Suzi Youngberg, president and CEO of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about upcoming events.
Taste the Keys will return for the entire month of October.
The event was introduced as a soft opening in 2024 before expanding into a full event last year, when 20 restaurants participated. Organizers hope to have even more restaurants involved this year.
Taste the Keys is modeled after Miami Spice, with participating restaurants offering prix fixe or special menus at set prices. Youngberg said the goal is to encourage both residents and visitors to try restaurants they may not have visited before while helping drive business during what is traditionally a slower month.
“We want to drive business into these Upper Keys restaurants in that historically slower month, you know, of October,” Youngberg said.
Restaurants are still being accepted for the event. Participating restaurants and their menus will be listed online at TasteTheKeys.com.
The chamber also recently hosted a sold-out membership luncheon featuring Brian Griffin, CEO of Visit Florida, the state’s tourism destination marketing organization. Youngberg said Griffin provided a positive outlook on tourism and visitation across Florida, including the Keys.
The chamber’s next Members in Motion networking event is scheduled for August 27 at the Key Largo Civic Club. The event will include light bites, drinks, networking and socializing.
The United Way will also participate in the event as part of the chamber’s annual fundraising effort. Youngberg said the fundraiser has evolved from the former “Stuff the Bus” campaign to support for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
A life-size Dolly Parton cutout will be available for photographs, with attendees encouraged to contribute to the United Way campaign.
The chamber will also hold its next Coffee Connections and Conversations sunrise networking event September 3 at Bar Victor in Key Largo.
Youngberg said the quarterly morning event was introduced this year to give chamber members another networking option for those who prefer to connect before heading to work.
The chamber’s health expo and extended networking lunch will follow September 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will bring together health and wellness organizations from throughout the Keys.
Approximately 13 vendors have already committed, with hospitals, clinics, doctors and community service providers expected to participate, along with businesses focused on fitness and wellness.
Additional vendors are still being sought. The health expo is limited to Key Largo Chamber members, and businesses interested in participating can contact the chamber about membership and vendor opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Key Largo Chamber’s visitor center at Mile Marker 106 continues to welcome visitors entering the Florida Keys.
Youngberg said the center has been greeting approximately 80 visitors a day recently, with significantly higher numbers during busier periods.
The building has also undergone improvements, including the installation of new impact windows and doors. Youngberg said the upgrades have improved hurricane protection, helped with air conditioning efficiency and enhanced the appearance of the facility.
The chamber has launched a fundraising effort called the Beautification Legacy Club to help pay for additional improvements to the visitor center and surrounding chamber facilities.
Youngberg said the goal is to ensure the building continues to represent Key Largo well and remain a welcoming first stop for visitors entering the Keys.
As the fall season approaches, Youngberg encouraged residents, visitors and businesses to watch for information about Taste the Keys and encouraged restaurant owners, managers and chefs to participate.
“We are still accepting restaurants to participate,” Youngberg said. “If any restaurant owners, managers, chefs are listening out there, and you would like to be part of this exciting event in October, just get in touch with us at the Key Largo Chamber.”
More information about the chamber is available at https://www.keylargochamber.org/ while Taste the Keys information and participating restaurant menus will be available at TasteTheKeys.com.