Bright Spots Blog - St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce

The Shine’s On: Kevin Taylor (Suncoast Credit Union)

Category: Member Spotlights, The Shine’s On

Posted On 10/07/2021 by Bianca Soler

The Shine’s On Kevin Taylor, St. Petersburg’s Business Relationship Officer from Suncoast Credit Union Suncoast Credit Union aims to help their members live their best lives. For business owners, living a best life often means a thriving, successful business. So when it comes to working with businesses, Suncoast is here to help business owners reach […]

The Shine’s on: Live Life Moving

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 09/17/2021 by Bianca Soler

Its Fall Prevention Week! Decrease your Risk of Falling with Video Tips from Live Life Moving Did you Know? According to the CDC: 25% of Americans aged 65+ fall each year falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of non-fatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults The International Council […]

The Shine’s on Goldman Wetzel

Category: Featured, Member Spotlights, The Shine’s On

Posted On 08/11/2021 by Bianca Soler

Proudly serving the St. Pete community for more than a decade, Goldman Wetzel has built a reputation for providing aggressive and effective legal representation to those facing a range of criminal offense charges, from DUIs to serious crimes. They’ve even been known to take calls now and again from fellow defense attorneys, seeking the legal […]

The Shine’s On Barkett Realty

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 06/28/2021 by Bianca Soler

Barkett Realty’s Answers to SBA Questions It’s no secret that St. Pete is growing, and that small businesses are loved by our community. In a city like St. Pete, owning your own building helps you become an even more established part of the community, positions you as a fixture for local customers, and gives you […]

The Shine’s on CP Communications

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 06/01/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

In business for more than three decades, CP Communications has earned its reputation as a leading provider of live event broadcast production solutions. From its humble beginnings as a walkie-talkie company, CP Communications has evolved into full-service media production, engineering, and equipment rental firm, with a client list that includes many of the world’s major […]

The Shine’s on Your CBD Store St. Pete

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 06/01/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

Michelle Tolan worked as the Manager for the very first Your CBD Store (YCBDS) in Bradenton, also a female owned business, in March of 2018. She thought that the business model was fantastic and the products were really helping people so she decided to open her own store in her home town of St. […]

The Shine’s on Hill Ward Henderson

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 05/24/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

Hill Ward Henderson started with a vision of a unique law firm — one that would combine the expansive talent, resources, capabilities and technologies of a larger firm with the responsiveness and personal attention of a smaller firm, to deliver powerful, personal service to every client. This idea for an innovative, client-focused firm grew out […]

The Shine’s on Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 05/14/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is a public agency of the state, created by the Florida Legislature in 1963 to provide local, user-financed transportation services that reinvest customer-based revenues back into the Tampa Bay community. THEA was established by statute in 1963 as a way to develop numerous roadway projects in Hillsborough County. From […]

The Shine’s on Children’s Dream Fund

Category: Featured

Posted On 05/07/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

The Children’s Dream Fund is a locally-based wish-granting organization, founded in 1981 with the single purpose of fulfilling dreams for children ages 3-21 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, and who live in West Central Florida. It all started in 1981, when a story went out on the AP wires that 8-year-old Fransie […]

The Shine’s on PedalPub – St. Pete

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 04/30/2021 by St. Pete Chamber

PedalPub-St. Pete opened its doors 10 years ago, offering tours of the murals, bars, breweries, and overall beauty of St. Pete on 15-person, Dutch-made bikes. Bachelorette parties, birthday parties, friends on the town—singing, drinking, and having fun along the way! PedalPub-St. Pete has partnered with local organizations and supported non-profits with thousands of dollars’ worth […]

New Chamber Cohort Connects New Members

Category: Chamber Updates, Featured

Posted On 04/27/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

by: Cary Reich, Sound Branding Ideas On April 1st (no fooling) over a dozen new members of the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce came together for a session led by Chamber Ambassador, Cary Reich, and the Chamber’s Membership Coordinator, Montana De Martinovic. During the session this new cohort of business leaders and professionals had a […]

The Shine’s on the Tampa Bay Rowdies

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 04/23/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

Hello Rowdies Fans! The Rowdies Front Office would like to welcome everyone to start of the 2021 Season! New Year New Jerseys and Logo The Tampa Bay Rowdies have unveiled the three kits for the upcoming USL Championship season, one of which will feature a new crest highlighting the unique heritage of Rowdies soccer. The […]

What’s Next After Rays and City Return to Negotiating Table?

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 04/20/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

Last Thursday evening, City Council approved a resolution to pause further Tropicana Field Site redevelopment discussions until the end of the Rays season or until a deal is made to keep the Rays in St. Pete after 2028. (More on that resolution and the series of events that brought us to this point can be […]

The Shine’s on Valley Bank

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 04/16/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

As the principal subsidiary of Valley National Bancorp, Valley National Bank is a regional bank with approximately $41 billion in assets. Valley is committed to giving people and businesses the power to succeed. Valley operates many convenient branch locations across New Jersey, New York, Florida and Alabama, and is committed to providing the most convenient […]

Shortlisted Trop Developers Present to St. Pete Chamber

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 04/09/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

On Tuesday, April 6th, the 4 shortlisted Trop Developer Teams (Sugar Hill/JMA, Midtown Development, Portman-Third Lake, Unicorp) were given 30 minutes to share their vision for the 86 acres known as the Trop Site and answer questions from Chamber members. The presentations were recorded and are linked below:

St. Pete Day Session Videos

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 04/08/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

Did you miss one or more sessions from St. Pete Day last week? Catch the recordings of all the sessions below. Special thank you to The Southern Group for allowing the Chamber to take over their office and to CP Communications/RedHouse Streaming for providing the technology for our pop up studio. Welcome from Florida House […]

The Shine’s on Meridian Security

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 04/01/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

Established in 2013, Meridian Security is a company on a mission. We want to be the last security company you will ever need by building relationships with our clients and the community. John Wooten was quoted as saying “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, […]

St. Pete’s Development Boom, and What It Means for Local Businesses

Category: Featured, Member Guest Blogs

Posted On 03/30/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

New developments on the horizon bring new opportunities for small-business owners and the St. Pete community alike. As the St. Pete road map evolves, bridging the gap between the local districts and neighborhoods becomes increasingly important. To create a workable and liveable city that can adapt over time, it boils down to establishing a balance. […]

Virtual St. Pete Day Preview

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 03/30/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

Tomorrow, the St. Pete Chamber will host the 3rd Annual St. Pete Day in Tallahassee. This year will be a little different as our attendees will be participating virtually. While there won’t be a long bus ride, or late night networking at the Governor’s Club, this year’s event will offer plenty of opportunity to hear […]

The Shine’s on St. Petersburg Distillery

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 03/26/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

With a rich and lengthy history of success in entrepreneurial operations, including Iafrate Construction and Angelo’s Recycled Materials, Iafrate brothers Dominic Jr. and Steve decided it was time to expand their portfolio into something for which they had a lifelong passion: the craft spirits industry. In 2014, the family owned and operated St. Petersburg Distillery […]

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Returns April 23-25, 2021

Category: Featured, Member Guest Blogs

Posted On 03/23/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

The ‘GRAND PRIX’ is back! This time it will be a bit later in spring on April 23-25, 2021. The 17th Annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg features awesome racing action on our downtown streets. It serves as Round 2 of the 2021 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season schedule as the headliner race on Sunday […]

No Changes to Late Night Permit Rules

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 03/19/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

On Thursday evening, the St. Petersburg City Council voted against changing the current rules governing Late Night Permits for alcohol sales. After several dozen bar owners, concerned citizens, business leaders, and musicians made their voices heard during Public Comment, Council members focused their remarks on the discretionary enforcement of COVID-19 rules, the difficulty in policing […]

The Shine’s on MSC Commercial

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 03/18/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

“Michael Saunders & Company is celebrating its 45th year of real estate service to Florida’s Gulf Coast and a benchmark year of $3.49 billion in annual sales volume. MSC Commercial was founded in 1977, one year after Michael Saunders & Company. After years of doing well in the Sarasota-Bradenton market is made perfect sense for […]

Concerned with Late Night Permit Suspensions? Be Heard at City Hall

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 03/16/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

Bar and Restaurant Owners, If you are concerned with potentially having your Late Night Permit suspended or revoked due to COVID-19 Order violations, please contact Matt Lettelleir at mlettelleir@stpete.com. City Council will be discussing this issue on Thursday, March 18th, at 5:00 PM and want to hear from the hospitality industry. Members of the public […]

The Shine’s on Pier Dolphin Cruises

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 03/12/2021 by St. Pete Chamber

Pier Dolphin Cruises has been located at the St. Pete Pier since 1992. After an unprecedented and career-pivoting year, Christian Obenshain and Jon Reno LaBudde decided to purchase the business in September of 2020. Christian’s father and long-time local yacht broker, Page Obenshain, was the listing broker for the Dolphin Queen vessel. Out of work […]

COVID Violation Process Puts Late Night Permits in Jeopardy

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 03/12/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

The St. Pete Business Community was heard today. The Chamber’s President and CEO, Chris Steinocher, made a compelling case to the Public Services and Infrastructure Committee meeting that our bars and restaurants should not have their late night permits revoked without a better education and training process for code enforcement, operators and employees. Over the […]

St. Pete Store & Visitors Center Testimonial

Category: Best In The 'Burg, Featured

Posted On 03/11/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

“Has anyone ever told you Shelli Hemans is a rockstar? It’s true! In December, I was asked to put together 80 gift packages for executives in one of our leadership programs. Since they wouldn’t make it to Florida as planned, my colleague wanted to send them a bit of Florida sunshine. What is the deadline […]

Mayor Kriseman Announces Trop Redevelopment Short List

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 03/08/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

This afternoon Mayor Rick Kriseman released his shortlist of developers being considered by the City for redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site. The RFP was opened late last year and closed on January 15th. 7 developers submitted proposals that met the criteria in the RFP. Those 7 proposals were vetted by City Staff and narrowed […]

The Shine’s on Glenda Sparrow Coaching & Consulting

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 03/05/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

“After 20+ years in Supply Chain Management I saw the need to help people with their health and wellness, tapping into the mindset that holds us back from our goals in life. Through Glenda Sparrow Coaching & Consulting, I take a holistic approach to wellness and show how easy it is to be healthy. The […]

Chamber Asks for More Time on Late Night Permit Changes

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 03/03/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

Earlier today the St. Pete Chamber’s Board of Governors voted to oppose the proposed changes to the City’s Late Night Permit Ordinance in favor of referring the item to a Committee for further discussion. City Staff has been working on the proposed changes since 2019 in order to combat illegal alcohol sales occurring within the […]

Legislative Preview Primer

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 02/17/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

*Date change due to unforeseen events. We appreciate your understanding. On Wednesday, February 24th, the St. Petersburg Chamber will host a virtual Legislative Preview event featuring Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, discussing his support for COVID-19 Liability Protections as well as a panel of our local legislative leaders. REGISTER HERE Confirmed panel attendees include […]

The Shine’s on The Mar St. Pete

Category: Featured, Member Spotlights

Posted On 01/25/2021 by St. Pete Chamber Member

The MAR St. Pete is a Performing Arts Studio and Incubator for dancers, creators, actors, musicians, and more. It is a place for rehearsing, creating, recording, live streaming, performing, and for all kinds of creative collaboration. It’s the place to move from student to professional. A place for small businesses to call home while […]

Housing, Land Use, and Development Meeting Recap

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 01/21/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

On Wednesday, the Housing, Land Use, and Development (HLUD) Committee met to discuss several important issues the Chamber is monitoring. First, the Committee received an update from Jillian Bandes, of Bandes Construction, on the YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) campaign to increase the supply of attainable housing through zoning and ordinance changes. Bandes explained many […]

Relief Act: Updates for Small Businesses

Category: Resilient St. Pete

Posted On 01/11/2021 by St. Pete Greenhouse

The Federal relief and stimulus package was signed into law on December 27, allocating approximately $284 billion in funding for small business relief. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) reopens starting January 11 to select borrowers and lenders. Under the PPP, small businesses can borrow money from private lenders without collateral, personal guarantees or fees. The loans may […]

Looking Back. (Do we have to?)

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 01/05/2021 by Matt Lettelleir

While most of us are glad to see 2020 sail into the sunset and we’re all ready for the energy and optimism of a new year – it’s important (and fun) to remind ourselves of what we set out to accomplish and how we did. When we wrote our Chamber forcasted “5 Key Issues on […]

In Case You Missed It: Here’s Who Won the 2020 Good ‘Burger Awards

Category: Best In The 'Burg, Chamber Updates, Featured, Resilient St. Pete

Posted On 12/08/2020 by St. Pete Chamber

Our Chamber heart is full after celebrating the good things that came out of this year at the 8th Annual Good ‘Burger Awards presented by The Bank of Tampa and Compass Land & Title, LLC. Hosted by Miguel Fuller, co-host of Miguel & Holly Mornings on HOT 101.5, the hybrid event was live broadcasted via […]

The Shine’s on Community Foundation of Tampa Bay

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 12/05/2020 by St. Pete Chamber Member

The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit that connects people and resources to inspire charitable giving and create a meaningful, lasting impact on our region. We serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. Our new Pinellas location opened in October 2020 at 110 Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. The Foundation […]

The Shine’s on Millenium Physician Group

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 11/20/2020 by St. Pete Chamber

Formed in 2008, Millennium Physician Group has grown into one of the largest comprehensive primary care practices with more than 500 health care providers located throughout Florida. Millennium is independently-owned and doctor led. A majority of physicians are board-certified in their specialty, with some receiving additional certifications in the areas of Geriatrics and Endocrinology. Additionally, […]

Post Election Analysis: Just how “Purple” is St. Pete?

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 11/13/2020 by Matt Lettelleir

While President-Elect Biden and his team prepare for transition and Georgians prepare for a dual runoff that will decide the balance of power in the US Senate, the St. Pete Chamber has crunched the numbers on our local results and we’ve found some interesting tidbits not reported elsewhere. Registration Before we get to results, lets […]

2020 Election: The Day After

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 11/04/2020 by Matt Lettelleir

Election Day 2020 has come and gone. And while the Presidential race and US Senate control is undecided at this time, there is clarity in the State of Florida and Pinellas County thanks to the spectacular Supervisors of Elections offices in our state, especially here in Pinellas County. Florida Legislature All but one incumbent in […]

Election Day 2020 Primer

Category: Advocacy, Featured

Posted On 11/02/2020 by Matt Lettelleir

In my past life, Election Day started at 3 AM to place yard signs at polling locations for the candidate or cause I was supporting. Rocking out to Top 40 or Country Music, I would find a peacefulness in the pre-dawn hours. Once 6 AM hit, I would get breakfast from Chick-fil-a and the first […]

The Shine’s on TruWell Health

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 10/30/2020 by St. Pete Chamber

In business since January 2020, TruWell Health offers treatment alternatives to surgery. Initial consultations are complimentary with board certified physician, Dr. Lora Brown. TruWell Health offers advanced treatment with modern technology, such as digital motion x-rays onsite and pinpoint-accuracy injections. TruWell Health’s treatments offers patients the opportunity to obtain same day relief through their patient-centered […]

St. Pete Launches New Small Business Map

Category: Featured, Resilient St. Pete

Posted On 10/27/2020 by Ariel Canchani

Find businesses today on the St. Pete Small Business Map From getting takeout to shopping online, every time you shop local, you’re supporting small businesses at the heart of our community. We have heard from small businesses that what they need most right now is awareness and directing customers to their locations. With this in […]

The Shine’s on Spectrum Reach

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 10/26/2020 by St. Pete Chamber

Spectrum Reach is conducting a nationwide campaign to encourage consumers to support local this holiday season with a fun, virtual mosaic that visually unites the businesses in our communities and serves as an interactive directory that local consumers can explore. How do you participate? Simply upload your business image or logo and tell them […]

The Shine’s On Silvestri Law, P.A.

Category: The Shine’s On

Posted On 10/02/2020 by St. Pete Chamber

Silvestri Law is a St. Pete-based commercial real estate law firm focused on delivering practical, cost-effective legal services for clients in connection with real estate transactions. From small business owners to regional investors, Silvestri Law helps clients navigate the legalities of leasing, buying, selling, developing, and financing commercial property. This includes helping you negotiate real […]

The SHINE’s on The Florida Aquarium

Category: Featured, The Shine’s On

Posted On 09/11/2020 by St. Pete Chamber

The Florida Aquarium opened March 31, 1995, and is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. The Florida Aquarium actively participates in and promotes stewardship of the natural environment as part of our mission of conservation. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, The Florida Aquarium provides an opportunity to see over 8,000 aquatic and terrestrial animals, explore […]

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