EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine November 2018 | Page 9
CHAMBER STAFF
Nancy Keefer, CCE • President / CEO
Janet Kersey, CDME, CFEE • Executive Vice President / COO
Jim Cameron • Senior Vice President, Government Relations
Cathy Benedict • Administrative Specialist
Bob Elkin • CFO Consultant
Jami Gallegos • Membership Director
Kerry Karl • Executive Director of VCARD
Ken Phelps • Events Director
Jennifer Pipes • Database & Administrative Specialist
Nichole Sprague • Business Manager
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Skip Lilly • Chairman / Vision H.R., Inc.
Randy Dye • Chair-Elect / Daytona Dodge Chrysler Jeep
RAM Fiat
Eric Peburn • Immediate Past Chair / Halifax Health
Rodney Cruise • Special Events Chair / Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University
Bart Leek • Government Relations Chair / DBL Surety, LLC
Bob Lloyd • Legal Counsel / Brown & Brown, Inc.
Leonard Marinaccio, III • Treasurer / Bomar Construction
Mike Mitchener • Small Business Development Chair /
Sam’s Club
Frank Molnar • Economic Development Chair / The M Group
Ed Noseworthy • Membership Development Chair /
Florida Hospital
Kelly Parsons Kwiatek • Community Development Chair /
Cobb Cole
Charlie Van Derven • Marketing and Communications Chair /
Social Advisors
2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shawn Abbatessa • The Arc of Volusia
Maia Albrecht • Shuffield Lowman
John Anthony • JTA Financial Services, Inc.
Tina Barnes-Budd • Ladies Professional Golf Association
Sead Besic • Wells Fargo Bank, NA
Owen Chittenden • VYPG Chair / The Shores Resort & Spa
Cheryl Coxwell • International Speedway Corp.
Bob Davis • Lodging & Hospitality Association of
Volusia County
Tad Durrance • Halifax Paving, Inc.
Steve Farmer • Brown & Brown, Inc.
Alan Florez • Halifax Insurance Partners
Hubert Grimes • Bethune-Cookman University
John Guthrie • Halifax Health
Todd Huffstickler • Vann Data Services, Inc.
Nellie Kargar • ICI Homes
William Landreth • BB&T
Dr. Tom LoBasso • Daytona State College
Kim Lundstrom • SunTrust Bank, East Central Florida
Bill Offill • Daytona Beach News-Journal
Patrick Opalewski • Root Company
Cynthia W. Politis • Bank of America
Julie Rand • Florida Hospital
Teresa Rand • Volusia Flagler Family YMCA
Bud Ritchey • Jon Hall Chevrolet
Dave Schandel • Florida Health Care Plans
Mike Sibley • James Moore & Co.
Jim Tobin • Realty Pros
John Ufheil • Daytona Beverages
Larry Volenec • Florida Power & Light
Jim Weite • TD Bank
Chip Wile • Daytona International Speedway
FROM THE
CHAIR &
PRESIDENT
T
here is no doubt Tourism has a substantial impact on our economy. With
10 million visitors annually to Volusia County and employment of over
55,000 workers in the hospitality industry, there is an annual economic
impact of over 6 billion dollars.
In this issue of EVOLVE we discuss the future of tourism as it relates
to marketing and highlight a few of our traditional hospitality businesses
along with those that one might not realize are important contributors to the
visitor experience. The article regarding the beachside and East ISB gateway
recognizes the importance and impact of revitalizing our core tourism district.
With over $2 billion of investment occurring along East ISB and beachside, we
continue to signal to investors that the time to invest is now.
As the home of the “World’s Most Famous Beach” and the DAYTONA
500, we have a built-in international and national draw to our area. We can
not take for granted the importance of good visitor experiences as the key to
sustainability and growth of our tourism market.
We can all play a role in positive experiences by making sure our customer
service and community brand is exemplary in our interactions with our
visitors. While it can be hard to share our community with so many visitors,
remember they are paying over 40% of our county’s sales tax which results in
enhanced services for the residents year-round.
Reaching today’s consumer is much different than it was just a few short
years ago. With the rise of social media and experiential ratings through
national forums, information is abundant and accessible to the traveler. Most
potential visitors research the area and view websites and digital formats
to virtually see what a community has to offer before deciding to visit. The
chamber of commerce brand plays a big role in this through our website and
links to our area businesses. Chambers have historically been recognized
as a resource for information, and a national study of consumers shows an
increased comfort with businesses who are members of a chamber.
The County tourism marketing agencies do a great job of showcasing our
destination through all forms of advertising and outreach. We often say that
they are the experts in getting the visitors here and we are the conduit to move
them through the county promoting our members businesses and services prior
to their arrival and when they are here. A great partnership for sure!
We are looking forward to the next issue of EVOLVE that will feature
another very important part of our quality of life and visitor amenities, as we
focus on the impact of arts & cultural activities in Volusia County.
SKIP LILLY
Chairman
Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
Vision H.R., Inc.
NANCY P. KEEFER CCE
President & CEO
Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
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126 East Orange Ave. | Daytona Beach, FL 32114 | 386-255-0981 | Daytonachamber.com
NOVEMBER 2018 | 9 |