Save the date…13th Annual Business Expo

All attendees will have the opportunity to meet and greet over 90 local businesses and get a first-hand experience to see all their products and services. Each attendee will be given a passport to be signed by the exhibitors to enter for a grand prize drawing! This is going to be a fun and productive free community event. Please put this on your calendar and bring all your family and friends to see Charlotte County’s best.

For those chamber members who wish to participate and be an exhibitor and/or sponsor, visit charlottecountychamber.org to complete your registration form. This is an exceptional opportunity to see more people in the span of five hours than you would see in a month. Each exhibitor will have an 8’ x 10’ booth space, all piped and draped with electricity. We will have our 13th Annual Business Expo Kickoff Party on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. This will be an optimal opportunity to get all the do’s and don’ts’ to ensure a productive and successful experience.

The deadline to secure your sponsorship is Wednesday, Dec. 13. Booths are reserved on a first come, first served basis. Don’t’ be left behind, when we sell out, we sell out.

Special thanks to our participating members who have already secured their sponsorships: Platinum Title Sponsor, Kittle Property Group/Swiftwater at West Port Luxury Apartments — Silver Associate Sponsors, Chapman Insurance Group, Florida Tree & Ground Maintenance, Inc., Life Care Center of Punta Gorda, Southwest Florida Insurance Associates, and True Fence — Bronze Participating Sponsors, Better Business Bureau of West Florida, J & J One Stop Gun Shop, and MD Pressure Cleaning and Softwash — Media Sponsors, Buffalo Graffix, The Daily Sun, and iHeart Media Group — Supporting Sponsors: After Hours Party Sponsor, Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions — Goodie Bag Sponsor, WhitCo Insurance, Alexia Martin Agency — Lanyards Sponsor, Chapman Insurance Group — Kick-Off Party Sponsor, Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center — Refreshment Station Sponsor, The Purple House Salon by Shawn Gilstad.

Ribbon-Cuttings

Dubs BBQ (grand opening): 4–5 p.m. (ribbon-cutting at 5 p.m.), Nov. 30, 4391 Aidan Lane, North Port. Food and refreshments will be provided. This will be a joint ribbon-cutting with our friends from the North Port Chamber. Registration is requested to make proper arrangements. To RSVP, visit charlottecountychamber.org.

Gladrich Florist Shoppe (grand reopening): 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 4678 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda. Snack, refreshments, and raffles will be provided. Registration is requested to make proper arrangements. To RSVP, visit charlottecountychamber.org

Blind Spot: 5–6 p.m. (ribbon-cutting @ 5:30 p.m.) Tuesday, Dec. 12, 1801 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte. Appetizer, refreshments and raffles will be provided. Registration is requested to make proper arrangements. To RSVP, visit charlottecountychamber.org.

Special Announcement

Toys for Tots: Once again, our Chamber office is a drop-off location site for new unwrapped toys for the youth in our community who are in need. Please feel free to come by our office to drop off the much-needed toys. Toys will be collected through Thursday, Dec. 14. There is no better way to put a smile on a child’s face during Christmas time than receiving a brand-new toy. Our chamber office is located at 2702 Tamiami Trial, Port Charlotte.

Special events

The 45th Annual Charlotte County Chamber Christmas Parade is set for noon to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9. This year’s theme is “Tropical Christmas.” We welcome the entire community to come on out and bring the kids, grandkids, and the entire family to enjoy one of the best community events of the year.

The parade kicks off at noon at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center and then goes south on Taylor Street to the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. We will have a special visitor all the way from the North Pole. Thousands of folks line the sidewalk of the parade route.

Make sure come out early to get a great view of the parade. Whether you are a member of our chamber or not, you are able to participate in our parade. Visit charlottecountychamber.org to complete your registration form. Entry fee is $50 for for-profit entries, $35 for nonprofit.

Our 13th annual Business Expo (Hottest Business Day in Paradise): 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 at Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. Free and open to the public. Imagine marketing your business in an 8-by-10-foot booth and having 1,000-plus visitors and residents see the products and services you provide. You will have the opportunity to see more folks in a matter of five hours than you may see in a month. This will be an excellent environment for maximum business exposure for sales, lead generation and develop great connections. Plus, there will be over 90 other exhibitors for business-to-business to develop client/customer relationships. Deadline to reserve you booth is Tuesday, Jan. 23. There will be no late entries accepted. To reserve your booth, visit charlottecountychamber.org or call the chamber office at 941-627-2222.

Bob White is executive director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.