AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. — The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is hosting its community conference this weekend at the Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island.
According to theGreater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, the annual conference brings together all elements of the business community, from home-based entrepreneurs to key business and political leaders, to discuss real issues affecting the region’s future.
This year's conference is sold out with more than 500 registrants. More than 60 are first-time attendees at the conference.
Here's some of what has happened so far:
Saturday
@OEVforBusiness panel wraps up today's packed agenda with a panel from @DOMIstationTLH @MagCorpOfficial @NationalMagLab discussing how innovation can drive the local economy. pic.twitter.com/PbtXelLSgA
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
Next up at the @TalChamber conference is @PresMcCullough of @FloridaState. He starts by recognizing the achievements of his predecessor and said the opportunity for the University to grow is "astounding." pic.twitter.com/upG17faijl
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
@PresMcCullough on #FSU conference affiliation: "It's something I'm spending a lot of time on and we're getting a lot of help. We're trying to do anything we can to think about how we remain competitive. Florida State is expected to win. We're going to be very aggressive."
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
@PresMcCullough: @FSUFootball brings in $100 million to the Tallahassee region each football season. Out-of-town fans bring in $50 million in direct spending to Leon County. "This is amazing: 65% of our fans travel over 3 1/2 hours to see a game."
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
@PresMcCullough - The future of @FloridaState and the impact we are making on Tallahassee is profound. In the next 3 years, we are doing $1 billion in construction. "And we're not done."
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
@PresMcCullough says there are a lot of ways for entrepreneurs to engage with @FloridaState to start or grow a new company. The University is helping grow the number of start-ups that partner with FSU. pic.twitter.com/JpDZtJzQI5
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
@PresMcCullough discusses the opportunity to grow Tallahassee's economy by growing the research capacity at @FloridaState. Talks about the opportunity to bring in more money from the @NIH for research.
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
@PresMcCullough calls himself the "Chief Sales Officer" of @FloridaState. He pointed out that the University has hired a number of key leadership positions in his first year. Provost, AD, Boosters President, multiple deans, and other important roles.
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
Final CEO panelist is Craig Otto, with General Dynamics Land Systems (@GD_LandSystems). They work on computer systems for U.S. military tanks. 30% of their employees have military experience. pic.twitter.com/NhJFzvJB8e
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
Kim Crowell with Kalo Companies is the next CEO. She left the legal world to run a company with her husband that manages @jerseymikes restaurants. Now operating 46 Jersey Mikes's restaurants in the southeast. Adding @slimchickens restaurants to Tallahassee. pic.twitter.com/kiGCCtBHZp
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
Labor Economist Ron Hetrick (@Poolwaiter) is next up to talk about Bridging the Gap in our Labor Force. Key fact: even pre-COVID, the U.S. already had record-low unemployment. More job openings than people. pic.twitter.com/2V3k7QHTM6
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
@YourVoice4Fla leading a panel on Improving the Lives of Children and Families. Brooke Brunner with @LeonSchools leads off to discuss early childhood education. Key stat: 90 percent of brain development happens before Kindergarten. pic.twitter.com/hdZY0feWhg
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 20, 2022
Friday
Conference members are giving back with a food and backpack stuffing community outreach event.
Hunger Fight and Prime Meridian Bank are packing 12,000 meals and 500 backpacks for children and families of Title 1 schools in Leon County.
Thursday
.@TerrieArd asks about what is needed to build a better business climate: @LoranneAusley refers back to scorecard, pointing specifically to the measurements about kindergarten readiness. Says a partnership of state and federal investment to improve Pre-K child care is vital.
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 18, 2022
Preparing young people to enter the workforce and find their career paths came up during the first day of the conference.
.@TerrieArd asks about talent development. @JasonShoafFL: Teach children financial literacy and improve the identifying of career paths for students; @AllisonTantFL: Start career planning earlier; expand apprenticeships @LoranneAusley: We need a truly regional approach pic.twitter.com/458ElUzA8E
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 18, 2022
Rep. @JasonShoafFL talks about the collegial relationship he has with Tant and Ausley. Talks about his "life goal" of helping young people to find skills training to enter the workforce. pic.twitter.com/7KTkhOh7QM
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 18, 2022
Rep. @AllisonTantFL says her biggest focus is the area's workforce, including her work with @LivelyTech. She is working with @FLDEO on tapping into infrastructure dollars. pic.twitter.com/yCPho5BAcw
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 18, 2022
Senator @LoranneAusley discusses new state dollars flowing into Leon for broadband, workforce preparedness, @NationalMagLab at FSU, water projects, Second Harvest and more. pic.twitter.com/5cYsRxTCKg
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 18, 2022
Chair-elect @terrieard of @Moore_Agency introduces Leon County's Legislative Delegation: @AllisonTantFL, @LoranneAusley, @JasonShoafFL for a panel discussion pic.twitter.com/VoapxyO2JY
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 18, 2022
The 2022 @TalChamber Annual Community Conference is underway!@CEO_Sue is welcoming guests at an expanded Board of Directors Meeting. pic.twitter.com/xefEyWsXmu
— Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce (@TalChamber) August 18, 2022
