Latest news with #BayCountyChamberof
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bay County Chamber of Commerce hosting annual Hurricane Preparedness Seminar
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – As hurricane season approaches, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce is taking action to ensure the community is ready. The 2025 Hurricane Preparedness Seminar will take place Friday, June 6, at FSU Panama City. The seminar will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be open to the community. Admission is $20 per person with lunch included. The annual event has become an essential resource for individuals and businesses seeking to prepare and recover from the impacts of a hurricane. June 1 marks the start of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season According to a news release, with an overwhelming number of attendees last year, the chamber is once again bringing together top-tier experts to educate and inform. The featured speakers will include Chief Matthew Lindewirth, Sheriff Tommy Ford, Chief Meteorologist Chris Smith, and Sheryl Parker. This year's seminar will cover: 2025 Hurricane season predictions, insurance coverage guidance, home & business preparedness, business continuity planning, available community resources before and after a storm, and more. 'Our goal is to help our residents and business community stay safe and resilient,' Director of Foundation at the Bay County Chamber Lisa Moore said. The Chamber has decided to add vendor spaces this year. It will offer local businesses an opportunity to showcase services that support storm preparation and recovery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Prepare for the upcoming storm season at Hurricane Preparedness Seminar
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The first day of hurricane season is just over a week away. Officials are taking lessons learned from Hurricane Michael to help residents protect their homes, families, and businesses. Whether you've lived in Bay County your entire life or you're new to the area, you can never be too prepared. 'Everybody thinks they know hurricanes, but as we all know, the last big one was in 2018. So, everybody kind of needs to be reminded what to do,' Hutt Insurance Agency President Trey Hutt said. 'If you get too close to June 1st, everybody gets a little nervous, and you hit the news cycle. But then, as you get into the meat of hurricane season later into August, September, October, things are awfully busy, and you don't want to wait until there's a hurricane in the box to start making a plan.' The Bay County Chamber of Commerce wants to help, hosting a hurricane preparedness seminar. Multi-agency effort assist in structure fire in DeFuniak Springs The first seminar last year was so popular, the chamber hosted a second just a few days after. This year's event will be on Friday, June 6th, at FSU Panama City. It's a one-stop shop for hurricane readiness. 'There's the predictive forecast, the type of coverage of insurance that you should have. Many people during Hurricane Michael didn't know how important coverage is. They will learn about how to be prepared. They'll learn about evacuation procedures and what to do to prepare before, during, and after the storm,' Bay County Chamber of Commerce Director of Foundation Lisa Moore said. Local law enforcement and emergency services officials will be providing safety tips. This year will also feature vendors that help residents prepare for and recover from natural disasters. The event is open to the entire community. You must be pre-registered to attend the seminar. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Young leaders show that Bay County's future is bright
Our Future Is Bright! One of the things I love most about my role at the Bay County Chamber of Commerce is that it's always fun, challenging, and meaningful. But every now and then, it also gives me the gift of real inspiration — and this week was one of those special moments. On April 14, we had the privilege of celebrating an exceptional group of high school students as they graduated from our eight-month Junior Leadership Bay Program. Their passion, confidence and heart were nothing short of inspiring, and they left me with an overwhelming sense of hope. These students are more than just impressive — they are the leaders of tomorrow, and after getting to know them this year, I can say with confidence that our future is in good hands. I was equally moved by the support system surrounding these students. Success never happens in isolation — it's shaped by the encouragement of families, mentors, teachers, and a community that invests in them and believes in their potential. This "village" stood behind them every step of the way. During the ceremony, we had the honor of hearing powerful words from Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen and Dr. Irvin Clark, associate dean of student & strategic initiatives at Florida State University. They spoke about what it truly means to lead and the responsibility that leadership carries. I have no doubt the parents in the room, myself included, were listening just as closely as the students. One of the most moving moments of the night came when we awarded scholarship funds to a remarkable young woman, Angellee "Angie" Garcia-Velazquez, a student at Rosenwald High School. These scholarships will help her take her next steps toward Gulf Coast State College and Florida State University Panama City. What made this moment so unforgettable was the reaction from her classmates. The room filled with cheers and heartfelt applause. You see, Angie isn't just a dedicated student — she's also a teen mom to a beautiful 3-year-old daughter. Her classmates understood that this journey wasn't just about leadership or personal growth, it was about creating a better future — not only for herself but for her child. Angie is a quiet but powerful force, both in her school and in the community. She's faced every challenge with resilience and grace, turning obstacles into stepping stones. Her strength and determination have been nothing short of inspiring to everyone who's had the privilege to meet her. As I reflect on these past eight months, I'm reminded that we set out to achieve clear goals with this program — and we did. But what stands out even more is the deeper lesson that emerged: true leadership isn't just about the path you carve for yourself, it's about lifting others up along the way — respecting, supporting, and celebrating those around you. That's the kind of graduation gift that stays with you, and it was the perfect reminder of why our future truly is bright. Patrick W. Chapin, President/CEO Bay County Chamber of Commerce This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County's future is bright, as young leaders show | Letter
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bay County candidates discuss city's future at First Friday
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Candidates in five different races got the chance to speak to residents and business owners earlier today at the Bay County Chamber of Commerce's First Friday at FSU Panama City. Candidates for commissioner seats 3 and 4 in Lynn Haven, commissioner for wards 1 and 4 in Panama City, and Panama City mayoral candidates all shared some of their ideas and reasoning for why they should get residents' votes. One of the most important races in this election cycle is between incumbent Panama City Mayor Doc Rohan and challenger Allan Branch. Police: No injuries after shooting at PCB restaurant Rohan believes a lot of work still needs to be done to fix Panama City, and the best way to do that is to elect others who think the same way he does. 'I'll tell you what I'm going to do. Two like-minded people came to me and said, 'I want to help you.' Demetrius Rease he's running in Ward IV, and Ed Young is running in Ward I,' said Rohan. 'These are conservative Republicans, and they will do what they can to help me turn Panama City around.' Branch, on the other hand, used his time to stress the importance of keeping residents and businesses in Panama City for the long haul. He believes that is one of the ways the city can improve. 'I want a town where no one leaves because opportunities are better somewhere else. I want people moving here because the opportunities are here,' said Branch. 'I would love to serve this community as mayor. I would love to lift people up with my words. I would love to push things forward. We have come so far since Hurricane Michael.' Early voting for the Lynn Haven and Panama City elections will take place between Monday, April 14th, and Friday, April 18th. Election Day will be on Tuesday, April 22nd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bay County Chamber of Commerce hosts dino-mite block party
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Get ready to rock the block at the Bay County Chamber of Commerce's annual block party. The free event is from 5 p.m to 7 p.m on Thursday on Oak Ave., adjacent to the chamber in Panama City. The event serves to celebrate growth in the community. Residents are invited to enjoy live entertainment, from 'arcade sounds,' free food, drinks, and ice cream, to games for kids. Panama City parks announce road closures for upcoming events But the main event is the T-rex relay race. Contestants will suit up in inflatable dinosaur costumes and compete in minigames on their way to the finish. 'It's quite hilarious. I mean, these things are kind of clunky. It's hard to move around. And so, it's always fun to see people that think they're athletes come out and dress up in this and try to show their stuff and the obstacle courses that we put out for them,' Bay County Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board Shane Boyett said. 'It's so great to come out and see hundreds of people just standing around in the middle of the street, socializing and having a good time.' The teams for Thursday's race are already set, but residents are encouraged to watch and enjoy the fun. The block party is on rain or shine. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
