Chamber Chat
Summer Support is Essential to Survive
July is a wonderful time to reconnect, refocus, and invest in the businesses that make our community unique. While many visitors are enjoying summer vacations and some local businesses experience a seasonal slowdown, this is exactly when community support matters most. Every meal enjoyed at a local restaurant, every purchase from a neighborhood shop, and every service booked with a local business helps keep our local economy strong and vibrant.
The Chamber encourages everyone to be Vocal About Local this summer. Make it a point to shop local first, invite friends to discover a favorite business, and leave positive reviews for the businesses that make Englewood such a special place. Small actions from you can make a big difference during these quieter months.
For Chamber members, July is also the perfect opportunity to stay visible through networking. It’s easy to assume everyone already knows what your business offers, but markets change, new members join, and even longtime connections may not realize the full range of your products or services. Every networking event is a chance to refresh those relationships, share what’s new, and create opportunities for referrals. A great time to do that is this Wednesday at Fun After 5. HCA Florida Englewood Hospital will be hosting and luckily inside! Join us in their Suncoast Auditorium from 5-7 with support from Mark Knauf CPA, Englewood Meals on Wheels and the Englewood Boys & Girls Club.
We are looking forward to our Annual Golf Par-Tee on July 25th. There is still time to register your business team for a fun day out of the office with plenty of networking, food, drinks, games and a few shenanigans! We are thankful to Elite Hurricane Protection, who is our title sponsor. Visit our website to see how your business can showcase during this fun event at the Long Marsh course.
Summer is also an ideal time to evaluate your goals, update your marketing, and take advantage of your Chamber membership benefits. Promote your events on the Chamber calendar, advertise special offers in our weekly newsletter, update your website listing, and connect with fellow members who may become valuable business partners or referral sources. Take time to not only to concentrate on what you can do to survive but utilize your Chamber to help you thrive.
This July, let’s continue supporting one another, strengthening our local economy, and reminding our community why shopping local matters. Together, we keep Englewood thriving…not just during peak season, but all year long.
Stay connected. Stay visible. Shop local. And remember, we are always #VocalAboutLocal because supporting local business is seriously fun business!
Kim Parks-Membership Coordinator
Richard Jean says on July 25, 2022 at 7:55am:
Englewood Chamber is nothing short of outstanding. Events are awsome. I have written business with over 15 local businesses and continue to do so.
Mary Smedley says on November 14, 2022 at 4:50pm:
You are all amazing and what you do for this community- you are hero’s to so many. Thank you!❤️
Maria cummings- Suncoast Central Realty says on November 29, 2022 at 12:22pm:
I have nothing less than gratitude and respect for the Englewood chamber of Commerce staff and members. They welcomed us with open arms when we moved here and opened our small business. We have since then expanded our business to business communications, vendors, clientele, community involvement and friendships. Who does that? The Englewood Chamber of Commerce does that! Thank you.
Jerri-Ellen DuBois says on December 5, 2022 at 10:08am:
You have done so much for this community! With you, Kim, Doug & leading members, the Chamber
has become so much more than it ever was.
Joanne Cumiskey says on January 30, 2023 at 10:58pm:
Thanks for providing the reminder of your continuing efforts and impact for disaster relief. Many are “back to normal”, more or less, but the Chamber continues to work tirelessly for all. So proud to be a member of the Chamber. You are amazing community leaders.
Mary Jones-WENG says on April 17, 2023 at 12:13pm:
I’ve lived in many towns up North and involved in many Chambers, but Englewood’s Chamber outdoes them all! The support for the community overall, fun events, and responsiveness to needs and challenges…unparalleled!
Karen Tyree says on June 5, 2023 at 8:58am:
Thank you for all you do for our community businesses. It is truly appreciated. Proud to be a member of Englewood Chamber!
Darla Mapes says on July 10, 2023 at 12:11pm:
Fabulous job our Englewood Chamber does for our community. Proud to be a Chamber member & Chamber buddy!
Julie Beatty says on August 21, 2023 at 8:11pm:
Those employment numbers are really interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Sonette Opperman says on June 17, 2024 at 12:06pm:
Looking forward to the 4th of July in Englewood. The Lemon Bay Sunrise Rotary is doing a great job in making this possible with businesses around Englewood.
https://www.abbottac.com/air-conditioning-information-blog
Abbie Banks says on January 7, 2025 at 9:42am:
The Chamber of Commerce and the wonderful people behind the doors have made a wonderful positive impact on our little community. Keep up the good work! You are all appreciated.
Alfred Current says on February 12, 2025 at 2:43pm:
The Englewood Chamber is a voice of reason for all in our awesome community.
Judy Murdoch says on March 24, 2025 at 8:04am:
I very welcoming organization!
Cyndi Calk says on September 8, 2025 at 11:08am:
Thank you for all the amazing exposure for the chamber members and fun events
Bubba Peek says on March 19, 2026 at 9:36am:
This is a great breakdown of the real value behind Chamber membership—especially the trust it builds within the local community. In a place like Englewood, where so many people are new to the area, that credibility really matters. We’ve seen the same on the land side here in Florida—people want to work with businesses they feel confident in. Appreciate you highlighting how much that local connection still counts: https://bubba-land.com/