GTE Financial hosts small business seminar
TAMPA – Representatives from 42 local businesses recently gathered at GTE Financial’s Tampa headquarters for a seminar focused on financial issues facing entrepreneurs.
The event was held in partnership with Spectrum Reach and the Tampa Bay Chamber as part of Spectrum Reach’s Pay It Forward program.
Business owners received guidance on accessing capital, managing credit, budgeting for expansion, protecting their businesses and planning for the future. Experts in business banking, insurance and economic development participated.
Spectrum Reach launched Pay It Forward in 2021 to support locally owned businesses. The program has assisted more than 2,500 businesses with more than $50 million in media, resources and creative services as well as $13 million in local business grants.
Outplay Marketing earns Best of Florida honor
LAND O’ LAKES – Outplay Marketing has been named a 2026 Best of Florida winner in the Digital Marketing Firms category.
Outplay Marketing provides review and reputation management, website design and management, search engine optimization, digital advertising, social media marketing and content marketing.
“Earning the Best of Florida award for the third year in a row is an incredible honor and a testament to our team’s relentless drive and consistency,” owner and CEO Mike Gross said. “Achieving this three-peat recognition reinforces our mission to help small and medium-sized businesses maximize visibility, outplay competitors and scale effectively in an evolving digital landscape.”
The Best of Florida Awards recognize businesses for performance, client loyalty and leadership.
On the web: outplaymarketing.com
Post offices to close for Labor Day
TAMPA – U.S. Postal Service locations will be closed Sept. 7 in observance of Labor Day.
Regular mail delivery and retail services will resume Sept. 8.
Customers can continue to access several services online during the holiday, including ordering stamps and boxes, placing mail on hold, changing an address, renting or renewing a P.O. box and printing prepaid shipping labels.
Self-service kiosks are also available at select post office locations, with many accessible 24 hours a day. Services vary by location but can include purchasing postage and stamps, weighing and mailing packages, tracking packages, printing labels from QR codes and using USPS Smart Lockers for package pickup and drop-off.
On the web: usps.com
Quick Hits
- There’s still time to register for the Pasco EDC’s 38th annual awards. The event takes place from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel. General admission costs $150. On the web: pascoedc.com
- McDonald’s is hosting a hiring week from Aug. 30 to Sept. 5. Apply at jobs.mchire.com.
North Tampa Bay events
LAND O’ LAKES – The North Tampa Bay Chamber will host Coffee Social, Rise & Connect and women’s programming.
- Dr. Sehreen Mumtaz, of Remission Rheumatology, discusses “What Women Need to Know About Autoimmune Disease and Inflammation” at the Leading Ladies Network from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 4 at USF Credit Union, 20610 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa. Admission costs $15. Register in advance.
- Stacey Nance, of Tampa International Airport, discusses concessions and retail opportunities during the Rise & Connect series from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 9 at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run Drive, Tampa. Members pay $10. Others pay $15. Register in advance.
- Members network during Coffee Social from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 19 at GTE Financial, 8040 Curley Road, Wesley Chapel. Register in advance.
Visit northtampabaychamber.com for details about the chamber and events.
Greater Pasco events
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Greater Pasco Chamber will host the Greater Pasco Veterans Roundtable, Land O’ Lakes Business Exchange, Monthly Membership Breakfast and women’s programming.
- Members attend the Greater Pasco Veterans Roundtable from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 9 at Patriot Stogies, 6153 Massachusetts Ave., New Port Richey. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Register in advance.
- Members trade materials during the Land O’ Lakes Business Exchange from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 10 at SpringHill Suites, 16615 Crosspointe Run, Land O’ Lakes. Members get in free. Others pay $10. Lunch costs $14. Register in advance.
- Pasco County Commissioner Lisa Yeager, David Engel and JP Murphy discuss Work Local – Pasco County Small Business Support Program during the Monthly Membership Breakfast from 8:45 to 10 a.m. Sept. 11 at HCA Florida Hospital, 9330 SR 54, Trinity. Members pay $25. Others pay $30. Register in advance.
- Marlene Velez, CEO of MVPartners Group, speaks at the next Professional Women in Business Networking Lunch from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 16 at HCA Florida Hospital Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, Trinity. Members pay $12. Others pay $15. Register in advance.
Visit + for details about the chamber and events.
East Pasco events
DADE CITY – The East Pasco Chamber will host After Hours Networking, Coffee & Networking and the Monthly Business Breakfast.
- Members mingle during After Hours Networking at 4 p.m. Sept. 3 at The ABL, 14135 7th St., Dade City.
- Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.).
- Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.) and 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.).
- Members attend the Monthly Business Breakfast from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Sept. 10 at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills. Registration costs $15. Register in advance.
- Members network during Coffee & Networking from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 15 at the Dade City office (14112 8th St.) and 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 18 at the Zephyrhills office (38550 5th Ave.).
Visit eastpascochamber.org for details about the chamber and events.
