Chamber Chowder© · luncheon to update the Key West Chamber on the state of illegal transient...

Chamber Chowder©www.keywestchamber.org510 Greene Street ~ 1st Floor, Key West

December 2018Chamber ChowderVol. 21, No. 12

M onroe County Tax Collector, the Honorable Danise Henriquez and Senior Tourist

Development Tax Auditor, Pamela Sellers, CFE spoke at the November members’ luncheon to update the Key West Chamber on the state of illegal transient vacation rentals in Monroe County.

The tax collector’s office is online, they are pounding the streets, and they are determined to make any illegal vacation rental compliant and if not, they are being shut down.

Ms. Henriquez spoke of a recent incident that includes out of state renters securing long term rental homes in Monroe County in order to photograph them, and advertise them online to rent daily, which is illegal.

She has no contracts with any of the online sites, which means they are not paying property tax to Monroe County. But there are some property owners who are on VRBO that are paying taxes to her office and that is legal and compliant.

Pam Sellers emphasized that anything of six months or less is required to pay

the Tourist Development Council tax of five percent and also the seven and half percent sales tax.

When Henriquez took over the role of overseeing auditing and enforcement in 2015 she got tough on those illegal rentals.

She built relationships with municipalities and code enforcement departments in each city of Monroe County. Together they pulled all the listings of transient licenses to verify that every single one had an account with the tax collection office.

In short, they asked for compliance or shut them down. As a result, the tax collector’s office received $379,000 in uncollected revenue through this process.

Next, her team created a hotline for anyone who wanted to call and report a property address that was being rented without paying tax.

In addition, in 2017 Henriquez created a software program to search online vacation rental sites like Airbnb, Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO), or HomeAway and track who had an

Message from President Suzanne Moore

I t’s finally rolled around again, that bustling holiday

season when we all drive ourselves crazy trying to get all those extra things done. Decorating, shopping, cooking, parties, more shopping, travelling, guests, in-laws and doing it all while we

continue to work and prepare for our busy season. I started my first attempt at Christmas shopping over the Thanksgiving break and have to admit, pressing the “Add to Cart” button is a lot more attractive than battling the crowds in any mall. But last year I didn’t even go to the mainland to buy gifts. And that was the first time EVER that I did that. I made a conscious effort to shop Local. I think I was motivated by becoming the new incoming Key West Chamber President and I wanted to support our local businesses as much as I could. I took the time on some early afternoons and evenings to tour Duval Street, surrounding streets and our department stores in New Town and bought everything I needed right here in Key West. Doing Christmas shopping locally not only gave me an insight as to what was actually available here, I was really impressed with the quality of merchandise I was able to find and the variety of stores available. I got to meet many of the local store and business

an Update on Illegal Vacation rentals in monroe County

continued on page 34

continued on page 3 4

Chamber President, Suzanne Moore, poses with keynote speaker, the Honorable Danise Henriquez, during the November general membership luncheon held at the Double Tree Resort.

Table of ContentsBusiness Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Committee Sign-Ups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4New Members! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Business Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Cruise Ship Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Business After Hours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92019 Chamber Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . 10Island of Lights Decorating Contest . . . . . . . . . 11Chamber Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . 12


Ernest HemingwayHouse Museum

907 Whitehead StreetKey West, FL 33040

305-294-1136

La ConchaCrowne Plaza

430 Duval StreetKey West, FL 33040

305-296-2991

Horan & Higgins, L.L.P.608 Whitehead StreetKey West, FL 33040

(305)294-4585

The Chamber Chowder Heartily Thanks These Businesses for Their Generous Support of this Issue of the Newsletter

Porter AllenInsurance Company513 Southard StreetKey West, FL 33040

305-294-2542

Old Town Key West Development

201 Front Street, Suite 301Key West, FL 33040

305-294-3225

T eo Masters came to Key West in 2007 with a student program and stayed. She fell in love the island and

island living. She is currently the Director of Operations (since 2008) at Vacation Homes of Key West where she enthusiastically shares her love of Key West with the guests.

You won’t have to talk to Teo more than a few moments to know she loves her job.

“I love the diversity. You can never be bored in this business. There is so much room for growth and creativity. Overcoming challenges daily is what makes us better at what we do,” Teo said.

Teo works with a team at Vacation Homes of Key West that she calls “amazing.” Most have been together nearly ten years and form a family as much as a work group. Their mission is to preserve the authenticity of Key West homes for generations to come while making them profit centers for property owners.

“I love the wonderful relationships we have created over the years with our owners. It feels like one big family! Our property owners are our number one priority,” she said.

“Key West is a unique place and we are conscious of that heritage. Each one of the vacation homes has its own character and we like to show that; we want the guests to experience the real Key West by staying in someone’s private home,” she said.

When it comes to guest services, Teo and the rest of the team at Vacation Homes of Key West go above and beyond. Each guest receives a customized itinerary of fun and unique experiences that make them feel like locals.

A licensed Real Estate agent, Teo is focused on providing vacation rental management services, as well as working with broker Bascom

Grooms to help clients with their purchase of a vacation rental home.

“We own real data comparison of rental income and can offer objective perspective on owning a vacation rental and determine the potential performance of a property,” she explained.

Outside of work, Teo enjoys spending time with her husband, Leo Masters, and their two beautiful children, Kristian and Laya. Teo is originally from Bulgaria and studied at the New Bulgarian University before coming to the United States. She is the author of the children’s book: Pijo and Penda: A Story About a Bulgarian Springtime Tradition.

A natural networker, Teo is a member of the Key West Chamber of Commerce, and the Chambers Tourism Committee, the Key West Business Guild & KWAR Affiliate Committee.

Each month, the Key West Chamber of Commerce spotlights a business or professional person whose business card is drawn at the Business After Hours. This month’s winner is Teo Masters, Vacation Homes of Key West.

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account with her office and who did not.“If they are renting on Airbnb and they do not

have an account with us we will send them a letter and tell them they are not compliant with our office and they need to submit the tax,” Henriquez said.

Some property owners mistakenly thought the rental sites paid tax on their behalf.

Just advertising a short-term rental of less than six months is illegal.

“That is why we are trying to track them down and stop them,” she said.

“I will tell you this, if we do find you on Airbnb, VRBO, or HomeAway, and you do not have an account, we are either going to make you compliant or we are going to freeze your bank account. I can place a lien on your house and if I feel like it is fraudulent, I will notify the State Attorney General’s office.”

Henriquez emphasized that her office has not signed a contract with any of the online rental sites letting them pay the tax on behalf of the property owners as that would take control out of her hands.

“Right now, I do not have a contract with Airbnb and the reason for that is because Airbnb will not give me the name or addresses or any information about who is renting and for how much. All they want me to do is accept a lump sum of revenue and I am not going to do that because once I sign that contract with them, I lose all my power to audit them,” she said.

Currently, her office can go back 36 months and see how much a property is renting for each day and multiple that by the month and then by 36 months and collect that revenue.

Since the debut of the online tracking system $883,000 in taxes has been paid into

the coffers and will be divided between general revenue, and the tourist development council, and the five districts in Monroe County.

Vacation homes are not the only source of illegal rentals. Addressing a question from the floor about the legality of boats advertised online for short-term rentals, Sellers gave a simple explanation: If the boat is moveable it is not required to pay property tax to the county.

Sellers also fielded a question about homeowner’s who may not know their home is being rented illegally.

“What we do to protect the homeowners, because ultimately, they are responsible, is when we find a home that is being advertised, we send a letter to the property owner to notify them. And then they usually call and say they ‘hey, what’s going on, I don’t do short-term rentals’ “

In that case, her office lets them know of the tax liability.

When members asked Sellers and Henriquez about illegal short-term rentals being a code violation, Sellers answered that the Monroe County Tax Collectors only collect taxes and they leave everything else to the city and county codes departments and to contact them directly if you know about anyone renting their home illegally. Also, it is a code violation just for advertising short-term rentals online and those property owners will be fined without warning.

In closing, Henriquez said: “As you can see, we have been very, very busy with the Tourist Development Department since 2013, and since 2017 when we created the software to track Airbnb and the other sites. We are just trying to make everything a level playing field for all. If you are not compliant, please watch out because we will be coming for you.”

“Vacation Rentals” continued from page 1 4

owners, who gave me that personalized local service that not only created a great shopping experience, but more importantly a repeat customer. So, this year I’m planning on doing the same thing and want to encourage you to really make an effort this year and visit our local businesses over the coming weeks and support “Our Island’s Economy.”

We have all seen the transition on Duval Street over the years with many stores closing due to high rents and competition from online shopping with the free shipping. I also hear many locals say we don’t have that many great places to shop any more, but when I ask them when was the last time, they actually took a day to shop local, the answer is that they don’t.

So this Christmas season, I ask you to go out there and support your local businesses. Our little island offers so many wonderful diverse gifts, the options are endless. Of course, taking that trip to the mainland maybe inevitable, but try to commit to some LOCAL SHOPPING…. you may be surprised at the treasures you will find.

Finally, as this is my last Presidents Message, I would like to thank you the members for the wonderful opportunity I had this year as your Key West Chamber President. It was a great learning experience for me and I feel honored to have represented the business community. A big thank you to the staff at the chamber office for their excellent work throughout the year and to all of you who gave me encouragement and support. Wishing you and your families a very blessed and Joyful Holiday Season and don’t forget Shop Local!

President’s Message cont. from page 1 4


Dear Chamber Members:

You can be a vital force in the creation of a successful business community that will surely benefit your own business. Each of us is an important part of the Key West Chamber of Commerce. What we do to make our chamber an active and productive force in our city is dependent on each of us supporting the goals we consider important.

You can make a difference. Below is a list of some of the functioning committees of your chamber. If you or someone in your organization are interested in serving and/or would like additional information, contact our offices at: 305-294-2587 or email [email protected].

We need your input! You will make your chamber dynamic and effective. Thank you.

Economic Affairs - Chair: Joe Caso

4 Meeting Details: Held the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:30am at the Lower Keys Medical Center Board Room, 5900 College Rd.

4 Objective: The mission of the KW Chamber’s economic affairs committee should be to work with chamber staff to obtain and analyze data to understand current and future economic conditions and trends which may affect the general business climate in Key West.

Education Committee - Chair: Billy Spottswood, Co-Chair: Suzanne Moore

4 Meeting Details: Held the second Tuesday of each month at Noon at the Reach Hotel at Spencer’s Restaurant –1435 Simonton St.

4 Objective: The committee works closely with school officials to establish scholarships, teacher fellowships, internships, etc. The committee has designed a Five Star program to recognize

members who donate to the programs for teachers and students, which includes the Honor Roll 100/Charley P. and Orsolina Toppino Memorial Scholarship, Educational Enrichment, Teacher Recognition, Mentoring, and offering internships or sponsoring classrooms. Also included is the Financial Literacy Program for the Key West School students.

Golf Tournament - Chairs: Greg Sullivan, Co –Chair: Bill Lay

4 Meeting Details: Held on Thursdays at 5:00pm at the Key West Yacht Club

4 Objective: This committee helps in the planning of the tournament such as recruitment of sponsors, prizes & volunteers.

Information and Technology (IT) Committee Chair: Billy Spottswood

4 Meeting Details: Held on the third Wednesday at 8:30a.m. in the Horan and Higgins LLC conference room- 608 Whitehead Street.

4 Objective: Implemented to address the needs of our members for analytical information.

Marketing and Public Relations Committee Chair: Lynne Tejeda and Co-chair: Catherine Smiley

4 Meeting Details: Held the second Tuesday of each month at 4:30pm at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort – 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.

4 Objective: The Marketing and Public Relations Committee meets to discuss our image and the media in relationship to the chamber as well as evaluating and improving the marketing of the chamber to both members and the general public.

Membership Services Committee - Chair: Britt Meyers

4 Meeting Details: Held the third Wednesday of each month at 4 noon at various locations. 4 Objective: The committee brainstorms to recruit members, as well as

to improve the services the chamber provides to existing members, through scheduled call sessions to potential members, as well as doing follow up to retain existing memberships.

Tourism Committee - Chair: Melissa Kendrick

4 Meeting Details: Held the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 4:30pm at the Mel Fisher Museum - 200 Greene St.

4 Objective: The committee reviews the trends for the previous month, i.e. cruise ship, bed taxes, etc. The committee also addresses hot-button items of the moment.

Workforce Housing Committee – Chair: Michael Morawski

4 Meeting Details: Held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00am at Spottswood Law Office – 500 Fleming Street.

4 Objective: Work on solutions for affordable housing.

Key West Chamber of Commerce Committee Sign-Ups


Take this job and...LoVe it!

T he Key West Chamber of Commerce offers members a FREE member benefit with our online JOBBANK

located at www.keywestchamber.org under the community tab. Whether you’re a local seeking a new job, a long time island enthusiast seeking an opportunity to move and work in paradise, or you’re a Member Business looking for your next talented team member, this is the place for you!

Go to http://bit.ly/KeyWestJobBoard to post your new positions and apply for openings in the area!

This service is FREE to all member businesses! If you’re already a member, log in to your Member Portal to post your open positions. For assistance in login contact the chamber offices at 305-294-2587.

ECI Construction, Inc. 16 Arbutus Drive

Key West, FL 33040 305-396-7396

Contact: John JacksonConstruction

Florida SBDC at FIU1101 Brickell Avenue

Penthouse South TowerMiami, FL 33131

305-779-9230www.sbdc.fiu.edu

Contact: Margie Smith Organization

Welcome New Members!

The Key West Chamber welcomed three new members at the November membership luncheon. Pictured left to right front row are: Membership Committee member Mike Williams, new members Brian Van Hook and Margie Smith with Florida SBDC at FIU, and Membership Committee Chair Kim Works. Not pictured ECI Construction, Inc. and The Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army1920 Flagler AvenueKey West, FL 33040

305-294-5611Contact: Kim Derryberry

Thrift Store and Service Provider

“If it’s free, it’s for me!” Information from the Key west Chamber of Commerce

D o you have an upcoming Family/High School Reunion, a Key West Wedding, or Business Retreat?

The Key West Chamber of Commerce is offering FREE VISITOR INFORMATION for you to place in your welcome bags!

Your welcome bags can be stuffed with visitor’s

guides, coupons, maps, brochures for shopping in the Key West area, different accommodations for hotels, resorts and bed & breakfasts, Key West museums and attractions, restaurants, watersports, eco-tours, sunset cruises; you name it!

Have an event coming up with out of town guests, give us a call today! We are here to help you and your visitors’ Key West stay more enjoyable and worry free. The visitor information packets are free for pick up in the Key West Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Lobby or only a nominal charge if shipped.

If you would like your business coupon or brochure included in our welcome bags and presented in our Visitor’s Lobby please join our rack Card Program. To advertise with your business card it is only $5.00 a month, for a brochure just $10.00 a month.

For more information on Free STUFF from the Key west Chamber or joining our rack Card Program please contact Shay at the Key west Chamber (305) 294-2587 or by email: [email protected].


-

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Pass

enge

rs

Source: City of Key West Port Operations

Key West Cruise Ship PassengersJanuary 2013 - October 2018

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

$-

$500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

$2,500,000

$3,000,000


Bed

Tax

Col

lect

ions

in D

olla

rs

Source: Monroe County Tax Collector

Key West Bed Tax CollectionsJanuary 2013 - September 2018

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Airport closed 9/8-19/2017 for Hurricane Irma

Port Closed 9/6-22/2017 for Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma 9/10/2017

Passenger arrivals to the Key WestInternational Airport in October, 2018 totaled 31,399. This is an increase of 50.6% when compared to October, 2017 at least somewhat due to Irma. Still, 31,399 total deplanements is the most ever in the month of October.

Total passenger arrivals for the ten months of 2018 was 356,307. That is a 13.8% increase over the same period in 2017.

October, 2018 deplanements marked the 10th straight increase month over month compared to 2017. It is a streak that dates back to December 2017 where there wasa 6.8% decrease compared to December 2016.

October, 2018 is the fifth straight month where the number of deplanements was the most ever for that month.

A total of 52,534 cruise ship passengers disembarked in Key West from 24 ships during October, 2018. This is 13.9% higher than October, 2017 which saw 46,137 passengers visit Key West. October passengers counts were higher than both 2015 and 2016, but significantly lower than they were during the stretch from 2007 to 2012 where the average for October is well over 60,000 passengers.

For the ten months of 2018, cruise ship arrivals saw 705,106 passengers disembark from 304 port calls. Port calls are up 18.8% for the year and passenger counts are up 18.5% over the same period in 2017.

The cruise ship schedule for December, 2018 thru February, 2019 compared to the same three months in 2017 and 2018 is shown below.

Number of Ships2017 2018 2019

December 49 49January 47 50February 36 47

Reported Bed Tax Collections for Key West were $899,286 for September, 2018, 133.1% higher than in 2017.

According to Smith Travel, the September, 2018 occupancy rate was 65.6%, a 114.4% increase from the September, 2017 occupancy rate of 30.6%.

The Average Daily Rate (ADR) was reported at $274.37 for September, 2018. A 3.5% decrease from the ADR of $284.46 posted in September, 2017.

Since Hurricane Irma passed on September 10, 2017 and caused damage to some hotels, the number of rooms available has declined in Key West. The estimated number of rooms off-line coming into October, 2017 was 27% in Key West.

-

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

50,000


Dep

lane

men

ts

Source: Key West International Airport

Key West International Airport ArrivalsJanuary 2013 - October 2018

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Airport closed 9/8-19/2017 for Hurricane Irma

December Chowder KW Air Data 1 of 1


500,216

1,045,134900,210

1,126,105892,536

1,484,374

2,292,962

3,655,613

0.00

500,000.00

1,000,000.00

1,500,000.00

2,000,000.00

2,500,000.00

3,000,000.00

3,500,000.00

4,000,000.00

House 2014 House 2018 Senate 2014 Senate 2018 Governor2014

Governor2018

Total 2014 Total 2018

Source: Kantor Media/CMAG

Broadcast TV Ads Nationwide For U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and State Governor RacesAired Between January and November in Election Years 2014 and 2018

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

Orlando, FL Los Angelos,CA

Tampa, FL Chicago, IL Miami, FL Philadephia,PA

West PalmBeach, FL

New York, NY

Governor Races 39,363 15,944 37,717 49,808 26,066 10,290 25,471 12,295U.S. House Races 5,473 11,513 6,035 11,562 13,203 21,723 8,693 4,623U.S. Senate Races 28,361 1,753 25,208 1,012 11,934 8,931 14,458 11,205Total Number of Political Ads 73,197 29,210 68,960 62,382 51,203 40,944 48,622 28,123

Num

ber o

f Tel

evis

ion

Airin

gs

Source: Wesleyan Media Project

Number of Political Ads Aired on Broadcast TelevisionBy Market Between January 2017 and November 2018

A VERY EXPENSIVE ELECTION SEASON IN 2018

Monroe County, FloridaActive Registered Voters

11/1/18Democrats: 17,381

Republicans: 20,946

Others: 15,009

Total: 53,336

Source: keys-elections.org

If you think you saw a lot of political ads on TV this past election season, you're right because the number of them was record breaking. Because there were so many close races the 2018 midterm election drew more attention than the 2014 midterm election, and close races cost more money to win. Both parties invested heavily in these contests, and the result was an unprecedented number of political television commercials. Even a seasoned political media analyst like Erika Franklin Fowler from the Wesleyan Media Project describes the 59% increase in television ads from 2014 to 2018 as "Stunning". As displayed in the second chart, over 3.6 million tv ads have aired nationally since January 2017 for just congressional and gubernational campaigns. This should come to no shock to anyone living in Florida as the biggest markets in the sunshine state led all markets nationally for the commercials trying to get your vote. The first chart below illustrates just how many tv ads there were in this past election season for various major markets by political contest. According to data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics, election spending was over $5 billion thus making 2018 midterm elections the most expensive in history.

Key West Mayoral Candidates, 2018

Candidate Amount RaisedRandy Becker $10,641George Bellenger $33,038.61Danny Hughes $60,352Teri Johnston $119,580Margaret Romero $17,260

Source: keys-elections.org

Financial Activity for House Candidates, 2017-2018

Number of Candidates Total Raised

All 2,895 $1,540,396,094 Dems 1,507 $923,030,019Repubs 1,217 $612,384,982

Source: Center for Responsive Politics

Financial Activity for Senate Candidates, 2017-2018

Number of Candidates Total Raised

All 466 $964,647,280Dems 154 $539,932,176 Repubs 255 $395,822,652

Source: Center for Responsive Politics

The 3.6 million ads aired nationally represents a 59% increase since the midterm elections in 2014, but the number of negative ads increased as well. In 2010 54% of ads aired were purely negative. In 2018 69% of the ads featured an attack. According to researchers at the Wesleyan Media Project, no other general election period over the past decade has seen anywhere near the total of negative spots on air.The nearly 569,000 purely attack ads aired since Labor Day crushed the 2010 record of 450,000. While eyebrow raising, it isn't completely shocking that campaign activity and negativity would increase with such competitive races and control of Congress up for grabs. It will be interesting to see in two years during the presidential election.

Congratulations to all our new elected officials in Key West and throughout Monroe County.

A big thank you for your commitment to public service and bettering our

community.


Cruise Ship ScheduledECEMBER 2018

12/1 Veendam 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/2 Equinox 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/2 Oosterdam 8:00a.m.- 4:00p.m.12/3 Carnival Freedom 11:00a.m.-7:00p.m.12/3 Rotterdam 11:00a.m.-6:00p.m.12/4 Carnival Victory 7:30a.m.-1:30p.m.12/4 Majesty 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/5 Azamara 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m.12/6 DisneyMagic 6:45a.m.-3:45p.m.12/7 SSVoyager 8:00a.m.-11:00p.m.12/8 Insignia 7:30a.m.-5:00p.m.12/9 DisneyWonder 10:45a.m.-4:15p.m.12/10 Empress 7:00a.m.-4:00p.m.12/10 CelebrityEdge 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/10 SilverSpirit 1:00p.m.-6:00p.m.12/11 Carnival Victory 7:30a.m.-1:30p.m.12/11 Brilliance 11:00a.m.-5:30p.m.12/12 Infinity 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/12 Azamara 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m.12/13 NO SHIPS12/14 Infinity 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/14 CarnivalSensation 7:30a.m.-1:30p.m.12/15 NO SHIPS12/16 Equinox 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/16 DisneyWonder 10:45a.m.-4:15p.m.12/17 Volendam 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/17 Rotterdam 11:00a.m.-6:00p.m.12/18 DisneyMagic 6:15a.m.-5:00p.m.12/18 Carnival Victory 7:30a.m.-1:30p.m.12/18 Sirena 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m.12/19 Insignia 7:30a.m.-4:30p.m.12/19 Majesty 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/20 DisneyMagic 6:45a.m.-3:45p.m.12/20 SilverSpirit 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m.12/21 Infinity 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.12/22 Azamara 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/23 Oosterdam 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.12/23 Rhapsody 11:00a.m.-6:00p.m.12/24 Rotterdam 11:00a.m.-6:00p.m12/25 CostaDeliziosa 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m12/26 Brilliance 7:00a.m.-2:00p.m.12/26 Infinity 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/27 NorwegianSky 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.12/28 Infinity 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/28 CarnivalSensation 7:30a.m.-1:30p.m.12/28 VikingSun 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.12/29 DisneyMagic 6:45a.m.-3:45p.m.12/29 Reflection 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/30 Equinox 7:00a.m.-5:00p.m.12/31 Rotterdam 11:00a.m.-6:00p.m.

1-31 Key West Harbor Walk of Lights1 World AIDS Day Ceremony, White

Street Pier 4:30-7:30p.m.1 TRI Key West Sprint & Triathlon

7am Higgs Beach 954-213-66992 Key West Art Center

Celebrate the Season! [email protected], 294- 1241

2 Locals Day at Key West Botanical Gardens, 305-296-1504

4 ReMARCable Christmas Tree Auction – Margaritaville Resort, 305-294-9526 *25

5 Key West Lighted Bike Ride 7pm,[email protected] 305-809-5000

8 Key West Christmas Parade 7pm Truman Ave to Duval, Duval to Eaton. 305-809-3881

7-16 Nutcracker Key West 2018 Ten. Williams Theatre www.keystix.com

7-9 I Love Stock Island Festival http://www.ilovestockisland.org/events.htm, 573-680-5468

7,14 Key West Historic Inns Holiday Tours, www.keystix.com

14 Larry Smith Holiday Jazz Concert 8:00pm The Studios of Key West, 305-296-0458

15 Parade of Paws & Holiday Bazaar 10am-2pm at Higgs Beach 305-294-4857

15 Lighted Boat Parade, 8pm

Schooner Wharf Bar & Historic Seaport, 305-292-3302

15 Key West Botanical Speaker Series & Native Plant Sale 1:30pm, 305-296-1504

19 Key West Art & Historical Society Celebrates Holidays with Concert & Bazaar at Custom House Museum 5pm-9pm, 305-295-6616 x 114

21 Holiday Concert & Bazaar at Custom House Museum, 305-295-6616

23-25 Free Bus Transportation (23 and 24) and Free Metered parking in Old Town Key

25 Red Barn Theatre With Bells On 8:00 pm, 305-296-9911

28-29 59th Annual Key West Home Tours, 305-294-9501

29 Rams Head Promotions presents: JJ Grey & Mofro, Sunset Green Event Lawn

31 Key West Dachshund Walk, Noon, [email protected]

31 Key West New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Conch Shell Drop at Sloppy Joes Contact, 305-296-2388

Red High Heel with Drag Queen Drop at Bourbon St., 293-9800

Pirate Wench Drop on America 2.0 at Historic Seaport, 292-3302

Community Calendardecember 2018

Share You’re Event Information

T he Key West Chamber of Commerce strives for comprehensive coverage and promotion of Key West events that benefit our local organizations, businesses,

citizens and visitors; however, we can only do this with your help!

We’d like to remind everyone that we do have an online calendar of events that we are happy to add your organization events to. In addition, your event would be listed in our weekly e-newsletter, The Chamber Chatter, and our monthly newsletter, The Chamber Chowder, for all fellow members to see. Best of all—your event listing is free! To submit an event, please contact the chamber at [email protected] with your event details.

Business After Hours | wednesdAy, novemBer 1, 2018

Sponsored by: Croissants de France, 816 Duval Street



Tis’ the Season for Holiday

Specials!Do you have a special promotion going on

during the holidays? Chamber Members want to know!

Purchase our Membership List, Advertise through Blast Emails and the Chamber’s Weekly Newsletter

The Chamber Chatter©! Here’s how: Membership List:

• Want to reach our members by mail?• Our Membership List can be obtained in hard copy, labels, or an electronic file. • Contact us directly for rates at 305-294-2587 or email: [email protected]

Blast Emails: • Want to reach our members quickly and directly? • We can send out an E-mail blast to our members for $65.00. (Flyers in PDF or JPEG cannot exceed 600kb)

Chamber Chatter©: Our weekly newsletter is a perfect way to get your message

out. We have space available (50 words or less – no images) for you to advertise to our members about what’s

happening in your business!

One Time: $15.00Two Times: $25.00Four Times: $40.00

Emails received by over 925 individuals!

JOHN BARTELMO OMI Jacobs

JOYCE BENAVIDES Cayo Hueso Resorts/

Cottages

JOE CASOTREASURER

Joe Caso, Caso and Company

DAVID CLAYLower Keys

Medical Center

JED DODDSThe Studios of Key West

CARA HIGGINS EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE APPOINTEE

Horan & Higgins, LLP

SAM HOLLAND The Conch House

DARREN HORAN Benihana Key West

MELISSA KENDRICK EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE APPOINTEEMel Fisher

Maritime Museum

BILL LAYLa Trattoria /

Catered Affairs

SUZANNE MOORE Truman and Co.

Real Estate

MICHAEL MORAWSKIPRESIDENT

Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum

MONICA MUNOZ Historic Tours of America

BRITT MYERS Key West Weekly

Newspaper

MARK ROSSIEXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE APPOINTEE

Rick’s/Durty Harry’s Entertainment Complex

DIANE SCHMIDT Maragaritaville

Resort & Marina

KAREN SHARP First State Bank of the Florida Keys

CATHERINE SMILEYDoubleTree Grand

Key Resort

BILLY SPOTTSWOOD 1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Spottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood & Sterling PLLC

GREG SULLIVANSECRETARY

Waste Management

LYNNE TEJEDA Keys Energy Services

DANIEL P. TOPPINO Charley Toppino

& Sons, Inc.

JOHN TOPPINO 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Monroe Concrete Products

VIRGINIA A. PANICO EXECUTIVE VICE

PRESIDENTKey West Chamber

of Commerce

2019 Chamber Board of directors


It’s time to pull out your decorations for our annual holiday decorating contest!

The “Island of Lights” holiday decorating contest offers businesses the perfect opportunity to demonstrate their holiday cheer and enhance our island with Greetings of the Season for the citizens and visitors of Key West.Awards will be presented for first, second, and third place in two categories: • small business outdoor or single window display.• large business outdoor or multiple window display.

To enter contact the chamber office at: 305-294-2587 or

email: [email protected].

The deadline for entering is 4:00pm Monday,

December 10th.

Chamber Chowder©www.keywestchamber.org510 Greene Street ~ 1st Floor, Key West


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEESuzanne Moore, President

Truman and Company Real Estate305-292-2244

Billy Spottswood, First Vice PresidentSpottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood,

& Sterling/305-294-9556Cara Higgins, Second Vice President

Horan & Higgins, LLP/294-4585Sam Holland, Secretary

The Conch House/305-293-0020 John Toppino, Treasurer

Monroe Concrete/305- 296-5606Greg Sullivan, Past President

Waste Management/305-434-9140Jed Dodds, Appointee

The Studios of Key West/305-296-0458Melissa Kendrick, Appointee

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum/305-294-2633 Lynne Tejeda, Appointee

Keys Energy Services/305-295-1020Virginia A. Panico, CCE,Executive Vice President

Key West Chamber of Commerce/294-2587

CHAMBER STAFFVirginia A. Panico, CCEExecutive Vice PresidentEdward Dawicki, IIIDirector of Research

Suzanne PearceExecutive Assistant/Bookkeeper

Kerry BakerMembership Director/Special Events Coordinator

Dorothy SchmidaAdministrative AssistantLisa Carmack-Gross

Office Assistant/Tourist Information OperatorGladys Clarks

Tourist Information Receptionist Virginia A. PanicoNewsletter EditorCindy Jefferson

Art DirectorKatrina Nichols Newsletter Writer

Karrie BondSocial Media Director

december 2018Holiday Business After Hours

Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2018Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by: Rick’s/Durty Harry’s Entertainment Complex

Location: 202 Duval Street, DownstairsMembers Networking Event!

General Membership Meeting**Change of Date**

Date: Wednesday, December 19thTime: Noon

Location: Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel Program: The Annual Key West Chamber

of Commerce Community Awards

January 2019Business After Hours

Date: Thursday, January 10, 2019Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.Sponsored by: Republica Bar Location: 24 North Hotel 3820 N. Roosevelt Blvd.

Members Networking Event!

General Membership MeetingDate: Wednesday, January 23rd

Time: NoonLocation: Doubletree Grand Key Resort

Speaker: The Honorable Teri Johnston, Mayor City of Key West

Topic: Vision for Key West

Key west Chamber Calendar of events

on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the Marriott Beachside ResortBlack Tie Invited

Complimentary Cocktail Hour 6:00 p.m. ~ Dinner 7:00 p.m.Please RSVP by Friday, January 11, 2018

Following dinner, please join us for music and dancing.For more information or to make reservations contact the chamber

at 305-294-2587 or email: [email protected] Special Appreciation to our Cocktail Hour Sponsors:

Appelrouth & Farr FamilyAppelrouth, Farah & Co. P.A.

You are cordially invited to join us at the Installation of the Officers and Directors of the Board

at the Annual Awards Dinner of the Greater Key West

Chamber of Commerce

Click to connect with the Chamber on Facebook, Twitter,

Pinterest, or Instagram

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