Daniel Samess, president and CEO of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about upcoming events.
The Chamber’s annual awards banquet is scheduled for Oct. 16 at Hawks Cay Resort.
“We’re already starting to plan with my board and my committees,” Samess said. “We’re looking forward to a really fun time.”
The banquet will recognize local businesses and community members, install new board members and honor those whose terms are ending. The Chamber is also planning to add some new elements to make the evening really fun.
Hotwire Communications is returning as the event’s title sponsor for the second consecutive year.
Samess thanked Hotwire and Hawks Cay for their continued support of the Chamber and the community.
The Chamber is also holding its annual raffle, with proceeds benefiting scholarships for local high school seniors. Tickets cost $30 each or four for $100, and only 500 tickets will be sold.
Prizes include a $2,000 cash option or a choice of vacations, including a Kennedy Space Center tour for four or a package involving the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Additional prizes include a two-night stay at the Islander Resort with a private poolside cabana and dinner for two, a poolside cabana package for two adults and two children, and a two-night stay at The Marker Resort in Key West with a $100 gift card to Rum House in Grassy Key.
Samess said buyers do not have to attend the banquet to win.
“You don’t even have to live here,” Samess said. “You could literally be a visitor coming into our visitor center, buy a ticket, give yourself a chance to win.”
The raffle helps fund the Chamber’s annual scholarship program. The Chamber awarded approximately $13,000 in scholarships this year, including six scholarships for students pursuing trade or vocational programs.
The Chamber’s board has intentionally expanded its scholarship offerings to students pursuing careers such as welding, carpentry, apprenticeships and radiology technology.
“We want to support kids going a non-traditional route,” Samess said.
The Chamber is also accepting nominations for seven seats on its board of directors. One seat must be filled by someone from the lodging industry, while the other six are open seats.
Any Chamber member in good standing can nominate themselves. Ballots are expected to be distributed shortly after Labor Day, with results expected to be announced in mid-September.
Board members serve two-year volunteer terms and are elected by their fellow Chamber members.
“It’s not easy putting yourself out there,” Samess said. “Even when you do, then the real work starts, and it’s always more than you maybe think it is.”
He said he appreciates everyone who is willing to volunteer and serve the local business community.
Samess also discussed his involvement with Visit Florida Keys and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. He said Visit Florida Keys is pursuing certification as an official destination management organization and has received initial approvals.
Samess praised Visit Florida Keys CEO Kara Franker and her team for developing programs that have drawn attention from tourism organizations outside the Florida Keys.
“She obviously has a great team behind her,” Samess said. “I think when that’s happening, you kind of know that you’re doing something right when others are saying, ‘Can you please talk about what you’re doing in the Keys?’”
Samess also pointed to the economic impact of tourism on local property owners.
He said tourism spending helps subsidize local government through bed taxes, sales taxes and other visitor-generated revenue, reducing the amount that must be raised through local property taxes.
According to Samess, those tourism revenues save local property owners approximately $1,200 per year in property taxes.
The Chamber also has another networking opportunity coming up, with a Business After Hours event planned at Hawks Cay in September.
Samess said the Chamber continues to focus on advocacy, networking and keeping local businesses engaged following the recent election cycle.
The Chamber’s annual awards banquet will be held Oct. 16 at Hawks Cay Resort, with proceeds from the accompanying raffle helping support scholarships for local students.
For more information, click here: https://floridakeysmarathon.com/