By MITCH TRAPHAGEN
Chamber of Commerce annual dinners generally aren’t surprising affairs, but organizers for the SouthShore Chamber dinner, held on Friday at the Del Webb South Shore Falls Clubhouse in Apollo Beach, were surprised by at least one thing: Members of the area business community turned out in force for it, driving attendance to capacity levels.
“This has been a wonderful place to hold this event,” said Melanie Morrison, chamber executive director, while looking out at the full tables spanning the length of the large meeting room in the development. “But next year we’ll need to find a bigger space.”
Morrison also spoke about how increasingly visible the growing success of South Hillsborough has become in greater Tampa Bay.
The event was designed to be relaxed and fun, with the attire ranging from suits and ties and sequined dresses to tropical attire, mirroring a Gilligan’s Island sort of theme. Several Mary Anns and Skippers could be seen among the crowd, fostering an atmosphere of Friday night conversation and revelry.
It was a night for area businesses and those who have helped the chamber achieve success over the past year, and for those who will be leading the chamber into what is expected to be an even more successful year in 2014.
Hillsborough County Commissioners Ken Hagan and Sandra Murman were in attendance to not only recognize those achievements but also to connect with local business owners.
It was also a night to recognize and thank the Dickman family, a founding family and one that has been a household name since the very first settlement of South Hillsborough more than a century ago.
Morrison, representing the chamber, provided Glenn and Ned Dickman with a plaque of appreciation for their long and continuous support of the chamber and the South Hillsborough community.
Murman then provided the Dickman brothers with a commendation from the county for both their impact and their family’s long, positive impact on Hillsborough County as a whole. She also recognized Dickman Realty, a business that has been serving the region for nine decades.
Murman then officially commended the SouthShore Chamber for its support of businesses and for its work in South Hillsborough. While the primary mission of the chamber is to support and enhance the local business community, the SouthShore Chamber has long invested efforts in supporting area schools and charitable organizations. Murman congratulated and thanked the SouthShore Chamber for having a positive impact in the ever-increasing development of South Hillsborough, ranging from all-important medical care to the growing influx of new businesses, all with an eye toward making life better for those who live here.
“This has truly become a wonderful place to live, work and play,” Murman said, referring to South Hillsborough.
Morrison and the board of the chamber then recognized outstanding chamber members and local businesses.
Chamber member Charlotte Clark was recognized for her work as 2013 Ambassador of the Year.
Jason Fredricks of Legal Shred, Inc. was named the 2013 Small Business of the Year. Judy Martin of Bay Care-St. Joseph’s Hospital South accepted the award on behalf of the organization for the 2013 Large Business of the Year.
Tony Zipperer, owner of Zipperer’s Funeral Home, was awarded the highly regarded E.G. Simmons Award for outstanding community service.
The Volunteer of the Year Award went to “Magic” Mandy Burdick.
Chamber board member John Smith was also recognized for his service to the chamber and the community.
Ron Simpson, chamber president, then turned over the gavel to incoming 2014 president Carrie Elwell.
Also during the dinner, 2013 Honorary Mayor Lindsay Hicks turned over the mayor’s sash to 2014 Honorary Mayor Shannon Brown, who will make appearances at chamber events throughout the coming year. Brown’s campaign for honorary mayor raised funds for Kids R Kids SouthShore and the East Bay and Lennard high school athletic booster clubs. In all, nearly $15,000 was raised by all of the candidates benefiting area charities and chamber activities for the coming year.
The annual membership and awards dinner was sponsored by Baycare-St. Joseph’s Hospital South, Mosaic, South Bay Hospital, Tampa Electric Company, American Momentum Bank, Artful Conceptions, BMO Harris Bank, Kids R Kids SouthShore, Legal Shred, Paul B. Dickman Realty, Ruskin Moose Lodge #813 and Zipperer’s Funeral Home.
Support also was provided by Harriet’s Flowers, Photos by Moose and The Resort and Club at Little Harbor.
For information about the SouthShore Chamber, visit www.southshorechamberofcommerce.org or call (813) 645-1366.
013114 SouthShore Chamber Dinner – Images by Mitch Traphagen