Central Pasco Chamber recognized
The Pasco County Commission recently commended the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce for initiating and promoting the Shop Local First campaign in the county. Commissioners support the chamber’s efforts to highlight and support local businesses. Commissioners urge residents to support local businesses year-round and to attend the Community Spotlight/Business Expo 2013 on March 15 and March 16 at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway.
The event will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 15 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 16. The event casts a spotlight on local businesses. It also features a Taste of the Town from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on March 16.
For additional information, contact The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722, email or visit www.CentralPascoChamber.com.
Cornerstone Air Conditioning & Heating moves
Cornerstone Air Conditioning & Heating has a new office and warehouse location. After seven years in business, the company has added staff and has purchased a new 4,300-square-food office building at 4946 US 41. For more information, visit CornerstoneFla.com or go to the company’s Facebook page.
Ryland Homes promotes Tony Crimi
Ryland Homes recently promoted Tony Crimi, a 30-year veteran in homebuilding, to national vice president of sales.
Crimi previously was Ryland’s vice president of sales and marketing for its Tampa division. He now is responsible for sales and marketing for 19 Ryland Homes divisions in 13 states.
The University of Tampa graduate joined Ryland Homes in 2006 as a regional sales manager. For more information about the company’s home, visit www.ryland.com/tampa.
NetFest sponsors needed
The Pasco Economic Development Council is hosting its 11th annual NetFest (Networking Festival) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 17.
It’s an old-fashioned hoe down, where event-goers put on their blue jeans, plaid shirts and cowboy hats to round up for a night of food, drink, music and plain old socializing with other folks trying to round up business contacts.
The outdoor event is at Starkey Ranch on SR 54 in Odessa. Sponsorships range from $500 to $2,000. Call (813) 926-0827 ext. 226 for additional information.
Florida’s Largest Spring Home Show
Florida’s Largest Spring Home Show will be March 15 through March 17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 N. US 301 in Tampa.
To find out more, visit www.bighomeshow.com; like Florida’s Largest Home Show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flhomeshow; or follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/flhomeshow.
Gigi Hill Bags’ new stylist Joyce Bluhm
Joyce Bluhm has just joined Gigi Hill, a company that offers stylish and functional bags for fun, business and travel fashioned from fabrics for everyday life.
Gigi Hill offers monthly specials and hostess incentives. To learn more, contact Bluhm at (813) 775-5767 or visit www.gigihillbags.com/JoyceBluhm (Stylist #850612).
So, you think you can spell
The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon club is sponsoring its second annual Bee Part of the Buzz adult spelling bee.
The event is on March 21 at the Pebble Creek Golf & Country Club. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m., with the Bee to start at 6:30 p.m. Teams of four pay $100 to compete. There are a number of sponsorship opportunities. For team information, call Shantelle Beachler or email her at or call (813) 948-6355. For general and sponsorship information, call Erin Myer at (727) 656-7573 or email . Additional details are also available at www.facebook.com/rotaryspellingbee.
Hampton Inn Dade City/Zephyrhills wins award
The Dade City/Zephyrhills Hampton Inn has received the hotel chain’s Connie Award, signifying that it is one of the top hotels in the chain.
The award is presented to the top 10 hotels within the brand each year, and the Hampton Inn Dade City/Zephyrhills has been named among the top Hampton properties for three years in a row. The Connie Award, named after company founder Conrad N. Hilton, is bestowed annually upon the top hotels within each brand in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio and is based on high product and service scores, as judged by guests, as well as top ratings on Quality Assurance inspections conducted by the company.
The Dade City/Zephyrhills Hampton Inn is at 13215 US 301 in Dade City. The 64-room Dade City/Zephyrhills Hampton Inn has been open since 2007. It is owned by Piyush and Nayana Mulji of the Small Street Construction Company. David E. Loomis is the hotel’s general manager.
Florida tourism has record year
Gov. Rick Scott recently announced that Florida’s tourism had a record year in 2012, with 89.3 million people visiting the state, a 2.3 percent increase from 2011.
The number of direct travel-related jobs in 2012 was also a record high, with 1,030,600 Floridians employed in the tourism industry.
Goodwill offers free job training for veterans
Goodwill’s Suncoast Business Solutions will be providing free help to veterans transitioning to the work force, for a limited time.
The program, made possible by funding from JPMorgan Chase & Co., will help veterans gain the information, skills and assistance they need to find and keep employment.
The Veterans Civilian Workplace Initiative begins March 18. Seminars will be at Goodwill Industries-Suncoast headquarters, 10596 Gandy Blvd. in St. Petersburg.
The Initiative consists of three seminars:
—Transition to civilian employment
—National Retail Federation training, leading to an NRF certification in customer service
—Financial literacy
Upon completion of the program veterans will receive individualized placement assistance through Goodwill Temporary Staffing agency.
A limited number of slots are available, so interested veterans are encouraged to apply now by calling (727) 577-6411.
Scott to lead business delegation to Paris
Gov. Rick Scott will lead a delegation of Florida-based aviation, aerospace and defense firms to the 50th International Paris Air Show from June 17 through June 23.
The aviation and aerospace trade fair will be at Paris’ Le Bourget Airport.
This biannual event attracts more than 350,000 attendees, including 151,500 trade visitors and 290 official delegations from 82 countries.
Booth space is available in the Florida Pavilion. Reservations should be made as soon as possible by contacting Ken Cooksey of Enterprise Florida at (850) 298-6632 or emailing him at .
