Kerry Baker, executive director of the Greater Key West Chamber of Commerce, joined Good Morning Keys on Keys Talk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on at the Chamber.
The Chamber will host a resiliency and change training seminar Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the DoubleTree from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The seminar, led by Elisa Levy, is designed to help participants learn how to navigate change, remain calm and focused when plans go awry, and distinguish between situations they can control, influence or cannot control.
“We have to be prepared to navigate change,” Baker said, noting that people and businesses can become accustomed to doing things the same way for long periods of time.
The seminar is open to Chamber members as well as others in the community. A fee will be charged.
Baker also highlighted the Chamber’s continuing efforts to support local educators. Through the Tom Sawyer Five Star Program, the Chamber will provide $250 classroom sponsorships to each of 10 first-year teachers.
“These are teachers that are fresh out of college. It’s their first year teaching,” Baker said. “The chamber, through the generosity of our membership, is pleased to be able to donate them a $250 sponsor their classroom check to help them buy supplies for their classroom.”
The Chamber will also recognize 25 educators through its teacher recognition program. In addition to plaques and lunch, the teachers will receive gift bags donated by local businesses.
Last year’s gift bags contained nearly $4,000 worth of goods and services, including restaurant meals, gift certificates and other donations. Some local professionals who cannot provide gift certificates instead contribute cash donations that can be distributed to the teachers.
“Our chamber is really proud of our education committee,” Baker said. “We have a lot of great volunteers that work to just give some support and recognition to our teachers in the school district.”
The Chamber is also preparing for its 37th annual Showcase of Key West Businesses trade show Thursday, Oct. 15, at Casa Marina Resort.
The event will be open to the public from 3 to 5 p.m. and will feature more than 40 local businesses. There is no admission charge.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the event will continue as a Business After Hours gathering for Chamber members and other local business organizations.
Baker said the trade show gives businesses an opportunity to showcase the services they offer to both other businesses and local residents.
“Our business community has grown so much over the years,” Baker said. “Many of our businesses may have started out 10, 20 years ago doing one service, and they’ve expanded and grown over the years.”
The event will include samples, giveaways and raffles. Mount Sinai is the presenting sponsor.
Baker also reflected on the Chamber’s recent seventh annual barbecue rib battle, held with Shots and Giggles. The event was cut short by rain, but Baker said it still raised money for the Chamber’s community programs.
The Chamber also continues to provide financial support to Fair Insurance Rates for Monroe, or FIRM, as local businesses continue to deal with insurance costs.
At the same time, Baker said Key West businesses are currently experiencing a slower period.
“It is really slow downtown right now,” Baker said. “It’s slow all around town because, as our downtown commercial business district is slow, that does trickle out to the rest of the community.”
She said some businesses have returned to summer hours, while at least one business near the Chamber office closed for the entire month of September because of the slowdown.
Baker encouraged local residents to take advantage of the quieter period by patronizing local restaurants, shops and attractions.
“A lot of our restaurants, especially, are operating their summer local specials,” she said. “But it’s really just a great opportunity to get downtown, patronize” local businesses.
Baker also pointed to attractions including the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, the Harry S. Truman Little White House, Audubon House and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum as options for residents looking for a local “staycation.”
The Chamber is also entering what Baker called “nomination season” ahead of its annual awards luncheon in December.
Residents do not have to be Chamber members to nominate someone for an award, Baker said. New awards this year include a Young Professional Award, Mentorship Award, Island Spirit Award and Entrepreneur on the Rise Award.
The Chamber will also present its Venture Award to someone who has made a bold investment in opening a new business, as well as the Danny Toppino Business for Beauty Award, which honors the late Danny Tapino and his commitment to Key West and historic preservation.
Baker said the awards provide an opportunity to recognize the many people and businesses contributing to the Key West community.
The Chamber is looking ahead to the return of the busy tourist season and the events that accompany it, while encouraging residents to support local businesses during the slower months.
“We always say count our blessings,” Baker said.
For more information, click here: https://www.keywestchamber.org/