Siesta Key Beach is #1 in the Nation!!
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Last
week Dr. Stephen Leatherman, more widely recognized as "Dr. Beach",
announced that Siesta Key Beach is the best beach in America. After
holding the No. 2 spot for the last two years, Siesta Beach now holds
the title as the No. 1 Beach in the United States. Dr. Leatherman noted
"Siesta Beach in Sarasota boasts
that it has the finest and whitest sand in the world, and I
cannot argue with this claim." www.drbeach.org/top10beaches.htm
Beyond
the bragging rights associated with the title, what does this mean for
our local community and economy? According to a recent article in the
Sarasota Herald Tribune, we should see a dramatic influx of visitors and
tourism dollars. Former recipients of the premier designation reported
an increase in new visitors by the hundreds of thousands.
"The
visitors will almost certainly be accompanied by a huge spike in
tourist spending that could add up to hundreds of millions of dollars
more for area restaurants, shops and attractions." -Sarasota Herald
Tribune
Needless to say, one of the greater benefits of this
designation is the free global advertising. The value is so great, that
it is nearly impossible to calculate the net worth of the media
attention. Siesta Key was featured on NBC's "The Today Show", ABC's
"Good Morning America", the Weather Channel, MSN.com, Forbes and even an
Italian newspaper just to name a few!
Dollar income estimates
have been released based on Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau data
for visitors in paid lodging. The predictions climb as high as $446
million figuring that average visitor expenditures are $124 per day and
$1,013 per trip.
To read the article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune, "Siesta beach No. 1 ranking could bring region $446 million," please click here.
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow!!!
2011 Membership Drive
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There is no greater advertisement for the Siesta Key Chamber of
Commerce than when our members refer other business owners to the
Chamber and we want to reward you for it!! The 2011 Siesta Key Chamber
of Commerce Membership Drive has begun and will extend until June 30. For
every member that you refer, you will receive a voucher for a $25
discount off your next membership renewal. The member with the most
referrals during the drive will receive a weekend getaway package to
include a 2-night stay on Longboat Key, car service, babysitter service,
gift certificates for food and beverage...and more!! We will be
wrapping up the campaign and announcing the winner at our New Member
Reception on June 30th at the Siesta Key Chamber office. Don't forget to
mark your calendars! Our charge to you is simple, there is
likely one business that you deal with in either your personal or
professional lives that is not a member of the Siesta Key Chamber - and
we want them to be a part of our community!! They're already getting a
benefit from having you as a customer and we want to not only increase
their customer base, but also provide them with all of the benefits that
a Chamber membership carries with it. Each new member counts and we're
certain that you know ONE BUSINESS that can benefit from partnering
with the Siesta Key Chamber business community. For a membership application, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact the Chamber by phoning 941.349.3800 or email by clicking here. |
2011 Siesta Key 4th of July Community Fireworks Celebration VIP Packages
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For over twenty years, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce
has coordinated, funded, and hosted the annual Siesta Key 4th of July
Community Fireworks Celebration. We are proud to announce that we are
again bringing this time honored tradition back to our shores for 2011.
With
no direct taxpayer funding used to continue this local tradition, the
celebration is fully funded by generous community support. Much of the
cost is covered by sales of our hugely popular VIP packages.
Each VIP package includes:
· Convenient reserved on-site parking at Siesta Beach
· On-site catered picnic dinner for two
· Beer, wine and soft drinks
· Live musical entertainment
· Preferred viewing area for the spectacular 20-minute fireworks
· Acknowledgment in event advertising and on-site signage
VIP PACKAGES ON SALE NOW!!!
Click the image below for your 2011 order form:
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Inaugural Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce
Firecracker 5K
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The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the
inaugural Firecracker 5K at Siesta Beach. The Chamber has partnered
with the Manasota Track Club to host a 1 mile fun run and a 5k run on
the morning of July 2, 2011. Every cent of proceeds from the event will go towards funding the annual 4th of July community fireworks celebration.
Click the image below to register:
If you have any questions, please contact the Chamber by phoning 349.3800 or emailing Kevin by clicking here.
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Win A Chance To Start The 2011 4th Of July Fireworks!!
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The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce is raffling off an
opportunity to start the 2011 Siesta Key 4th of July Fireworks
Celebration. Single raffle tickets are now available and can be
purchased for $5. If you purchase 4 tickets you get a 5th ticket for
free! The lucky winner will be drawn on July 2nd and will have an
opportunity to go "behind the scenes" and view the pyrotechnic launch
site. Following their tour of the launch site, the winner will don an
official Zambelli Fireworks hardhat to actually kick-off the fireworks
celebration in front of the thousands of attendees by detonating a TNT
plunger box (think Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner). RAFFLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!! If
you have any questions or are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket
please contact the Chamber by phoning 941.349.3800 or emailing by
clicking here
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East Meets West III Exhibitor Opportunities
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The
Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Lakewood Ranch
Business Alliance, The Longboat, Lido, St. Armand's Key, and The Gulf
Coast Latin Chambers of Commerce to present East Meets West III, an
after hours business exposition.
We
are down to the last remaining available tables, as limited exhibitor
spots have been provided for each participating group and it is a first
come, first serve basis. Reserve your spot today! To register, please
download the information and registration form by clicking here,
complete and return to us as soon as possible. We're already almost
sold out so if you're interested don't wait any longer to reserve your
space. A waiting list will be created once tables are sold out.
Attendees
will enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be
provided. $10 to attend includes a gift bag and an opportunity to
network among Sarasota & Manatee County's finest professionals.
For sponsorship & exhibitor information, please contact the Chamber by clicking here or phoning 349-3800.
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Chamber Member-to-Member Discounts
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Super Sipes Window Cleaning is offering a 10%
discount on services to all Chamber members. For information please
contact Ted Sipes at 941.320.9209 or email TKSipes@comcast.netOf
course, one of the prominent goals of the Siesta Key Chamber is that
our members do business with each other. Member to member discounts are
a great way to ensure that members do business with you. It's also a
great way to thank other members for their support of the Chamber. If
you would like to participate in the member-to-member discount program,
or have in the past, please let us know by contacting Jacqueline at
941.349.3800 or jacqueline@siestakeychamber.com.
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Odds and Ends
| Massage Experience and Notary To Go are both celebrating their 15th year anniversary! Congratulations to both of you for your long-time success! --The Siesta Key Kiwanis Club
is hanging up the Disco Ball for their 10th Annual Tropical Nights
FUNdraiser on Saturday June 11, 2011 in the Michael's on East Ballroom.
Click here for more information. --The Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau
(SCVB) welcomes you to learn more about the restaurants participating
in the sixth annual "Savor Sarasota" Restaurant Week, running two full
weeks, from June 1-14, 2011. Support our members, Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Mattison's Forty-One and Siesta Key Oyster Bar,
as they showcase their culinary expertise on their delicious $25 prix
fixe menus. To find out more information, or to view their Savor
Sarasota menus, please click here.
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May Pics
Ooh
La La French
Bakery
Cafe Continental
Ribbon
Cutting
Ambassador Breakfast
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Teresa Bencie, of Ooh La La French Bakery, and John Bencie, of SPH Marketing
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| Rick and Gloria Hendrix, of RGK Property Management, with Dudley Carson, of Re/Max Premier Services
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Business Card Exchange at Eager Beaver Car Wash
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Sherri
Johnson, of Johnson Legal of Florida, Sondra Conk, of Our Town, Clayton
Thompson, of Clayton's Siesta Grille, with Reini and Lilly Felder, of
Virtual Assistants By Lilly
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Carmen
Ramsey, of Siesta Key Kiwanis Club, Joe Scheiss, of Eager Beaver Car
Wash, Phil Trego, Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Volunteer, with Adam
Miller, of Eager Beaver Car Wash
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| May New Members |
Abel's Ice Cream, Inc.
Mr. Bill & Mrs. Norma Abel
1886 Stickney Point Road
Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 921-5700 (p)
Email
Website
CaliFlorida Surf & Skate Shop Mr. Blake Parsons 5253 Ocean Boulevard Siesta Key, FL 34242 (941) 346-0310 Website Historic Spanish Point Ms. Laura Dean 337 North Tamiami Trail Osprey, FL 34229 (941) 966-5214 (p) (941) 966-1355 (f) Email Website Virtual Assistants By Lilly Ms. Lilly Felder 7534 Trillium Boulevard Sarasota, FL 34241 (941) 961-3059 (p) Email Website
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Aqua Pool Resurfacing
Mr. Thomas Hanner
6452 Hollywood Boulevard
Sarasota FL, 34231
(941) 650-4468(p)
(941) 706-7031 (f)
Email
Website
Clear Idea Technology, Inc.
Mr. Lee Jones
2661 Mall Drive
Gulf Gate Village
Sarasota, FL 34231
(941) 362-1799 (p)
(941) 362-1799 (f)
Email
Website
RGK Property Management
Mr. Rick & Mrs. Gloria Hendrix
13583 Bellewood Avenue
Seminole, FL 33775
(941) 779-7679 (p)
(888) 557-5287
Email
Website
You've Got Maids
Mr. Drew & Mrs. Marion Denby
779 Tamiami Trail
Suite 9
Port Charlotte, FL 33953
(941) 979-8462 (p)
(941) 893-3299(f)
Email
Website
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May Membership Renewals
Years of Membership
| 30 | Captiva Beach Resort | | 21 | Coconuts of Siesta Key | | 21 | Comcast Cable | | 21 | Siesta Key Hardware & Garden, Inc | | 21 | Turtles Restaurant | | 15 | Atlas Insurance Agency, Inc. | | 14 | G. Fried Flooring America | | 14 | Siesta Key Sailing | | 13 | Gumbo Limbo Vacation Rentals Inc. | | 13 | Next To The Best | | 13 | Sunny Day Guide | | 12 | Conclare Aman's Beach Resort | | 12 | Waste Management of Sarasota County | | 11 | ResortQuest SW Florida | | 11 | Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf | | 11 | Weddings of Sarasota | | 10 | Beach & Bay | | 10 | Jo-To Japanese Restaurant | | 9 | Smith Architects, P.A. | | 9 | Super Sipes Window Cleaning | | 9 | Waterside Realty, LLC | | 8 | Magnolia House | | 8 | TPC Prestancia | | 7 | Siesta Key Chapel | | 6 | Blase' Cafe | | 6 | Lee Courtney Enterprises, Inc | | 6 | Siesta Key Bike and Kayak LLC | | 5 | ABC Rentals, Inc. | | 5 | Siesta Key Hideaway/Sea Crest Apt #11 | | 4 | Siesta Key Watersports | | 3 | Mattison's Forty-One | | 3 | Signs By Tomorrow | | 3 | Sun Garden Cafe | | 2 | Aman's Seacon, Inc. | | 2 | LeLu Coffee Lounge | | 2 | Physicians Group, LLC/800-ASK-GARY | | 2 | Sarasota Bay Explorers | | 2 | Sarasota Family YMCA | | 1 | Badger Bob's Appliance and Air Conditioning | | 1 | Leggett Medical Group | | 1 | Regions Mortgage | | 1 | Sand Petal Weddings | | 1 | The Damex Corproation |
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June Events
| AMBASSADORS LUNCHEON
Friday June 3
Networking: 11:30 am
Lunch: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
The Old Salty Dog
5023 Ocean Boulevard
Siesta Key Village
Cost: $12 per person Please make checks payable to The Old Salty Dog RSVP by noon, June 2
to 349-3800 or email
tess@siestakeychamber.com
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AFTER HOURS BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE Thursday June 16 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Clayton's Siesta Grille 1256 Old Stickney Point Road Hors-d'oeuvres will be served
2-4-1 Happy Hour $5 members $10 non-members Members get in at no cost when accompanied by a non-member
RSVP by noon, June 15
to 349-3800 or email
tess@siestakeychamber.com _________________ GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION & OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, June 22 12:00 noon - 7:00 pm Siesta Sunset Royale 5322 Calle de la Siesta Open to the public for viewing Light Refreshments served For more information call 941.548.6001 _________________ AMBASSADORS BREAKFAST Wednesday June 29 8:00 am - 9:00 am LeLu's Coffee Lounge 5251 Ocean Boulevard Siesta Key Village Cost: $10 per person Make checks payable to LeLu's Coffee Lounge
RSVP by noon, June 28
to 349-3800 or email
tess@siestakeychamber.com |
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.
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AMBASSADORS
Barbara Cain, Chairwoman
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.
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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 kevin@SiestaKeyChamber.com.
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Chamber Personnel
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OFFICERS
Cheryl Gaddie
CGdesigns
Chairwoman
Mark Smith
Smith Architects
Chair-Elect
Russell Matthes
Daiquiri Deck
Treasurer
Felix Power
Prudential Palms Realty
Secretary
Aimee Holmes
Hyatt Siesta Key Beach Immediate Past Chair
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Maria Bankemper
Holiday Inn Express
Trish Ivey
Pelican Press
Tom Kouvatsos
Village Cafe
Sheila Lewis
Siesta Sports Rentals
Dave Magee
The UPS Store
Brad Stewart
Captain Curt's
Alana Tomasso
Cunningham Property Management
Aledia Tush
CBs Saltwater Outfitters
Frank Zeckel
Coldwell Banker - Siesta Key Team
CHAMBER STAFF
Kevin Cooper
Executive Director
Tess Herschman
Visitor Services Manager
Jacqueline Abney
Membership Services Manager
CHAMBER VOLUNTEERS Ruth Bader
Sharon Bencie
Marc Blum
Delores Borek
Ted Borek
Maureen Buchanan
Arlene Esslinger
Mike Fisher
Scott Garrity
Sybil Goodman
Lee Gothier
Paula Griffin
Deborah Harvey
Vern Johnson
Kathie Judkins
Kate Kochis
Shawn McLoughlin
Jan Meyers
Dale Nelson
Bob Orlando
Felix Power
Karen Rosenbloom
Sandy Schmidt
Paula Stein
Craig Sterlace
Alana Tomasso
Phil Trego
Ardith Tromley
Margie Trumbull
Angelika Wanless
Rhonda Wiggins
Judy Zlock
NOTE: THE CHAMBER IS IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL VISITOR CENTER VOLUNTEERS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT TESS AT THE CHAMBER OFFICE.
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Contact Us
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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.siestakeychambe | | |