CHAMBER CHOWDER© 510 Greene Street ~ 1st Floor, Key West www.keywestchamber.org The Status of the Florida Keys Message from President Suzanne Moore s we roll into National Marine Sanctuary what some call A the quietest month of the year for our businesses, we at the chamber have been ex- tremely busy with our Ed- ucation Seminars, month- ly meetings and preparing for our annual “Showcase of Key West Businesses” Trade Show. We recently hosted two separate leader- ship seminars which offer exceptional value to our local businesses and gave leaders and managers the tools they need to recruit and retain great employees, assist in conflict resolution, inspire loyalty and train staff to do their job well and consistently. Sarah Fangman, Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) In addition to the Leadership Seminar, this spoke to chamber members during the monthly membership meeting on issues facing the month we will be offering a seminar on Social sanctuary. Pictured left to right: Sarah Fangman, Superintendent of the FKNMS and Key West Media scheduled for Sept 27th, it will be a full day’s Chamber President Suzanne Moore. event with a beginner’s class in the morning and more advanced class in the afternoon. Better book embers heard from Sarah The FKNMS is both a protector your seat early for this one - advertising on Social Fangman, Superintendent and a habitat. Media is becoming the number one platform for of the Florida Keys “The sea is part of our culture M advertising of many small businesses. We at the National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and part of our economics here,” chamber are committed to helping your businesses during the monthly membership Fangman said. “This is a nationally and keeping you relevant and informed. We will luncheon held August 22nd at significant resource we have here. be sending out additional flyers and promotional Margaritaville Resort and Marina. When people think of the coral reef, emails over the next few weeks, so take advantage Home to 6,000 species, the they think of Key West.” and learn how to grow your business through the Florida Keys National Marine In addition to being an various Social Media Platforms. Sanctuary is one of 15 marine environmental resource, the waters continued on page 34 protected areas that make up the of the Florida Keys provide jobs. National Marine Sanctuary System. More than one million people a year In 1990 Congress passed the Florida participate in marine activities that Table of Contents Keys National Marine Sanctuary involve diving, snorkeling, watching Business Spotlight . 2 Protection Act. Administered by the wildlife, and fishing. In addition to “Showcase of Key West Businesses” Trade Show . .4 . National Oceanic & Atmospheric recreational enjoyment, the Florida Ready, Set, College! . 5. Administration and jointly managed Keys marine activities have a great Business Trends . 6 with the State of Florida, the Florida impact on the economy. New Members! . .7 . Keys National Marine Sanctuary Marine outdoor activities Cruise Ship Calendar . 7 protects 2,900 square nautical generate an estimate $2.36 billion in Community Calendar . 7 miles of waters surrounding the sales yearly and represents over one “Social Media for Your Business” Seminars . .8 . Florida Keys, from south of Miami billion of income for residents in the Business After Hours . 9 westward to encompass the Dry form of more than 33,000 jobs. In Tom Sawyer Five Star Program Awards . 10. Tortugas, excluding Dry Tortugas fact, 58% of all jobs in the Florida Accepting Applications for the ATHENA™ Award . .11 . National Park. Keys are related to marine activities. Time to Shine . .11 . Chamber Calendar of Events . .12 . continued on page 3 4 Page 1 Chamber Chowder September 2018 VOL. 21, NO. 9 Spotlight Shines on ... Amber DeBevec, Key West’s Finest the On Duval Guide and Off Duval Guide along with the upcoming Wild Side Guide as well as their website and social media channels help visitors find everything they need in order to enjoy their visit. While in high school, Amber started visiting her dad back in the 80s and finally made Key West her home in 1993. In addition to being a member of the chamber, Amber enjoys networking with members of the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club and participating in their community fundraising and service projects like the Key West Brewfest that falls on Labor Day Weekend. Each month, the Key West Chamber of Commerce spotlights a business or professional person whose business When she isn’t working (which is rare) card is drawn at the Business After Hours. This month’s winner is Amber DeBevec, Key West’s Finest. Amber enjoys spending time with her family, Derek, her husband of 19 years and mber DeBevec is a natural-born clients to her 190k loyal followers. their beautiful daughter Zanna, a senior at social butterfly and people- Their high-end printed specialty guides, Key West High. A connector. She runs Key West’s Finest, the family business along with her mother, Iris. Iris Levin started Key West’s Finest in 1996 with a brochure that helped visitors find things to do and the best places to stay. Amber took over ten years ago and added new cutting-edge technologies while her mom mentored her in sales and marketing. She started growing their Facebook page in 2011 with the biggest burst coming over the last four years. “We have built a community of fans that love Key West and support the places that we recommend,” says Amber. She offers free friendly local advice and promotes their 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 September 2018 VOL. 21, NO. 9 “Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary” continued from page 1 4 President’s Message cont. from page 1 4 However, there are many threats to the responsible angling in South Florida through On September 19th we will be fragile marine ecosystem. partnering with fishing guides who volunteer hosting our 30th Annual “Showcase Fangman took time to educate to share messages of responsible angling with of Key West Businesses”. This is one of members about the Florida Keys Blue Star their charter customers. my favorite events of the year and I’m programs, which work to be proactive Incentives for participants include excited to announce that once again we in mitigating the damage from where it recognition by NOAA, educational materials are SOLD OUT. It promises to be a fun starts: humans in the ocean. to share with customers, and advertising and filled event, with many local businesses Fangman shared the following statistics marketing opportunities. displaying their goods and services. Lots from a recent visitor profile survey: Fangman also touched on the many ways of great giveaways, raffles and prizes and 4 41% of visitors surveyed said they divers are helping to clean up the ocean. a chance to catch up with your favorite participated in fishing during their visit The FKNMS Advisory Council has vendors and local businesses. It is always 4 27% said they went SCUBA diving established a Marine Debris Working very well attended and we are expecting 4 69% said they went snorkeling Group to help coordinate underwater up to 400 locals. We are grateful to Those responses equate to: cleanup efforts. They have partnered with our presenter Waste Management, Inc. 4 739,000 visitors diving and snorkeling many organizations including the Florida and our co-sponsor OMI/Jacobs for 4 620,000 visitors viewing wildlife EPA and REEF and the Florida Fish and their generous sponsorship as well as 4 416,000 visitors enjoying recreational fishing Wildlife Conservation Commission. our Business After Hours host the Key The FKNMS has created two Blue Also protected by the FKNMS is West Marriott Beachside. All of their Star programs to help educate visitors and the underwater coral, which is currently continued support of this event is most operators about how to protect the reef and experiencing high stress, Fangman said. appreciated. the waters of the marine sanctuary. Scientists are working together to solve I want to personally thank The Blue Star Operators program has the problem of the coral disease that has hit AT&T for their very generous grant a mission to promote responsible diving Florida coral hard. donation of $25,000. Ms. Thais and snorkeling practices within the Florida There is a plan in place. It was created by Asper, Regional Director of External Keys. It’s a grassroots approach that starts the FLKNMS and the Florida Department and Legislative Affairs attended our with diving and snorkeling operators who of Environmental Protection, and the General Membership Meeting last volunteer to educate their customers about NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, month and presented Virginia with safe practices near the reef. It’s estimated that which held a workshop in July to create a a $25,000 check. These funds will be over 700,000 divers and snorkelers visit the comprehensive response plan to address the used in our Financial Literacy Program FKNMS every year. Divers who listened to a coral disease outbreak. The workshop focused for school Year 2018 – 2019. The Blue Star educational briefing before getting on developing collaborative partnerships program was initiated this past year in in the water caused significantly less damage between resource managers and scientists to conjunction with Keys Federal Credit than those who did not receive a briefing.