the circuit - Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of of Commerce 

THE CIRCUIT 

your connection to the beach 

PRSRT STD 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

PERMIT NO 50 

PANAMA CITY, FL 

Dominique 

Youx 

MARDI GRAS 

PARADE 

PIER PARK FEBRUARY 14, 2009 3:00 PM 

January/February 2009 Vol 4 Issue 1 

THE CIRCUIT January/February 2009 1 

PCBeach.org

2 THE CIRCUIT January/February 2009

SAY 

“I LOVE YOU” 

FROM HEAD 

TO TOE 

PERFECTLY 

AFFORDABLE GIFTS $ 

50 

START AT JUST 

THE CIRCUIT January/February 2009 3



e Greater Panama City Beaches Cham 

ur connection to the beach 

going green 

10 

2007 Vol 2 Issue 6 

ary/February 2008 Vol 3 Issue 1 

Green Adventures in 

Panama City Beach 

8 Ways to Green 

Up Your Life 

1 New Nature 

Center on the way 

The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce 

BANKING CENTER 

REAL ESTATE CORNER 

GRAND OPENINGS 

AROUND TOWN 

MEMBER NEWS 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 


Chamber’s Annual Report 

and 2008 Program of Work 

T he Greater Panama City Beac hes Chamber of Commerc e 

www.pcbeach.org 

www.pcbeach.o 


COMMUNITY 

WORKFORCE 

EDUCATION 

GOVERNMENT 

MILITARY 

MEMBER NEWS 


CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

COMMUNITY 

WORKFORCE 

EDUCATION 

GOVERNMENT 

PIER PARK 

MEMBER NEWS 


CALENDAR OF 

EVENTS 

S 

y/June 2008 Vol 3 Issue 3 

hopping 



September/October 2008 Vol 3 Issue 5 



resorts 

& 

real 

estate 

November/December 2008 Vol 3 Issue 6 

July/August 2008 Vol 3 Issue 4 

& THINGS TO DO 

Guide 

THE CIRCUIT 


Health & 

Wellness 

Issue 

COMMUNITY 

WORKFORCE 

EDUCATION 

GOVERNMENT 

PIER PARK 

MEMBER NEWS 


CALENDAR OF 

EVENTS 

www.PCBeach.org 

THE CIRCUIT July/August 2008 1 

www.pcbeac 


The 

Green 

Issue 

community 

workforce 

education 

government 

pier park 

member news 

grand openings 

calendar of events 



Are You 

Connected 

to the Beach? 

Advertise your business 

in The Circuit! 

2009 Spotlight 

Schedule: 

JAN/FEB 

Chamber’s Annual Report 

MAR/APR 

Dining in Panama City Beach 

MAY/JUN 

Excursions & Adventures 

JUL/AUG 

Resort Life 

SEP/OCT 

Human Performance 

NOV/DEC 

The Annual Green Issue 

Rates & Information: 

Cyndi Ainsworth 

(850) 691-6259 

Cyndi@PCBeach.org 

Chairman’s 

Message 

T 

he New Year is always an exciting time. 

That is especially the case for me this year. 

First of all, 2008 was a challenging year 

for many of us. We have dealt 

with a lot of issues pertaining 

to our local, state, and national 

economies. It has caused many 

of us to regroup, refocus, and 

restructure our plans for our 

businesses here on the coast. I 

am very optimistic about 

Panama City Beach and its 

future, and I am thankful we 

are closer to the end of this transition that we have 

been growing through. 

President’s 

Message 

Happy New Year, Chamber Members! I 

am honored to be a part of this Chamber 

of Commerce as your new president. I 

joined the Beaches Chamber 

team two years ago, and as I have 

gotten to know this Board of 

Directors, our Ambassador team 

and our members better and better, 

I have grown to love, respect and 

care about this Chamber very 

much. We have an extraordinary 

membership that truly believes in 

this community and is ready to 

embrace all the positive and exciting changes that 

will be coming our way in the next several years. 

What does this new leadership role mean to me? 

I am elated to be working so closely with our 

neighboring organizations in the coming year: the 

Bay County Chamber, the Walton Area Chamber 

and the TDC/CVB. I am honored to work for such 

a savvy, knowledgeable and committed Board of 

Directors, who help guide me every day. I have 

the good fortune to work with an extremely 

dedicated and creative staff, who make my job so 

much more enriching. I adore our Ambassador 

That brings me to the excitement for the new year. 

I am honored and thrilled to be the incoming 

chairman for this period. I am looking forward 

to working with Beth Oltman and 

the great Chamber staff in Beth’s 

 

look forward to working with the 

Bay County Chamber and the 

TDC/CVB to continue to expand 

commerce and tourism in our 

wonderful destination. And most of 

all, we look forward to serving our 

membership. It is my desire for your 

success to increase in this upcoming year. If we can 

assist in an any way, please let the staff or me know. 

Anthony Dubose 

team, a wonderful group of people whose energy 

and enthusiasm for this Chamber are contagious! 

In 2009 your Beaches Chamber will be focused 

 

sustainability of our community. 

We will continue to support our 

new Airport, and support our 

region’s branding efforts with 

Coastal Vision 3000. We will 

focus on our small businesses 

and minority-owned businesses, 

and we are dedicated to helping 

our Chamber members promote their business 

to visitors and locals, gain more exposure, meet 

more motivated people, and enjoy living in one of 

the most beautiful communities in our nation. 

In closing, let me say that as your Chamber president, 

my door is always open. I am open to hearing and 

discussing your thoughts, your opinions, your ideas, 

your concerns, your epiphanies and your dreams. I 

look forward to working closely with each and every 

Chamber member this year. 

Beth Oltman 



309 Beckrich Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32407 

Phone: (850) 235-1159 Fax: (850) 235-2301 

PCBeach.org 

2009 

Board of Directors 

Chairman of the Board 

Anthony Dubose, 

Coastal Community Insurance Agency 

Past Chairman 

Al McCambry, Knology 

Incoming Chairman 

Philip Griffitts, Jr., Sugar Sands Beach Resort 

Treasurer 

Robert Carroll, NcNeil Carroll Engineering 

Legal Council 

Steven L. Applebaum 

The Board 

Karen Blackerby, Magnum Capital 

Sue Brookhart, Naval Support Activity PC 

Felicia Cook, Simon Property Group 

Pam George, Gulf World Marine Park 

Amy Harris, Royal American Hospitality 

Scott Harris, Wachovia Bank 

Annie Holcombe, Oaseas Resorts 

Terry Hook, Publix Super Markets 

Jayna Leach, Sterling Resorts 

Lee Ann Leonard, By The Sea Resorts 

Jim Musicaro, Carrabba’s Italian Grill 

Chris Pariseau, Allegra Print & Imaging 

Lisa Powell-Ashley, Hombre Golf Club 

Edy Rivard, Gulf Coast Medical Center 

Dan Rowe, PCB Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Cil Schnitker, Comcast Cable 

Jeff Segan, Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa 

Russ Smith, The Towne of Seahaven 

Paul Wohlford, Edgewater Beach Resort 

Honorary Members 

Mayor Gayle Oberst, CFT Pyramid 

Dr. George DePuy, FSU PC 

Dr. Jim Kerley, GCCC 

What makes for a 

great bank? 

People like Amy. 

Consult-A-Nurse ® 

•Physician Referral 

•Nurse Consultation 

•Event Registration 

(850) 747-3600 

Peoples First employees, including 

personal banker Amy Bishop, see 

to it that our branches are not 

just transaction centers. They’re 

welcome centers devoted to 

treating each of our customers like 

he or she was the only one we had. 

We invite you to discover the 

customer-oriented approach that 

sets Peoples First apart from our 

competitors. Visit us today! 

Convenient locations throughout Bay County 

770-7000 • www.peoplesfirst.com 

Chamber Staff 

President & CEO 

Beth Oltman 

Vice President Communications Marta Rose 

Vice President Finance Jena Kimmel 

Vice President Member Services Cyndi Ainsworth 

Special Events Coordinator Hillary Marchman 

Systems Coordinator Kristopher McLane 

Information Specialist Bertie Reynolds 

FREE • ALL DAY • EVERY DAY 


THE CIRCUIT 


2006 Outstanding 

Communications Award 

FACP 

Florida Association of Chamber Professionals 

Chamber’s 

Annual Report: 

A Look into 2009 

Editor’s Note 

13 

The 

Krewes of 

Bay County 

Celebrate 

Mardi 

Gras 

2009 18 

Welcome to a new year! 

With so much change going on around us it 

is imperative, more than ever before, to take a 

hard look at our community’s future. 

In December, Florida Chamber President 

Mark Wilson spoke at our Friday at the Beach 

and gave us a snapshot of our state. The 

‘Florida of Yesterday’ was known for its sunshine, beaches and low cost of living. 

This model has worked well for us for many years, but the world around us is 

changing. 

Do you know that in the next three years Florida will be the third largest state 

in the nation in terms of population? By the year 2030 it is forecasted that seven 

million more people will be residents of Florida. Our ‘Florida of Tomorrow’ is 

evolving into more of a knowledge-based economy utilizing higher-paying jobs. 

In 2030 one million more academic degrees will be needed. The focus will move 

toward global competitiveness, shifting away from the ‘product’ and more toward 

‘people’ and ‘services.’ 

As a business community, we should focus on becoming a more “vibrant 

community.” We have the largest stake at what happens here in our region, and it 

is up to us to generate the shifts and changes that are needed to put us on the road 

to an exciting future. It is our Chamber’s mission to provide enlightening and 

informative products, services and events for our members and for the business 

community. For information on our 2009 Event Calendar, visit PCBeach.org. 

Marta Rose 

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 9 

Contents 

FEATURES 

11 Meet Your 2009 Leadership Team 

13 Chamber’s Annual Report: A Look into 2009 

15 Beach Weddings in Panama City Beach 

17 A Few Minutes With Felicia Cook 

18 Mardi Gras 2009 

20 Biz Spotlight: Coastal Communications 

20 Move Over Mickey: I Want to Visit THE Beach! 

21 Marketing Your Business in the Economic 

Downturn 

23 FIRST Friday at the Beach 

30 Chamber After Hours 

30 Annual Awards Dinner 

28 Community Update 

28 FSU Panama City 

28 Gulf Coast Community College 

29 Naval Support Activity Panama City 

29 Gulf Coast Workforce Board 

24 Member News 

31 Grand Openings 

32 New & Renewing Members 

33 High Voltage Membership 

33 Ambassador Update 

6 Chairman’s Message 

6 President’s Message 

10 Money Matters 

10 Pleasing Platters 

EVENTS 

AROUND TOWN 

MEMBERSHIP 

IN EVERY ISSUE 

Krewe of Dominique Youx cover artwork by Donna Burgess; 

Krewe of St. Andrews cover artwork by Ink-Trax Inc. 

Editorial Staff 

Editor & Creative Director: Marta Rose Production: Boyd Brothers Printing Contributing Writers: Mayor Gayle Oberst, Dr. DePuy, 

Traffic Manager: Hillary Marchman Distribution: Allegra Print & Imaging Dr. Kerley, Cmdr. Jessica Pfefferkorn, 

Advertising Sales: Cyndi Ainsworth Kimberly Bodine, Dave Johnson, 

Joanna Banks-Morgan, Molly Rose 


The Cosmetic Vein & Laser Center 

Leads the Way to Healthier Legs 

NON-INVASIVE LASER TECHNOLOGIES 

FOR THE TREATMENT OF VARICOSE AND 

SPIDER VEINS RESTORE THE HEALTH, 

BEAUTY, AND VITALITY OF YOUR LEGS. 

Don’t let unsightly and uncomfortable varicose and spider veins rob you 

of your natural beauty. Dr. Kimberly Moskowitz is one of only 240 board– 

certified vein specialists (Phlebologists) in the United States. As a leading 

expert in the field and a member of the American College of Phlebology, she 

has pioneered the safest and most up-to-date treatment options for varicose 

and spider veins. Today, those options include state-of-the-art non-invasive 

technologies that allow patients to return to most normal activities the same 

day as treatment. 

Left untreated, abnormal veins can lead to serious health risks like blood 

clots, phlebitis (inflammation of the veins), cellulitis, and leg ulcers. Expert 

treatment of varicose veins dramatically improves painful symptoms and 

prevents complications. Dr. Moskowitz will perform a thorough ultrasound 

examination of the legs to accurately assess the severity and extent of vein 

disease. This diagnostic ultrasound is a necessary part of the initial consultation 

as it allows the physician to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. 

“I am so truly grateful that my education, 

experience, and technology allow me to spend 

every day doing exactly what I love to do. 

I place enormous emphasis on my relationships 

with my patients and do my best to help them 

look and feel young, natural, and healthy. 

I want everyone to maximize the beauty 

they were born with.” 

Dr. Moskowitz has been performing and training other physicians to 

perform EVLT (Endovenous Laser Treatment) since its FDA approval in 

2003. During this 45-minute, safe, outpatient procedure, an ultrasound is used 

to guide placement of a thin laser fiber into the abnormal Saphenous vein in 

the leg. Heat energy from the laser causes the abnormal vein to immediately 

collapse and redirect blood flow to the normal healthy channels in the leg. 

The body reabsorbs the abnormal vein, resulting in improved circulation and 

symptoms. Local anesthesia is used to completely numb the area around the 

Kimberly Moskowitz, M.S., M.D. 

vein so the procedure is virtually painless. EVLT has a 99% success rate and has 

eliminated the need for painful surgical procedures such as vein stripping. 

Contrary to what many physicians are taught, spider veins can cause the 

same symptoms as much larger varicose veins. Also, because 25% of spider 

veins are associated with underlying larger vein abnormalities, it is often 

considered medically necessary to treat them. Sclerotherapy (tiny injections of 

a solution that closes the veins), is the most effective and least painful treatment 

for spider veins and blue veins under the skin surface called reticular veins. Skin 

lasers are very effective for treating small veins on the face and chest; however, 

for leg veins, they are less effective, more painful, and often lead to scarring and 

hyperpigmentation. 

The provides the most advanced nonsurgical 

treatments for skin, face, legs, and cellulite reduction. Dr. Moskowitz 

also specializes in , , , , 

and . 

BOARD CERTIFIED, PHLEBOLOGY BOARD CERTIFIED, INTERNAL MEDICINE MEDICAL DEGREE: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY 

RESIDENCY: GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL PHLEBOLOGY/VEIN TRAINING: AMERICAN VEIN INSTITUTE AND HARVARD’S BRIGHAM 

& WOMEN’S HOSPITAL AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PHLEBOLOGY AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR LASER MEDICINE AND SURGERY 

 

www.skinandveins.com 


money matters 

pleasing platters 

Back row from left: John Robbins, Marketing and Business Development; 

Joey Ginn, CEO; John Whitlock, Regional President. Front row from left: 

Jennifer Woods, Business Development; Jim Norton, Trust. 

Vision Bank has experienced phenomenal growth since its 

inception in 2000. On March 9, 2007, Vision Bancshares 

merged with and into Park National Corporation (“Park”) 

which is headquartered in Newark, Ohio. Both Vision Bank of Gulf 

Shores, Alabama, and Vision Bank of Panama City, Florida, under 

their new parent company of Park, retain their names, boards of 

directors, local leadership teams, and associates. 

As of July 20, 2007, Vision Bank Alabama and Vision Bank Florida 

combined into one unified Vision Bank. After careful consideration, 

it was determined that the combined institution would assume the 

charter of the Florida based bank. 

The unification into one Vision Bank supports the continuation of the 

same bank services, systems, products and staff. Our Vision Bank 

today throughout Florida and Alabama boasts over 200 employees 

and 18 locations. 

Vision Bank’s community bank model emphasizes local identity, 

leadership and autonomy. 

Through the affiliation with Park National Corporation, Vision Bank 

continues to benefit from the strong liquidity and capital associated 

with Park to foster future expansion into our market areas throughout 

the Florida Panhandle and Alabama Gulf Coast regions, along with 

enhanced bank services, products and conveniences. 

Vision Bank is “Your Community Bank.” 

“Southwestern U.S. with an Asian infusion” describes the unique cuisine 

of Chef Scott McGlauflin at Baja Grille in Pier Park. 

Having opened in early October with a full menu and staff, 

Baja Grille is already adding to its services. As you step 

through the doors of Baja Grille your first impression is one 

of surprise: “Wow, this place is bigger and different from what I was 

expecting!” After you experience Baja’s unique and diversified menu, 

the staff hopes you feel that you’ve had a great dining experience at 

a most reasonable price. 

Every day the people of Baja Grille strive to provide their clientele 

with a wide ranging menu that can best be described as “Southwestern 

U.S. with an Asian infusion.” Chef Scott McGlauflin, in designing 

the menu, has borrowed from the traditional ingredients of the 

Southwest and added his own proprietary blends of Asian spices and 

herbs. The result is that you can expect to see fascinating dishes with 

a new twist of flavor, and experience many traditional dishes that will 

leave you wondering what was done to make them taste so good! 

Sunday Brunch began in December from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, with 

the regular menu also available during Brunch. In January, Baja Grille 

will begin serving a full breakfast menu starting at 7:00 am. For the 

evenings, Baja has also dedicated a portion of its bar to a Tequila Bar, 

and is planning many fun after-hour activities to begin after the first of 

the year. 

If you enjoy delicious 

food at a casual dining 

price...if you are tired of 

the predictability of the 

“chains,” and if you are 

looking for a great dining 

experience, come check 

out the Baja Grille at Pier 

Park. 


Meet Your 

2009 Leadership Team 

Anthony 

Dubose 

Coastal 

Community 

Insurance 

Karen 

Blackerby 

Magnum 

Capital 

 

Scott 

Harris 

Wachovia 

Bank 

 

Pam 

George 

Gulf World 

Marine 

Park 

Sue 

Brookhart 

Naval 

Support 

Activity 

 

Annie 

Holcombe 

Oaseas 

Resorts 

 

Robert 

Carroll 

McNeil 

Carroll 

Engineering 

 

Philip 

Griffitts, Jr. 

Sugar Sands 

Beach 

Resort 

 

Terry 

Hook 

Publix 

Super 

Markets, Inc. 

Felicia 

Cook 

Simon 

Property 

Group 

 

Amy 

Harris 

Royal 

American 

Hospitality 

 

Jayna 

Leach 

Sterling 

Resorts 

 

Lee Ann 

Leonard 

By The Sea 

Resorts 

 

Lisa 

Powell- 

Ashley 

Hombre 

Golf Club 

 

Jeff 

Segan 

Bay 

Point 

Marriott 

 

Al 

McCambry 

Knology 

 

Edy 

Rivard 

Gulf Coast 

Medical 

Center 

 

Russ 

Smith 

The 

Towne of 

Seahaven 

 

Dr. Jim 

Kerley 

Gulf Coast 

Community 

College 

 

Honorary Board Member 

Jim 

Musicaro 

Carrabba's 

Italian 

Grill 

 

Dan 

Rowe 

Convention 

& Visitors 

Bureau 

 

Paul 

Wohlford 

Edgewater 

Beach 

Resort 

 

Dr. George 

DePuy 

Florida State 

University 

Panama City 

 

Honorary Board Member 

Chris 

Pariseau 

Allegra 

Print & 

Imaging 

 

Cil 

Schnitker 

Comcast 

 

Mayor Gayle 

Oberst 

City of 

Panama 

City Beach 

 

Honorary 

Board Member 


Delectable Steaks 

Fresh Seafood 

Juicy Burgers 

Rockin’ Ribs 

Choice Chicken 

Super Salads 

Homestyle Lunches 

Early Bird Menu 

Full Bar 

Deck Dining 

2218 Thomas Drive (next to Half Hitch Tackle) 

850-233-9514 • Carry-Out Available 


2009 Focus 

In 2009 the Beaches Chamber will continue 

to support, share events and partner with 

our neighboring chambers: the Bay County 

Chamber and the Walton Area Chamber, 

as well as the TDC/CVB. The Chamber 

will continue to support the new Panama 

City-Bay County International Airport. The 

Chamber will continue to support the branding 

initiative and marketing programs of 

Coastal Vision 3000. 

2009 Committees 

Ambassador Committee 

Chairman: Ramon Duvall 

Mission: The Ambassadors attend Groundbreakings, 

Beautifications and Ribbon-Cuttings, 

and work with staff on functions such 

as New Member Welcome Day, Friday at 

the Beach and After Hours Business Mixers. 

Beautifucation & Preservation Council 

Chairman: Pam George 

Mission: To work with special programs 

in order to encourage businesses and civic 

groups to keep Panama City Beach litterfree 

and green. 

Business & Education Partnership 

Committee 

Chairman: Scott Harris 

Mission: To develop and implement 

education programs and business education 

programs, recognizing that business partners 

must be actively involved in the education 

foundation for the future of Bay County. 

This committee works in unison with the 

TDC and colleges to build a lifestyle of education 

in our community--especially concerning 

our Tourism/Hospitality industry. 

Governmental Affairs Committee 

Chairman: Robert Carroll 

Mission: The chairman attends meetings for 

the County, City, Port Authority and Airport 

Authority in 2009, and will keep the Board 

(Chamber’s Annual Report: A Look into 2009) 

“Now, more than ever, our Beaches Chamber of Commerce will be focusing on the 

entire community, and recognizing our presence as part of the whole picture of our 

destination. We want to take a personal interest in each and every Chamber member. . . 

their comments, their thoughts, their needs. We want to help.” 

informed of new tax laws and amendments, 

zoning, impact fees, ordinances and bills. 

Membership Development Committee 

Chairman: Paul Wohlford 

Mission: To provide support for retention 

and development of Chamber membership; 

and to provide support for programs involving 

membership that enhance the community. 

Special Events Committee 

Co-Chairs: Lisa Powell-Ashley, Annie 

Holcombe 

Mission: To help create and administer 

the Chamber’s Annual Awards Dinner, annual 

Business Expo, golf tournaments and 

other special events throughout the year. 

C 

Beth Oltman, President & CEO 


Publications Committee 

Chairman: Chris Pariseau 

Mission: This committee monitors and 

enhances the marketing staff’s products to 

ensure the Chamber’s purpose and overall 

vision is met. 

Small Business & Minority Council 

Chairman: Karen Blackerby 

Mission: To support, promote and increase 

exposure of small and multi-ethnic businesses. 

This committee will implement a 

“Small Business Recognition Program” and 

announce monthly winners at Friday at the 

Beach; will also award the Small Business 

Person of the Year award at the Annual 

Awards UDinner. 

IT’S ABOUT 

UNITY 

IN OUR 

COMMUNITY 

THE GREATER PANAMA CITY BEACHES 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 


aaaaa 

Valentine’s Day 

is 

February 14th 

Experience the finest on the beach! 

FRED ASTAIRE 

FRANCHISED DANCE STUDIOS. 

850.873.6269 www.FredAstairePanamaCity.com 

Gift certificates available Wedding programs 

No partner necessary Open House Thursdays @ 8:00 pm 

6415 Thomas Drive • Panama City Beach, FL 32408 

Local (850) 249-4970 • Toll Free (866) 617-7620 

E-mail: office@princesscondorentals.com 

www.princesscondorentals.com 


Beach Weddings 

in Panama City Beach 

Newly engaged brides-to-be provide organizations in the 

hospitality industry with a market of “must have buyers” 

that is constantly replenishing itself. 

By Dave Johnson and Marta Rose 

Photo by Thomas Lee Photography 

Every year, much to the dismay of their 

parents, a new generation of teenagers 

reach adulthood. Guys falling in 

love will continue to pop the question…girls 

will continue to say yes… and so then let 

the wedding planning begin! The longtime 

dreams of these new brides-to-be will soon 

be fulfilled. 

History has shown that regardless of the media 

being flooded with news of recessions, 

war, terrorist attacks, soaring gas prices, 

workforce cutbacks or slowdowns, there is 

an increase in weddings. Regardless of hard 

economic times, more young couples keep 

deciding that they want to join forces and 

start a life together. It actually makes economic 

sense to double up on incomes and 

share expenses and tax breaks. 

The New Generation 

Today’s young bride is invincible. Since birth 

she has been told that she can do anything, and 

when it comes to her wedding, she will. This 

young bride does not understand limits – or 

budgets, for that matter. She doesn’t just want 

the fairy tale, she demands it, and will go beyond 

her means to get it. Did you know the 

average Orange County, California bride now 

spends $50,000 on her wedding? 

To understand the new generation of brides 

let us first take a look at their Baby-Boomer 

parents. The Boomers nurtured a “Carpe 

Diem” spirit of adventure in their children, 

and many young couples -- the young Generation 

X and Generation Y -- are more welltraveled 

and more receptive to new experiences 

than previous generations. Today’s 

brides and grooms are willing to push the 

boundaries of a traditional wedding in order 

to have a truly fun, unique and memorable 

occasion. 

Destination Known 

Destination Weddings, where the ceremony 

takes place in a remote (usually romantic and 

oftentimes exotic) location, are on the rise. 

Approximately half a million couples plan a 

Destination Wedding each year; the top five 

locations include Las Vegas, Hawaii, the Bahamas, 

Jamaica and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Destination Weddings make sense for couples 

whose families and friends are scattered 

around the country; if their guests are going 

to travel anyway, why not get married in a 

fun vacation place? 

Blinded by Technology 

Why are Destination Weddings so appealing 

now as opposed to a decade ago? For 

one, the Internet has improved global communications, 

putting international resources 

at our fingertips. Other cultures are more accessible. 

The global economy is making the 

world an increasingly smaller place, allowing 

us to explore and exchange ideas well 

beyond our own backyard. 

Bottom Line 

There are 71 million Gen Y men and women 

born between 1982-2003, which translates to 

an anticipated increase in weddings in years 

to come. There have been over 13,000 weddings 

every year in the Florida Panhandle, 

and each year has seen a steady increase in 

numbers. With a national average of $25,000 

spent on each wedding, this represents a $330 

million recession proof industry. If you are 

interested in learning more about how your 

business might benefit, contact Dave Johnson 

at www.perfectweddingguide.com or 

www.emeraldcoastpwg.com. Be sure to 

visit the Pier Park Bridal Show on 

March 1, 2009. 

Wedding Stats 

Courtesy of www.theweddingreport.com 

88% of all Americans will marry at 

least once in their lifetime. 

For the past 20 years, 2.25–2.40 

million weddings take place each 

year in the United States. One-third 

of them are re-marriages. 

In 2008, 64% of weddings were 

Gen Y brides & grooms (born 1982- 

2003); 35% of weddings were Gen X 

(born 1961-1981); and 1% were Baby 

Boomers (born 1943-1960). 

99% of couples take a honeymoon. 

The average couple spends three 

times more on their honeymoon 

($3,000-$4,000) than a regular vacation. 

The average honeymoon lasts 

7 to 9 days. 40% of honeymoons 

are in the U.S.; 60% take place in a 

foreign country. 

In 2006, 14,034 weddings took 

place in the Florida Panhandle. 

With a national average of 

$25,000 spent at each wedding, 

this represents approximately 

$350,850,000 for the FL Panhandle. 

Of those, 2,223 were in Bay County 

for a total of $ 55,575,000. 


Neighborhood Deals 

Take Advantage of these Great Specials This Winter! 

Neighborhood 

DealS! 

Neighborhood 

DealS! 

Neighborhood 

DealS! 

Buy One Sandwich or 

Salad...Get One for 

1/2 Price 

50% off second sandwich or salad with 

purchase of same plus drinks. 

Expires 2/28/09 

at Pier Park 

Now Offering 

Breakfast 

2 For 1 

Served from 7:00 to 10:30 AM 

Bring this coupon in to receive your 

Neighborhood Deal. Expires 2/28/09 

Free Home Warranty 

for Seller and Buyer 

with new listing or sale. 

Some restrictions apply. Contact Sandy 

Thompson, The Beach Belles at Keller Williams 

Success Realty, at 850-303-1825. 

Expires 2/28/09 


A Few Minutes With... 

Felicia Cook 

Felicia Robinson 

Cook, who joins the 

Chamber’s Board 

of Directors in 

January 2009, spends 

a few minutes with 

Hillary Marchman 

from the Chamber. 

When did you move to 

Panama City Beach? 

March 10, 2008. 

What were the events that 

led to relocating here? 

I was employed by Simon in the Kansas 

City area as an Area Director of Business 

Development. Simon asked me to relocate 

to Panama City Beach and be the Director 

of Marketing and Business Development 

for the new Pier Park. 

Tell me about your family. 

I’ve been happily married for more than 

twenty years. My husband Tim Cook is an 

ordained minister of the Christian Church 

and is currently teaching math at Mosely 

High School. I am the mother of two wonderful 

children, son David and daughter 

Jessica. Both chose to move to Florida with 

us and search out new college strategies. 

We have two wonderful Shelties and of 

course if you know me, you know my pride 

and joy is Mighty Zeus, my little Maltese. 

He helped me get through eighteen weeks 

without family. 

Tell me about working for 

Simon Property Group? 

Simon is a wonderful company. Simon is 

the largest REIT in the nation. Because of 

their status, it is a great company to gain career 

growth - Simon supports individual career 

growth and helps each of its employees 

set a career plan in place to work toward. 

How is Panama City Beach 

different from Kansas City? 

I have loved Panama City Beach since 

the day I arrived. It is very different from 

Kansas City, but in wonderful ways. The 

beauty and peace found here on the beach 

can not be measured. I am blessed to work 

at one of Simon’s outdoor properties where 

I can take advantage of seeing all the beauty 

on a daily basis. 

What do you love about 

Panama City Beach? 

The people, the air, the sand! This is a 

“home” town. I have been blessed to be 

accepted by so many, as though I grew up 

here! Again, it is a beautiful place and there 

is still so much for me to see and enjoy 

daily. 

What does the future hold 

for the Cook family? 

I believe the future holds a lot of sand. No 

matter what, there is always change. With 

two young adult children searching for their 

future, and my husband and I always finding 

home wherever the Lord places us, the 

future will be wonderful. 

Is there anything else you’d 

like to share? 

Just that the Cook family loves to be a part 

of the communities the Lord brings us to, 

and we are looking forward to a wonderful 

life here in Panama City Beach! 

Sharon & Gregory Yordon 

Nationally Board Certified 

in Hearing Instrument Sciences 

A Difference 

Worth Hearing About! 

BELTONE 

A Leader in Hearing Aid Technology 

FREE Hearing Evaluations. 

Repairs and service on almost all 

makes and models. 

We also have assistive listening 

devices, hearing aid accessories 

and fresh batteries. 

Financing available (with app. 

credit) 

Jitterbug Cell Phones sold at 

Beltone. 

$800 OFF 

The new “Reach” Hearing Aid System 

with Flexible intelligence. The “Reach” 

absorbs background noise to help you 

hear more clearly. Available in custom 

and open technology. 

Expires February 13, 2009 

New Beach Location 

New 

Every Tuesday 

612 Wisteria Street 

(Corner of Hutchison Blvd.) 

1.4m west of Grand Panama Resort 

Call for appointment: 

850-763-0801 or 

877-608-4327 

2633 Highway 77, Suite A 



mardi gras 2009 

Krewe of Dominique Youx 

The Krewe of Dominique Youx is 

the oldest and largest Mardi Gras 

social organization in this area. 

The Krewe was started by a small group 

of men who lived in the Bay Point area of 

Bay County during the spring of 1986, and 

has since grown to over 185 dues-paying 

members with year-round social activities. 

The idea for forming a New Orleans type of 

marching and party organization grew out 

of discussions between two veteran Mardi 

Gras paraders who lived in Bay Point, 

Gerald Castardo and Errol Lagasse. These 

men used their own funds to purchase fifty 

used pirate costumes left over from the 

Krewe of Billy Bowlegs in Fort Walton. 

They then sought out a few friends who 

were also interested in celebrating Mardi 

Gras traditions. This effort culminated in 

the formal establishment of the Krewe on 

June 30, 1986. By July 15th, the nascent 

Krewe achieved their goal of signing up 

fifty charter members (membership was 

limited to fifty members who fit the fifty 

pirate costumes the Krewe owned!). 

From 1986 to 1997 the Krewe of Dominique 

Youx celebrated Mardi Gras in Bay 

Point with a parade through its streets, and 

a formal Mardi Gras Ball at the Marriott 

Hotel. The early parades were conducted 

with only one ship float accompanied by 

many decorated golf carts. Pirates, dressed 

in colorful costumes, manned the floats 

and carts during the annual parade in February. 

Local high and middle school bands 

were invited to parade and provide marching 

music. Fire trucks and Shriner’s mini 

cars were also part of these early parades. 

Beads, doubloons and throws were tossed 

to the crowd lining the parade route. 

By 1997 it became obvious that the 

Krewe’s Parade had outgrown the narrow 

streets and limited parking of Bay Point. 

So, on February 7, 1998, the modern day 

Krewe of Dominique Youx descended 

upon St. Andrews in full force and presented 

the first Mardi Gras Parade in 

Panama City. Along with the parade, the 

merchants of St. Andrews hosted visitors 

during a weekend Mardi Gras celebration. 

New Orleans style music and cuisine was 

featured in the various special open air 

events, but the climax of the celebration 

was the grand parade led by the Krewe of 

Dominique Youx along Beck Avenue. 

This year the Krewe of Dominique Youx 

is once gain under full sail and looking 

west. The pirate group has set their sights 

on Pier Park and is organizing their first 

Mardi Gras Parade on the Beach. The 

Parade will start at 3:00 pm on February 

14th and will stage on Hills Road. The 

Grand Marshall is Robert (Bob) Myers, 

winner of the Krewe’s General Andrew 

Jackson Baratarian Cup, an annual award 

presented to members of our community 

who have demonstrated their willingness 

to serve and be effective in making Bay 

County a better place to live. 


mardi gras 2009 

Krewe of St. Andrews 

The St. Andrews Mardi Gras had its 

beginnings in 1997 when the Krewe 

of Dominque Youx approached the 

community of St. Andrews with the idea of 

relocating their parade there from the Bay 

Point community. That same year, the citizens 

of St. Andrews formed its own krewe, 

now proudly known as The Krewe of St. 

Andrews. With the relocation of the Parade 

of Dominique Youx to St. Andrews and 

along with the citizens of St. Andrews, the 

Krewe of St. Andrews worked to bring revitalization 

back to the downtown area, and 

together made the St. Andrews Mardi Gras 

the exciting and huge event it is today. 

The Krewe of St. Andrews’ mission is to 

bring focus and attention to historic St. 

Andrews by bringing people to the downtown 

area to enjoy the Mardi Gras, as well 

as generate funds to be invested in improving 

Historic St. Andrews. The Krewe is 

involved in many worthwhile projects 

in the community; besides putting on the 

Mardi Gras Parade, it also puts on a Kid’s 

Parade the day before. The Krewe supports 

several charities in the area such as 

the Girls Club, the Simms Veterans Home, 

and a program that awards scholarships 

to men and women over 23 who are trying 

to re-enter the workforce by educating 

themselves, while working and raising a 

family. These are usually awarded for the 

recipients to attend the FSU PC campus, 

Gulf Coast Community College or Haney 

Vo-Tech. 

Each year a new “King and Queen” are 

voted in from among the Krewe members, 

and at the Royal Ball are officially proclaimed 

as they receive the royal scepters 

from the outgoing King and Queen. Additionally, 

four Royal Princes and four Royal 

Princesses are voted in. The Formal Ball 

is full of Mardi Gras colors and fun pageantry 

as the new King, Queen and Royal 

Court are ushered in. 

February 20th is the Kid’s Parade starting 

at 4:00 pm on Beck Avenue, and February 

21st is the St. Andrews Mardi Gras Parade 

starting at 3:00 pm, on Beck Avenue. 

Membership into the Krewe is open to 

both men and women over 21. For more 

information on this exciting and growing 

Krewe, visit www.saintandrewsmardigras. 

com. 


Biz Spotlight 

Coastal 

Communications 

Celebrates 

Fifteen Years 

Coastal Communications is excited to 

be celebrating our 15th Anniversary. 

Our agency is proud to be one of the 

largest advertising and mailing facilities in 

North Florida, and a member of The Greater 

Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce 

since 1993. 

With our knowledge and experience, our clients 

have been able to count on us for all of 

their advertising needs throughout the Emerald 

Coast, from South Florida to Texas. Our 

services range from Website Design, Website 

Hosting and Graphic Design to Printing and 

Direct Mail. We look forward to assisting 

you in targeting your market and expanding 

your business. 

Coastal Communications is located conveniently 

at 123 Gwyn Drive, just off Thomas 

Drive on Panama City Beach. We look forward 

to hearing from you. Please contact us 

at www.coastalcom.com or (850) 233-0509 

to discuss your advertising and marketing 

needs. 

mo ovoe v 

By Molly Rose 

I want to visit THE Beach! 

o ve er 

m ic 

i k 

It’s no secret that the Panama City-Bay 

County International Airport will be 

open before we know it. And guess who 

will be traveling to the international airport? 

International travelers! As you know, we 

currently have three regional airports that are 

already servicing international travelers in 

small numbers. A likely sector of the international 

market to visit 

our region in mass 

numbers will be the 

British traveler. The 

Brits already flock 

to Central and South 

Florida in huge numbers, 

so it only makes 

sense for those of us 

along THE Beach to 

try to grab hold of 

them. 

Europeans take their 

vacations very seriously. 

In fact, most of them have four to six 

weeks of vacation per year. Because of this, 

many choose to visit the USA and stay for 

approximately 15 days. Traditionally, ten 

of these days have been spent in Orlando, 

soaking up the sun and taking pictures with 

Mickey (any Brit will tell you that the success 

of their “holiday” is measured by how 

red they are when they return home). For 

the remainder of the trip, most of these visitors 

will hop in a car and drive to Tampa/St. 

Petersburg or Miami. As we all know, these 

regions are becoming very crowded, which 

is precisely where we can step in. 

Through initiatives such as THE Beach, 

Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast is priming itself 

to be a spectacular international destination. 

THE Beach is on its way to becoming 

an internationally recognized branded identity. 

Under this halo name are seven counties, 

each offering a wide array of activities sure 

to please even the most finicky traveler’s 

palate. Our area offers the most breathtaking 

beaches in the world, top-notch fishing, 

world-class dining, peaceful ecotourism as 

well as local arts and culture. Yet, with all of 

these amazing cornerstones, we’re still virtually 

unknown outside of our region, let alone 

in the international market. 

I spoke with Bill Cowie of the British American 

Chamber of Commerce (who comes 

from jolly Olde England, by the way) about 

the likelihood of Northwest Florida capturing 

some of this market. Bill, who now resides 

in Orlando, recently visited our area 

for the first time, 

and was absolutely 

blown away by what 

we have to offer. 

“Northwest Florida 

has everything, if 

promoted correctly, 

to attract a meaningful 

segment of the 

overseas vacation 

market. You’ve got 

the sun, the white 

sand, world class 

shopping, and soonto-be 

the ease of access,” Cowie says. 

Annually, Orlando attracts nearly one million 

British travelers, who each spend about 

$1,000 during their stay. If Northwest Florida’s 

Gulf Coast can acquire just ten percent 

of that segment, think of the huge impact our 

area will see! 

We all know that THE Beach is a little slice 

of Heaven, and as much as we’ve enjoyed 

keeping it all to ourselves, it’s time to let the 

rest of the world in on our secret. It is very 

exciting to think that our undiscovered region 

is on the verge of becoming an international 

hotspot. So what can you do to prepare for 

such a thing? Remain true to the values, 

integrity and Southern hospitality that have 

made us so special to begin with, and the rest 

will speak for itself. 

For more information on how you can get involved 

with Coastal Vision 3000, visit www. 

thebeachfla.com. 

 

ek e y 


Marketing Your 

Business in the 

Economic 

Downturn 

By Joanna Banks-Morgan 

During an economic downturn it’s tempting to pull back on 

our advertising and marketing efforts. There is a silver lining 

to this recession cloud, however. We have an opportunity 

to buy more media at a lower cost, building our brand’s share of the 

market. 

According to Harvard Business School professor John Quelch, 

“Brands that increase advertising during a recession, when competitors 

are cutting back, can improve market share and return on investment 

at lower cost than during good economic times. Uncertain consumers 

need the reassurance of known brands, and more consumers 

at home watching television can deliver higher than expected audiences 

at lower cost-per-thousand impressions.” 

Proctor & Gamble, our country’s largest advertiser, allocated over $2 

billion (yes, I said billion) to advertising in the first nine months of 

2008. It’s a change of only -5.9% over the same period the previous 

year. P&G isn’t cutting ad spending because it believes that would 

lead to long-term damage, but is looking to leverage its position as 

Advertising’s Top Dog to drive costs down. P&G is not alone; companies 

like Sonic Corp. plan to spend more than $200 million during 

the next fiscal year on advertising. 

P&G and Sonic are both large, extremely successful companies 

whose strategy we can adapt at a local level. In Panama City Beach, 

we have more marketing opportunities than ever before for print, 

broadcast and Internet advertising. These media outlets are adjusting 

to the economy and providing some of the most affordable advertising 

rates we’ve seen in years. This is the time to negotiate favorable 

advertising rates and lock them in for several years. If you do have to 

cut advertising spending, try to maintain the frequency of advertisements 

by shifting from 30-second to 15-second spots, or by increasing 

the use of direct marketing. 

You also want to reevaluate your audience. Yesterday’s must haves 

are today’s live withouts. How is your ideal customer adapting to the 

recession? With this information, your media rep should be able to 

help you identify the best placement for your advertising dollars in 

order to reach your target audience. The more specific you can be 

about your ideal consumer, the more they can help to deliver the right 

audience for your business. 

Remember, successful companies do not abandon their marketing 

strategies in an economic downturn; they adapt them. 



Pregnant 

with 

Back Pain 

or Headaches? 

On Friday, January 9, 2009 the Bay County 

Chamber and The Greater Panama City 

Beaches Chamber will hold the first-ever 

“First Friday at the Beach” at Bay 

Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. 

January 9, 2009 

7:30-9:00AM 

Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa 

Special Presentation: 

“Ecotourism Trends Through 2015 

for Panama City Beach 

and the Surrounding Region” 

by Dr. Mark Bonn, Director of Graduate Programs for the Dedman 

School of Hospitality, Florida State University, Tallahassee 

Dr. Jon Sherman at Panama City 

Chiropractic specializes in Pre and Post 

Pregnancy Back Pain and Headaches. 

• Extremely Safe 

• Fast and Effective Relief 

• Specific Pregnancy 

Techniques 

• Relaxed and Friendly 

Atmosphere 

• Most Insurance Accepted 

Call Now for Your 

FREE Consultation 

and end your discomfort 

now. 

Panama City Chiropractic 


Panama City Beach 

Sponsored by the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross Central 

Panhandle Chapter, Allegra Print & Imaging, The Talking Phone Book, Troy 

University – Panama City/Tyndall AFB, and Rowland Publishing. 

RSVP Bertie@PCBeach.org 

Relax. 

Play. 

Celebrate. 

(850) 249-WELL (9355) 

panamacitychiropractic.com 

For all the reasons to visit the beach, 

stay in beautiful beach condos & resorts. 

www.SouthernResorts.com 

800.737.2322 

NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S GULF COAST 


Member News 

Landmark Agreement Provides Framework for Alliance 

to Stimulate Job Creation and Workforce Training 

In tough economic times such as 

these, organizations within Northwest 

Florida are coming together to create 

innovative ideas to help stimulate job 

creation and economic development. A 

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 

to establish a new workforce initiative 

was signed on December 16th at Gulf 

Coast Community College. Executives 

from Workforce Florida, Gulf Power 

Company, The St. Joe Company and Gulf 

Coast Community College agree that the 

MOU is unprecedented and is a model of 

collaboration. 

“Partnerships like the one cemented 

today are key to building the world-class 

workforce that will strengthen Florida’s 

economy for generations to come,” said 

Governor Charlie Crist. “This landmark 

agreement is a wonderful example of state 

government and the private sector coming 

together to create new jobs and exciting new 

opportunities for the Sunshine State.” 

The Memorandum formally establishes an 

alliance that will identify and coordinate 

key workforce development strategies to 

bolster economic development in the West 

Bay area. This area will be anchored by the 

new international airport which will provide 

an opportunity to transform the region’s 

economy. 

Workforce Florida is the state’s principal 

workforce policy organization charged with 

designing and implementing strategies for 

a highly skilled workforce in support of 

Florida’s economic development priorities. 

The organization will coordinate the 

development of a West Bay Area Sector 

Workforce Initiative along with other 

state and regional partners in education, 

business and workforce. The initiative 

focuses on creating a customized workforce 

training pilot program that can be replicated 

statewide using innovative new programs as 

well as existing programs and resources. 

Gulf Power Company and The St. 

Joe Company are leaders in economic 

development in Northwest Florida, and 

have significant interest in the successful 

economic development of the West Bay 

area. They also have critical leadership 

roles in state economic development 

through organizations such as Enterprise 

Florida, Inc. and the Florida Council of 

100. Both companies will be instrumental 

in leveraging resources and assets to support 

workforce development. 

“We all understand how critical having the 

right talent is to economic development,” 

said Susan Story, Gulf Power Company 

President and CEO. “That’s why we are 

excited to have Workforce Florida as a key 

player in this partnership — they bring 

experience and leadership as the number 

one workforce system in the country to this 

effort.” 

ABOVE LEFT, from left: Dr. Jim Kerley, President 

of GCCC; Chris Hart, President & CEO of 

Workforce Florida; Susan Story, President & CEO 

of Gulf Power; Britt Greene, President & CEO of 

The St. Joe Company; Bill Cramer, Chairman of 

GCCC District Board of Trustees. 

WORKFORCE 

FAITHWORKS INTERFAITH MINISERIES 

NETWORK, INC. 

A local businessman is heading up a new 

non-profit organization in an effort to help 

the homeless and unemployed in Bay County 

create their own businesses. The new 

organization is called FaithWorks Interfaith 

Ministries Network, Inc. 

“The goal of the program is to help create 

jobs for the homeless, the unemployed and 

the low to moderate income who are ready, 

willing and able to work,” says Rick Dye, 

Regions Bank City President and the organizational 

President. “Researchers tell us 

that there are two primary causes of chronic 

homelessness: bad relationships and boredom,” 

says Dye. “The local economic conditions 

will just not produce enough jobs to 

keep the number of those losing their jobs 

and homes busy. We wanted to create a program 

that would allow the unemployed to 

go to work for themselves.” 

The project includes a pine straw harvesting 

and bailing operation run by members of the 

Panama City Rescue Mission. Other projects 

include residential gutter cleaning, car 

washing and detailing, tree and palm trimming, 

vacant lot clearing, fence and deck 

construction, and exterior window washing. 

Dye says his organization is buying and 

leasing initial equipment needs to the various 

new businesses, along with offering 

them local business mentors who work with 

the new business operators on getting proper 

federal/state/county/city licenses, bookkeeping 

services, payroll taxes and training in 

supervising others. 

Creating a business model for the unemployed, 

skilled worker to operate within is a 

way to give the homeless/unemployed some 

dignity, self respect and wages until they 

can get a more permanent job once the local 

economy improves. 

For more information, contact Rick Dye at 

(850) 832-3014. 


“Professional People... 

Professional Services” 

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL 

LICENSED & INSURED 

MEMBER OF: 

PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE NETWORK 

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU 

THE GREATER PANAMA CITY BEACHES 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

850 230 4500 

866 438 8351 

www.atllandscapingandmaintenance.com 

Don’t let the economy 

drag you down 

RideOn gives your employees options that help 

everyone save time and money. Services are 

customized for individuals, single employers, or 

a central business district. Join us to learn how 

RideOn can work for you! 

When 

Friday, Feb.13 

10 a.m. to noon 

Refreshments will 

be provided 

Where 

West Florida Regional 

Planning Council 

651 W. 14th Street, Ste. E 

Panama City, FL 32401 

Why RideOn? 

▪ Increase employee morale and productivity 

▪ Enhance retention and attendance rates 

▪ Improve onsite parking conditions 

▪ Utilize pre-tax benefits for commuters 

▪ Go green - promote an eco-friendly worksite 

The seminar is free but 

space is limited! Call 

850.769.4854 today to 

reserve your space! 

RideOn is a program of the West Florida Regional Planning Council 

made possible by the Florida Department of Transportation 


Member News 

Answers to Help Lower Your 

Tax Bill 

How can I take advantage of the deductions 

available to me? 

Get Organized. One of the reasons we don’t 

take the deductions that we are allowed is 

because we simply do not keep up with 

necessary information. Accurate taxes require 

accurate information. Organize all of your 

tax information throughout the year; this will 

cut down on the time it takes to “Get ready 

for Uncle Sam.” It is better to have too much 

information and not need it than to not have 

the information at all. 

What do I do if I don’t feel comfortable 

wading into the tax depths myself? 

Hire a Professional. If you are familiar 

with your income tax situation, comfortable 

doing some research (if a problem arises), 

organized, and have an easy tax return, I would 

recommend doing it yourself. If you are a 

little uneasy and prefer not to keep up with the 

ever-changing laws, it is best to hire someone 

to ease your mind. A tax professional keeps up 

with the laws and can give you advice on how 

to lower your tax burden. 

How do I know if itemizing is right for me? 

Even if you think you cannot itemize, you 

should try. You can take several different 

Emerald Coast Mirror Maze & Laser Craze 

deductions if you itemize. You can take 

deductions for things like contributions, real 

estate taxes, medical bills, home mortgage 

interest and out-of-pocket job-related 

expenses. You should compare your itemized 

deductions to your standard deductions and 

then you will know which one is right for you. 

What types of tax credits are available? 

There are several credits out there that you 

must apply for in order to receive. For 

example, you may be able to take a credit 

for energy-saving home repairs if the repairs 

qualify for the credit. There are numerous 

credits that you can take, ranging from a firsttime 

home buyer to an adoption credit. 

Ben Golden is a partner of Howell, Stepanek 

& Golden, an accounting firm specializing in 

tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll and small 

business consulting. He graduated from The 

University of Alabama with a BS in Accounting, 

and went on to graduate from Golden Gate 

University in San Francisco with a MS in Taxation. 

Ben can be reached at BenG@knology.net or 

(850) 215-3093. 

Emerald Coast Mirror Maze and Laser Craze is now open in Pier Park. This is a family 

activity that challenges both the young and “young at heart.” Mirror Maze is exclusive to 

Pier Park in Florida, and one of only four in the entire Southeast. Along with getting lost 

in the labyrinth of mirrored passages and dead ends within the mirror maze, the visitors 

to Emerald Coast Mirror Maze can experience the thrill of traversing the Laser Craze, a 

corridor of laser beams crisscrossing in a black room. Emerald Coast Mirror Maze will 

make your visit to Pier Park a memorable one for years to come. (Pictured upper left) 

TRANSPORTATION 

GET UP AND GO WITH BAY TOWN 

TROLLEY 

Bay Town Trolley had its best year ever in 

2008, and is happy to continue providing 

Bay County residents with superb public 

transportation service. Whether it’s to 

work, school or play, trolley officials are 

urging all residents, visitors and snowbirds 

to “Get up and Go with Bay Town 

Trolley.” 

With additional trolleys, increased 

frequency and enhanced service, this year 

will be just as successful as last. The 

Career Connector is just one example of 

the trolley’s continued growth. By using 

this “free” route, riders can travel through 

the downtown area into the surrounding 

business district while connecting to other 

Bay Town Trolley routes. This route 

is beneficial because it passes several 

government buildings, schools and medical 

offices, including Bay Medical. 

The trolley’s extended service initiative will 

also continue this year. Operating Monday 

through Friday, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, Bay 

Town Trolley is committed to enhancing 

the quality of life for Bay County residents. 

The two hour evening extension will 

continue to appeal to riders as they’re able 

to seek a plethora of new opportunities, 

especially within the workforce. 

For more information including route maps, 

visit www.baytowntrolley.org or call (850) 

769-0557. 


A taste of New Orleans on the 

World’s Most 

Beautiful Beaches 

Laissez Les Bon 

Temps Rouler 

Locals Receive a 10% discount daily 

Early Bird Specials 

$5.99 Daily Lunch Specials 

Happy Hour ALL DAY 

• $ .99 Drafts 

• $3.00 Margaritas 

• 2 for 1 House wine 

15812 Front Beach rd • Panama City Beach, FL • 850 - 234 6788 • calypsobeachcafe.com 

Need to Renew 

YOUR City Magazine Subscription? 

Bay County’s Premier Lifestyle Publication 

Order today and save off newsstand price! 

Subscribe online today! 

www.PanamaCityLiving.com 

Or Mail $18 for one year (6 issues) to: 

Ashgood Publishing • P. O. Box 1909 • Lynn Haven, FL 32444 

Issues may also be purchased at selective Books-A-Million stores. 


around Town 

Updates on Community, Education, Workforce & Government 

Community Update 

Mayor Gayle F. Oberst, City of PCB 

The last days of 

2008 were exciting 

in Panama City 

Beach. The first annual 

Christmas Tree 

Lighting at Pier 

Park took place on 

November 28th, 

complete with Santa 

and all his elves. It 

was interesting to 

hear that Santa and Mrs. Clause have a second 

home in Panama City Beach, so he just 

dropped into the town center for the lighting. 

Seriously, those of us who have been involved 

in the creation of the Pier Park CRA and project 

for the past nine years are so excited to 

see all our hopes and plans come to be. The 

following Monday, the City held its annual 

Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Frank 

Brown Park. Tom Hipps emceed the event 

just as he has been present for the past 29 

years, as the City welcomed the holiday season. 

Students from beach elementary schools 

submitted essays entitled “What Christmas 

means to me” and three winners were selected. 

They received a gift certificate and were 

recognized during the lighting. Choirs from 

beach schools performed and churches, civic 

groups and organizations served cookies, 

cakes and other holiday treats. 

The Pier Park Street Ball was a great New 

Year’s Eve event with the first beach ball 

drop. It is planned that the Beach will develop 

additional events for December 31st and 

become a regional New Year’s celebration 

area. The Optimist Club Christmas Parade 

was held on the 13th. 

While economic conditions continue to 

be a concern for all of us, the Beach is seeing 

some construction. Work has begun on 

Beachside Market Place located on Hutchinson 

Boulevard near Walmart. The shopping 

center will contain several retail stores. A 

number of new stores opened in Pier Park 

during November and December. The building 

in Breakfast Point (Beckrich and Panama 

City Beach Parkway) is progressing with the 

Publix and other retailers planning a summer 

opening. The renovation of a building on 

Highway 79 continues, and will be the home 

of a Planet Wings. The City is moving forward 

with plans to build a new beach library 

and hopes to see work started in the first or 

second quarter of 2009. 

Panama City Beach continues to move to 

clean-up work sites that have been abandoned 

or stalled in progress. A new ordinance requiring 

landscaping across road frontage and 

fences to be repaired and/or removed is in 

place and being enforced. 

Holley Academic Center 

Opens at FSU PC 

Dr. George DePuy, FSU PC Dean 

The Holley Academic 

Center Building 

has opened on 

the FSU Panama 

City campus. This 

new building doubles 

the amount of 

academic space on 

campus. It contains 

laboratories for each 

of the four engineering 

majors offered at FSU PC: electrical, 

computer, civil and environmental engineering. 

It also contains laboratories for criminology 

and the UCSI program. The St. Joe 

Community Foundation Lecture Hall is a 

large 500 seat space that can be sub-divided 

as needed. One end of this space opens to an 

outdoor plaza on the bay. 

Twenty new classrooms are provided as well 

as seminar rooms and student project rooms. 

Offices for faculty and staff are also included 

in the building. 

A major feature of the building is the Library 

Learning Center which incorporates the cutting 

edge concept of an information commons. 

This space overlooks the bay. There 

is also an amphitheater between the building 

and the bay. 

The Holley Academic Center Building greatly 

expands the ability of FSU PC to serve the 

needs of Northwest Florida. 

Gulf Coast Community 

College Update 

Dr. Jim Kerley, GCCC President 

Since the release of 

the Strategic Plan, 

we have much to 

celebrate at Gulf 

Coast Community 

College. We are 

committed to providing 

top-notch education, 

community 

outreach and economic 

development 

across the spectrum. In a major celebration, 

we recently commemorated the 10th anniversary 

of our Gulf/Franklin Center in Port St. 

Joe, a critical part of this College. This campus 

works to provide educational opportunities 

for students in Gulf and Franklin counties 

and has been instrumental in defining the 

ability of Gulf Coast as a whole. In part to the 

success of the Gulf/Franklin Center, the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture recently awarded 

the College a $245,304 distance learning 

grant to expand interactive educational opportunities 

for residents of Gulf and Franklin 

counties. 

We are always looking to expand possibilities 

for students attending Gulf Coast, but we 

are also working to promote partnerships and 

stay strongly connected with K-12, higher 

education, and business and industry. Recently, 

key industries and organizations came 

together to form an unprecedented collaborative 

workforce training effort. Executives 

from Workforce Florida, Inc., Gulf Power 

Company, The St. Joe Company, and GCCC 

signed a memorandum of understanding to 

establish a workforce initiative that will be 

the heart of the West Bay area and the new 

airport. The College will play a key role in 

providing leadership and cooperation for 

workforce education and training as new 

opportunities emerge. We are committed to 

providing this community with the programs 

and training that will help create new jobs, 

high-paying jobs, and with your support and 

input, we can do it together. Our Advanced 

Technology Center is becoming a reality – it’s 

no longer at 10,000 feet but is firmly on the 


around Town 

Updates on Community, Education, Workforce & Government 

ground. We are in the process of selecting an 

architectural firm and commence planning 

the long overdue center, which will be a hub 

for job creation and economic development. 

Thanks to all of you for invaluable support of 

your community college. 

Navy Holds Groundbreaking 

for New Littoral 

Warfare Systems Facility 

Jessica Pfefferkorn, Commanding 

Officer, NSA Panama City 

The Naval Surface 

Warfare Center 

Panama City Division 

(NSWC PCD) 

held a groundbreaking 

ceremony on 

December 11th for 

its new Littoral Warfare 

Systems Facility 

(LWSF). 

Naval Facilities Engineering Command 

(NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $12.5 million 

contract on April 28, 2008 to Harry Pepper 

& Associates, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL. 

“On this site will emerge a state-of-the-art 

facility, specially designed to support the research, 

development, testing and evaluation, 

acquisition support, integration and certification 

of Littoral Warfare Systems. It will allow 

us to consolidate work under one roof that 

is now being performed in facilities spread 

throughout the base,” said NSWC PCD 

Commander, Capt. Andrew Buduo, III. 

The Littoral Warfare Systems Facility will allow 

both in-service equipment and emerging 

technologies to be operated together in a laboratory 

environment. The facility will have a 

drive through high bay and crane capabilities. 

It will have three specialized laboratories for 

littoral warfare systems integration, and secure 

computing environments for software 

development, testing, integration and certification. 

The high bay and computing laboratories 

will be linked to emulate their deployed 

Littoral Combat Ship. 

The LWSF will support the Chief of Naval 

Operation’s number one program, the Littoral 

Combat Ship. The LWSF will be a center of 

excellence for research, development and integration 

of existing and future adaptive force 

packages. These modular and deployable 

packages will provide war fighting capability 

to non-traditional and unconventional maritime 

platforms within the Navy’s global maritime 

partnerships. The project is expected to 

be completed by November 29, 2009. 

Florida’s Minimum Wage 

Increases in 2009 

Kimberly Bodine, Executive Director 

Gulf Coast Workforce Board 

Effective January 

1, 2009 Florida’s 

minimum wage 

increased to $7.21 

per hour, with a 

minimum wage of at 

least $4.19/hour for 

tipped employees. 

This is up from the 

$6.79 per hour minimum 

wage in 2008. 

On November 2, 2004, Florida voters approved 

a constitutional amendment which created 

Florida’s minimum wage. The minimum 

wage applies to all employees in the state who 

are covered by the federal minimum wage. 

Florida law requires the Agency for Workforce 

Innovation to calculate a new minimum 

wage each year and publish the new minimum 

wage on January 1st. 

Left to right: NSWC 

PCD Commander, 

Capt. Andy Buduo; 

Florida Representative 

Jimmy Patronis (District 

6); Naval Surface 

Warfare Center Technical 

Director, Steve 

Mitchell; Naval Support 

Activity Panama City 

Installation Commander, 

Cmdr. 

Jessica Pfefferkorn; 

Chip McCutcheon 

of Harry Pepper and 

Associates, Inc.; and 

NSWC PCD Technical 

Director, Dr. Ace Summey. 

Photo by David 

Sussman 

In deciding whether the federal or state minimum 

wage applies, federal law directs that 

businesses must pay the higher of the two. The 

Florida minimum wage will prevail over the 

federal rate until such time as the federal minimum 

wage becomes higher than the state rate. 

The federal minimum wage will increase to 

$7.25 on July 24, 2009. On this date, Florida 

employers must increase the minimum wage 

from $7.21 to $7.25. 

Florida Statutes require employers who must 

pay their employees the Florida minimum 

wage to post a minimum wage notice in a conspicuous 

and accessible place in each establishment 

where these employees work. This 

poster requirement is in addition to the federal 

requirement to post a notice of the federal 

minimum wage. Florida’s minimum wage 

poster is available for downloading in English 

and Spanish from the Agency for Workforce 

Innovation’s website at: www.floridajobs.org/ 

workforce/posters.html. The federal poster 

can be downloaded from the U.S. Department 

of Labor’s website at: www.dol.gov/esa/whd/ 

regs/compliance/posters/flsa.htm. 

The Florida and federal minimum wage will 

increase as follows: 

• $6.79 – January 1, 2008 

Florida Old Minimum Wage 

• $7.21 – January 1, 2009 

Florida Current Minimum Wage 

• $7.25 – July 24, 2009 

Federal and Florida New Minimum 

Wage 


C H A M B E R 

After 

Hours 

Thursday, January 15, 2009 

5:30 to 7:30 PM 

Baja Grille 

at Pier Park 

Sponsored by 

Regions Bank 

R.S.V.P. to Bertie@PCBeach.org 

2009 

Annual Awards 

Dinner 

Friday, February 27, 2009 

6:00 to 9:30 PM 

Bay Point Marriott 

Golf Resort & Spa 

Pioneer of the Year 

Dick Arnold 

Distinguished Citizen 

Small Business Person 

of the Year 

Ambassador of the Year 

CORPORATE 8-TOP TABLE $700 

INDIVIDUAL TICKET $45 

Contact 

Hillary@PCBeach.org 

Fridays 

at the Beach 

January 9, 2009 

7:30-9:00AM 


Featuring 

Dr. Mark Bonn, FSU 

“Ecotourism Trends Through 2015 for 

PCB and the Surrounding Region” 

Sponsored by Allegra Print & Imaging, The 

Talking Phone Book, Troy University–Panama 

City/Tyndall AFB, Rowland Publishing, Board 

of Directors of the American Red Cross Central 

Panhandle Chapter 

February 13, 2009 

7:30-9:00AM 


Featuring 

Bill Husfelt, 

Bay County School Superintendent 

Sponsored by Tipton, Marler, Garner & 

Chastain and Ron Sachs Communications 

RSVP Bertie@PCBeach.org 


grand Openings 

& Re-Openings . Groundbreakings . Beautifications 

Catfish Company, 10/2 Salty Sue’s, 10/8 Panama City POPS, 10/11 Shore House Furniture, 10/15 

Carr, Riggs & Ingram, 10/30 

West Bay Bridge, 11/6 

Serenity Gifts, 11/17 

Nike, 11/19 

Jos A. Bank, 11/19 

Brusters, 11/20 The UPS Store, 12/10 

Baja Grille, 12/10 

Olive Garden, 12/10 

Photography by 

www.ThomasLeePhotography.com 

850-814-0385 

Bay Medical, 12/17 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simplifying Lives… 

Realizing Dreams. 

Call Kittee Stewart today 

for a FREE consultation. 

HomeTown Lenders LLC 

(850)527-9020 

16500 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Suite A 

Kittee.stewart@hometownlendersllc.com 


New Members 

Larry Deutsch 

Baja Grille 

Krewe of St. Andrews, Inc. 

Emerald Coast Urgent Care 

Hometown Lenders, LLC 

Troy University - Panama City 

Technical Systems Integration, Inc. 

Emerald Coast Mirror Maze 

Nike Factory Store 

First Financial Employee Leasing 

Attorney David E. Evans 

The Ups Store 6067 

The Purple Grape 

Darlene Tate 

Auto Appraisal & Classics Appraisal Services 

Renewals - 1 Year 

Red Brick Pizza 

ABC Vacation Rentals 

Alexan Laguna Beach Apartments 

Another Broken Egg 

Audubon of Florida 

Bay Families with Dogs, Inc. 

Best Rental Corporation Southeast 

Diva Productions 

Henkle Law Firm 

JC Penney 

Marquis Kitchens & Baths 

Mellow Mushroom (Echo Sierra Group, LLC) 

Mr. Trash, LLC 

Premier Storage (JPC Properties) 

Southern Resorts 

The Clemons Company 

Renewals - 2 Years 

Advanced Home, LLC 

Carillon Beach Resort and Spa, LLC 

Irene & Company 


Bay Broadcasting/WBPC-FM (B95.1) 

Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. 

Emerald Coast Building Materials 

England Thims & Miller, Inc. 

Grand Panama Beach Resort 

Gulf Environments 

Inga Fahs-Gielisse, LLC 

Landmark Holiday Beach/Vacation Resorts Int’l. 

Preble-Rish, Inc. 


Beachside Resorts Realty, Inc. 

MidSouth Bank 

Sea Screamer Dolphin Cruises 


Diamond Title Agency, Inc. 

Joey’s Java Juice 

Professional Service Industries, Inc. 

Ralph Cellon, Jr. 


Holiday On Wheels 

Keith Mortensen 

Noah’s Ark 

Panama City Beach Rotary 

Panama City Beach Senior Center 

Thomas Stroud 


CJ Ryan Media Management 

Panama City Chiropractic 

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage 


Covenant Hospice 


Devcon Security Services Corp. Company 


Panama City Downtown Improvement Board 

The St. Joe Company 


Bay County Association of Realtors 

Liz and Jane Clothes 

Minuteman Security 

Padgett Business Service 

Sea Foam Motel 


PMI Employee Leasing 


Advanced Eye Care of Bay County 

Hombre Golf Club 

Panama City - Bay County 

International Airport 


SunTrust Bank 


Wendy’s 


Continental Condominiums 

Dunes of Panama Management 

Association 

Palmetto Inn & Suites 

Service and 

Repair of units 

Complete 

System Sale 

and Install 

Duct Inspections 

and Cleanings 

Available 24 

hours a day/7 

days a week 

“Always On Time…Or You Don’t Pay A Dime” 

(850) 249-1113 

What You Can’t See Can Hurt You! 

In today’s air tight homes, Indoor Air Quality is a growing concern. Most household dust contain dust mites, mold, mildew, 

pollen and animal dander. Many of these contaminants are circulated through the central air systems in modern homes 

and can aggravate asthma and allergies. 

Call Us for all your Air Conditioning Needs!!! 


Happy New Year! I hope you had a safe and 

wonderful holiday season, and were able to 

spend some quality time with your family. 

As 2009 begins, business professionals are setting 

new goals for themselves and their careers. I’m sure 

you’ve made some resolutions, some personal and 

some professional. The Beaches Chamber has also 

made some resolutions on how to better serve our 

valued members. 

While enduring our current economy, we want to be 

on your team, helping to build your business. Here are 

some ideas for the new year: 

1. Take the time to get involved, and start meeting 

people. Come to Chamber events! 

2. Evaluate what you did right last year, and 

continue that trend. 

3. Treat your employees right. They are the backbone 

of your company, and have communications 

with many of your best customers. 

4. Increase efforts with your top customers. This 

high Voltage Membership 

Take Your Membership to the Next Level 

will build loyalty to you and make it tougher for them 

to buy elsewhere. Loyal customers will give you the 

opportunity to keep selling them other products and 

services. 

5. Continue to market your business, although you 

may have to get more creative in reaching potential 

customers. 

6. Keep learning about top trends that are affecting 

our business and personal lives. 

Your Chamber has been very busy during the last few 

months of 2008. We are proud to have Beth Oltman 

on board as our new President & CEO. We have also 

welcomed many new businesses to our Chamber, 

worked with the Ambassadors to host ribbon cuttings, 

groundbreakings, and even salute the opening of the 

West Bay Bridge Expansion which will bring many 

new visitors to our area in a shorter amount of time. 

I would like to thank all of our wonderful Ambassadors 

for their support and dedication in 2008, and to wish 

you all success and prosperity in 2009. 

Cyndi Ainsworth 

850.691.6259 

Cyndi@PCBeach.org 

ambassador Update 

& Happenings Around Town 

Happy New Year, Ambassadors! I hope that 

you enjoyed the holiday season and were 

enriched by spending time with family and 

friends. When uncertain economic times come, we 

must evaluate the things that are really important 

to us, and our relationships with those around us is 

always priority number one. I am grateful for the 

many Ambassadors who bring much joy into my life, 

and I thank you for the service you provided to our 

community during 2008. 

Every single one of you is important to the mission 

of The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of 

Commerce, and I look forward to working with you 

during 2009. Many thanks are also due to the Board 

and Chamber staff for their support during the past 

year, and the amazing Christmas get together they 

sponsored! 

This year’s Ambassador Leadership Team includes 

Terry Hook as Incoming Chairman and Patti Lowery 

as Secretary. Please take a moment to congratulate 

them and offer your support. They have proven 

themselves to be dedicated and effective members of 

our team, and I am blessed to be working in concert 

with them to make this year the most effective one yet 

for our Ambassadors. 

If you did not receive a copy of the Ambassador 

Guidelines for 2009 at our last meeting, stop by the 

Chamber office and pick one up. You will find it to 

be helpful and informative as you participate in the 

Ambassador Program. There are important changes 

and new information included in this publication, so 

take time to familiarize yourself with it. 

If you are not an Ambassador, and would like to 

become one, the procedure is simple. All you need 

to do is obtain an application at the office, fill it out 

and turn it in. You must then attend an Ambassador 

Orientation, held the first Tuesday of each month at 

4:00 pm in the Chamber Board Room. When the 

orientation session is completed, you will receive your 

first badge and be a full-fledged Ambassador. 

Let’s continue our work together and make 2009 a 

year of excellence and great accomplishment. You are 

the best, and I’ll be seeing you at the next event! 

Pastor Ramon Duvall 

850.960-6026 

Ramon@ 

beachsidefellowship.com 


s 

e d a a h S • s e r u t t h S • s d n i i l B S.C. D ESIGNING, Inc. 

COMMERCIAL • CONDOS • RETAIL • RESIDENTIAL 

850 - 687 - 0646 

www.scdesigninginc.com 

Bamboo • Vertical Blinds • Tinting 

Is it working with experienced professionals to create a quality product? Is it watching their ideas come together before 

their eyes? Or is it the bottom line, knowing they are getting the most for their hard earned money. We say it’s 

all these and more. From the simplest business card to a full color magazine we will work with you 

to achieve your goals, time and time again. 

At Boyd Brothers we don’t want orders, we want customers 

SATISFIED CUSTOMERS 

425 East 15th Street • Post Office Box 18 • Panama City, FL 32402-0018 

1-800-677-BOYD(2693) • 850-763-1741 • Fax: 850-769-6526 




THE CIRCUIT 


Krewe of 

St. Andrews 

CELEBRATES 

A CENTENNIAL! 

36 THE CIRCUIT January/February 2009 

January/February 2009 Vol 4 Issue 1 

PCBeach.org

the circuit - Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?