Chamber Welcomes Its Newest Members

On April 12, new members were introduced to the Destin Chamber, its Board Members, and staff at a new member reception.  We wanted to give a shout out to those who attended and shared with us a little about their businesses.  Check out those new members below:

Accurate Painting of NW Florida, Inc., locally owned and operated, is proud to have served the Emerald Coast for more than 12 years with an emphasis on quality driven performance and staying accountable, professional, and informative with our valued clients. We are thrilled to join the Destin Chamber of Commerce to help strengthen the local business community and to promote a positive atmosphere encouraging others to live, work, and play in Okaloosa and Walton counties. For details, call (850) 279-6959 or visit www.accuratepaintingnwfl.com.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill is excited to rekindle our relationship with the Destin Chamber of Commerce. We are looking forward to participating, hosting, and catering events associated with the Chamber. Carrabba’s, located in the Silver Sands Premium Outlets, is also looking to restart our catering business with a bang. We offer delivery and pickup options for groups of any size, with quality that you can count on. Our catering service offers tremendous value for our customers. Of course, we still have our brick and mortar location that has recently received a new and fresh remodel inside and out. Please come see us and ask for me by name - Jesse Newman, managing partner. Call (850) 837-1140 or visit www.carrabbas.com.

Emerald Coast All Purpose Cleaning & Handyman Services is a full service cleaning and handyman service company committed to providing customers convenient, professional solutions at the highest quality level. For details, call (850) 420-6308 or visit www.emeraldcoastallpurposecleaning.com.

Enco Electronic Systems, LLC, brings together electrical engineers, software engineers, designers, and master technicians to create integrated systems for residential, commercial, digital signage, and condominiums. For details, visit www.encoelectronics.com or call (800) 393-3973.

Geana’s Art Gallery & Custom Framing is a complete design studio featuring original artwork, custom framing, mirrors, furnishings, and accessories all under one roof. Located in City Market Destin, Geana's has been providing the highest level of interior decorating standards for its clients for more than 10 years.  We can accommodate any budget for any space without compromising quality. For details, call (850) 650-0779 or visit www.geanasartgallery.com.

HealthMarkets offers health insurance, Medicare, life insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, cancer insurance, annuity, long term care insurance, and wellness programs. For details, call Dennis Jones at (678) 488-5343 or visit www.healthmarkets.com/djones.

The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort, is scheduled to open in the Summer 2016 on one of America’s highest rated beaches. Located on nearly two miles of white powdery sand and emerald-green water in Destin, the 170-room resort will feature sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico and pristine dunes, as well as a thoughtful and respectful design. It is also adjacent to the 208-acre, environmentally protected Henderson Beach nature preserve, which will offer guests both a sense of privacy and a plethora of activities. The Henderson will feature 10,000 square feet of event space, including a dedicated meeting wing, a spectacular 5,221-square-foot ballroom, a junior ballroom, private boardrooms, as well as nearly 30,000 square feet of outdoor spaces, including unrivaled oceanfront function locations. For details, call (800) 521-6735 or visit www.hendersonbeachresort.com.

As the premier provider of luxury homes and property in Northwest Florida, Luxury Estates Auction Company is proud to deliver extraordinary results and extraordinary homes in Destin, 30-A, and all across the Florida Coast. Using the auction marketing process, we specialize in making a buyers’ dreams of luxurious living along the Emerald Coast become a reality with luxury real estate at full market value. As a seller, you can rest assured that no other luxury home auction company knows more about marketing your property and delivering remarkable returns. For details, call (850) 460-8877 or visit www.luxuryestatesauctioncompany.com.

Norton Insurance of Florida has proudly served the Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, and Fort Walton areas for 30 years. We offer many forms of business and personal insurance, including General Liability, Workers Comp, Property, Auto, and Homeowners insurance to help you grow and protect your home or business. For details, call (850) 244-1574 or visit www.norton-insurance.com.

Rock Paper Simple is a digital marketing agency specializing in building strategic marketing-focused solutions for our clients. For details, call (321) 323-4127 or visit www.rockpapersimple.com.

Superior Residences of Bluewater Bay Independent Living is an upscale senior living community for the active 55 and up seniors. Monthly rent includes anytime fine dining, housekeeping, concierge, driver, 24 hour security, and numerous amenities. For details, call (850) 897-7386 or visit www.superioralf.com.

Wells Fargo Bank offers personal, small business, and commercial banking solutions.  Visit the Destin branch at 34877 Emerald Coast Pkwy., visit www.wellsfargo.com, or call (850) 269-5980 for your banking needs.

At the Wingate by Wyndham hotel, we welcome business, leisure, and group travelers.  We offer daily complimentary deluxe continental breakfast, outdoor pool and hot tub, 600 square feet of meeting space, 24-hour fitness room and business center, laundry area, free wireless internet access, and free parking.  Located at 117 Palm St., it is located 1 mile from beach access and a 5-minute walk to restaurants and shops. For details, please call (850) 654-4678 or visit www.destinwingate.com.

For details on these members and more, please visit our online Business Directory.

April 2016 Business Briefs / Member News Part 4

Emerald Coast Theatre Company Hosts EC Live on May 12 
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) is giving the community a chance to take the stage again at EC Live, a fundraiser for ECTC’s educational and professional programming. EC Live, which will be held on May 12 at LuLu’s, is the area's first professional singing competition where one contestant will win a professional studio recording session, radio airplay of their recorded song, a professional headshot session with a Nashville photographer, a new style wardrobe, a $500 cash prize, and a live gig at theHarborWalk Memorial Day concert. The grand prize package is valued at more than $3,500. Two pre-qualifying auditions, one on May 5 and one on May 6, will determine the top 10 contestants for the final showdown. For details, visit www.EmeraldCoastLive.com.

Call to Sponsors & Artists for Festival of the Arts
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) announces a call for artists for its 21st Annual Festival of the Arts. This year’s Festival will be held Oct. 29-30, throughout the grounds of the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. MKAF has a rich history of this award-winning fine art festival, dating back to 1995, and this year it enters its fourth year of staging art on the lawn of the spacious Village Green and live music on stage at the contemporary Dugas Pavilion located within the scenic MKAF Cultural Arts Village. For artist application, rules of participation, and poster entry form, visit online at www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org. MKAF events are made possible with the generous support of local businesses. Several sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2016 Festival of the Arts. For more information, contact MKAF CEO Marcia Hull at (850) 650-2226. 

Free Skin Checks on May 2
In an effort to raise awareness of melanoma and other types of skin cancer, and to encourage early detection through self-exams, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has designated the first Monday in May as Melanoma Monday. Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is pleased to support this initiative with the AAD and invites the public to join us at one of our three locations for our 5th Annual Free Skin Cancer Screening from 1 – 4 p.m. Offices are located in Miramar Beach, Bluewater Bay/Niceville, and Fort Walton Beach. For details, visit www.CoastalSkinSurgery.com.

Smileology Donates $43,500 in Free Dentistry 
Dr. Amber Wiebe and Dr. Olivier Broutin, along with their associate Dr. Lauren Crawford, hosted their second Dentistry from the Heart (DFTH) event on Friday, March 25, at the Miramar Beach Smileology location. Joining them were Dr. Anish Patel, Dr. Trae Pappas, and the staff of Panama City Smiles. The team of professionals worked collaboratively to provide 100 patients 185 services. Patients chose from a complimentary filling, extraction, or cleaning. In addition to the time dedicated by hygienists, assistants, and other dental professionals, a total of $43,500 worth of dental care was donated to the community in good faith. 

Golf Classic Raises Support for Emergency Department Expansion 
The 15th Annual Sacred Heart Charity Golf Classic once again made a hole in one during the two-day event. The event raised more than $229,584 for Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast’s emergency department expansion. The lively Spring Bash pre-tournament party held on Sunday, April 3, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa had auctions, as well as a live band. The Golf Tournament on Monday, April 4, at Burnt Pine Golf Club at Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort had 120 participating golfers. Seen here are Dr. Joseph Agostinelli, Orthopedic Associates; Roger Hall, president of Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast; and Dr. Thomas Fox, Bluewater Orthopedics. 

Museum Announces Tours for Home Schoolers
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida now offers tours exclusively for Home School families beginning May 17, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Educators will focus on the Native American and Pioneer periods in Northwest Florida, and students will reinforce their lesson by making their own pinch pot. Home School Tours meet the Florida education standards for grades K through 6 and are offered as an education resource specifically for Home School families. Cost is $7 for students. For details and to register, visit www.heritage-museum.org or call (850) 678-2615.

Acentria Insurance Founders Recognized as Top Insurance Producers in Nation
Acentria Insurance founders Kendall McEachern (left) and Kevin Mason were recently named as 2016 Top Producers by Insurance Business America (IBA). The publication’s Top Producers for 2016 only recognized 111 leading performers in the US insurance industry. Qualification for the Insurance Business America 2016 Top Producer award is based on the size of book of business. Recipients of the award are in a group narrowed even further from the initial qualifying list, making the award a true honor and distinction for both McEachern and Mason. McEachern has more than 30 years of experience within the insurance industry and founded Acentria Insurance, along with his partner Kevin Mason, in April of 2010. In its six years of inception, Acentria Insurance has grown to one of the largest independent insurance agencies within the southeastern United States. It has 19 offices in the state of Florida and one location in Myrtle Beach, S.C.. 

Fore Her Presents 2nd Annual Tea Fore Her at Vue on 30A
Time to get out your finest pearls and fanciest hat for an afternoon of tea and temptations benefiting Fore Her. The 2nd Annual Tea Fore Her will take place at Vue on 30A, May 1, from 1 – 3 p.m. Attendees will be treated to fancy tea, scones, petit fours, and quiche, along with fabulous views, awesome raffle prizes, and wonderful company. Tea Fore Her is a perfect event to bring your mom, daughter, grandmother, or group of friends for a few hours of girl time, while raising funds for local women with breast cancer who are in financial need. For details, visit www.ForeHer.org/events. 

Meet the 2016 Taylor Haugen Foundation Scholarship Winners
On April 15, the Taylor Haugen Foundation Board of Directors officially recognized the newest winners of its $1,500 scholarships. The scholarship selection committee reviewed applicants from the tri-county area. Each applicant was evaluated on the basis of their academics, athletics, leadership, community service, and Christian faith. One Walton, one Santa Rosa and three Okaloosa County winners were announced. They are as follows:
-    Tyler Cohen, Ft. Walton Beach High School
-    Sarah Pabst, Collegiate High School
-    Madison Thompson, Gulf Breeze High School
-    Elijah Schneidwind, Niceville High School
-    Keara Bogart, Walton High School

Grand Boulevard Hosts South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival April 28 – May 1
A dazzling roster of more than a dozen celebrity winemakers, brew masters, distillers, chefs, and entertainers, will converge in South Walton to wine, dine, educate, and entertain guests as part of the four-day celebration of wine during the 2016 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival held April 28-May 1, throughout the Town Center of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. For details, visitwww.SoWalWine.com.

Diversification and Experience Exemplify World Impact’s Newest Realtor Michael Rojas
Realtor Michael Rojas grew up the son of an Air Force officer. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, while his father was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base. Rojas has a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Stetson University and two Masters degrees, one in Religion and one in Organizational Leadership, both from Trevecca Nazarene University. He is a certified leadership coach, an ordained pastor, and an avid photographer. He spent 18 years working with non-profit organizations, like the YMCA, The Salvation Army, and The Boys & Girls Club. He has always had a desire to work in real estate and after dedicating almost two decades to helping others through social services, he is proud now to be able to help families make one of the most important decisions of their lives…owning their own home. He may now be reached at World Impact Real Estate at (850) 543-6157.

Rosemary Beach Foundation Presents 5th Annual Walk Her Way
Whether you choose to parade in pumps, walk in wedges, strut in stilettos, or stroll in sneakers, make plans to join us on May 20, for the 5th Annual Walk Her Way presented by Rosemary Beach Foundation. Decorate your shoes (heels are suggested, but not required) and wear costumes to reflect your style and personality. Enter as a team with your family, friends, and coworkers, or walk as an individual. Sign up for Walk Her Way at www.walkherway.com. The event benefits Shelter House and the Rosemary Beach Foundation. 

Newman-Dailey Real Estate Sales Division Announces 1st Quarter 2016 Top Producers 
Broker associate Diane Green and sales associate Shannyn Stevenson were recently awarded 2016 First Quarter Top Producers in Newman-Dailey’s Real Estate Division. Stevenson was recognized as Top Sales Agent and Green as Top Listing Agent for January through March 2016. 

Green consistently achieves top producer status and most recently was Newman-Dailey’s first female to achieve the top listing and sales agent of the year award. She currently holds active broker licenses in Florida and Georgia, is a Life Member of the Atlanta Million Dollar Club, and has more than 34 years in real estate sales, Green is committed to achieving what’s best for her clients.

Raised in the Destin area, Stevenson has seen the Emerald Coast grow from a small town fishing village into a highly sought after vacation destination. Licensed for more than 17 years, Stevenson specializes in rental investments, second homes, and luxury real estate properties. 

Gulf Coast Beach Cams Named Official Webcam Provider for Emerald Coast CVB
Gulf Coast Beach Cams has partnered with the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau (ECCVB) to be its “Official Webcam Provider” for its website at www.EmeraldCoasting.com. The webcams will be a unique and valuable addition to the ECCVB website to promote the beautiful Emerald Coast to hundreds of thousands of potential visitors to the area researching their next trip to the Gulf Coast. The HD webcams are state of the art and offer a live streaming view of the Gulf Coast to the public from their desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Gulf Coast Beach Cams is also the official webcam for five local radio stations (Z96, 99Rock, Nash105.5, Coast 103.1 and NewsTalk 1260) and is one of the official webcams for the Destin Chamber of Commerce. To see the cameras, visit www.EmeraldCoasting.com and click on the Gulf Coast Beach Cams logo at the top right.

Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates Blue Marlin Announces Three Awards
Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates Blue Marlin is proud to announce three awards received during the Century 21 Global Conference. It was awarded the Gold Medallion Award for production, realtor John Cunningham took home the Century 21 Masters Ruby Agent Award, and Jordan Dennis was awarded the Centurion Producer Award. (Left to right) Jerry Sullivan, Jordan Dennis and Johnathan Hughes are pictured here.


First Judicial Circuit Law Enforcement Assoc. Donates to CIC Children
Seen here, Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley, representing the First Judicial Circuit Law Enforcement Association (JCLEA), recently donated $750 to Ken Hair, president and CEO ofChildren in Crisis (CIC), along with Ronald Gay, president of the 1st JCLEA, to support CIC’s children’s educational requirements.