Chamber priorities include BBQ, redevelopment

Buoyed by the success of its first Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ and Blues Fest, the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is considering taking the event to the next level.
The chamber will decide early this year whether to seek to have the competition sanctioned by the Florida Bar-B-Que Association, said Vonnie Mikkelsen, the chamber’s executive director.
If that happens, the event will likely draw more professional competitors, and a larger crowd, which would be good news for the chamber’s scholarship coffers, Mikkelsen said.
The chamber was gratified by the outcome of last year’s event, especially for an inaugural effort, Mikkelsen said. “During a first-year event, you’re always building a template as you go.’
About 3,000 attended and the event received a 9.8 rating on a scale of 1-10 from teams competing there, Mikkelsen said.
The event allowed the chamber to triple its scholarship fund, Mikkelsen said.
In the coming year, the chamber plans to conduct some “pulse” surveys to find out where its members stand on various issues. Results from those surveys will help determine whether the chamber should pursue government action on any specific issues, she said.
The chamber also is paying close attention to the city’s redevelopment efforts which are aimed at building a stronger identity for the city and enticing more businesses to locate near downtown.
And, it plans to hold some forums on government issues, such as regional transportation, to help inform its members about various topics, Mikkelsen said.
For more information, call the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce at (813) 782-1913
Or visit http://zephyrhillschamber.org/
Up the road in Dade City, brand new executive director John Moors wants to build on the sense of community he’s observed during just a few weeks on the job.
“I see the chamber as sort of setting the table for economic development,” said Moors, whose initial focus will be making sure the inner workings of the chamber office operates smoothly. For more information about the Dade City Chamber of Commerce call (352) 567-3769 or visit http://www.dadecitychamber.org/.