The Keyholder committee team serves as an onboarding team, welcoming and assisting new members in getting involved. Keyholder promote & provide assistance at events, ribbon cuttings, and community outreach – creating positive first impressions on behalf of the Perdido Area Chamber and the community we serve!
Councils & Committees
Always Open
We believe in the power of great ideas and that these ideas can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Listen, Act, Learn. Repeat.
We continually adapt through the shifting economic landscape. We use data and community feedback to guide our course.
KEYHOLDERS & EVENTS
Chair: Cheryl Bamonte, UPS Store at Blue Angel Pkwy
Co-Chair: Sally Bowen, Sally’s Island Catering
Meeting Time
Second Friday of every month @ 7:30 AM
Primary Goals and Activities:
- Educate Current and new members about member benefits and business opportunities through onboarding mentorship/adopt a member.
- Participate in Member retention in quarterly check-in campaigns.
- Attend and Assist chamber hosted event such as ribbon cuttings and chamber hosted events.
- Promote Chamber event through social media and other networking channels.
- Record activity to be in drawing for monthly rewards and Ambassador of the Year awards
- Provide Committee must provide one at-large non-board member for nominating a committee to meet in October.
The Keyholders met July 12, 2019, at 7:30 AM at Hub Stacey’s at the Point.
The Keyholders are working on a big restructure in hopes of attracting more members. After some research on other ambassador programs, they decided to adopt a program which allows the Keyholders to earn points for rewards! The meeting was mostly set around going over the new structure, rules and point system. There was also an overview on the requirements for becoming a Keyholder, the benefits and the rewards. The group will get shirts and name-tags using a cost-sharing system with the Chamber. The Keyholders will pay $20 to cover half the cost of their shirt and name badge as an investment in the program.
They will do a separate email to all the Keyholders with a calendar invite to accept or not accept as a way to keep track of who will or will not be able to attend the different events as well as letting everyone know ahead of time when the events are taking place and where.
They also discussed briefly about the upcoming movie night. The next Flicks on the Field event is on Friday, August 9th at 7:30 pm. The movie this month will be Captain Marvel, sponsored by the Perdido Key Sports Bar.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Friday, August 9, 2019, at 7:30 am at the Pensacola Greyhound Track.
ADVOCACY
Works in partnership with our local leadership, public entities, and nonprofits to support the community as a whole. Advocating for the vitality of the local business, preserving the quality of life, campaigning for safety, and educating about our fragile wildlife and ecosystem. All helping to achieve the goal of community development.
Chair: Penny Esworthy, Community Member
Co-Chair: TBD
Meeting Time
Last Wednesday of every month @ 9:00 AM
Primary Goals and Activities:
- Assisting and ensuring in the Perdido Key Master Plan Progression.
- Educating all businesses, residents, and visitors about the Perdido Habitat Conversation Plan introduced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife agency.
- Advocating for safety including better crosswalks and the development of the Multi-Use Path.
The Advocacy Committee met on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at 8:30 am in the PKACC Conference Room. The committee has a new chairperson, Penny Esworthy and will be held beginning at 9 am the last Wednesday of each month.
The Committee and Chamber would like to thank Kim Parker, prior Chair for her leadership and success as Chair for the last three years. Kim led the June meeting and announced that she would like to transition from Chair to active Committee member.
It was agreed in the June meeting that the Advocacy Committee should shift directive and become more active and present in Government Affairs. It was discussed and a consensus that the four main areas of the Committees focus would be the following;
- Master Plan Progress
- Habitat Conservation Plan
- PK Multi Use Path
- PK Public Beach Access
Penny M. Esworthy opened the July monthly meeting as Chair; members reconfirmed the four areas of Committee focus. The committee mission is to Work in partnership with our local leadership, public entities, and nonprofits to support the community as a whole. Advocating for the vitality of local business, preserving the quality of life, campaigning for safety, and educating about our fragile wildlife and ecosystem. All helping to achieve the goal of community development.
An update was provided on current issues;
- Sea Turtle season will continue through Oct. 31, with active turtle nests on throughout the Key expected to hatch by end of Oct.
- Preservation Park funding from the County may be in jeopardy given unofficial communication to Dana. The park is expected to cost approximately $36,000 Dana will look into other options for funding including Grants.
- Funding and support for water station located near the planned park area is being pursued by Dana, ECUA has been contacted to help support the park designed for the public as a supply for water/refill water bottles.
Round-table items included updates on Big Lagoon, PKA and the Chamber.
Paul stated that the boat ramp at Big Lagoon had been delayed and would be completed in the near future. There was discussion concerning existing laws/restrictions on the use of golf carts on the Bike Path and 292. Clarification of the enforced laws will be researched.
Charles provided an update regarding the activities of the PKA, which included; Success of World Oceans Day held in June, Performance of Beach Profiles in area, Adopt Highway participation, ongoing Vitex cleanup, and Coastal Clean-up Day scheduled for 9/21.
The regular meeting of the Escambia Co. Board of Co. Commissioners will be held Thursday August 1, at 9 am and 5:30 pm. Penny will be in attendance as well as Charles and Dana. Penny will provide an update regarding any issues affecting PK discussed at the 8/1 meeting.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 9:00 am at the PKACC office.
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Business & Economic Development committee actively supports member businesses by promoting the Chamber’s core mission.
Promote progressive leadership in commerce for a dynamic and prosperous community in the Perdido Area. The Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to endorsing the Perdido Area’s growth of regional businesses and community prosperity through Advocacy, leadership, economic development, education and associations across state lines.
Chair: Bill Short, AM-PRES Corporation
Co-Chair: TBD
Meeting Time
Third Thursday of every month @ 8:30 AM
Primary Goals and Activities:
- Support the core member base of our Chamber.
- Provide educational benefits by hosting workforce training and networking opportunities.
- Develops and coordinates special events directly impacting local economy.
- Committee must provide one at-large Non-board member for Nominating committee to meet in October.
The Business & Economic Development committee met on Thursday, July 18, 2019, at 8:30 am in the PKACC conference room.
The committee discussed the upcoming Perdido Shop Hop, occurring November 30 to December 10, 2019. Basic event details were established as well as a timeline for event/committee goals. During the next Business and Community Development meeting, Sponsorship info sheets, forms and event flyers will have been created. Committee members are tasked with finding sponsors and participation for the event.
The Early-Riser’s breakfast scheduled for September 24, 2019 is still lacking a sponsor. The event topic is a Tourism Update with guest speaker Steve Hayes from Visit Pensacola. The event start time has been moved to 8 am as opposed to 7:30 am and will be at Eden Condominiums.
The committee also reviewed and discussed the committee’s overall mission and goals in order to kick off the chamber fiscal year with a solid vision. They also decided to change the name of the committee from “Business and Community Development” to “Business and Economic Development”.
An update on SCORE was given. The SCORE group is always actively searching for mentors, specifically in specialized areas such as accounting, lawyers, advertising, CPA’s, etc. If you are interested in getting involved with our local SCORE chapter please email Jo Ann at joann.slaydon@scorevolunteer.org.
At the next meeting, the committee will discuss the committee’s purpose, goals for this year, committee time and involvement commitment and establish a co-chair. The following business development events are coming up and registration is available!
- Next Lunch N Learn: Managing Business Cash Flow with Guest Speaker Jonathan Griffith of Synovus. Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at 11:30 AM at the Chamber.
- Next Early-Risers Breakfast: Perdido Tourism Update with Guest Speaker Steve Hayes of Visit Pensacola. Wednesday, September 24th at 8:00 AM at Eden Condominiums.
If you have any questions regarding the Business & Economic Development committee or the breakfast and lunch networking events, please contact the committee chair, Bill Short.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 15, 2019, at 8:30 am at the Chamber office.
MILITARY COUNCIL
Being the Cradle of Naval Aviation since 1913, our economy relies heavily on military members and their families within our community. Our committee focuses on inclusion, appreciation and giving back to those who have served and to make the Perdido Area a desirable community for military families to live, work, and play.
Chair: Erin Wilmer, Edward Jones Financial Advisor
Co-Chair: TBD
Meeting Time
Last Tuesday of every month @ 4:30 PM
Primary Goals and Activities:
- Bridge the Gap between military families and the local business community by providing resources to incoming families and assisting veteran entrepreneurs.
- Educate the community on the importance of the military history of the Perdido Area.
- Support, empower and appreciate the military veterans and their families through events.
The Military Committee met on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at 4:30 pm at the Edward Jones office on Sorrento Road.
The military committee went over their overall mission and goals as a part of the effort to re-group for the fresh start of the chamber’s new fiscal year. The newest committee mission and goals are below:
Committee Purpose: Being the Cradle of Naval Aviation since 1913, our economy relies heavily on military members and their families within our community. Our committee focuses on inclusion, appreciation and giving back to those who have served and to make the Perdido Area a desirable community for military families to live, work, and play.
Primary Goals and Activities:
- Bridge the Gap between military families and the local business community by providing resources to incoming families and assisting veteran entrepreneurs.
- Educate the community on the importance of the military history of the Perdido Area.
- Support, empower, and appreciate the military veterans and their families through events.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at the Edward Jones Office on Sorrento Road.
MEMBERSHIP AND MARKETING COMMITTEE
The Membership & Marketing Committee will actively seek and explore methods for promoting member businesses, growing core member base, and evaluate chamber branding strategies including the annual area guide. The committee will assess & evaluate content and frequency to propose or revise marketing plans/tools to build and drive value to chamber events and programs. They will also participate in the recruitment of volunteers and provide introductions to prospective members to join the chamber or sponsor a valued event.
Chair: Judy Davis, Perdido Key Sports Bar & Perdido Key Souvenirs
Co-Chair: Vicky Chandler, Perdido Pack & Ship
Meeting Time
Fourth Friday of every month @ 8:30 AM
Primary Goals and Activities:
- Growing the core member base of our Chamber.
- Help provide content, imagery and proof read annual guide.
- Social Sharing: Share other member’s good news with the chamber when seen and share the chambers good news with other members.
- Help evaluate branding and promo items for chamber.
- Educate and share Member benefits by hosting membership drives and campaigns.
- Chamber provides list of dropped members, prospects, and social media leads.
- Committee must provide one at-large Non-board member for Nominating committee to meet in October.
The Membership and Marketing Committee met on Friday, July 26, 2019, at 8:30 am at the PKACC Conference Room.
The committee decided to take lists of non-members who may have attended events or interacted with the chamber in the past and divide and contact them as prospects for new members.
The committee also discussed a research phase of finding out how to best market our chamber by gaining knowledge from our current members. The committee decided to make an extra meeting, on Friday, August 16th to divide the membership by industries and by region. They will then form specific questions for each and see what types of commonality they can find to see what the chamber can do to attract more great members to the chamber. The hope is to get great feedback from our current membership on how we can move forward to better serve our current members in their business needs.
The next special meeting will be on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 8:30 am at the PKACC office.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Friday, August 23, 2019, at 8:30 am at the PKACC office.