Who We Are
A Letter from the President
Thank you for visiting the website for the South Tampa Chamber!
The community of South Tampa is in the heart of Tampa Bay, centrally located and minutes away from Tampa International Airport, Downtown, MacDill Air Force Base and a short drive from St. Petersburg. Featuring historic neighborhoods, an active business community, award winning dining, diverse local arts and entertainment, and sun shine year round, South Tampa offers a small town feel with big city amenities making this an ideal place to live, work and play!
The South Tampa Chamber, a Certified+ Chamber by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals and the 2020 Chamber of the Year, is an association of over 600 businesses and community members. Our focus is to connect and engage our member businesses with each other and with the community. We have an active and social membership and invite you to get connected by attending one of our upcoming events – From signature events like the Taste of South Tampa and Breakfast with the Mayor, to small business education seminars and monthly networking opportunities, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Whether you are new to the area as a business owner or resident, or if you are a Tampa native like me, the South Tampa Chamber is here to be YOUR Business and Community Resource!
Mission:
To provide a forum which connects members, enhances commerce and enriches the South Tampa community.
Vision:
Making South Tampa the best place to live, work and play.
Values:
- Members First - Member satisfaction is our #1 priority.
- Community - We are a trusted and informed resource for the businesses and residents of South Tampa.
- Advocacy - We represent the interests of our membership in order to support and stimulate economic growth and a high quality of life.
- Integrity - We take our member investment seriously and operate honestly and ethically.
- Inclusive - We offer an environment where all feel welcome.
The History of the South Tampa Chamber
The South Tampa Chamber is a membership association of over 600 businesses, organizations, elected officials and community leaders. Chamber members enjoy more than 100 opportunities each year for networking, community involvement and social activities.
The Chamber began as the "Port Tampa Assembly of Businessmen" in 1926. It evolved over the years into the South Gandy Chamber of Commerce and in 1974 became the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce. For more than 90 years, the South Tampa Chamber has strived to make our community a better place in which to live, work and play.
In 2017 the South Tampa Chamber became one of less than 20 chambers in the State of Florida to be designated a Certified PLUS Chamber by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals. This achievement is the culmination of four years or work in the areas of membership, programing, advocacy, leadership and administration, and showcases that our chamber follows the best practices of our industry.
The Chamber has had a special partnership with MacDill Air Force Base for more than 75 years, committing time and resources to support our Military with special programs and initiatives. In 2018 the South Tampa Chamber was recognized as a Three-Star Chamber of Valor by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Three-Star Chamber of Valor Award is Hiring Our Heroes' highest honor for local and state chambers; it recognizes their demonstrated leadership in connecting companies with talented veteran and military spouse candidates.
The South Tampa Chamber is proud to be named the FACP 2020 Chamber of the Year. The Chamber of the Year is awarded based on culmination of 3 years of work in the areas of Financial Stability, Strategic Planning, Membership, Advocacy, Communications, Programming, and Innovation.
The South Tampa Chamber is two-time Business of Pride Honoree for our advocacy of equality and diversity in the workplace, and has been recognized as “Best in the Biz” by the readers of the Tampa Bay Business Journal for favorite Chamber of Commerce, Networking Group, Economic Development Organization and the Taste of South Tampa.
We also support schools with programs, such our annual New Teachers Welcome Breakfast and the Great American Teach-In.
There are a number of additional community programs supported by the Chamber. Numerous charitable organizations benefit from our annual signature events, such as the Taste of South Tampa and our Fall Golf Classic, thanks to the hard work of our various members and committees.
Annual Awards & Recognition
The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce presents several awards each year to recognize members of the Chamber and the community.
Volunteer of the Year - This award is presented to a member of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce that has volunteered their time in extraordinary ways to benefit the Chamber’s programs, image and mission in the South Tampa community.
Citizen of the Year - This award is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond to help make the community of South Tampa a better place to live. Through their actions, they have influenced an improvement in the quality of life in and around South Tampa.
Member of the Year - Voted on by the members of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, this award began in 2016 and is presented to the member who leads by example and honors the mission of our organization both with in the Chamber and in the South Tampa community.
Business of the Year - The Business of the Year Awards are presented to honor Chamber business members in four categories, Small, Medium, Large and Emerging Businesses.
Award Winners
Business of the Year Awards Coming Soon!