Chamber of Commerce for Jax or St. Augustine area... (Jacksonville: living, move)

[TOC]

Good afternoon everyone...I was wondering if anyone here was a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Jax or St. Augustine (or any other chamber in that area).

My wife and I area going down to Florida again next week to do more exploring of the area and get more familiar with the lay of the land. We also thought it'd be a good idea to vacation there during the summer.

So basically, since when we move I will be running my own business of employee benefits and investments, I will have to get to know other businessowners in the area. I have always found that getting involved civically through the Chambers, is one of the best ways to network and meet other businessowners.

Is anyone here a member or does anyone here have any advice regarding the local Chamber's? Thanks in advance!

[nj2fla]

Originally Posted by TOC

Good afternoon everyone...I was wondering if anyone here was a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Jax or St. Augustine (or any other chamber in that area).

My wife and I area going down to Florida again next week to do more exploring of the area and get more familiar with the lay of the land. We also thought it'd be a good idea to vacation there during the summer.

So basically, since when we move I will be running my own business of employee benefits and investments, I will have to get to know other businessowners in the area. I have always found that getting involved civically through the Chambers, is one of the best ways to network and meet other businessowners.

Is anyone here a member or does anyone here have any advice regarding the local Chamber's? Thanks in advance!

yes they have them, try googling for them

[TOC]

Originally Posted by nj2fla

yes they have them, try googling for them

Well I know they have them, that wasn't really what I was asking.

[nj2fla]

Originally Posted by TOC

Well I know they have them, that wasn't really what I was asking.

just trying to be helpful, I hope that you can find what you need

[TOC]

Originally Posted by nj2fla

just trying to be helpful, I hope that you can find what you need

Thank you then...at first I thought you were being sarcastic. Hard to tell sometimes on the internet.

[cellson]

I'm not at all familiar with the St. Augustine Chamber, but am with the Jacksonville Chamber. Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Jacksonville Chamber is extremely well supported by the community and provides excellent networking opportunities....breakfasts, luncheons and business after hours events.

[SmileDoc]

The St. Johns county chamber is VERY active. W/ the growth occuring in the county there are many new business popping up. One of the great things about the chamber is it is working very hard on overcoming the county's "fragemented" population. Meaning Ponte Vedra is over to the east then the 210/WGV area over to the NW then actual St. Aug to the south, and they are trying very hard to tie all of these areas together. They offer quarterly advertising in the St. Aug newspaper included in your membership(either $300 or $600) and also have many "mixers" throughout the year to help promote your business. Email Gary Hiatt: Gary.Hiatt@stjohnscountychamber.com . He answered all of my chamber questions. Very nice and knowlegeable gentlemen for some further answers if you need them. I also belong to another group if you are looking for something in addition to the chamber. You can also email me with more questions through Moderator cut: edit: removed business website...please use Direct Message instead if you need/want to know more. Welcome to the First Coast, hope this all helps!!

[TOC]

Wow, great information SmileDoc and cellson, I really appreciate it. I am active in two Chambers in NJ and one of them is very active while the other one isn't so much. Of course, the more active the Chamber, usually the more organized it is and there are great advantages to becoming a member. I will certainly do some research and contact the individual you suggested.

I will not be living down there until next Spring but its probably best to start getting information now. Thanks again for your help SmileDoc, and its possible that eventually, I may take you up on your offer of contacting you as well if I run into any other Chamber related questions.