Tampa Bay Chamber

07/30/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Vice President of Advocacy, Katie Lopez, on earning the prestigious Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation!

The CCE designation, awarded by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), is the highest professional certification in the chamber industry, recognizing exceptional leadership, strategic management, and organizational excellence.

Since joining the Tampa Bay Chamber in 2018, Katie has played a pivotal role in advancing our advocacy efforts, strengthening our communications strategy, and elevating the Chamber's impact across the Tampa Bay region. Her leadership has helped secure national recognition for the Chamber's work supporting military families, championed initiatives that strengthen our business community, and continues to shape the future of our region.

Please join us in celebrating this well-earned achievement and thanking Katie for her dedication to the Chamber, our members, and the Tampa Bay community. 😊

📖 Read more about Katie's accomplishment: https://www.tampabaychamber.com/blog/2026/07/29/chamber/tampa-bay-chamber-s-katie-lopez-earns-elite-certification/

07/29/2026

The Tampa Bay Chamber, in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, recently hosted a transportation and infrastructure roundtable with Congressman Gus Bilirakis to discuss the federal investments and infrastructure priorities that will support one of the nation's fastest-growing regions.

As Congress begins work on the next surface transportation reauthorization, the conversation focused on strengthening workforce mobility, improving freight movement, enhancing public safety, and ensuring continued investment in the infrastructure that drives economic growth across Tampa Bay.

A special thank you to Transportation Control Systems for hosting this important discussion!

Read more about the discussion and its impact on our region:
🔗 https://www.tampabaychamber.com/blog/2026/07/28/public-policy/tampa-bay-chamber-brings-business-leaders-together-to-shape-transportation-policy/

07/23/2026

What keeps business leaders coming back to the Tampa Bay Chamber's Benchmarking Visit year after year? 🤔

As past participant Chris Gstalder shares, it's the opportunity to connect with innovative leaders, gain fresh perspectives, and bring proven ideas back to Tampa Bay.

This October, we're headed to Phoenix to explore innovative approaches to economic development, workforce, transportation, healthcare, housing, regional collaboration, and more. 🌵

Registration is open, but space is limited!

➡️ Learn more and secure your seat: https://www.tampabaychamber.com/events/2026/10/05/policy-advocacy/benchmarking-phoenix/

07/22/2026

Congratulations to the Leadership Tampa Class of 2027! 😄

We're excited to welcome the 56th Leadership Tampa class—an exceptional group of leaders from across the Tampa Bay region who are committed to learning, growing, and making a lasting impact in our community.

Please join us in celebrating this incredible class as they begin their Leadership Tampa journey!

🔗 Meet the Class: https://www.tampabaychamber.com/blog/2026/07/21/leadership-tampa/meet-the-leadership-tampa-class-of-2027/

07/20/2026

🎉 We're proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Small Business of the Year Awards!

After months of applications, interviews, and research, we are excited to celebrate this year’s finalists across five award categories.

😄 Congratulations to all of this year’s finalists for your innovation, leadership, and commitment to strengthening our business community.

Meet the finalists: https://www.tampabaychamber.com/blog/2026/07/20/small-business-of-the-year-awards/meet-the-2026-small-business-of-the-year-awards-finalists/

07/15/2026

Congratulations to Avril Stinson, on earning her Institute for Organization Management (IOM) designation! 🥳

As the Tampa Bay Chamber's Vice President of Economic Inclusion and Leadership Development, Avril is dedicated to strengthening our business community and creating opportunities for leaders across the Tampa Bay region.

The Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, prepares chamber and nonprofit professionals with advanced leadership and organizational management skills to better serve their members and communities.

We're incredibly proud of Avril's accomplishment and her continued commitment to learning, leadership, and advancing our mission. Please help us celebrate this well-deserved achievement! 💙🎉

Learn more about Avril's experience in the program and what earning her IOM designation means to her by reading our latest press release: https://www.tampabaychamber.com/blog/2026/07/15/press-releases/avril-stinson-of-tampa-bay-chamber-graduates-from-institute-for-organization-management/

07/13/2026

🎉 Join us in congratulating Taisha Edwin-Williams on an incredible achievement!

Taisha, our Senior Director of Leadership Programs, has earned the prestigious Certified Community Leadership Practitioner (CCLP) designation through the Association of Leadership Programs.

This accomplishment reflects her dedication to developing leaders, strengthening community connections, and creating meaningful impact throughout Tampa Bay. Taisha is the first woman of color in Florida and only the second recipient in the state to earn this designation!

We're so grateful for the passion, leadership, and heart Taisha brings to our Chamber every day. Congratulations on this well-earned milestone—we couldn't be more proud! 💙

🔗 Learn more about Taisha's achievement by reading the full press release: https://www.tampabaychamber.com/blog/2026/07/13/press-releases/taisha-edwin-williams-earns-certified-community-leadership-practitioner-cclp-designation/

07/10/2026

Congratulations to Hillsborough County Public Schools on an incredible year of academic achievement! 🎓

📚 HCPS students earned a record 71% AP exam pass rate in 2026, with nearly 20,000 qualifying AP exam scores, while 416 seniors earned International Baccalaureate (IB) Diplomas—the highest total in district history!

These milestones are a testament to the dedication of students, teachers, administrators, and families across our community. 😁

🔗 Learn more:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AP Achievement Reaches an All-Time High as IB Diploma Attainment Continues...

07/08/2026

✨ Small businesses grow stronger when they have the right support, resources, and community behind them.

That’s exactly what we’re building through the Tampa Bay Business Accelerator! Recent sessions covered everything from Contract Negotiations to our first-ever TBBA Pop-Up Session on Bookkeeping & Accounting Fundamentals, giving entrepreneurs practical strategies they can put to work right away. 📈

A special thank you to our incredible speakers and partners for sharing their expertise and helping our entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of growing a business. 💙

🚀 Applications are now open for the next TBBA cohort! If you’re ready to grow your business, build meaningful connections, and take your company to the next level, we’d love to have you join us.

Apply Now: https://www.tampabaychamber.com/index.php?src=forms&ref=Tampa%20Bay%20Business%20Accelerator%20Application

07/03/2026

Happy Independence Day Weekend! 🇺🇸

As we celebrate 250 years of America's story, we're grateful for the freedoms that allow our businesses, communities, and neighbors to grow, innovate, and connect.

A heartfelt thank you to the those who have served—and continue to serve—our country.

Our office is closed today, Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day and will reopen on Monday, July 6.

We hope you have a fun, safe, and relaxing holiday weekend with family and friends! ✨