Marketing Opportunities with the Chamber

Here at the Chamber, we want to help you market your business, and we have several outlets for which you can do that! We now have the enhanced logo in our member directory option, which allows for your organization’s logo to show in the member directory with your company information. This is an option on your annual bill for $120 and we wanted you to know the benefits of selecting this optional upgrade before you get your bill next week.

As I’m sure you know, attention spans are changing as quickly as technology evolves in the 21st century, and the average attention span is down to a short 8 seconds. With the opportunity to include your logo you increase the chances of members picking your organization against a competitor. Images are said to produce 650% higher engagement than regular text, increasing your chances for business by adding your logo to our member directory.

To view an example of a listing with the logo, click here.

If this is a feature you would like to have for your organization, please make sure to select it on your annual bill listed as “Enhanced Membership Directory Listing” for $120.

Now is a good time to look at all of the advertising and marketing opportunities that we have available at the chamber in the next year!

Please contact Jacquelyn Vasvari-Toke, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing, with any questions you may have.

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mike Griffin appointed to Tampa Port Authority

Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday appointed Mike Griffin to the Tampa Port Authority. Governor Scott said, “I am confident that Mike Griffin will do a great job on the Tampa Port Authority and will work with the entire board to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

“The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce extends our congratulations to Mike. He has been a dynamic leader for the Chamber Board of Directors and we know he will take that same leadership to the Port Authority,” said Chamber President and CEO Bob Rohrlack. “Mike’s commitment to Tampa Bay and his focus on strengthening the regional economy will make him an asset in his new role.”

Mike is a Senior Managing Director for Savills Studley Occupier Services. In addition to his Chairmanship, Mike is a graduate of Leadership Tampa Class of 2004 and Leadership Florida (Class 26). He was co-founder and Executive Co-Chair of the Chamber’s Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay program. Mike was also the inaugural recipient of the Chamber’s Deanne Dewey Roberts Emerging Leader Award.

Chamber installs new leadership at 131st Annual Meeting

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce held its 131st Annual Meeting today at the Tampa Convention Center. A sold-out crowd of 1050 attendees came together to celebrate the Chamber’s 2016 achievements. 2016 Chamber Chair Guy King III of M.E. Wilson Co., Inc. passed the gavel to 2017 Chair Mike Griffin of Savills Studley Occupier Services. The Chamber also received greetings from U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Stacy White. The Chamber collected toys at the event, teaming with Metropolitan Ministries to help bring gifts to the Holiday Tent, which serves more than 19,000 children in the Bay area.

Griffin unveiled the Chamber’s 10-year vision plan, which is comprised of three pillars – Catalyst, Inclusive Organization and HUB for Business, all supported by a foundation of Organizational Excellence. To review the entire 10-year vision plan, please click here.

Griffin also introduced the Chamber’s 2017 Executive Committee Members, including:

Chair	Mike Griffin	Savills Studley Occupier Services
Chair-Elect	Steven Bernstein, Esq.	Fisher Phillips
Treasurer	Jamie Harden	Creative Sign Designs
Finance	Yvette Segura	USAA
At Large	Hugh Campbell Bruce Faulmann	AC4S Tampa Bay Times
	Steve Griggs Marilyn Mullen Healy, Esq.	Tampa Bay Lightning Adams and Reese LLP
	Derek Holmes Lauren Key	Tec-Link, LLC Florida Hospital
	Andy Mayts, Esq. Christopher Rogers	GrayRobinson Sykes Enterprises Incorporated
Legal Counsel	Kareem Spratling, Esq.	Bryant Miller Olive P.A.

The Chamber also presented the 2016 H.L. Culbreath Jr. Profile in Leadership Award to Chuck Sykes, president and CEO of Sykes Enterprises Incorporated. The award, established in 1997 by Leadership Tampa Alumni, a committee of the Chamber, is presented annually in recognition of an individual whose leadership has made a positive impact within the greater Tampa community.

Chuck Sykes has spent his career working his way through the ranks of his business and industry – beginning in low-level administrative roles and eventually becoming president & CEO of a publicly-traded global company. Words used to describe this individual include consistent, loyal, dependable, caring, trustworthy, and diplomatic. In his own words, he often talks of being a mentor, teacher, and collaborator. Above all else, he is genuine. He is consistent in his values and beliefs, leading always to the greater good. Our recipient is extensively and passionately involved in the Tampa Bay community. His past leadership roles include chairing the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce at a pivotal time in our evolution as well as service on countless boards for nonprofits in our area.

In addition, the Chamber announced its 2017 class of Startup Scholars, which include Simo Juice, The Blind Tiger Café, Wedding Wiz, WeGo Kids, and Wingu Technology. The guest speakers for the first two signature events of 2017 were also revealed. The Military Appreciation Awards on February 22^nd will feature General Ann Dunwoody, the first woman in U.S. Military history to achieve the rank of 4-star general. General Dunwoody retired in 2012 after 37 years of service to our country. The guest speaker for the Women of Influence Luncheon on April 13^th is Debbie Sterling, founder of GoldieBlox. In 2014, Fast Company named GoldieBlox to its list of Most Innovative Companies and in 2015, GoldieBlox won Parents Magazine’s Toy of the Year and Debbie was inducted by President Obama as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.

Member News 4/28/16 – 5/5/16

Member News

• Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Rebrands as Bradley
• Port Tampa Bay Hosts Successful Forum to Discuss Florida Agriculture Export Opportunities
• New Study by Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Surgeon Shows Early Intervention in Rare Diaphragm Abnormality is Key for Survival
• HART and PSTA Apply for Major Federal Transportation Grant
• Five Cadets Commissioned as U.S. Army Officers at Saint Leo University
• Creative Contractors Inc. Completes Work at Temple B’nai Israel
• Three-Time English Premier League Champion Joe Cole Signs with Tampa Bay Rowdies

Member Events

• May 6: Tampa Bay Export Alliance 2016 International Town Hall
• May 6: Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union 21st Annual Golf Tournament Supporting All Children’s Hospital
• May 6: Henry B. Plant Museum First Friday
• May 9: Gaston’s Culinary Services Mother’s Day Banquet
• May 11: YP Marketing Solutions Winning Customers in an Evolving Digital World
• May 11: IT Authorities New Headquarters Grand Opening
• May 14: Gateway Classic Cars Spring Fling 2016
• May 17: 46th Annual Tampa Bay Mayors Prayer Breakfast
• May 18: Sandler Training Executive Briefing: “Break the Rules and Close More Sales!”
• May 19 – 20: Women’s Conference of Florida 2016
• May 29: Tampa Bay Storm Family Day
• June 1 – 2: Veteran & Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Summit
• June 15 – 17: CliftonLarsonAllen 2016 Annual Nonprofit Accounting and Audit Update

Members Now Hiring

• Sagicor Life Insurance Company

Member Accolades

• Troop Rewards Presented with Debartolo Family Foundation’s Prestigious “Spirit of Humanity” Award for 2016
• Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP Tampa Partner Erin Smith Aebel Presented to Eckerd College ASPEC Program
• Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP Tampa Partner Steven M. Berman Panelist at 40^th Annual Alexander L. Paskay Memorial Bankruptcy Seminar

3 Essential Elements to Scoring Big with Mobile Advertising

By: Scott Gottlieb, YP-Tampa, St Petersburg & Sarasota

Tampa Bay is a marketplace rich with opportunity. The metro area is not only one of the wealthiest in the state with an aggregate net worth near $300 billion, it is also one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Southeast. The city’s diverse consumer base is mirrored by the diversity of businesses, which include everything from international trade to homeland security/defense, financial services and life sciences. These businesses have a range of advertising options to connect with local consumers.

Mobile advertising has become a go-to option because it offers the ability to zero-in on a place of business, as well as an individual. Even more telling, research shows that an overwhelming majority of people who use mobile to look up a business go on to make a purchase. The key is to unlock the power of mobile by keeping three guiding principles in mind.

•  Mobile-friendly websites.Many prognosticators say that mobile searches will exceed the number of searches made on PCs in 2014. That means 50 percent of consumers searching for anything will be doing it on a mobile device. However, you would be surprised by the number of businesses that have not optimized their websites for mobile devices. Mobile responsive sites load faster, are easier to read and give users a much better overall experience. Businesses that don’t take advantage of this are missing an opportunity to connect with customers and an opportunity should not be wasted.

• Understand data and location-based information. Piecing together pictures of prospective audience targets is possible when you capture and understand data and location-based information. We have so much more knowledge today about consumers than ever before. With mobile, we know where they work, where they play, what they like, behaviors (past and present) and unique hobbies. This is all extremely relevant data to inform businesses on consumer habits and interests. Mobile location data offers more clues, such as proximity to your business’ location. This can help businesses reach consumers in the moment – whether that’s getting a morning cup of coffee, picking up dinner on the way home from work or heading to the store on the weekend.

• Develop insights. “Insights” help to inform product development, optimize advertising campaigns and drive results.  What are the insights you need to help drive your business? Think carefully about your buyer’s current path to an actual purchase. Work to understand your buyer’s journey and the role of mobile within that process. Because the majority of purchases are planned, most people will not act immediately upon seeing a mobile ad. Reach people when they are considering their next shopping trip by providing options such as: “call a store,” “find a location,” or the ability to interact with a special offer or coupon. It all comes down to using a softer sales method by presenting several options that don’t make the consumer feel pressured.

Ultimately, success is defined by the ability for a business to make a connection with the right consumer at the right time. Mobile is one of a number of available advertising options and platforms. By zeroing in on the target, both in terms of demographic and geography, businesses can develop marketing strategies that drive commerce and help their communities to grow.

Scott Gottlieb
GSM/Market Manager
YP-Tampa, St Petersburg & Sarasota
To learn more about mobile advertising, please contact me at sgottlieb@yp.com.

Facebook Small Business Boost Comes to Town

By: Pat Huston, Business Consultant – SBDC Hillsborough County

Just in case you missed it……here are a few of their suggested tips.

 For your Facebook page:

1. Cover photo: NO text please. This is your biggest piece of real estate!
2. Profile pic: think logo or brand. It can be a picture of you if you’re the brand!
3. Fill out your complete profile, don’t forget the links! (Web page) and other social stuff.
4. Post regularly but no more than once per day. Don’t compete against your own posts!
5. Create photo and video posts with a call to action. Please little or no text.

OK … get that, but what does it look like? What about my business? Is there a way to see an example of what we do? Can I look before I leap? The short answer is yes. Here’s how. Go to https://www.facebook.com/business/success/

Scroll down till you see this:

You can sort by size, goal, industry and region, or you can just scroll through all the examples that follow.  You are bound to find an example that will inspire you before you spend. Like the page and then watch for a while. (Stalk 🙂 ) When are they posting? What did they post? How is their page set up? What posts are getting the most attention?

Did you see a connection? What grabbed your attention? And by the way, thanks for the coffee buddy…that is Buddy Brew Coffee on Kennedy Boulevard! 🙂

Pat Huston is a Business Consultant with SBDC Hillsborough County. She can be reached at 813 285 0195 or hustonp@hillsboroughcounty.org

The Art of Networking

By Kelsey Curls, Communications Intern

Ever wondered what makes networking such an art form? Some could define networking as a job, others a challenge, some even an exciting new way to get their personality known by others. In fact, networking is both a science and an art form that should ultimately be a fun, exciting and a rewarding approach to career and professional advancement. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is a great place for all your networking needs!

According to Forbes, “networking is a demanding process that allows you to test your ideas, refine your ability to communicate and improve your executive presence.” Networking as an art form, requires 100% commitment and contains necessary steps in branding yourself in the best ability.

• Observation is key. When you are at a networking event, observe others around you and be aware of what works best for you and what doesn’t.
• Preparing yourself, you must always be ready. Elevator speeches still matter, always be prepared for a number of instances. Engaging with new people requires quick answers, ready responses and reactions to different conversations you will encounter.
• Take notes while you network, there is always room for improvement.
• Ask non-traditional questions. Make yourself stand out from other networkers in the room by asking questions people wouldn’t expect.
• Challenge yourself and make your intentions clear. When you are reaching out to someone, make the time count and make the most out of the conversation you have by telling them exactly what you are looking for!
• Repetition is very important. Attending networking events repetitively is the best way to make new connections. Attending just one event is not going to build the relationships that could help further your career.
• Use social media strategically! LinkedIn can be the answer to all your networking needs. After meeting new people, reach out to them on LinkedIn and connect!
• The most important step in networking is following up. Receiving and giving a business card are crucial steps, as well as sending an email or placing a phone call. A good time frame to following up is 24 hours.

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is an excellent networking source. Whether you are a member that attends our events, a part of Emerge Tampa Bay, Leadership Tampa or an Ambassador, we offer a number of possibilities that could benefit your professional networking and build relationships here in the Tampa Bay Area.

Got advertising dollars to spend? Advertise with the Chamber!

If you’re looking for a great way to get the word out about your company, consider advertising with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. We have several on-going advertising opportunities available:

2012 Location Guide
Our location guide is distributed to members, individuals looking to relocate to the Tampa Bay area and those seeking more information about our local economy, business and industry, arts, healthcare, education and local neighborhoods. Advertising in our guide allows companies to make a great initial impression to new residents and visitors. Tampa Bay is truly a great place to work, live, play and stay – don’t miss this opportunity to market your company’s message to an engaged audience.

Time is running out to secure a prime space! The back cover and inside back cover are still available, along with a wide-array of sizes for the inside of the magazine.

For more information about advertising in the 2012 Location Guide, download the spec sheet or contact Felicia Harvey, Director of Communications.

Electronic Advertising
Semi-Weekly Newsletters
The Chamber’s two weekly electronic newsletters are sent to representatives from our 1600 member companies, as well as nearly 500 non-members, for a total distribution of over 6,500. The Chamber offers one banner ad per month, per issue as an advertising opportunity to only Chamber members.

• eView focuses on both Chamber and member news and is released on Thursdays.
• Events highlights the Chamber’s upcoming events and is released on Tuesdays.

Website Advertising
Advertising on the Chamber website is a cost effective way to market your business to thousands of visitors each month. The Chamber offers one banner ad per month on each of our most visible pages:

• About Tampa
• Chamber Events
• Chamber Programs
• Business Resources
• Business Advocacy
• Membership
• Your Chamber

For more information about newsletter or website advertising, download the spec sheet or contact Brianna Faulkner, Graphic Designer. You can also view the newsletter archives on our website.

To read more about these advertising opportunities, please download our 2012 Media Kit.

How the Chamber’s Brand is Evolving (Part II)

Last week, I outlined how the Chamber’s website and electronic newsletters have evolved. Read more here. This week, I’d like to continue with how some of our marketing and event collateral designs have changed – and also discuss how we’re utilizing social media to grow our brand even more.

Marketing Collateral
With the creation of the Chamber’s marketing brochure, I was given real creative freedom to further develop and enhance our brand. The brochure is a snapshot of what the Chamber does and what it has to offer its membership and the community – in essence, it is showing how being active with the organization can offer you and your company a “Greater Return on Investment. Greater Return on Involvement.”

The brochure quickly became my point of reference when it came time to think about redesigning many of our other marketing pieces – especially the things that are most often included in new and potential member information packets alongside it.

Event Collateral
After debating whether each of our signature events should have it’s own logo, it was decided that rather than putting two Chamber logos on all of our event collateral (in addition to sponsor logos), the Chamber logo would appear above or next to the event name, and then the theme (if applicable) would be a separate element in the design. This way, there would be no question as to whether the event was the Chamber’s. We began implementing this concept with the 2011 Small Business of the Year Awards and 5^th Annual Women of Influence collateral.

Event Signage
We recently obtained several retractable banner signs – welcoming Chamber, Leadership Tampa Alumni and Emerge Tampa Bay guests to their respective events. The goal was to have something alongside our sponsorship signage – which is typically branded for each event, but not necessarily for the Chamber – that tells attendees they are in the right place (and to further brand the Chamber).

In addition, we have a small sign with our logo on it that we place on the podium at each event so that when the speaker is photographed, our logo is always present.

Social Media
For a while, our Facebook page was mostly about events and event photos. More recently, we have implemented landing pages and a banner for our “profile” picture, rather than just our logo. Our posts have also become more engaging as we try to get followers to comment, participate in discussions and repost things that we share. Facebook has also become a place to share ribbon-cutting photos that previously were shared in The Inside View printed newsletter.

Twitter and LinkedIn are also outlets for branding growth. Our tweets regularly talk about the happenings in the small business community in Tampa Bay and LinkedIn is becoming more and more active with members posting discussions and questions to one another daily.

In order to drive more people to our social media pages, we added links (and our logo!) to our email signatures. As we continue to connect those platforms with each other and this blog, we will become an unstoppable entity in the social media world!

Brianna Faulkner
Graphic Designer
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce

How the Chamber’s Brand is Evolving (Part I)

When I started working at the Chamber as the Graphic Designer three years ago, it seemed like the extent of the Chamber’s “brand” was slapping the logo onto whatever flyer or invitation I was creating. With some help from internal discussions and our Marketing and Communications committee, we have been steadily increasing, improving and changing the use of our brand. Hopefully it is becoming more recognizable!

Here are some things you may have noticed:
Website Redesign
Mid-summer 2010 was highlighted by the launch of the Chamber’s completely revamped website. The new design brought our website into the 21^st century with an eye-catching, interesting layout.

One of the best features, in my opinion, is the rotating graphic banners on the homepage, where we share details about upcoming events, membership perks and initiatives we are supporting. These little snippets are not only cool to look at, they give the homepage a dynamic look and feel that was definitely lacking in the previous layout – plus, they are fun to create! Also, the information on the site was rearranged, consolidated wherever possible and rewritten, to freshen it up and make it easier to navigate.

Electronic Newsletter Redesign
With the changes on the website, it seemed only natural that we redesign our electronic communication as well. We surveyed members about how they liked to be communicated with and decided that two weekly emails would be better than the daily communication that had become the norm. And so, Events and eView were born and rehabbed, respectively. Both designs reflect the website and each other – and therefore enhance our brand recognition.

The Events newsletter is distributed on Tuesdays and contains a preview of the upcoming 30 days or so of Chamber events – along with featured events on the left-hand side each week.

eView is distributed on Thursdays and highlights Chamber news and on the first Thursday of each month, the newsletter also shares member news. With the phase out of our quarterly printed newsletter, The Inside View, in early 2011, we began including things like ribbon cuttings and event wrap-ups and photos as they were happening, making the publication a more timely venue to share things with our members.

If you are not currently receiving our electronic newsletters, click here to subscribe.

How the Chamber’s Brand is Evolving (Part II) will discuss some of the marketing and event collateral being used currently, as well as a brief outline of how we are using social media outlets to enhance our brand.

Stay tuned!

Brianna Faulkner
Graphic Designer
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce