Legend OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
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AUGUST 2026 VOL. 28 NO. 50
August Members in Motion Our August Members in Motion brought Chamber members, nonmembers and Key Largo Civic Club members together for a fun evening of food, drinks and connection at the Key Largo Civic Club. United Way of Collier & The Keys joined us to promote Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and Dolly herself was there in “cardboard and in spirit!” She quickly became the evening’s most popular guest, with everyone eager to grab a photo with her. A big thank you to the Key Largo Civic Club for hosting us and helping make another Members in Motion a wonderful community gathering!
In This Issue President's Corner PAGE 3 Pennekamp Paddle Day PAGE 4 A Month of Flavor; Taste the Keys PAGE 8 The Revenue Your Losing PAGE 12 Members in Motion PAGES 10 The Revenue You're Losing PAGE 12 Upcoming Events PAGE 14 Why Become a Trustee PAGE 16 Chamber Luncheon PAGES 18 Thank you Trustees PAGE 21
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TDC Update: Trust is the New Reach PAGE 22 2026 Board of Directors PAGE 24 Cucumber Dill Pasta Salad PAGE 27 Credits: Key Largo Chamber of Commerce Market Design Connect with Nikki Dunn Cullen Key Largo Chamber of Commerce 106000 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037 305-451-1414 www.keylargochamber.org
Key Largo Chamber of Commerce
Legacy Members 2
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Join the Chamber's exclusive Legacy Member 100K Club to help raise $100,000 to pay off the chamber's mortgage and bolster reserves. The Key Largo Chamber is seeking 100 sponsorships of $1,000 per business or individual. Thank you to: X Henry Quintana
X Boilini Eye Care
X HNO Productions
X Dennis and Lee Caltagirone
X Michael Rojewski Realtor
X Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate
X Gretchen Holland
X Centennial Bank
X Coral Reef Title
X J.A. LaRocco Enterprise Inc. & All
X Arla Marr X Borland & Associates, Roberto
& Ana Alonso X In Loving Memory of Stuart Marr
Keys Concrete, LLC X SBI Window + Doors X Lance Holmquist X New Edge Associates
Be More Like Dolly! I have been thinking a lot about Dolly Parton this week. Like so many people, I grew up with Dolly. Her music was part of the soundtrack of my life. My parents were also huge fans, and I can still picture them listening to, and singing, her songs. Those memories came flooding back when I heard about Dolly’s passing this week. It’s funny how a song, a voice or a familiar melody can suddenly transport you back decades. And perhaps that is why losing Dolly has felt more personal than I expected. Her passing has brought the loss of my own parents a little closer to home this week. It is a reminder that time keeps moving, that generations change, and that loss is simply a part of life. We don’t always get to choose when those reminders arrive. But there is something else I have been thinking about: how fortunate we are to have lived in a time when someone like Dolly Parton was part of our world. Dolly was certainly an extraordinary entertainer and songwriter. But her legacy goes far beyond music. She seemed to understand something that is easy for the rest of us to forget: we have an opportunity, every day, to make the world a little better for someone else. She did that through her philanthropy, her generosity, and her commitment to education and literacy. Her Imagination Library has put hundreds of millions of books into the hands of children around the world, helping generations of young people
discover the joy of reading. But I think what made Dolly particularly special was the way she carried herself. She was cheerful. She was funny. She was kind. She didn’t take herself too seriously, and she seemed genuinely happy to celebrate other people. In a world that can sometimes feel pretty divided and heavy, Dolly consistently brought a little more light into it. Maybe that is part of what we should take from her passing. Be more like Dolly. Be a little kinder. Be a little more generous. Smile at people. Encourage someone who needs it. Laugh when you can. Use whatever gifts you have, whether they are big or small, to make someone else’s day a little brighter. And when you have the opportunity to help, help. It was especially meaningful that our Chamber’s Members in Motion event this month gave us an opportunity to put some of that spirit into action. We supported United Way through fundraising and, just as importantly, helped sign people up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. It was a wonderful reminder that philanthropy doesn’t always have to be complicated. Sometimes it is simply recognizing a need and deciding to do something about it. That, to me, is a pretty wonderful legacy. We all leave something behind. It may not be a hit song, a theme park or hundreds of millions of books. But we
Suzi Youngberg President of Key Largo Chamber of Commerce
all have an opportunity to leave behind kindness, generosity, encouragement and good memories. We have the opportunity to make our communities better because we were here. As I think about my parents this week, I’m grateful for the memories they gave me, and for the music that brings those memories back. And as I think about Dolly, I’m grateful for the joy she brought to so many generations and for the countless lives she touched through her generosity. Time passes. People we love leave us. That is the difficult truth of life. But perhaps the best way to honor those who have gone before us is to carry a little of their light forward. So, I’m going to try to be more like Dolly. I hope you will, too.
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Saturday,
September 12
11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Grab a paddle and dive into a day of family fun at Pennekamp Paddle Day, a free celebration of outdoor adventure at Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Explore the natural beauty of America’s first undersea park with opportunities to paddleboard and kayak through the mangroves, snorkel the vibrant waters, or take in the scenery aboard a glass-bottom boat tour. Whether you’re ready to get out on the water or prefer to enjoy the festivities on shore, there’s something for the whole family. Throughout the day, enjoy live entertainment from local musicians, interactive activities with community partners, lunch, and a quintessential Florida Keys treat — a slice of chocolate-dipped Key lime pie. Best of all, admission is free, making it an easy way to gather the family and experience one of the Florida Keys’ most treasured natural attractions. Pennekamp Paddle Day is part of America 250 Florida Keys, a yearlong celebration of the nation’s history, heritage, and community. Bring the whole crew, soak up the Key Largo sunshine, and paddle into paradise at Pennekamp Paddle Day! 4
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Come as a Neighbor, Leave as a Regular. Breezer’s Tiki Bar at Reefhouse Resort & Marina » » »
Happy Hour specials (weekdays, 4 - 6 p.m.) Live Music (Fridays and Saturdays) Billiards and TVs firing for big games
305.453.0029 103800 Overseas Hwy, MM 103.8, Key Largo, FL opalcollection.com/reefhouse
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A Month of Flavor in the Upper Keys Taste the Keys Returns with Prix-Fixe Menus, the Signature Dish Showdown, and Trolley Foodie Tours
There’s no better way to experience the Florida Keys than through its food. From fresh-caught seafood and island-inspired flavors to familyowned restaurants and creative chefs, the Upper Keys dining scene reflects the unique culture that makes this destination so special. This October, that culinary spirit takes center stage as Taste the Keys returns for a month-long celebration of local flavor. Running October 1–31, the annual festival invites both visitors and locals to discover specially crafted prix-fixe menus at participating restaurants throughout the Upper Keys, offering an affordable way to sample some of the area’s best cuisine. Each restaurant creates exclusive lunch, dinner, or all-day menus
that showcase signature dishes and seasonal specialties. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience favorite spots—or discover new ones—while supporting local businesses during the quieter fall season. Adding a little friendly competition to the festivities is the Signature Dish Showdown, where participating restaurants nominate one standout item from their menus to compete for the title of Best Dish in the Upper Keys. Diners become the judges, tasting their way through the month and casting votes online for their favorites. The winning dish will earn local bragging rights
Taste the Keys, October 1–31, 2026
Prix-fixe menus available at participating restaurants. See locations and menus, vote for your favorite Signature Dish, buy Trolley Tour Tickets and more at TasteTheKeys.com. 8
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when results are announced in early November. For food lovers looking for a guided adventure, the Taste the Keys Trolley Foodie Tours offer an unforgettable evening on the town. Guests climb aboard the trolley and travel between featured restaurants, enjoying curated tasting menus and drink pairings at each stop. Forget bar hopping—this is bite hopping, Keys style. The tours bring together great food, local hospitality, and a chance to experience multiple culinary destinations in one memorable night. From inventive flavors to waterfront favorites, Taste the Keys celebrates everything that makes dining in the Upper Keys unique. Whether you’re hunting for the next award-winning dish, enjoying a progressive dinner aboard the trolley, or simply savoring a great meal with friends, October is the perfect time to eat your way through paradise.
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SAVOR THE FLORIDA KEYS Discover Key Largo’s Best Bites
Locations and Menus, Showdown Dishes, and Trolley Tickets available online!
TasteTheKeys.com
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August Members in Motion! There was plenty of smiling, mingling and picture-taking at our August Members in Motion at the Key Largo Civic Club! We enjoyed delicious food and drinks while catching up with friends, meeting new people and welcoming members and guests from throughout our community. United Way of Collier & The Keys helped spread the word about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and our special cardboard guest, Dolly, was definitely the star of the evening! From networking to snapping photos with Dolly, it was a wonderful night of community, connection and fun. Thank you to the Civic Club for being such a gracious host!
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The Revenue You’re Losing:
12 Hidden Leaks Killing Your Profit SOURCE: Zoe Fairfax, StraDGy 360
Week after week, I speak with founders and business owners who are doing all the right things. Revenue is up. Sales are happening. The team is grinding. But when they check the bottom line? Profit’s flat. Growth feels stuck. Cash is tight. Sound familiar? If so, it’s not a sales problem. It’s a leakage problem. The Silent Killers of Profit These leaks don’t scream. They don’t show up as one big problem. They show up as dozens of microgaps across your business: • Pricing that hasn’t changed in 18 months • Offers that don’t close or compel • Leads going cold because there’s no follow-up • No upsells. No bundling. No email nurture • A website that doesn’t convert • A sales process with zero visibility 12 AUGUST 2026
• • • • •
or recovery Marketing tools being used like checkboxes A team pulling in different directions chasing activity instead of outcomes No dashboards tracking what actually matters Strategies made on gut not data Retainage from weak onboarding service or renewal processes
This Is What We Unpack Business growth is never about one big fix. It’s about small strategic improvements across multiple areas. We have identified 40 plus profit levers that create exponential results when optimized even by just 1 to 2 percent. Here are just a few we cover inside our simulator and coaching programs: • Cut unnecessary costs without cutting capability • Raise prices strategically while increasing perceived value • Redesign offers to convert better faster • Launch simple upsell cross-sell flows to increase order size
• • • • • • • • • • •
Bundle products and services for value and velocity Add downsell options to retain price-sensitive buyers Identify additional products and services your customers already want Install email and drip campaigns that nurture leads to close Strengthen your Market Dominating Position to rise above competitors Capture more qualified leads without increasing ad spend Build smarter referral systems that scale trust Optimize your sales close rates with training and systems Improve customer experience to reduce churn and increase longevity Train sales teams to work smarter and faster Upgrade content email SEO and digital strategy to align with buyers
And most importantly we measure and track every step.
The Core 12 Revenue Drivers These are the core areas we model in our Profit Acceleration Simulator. Small improvements in each can yield major results: • Cut Costs • Market Dominating Position • Compelling Offer • Increase Prices • Upsell and Cross-sell • Bundling • Downsell • Additional Products and Services • Drip Campaigns • Alliances and Joint Ventures • More Leads • Digital Marketing A Better Way to See the Whole Picture That’s exactly why we built the StraDGy 360 Simulator. In just a few minutes you can: • Enter your current revenue gross and net margins • Adjust your impact across 12 strategic levers • See what happens if you improve each by 1 to 10 percent • Get real-time profit projections based on your actual inputs The truth is simple A 1.4 percent lift in 12 areas can double your profit. No extra spend. No extra headcount. Just smarter execution in the right places. The Fastest Way to Fix It When you finish the simulator you’ll unlock a free Profit Acceleration Assessment. Here’s what you get: • A personalized 12-month growth roadmap • Real-time revenue and profit projections • The Business Breakthrough Playbook packed with plug-andplay strategies • Zero guesswork on where to start
The simulator is just the beginning. The real value comes in correcting the issues. We walk with you to fix what’s broken realign what’s off and grow what’s working. You’ve tried the tools. You’ve taken the courses. But if you’re still feeling stuck it’s not your effort. It’s your strategy. This Week: Run Your Numbers Give yourself 15 minutes to get clear. • See where your business is leaking • Get a roadmap that fixes it • Start scaling with the margin you deserve Let’s stop leaking and start scaling.
https://stradgy.com/profit-impactassessment About StraDGY 360 We share practical, proven strategies to help you grow and scale your business without the guesswork. From business development and revenue management to GTM execution and operations, every post is designed to give you something you can implement right away. We don’t just talk theory. We share real solutions we’ve built for clients, lessons learned in the field, and insights you can apply to your own business starting today.
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September Events CLICK HERE FOR ALL OUR UP-TO-DATE EVENTS ON OUR WEBSITE
Tuesday, September 1 Thursday, September 3 Thursday, September 10
Scale to Grow Business Accelerator Program at Key Largo Library
REEF Ocean Exploration Center After Hours — Educator Open House
Coffee, Connections & Conversations: Chamber’s Sunrise Business Networking at Bar Victor Chamber Social Networking Luncheon & Health & Wellness Expo at Playa Largo
Friday, September 11
Bingo for the Birds
Remembrance Day
Saturday, September 12
America’s 250 Pennekamp Paddle Day!
Drag Me to the Keys at Crooked Palm Cabana
Wednesday, September 16
Nonprofit Day
Upper Keys BPW Luncheon at Holiday Inn
Saturday, September 19
Juanabe at Gilbert’s
Thursday, September 24
Chamber Members in Motion at Key Largo Volunteer Fire Rescue Museum
Saturday, September 26
Suicide Prevention Training at Islamorada Moose Lodge
14 AUGUST 2026
“While our crews restore power, outage updates by text and email can keep you informed.” — Joe Joyce, Chief Operations Officer
We’re Ready. Are You? FKEC can keep you informed—but only if we can reach you.
FKEC sends outage and restoration updates through SmartHub using the email and mobile phone number in your Contact Methods. Register for SmartHub, verify your contacts and enroll in Outage Texting to receive them. Even if you already receive bill reminders by text or email, we encourage you to verify your enrollment. Register for SmartHub Visit www.FKEC.com and click Login. Verify Your Contact Information Go to: Settings → Contact Methods Verify your mobile phone numbers and email addresses. Complete the text verification sent to your mobile phone Turn On Outage Texting Go to: Settings → Manage Notifications → Service Need help? Have Questions? Call us at 305-852-2431 | Learn more at www.FKEC.com AUGUST 2026 15
WHY BECOME A TRUSTEE MEMBER?
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE (305) 451-1414 PRESIDENT@KEYLARGOCHAMBER.ORG 16 AUGUST 2026
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August Networking Luncheon Another Sold-Out Luncheon! Our August Networking Luncheon brought together a full room at the beautiful Reefhouse Resort for an informative conversation with Bryan Griffin, CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. Bryan shared valuable insights into current tourism trends and offered an outlook for tourism across Florida and specifically here in the Florida Keys. The room was filled with community leaders, elected officials, TDC and Visit Florida Keys representatives, and Chamber members. We were also delighted to welcome five new members to the Chamber family! A special thank you to our generous sponsor, Italian Food Company, for helping make this event possible.
Sheriff Ramsay and Norman.
Sally, Aimee, Becky, Amy and Pamela.
Bayley, Suzi, Isabella, Nola and Kai.
Heather, Mayor Michelle and Jason.
Yesenia and Michael.
David, Charlene, Bill, Katie and Diana.
Ed, Kara, David and Matilde.
Bruce, Karen, Katie, Barbara, Melody and Spenser.
Visit our Social Media platforms to see all the photos: linktr.ee/keylargochamberofcommerce 18 AUGUST 2026
Joy, Becky and Aimee.
Jason, Sue, Ed and Britt.
New Member Norman of Norman Wartman Vacation Rentals
New Member Shylon with Islarmoada Moose Lodge
New Member Bruce with Keys Custom Apparel.
New Member Evelyn with Key Largo Fire-Rescue District.
New Member Karen with Friends of Monroe County Public Library
New Members Welcomed in August X AB Global, LLC dba Alliance
Background, LLC
X ADVANCED CABLING
SOLUTIONS, Inc
X Anchor & Vine Global Outreach X Blue Current Electrical & Supply
X Cooney Trybus Law, PLC
X Kiki on the River
X Cristo Rey Orlando High School
X Pathways to Prosperity
X Diadem Sports LLC
X Paws Academy Dog Training, LLC
X Geordis Construction
X Swivel Pod 360
X Keys After Hours Notary
X Unified Logitix Group
X Keys Custom Apparel
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THANKS TO OUR TRUSTEE MEMBERS
Interested in becoming a Trustee Member? Learn more: president@keylargochamber.org AUGUST 2026 21
Trust is the New Reach:
The Future DMO Has to Earn the Room A conversation with destination leaders at Destinations Florida earlier this year about trust, stewardship and the changing role of DMOs. AI can write the SOP. It can’t earn the room. Rafat Ali with Skift recently wrote about a new wave of AI initiatives emerging from national tourism organizations, from intelligence platforms to ecosystem playbooks to government-built productivity tools for operators. His piece, Should Tourism Boards Build AI for Their Stakeholders? helped name something many of us are already feeling: the job description of a tourism organization is expanding. It is a fascinating glimpse into where destination leadership may be headed. But as I read it, I kept thinking about a different question. Not: What can tourism organizations build with AI? But: Do our communities still trust us enough to let us build anything that matters? I began exploring this idea earlier this year at Destinations Florida. Later this month, I’ll take it to Destinations International’s Annual Convention in Portland in a talk called From Crisis to Credibility: How Modern DMOs Earn Trust in a World That Doesn’t Trust Institutions. The premise is simple: trust is the new reach. Destination stewardship is 22 AUGUST 2026
the strategy. For decades, destination organizations were rewarded for attention. Impressions. Clicks. Campaigns. Room nights. Earned media. Heads in beds. Those metrics still matter. But they no longer tell the whole story. In many communities, the harder question is not whether we can attract visitors. It is whether residents, elected officials, operators, and partners believe we are managing the visitor economy in a way that benefits the place they call home. And that is a very different kind of work. It is less glamorous than a campaign launch. It is harder to photograph than a ribbon cutting. It rarely gets applause in a boardroom. But it may be the work that determines whether destination organizations have the authority, funding, and permission to lead in the next era. The credibility model Rafat Ali framed the emerging AI role of tourism organizations through three models: intelligence, ecosystem, and productivity. That framing is useful because it shows how quickly the role of tourism organizations is expanding. Some orgs are making destination data more useful. Some are creating
A Message from Kara Franker, CEO Visit Florida Keys conditions for industry adoption. Some are building tools that do the work directly for operators. I would add one more layer underneath all three: The credibility model. Because before you can ask operators to use your tools, partners to trust your data, residents to support your funding, or elected officials to defend your work, they have to believe the institution itself is worthy of confidence. AI may accelerate the work of destination organizations. It may help us analyze sentiment, summarize research, train teams, improve productivity, personalize content, support small businesses, and make better decisions faster. But AI will not solve a trust problem. In fact, it may expose one. If the data is messy, the governance is unclear, the community is skeptical, and the strategy is disconnected from the place, AI will not fix the institution. It will scale the weakness.
That is why I think the future of destination leadership is not just about who builds the smartest tools. It is about who has earned enough trust to use those tools in service of the community. The work no one claps for When I arrived in the Florida Keys in 2024, it quickly became clear that we were not simply launching a new campaign. We were rebuilding credibility. The organization had to modernize systems, rebuild stakeholder communication, develop a strategic plan with public input, invest in data, open more doors to community participation, and reintroduce the idea that destination marketing is not separate from destination stewardship. That kind of work does not always look like marketing. It looks like infrastructure. It looks like building systems people only notice if they fail. It looks like answering the same community question one more time. It looks like showing up at the chamber, the Rotary, the advisory committee, the county meeting, the stakeholder session, and the uncomfortable conversation before anyone forces you to be there. It looks like explaining what tourism pays for in plain English. It looks like building the internal systems that allow your public promises to actually be delivered. One of the lines I’ll share at DI is this: Transparency is not a press release. It is an operating posture. For most of our careers, transparency meant something polished, approved, and sent out after the fact. But real transparency is different. It is leaving the door open before anyone thinks to knock.
It is inviting people into the process before they become critics of the outcome. It is putting the data, the decisionmaking, and the tradeoffs close enough to the public that they can see how the work actually happens. That can feel risky. But in a low-trust environment, open governance is not the danger. It may be the thing that protects you. Destination stewardship starts with permission Destination stewardship is often described in beautiful language, and it should be. It is about balancing economic prosperity, resident quality of life, culture, conservation, and the long-term health of the place. But before stewardship becomes a strategy, it has to become believable. Residents have to understand why tourism matters to them. Businesses have to see themselves in the work. Elected officials have to trust the organization managing the investment. Staff have to believe the strategy is more than a poster on the wall. And the DMO has to stop acting as if promotion and community trust are separate departments. They are not. In the Florida Keys, we have been working to show residents what tourism pays for in their own terms: tax relief, environmental restoration, local culture, community events, and the services that help sustain a place with extraordinary beauty and extraordinary pressure. The number matters. But the lived experience matters more. If no one in your community can repeat your value-of-tourism story back to you, then the report did not do its job. That is not a communications
problem. It is a trust problem. AI will test whether we have done the deeper work Tourism organizations are being asked to do more than market destinations. We are being asked to help entire visitor economies adapt. That includes AI. It includes data. It includes workforce support. It includes small business education. It includes crisis readiness, resident sentiment, sustainability, accessibility, and the growing complexity of managing places people both live in and visit. But none of that works if the institution is not trusted. A DMO can launch an AI playbook. But will stakeholders use it? A tourism board can build a data platform. But will partners believe the data? An organization can publish a stewardship plan. But will residents think it reflects their lived experience? A destination can say it values community. But has it built the systems for the community to be heard? Those are the questions that matter now. The next generation of destination leadership will require more than marketing fluency. It will require institutional credibility. Trust is the new reach I still believe in reach. I believe in great creative. I believe in smart media. I believe in brand storytelling, sales strategy, PR, content, research, and all the work that gets people to choose one destination over another. But I also believe this: Reach without trust is fragile. Continued on page 25. AUGUST 2026 23
Your 2026 Chamber Board of Directors Michael Rojewski 2025 & 2026 Chairman of the Board of Directors Michael Rojewski Group – Owner Roberto Alonso (2025 & 2026) Borland & Associates President
Mary Houston (2025 & 2026) Houston Insurance Agency Owner
Manuel Alvarez (2026 & 2027) Verdeja, De Armas & Trujillo CPA
Henry Menendez (2026 & 2027) HNO Productions Owner/Operator
Berta Bravo (2026 & 2027) SBI Windows & Doors Owner
Yesenia Moreno (2026-2027) New Edge Associates Managing Partner
Spenser Bryan (2025 & 2026) Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Captain
Heather Turkay (2026 & 2027) Playa Largo Resort & Spa Area Director of Sales & Marketing
Melissa Fernandez (2025 & 2026) All Keys Concrete Communications & Sales
Blaine Vernicek (2025-2026) The Structure Group Manager
Cathy Gahagen (2026 & 2027) The Catch Owner
Violet Wahba (2026 & 2027) Key Lime Products Owner
Suzanne Holmquist (2025 & 2026) Calypso Watersports & Charters Proprietor 24 AUGUST 2026
TDC Update, Cont. You can buy attention. You cannot buy permission. And in a world where institutions are questioned, budgets are scrutinized, residents are tired, and technology is changing faster than most organizations can absorb, permission may be the most important asset a DMO has. That is the argument I’ll be making at Destinations International. The modern DMO cannot just be a marketing organization. It has to be a steward of community vitality. A translator of data. A convener of partners. A builder of public confidence. A place where strategy, operations, governance, and community engagement are connected instead of siloed. AI may change how we work. But trust will determine whether we are allowed to lead. The technology will keep changing. The human requirement will not. Trust is the new reach. Destination stewardship is the strategy.
The Legendary Key Largo Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center As a valued member of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, you already know that our community thrives on the strength and collaboration of its businesses. We want to remind you of the incredible benefits you enjoy as part of our network and share some updates on how we’re enhancing our offerings, just for you!
Visit Florida Keys Tourism Partner Headquarters The TDC/Visit Florida Keys folks have created a welcoming space in the Visit Florida Keys Tourism Partner HQ Facebook group for tourism-related businesses, organizations and partners who help support the Florida Keys tourism economy. Join us to see our industry updates, marketing opportunities and more. Plus, learn about events and new offerings from fellow tourism partners, and share your news!
Join Now!
Aetna Medical Insurance Access to competitive health insurance options for businesses with two or more full-time employees.
Promotional Power Four (4) email blasts annually to showcase your business or events to our wide network. Non-profit membership benefits from two (2) complimentary blasts.
Enhanced Visibility Your business listing in our online member directory and our annual visitor/local guide, which reaches thousands across the county.
New Member Spotlight A complimentary ¼ page ad in the Keys Weekly Newspaper to introduce your business to the community.
Member Benefits Business referral, member-to-member discounts, social media exposure and crucial networking opportunities to help you connect and grow!
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how you can leverage your membership perks, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you and ensure you get the most out of your Chamber experience.
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Cucumber Dill Pasta Salad Keeping with our theme of cool summer salads to beat the heat and save time in the hot kitchen, this month’s feature is a refreshing Cucumber Dill Pasta Salad.
INGREDIENTS: • 1 (8 ounce) package bow-tie pasta • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced • 1 large onion, thinly sliced • 1 ½ teaspoons dried dill • ¾ cup white vinegar • 1 cup white sugar • 1 cup water • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 1 tablespoon prepared mustard • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
HOW TO MAKE IT: 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse several times with cold water until pasta is cool. 2. Stir pasta, cucumber, onion, and dill in a salad bowl. 3. Whisk vinegar, sugar, water, vegetable oil, mustard, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl until sugar and salt have dissolved. Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss lightly to coat with dressing. Let chill for 2 hours before serving. Serves 8. AUGUST 2026 27
Experts in what we do, bound by a code of ethics Florida Keys Board of Realtors® Board of Directors: Claire Johnson Karen Williams deCastro Corie MaGraw-Abel Michael Rojewski Kathe Kaile Erin Kiel Amy Bruggeman Christine GGarcia-Castellanos Lindsey Davis David Lazcos Michaela Walters 28 AUGUST 2026