Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce SandScript
August 2010
 
In This Issue
2011 Siesta Key Visitors Guide
CG Designs Wins Prestigious Award
Useful Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Web Site Features
Property Tax Exemption Ballot Initiative
Odds and Ends
July Pics
July New Members
July Membership Renewals
2011 Siesta Key Visitors Guide

PhotoThe Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is the area's primary contact for those individuals interested in relocating to, or vacationing on, Siesta Key.  Annually, SKCC receives tens of thousands of inquiries, and mails more than 15,000 copies of the "Siesta Key Visitor's Guide and Buyer's Index" to potential visitors requesting additional information about the area.  Another 10,000 copies are distributed locally to visitors.  25,000 copies will be printed and available to members and the public by this November.

A listing in the visitors guide is complimentary with a Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce membership.  Information regarding the 2011 listings has been sent out by email, dropped off, or conventional mail.  The deadline to review and/or update membership listing is August 15, 2010.  If you have not received your user name and password, please contact Kevin at 941.349.3800 or kevin@siestakeychamber.com.

Only members of the Siesta Key Chamber are permitted to advertise their products or services in this target specific publication, a niche that can't be duplicated.  For advertising information, contact Trish Ivey at the Pelican Press at 349-4949.  To download the 2011 Publication Data sheet in .pdf format, click here.

CG Designs Wins Prestigious Award
Sub-Zero, Inc. and Wolf Appliance, Inc., the industry leaders in refrigeration, wine storage, and cooking equipment, announced recently that SKCC Board Chair Cheryl Gaddie of CG Designs was selected as a regional winner in the companies' 2008-09 Kitchen Design Contest.  The prestigious contest honors design professionals throughout North America who have helped make Sub-Zero and Wolf definitive components of uncompromised kitchens.

"Since the inaugural competition in 1993, our Kitchen Design Contest has recognized many of the highest-regarded professionals in the industry," said James J. Bakke, President and CEO of Sub-Zero and Wolf.

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James J. Bakke and Cheryl Gaddie at the Kitchen Design Contest awards ceremony at The Breakers in Palm Beach in March.

Useful Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Web Site Features
Chamber members are encouraged to make use of two features on our web site.

Have job openings to fill?  Chamber members may post them on the Job Opportunities page of the web site by clicking here.

Have an interesting photo you'd like to share - perhaps one that subtly highlights your business?  Submit it to the web site's "Picture of the Day Photo Op" by e-mailing it to photoop@siestakeychamber.com.  Be sure to include a caption identifying the subjects in the photo and describing the action.

Property Tax Exemption Ballot Initiative

Tha Siesta Key Chamber supports the tax abatement ballot initiative, and urges ite members to vote 'Yes' on August 24th.  It is an economic development property tax exemption program that gives the Sarasota County Commission the authority to grant tax incentives to new businesses established in Sarasota County and existing businesses that expand through the purchase of new equipment and/or improvements to real property.  This program will diversify the county's business base by encouraging businesses that offer higher than average salaries to relocate here and helping local companies expand. Tax exemptions are economic development incentives and remain a key factor of an area' s competitive advantage.

The Argus Foundation's "Meet The Minds" luncheon on Thursday, August 5 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota will feature Faye Outlaw, County Administrator of St. Lucie County, Florida, who will share her County's experience with a similar program.  For the event flyer, click here.

Under the proposed program, Sarasota County property taxes on qualified buildings and equipment would be eligible for tax exemption, while and and school taxes are not.  To download a foerm to make a financial contribution to the pro-Abatement campaign, click here.  To downlaod a facts sheet click here.  Vote 'Yes' on August 24th!

Odds and Ends
The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is looking for members to host one of the Chamber's monthly breakfasts, lunches or business card exchanges.  Contact Tess at tess@siestakeychamber.com or 349.3800 if you're interested or have any questions....The Chamber also has three committees (tourism, ambassador, and government affairs) that are all seeking new members.  Contact the Chamber office if you have interest in one or more of the committees...SKCC member Nicole Coudal won the Ladies division at the Sarasota Sportfishing Anglers Club's 80th Annual Sarasota All-Release Tarpon Tournament on July 10th with a 36" girth fish.

July Pics

  July 15 Business Card Exchange at Village Cafe

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Simone Korb, Cheryl Gaddie and owner Tom Kouvatsos

Casey Stevens, Ray DeSilva and Robin Draper

July 16 Ribbon Cutting at The Pita Shack

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Owner Tommy Villani sets up samples for guests to enjoy (photo courtesy of Remarkable Photography)

Tommy cuts the ribbon with family and staff (photo courtesy of Remarkable Photography)

July 28 Breakfast at Sun Garden Cafe

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Bob Parkinson, Casey Stevens and Clayton Thompson

Bernie Gottschalk, Tim Bekkering and Sharon Petrik

July New Members
Grayhawk Systems
Ms. Karen Mahilos
6935 15th Street
Suite 105
Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: (941) 487-2964
Fax: (941) 751-1030
Email
Website
Hideaway at Siesta Gardens
Ms. Stephanie Silvis
5225 Avenida Navarra #3
Siesta Key, FL 34242
Phone: (540) 931-4854
Fax: (540) 751-2401
Email

Sleep King
Mr. Larry Cohen
1901 Hansen Street
Sarasota, FL 34231
Phone: (941) 922-5271
Fax: (941) 923-6783
Email
Website
Remarkable Photography
Ms. Judy Zlock
6547 Midnight Pass Road
PMB#60
Sarasota, FL 34242
Phone: (941) 328-9623
Email
Website
GreenHome Resource Center
Mr. Reinhard Felder
7509 Pennsylvania Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: (941) 355-6222
Fax: (941) 355-6225
Email
Website
Gulf Coast Medical Group
Ms. Emma Kate Scovill
3884 Central Sarasota Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34238
Phone: (941) 483-7797
Fax: (941) 483-7699
Email
Website

July Membership Renewals
Years Member Name
21 Midnight Cove II
19 Siesta Key Village Tropical Breeze Resort
18 White Sands Village Condo
17 Aloha Kai Vacation Rentals
15 Practical Car Rental
14 A & A Baby and Toddler Rentals
14 Swim City
13 BLVD Beachwear
10 Ben Brown Insurance Agency
10 Roberti Enterprises
10 Siesta Pearl
9 A Siesta Key Wedding
7 Acu-Spect. Inc. Home Inspections
7 Mandala Med-Spa, L.L.C.
6 Clayton's Siesta Grille
5 A Beach Front Rental
5 A Siesta Beach Condo
5 Green Parrot Properties, LLC
5 Siesta Key Inn
5 Snyderhall at Siesta Harbor
2 FitXercise
2 Michael Saunders & Co. - Byron/Keal
2 Michael Saunders & Co. - Chester
1 302 Siesta Palms
1 Cosimo's Too!
1 Drum Circle Distilling/Siesta Key Rum
1 Sassy Hair
1 The Beach Deli @ Crescent Beach Grocery

logo
August Events
AMBASSADORS' NETWORK LUNCHEON
Tuesday August 3
Networking: 11:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

The Hub Baja Grill
5148 Ocean Boulevard

Speaker
Senator Nancy Detert
Florida State Senate District 23


"Legislative Update"

Cost: $12
RSVP by noon, August 2
to 349-3800 or email info@siestakeychamber.com

_________________

BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE AND RIBBON CUTTING
Thursday August 19
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

The Cottage on the Key
153 Avenida Messina

$5 members / $10 guests
RSVP by noon, August 18
to 349-3800 email
info@siestakeychamber.com


_________________

"GOOD MORNING SIESTA KEY" BREAKFAST

Wednesday August 25
8:00 am - 9:00 am

Deli Lane Cafe

2157 Siesta Drive
Sarasota, FL 34239

$10 members and guests
RSVP by noon, August 24
to 349-3800 or email
tess@siestakeychamber.com


  
TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE CALENDAR WITH ALL AUGUST EVENTS IN .PDF FORMAT CLICK HERE
Chamber Committees
GOVERNMENT ISSUES
Troy Syprett, Chairman
Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar

Meets the 1st Wednesday
of most months at
the Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar.

"GIC" monitors local, state and federal government activities and issues impacting Chamber members, and reports their analyses to the Board for use in formulating positions.
_____________

AMBASSADORS
Barbara Cain, Chairman
Liberty Bank

Meets the first Thursday
of most months at
the Chamber.

The Ambassadors are the Chamber's membership marketing arm.  They devise strategies for membership recruitment and retention, welcome new members and host the Chamber's monthly networking events.
_____________

TOURISM
Maria Bankemper, Chairwoman
Holiday Inn Express

Meets the second Wednesday of most months at the Holiday Inn Express.

The Tourism Committee is the principal tourism marketing arm of the Chamber.  It develops strategies and policies to maximize the number of visitors to Siesta Key and the surrounding community.

The Chamber is continually seeking new committee members.  Should you have an interest in joining one, phone the Chamber office at 349-3800, or e-mail to jim@SiestaKeyChamber.com.
Chamber Personnel
OFFICERS
Cheryl Gaddie
CGdesigns
Chairman

Brad Stewart
Captain Curt's
Chair-Elect

Russell Matthes
Daiquiri Deck
Treasurer

Rosenda Calloway
AAA Travel
Secretary

Aimee Holmes
Hyatt Siesta Key Beach
Immediate Past Chair

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maria Bankemper
Holiday Inn Express

Rich Cunningham
Cunningham Property
Management


Trish Ivey
Pelican Press

Tom Kouvatsos
Village Cafe

Sheila Lewis
Siesta Sports Rentals

Felix Power
Prudential Palms Realty

Mark Smith
Smith Architects

Stephen Voigt, Sr., Esq.
Voigt & Voigt, PA

Frank Zeckel
Coldwell Banker -
Siesta Key Team
 

CHAMBER STAFF
Jim Haberman
Executive Director

Kevin Cooper
Membership Services Manager

Tess Herschman
Visitor Services Manager


CHAMBER VOLUNTEERS
Ruth Bader
Sharon Bencie
Andy Bittle
Janet Bohland
Delores Borek
Ted Borek
Maureen Buchanan
Arlene Esslinger
Bill Garrison
Sybil Goodman
Lee Gothier
Paula Griffin
Deborah Harvey
Vern Johnson
Tina Johns
Kate Kochis
Shawn McLoughlin
Jennifer Mueller
Dale Nelson
Bob Orlando
Jean Pokorny
Felix Power
Karen Rosenbloom
Sandy  Schmidt
Helen Sikorski
Paula Stein
Craig Sterlace
Alana Tomasso
Phil Trego
Ardith Tromley
Margie Trumbull
Angelika Wanless
Rhonda Wiggins

NOTE: THE CHAMBER IS IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL VISITOR CENTER VOLUNTEERS.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT TESS AT THE CHAMBER OFFICE.
Contact Us
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
5118 Ocean Boulevard
Siesta Key, FL  34242  USA
phone 941.349.3800
   fax 941.349.9699
info@siestakeychamber.com
www.siestakeychamber.com