Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Everyone appreciates confirmation

I love it when some large media source confirms that we live in a fabulously beautiful place.  Check out this link on CNN.  http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/02/travel/best-travel-snapshots-2011/index.html?hpt=tr_c2  Look at #11 - a snapshot taken on the pier at Shoreline Park South in Gulf Breeze.  I live half a mile away.  I have personally seen images like this hundreds of times; just not a good photographer.  Makes me want to live here forever. 


How about you?  Are you sitting in a northern clime staring down winter's angry blasts?  Call me, let's talk about how we can move you from there to here - family, business, dog/cat/fish and all.  (850) 932-7888.


Yours,


Josie

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Another Tuesday at the GB Chamber

Today was a great day for networking at the GB Chamber.

I did my usual five minutes on NewsRadio1620 at 8:30 AM.  I must stay on my toes with Rob.  He inspires me to be passionate about issues that impact Gulf Breeze.  Like the bridge replacement project.  We must fight tolls on the bridge.  I would think twice about whether I went east on highway 98 or west if I had to pay.  Panera Bread didn't come to the Publix complex because 25% of their business at their current location in Cordova Mall is from Gulf Breeze.  Wonder if that percent would change with a tolled bridge?  Would shops at the mall in Mary Esther register more 32561/32563 shoppers? Would Gulf Breeze residents start realizing all the hidden assets they could find in their own strip malls and shopping centers?  Business owner, if most of your clients come and go on that bridge to see you, will they come if they have to pay?

Our first LEADs group had a large crowd at their noon meeting today.  That is awesome!  I love that our Business Development Committee has organized great networking opportunities for our members.  Dave Alverson is directing the LEADs group.  Contact him at dave@gulfstateinsurance.com if you are interested in joining.  Neil Tabot is busy setting up new locations for our Face2Face networking.  Touch base with Neil at ntabot@primerica.com for more information.

Until tomorrow, Josie

Monday, January 2, 2012

Back to work: Legislative Luncheon

It feels good - good to be back at work completely.  The holidays have come and gone along with all the company.  The house is still a bit tussled but nothing a few evenings can't handle.  I feel refreshed and energized by the break - ready to tackle the road ahead.  How about you?

This week is light on meetings here at the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber with the exception of Thursday when we will be co-hosting the annual Legislative Luncheon with Pen Air Federal Credit Union and the Pensacola Area Chamber.

Please plan to attend this important opportunity to meet with our local state representatives and senators to present our four point agenda to them.  There will be a Q & A session at the conclusion.

The luncheon is on Thursday, January 5th at 11:30 AM at the Crowne Plaza Pensacola Grand Hotel - Grand Ballroom, 200 E. Gregory Street, Pensacola.  $20.00 for chamber members.  $25.00 for non-members.

For reservations, contact Azalea Webb at 438-4081 x 256 or awebb@pensacolachamber.com.

Please visit my blog often for updates on happenings In the Breeze.

Yours,

Josie Cotti
President/CEO
Gulf Breeze Area Chamber

Monday, November 28, 2011

Join in the Gulf Breeze Holiday Parade!  Saturday, December 3 at 10 AM.  Progressing down Shoreline Dr. from behind Gulf Breeze High School.  Turn onto McLane and ending at Fairpoint Dr.  Fun for the whole family.  Holiday music!  Lots of Candy!  See Santa at the end of the Parade on the Gulf Breeze Fire Department Fire Truck.  If you would like to showcase your business, group, register today at www.cityofgulfbreeze.com.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Hi everyone!!  The Gulf Breeze Area Chamber is holding our Annual Pet Fest.  Join us today from 11 - 3 at GB Elem Athletic Field for fun contests, entertainment, food, music and more.  Come pamper your pet at the Paw Spa and watch the dancing dogs of Five Flags Dog Training.  Blessing of the Pets kicks off the event at 11:15.  Bring your pet and family for just $5.00.  Hope to see you there!!

Friday, October 21, 2011

Learning to Use Technology

Slowly I am working to get the hang of all the different ways we can communicate. It is exciting.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Hi all,
Ok so it is 3:30 PM on Thursday afternoon of our monthly Chamber breakfast.  I tend to get rather reflective as I crawl through my 9th hour of working.  Other than the fact that I'm not really a five a.m. kind of girl, I really love our breakfasts.  Our team arrives by 6:15 so everything is setup ready to go for our guests.  I have an awesome team.  Sharon, our bookkeeper, and Jennifer, special events coordinator, jumped right into action getting ready for everyone.  Volunteers extraordinaire - Linda Aguado with the Blue Wahoos, Steve McNally with AVS Security, and Jill Teston with Redhaus Design - arrive to handle various tasks.  Karen Jurkowich (Occasions by Karen), Chairman of the Board, arrives ready to MC the program and David Beckham (The Original Basket Boutique), Chair of Business Development Committee, comes through door with his notes on our Business of the Month.  This month we were thrilled to honor Walmart Stores - Gulf Breeze as our September Business of the Month.


Today our sponsor was SunTrust Bank.   Liz Martin and her team had beautiful flowers and smiling greeters prepared to welcome our breakfast attendees. [ If you would like to learn more about SunTrust, visit with Liz in Tiger Point (3301 Gulf Breeze Parkway, 850-916-4001) or Bridgette Van Camp in the City (11 Hoffman Dr, 916-4206).]  www.suntrust.com


Our speaker was Dr. Jason Hurst who gave us an informative rundown all the happenings at Pensacola State College.  And boy is there a lot happening! They are building the new campus in Gulf Breeze; redesigning facilities in Crestview and Warrington, and expanding their offerings at the Pensacola campus.  Pensacola State is a true asset to economic development and growth in the Pensacola Bay area.  Their certifications and associate and bachelors degree programs are clearly designed to be workforce friendly.  They have worked hard to develop programs that give anyone the skills to step into a job.  And it doesn't stop there, Dr. Ed Meadows, President, has had the foresight to join forces with Dr. Judy Bense, the President of UWF, in creating a coalition of educators in NW Florida to solidly lead educational growth in the panhandle for years to come.  We are in good hands, folks.  If you or someone you know needs to look into furthering their education visit, www.pensacolastate.edu.


If you missed the breakfast, too bad!  But don't miss our other great networking opportunities or our fun special events.  Visit us at www.gulfbreezechamber.com/calendar to learn more.


Yours,


Josie Cotti
President/CEO