February 2 – In the ever-changing business world, it’s important to keep up with the evolving issues as well as talk to others and the Key West Chamber of Commerce can help with that.
Diane Schmidt, president of the Key West Chamber of Commerce, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the Keys.
Schmidt was announced as president of the Chamber in the beginning of January and she is the general manager of Opal Key West Resort and Marina, among others.
The Chamber has more than 500 members.
Schmidt said, “We’re growing. We had 13 new members in the month of January.”
A business after hours event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on February 16 at Key West Vacation Properties and Realty.
Schmidt said, “I’m very excited about that one. Each office has a unique theme that has something to do with the history of Key West. I’m really excited to see it.”
You don’t have to be a member of the Chamber to attend the after hours event. It’s $10 for members and $20 for non-members.
The membership luncheon will be held at noon on February 22 at the Key West Marriott Beachside. The speakers include members of the Career Center from the College of the Florida Keys as well as the Marine Center.
The Chamber also produces a number of seminars and programs to help with workforce housing or personnel issues with businesses.
Schmidt said, “There’s a committee that the city put together and we have a seat at the table to redo the ordinance for the short term rentals. One of the things that was talked about was that we would do a workforce housing workshop for business.”
It will be held via Zoom on Thursday, March 2.
A lack of employees is a real issue, especially in the Keys, and as a manager of a number of properties, it can be difficult.
Schmidt said, “We’ve been very fortunate a couple of ways. We have a nucleus of long-term associates that have been with us a long time and then we end up utilizing two different areas that seem to help us. Those are visas.”
People from all around the world who are looking to learn about the hospitality business will come to the Keys to work. There are a number of agencies that help set up the visas.
While COVID saw spikes in visitors to the Keys, it looks like things are leveling out a bit.
Schmidt said, “If you look at the bed tax reports, you’ll see beginning in May of 2022 the decline year over year in the bed tax monies that came in. It’s gone down every month. But it hasn’t gone down as much as it was in 2019.”
It looks like the traditional patterns are beginning to come back – heavier weekend travel and less during the week.
Inflation may be a factor for visitors.
Schmidt said, “I think hospitality to me is a treat because it is truly supply and demand and it really reflects our economy and our government and our democratic processes here.”
For more information about the Chamber, click here: https://www.keywestchamber.org/