Chamber Chowder© 510 Greene Street ~ 1st Floor, www.keywestchamber.org Chief Sean Brandenburg Message from President Michael Morawski our board of directors and those who serve on chamber committees along with our Y Executive Vice President Virginia Panico and her staff have been non-stop: On President’s weekend, our Executive Vice President Virginia Panico along with board members, as well as our business members, joined our Mayor Teri Johnston, Commissioner Key West Police Department Chief Sean Brandenburg is welcomed by chamber President Mike Jimmy Weekley, City Manager Jim Scholl, along with Morawski at the February chamber luncheon. other city departments and chamber members along he new Chief of Police Sean on a 15 million dollar budget, almost all the 500 through 700 hundred blocks of Brandenburg has been on the of which goes to salaries and benefits. for the 11 week weekend only turn of Duval Street Key West police force for 17 Chief Brandenburg touched upon into a pedestrian walking zone kickoff party. Virginia T has participated on the Duval Street committee and years, and if he doesn’t appear familiar, some of the distinct challenges facing it’s because he was on the night shift, the department, first and foremost with city staff, Commissioner Weekley, the Mayor quite literally. Brandenburg came to the recruitment and retention. The high cost and her office, to ensure that an idea confronts the department after serving 12 years in his of living and a starting salary of only logistical challenges with actionable solutions as the home state of Indiana and started with $55,000 effects the number of candidates. trial feedback comes forward. the KWPD night patrol. He moved onto “We are hopeful of sponsoring six Our marketing committee is doing an incredible the K9 unit (nights), Sergeant (nights), candidates in May,” said Brandenburg but job with our social media presence. As a reminder to Detective Sgt of Narcotics, and became they have no applicants for dispatch. those that haven’t viewed our Facebook page I would Lieutenant (nights). Brandenburg has “We also have to face the also been on mounted patrol and the ‘Fergusson Effect.’ While the police continued on page 34 SWAT team before finally becoming an have a good relationship with the administrative captain and now chief. community, potential applicants see Born and raised in Indiana, Chief how much police officers are scrutinized Table of Contents Brandenburg has an Associate in Law nationally, and it scares them away. It’s Business Spotlight ...... 2 Enforcement from Vincennes University. a battle between perception and reality,” He attended the Indiana police academy explained Brandenburg. Financial Literacy Challenge ...... 4 . and has a Bachelors in Criminal Justice There has been a slight reduction in Conflict Resolution Seminar ...... 5 from Indiana University. Also, furthering crime for 2018, and the KWPD is still Business Trends ...... 6-7-8 his education, Brandenburg participated looking for ways to positively deal with Business After Hours ...... 9 at the FBI National Academy in Quantico the homeless vagrant situation with long with the top 1% of police administrators term solutions. “We can’t arrest our way Welcome New Members! ...... 8 and completed five master level courses through the problem. It’s too expensive.” Student Scholarship Opportunities ...... 10 receiving a masters certificate from the Also, narcotics will always be an issue in Community Calendar ...... 11 University of Virginia. Now the new the community, including the national Chief oversees 99 sworn positions and 28 problem of heroin and fentanyl. However, Cruise Ship Schedule ...... 11 civilians in the department that operates substance abuse is also a culprit as Chamber Calendar of Events ...... 12 . continued on page 3 4 Tiger in the Woods Golf Tournament . . . . . 12 .

Page 1 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Spotlight Shines on ... Mel Montagne, Insurance Office of America “If it’s free, it’s for me!” Information from the Key West Chamber of Commerce o you have an upcoming Family/High School Reunion, a Key West Wedding, or Business Retreat? D The Key West Chamber of Commerce is offering FREE VISITOR INFORMATION for you to place in your welcome bags! Your welcome bags can be stuffed with visitor’s guides, coupons, maps, Each month, the Key West Chamber of Commerce spotlights a business or professional person whose business brochures for shopping in the Key card is drawn at the Business After Hours. This month’s winner is Mel Montagne, Insurance Office of America. West area, different accommodations for hotels, resorts and bed & breakfasts, nsurance is big business in the Keys, and At IOA, Montagne mostly deals with Key West museums and attractions, there is no one better to help navigate the ins some high-value insurance and focuses on the restaurants, watersports, eco-tours, I and outs than Mel Montagne, Vice President commercial side. Several of his clients are condo sunset cruises; you name it! of Sales with Insurance Office of America (IOA). and homeowners associations and coverage can be Have an event coming up with out Insurance runs in his family. Following his parents’ up to 70 to 80 percent of their budget. Montagne of town guests, give us a call today! We footsteps who were also in the business, Montagne is acutely aware of the high cost of insurance in are here to help you and your visitors’ attended the College of Insurance in New York, Monroe County and has made it also his mission Key West stay more enjoyable and worry one of the few insurance schools that existed in to keep South Florida rates under control. He is free. The visitor information packets the 80s. After graduating in 1984, Montagne the President of the Board of Directors of FIRM, are free for pick up in the Key West returned to his hometown Miami and worked Fair Insurance Rates in Monroe and has been Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Lobby until receiving a job opportunity in the Keys in volunteering countless hours for years helping or only a nominal charge if shipped. 2000. residents stay in their homes. Montagne was always an islander, born in “There’s much misconception about the Keys If you would like your business coupon Cuba in 1961, his family moved to South Florida that everyone is wealthy and spends most days or brochure included in our welcome in 1962. He has never returned to Cuba, but his fishing,” said Montagne “But that is not true. I sell bags and presented in our Visitor’s Lobby parents raised him fluent in Spanish. Settling in insurance, and I can’t sell a product if no one can please join our Rack Card Program. To Islamorada in 2000, he felt at home with his afford it.” Montagne has led the charge in Tallahassee advertise with your business card it is wife, who is also in the insurance business and helping Keys homeowners tamper high insurance only $5.00 a month, for a brochure just raised his three daughters in the Keys. Now his costs. “Back in 2006, the genesis of FIRM when $10.00 a month. oldest will be graduating from Florida State premiums began to skyrocket and we got the 10% For more information on FREE STUFF and getting her masters in Risk Management. rate cap,” said Montagne and since then they also from the Key West Chamber or Insurance is in their blood. have been vital with flood insurance reform as well. joining our Rack Card Program please “I learned a long time ago insurance is a big Montagne splits his time between three contact Shay at the Key West Chamber ticket item and what you get in return is just a piece IOA offices serving all of the . (305) 294-2587 or by email: info@ of paper that’s just a promise,” said Montagne. “I try The IOA office is located at 2816 N Roosevelt keywestchamber.org. to uphold that promise the best I can.” Blvd, Key West, FL 33040. The Chamber Chowder Heartily Thanks These Businesses for Their Generous Support of this Issue of the Newsletter Ernest Hemingway La Concha Horan & Higgins, L.L.P. House Museum Crowne Plaza 608 Whitehead Street 907 Whitehead Street 430 Duval Street Key West, FL 33040 Key West, FL 33040 Key West, FL 33040 305-294-4585 305-294-1136 305-296-2991 Porter Allen Old Town Key West Insurance Company Development 513 Southard Street 201 Front Street, Suite 301 Key West, FL 33040 Key West, FL 33040 305-294-2542 305-294-3225 Page 2 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 “Chief Brandenburg” cont. from page 1 4 President’s Message cont. from page 1 4 Brandenburg talked about petty theft of alcohol encourage you to do so. In addition, like On Feb. 19th our Workforce Housing as a common crime. and follow, our page. By doing so, you can committee met with school board member Brandenburg will continue promoting take advantage of linking your videos, like Andy Griffith and discussed the proposed community policing initiatives. For example, the one from Lau Estevez on Sunday Feb. housing project at the Sugarloaf School site the “Eye on the Island Program” will keep 24th. I don’t know if you saw and shared, as well as the timetable for moving school developing when the police leave hangers on the but I did and my friends loved it. What an resources housed at Trumbo Point. Many businesses’ doors during neighborhood patrol. image of the Keys in February. If you’re not Also, Brandenburg explained the importance of felt that as one of the largest employers part of this magnificent site you’re missing maintaining full time mounted police. At present within Monroe County, and one of the a major opportunity to share your business there are two full time certified officers and three greatest benefactors of newly developed activities with our business and visitor horses. “It’s easier to move a crowd with a 2000 workforce housing, as well as one who has lb. horse” joked Brandenburg. He would like followers. the necessary resources to add housing stock to increase the number of bicycle units, which At our most recent board of directors the lack of urgency was quite astonishing. would require additional funding due to special meeting we approved a resolution to support We acknowledged that the current inhouse certification just like the mounted police. the cities purchase of the Key West Citizen construction personnel were maxed out and building on Stock Island. While many “I want to continue to build relationships suggested the use of an outside consultant have voiced concerns with the growth of between the community and the police before with the expertise to resolve and coordinate the police are needed,” explained the chief. our city government the reality is our city’s the dynamic challenges presented by the Officers will be actively involved with the Community Affairs Department can’t house Trumbo Point relocation and repurposing community whether mentoring at the Key West their equipment within their current sites. for workforce housing. The committee felt High School Keys Be The Change and hopefully For your board this was an economic expand mentoring to Take Stock in Children. based decision. Six million dollars versus such a move would enhance shovels in the The KWPD has also hosted Leadership Monroe, huge numbers. This six million, will provide ground by years. the Key West Ambassadors program and will be funding to enhance the eye sore that now I’d like to thank all of our members who doing a Citizens Academy in the future. resides on Palm Ave and reduce the traffic on February 12th, ventured to Marathon Opening up to questions, Mr. Peter Batty congestion on Palm Ave with the ingress for the county commission meeting on started by thanking the chief and the department and egress of these vehicles. It also includes Goal 109. I would also like to acknowledge for the incredible job they have been doing. the necessary expenses to ready the property Commissioner Heather Caruthers’s for Concerns from other chamber members were for use and gives that department the needed her passionate presentation on the subject speeding on Flagler. Brandenburg said they have of workforce housing at that meeting and monitored up to 85,000 cars and determined at space to house its operation. thank the Key West Citizens Publisher least 3% of them, yes are going too fast. KWPD We can say no to the referendum, uses the speed signals to clock how fast traffic however that won’t change the city’s need. Richard Tamborrino for his February 23rd is going and at peak times keep the motorcycle Plan two involves redevelopment of current editorial referencing that meeting. officers at critical intersections to curb the assets with a three to four times cost to the What a month. I look forward to hearing problems. “The traffic court docket has grown residents of Key West. from you. considerably,” said Brandenburg. Asked about drug use amongst teens, the chief hadn’t noticed a rise. He informed members that the KWPD does not carry Narcan but leaves that to first responders and the KWFD. Many questions were concerned with cars versus bicycles on the roadways. Chief Brandenburg assured that the department was using FDOT grants to combat the problems and he hopes the new HAWKS signals on North Roosevelt will help. Also, yes, bicyclists do receive citations. The chief directed any business who would like help with active shooter training to contact the police department. Also, on everyone’s minds, spring breakers. Chief Brandenburg assured the KWPD would have extra officers on hand during the coming weeks. They are stationed all along lower Duval Street at night and policing the beaches during the day.

Page 3 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Page 4 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Elisa Levy is an internationally known speaker and author whose specialty is in conflict resolution, team building, leadership and customer service. For the last 20+ years, she has been working with organizations and individuals to improve their businesses and APRIL 18, 2019 working relationships. Her clients run the gamut, from the United CONFLICT RESOLUTION Nations, to Fortune 500 By Elisa Levy companies, hotel chains, 8:30am to 11:30am restaurants and non-profit At The Doubletree Grand Key Resort organizations. Elisa travels the world teaching; and has authored two books, and countless articles Learn the essentials of dealing with difficult customers, on conflict resolution. colleagues, bosses and people in your personal life. This course offers a comprehensive set of skills that can help you transform relationships for the better. THE GREATER KEY It will give you the tools to: WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • Understand why people are difficult and how to 510 Greene St. communicate with them Key West, Florida • Ask someone to change a behavior with being offensive • Negotiate an ongoing disagreement and repair a bad 33040 relationship • Deal with anger – other peoples and your own 305-294-2587 • Motivate people to do their best www.keywestchamber.org

To register please contact committees@keyw estchamber.org Cost is $76.00 for members and or call 305-294-2587. $99.00 for non-members. (Price includes continental breakfast) Registration Deadline Friday, April 12, 2019

Page 5 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Key West International Airport Arrivals January 2014 - January 2019 Passenger arrivals to the Key West International 50,000 Airport in January, 2019 totaled 43,822. This is an increase of 22.4% when compared to the January 45,000 Airport closed 9/8-19/2017 for Hurricane Irma of 2018 number of 35,790. Airport closed 9/8-19/2017 for Hurricane Irma 40,000 The total number of passenger arrivals for the year 2018 was 430,266, a 14.7% increase over the 35,000 same period in 2017 where there were 375,283 arrivals. This was also the first time ever that Key 30,000 West International Airport saw more than 400,000 deplanements in a single calendar year. There are 25,000 also more flights serving more cities directly with non-stop flights to and from Newark, Chicago, 20,000 Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. American

Deplanements Airlines began seasonal non-stop service to Chicago 15,000 and Philadelphia on February 16th. On March 9th Delta Airlines will begin seasonal non-stop service to 10,000 LaGuardia airport in New York City.

5,000 A record 8,443 commercial planes landed at Key West Airport in 2018. The 766 received this January - was 4.7% less than the 804 last year, despite the Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec increase in passengers seen in the first month of this 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 year.

Source: Key West International Airport A total of 95,576 cruise ship passengers Key West Cruise Ship Passengers disembarked in Key West from 42 ships during January 2014 - January 2019 January, 2019. This is 6.9% more than January, 2018 which saw 89,444 passengers visit 120,000 Key West. Despite having five less port of call visits this January the passenger count was still higher than the same month last year. 100,000 Port Closed 9/6-22/2017 for Hurricane Irma For the year 2018, Key West greeted 861,192 passengers from 379 port calls. Port calls were up 11.1% for the year and passenger counts were 80,000 up 13% over the same period in 2017. The 861,192 was the most passenger visits since 2006, and the 379 port calls were the most since 2007. 60,000 The cruise ship schedule for March thru April

Passengers compared to the same three months in 2018 is 40,000 shown below. Through the first five months of 2019, Key West is scheduled to have more port call visits than in 2018.

20,000 Number of Ships 2018 2019 - Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec March 44 42 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 April 38 47 May 27 27 Source: City of Key West Port Operations The reported Bed Tax Collections for Key West for Key West Bed Tax Collections December, 2018 were $2,007,968, 22.9% higher January 2013 - December 2018 than the same period in 2017. $3,000,000 The December "occupancy rate" for Key West was 82.6% according to the Smith Travel Report. $2,500,000 Hurricane Irma 9/10/2017 That is a 4.5% increase over the 79.1% reported in December, 2017,

$2,000,000 The Average Daily Rate (ADR) was reported at $317.02 for December of 2018. That is a 4.6% increase from the ADR of $303.02 posted in $1,500,000 November, 2017.

$1,000,000 For the year 2018, Key West had an increase in both occupancy rates and revenue per available room (RevPar), but a slight decline (0.4%) in ADR.

Bed Tax CollectionsDollarsin Bed Tax $500,000 Since Hurricane Irma passed in September, 2017 and caused damage to some hotels, the number of $- rooms available has declined. Key West saw 145 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec more rooms open up in recent months, but witnessed another hotel close 48 rooms for long- 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 term renovations.

Source: Monroe County Tax Collector

a Page 6 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Key West Economic Environment & Outlook The Key West Chamber of Commerce continuously monitors, compiles, and analyzes economic data; generating local data through surveys of its over 500 members.

www.KeyWestChamber.org In the fourth quarter 2018 Business Environment Survey, conducted by the Key West Chamber of Commerce, an average of 58% of the businesses responding reported an increase in sales for the last three months of the year.

More than 68% of the businesses reported either same or increased revenues during the ten major events tracked by the chamber that take place during that quarter.

Cruise ship, ferry, and airline passengers visiting Key West all totaled near record high numbers for the year 2018. According to the Smith Travel Report the Key West hotel occupancy rate of 83.9% for 2018 was five percent higher than the 79.9% recorded for 2017. The revenue per available room (RevPar) came in at $235.35 which was 4.7% more than it was for the year 2017.

Plenty of evidence suggests Key West had a According to the Business Environment very robust end to the year 2018 which was Survey, 38% of all businesses reporting sorely needed after the second half of 2017 claimed an increase in employee wages in which was marred by Hurricane Irma. The the year 2018. The January UF Bureau of Business Environment Survey conducted in Economic and Business Research January found that memories of 2017 may reported the latest Florida Consumer have not been forgotten, but forward looking Sentiment Index at 97.8 out of a the outlook has improved significantly. More possible 150 (a score of 100 represents than 78% of all businesses reported being the same level of confidence to the prior either "optimistic" or "confidently positive" year). when asked about the next twelve months going forward. Businesses in Key West reported higher than average turnover in the fourth When asked about the first quarter quarter. More than 41% of those surveyed of 2019, 51% of all respondents stated they said they planned on hiring at least one expect "more" or "significantly more" sales, employee during the first quarter of 2019, while 33% claimed they expect sales to be even though 59% of respondents "about the same". Less than eight percent described the ease of hiring as "difficult". of respondents stated they expect sales to Employers also described dissatisfaction be lower than the first quarter of last year. with the current local applicant pool when they advertise for positions.

United Ways across Florida 2018 ALICE Report The recently released 2018 ALICE Report (Asset Limited, Income Restrained, Employed) stated that 42% of year-round households in Monroe County struggle to pay for basic needs such as food, housing, child care, transportation, health care, and technology. The good news is that the percentage of low income workers is down from 46% and 48% in the last two previous studies. The study revealed that Monroe County has the most expensive survival threshold budget in Florida at $68,916 for a family of four with young children. Over 54% of Florida Keys families with children are considered ALICE or living below the federal poverty line. The report stated that for many in Monroe County housing accounted for over 44% of a single person's monthly budget.

Sources: Key West Chamber of Commerce 2018 4th Qtr. Business Environment Survey; Smith Travel Research; The Key West Citizen; City of Key West Port Operations; United Way of the Florida Keys.

Page 7 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 What Does Tourism Do For The Florida Keys & Key West? Tourism & The Keys Economy 54% $2.8 Billion Tourism % Sales Related Taxes Of all jobs/ employment Tourism's value to the Key's $120 Million Combined annual tax revenue to the state in Monroe economy County $50 Million 60% Has been raised for affordable housing Of all spending is or environmentally sensitive land attributed to tourism $70 Million (direct and induced) Combined annual tax revenue to Keys Municipalities from tourism Capital Projects $50 Million Has been raised for Monroe County General Fund $57 Million Invested by the TDC in the past ten years Projects include beaches, coral reef restoration, park improvements, Pigeon Key, marine mammal facilities, museums, amphitheaters, & cultural centers Property Tax Revenue

Arts & Cultural Events $2.16 Billion 53% Value of Florida Keys lodging properties Of travel jobs come from small businesses a higher $11 Million rate than the rest of the private sector $41 Million Invested by the TDC on Value of Florida Keys Tourist Attractions performing and visual arts Source: US Travel over the past ten years Association; "Travel Means $17 Million Jobs" Property taxes paid by hotels and attractions in 2017

16 of 20 highest taxes paid per parcel were tourism businesses

In 2018: Every month the Key West Chamber of Commerce releases a 35 page report 430,266 people visited Key West by plane entitled the Statistics on Tourism. 90,431 people visited Key West by ferry Previous reports can be found in the 861,192 people visited KW by cruise ship member's section of the chamber's website. Page 8 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Business After Hours | wednesday, february 6, 2019 Sponsored by: The Laureate Key West, 24 North Hotel, 3444 N. Roosevelt Blvd.

Page 9 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Welcome New Members! Education Corner

Key West Chamber of Commerce The chamber Membership Committee member Raquel Student Scholarship Opportunities Crummitt, left, and Britt Myers, chairman welcome new members Martin Liz, Key West Personal Chef; Sarah Dolson, t’s that time of year when students (and parents!) are looking for any Realtor; Tina Richard of itrip Vacations and Kim Stamps of scholarship funds they can find to help defray some of the costs of Up the Keys Tours with President Mike Morawski. I attending college. That’s where the Key West Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee can help! We offer both the Honor Roll 100/Charley Coco Plum Inn Bed Key West P. & Orsolina Toppino Memorial Award, the Rachel & Billy Appelrouth and Breakfast Personal Chef Scholarship Award and the Moe Mosher Vocational Award to local high 615 Whitehead Street 1308 20th Terrace school seniors who plan on furthering their education. Key West, FL 33040 Key West, FL 33040 305-295-2955 305-896-2087 The Honor Roll 100/Charley P. & Orsolina Toppino Memorial Award is a cocopluminn.com keywestpersonalchef.com $27,500 scholarship given over a five- year period that is awarded to a student at Key Contact: Lisa Zifer Contact: Martin Liz West High School. Applicants for this scholarship must have a strong background Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouse Personal Chef/Catering in community service and carry an honor roll - grade average that’s in the top 10% of their class. In addition, the student should have a sincere financial need. Strong Key West Bed itrip Vacations consideration is given to applicants who plan to live and work in Key West. Part- & Breakfast 937 Gulf Drive time enrollment students do not qualify. If there is, a tie vote between two student 415 William Street Summerland Key, FL 33042 applicants the Committee may have the option of awarding a scholarship to both Key West, FL 33040 305-340-1355 or students in the amount of $13,750 each over a five-year period. 305-296-7274 888-413-7911 itripvacationskeywest.com The Rachel & Billy Appelrouth Scholarship Award is a $1,000 scholarship keywestbandb.com awarded to a young man and woman attending Key West High School that Contact: Lisa Zifer Contact: Tina Richard Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouse Property Management carry a mid-range grade average as well as a strong background in community and volunteer service. Additionally, all of the students must be enrolled full- Key West Fine Wines Sarah Dolson, Realtor time in a college for the coming semester and have a sincere financial need. 700 Eaton Street 343 Barry Avenue The Gerald “Moe” & Marina Mosher Vocational Scholarship in the Key West, FL 33040 Little Torch Key, FL 33042 amount of $2,000 will be awarded annually to a graduating senior from Key 305-916-5742 305-393-3204 West High School who has been accepted into a post-secondary vocational or keywestfinewines.com sarahdolson.kw.com technical education program at a regionally accredited institution. Contact: Mike Downer Contact: Sarah Dolson Real Estate – Residential Don’t let your student miss out, or if you don’t have a student that is Wine Store currently eligible, then let your friends and family know about these Up the Keys Tours scholarships so that they make take advantage of them! Application packets 6810 Front Street, #149 are available from Lydia Estnoz, at the Key West High School (Lydia.estenoz Key West, FL 33040 @keysschools.com). 305-587-5575 Members may also earn a star in the Chamber’s Tom Sawyer Five Star Program www.upthekeys.com by contributing $100.00 to the student scholarship fund. For more information or Contact: Kim Stamps to make a donation, please contact the chamber at 305-294-2587 or committees@ Sightseeing Tours keywestchamber.org.

Page 10 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Community Calendar Cruise Ship Schedule March 2019 march 2019 1 Dana Cooper(Folk music) Studios of Key West 8:00 3/1 Norwegian 8:00-4:00 2 Annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest, www.oirf.org/conch.htm 12pm 3/2 NO SHIP FREE. 305-294-9501; 322 Duval Street - Noon-2pm 3/3 Rhapsody 11:00-6:00 2-3 Key West Orchid Society 2019 Show 10am-4pm at KW Garden Club; 3/3 C. Paradise 12:00-6:00 305-509-7744 3/4 Celebrity Edge 7:00-5:00 2 Artist Studio Tours https://tskw.org/48911-2/; 11:00am-3:00pm 3/4 Empress 8:00-5:00 3-4 18th Annual Schooner Wharf Open Air Art & Music Affair 9:30 – midnight 3/4 Rotterdam 11:00-6:00 3/5 Brilliance 11:00-5:30 5-8; 13-16 Alligator Alley by Mike Marrero Studios of KW 3/6 NO SHIP 6-4/1 Tennessee Williams Birthday Celebrations Various Venues 3/7 Riviera 8:00-5:00 7 10,000 Maniacs at KW Theater 3/7 Vision 9:00-7:00 9 LAUGHTER IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA An Evening with Dave Barry, 3/8 Infinity 8:00-5:00 Mike Peters, and Mike Luckovich Key West Theater 6:00 Lecture 3/9 Disney Magic 6:45-3:45 8:00 dinner 2 EVENTS 3/10 Equinox 7:00-5:00 10 American Cancer Society’s Diamond Gala of the Keys; 305-292-2333; 3/11 Rotterdam 11:00-6:00 Marriott Beachside 6pm-11pm Julie Cuneo 3/12 Carnival Victory 7:30-1:30 3/12 Azamara Journey 8:00-6:00 16 Annual St. Patrick’s Day Bar Stroll, www.stpatricksdaybarstroll.com; 3/13 Majesty 8:00-5:00 305-766-0239 3/14 Disney Magic 6:45-3:45 12-15 March Merkin Tournament Key West Harbour [email protected] 3/15 Infinity 7:00-5:00 15-16 Annual Home Tours (4 of 4), www.oirf.org 10am-4pm; 305-294-9501 3/16 NO SHIP 17 Bret Michaels Key West Theater 8:00 3/17 Oosterdam 8:00-4:00 19 Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals KW Theater 7:00 3/17 Rhapsody 11:00-6:00 21 Get The Led Out: The American Led Zeppelin at KW Theater 3/18 Celebrity Edge 7:00-5:00 3/19 Carnival Victory 7:30-1:30 22 12th Annual SPCA Spring Social KWGC 5:30; 305-294-4857 3/19 Brilliance 11:00-5:30 22 In the Round w/Nashville Songwriters KW Theater 3/20 Infinity 7:00-5:00 22 The Studios of Key West 2018 Gala; 305-296-0458 3/21 NO SHIP 23 Joan Osborne at KW Theater 3/22 Infinity 7:00-5:00 23 Florida Keys SPCA Spring Social at Key West Golf Club 6:30pm; 3/22 Carnival Sensation 7:30-1:30 305-294-4857 3/22 Azamara Journey 8:00-6:00 23 Key West Historic Cemetery Stroll 9:30am,9:50am 10:10am; 3/23 Disney Magic 6:45-3:45 305-340-1453 305-304-9931 3/24 Equinox 7:00-5:00 3/24 Norwegian Sky 9:00-5:00 24 Gospel of a Good Time Key West Theater 6:00 3/25 Rotterdam 11:00-6:00 25 Annual Easter on the Animal Farm 1pm-3pm; 305 293 7300 3/26 Carnival Victory 7:30-1:30 27 Tennessee Williams birthday celebration at Tennessee Williams Museum 3/26 Carnival Dream 8:00-4:00 27 Jefferson Starship at The KW Theater 3/27 Majesty 8:00-5:00 30-31 NAS Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular “Women in Aviation” 3/28 Disney Magic 6:45-3:45 305-293-2673 3/29 NO SHIP 31 34th Annual Wrecker’s Cup Race 3 www.schoonerwarf.com 3/30 NO SHIP 31 - 4/1 UNDERWATER: TWO ONE-ACT PLAYS BY TENNESSEE WILLIAMS tskw.org7:30 3/31 Rhapsody 11:00-6:00 3/31 Carnival Paradise 12:00-6:00

Page 11 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3 Chamber Chowder© 510 Greene Street ~ 1st Floor, Key West www.keywestchamber.org EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Key West Chamber Calendar of Events March 2019 April 2019 Michael Morawski, President Business After Hours Hemingway Home/305-294-1136 Business After Hours Date: Tuesday, March 12th Date: Tuesday, April 23rd Billy Spottswood, First Vice President Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Spottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood, Sponsored by: Southernmost Escape Sponsored by: Key West Golf Club and & Sterling/305-294-9556 Waste Management, Inc. Location: 2782 North Roosevelt Blvd. Location: Key West Golf Club John Toppino, Second Vice President Members Networking Event! 6450 College Road Monroe Concrete/305-296-5606 General Membership Meeting Members Networking Event! Joe Caso, Treasurer Date: Wednesday, March 27th General Membership Meeting Caso & Company/305-453-6378 Time: Noon Date: Wednesday, April 24th Greg Sullivan, Secretary Location: Margaritaville Key West Resort Time: Noon Waste Management/305-434-9140 245 Front Street Location: Doubletree Grand Key Resort Speaker: Commissioner Heather Carruthers 3990 South Roosevelt Blvd. Suzanne Moore, Past President Speaker: Kimberly Matthews, Truman and Co. Real Estate/305-292-2244 Topic: National Flood Insurance Sr. Director of Strategic Planning Program Reform Cara Higgins, Appointee Topic: 2020 Monroe County Horan & Higgins, LLP/305-294-4585 BOCC Strategic Plan Melissa Kendrick, Appointee TITLE SPONSOR WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. + THE KEY WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Mel Fisher Maritime Museum/305-294-2633 A T I G E R I N T H E W O O D S Mark Rossi, Appointee Rick’s/Durty Harry’s Entertainment Complex 305-296-5513 Virginia A. Panico, CCE, Executive Vice President Key West Chamber of Commerce G LF 305-294-2587 T O U R N A M E N T CHAMBER STAFF Interested in Sponsoring? 305-294-2587 Virginia A. Panico, CCE Executive Vice President Edward Dawicki, III SUNDAY APRIL 28 2019 Director of Research , , Suzanne Pearce KEY WEST GOLF CLUB Executive Assistant/Bookkeeper TEE TIME | 7:30AM • REGISTRATION | 7:00AM Kerry Baker Membership Director/Special Events Coordinator PRIZES + AWARDS Dorothy Schmida • $500 Cash Prize for Closest to Pin on all PAR 3 Administrative Assistant • 1st, 2nd + 3rd Place Prize in each Flight • Longest Putt Lisa Carmack-Gross • Closest to Hole Office Assistant/Tourist Information Operator • Longest Drive Gladys Clarks OVER $20K IN PRIZES + RAFFLES Tourist Information Receptionist Virginia A. Panico Newsletter Editor

Cindy Jefferson ADVANCE PAYMENT IS REQUIRED Art Director TO CONFIRM REGISTRATION Minors 15 years or older permitted to play with a Hays Blinckman parent or guardian. No refunds after Sunday, April 14 TITLE SPONSOR Newsletter Writer or due to weather. Sorry, NO CHILDREN permitted in Karrie Bond the Clubhouse or on the Course! No Exceptions. Social Media Director 305-294-2587 | KeyWestChamber.org Page 12 Chamber Chowder March 2019 Vol. 22, No. 3