-9400 or www.sbdc.uwf.edu.
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A Plus Pressure Washing Services, Inc. (850) 685-3348 Contact: Doyle Mullins
Allstate Insurance - Ryland/ Morrow Agency (850) 650-0600 Contact: Dave Morrow
Boathouse Oyster Bar (850) 837-3645 Contact: Kelly Pfirrman
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast (850) 862-1616 Contact: Jessica Jarosz
Centennial Bank
(850) 269-1709 Contact: Cathy Augustine
Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology (850) 654-3376 Contact: Kaci Wolkers
Covenant Hospice (850) 729-1800 Contact: Ivey Davis
Cox Pools
(850) 650-9138 Contact: Kay Cox
Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (850) 622-5970 Contact: Lee Greene
Destin RV Beach Resort
McCaskill & Company
Dolphin Cruise/Southern Star Glass Bottom Boat
Narconon Gulf Coast, Inc.
(850) 837-3529 Contact: Dick Forsberg
(850) 837-7741 Contact: Ms. Wendy Wilson
Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties (850) 833-3627 Contact: Gloria Mayo
(850) 650-2262 Contact: Bill & Elizabeth Campbell
(850) 837-2799 Contact: Deborah Ross
New Leaf Marketing (866) 835-5922 Contact: Greg Kernion
Panama City Weddings (850) 248-2933 Contact: Susan Long
Emerald Coast Vacation Rentals (850) 837-6100 Contact: John Butler
End Zone Apparel
(850) 424-3309 Contact: Kristal Roberts
Fat Daddy’s Arcade
(850) 424-6021 Contact: Annette Manuel
Quality Imports - Mercedes Benz BMW - Toyota - Mazda (850) 863-2161 Contact: Mike Wangle
Rhodes Auto Repair (850) 837-2368 Contact: Scott Rhodes
Ruth’s Chris Steak House Florida Quick Stick Lacrosse DBA Destin Rockets Lacrosse (850) 424-5844 Contact: Michael “Gene” Speni
(850) 337-5108 Contact: Mike Sable
ScubaTech of NW Florida, Inc. (850) 837-2822 Contact: Carla Moore
Golden Corral Destin (850) 654-5030 Contact: Michael Kunkle
Shake’s Frozen Custard (850) 269-1111 Contact: Dee Chernicky
Harmony Beach Vacations (850) 650-0551 Contact: John Toombs
Showtime Events
(850) 622-4087 Contact: Rebecca Scozzafave
Larry W. Hines Dale E. Peterson Vacations (850) 654-4747 Contact: Michelle Eason
Destin Home Depot #6377 (850) 650-4175 Contact: Polo Cutts Page 10
(850) 654-6078
Matthews Jones & Hawkins, LLP (850) 837-3662 Contact: Stephen R. Sametz
Simple HR
(850) 650-9935 Contact: Bill Lindsley
South Walton Utility Co., Inc. (850) 837-2988 Contact: Nancy Kennedy
www.DestinChamber.com
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Boshamp’s Oyster House
Kara Boo Bakery
Popcorn Jungle
Carmike Cinemas
Monograms By Me And Mom, Inc.
The Premier Property Group
Centerline Martial Arts
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Fort Walton Beach
Roberto’s Pizzeria Sports Bar
414 Harbor Blvd. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 461-4745 www.boshamps.com Category: Restaurants – Seafood Contact: Miller Phillips 1301 1st Ave. Columbus, GA 31901 (706) 576-3460 www.carmike.com Category: Movie Theaters Contact: Alyssa Harvey 10859 Emerald Coast Pkwy. Ste. 403 Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 585-6153 www.centerlinewingchun.com Category: Martial Arts Instruction Contact: Chris Damiano
Crab Island Cantina
2 Harbor Blvd. #100 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 424-7417 www.crabislandcantina.com Category: Restaurants – Mexican Contact: Carlos Shaffran
Destin Guns Inc.
981 U.S. Hwy. 98 E. Ste. 2 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 502-6105 Category: Guns & Ammo Contact: Kurtis Kinsey
First Baptist Church
201 Beach Dr. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 837-6515 www.firstbaptistdestin.com Category: Churches Contact: Farren Roper
Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack 707 Harbor Blvd. Destin, FL 32541 (850) 424-7514 www.funkybluesshack.com Category: Restaurants – American Contact: Charles Stiles
Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille
138 Fisherman’s Cove Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 351-1997 www.hammerheadsbarandgrille.com Category: Restaurants – Seafood Contact: Tyler Jarvis
10859 Emerald Coast Pkwy. W. Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 532-1750 www.destinbakery.com Category: Bakeries Contact: Bogdan Enache 114 Palmetto St. Unit 9 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 424-6916 www.monogramsbymeandmom.com Category: Embroidery Contact: Kitty Ammons
133 Racetrack Rd. N.W. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 (850) 863-7270 http://fa.morganstanleyindividual.com/ theklinedensmoregroup Category: Financial Services Financial Services: Marilu Lammon
Mosci Boutique
114 Palmetto St. Ste. 7 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 654-4144 www.mosciboutique.com Category: Retail Clothing Contact: Silvia M. Mosci
Pepito’s Cantina & Grill
11225 Emerald Coast Pkwy. Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 269-7788 www.mypepitos.com Category: Restaurants – Mexican Contact: Yzanel Garduno
Pepito’s Mexican Bar & Grill 4585 U.S. Hwy. 20 #100 Niceville, FL 32578 (850) 279-4949 www.mypepitos.com Category: Restaurants – Mexican Contact: Eliseo Gutierrez
Pepito’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
757 Harbor Blvd. #100 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 650-7734 www.mypepitos.com Category: Restaurants – Mexican Contact: Eliseo Gutierrez
34 Harbor Blvd. #255 Haborwalk Village Destin, FL 32541 (850) 460-2660 www.junglepopcorn.com Category: Retail Specialty Contact: Todd Warton 495 Grand Blvd. Ste. 201J Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 337-1555 www.thepremierpropertygroup.com Category: Real Estate Contact: Heather Hebert 110 Cannery Lane Miramar Beach, FL 32550 (850) 351-1998 www.robertositalianpizzeria.com Category: Restaurants – Italian Contact: Tyler Jarvis
Sharing Hands Network
151 Regions Way Ste. 2B Destin, FL 32541 (770) 312-7518 www.sharinghandsnetwork.org Category: Non-Profits Contact: Lynn Clemmons Steele
Skinny’s Nutrition Destin, LLC 981 U.S. Hwy. 98 E. Ste. 4 Destin, FL 32541 (850) 650-5522 www.skinnysnutritiondestin.com Category: Nutrition Clubs Contact: John H. Wambough, Jr.
Weddings at the Hilton Sandestin Beach
4000 Sandestin Blvd. S. Destin, FL 32550 (850) 267-9500 www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com Category: Wedding Suppliers & Services Contact: Karen Cooksey
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. November 2012 Network Newsletter
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Business Briefs (continued from page 8) Tommy Bahama Café Sponsors Children in Crisis Tournament
companies, and partnerships. He is a licensed attorney with an L.L.M. in taxation and 12 years of legal practice in estate and business planning.
Community Bank Opens New Office
For the fifth year, Tommy Bahama Tropical Café sponsored the Sugar Sands Charity Golf Classic benefiting Children in Crisis, Inc., (CIC) (formerly the White Sands Golf Classic Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Children in Crisis, Inc.), which was held Oct. 1. The restaurant’s general manager Mario Mardones was presented with a plaque honoring him as a member of the CIC Extra Mile Club. Pictured here are Carla Musgrove, CIC development director; Natalie Rodriguez, CIC volunteer and events director; Mardones; and Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO.
Public Library Celebrates 15 Years Okaloosa County’s Public Library Cooperative turned 15 years old on Oct. 1. The sixmember network, chartered in 1997, provides free library service to all Okaloosa County residents. Founding cities of Crestview, Mary Esther, and Niceville were joined by Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Valparaiso in 1999.
Saltmarsh Welcomes Brabham Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund announced that David Brabham, JD, LLM, joined the firm as a manager for tax and accounting services and will serve clients from the Fort Walton Beach office. Brabham has nine years of public accounting experience in tax compliance, technical review research and planning for corporations, limited liability Page 12
Community Bank, Destin, announced that Community Bank has just opened a new Loan Production Office in Panama City Beach. The new office, managed by Jason Crowe, will specialize in commercial, small business, and residential mortgage loans. Crowe is a senior vice president and advisory director at Community Bank with more than 17 years’ experience in the banking industry.
Museum Celebrates Seven Years The Destin History and Fishing Museum celebrated its 7th anniversary in October and revealed its newest exhibits, including the renovated evolution of fishing in Destin exhibit, new turpentine industry exhibit, and the new reef ecosystem recreation.
old company, which also has offices in Seacrest Beach and Watercolor.
SimpleHR Welcomes Summerlin SimpleHR announced Carrie Summerlin as its new business development manager. Her sales efforts will be focused to educate and partner with small to mid-sized business owners to provide comprehensive human resource solutions, including benefits and payroll. Summerlin has a marketing degree from Mississippi State University and has been working in a sales capacity for more than 15 years, with the last eight being in pharmaceutical sales.
County Corrections Receives Accreditation The Okaloosa County Department of Corrections has
successfully earned accreditation from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC). This accreditation furthers the quality of health care in jails, prisons, and juvenile facilities.
Gulf Power Volunteers Help Children in Crisis
Members of the Fort Walton Beach Gulf Power, seen in photo, supported the at-risk children placed at Children in Crisis, Inc., during the recent United Way Day of Caring. There were more than 20 volunteers to help with painting and landscaping. Submit your press releases to Elizabeth Spies at espies@DestinChamber.com.
White-Wilson Offers Home Sleep Test White-Wilson Medical Center’s Cardiopulmonary Testing department is now offering a home sleep test for sleep apnea called the ARES (Apnea Risk Evaluation System) Home Sleep Test. The ARES Home Sleep Test uses a selfapplied device that is light and comfortable. The cost is less than $500 and is covered by some insurance companies, including Medicare and in most states, Blue Cross BlueShield.
Premier Property Group Opens New Location The Premier Property Group has opened a new real estate office in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. This is the third location for the five-yearwww.DestinChamber.com
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DESTIN BUSINESS FORUM In partnership with Cox Communications, the Chamber’s monthly TV program will host the following organizations in November 2012: - Aesthetic Clinique - Coastal Cooling & Heating, LLC - Think Loves to Print
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! To have your business featured here, contact Suzy Nicholson Hunt at (850) 837-2711 x2 or suzyhunt@DestinChamber.com. This is a free benefit of Chamber membership!
Host Amy Perry Pleat & Perry, P.A.
November 2012 Network Newsletter
Thank you to Cox Communications for its support of this program.
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Destin Area Chamber of Commerce
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DESTIN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A Destin, FL 32541 Return Service Requested
Destin Forward Explores Destin’s Waterways and Tourism On Sept. 13, Destin Forward members explored Destin’s waterways with a tour of the Coast Guard station; conversations with local historians, including Dewey Destin and Capt. Kelly Windes; a discussion with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance; and a harbor tour aboard the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise.
On Oct. 11, Destin Forward members toured the Northwest Florida Regional Airport, the Destin History Fishing Museum, and Henderson Beach State Park; heard from several panels of tourism experts and industry leaders; and ended the day at weigh-ins for the Destin Fishing Rodeo, as part of its annual Tourism Day.