Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce

Supporting, advocating, and promoting our local business-members in the heart of the Florida Keys!

American Caribbean

June 11 / / 0 Comments

Welcome to American Caribbean Real Estate

Let us show you the Keys you don’t see from U.S. 1

For over 30 years, American Caribbean Real Estate has been exceeding expectations of buyers and sellers in the Florida Keys real estate market. Establishing a reputation that is synonymous with integrity, professionalism and also unparalleled market expertise. With two locations in the Upper Keys, Islamorada and Key Largo, American Caribbean has become recognized as an industry leader in the Florida Keys’ marketplace, with billions of dollars in closed sales and also listings. We attribute our success to our dedicated sales team and administrative staff.

One of American Caribbean Real Estate’s unique strengths is its affiliation with the world’s luxury real estate leader, Christie’s International Real Estate. American Caribbean’s affiliation with the centuries-old organization is a privilege reserved especially for luxury real estate’s global elite brokerages. American Caribbean’s selection as a Christie’s affiliate recognizes it’s superb performance in the marketing and also sale of the Florida Keys’ most prized residences.

By choosing American Caribbean Real Estate, you can be confident that you have chosen a brokerage that has earned its place in the real estate arena, locally as well as internationally.

ISLAMORADA OFFICE

81800 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
305-664-4966

Website click here

American Caribbean Spotlight

 

Upcoming Webinars

June 7 / / 0 Comments

Upcoming Webinars – June 2019

The Marathon Chamber partners with our SBA reps to provide quality training and also information to you, our valued members.

 

Connect with Customers Through Video

Tuesday, June 11, 2019, from 1 pm to 2 pm EST

Today, video content is a vibrant and popular part of the online experience. This creates an opportunity for businesses to re-imagine the role that video content plays within their marketing strategy.

Join this webinar, being presented Certified Google AdWords Trainer Matt Weber, for best practices to connect with customers through online video.

In this session, we’ll discuss how to:

  • Integrate video into your online strategy
  • Plan and produce videos on a budget
  • Promote your videos to your target audience

readytalk.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1246229&tp_key=593320d533&sti=score-eventpage

 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Understand Basic Financial Statements to Better Your Business

Thursday, June 13, 2019, from 1 pm to 2 pm EST

The number one reason why small businesses fail is not that owners aren’t passionate about what they do, but that they don’t understand their numbers.

Phyllis Johnson, owner of PKJ Consulting, will explain how to become more informed and make better financial decisions simply by understanding these 3 basic financial statements: profit & loss, balance sheet, and also cash flow statements.

Participants will also learn monthly financial tips to ensure the success of your business.

readytalk.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1245375&tp_key=8ddf21ea36&sti=score-eventpage

 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

SBA Loans 101 – What Borrowers Should Know

Thursday, June 20, 2019, from 8 am to 9 am EST

Join us to learn valuable information on borrowing money to start or grow a small business. Whether your business needs $500 or $5 million, the SBA offers a wide range of loan programs to suit your needs. During this live webinar we will cover:

Overview of SBA loan programs

How to determine what loan program is the best fit for your business

Insight into what a lender looks for when reviewing and evaluating a loan application

Available resources to help

Q&A

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn how your business can get the funding it needs

www.eventbrite.com/e/live-webinar-sba-loans-101-what-borrowers-should-know-tickets-62072885672

 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Power Up Your Brand with Promotional Products

Thursday, June 20, 2019, from 1 pm to 2 pm EST

Is your brand instantly recognizable or is it as good as invisible? How can you make sure it gets the attention it deserves? The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune on ads to boost your brand’s presence and get noticed. In fact, you can stay on people’s radar for two years or more just by using branded, promotional items.

Join this session, being presented by Carrie Kwapick-Nasvick and Heidi Ott with Deluxe Corporation, for tips on using branded retail packaging, apparel and also swag to turn heads and turn profits.

You will learn:

  • How to make a lasting impression with branded packaging
  • How to turn customers into volunteer marketers
  • Popular promotional items your customers will love

You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how promotional branding helped business owners on the “Small Business Revolution – Main Street” TV series make their presence known and also stand out from the competition

readytalk.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1245927&tp_key=bcb38acd32&sti=score-eventpage

 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Facebook is Falling- Crucial Marketing Strategies You Must Activate Now

Thursday, June 27, 2019, from 1 pm to 2 pm EST

Facebook is on the decline and marketing on the platform has become more difficult. The “Facebook Apocalypse” which started early 2018 is for real and continues to gain momentum. There’s a lot more competition. Ad costs have risen and are also projected to soar even higher.

Can your business still thrive on Facebook? Should you diversify to other social platforms?  And if so, which ones?

This webinar presented by the owner and president of The Ruby Marketing Agency, Lynn Ruby, will cover the essential strategies for Facebook marketing today, the mandate to diversify, and also where she recommends you invest your time and resources now:

5 things we know for sure about Facebook marketing

The 3 Facebook strategies CEOs must demand their social media team focus on and measure

2 social platforms that are hot on Facebook’s heels, and which one is right for you.

The hot Facebook trends from 2018 that tanked

5 global guidelines to help you know:

  • When to post,
  • What to post, and
  • The best types of posts

readytalk.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1245641&tp_key=78086ae5b6&sti=score-eventpage

 

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Blogs and Recorded Business Training Videos

Encore Entrepreneurship for Women. This introduction to business planning is directed to women over the age of 50 who are interested in pursuing a second career and launching their own business.

www.sba.gov/course/encore-entrepreneurship-women/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

5 Myths About Payroll Taxes

If you want to grow your business, you probably need to hire employees to help you. Becoming an employer and expanding your staff entails many responsibilities, one of which is overseeing payroll taxes. Unfortunately, there are many myths about these taxes.

Read more

Recorded webinars from SCORE – click here

www.score.org/recorded-webinars?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery


SBA Learning Center – click here

www.sba.gov/tools/sba-learning-center/search/training?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

 

Working for you

June 4 / / 0 Comments

Information is Power

We have all heard the term, “information is power.”  Because the more we know, the better we can understand, solve problems, overcome adversity, and accomplish goals. Your Marathon Chamber values this sentiment, as not only is education one of the pillars of your Marathon Chamber, but it’s also part of your and our success.

Your Marathon Chamber Board recently approved $10,000.00 in continuing education grants to current business-members.  In total, we were able to fund eighteen (18) business-members so they can engage in continuing education opportunities to further their knowledge, skills, and abilities.  All which will have a positive effect and ROI in our community.

Your Chamber also awarded seven (7), $1,000.00 scholarships to Marathon High School seniors to help pay for their college/trade school tuition, books, etc.  Lastly, at our May luncheon, we again donated $5,000.00 to our local (Middle Keys) Take Stock in Children program.  In total we will have awarded $22,000.00 in educational-related grants in 2019; something the Board of Directors and I are so very proud of.  Actually, since 2010 your Marathon Chamber Board has awarded and donated over $120,000.00 in educational scholarships and grants.  Once again we are so honored to be able to provide our members and local students with such funding and to connect them to their desired educational opportunities.

Changing gears a bit

Changing gears a bit; we are excited to announce that our annual Membership Drive will take place this entire month of June.  Please be sure to tell your friends, other businesses, etc. about this program. We have some great incentives for new members to join during the membership drive. Free radio ads, newspaper ads, special discounts on other services, and many more items that will all help your business succeed.  After all, it is due to our growth in membership (and your membership) that we are able and continue to fund such educational endeavors.  Members who refer businesses that end up joining in June will be entered into a raffle to win some great local gift certificates!

Have a great June everyone; please be sure to contact us for any business assistance, needs, and also any advice/help you may need.  Our doors are always open and no request is out of bounds.

August

 

Most Respectfully,

CEO Daniel Samess

Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce

(305) 743-5417

ceo@floridakeysmarathon.com

www.FloridaKeysMarathon.com

www.RelocateToTheFloridaKeys.com

www.MarathonSeafoodFestival.com

Diving With a Purpose

May 29 / / 0 Comments
Vintage Weekend Wonders

Vintage Weekend Wonders

The Story of Man’s Quest to Explore Under the Sea

82990 Overseas Hwy – MM 83, Islamorada, FL  33036

Phone 305-664-9737

info@DivingMuseum.org

Website

For immediate release:

Celebrate History of Diving Museum’s newest Featured Exhibit: Diving With a Purpose: Restoring Our Oceans, Preserving Our Heritage! All are welcome for the opening ceremony, ribbon cutting and also presentations on Sunday, June 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

The community is invited to join History of Diving Museum and partnering organizations, Diving With a Purpose (DWP) and the National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS), for the opening of the new Featured Exhibit, Restoring Our Oceans, Preserving Our Heritage! The evening will include a chance to meander through the exhibit, a ribbon cutting reception, and also presentations. We will serve light refreshments.

This amazing exhibit looks at underwater archaeology and how it has been used to understand the cultural and historical significance and stories behind shipwrecks and also more.   Diving With a Purpose is a non-profit focused on the African-American component of these stories. The underwater sites on display range from sailing vessels to slave ships to the Tuskegee Airmen of WWII.

Sunday evening activities include two enlightening speakers. NASA engineer Erik Densen will speak on his involvement with the DWP organization from its beginnings in 2004 plus the various projects they have worked on with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, National Park Service, NOAA, and also others that helped put this exhibit together. The second speaker is archaeologist, Dr. Justin Dunnavant who has also worked closely with DWP and the research associated with African American history in relation to the archaeological sites.

Exhibit on display

The exhibit will be on display through December 31, 2019, with an abundance of events and also special presentations. Some include:

Dive Into History Weekend (June 15-16) with a Saturday morning event at the Museum and an afternoon divea and also marine scavenger hunt at Captain Slate’s Scuba Adventure

FREE admission for dads on Father’s Day

Celebrating PADI Women Dive Day on July 20 with a morning presentation at the Museum from Keys local Karuna Eberl (director) as she discusses her award-winning documentary “The Guerrero Project” covering the 1827 slave ship that sank off the Florida coast. Also, the afternoon includes a Heritage Awareness dive with Sailfish Scuba in Key Largo.

Special presentations and dive trips will continue throughout 2019, so stay up-to-date on social media and at DivingMuseum.org/Featured-Exhibit.

The History of Diving Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Islamorada (MM83), open daily from 10-5. It’s a must see for anyone traveling along the Overseas Highway. Divers and also non-divers alike are astonished by over 4,000 years of “man’s quest to explore under the sea.”

The Museum Store has a plethora of gifts for everyone! Become a Member and also support special programming today.

Aqua Leisure Boat Tours

May 24 / / 0 Comments

Welcome to The Marathon Chamber

New Member: Aqua Leisure Boat Tours

Boat Tours, Boat Charters, Sunset Cruises, Boat Rentals in Marathon Florida

Our Boat

Nice, roomy, comfortable, 23 foot,  AquaSport, walk around, cuddy cabin boat with stereo and bimini top. Boat powered with 200 Horse Power Johnson motor. Operated by your very own local Captain Dean Corey. Licensed USCG 100 Ton Master

Island Girl Charters

May 14 / / 0 Comments

Welcome, New Member

Island Girl Charters

Fishing the Florida Keys

Get hooked on lobster, fishing, snorkeling, sunset cruises with Island Girl Charters, Marathon.

ABOUT US: HOW I GOT HERE

I have always loved the water as I grew up in Biloxi, Ms. and Ft Walton Beach, Florida. I started fishing with my brother n law when I was 6 years old. We started out on a pier then advanced to offshore on our own boat.

I have been visiting the Florida Keys since I was a teenager and it quickly became my favorite place. About 15 years ago I decided I wanted to try something new. LOBSTERING.  I began looking at YOUTUBE videos and I knew I had to try this so I booked a trip. I had my boat, my GPS, my net, and my tickle stick and my first mate Kevin. NOW, WHAT? Many locals gave us advice such as “go about 3 miles out and you can’t miss them” or “pull Kevin behind the boat with a ski rope while snorkeling, you will find them” So I pulled Kevin behind the boat at 3 knots for HOURS and HOURS for 5 days straight. We didn’t find them. On the 6th day, we found our first hole. We named it Rex Hole (after my dog) we caught a few lobsters there and even speared a grouper.

I soon began planning my next trip

Kevin and I stayed on a small rocky Island known as Pretty Joe Rock. I snorkeled around and around the island trying to catch lobster. I caught a few. We finally decided to take a charter and that was the game changer. Suddenly we were looking at holes full of lobster and also learned how to find the spots ourselves.

The next trip was a fantastic month, we caught lots of lobster. Since then we have acquired 3000 GPS locations for fish and lobster.

Loving to lobster so much, I wanted to share the experience with whoever would join us. I just love it when a friend or relative would surface with a huge smile catching their first lobster. I decided I wanted to do this even more so I got my captains license and masters and opened Island Girl Charters LLC.  

Island Girl Charters commerce Corner

Continue to Website Click Here

Chamber of Commerce Tip

May 7 / / 0 Comments

Membership Tip of the week

The Mission of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce is to Promote, Advocate, and Inform the Business Community.

Marathon boasts a rich history alive with fish stories and entrepreneurial spirit; both of which still thrive today.

The Chamber was founded in 1939 when William A. Parrish, fish house operator, Marathon’s first real estate broker, and former deputy sheriff, suggested the formation of a Chamber of Commerce to a group of local businessmen. By the end of that year, there were 80 merchants and also residents in the membership. Out of a population of 300!!!

Today

The Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce represents over 570 Keys businesses. We are proud to support educational seminars, community outreach programs, job fairs, affordable housing, and candidate forums.  Every year, the Chamber donates to many local non-for-profits and charities such as Grace Jones Daycare, KAIR, FIRM, Habitat For Humanity; and provides local youth and also non-profit groups opportunities to raise money at the annual Marathon Seafood Festival.

We also are the official County representative to Enterprise Florida, the state of Florida’s official Economic Development agency.  We work with the Governor and his staff to ensure Marathon and the Middle Keys are able to continue to be a top destination and place to live and work here in the Florida Keys.

May Ceo Letter

May 3 / / 0 Comments

Scholarships, Grants, and Training for YOU

Now that we are past tax season (unless you filed an extension of course), therefore we can focus on our spring and summer seasons. Speaking of our high-season, the numbers look very strong and positive as we are hitting pre-Irma figures in many categories which is very encouraging. While there is still work to be done your Marathon Chamber will continue to monitor, assess, and assist as needed.

Back to the topic, or title at-hand. We are very excited to again open up the following annual programs that are designed to help, support, and benefit you, our workforce, and also local students:

Programs

1) Currently, we are accepting applications for our annual Continuing Education Scholarships, where the Chamber Board of Directors will award up to $1,000.00/ business- a member who wishes to further their skills, abilities, and education; which in turn will allow their business to further improve and thrive. Applications went out almost a month ago and are due May 10th (see application inside newsletter). Our total budget for this is again $10,000, I hope you are able to apply.

2) We are also accepting scholarship applications from Marathon High School seniors; of which the Board will award seven (7), one-thousand dollar ($1,000) scholarships. The deadline is also May 10th so please be sure to have your students send their applications in on time.

3) Our Business Beautification Grant program will shift gears this year. We have been awarding these since 2010. This year the Board wants to focus/dedicate these funds to focus more on landscaping our US1 corridor and streets in Marathon. Please stay tuned for more info on how your business can potentially apply for funding.

4) Lastly, Best Practices Business Breakfast, on May 14th at 8 am; we will focus on Social Media Marketing Tips, Strategies & Best Practices for our guests. Please join us for a great and educational experience.

Creating opportunities

We are proud to offer these great programs to you, our valued business-member. By improving business-members (and staff’s) abilities through educational opportunities, and by improving the appearance of our businesses; your Marathon Chamber aims to raise the status, appeal, and performance of your business so all our businesses can reach new heights!

Have a great May everyone; please be sure to contact us for any business assistance, needs, and also any advice/help you may need. Our doors are always open and no request is out of bounds.

August

Most Respectfully, Daniel Samess, M.S.

CEO Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce

(305) 743-5417

ceo@floridakeysmarathon.com

www.FloridaKeysMarathon.com

www.RelocateToTheFloridaKeys.com

www.MarathonSeafoodFest.com

Irma Recovery Update

May 2 / / 0 Comments

Hurricane Irma Recovery Status Update

Greetings Recovery Stakeholders below is a Hurricane Irma Recovery Status Update.

Recovery Update Highlights:

  • Rebuild Florida registration REOPENS!
  • Invitation to Bid for Contractors Announced (Deadline May 9, 2019)
  • Upcoming Business and Tourism Recovery Workshop (June 3, 2019)
  • Business Recovery Survey available now to all Business Owners: Business Recovery Survey (Deadline May 27, 2019)

Hope to see you all at the June 3, 2019 Business and also Tourism Meeting in Marathon.

Sea Turtle Release

May 1 / / 0 Comments

Timmy’s Sea Turtle Release

Timmy, a juvenile green sea turtle was released back to his ocean home today Wednesday, May 1st on Sombrero Beach in Marathon. Timmy was rescued in January 2018 in Islamorada, hence Timmy was treated at the Turtle Hospital for Fibropapillomatosis. Treatment at the Turtle Hospital included 6 tumor removal surgeries, IV nutrition, broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid therapy, vitamins, and also a healthy diet. Timmy is now healthy and has gained over 20 pounds since arriving at the Turtle Hospital!

 

 

OUR MISSION

The Turtle Hospital (Hidden Harbor Marine Environmental Project, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. We are a fully functioning veterinary hospital for sick and injured sea turtles. We rescue, rehab, and also release sea turtles in the Florida Keys.

 

OUR FACILITY

On the grounds of the old Hidden Harbor Motel, the Turtle Hospital can rehabilitate multiple sea turtles of varying sizes and illnesses/trauma. The old motel rooms serve as living quarters for our rehab staff and storage.

 

OUR GOALS

1) Rescue, rehab, and release sick and injured sea turtles. 2) Educate the public through outreach events and local schools. 3) Conduct and assist with research aiding to sea turtles. 4) Work toward legislation making the beaches and also water safe and clean

Turtle Hospital Website Click Here

« Older posts

© 2019 Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑