Island Wing Company Hosts Chamber After Hours

On Aug. 27, almost 100 Chamber members attended our Business After Hours sponsored by Island Wing Company Grill and Bar. Island Wing Company Grill and Bar, which is locally owned and operated, serves baked wings in 25 flavors, tacos, salads, burgers, beer, and more.

Click here to see more event photos.

Thank you for the door prizes!
Beach Community Bank
The Bloom Girl Destin
Building Homes for Heroes
Destination Segway Tours, Inc.
Goodyear Auto Service Center
SummerPlace Inn
World of Beer

Presidents Message: So Now That Summer is Almost Over . . . . .

I guess it already is, as it relates to the tourist season, though we still have a couple of weeks before Labor Day Weekend.  All indications are this was a great busy-season for most, and that’s a great thing.  I’ve been here 12 years, and I don’t remember the entire month of July being as crowded as this past July.  As average daily rates continue to rise, we will hopefully return to the days of a higher income bracket vacationing here.  That’s good for everyone, as they come to town with more disposable income, spending more, and strengthening our economy.

So, as fall approaches, here are some things for you to know.

·         Thanks to all of our sponsors, participants, volunteers, BOTE Boards, and the Back Porch for the biggest and best Paddle at the Porch we’ve had.  This was the fourth, and the fifth is sure to surpass.

·         As more and more candidates announce their intention to run for House of Representatives District 4 seat, being vacated by Rep. Matt Gaetz, watch as things turn interesting.  Destin resident, Mayor, and former City Councilor Mel Ponder is running for this seat.

·         With Mayor Ponder eventually resigning his seat as mayor, we could have as many as six seats up for election on the Destin City Council in March 2016.  Yes, six!  That will be interesting to watch.

·         County Commission elections will be gearing up as well, so this will be a full election year for our community.  Get involved, and pay attention to the candidates.  This will be the most important local election in years.

·         And don’t forget the circus that is the presidential election (enough said).  It will tone down, I’m sure, as candidates begin to phase out.

·         The Chamber is working hard on the events of the last quarter of 2015 – Bourbon at the Bay on Nov. 19, and the Chamber Holiday Party on Dec. 17  Information coming soon.

Finally, 2016 is the 50^th anniversary for the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce.  We are working on big plans for celebrations throughout the year.  It all begins at our annual banquet on Jan. 15, 2016, when a couple of big announcements and unveilings will take place.  I found the original minutes from the very first meeting where a to-become-a-board met and decided to begin a chamber of commerce.  We will have those on display all year.

Thank you for all you do.  Our membership numbers are as high as they’ve been since 2007, and that’s because of you.  We look forward to continuing to work with you, and we’ll continue to build this world-class community one business at a time.

With wishes for continued success,

Shane A. Moody, CCE, FCCP
President & CEO
Destin Area Chamber of Commerce

August 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 4

Dr. Kerrian Hudson Joins Sacred Heart Medical Group in Destin
Dr. Kerrian Hudson, a board-certified family medicine physician, has joined Sacred Heart Medical Group’s practice in Destin. Hudson cares for the entire family and has special medical interests in women’s health and wellness. She is passionate about breastfeeding and provides lactation consultation. She received her medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington, Conn. She continued her training at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, where she completed her residency program in family medicine. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call her office at (850) 837-0032. 

World Impact Welcomes Slovakian Realtor Warner
Born and raised in Slovakia, Misha Warner has called the Emerald Coast home for the past seven years.  Warner truly has a passion for life and helping her clients with their real estate needs, whether selling property, buying their dream home, or looking for a perfect vacation rental. She has a Master’s degree in economics and a background in the banking industry and customer service.  She is well known for 24/7 availability, consistent communication, and ensuring a positive experience for all parties in a transaction. If you are ready to buy or sell real estate and want a Realtor willing to surpass your expectations, contact her, now with World Impact Real Estate, at (850) 585-8443. 

5th Annual Luminaria Run Registration Now Open
Registration for the 5th Annual Luminaria Run to End Domestic & Sexual Violence is now open. The Luminaria Run returns to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Destin on Saturday, Dec. ,5 at 4:30 p.m. This unique twilight run features 5k and 9k routes winding through the Indian Bayou neighborhood. The course is lit by more than 2,000 luminaria bags representing how Shelter House and our community partners light the way to a safer place for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The 9k distance was chosen to symbolize that a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the U.S. Register here!
 
Destin Commons Dash 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk 
Gather a group of friends and join 100.3FM “The Ticket” Sports Network’s Destin Commons Dash 1-mile fun run/walk and 1-mile relay around the perimeter of Destin Commons on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 8 a.m. The event will raise funds for local charities through Destin Commons’ Coins For A Cause program and also mark the kick-off of the football season, so come dressed to impress in your favorite football team fan gear. Visit www.active.com for more information and to register on-line for $15 per person. Or, register at the event for $20 per person starting at 7 a.m. Destin Commons is located at the corner of Highway 98 and the Mid-Bay Bridge Road.  For further information visit www.DestinCommons.com.
 
Local Family Donates School Supplies to Children in Crisis
USAF Capt. Eric Wolf, his wife KatieAnn, and family donate back-to-school lunch boxes and school supplies to Children In Crisis (CIC). Seen here accepting the donation are Lauren Walls, CIC volunteer and events director, and Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO.



 
Larger Than Life Kites to Fill the Harbor Sky
What do a 100-foot octopus, 80-foot panda, 50-foot gator, and 25-foot parrot have in common? They’ll all be flying high above the harbor at Destin’s picturesque Norriego Point on Sept. 26-27 as Kitty Hawk Kites hosts its 7th Annual Flying High on the Harbor Kite Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to these larger-than-life show kites, this FREE two-day event features professional stunt kite flying, kite demonstrations and lessons, and a few candy drops (from kites) that will sweeten the weekend for the kiddos! Kite enthusiasts of all ages are invited to experience and learn from several professional kite fliers, courtesy of Kitty Hawk Kites and the Emerald Coast Kitefliers Club. Kitty Hawk Kites will also host FREE kite making for the kids at its HarborWalk Village store all weekend. Plus, Kitty Hawk Kites locations in Destin and Ft. Walton Beach will be offering a special 2 for $30 kite sale from Sept. 21-27, to help fill the Norriego Point sky during the festival. For additional event details, please visit http://www.kittyhawk.com/event/destin-florida-kite-festival/ or call (850) 837-2800.                                               
First Florida Bank Promotes Brett Wilson to President 
The board of directors of First Florida Bank is proud to announce the selection of Brett Wilson to the position of president of First Florida Bank and First Florida Bancorp, Inc.  Additionally, Wilson has been elected to the board of directors for First Florida Bank and First Florida Bancorp, Inc. Wilson previously served as the executive vice president and director of lending of the Bank since 2009, and a senior officer of the bank since its inception.  Wilson is a lifelong resident of Walton County with 20 years of banking industry experience. He is currently a participant in the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge.
 
Local Business Gives Time-Talent-Treasure to “Keep History Alive!”
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida experienced the demise of its air conditioner earlier this summer.  When the Northwest Florida Daily News heard of the situation, it published an article. Two days later, Bill Burke, owner of Tempacure Heating and Cooling, visited the museum. Tempacure Heating & Cooling went above and beyond, installing new equipment, thermostats, fresh air purifiers, and even servicing the other facility air conditioners. 
 
BOGO 1/2 Off Fireworks & Dinner Cruises
Dine, Dance, Cruise on SunQuest Cruises’ 125' SOLARIS yacht! Embark on a memorable experience as you indulge in a chef-prepared meal, dance under the stars to live entertainment, and end with a vibrant fireworks show. You will find the BOGO 1/2 off coupon on SunQuest Cruises' Facebook page.
 
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Announces Top Agents for Second Quarter 2015 
    Colin Kirkwood and Diane Green have been named Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Real Estate Division’s top producers for the second quarter of 2015. Kirkwood was awarded Top Listing Agent and Green achieved Top Sales Agent status. 
 
A successful entrepreneur since 1995 with several flourishing companies to his credit, Kirkwood brings that same dedication to his work as a Newman-Dailey Realtor. A real estate investor since age 18, he has ridden up and down markets with equal success and uses his extensive experience to guide customers effectively through the listing and sales process. Kirkwood has achieved quarterly Top Producer status numerous times and was Top Listing Agent for 2013. 

A Top Producer in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee with 35 years of real estate experience, Green is passionate about assisting customers in finding their “happy place” at the beach. She holds Broker’s licenses in both Florida and Georgia and has earned rigorous industry designations, including Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), and short sale and REO (bank-owned properties) certification.