Kerry Baker, Executive Director for the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about events.
The general membership meeting will be held on October 22 and Captain Josh Empen, Commander Coast Guard sector, Key West will be the presentation speaker and there will be an update from Key West Mayor Dee Dee Henriquez.
Baker said, “The Chamber has definitely had a lot going on, we have a very active education committee. We made the announcement at our last meeting, and we’re very pleased to say that through our sponsor classroom program, we are in the process right now of delivering checks for $250 to 23 first year teachers within our Key West school system, our school district here locally. So pretty much every school we’re given at least one teacher, several schools are given multiple teachers that are their first year, right out of college, some of them are right into our community, $250 towards supplies for their classroom. So it’s definitely important to support education in our community, whether we’re putting that donation through the hands of our teachers, our educators, or directly through scholarships to our students, we have a variety of different programs, but we are very happy and pleased to be able to be just doing the sponsor classroom program this year. And then the other thing that we’re in the midst of right now is collecting donations for our teacher recognition program. We have actually increased the teacher count this year. We used to honor 22 teachers, but now we’ve bumped it to 25 teachers. So we’ll be recognizing at least one teacher from every one of our schools, including the charter schools and the private school schools in Key West, so the Chamber continues to be able to try to put money back into our community supporting programs. So it’s important to continue with our mission on that.”
Next weekend is the kickoff of the Goombay celebration.
Barker said it’s “a great local event, a lot of locals look forward to that, to getting out and about as well as our visitors. That’s kind of the kickoff for Fantasy Fest. So there’ll be a lot of activity going on. And then we move right in after that, I think about a week, and then we go into the offshore Power Boat Races, which is another phenomenal event. A lot of locals look forward to that. But definitely, I can tell you, our downtown businesses, as well as the community businesses, are looking forward to some much needed commerce coming into the local Key West community. So we are definitely looking forward to those events coming up.”
The Rising Star series, better communications for better teams, is coming up on October 29.
Baker said, “One of the things that we do recognize is we have so many small businesses here, and smaller businesses maybe don’t have some of the same resources that larger companies have. So at least four times a year, we try to do a training seminar that our businesses can send their staff. This one I’m excited about. It’s about how to build better teams. I think that sometimes when we can navigate waters of just learning how to speak and interact with one another, it really does make for a stronger organization, a stronger team. Team building, I think, is really important, and empowering your staff to work together. It starts with leadership, and then it just trickles back down from there. So we are really looking forward to the seminar with Debbie Mason. I’m still trying to get an AI one put together, so I’m hoping to be able to offer that to our members. We also offer an opportunity for non members. If you’re not a member of the Chamber, and you’d like to send your staff, you’re welcome to contact the Chamber for that as well. We’re certainly happy to talk membership with anyone that may be interested or just wants a little learn a little bit more about what the Chamber is doing in the community. Myself, or Francesca, our membership coordinator, are happy to come to you so you can certainly always call us at the Chamber, at 305-294-2587, but we are really here to help all businesses in Key West and anything that we can do to help you prosper is of top priority to us.”
Input from membership is important, too.
Baker said, “I’m not eight to five. If someone needs to meet after five, I meet on Saturdays and Sundays, if that’s what coordinates for our business. We really understand that Key West is a seven day a week town, so businesses, we want to be available to you at what works for you. So I’m happy to meet with people at times that are convenient for them as well.”
The trade show last week was amazing.
Baker said, “It was a great show. I had almost 50 exhibitors this year. We had several hundred attendees. It was a wonderful opportunity. We look forward to hosting it again next year. Special shout out and thank you to Beachside resorts. They’re always so gracious to host us and put on that event and host our after hours with that so we certainly thank Beachside for their continued support of the Chamber.”
For more information, click here: https://www.keywestchamber.org/