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Highland Oaks Boulevard

North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce makes debut

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A new chamber came into view last summer with the merger of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Now a new name is representing the combined chambers, which will now be known as the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, according to an email sent to chamber members from Zack Kalarickal, the chamber’s board chairman.

Zack Kalarickal, chairman of the board of directors for North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce

The name brings “renewed focus on the broader geography that is home to those we serve and consistent with the momentum of this evolving community,” the email states.

National and international businesses are seeking to invest in Pasco County’s growth, and the new name provides “a readily identifiable location,” as well as describing the inclusive nature of the merged chamber, according to the email.

The North Tampa Bay chamber has about 830 members and is the largest in Pasco County. It serves Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Trinity, Odessa and New Port Richey.

“We happen to be in a great part of the county with so much dynamic growth,” said Kalarickal, a dentist and owner of Wesley Chapel Dentistry.

The North Tampa Bay name acknowledges that growth, but Kalarickal said the chamber will “co-brand” the uniqueness of every community within its membership.

In his email, he cites the long history of Wesley Chapel and its chamber, which began in 1998 with only a small group of business owners.

It had grown in recent years to nearly 600 members prior to merging with the Greater Pasco chamber in July.

In January, the chamber moved to a new location at 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A. The office is in the Highland Oaks Medical Center, off State Road 54.

In the next months, more transition work is needed, Kalarickal said.

The board of directors went from 17 to 24 members.

A day-long planning session was held to discuss an overall strategic plan. Standing committees were formed.

And, North Tampa Bay members were invited to participate in a logo design contest. The winning entry will be announced on March 8.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534.

Published February 7, 2018

Chambers on the move

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The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce each now have new homes.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce moved into Suite A at the Highland Oaks Medical Center, at 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd. (Kathy Steele)

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce is settling into its new location at 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A. The office is in the Highland Oaks Medical Center, off State Road 54, in Lutz.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce has a new address in Harbour Village, at 1930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 16, in Lutz. Chamber officials expected that move to be accomplished over the weekend of Jan. 13.

In addition to setting up shop in a new space, the Central Pasco Chamber also has promoted Suzanne Beauchaine to become its new executive director.

Beauchaine previously served as the chamber’s marketing and membership director.

David Gainer, the chamber’s president, praised Beauchaine for adding 90 new businesses to the chamber’s roster in the past year.

Hope Allen is the president and CEO of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. (File)

“It is a pleasure to recognize Suzanne for her diligence, commitment to excellence and her professionalism, by naming her our new executive director,” Gainer said, in a written statement.

The Wesley Chapel chamber opened its new office on Jan. 2, after vacating its former office at The Grove at Wesley Chapel.

The lease at the mall expired, and it was obvious a roomier site was needed.

“We had been looking. We had grown out of our space,” said Hope Allen, the chamber’s president and CEO. “We couldn’t even hold our board meetings at the (former) chamber.”

The Wesley Chapel chamber merged last year with The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce — creating the largest chamber in Pasco County.

In recent months, chamber officials have been working on merger details, including a new name for the chamber.

A task force is working on recommendations, but the membership will make the final decision, Allen said.

Allen said she had some trepidation about the move, and how visible the office would be.

But, the compliments rolled in, as members stopped by for visits, she said.

“Traffic grew. It tripled and quadrupled from the other location,” Allen said. “The whole place is beautiful.”

Suzanne Beauchaine is the new executive director of The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. (File)

The approximately 3,500 square foot office space is large enough that the chamber plans to sublet space to four businesses. There will be a certified public accountant, an architect, two financial planners and a Realtor, said Allen.

The names of the companies will be announced soon.

A ribbon cutting for the chamber is being planned for March.

“We’re excited to have a place where we can grow and be centrally located for our businesses,” Allen said.

As the Central Pasco Chamber’s new president, Beauchaine expressed enthusiasm for her role at the chamber.

“It’s very rewarding to help bring business owners together, and see their relationships grow and prosper,” Beauchaine said, in a written release.

Before joining The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Beauchaine was an account manager at The Laker/Lutz News for about three years.

She also owned a business in Lutz for five years, and has worked in retail and office management.

Her husband, Gary Beauchaine, is a small business owner and a member of the Central Pasco chamber.

The couple has two adult daughters who are area residents.

For more information about The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

For more information about The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, call (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Revised January 17, 2018