Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce - Noteworthy November 2023 by greaterriverviewchamberofcommerce

NOV. 2023

NOTEWORTHY

An official publication of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce

Your success is our passion

Bringing more opportunities in 2024!

From the Chair

GRCC Office: 6152 Delancey Station Street Suite 205 Riverview, FL 33578 www.riverviewchamber.com 813-234-5944

Office Hours:

Mon.-Thurs. 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Fri. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

GRCC Staff Ny'Kole "Nykki" Krivda, BSc., MBA-HRM President and Ceo Teri Perkins Director of Branding and Marketing Elizabeth Corn Event Coordinator Sheri D’Avello Membership Director

Greetings GRCC Members, As we are entering the busy holiday season, we want to take the time to thank you, our valuable members, for your continued support of our wonderful Chamber and the amazing community in which we live. After all, YOU are what makes this Chamber vibrant and relevant, and YOU are part of what makes this community one of the most exciting places to be in Central Hillsborough County! As Hillsborough County Commissioner Michael Owen recently stated, “Riverview has become the Urban Core now.” As a business owner, that is exciting news! As a Chamber, we must keep striving to serve our business community, broaden our reach, and expand our services to this growing and thriving economic area. Hopefully you have recognized our theme for 2024 - “MORE in 2024.” We are striving to bring more value to you through your membership dollars, offer more educational opportunities, create more networking connections, and deepen our support of the community as we begin what we believe will be an amazing year of growth and renewed vitality for our Chamber. Stay informed of the latest Chamber news and happenings

From the Chair

With the many programs, events, and opportunities being presented to you this coming year, there should be nothing holding you back from becoming involved in some way. Please be sure you are reading our communications and staying informed, because the New Year is fast approaching and you don’t want to miss out on anything! Your success is our passion.

OEL Heating & Cooling

Directory PAGE GRCC Board of Directors ______________________________________

GRCC Ambassador Team ______________________________________

6-8

New Opportunity ______________________________________________

Welcome New Members ______________________________________

10 - 14

Renewing Members ___________________________________________

15 - 16

New Groups Coming in January _______________________________

Economic Development Committee __________________________

GRCC Military Affairs Committee _____________________________

Chamber Happenings _________________________________________

20 - 23

In the Know ___________________________________________________

24 - 25

Save the Date _________________________________________________

26 - 28

Education and Training ________________________________________ 29 - 30 Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies ___________________________________

31 - 33

GRCC Calendars _______________________________________________ 34 - 35 GRCC 2022 Award Winners ____________________________________

GRCC Board of Directors

Chair of the Board Tammy See OEL Heating & Cooling

Treasurer Theresa Sharkey Your Pie

Past Chair Michael Broussard The Flying Locksmiths

Jim Johnson Board Emeritus

Christian Beiter Preservation 1st Financial Group

Dave Boyle YMCA Camp Cristina

Nikki Foster The Mosaic Company

Gabriel Mbulo Edward Jones

Kristi McCart McCart & Tesmer, P.A.

Dawn Myers Myers Law PA

Jason Newmyer AdventHealth-Riverview

Bill Short

Jeff Campbell

Lydansco Business Consulting Strategic Planning & Funding, LLC

Phil Minden

St. Joseph's Hospital-South

Elena Westrop Charity Clothing Pickup

GRCC Ambassador Team

Spectrum Business

Brittany Petrie Bank OZK

Chris Nelson LegalShield

An ABC Event, Inc.

Dawn Myers

Elena Westrop

Jen Friedrichsen

Joe Eletto

Annette Bilyeu

Myers Law PA

Charity Clothing Pickup

Howell Hunt Ace Hardware

Jenn King

Jennifer Montgomery

Jill Jofko

Craig Beckinger

T & J Painting, LLC

Jenn King Bookkeeping

RYT IT Solutions

Riverview Woman's Club

Century 21 Beggins

Joe Nichols

Lisa Jordan

trax - Credit Union

Accent American, Inc.

Lisa Tackus

Melissa Canfield

Align Right

Grease Monkey

GRCC Ambassador Team

Mike Jones

Melissa Hartmann

Michael Beiter

Osprey Observer

Preservation 1st Financial Group

FL DOE Vocational Rehabilitation

Magruder Agency

Paulette Y. Merchant

Renee Scott

Richard Rohde

Ron Akers

Keller Williams South Shore

Renee Scott Insurance

R Processor, Inc.

FruxPay

Tammy Dotson

Tammy See

Tyla Phillip

Time 2 S.H.I.N.E. Consulting

OEL Heating & Cooling

Huntington Learning Center

Pat Magruder

GRCC Ambassador Team Congratulations to the GRCC Ambassador of the Month, Lisa Jordan with Accent American, Inc. Accent American is a family owned and operated business in Tampa since 1985, providing high quality, certified professional carpet and upholstery cleaning, including leather, tile grout cleaning, Oriental and specialty rug cleaning, as well as water damage, fire damage, smoke and nicotine damage, and mold remediation and restoration and more.

Are you interested in becoming an Ambassador? Ambassadors are highly visible, prestigious volunteers who serve as the Chamber's primary liaison to Chamber members. Considered the goodwill arm of the Chamber, the Ambassador Team plays an essential role in member recruitment, communication, and retention. Each Ambassador is charged with conveying member needs, questions, and concerns to Chamber staff, keeping our Chamber in line with our members' desires. Each Ambassador makes a commitment to build lasting relationships with the community in order to build a loyal, committed membership base that will continue to support, participate, and invest in the Chamber. If you are interested in being an Ambassador or would like more information, please contact Debbie today at (813) 234-5944 / Debbie@RiverviewChamber.com

NEW Opportunity! Would you like to be featured on the NEW Chamber Podcast? Step in front of the camera and chat with Chamber staff as we get your business out in front of 6,000+ followers on social media! For more information, contact the GRCC office and be some of the first to get on the schedule for this new Chamber feature!

Welcome New Members!

D&L Care Services, INC.

At Last Chiropractic Paul Polarczyk Atlastchiropractic.com

D&L Care Services, Inc. Dal & Laura Stellar Brown Dlcarefl.com

Extraordinary Church Riverview

FASTSIGNS of Riverview Thomas Green Fastsigns.com/2448

James Blewett Extraordinarychurch.net

Welcome New Members!

Flavaz Jamaican Grille Delaney Hawkins-Shaw Flavazjamaicangrille.com

Jeffrey Kurtz, CPA, LLC Jeffrey Kurtz Kurtzaccounting.com

Katie Murray Creative Katie Murray Katiemurraycreative.com

KO Kickboxing Julie Elrod KOKickboxingTampa.com 11

Welcome New Members!

Prudential - Rockcliff Christie Prudential.com/advisor/rockcli ff-christie

Select Physical Therapy Dana Paru

Sprouts Farmers Market – Valrico

Tech Coat Solutions Chip Nill TCSpainters.com

Julio Aguilera Sprouts.com/store/fl/valrico

Vosler Young Artists’ Studio Kerry Vosler Vosleryoungartistsstudio.com 12

Welcome New Members!

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Welcome New Members!

New member opportunity: If you are in your first year of membership, we invite you to attend the Year One Club! Meetings are once a month, the last Friday. In this smaller group setting, you will forge new connections, learn new business development skills from featured speakers, practice networking skills, and have fun! No charge please register to attend.

Jan. 26 - 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Thank you Renewing Members! 28 Years American Legion Post #148 Americanlegionalafiapost148.org

9 Years Redeemer Church Redeemerriverview.org

24 Years Reach City Church Reachcity.com

8 Years Children’s Board Hillsborough County ChildrensBoard.org

17 Years Walmart #5300 Walmart.com

Xscape Theaters Xscapetheatres.com

16 Years Hillsborough Community College Hccfl.edu 15 Years Morningstar Electric, LLC MorningstarElectricLLC.com 14 Years Isaak Law 13 Years Parwani Law, PA Parwanilaw.com 10 Years AdventHealth Centra Care Centracare.org Riverview Bail Bonds Riverviewbailbonds.com

7 Years Brandon Legal Group Brandonlegalgroup.com Partners in Allergy & Asthma Care, LLC PartnersinAllergy.com 6 Years Fishhawk Spartans Facebook.com/southcountyspartans 5 Years Motion ChiroTherapy Motionchirotherapy.com 4 Years All American Dog Training Academy Allamericandog.net Paulette Y. Merchant, LLC Paulette.kw.com

Thank you Renewing Members! 3 Years Brandon Crossroads Bowl BrandonCrossroadsBowl.com T&J Painting Tandjpaintingfl.com The Goddard School Goddardschool.com 2 Years Good Life Financial Advisors Goodlifetampa.com Neat & Notarized Neatandnotarized.com Time 2 S.H.I.N.E. Facebook.com/time2shineconsulting 1 Year Finn’s Dockside Bar & Grille Finnsapollobeach.com R&R Cooling Solutions Rrcoolingsolutions.com Urban Air Brandon, LLC Urbanairbrandon.com

New Groups Coming in January Networking is about building relationships. InnovateHer is about more than networking. It is a place for professional women to grow, support, motivate, and inspire each other while learning business and leadership skills. InnovateHer will meet monthly. Free for GRCC members to attend. Non-members may attend for $25.00 per meeting charge.

Lambda Business Professionals is a social networking group created to bring LGBTQ+ professionals together to connect, support, and strengthen roots within the local community. The Lambda Business Professionals Group is a great way for LGBTQ+ professionals to show support of the LGBTQ+ businesses and to promote equality in the region. Lambda Business Professionals will meet monthly. Free for GRCC members to attend. Non-members may attend for $25.00 per meeting charge.

Young Professionals Association is a group for professionals, ages 18 to 30, who are looking to build relationships with peers. This group will provide the opportunity for young professionals to network and build relationships with other individuals who are at the same place in their careers. These relationships will be integral to the members as they progress within their careers and for their professional development. Free for GRCC members to attend. Nonmembers may attend for $25.00 per meeting charge.

Economic Development Committee

New Commit tee! The Chamber creates an environment for success and is a catalyst for plans, strategies, programs, and services that meet the various needs of the Greater Riverview business community. The Economic Development Committee will focus on being a resource for workforce and career development; assist in presenting resources to our membership regarding financing, education, and business development; and become a support and network of service for the Nonprofit businesses of our Chamber. If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact the GRCC office at 813-234-5944 or email info@riverviewchamber.com.

Military Affairs Committee Are you, or one of your employees, a military veteran or active duty? If so, GRCC Military Affairs Committee (MAC) wants to know! Every month, MAC honors a military veteran, but we need your information! Please visit our website at https://www.riverviewchamber.com/military-affairs and submit your contact information and consider joining this wonderful committee. The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) Military Affairs Committee is dedicated to serving and supporting our military (past, present and families) in the Greater Riverview community through advocating and educating the GRCC and community in how they can assist and participate in enriching the lives of our military community.

Chamber Happenings GRCC Hosts Monthly Meeting Luncheon Sponsored by Mary & Martha House The Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) hosted their Monthly Membership Meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the beautiful Winthrop Barn Theatre in Riverview. A delicious lunch was beautifully displayed and served by GRCC member, Sedd’s Edible Creations. Lill Paquette of Mary & Martha House delivered the day’s Invocation to begin the meeting. Leading the attendees this month in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was the GRCC Military Affairs Committee Co-Leader, Richard Rohde of R Processor, Inc. GRCC Chair of the Board, Tammy See of OEL Heating and Cooling, started the meeting by welcoming the crowd, recognizing the past Board Chairs of Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, as well as the current Board of Directors who were in attendance. She continued by having all visitors stand and introduce themselves. Special thanks were given to the audio and visual support for the luncheon provided by Mario Johnson with MJI Media; photography by Gerardo Luna of Gerardo Luna Photographs; and linens provided by Susan Williams of Fancy That Specialty Linens. The crowd gave a warm welcome to Executive Director of Mary & Martha House, Bill Chini, who greeted the crowd and introduced himself and shared his passion for the organization and the cause they serve. He then introduced Robert McGlynn,

Chamber Happenings Mary & Martha House Board Member, who talked to the crowd about domestic violence and how the laws apply. Following the presentation by Mary & Martha House, the SBA Administration representative, Yabsira Adera, addressed the crowd regarding Disaster Recovery for the business sector. GRCC Board member, Christian Beiter of Preservation 1st Financial, introduced and thanked the 27 renewing members. GRCC Board Member, Kristi McCart with McCart & Tesmer, welcomed and recognized 14 new members to the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce: Active Harmony - Sophia Bigos At Last Chiropractic - Paul Polarczyk D&L Care Services, Inc. - Dal & Laura Stellar Brown Extraordinary Church Riverview - James Blewett FASTSIGNS of Riverview - Thomas Green Flavaz Jamaican Grille - Delaney Hawkins-Shaw Jeffrey Kurtz, CPA, LLC Katie Murray Creative - Katie Murray KO Kickboxing - Julie Elrod Prudential - Rockcliff Christie Select Physical Therapy - Dana Paru Sprouts Farmers Market – Valrico Tech Coat Solutions - Chip Nill Vosler Young Artists’ Studio - Kerry Vosler

Chamber Happenings Chamber Hosts First Annual Business Expo - Passport to GRCC On Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, GRCC hosted the first annual Business Expo Passport to GRCC. This year’s travel themed event, sponsored by Cruise Planners - Sherry Leybovich, featured multiple vendors, live music, food truck, and prizes during this fun and exciting event. Craig Beckinger with An ABC Event, brought the event to life with his amazing decor, and Mario Johnson with MJI Media provided the sound and music for the evening. Live entertainment outdoors was provided by the talented musicians from Let There Be Rock.

Chamber Happenings

In the Know Florida Chamber of Commerce Florida Scorecard From the Florida Chamber of Commerce website, The Florida Scorecard™ is a dynamic online tool that identifies and tracks key metrics that are important to Florida’s economy today and into the future. The Florida Scorecard gives stakeholders the power to measure progress on a statewide level and within their own communities. Check back often as this information is updated regularly. Click image below to visit the FCC Scorecard.

Hillsborough County Economic Development Report This information is collected and published to assist the business community with data relevant to evaluate the dynamic economic ecosystem and workforce potential Hillsborough County has to offer. Contact the Economic Development Department’s Corporate Business Development/Business Intelligence team at (813) 272-5560 with any questions or to provide feedback on this report. Click Hillsborough County logo above to obtain reports.

In the Know ECONOMIC VIEWPOINTS Scaling Up Skills-Based Employment Practices for American Businesses Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist, U.S. Chamber

Finding qualified talent is not just a business priority, it is a national imperative. The U.S. needs a strong workforce to power economic growth, stay globally competitive and open the door to greater prosperity for all. Our organizations collectively represent hundreds of CEOs and large companies, thousands of HR leaders and professionals, and millions of small and midsize businesses. We commit to combining our strengths to do more. Adopting a skills mindset has the potential to transform the workplace. Companies can expand talent pools when they look beyond traditional fouryear degrees, and workers can open more doors to meaningful careers when they are able to showcase their full skillsets. 68% of U.S. workers say earning credential(s) outside traditional education degrees has helped them progress in their careers. 95% of executives and HR professionals say individuals with only credentials earned outside of traditional pathways perform the same or better than individuals with only traditional degrees. Job openings increased an average of 12% a year between 2011 and 2021. Opportunities for workers who can demonstrate their full skillsets should be abundant. But barriers persist. Why? Awareness, processes, and technology are not where they need to be to support employers in full-scale implementation. More needs to be done to help employers navigate changes like updating job postings and exploring new ways for job seekers to present their skills and experiences.

Save the Date! Join members and guests of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce for our Monthly Membership Meeting Luncheon at the Winthrop Barn Theatre. This monthly event is always a GREAT networking opportunity!

Click image to register for luncheon!

Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is excited to sponsor the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce’s new Leadership, Education, And Development (LEAD) Program.