South Tampa Chamber Annual Award Winners Announced
The South Tampa Chamber hosted our Annual Meeting and Awards at Steinbrenner Field on February 9. After recounting some of the Chamber’s achievements from the past year including adding more than 130 new members, hosting nearly 100 events, and participating in 30 ribbon cuttings to celebrate new businesses, the Chamber’s 2022 Chair of the Board Rebekah Nault, said “We have increased our advocacy efforts, provided educational opportunities to grow your business, continued to be a one-stop resource, and launched a new young professionals program. This is just a snap-shot of all that the chamber has achieved this past year.”
Chamber members were recognized during the event with an awards ceremony. “A strong chamber helps to create a stronger community, and of course the chamber would not be able to lead in so many areas without the commitment of our members and volunteer leaders,” said President and CEO Kelly Flannery.
2023 South Tampa Chamber Award Recipients:
Chamber members were recognized during the event with an awards ceremony. “A strong chamber helps to create a stronger community, and of course the chamber would not be able to lead in so many areas without the commitment of our members and volunteer leaders,” said President and CEO Kelly Flannery.
2023 South Tampa Chamber Award Recipients:
- Member of the Year: Cassandra D’Addio, The Family Dentist
- Impact Award: Zahira Lehri, 2 Fish International Inc
- Volunteer of the Year: Simeon Hill, Edward Jones Investments
- Ambassador of the Year: Tanya Cielo, Sky Strategic Marketing
- Chairmans Award: Chris Bentley, Johnson Jackson, PLLC
Connie Gage, a Real Estate Specialist with Smith & Associates Real Estate and an avid community volunteer, was named the 2023 Citizen of the Year. Connie was the 2019-2020 Chair of the Board for the South Tampa Chamber and has previously been recognized by the Chamber as a Community Champion, and as the Member of the Year. Connie most recently received the Smith and Associates Community Service Award in 2021 and was named the Rotary Club of Tampa's "Rotarian of the Year" in 2022. Connie is a third Generation Tampa native and has been a passionate volunteer in the Tampa Bay area for more than three decades.
Closing out the event, Shane Smith, the 2023 Chair of the Board and Central Florida Director of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship said, “The Chamber presents an opportunity for all members to grow their network, and in turn, grow their business. It can allow you to forge professional and personal relationships which can last for many years. I invite all of you to feel the energy, make the connections, and be active in what I believe is one of the best resources our community has at its fingertips. Encourage your network to come out and join us. We want those who are not currently members to be welcomed and understand what the Chamber can offer through membership.”
About the South Tampa Chamber: Established in 1926, the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce is an association of more than 600 businesses, organizations and individuals working together to make the South Tampa community the best place to live, work, and play. The South Tampa Chamber is recognized as a Certified Plus Chamber by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, a Three-Star Chamber of Valor by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2020 Chamber of the Year. Learn more at www.SouthTampaChamber.org.
Closing out the event, Shane Smith, the 2023 Chair of the Board and Central Florida Director of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship said, “The Chamber presents an opportunity for all members to grow their network, and in turn, grow their business. It can allow you to forge professional and personal relationships which can last for many years. I invite all of you to feel the energy, make the connections, and be active in what I believe is one of the best resources our community has at its fingertips. Encourage your network to come out and join us. We want those who are not currently members to be welcomed and understand what the Chamber can offer through membership.”
About the South Tampa Chamber: Established in 1926, the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce is an association of more than 600 businesses, organizations and individuals working together to make the South Tampa community the best place to live, work, and play. The South Tampa Chamber is recognized as a Certified Plus Chamber by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, a Three-Star Chamber of Valor by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2020 Chamber of the Year. Learn more at www.SouthTampaChamber.org.
