Earlier this week we may have lost a Panama City Beach icon, The Treasure Ship Restaurant. Wednesday afternoon much of the exterior and an unknown portion of the interior was destroyed by fire leaving 100 plus employees unemployed literally in one afternoon. With the quick onset of the tourism season, this leaves many families wondering what they’ll do to make it by this summer.
Click the read more link for how you can help and pictures of the burned Treasure Ship Restaurant.
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This afternoon around 3 pm, the iconic Treasure Ship Restaurant set fire from a presumed electrical issue consuming almost the entire building. From the outside, much of the facade was badly damaged as smoke filled the air over Grand Lagoon, off of Thomas Drive.
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It was a difficult task to try and top last year’s Seabreeze Jazz Festival as the event took Panama City Beach by storm, filling hotel rooms and branding our great city with a favorable image. There was a lot of hype coming into 2010 and this years event not only lived up to the hype but could have very well been a better overall event than 2009. If you missed the show, you missed a something special. READ MORE
Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of all ages, Welcome to the Panama City Beach Chamber’s 17th Annual Business Expo, Presented by Comcast!
“Under The Big Top” is the theme of this comprehensive B2B tradeshow taking place on Tuesday, April 20 at Boardwalk Beach Resort, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Business Expo serves the local and business community with a fun event displaying wide-ranging trades and industries. It entertains thousands of locals and families with creative decor, costumes, contests, music and special entertainment. It’s an opportunity for consumers to get out and take note of hundreds of area businesses showcasing their newest, most innovative products and services. The Chamber is signing up Exhibitors on a first-come-first-serve. Booths cost $250 for Beach Chamber members and $450 for Non-Members. READ MORE

Spring is almost over, the kiddies have gone back to school and now its time to get down to business…real business. With so much buzz surrounding our little beach city, 2010 is shaping up to be one of Panama City Beach’s busiest summer seasons ever. So, the question is, what are you doing to get ready?
Spring Cleaning:
One of the most difficult aspects of Spring Break to overcome is the overall filth; and that filth knows no bounds. The hotel rooms are dirty, the bars are dirty, the restaurants are dirty–everything is dirty. You do not want the summer guests to arrive and complain at your front desk about beer cans under beds or clogged restrooms overflowing. Now is the time to hire summer staff and put them to work. You have less than one month to wipe clean that spring break filth and show your best side.
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Dave Rauschkolb was recently featured on the weather channel and interviewed on NBC Nightly News. He was also featured in a CNN article which you can read here.
As many of you know, President Obama recently reversed the offshore drilling ban and announced a policy that could put oil and natural gas platforms in various coastal waters, including the Gulf Coast. How does that effect you? Well, if you love lying on the beaches of Panama City Beach, this new policy could have a major impact on you. Some are cheering this new policy, others are angered. But one local restaurant owner and organizer of the widely publicized anti-drilling rally “Hands Across The Sand” has a unique perspective and shared his thoughts with PCBDaily.
“The threat from Florida’s Legislators is now more than ever a threat considering President Obama’s lifting of the ban on drilling 125 miles out. The Legislator’s are, at this minute, considering lifting Florida’s ban on oil drilling 3 to 10 miles off our shores; this ban is separate from the offshore ban our President lifted. It is more important now than ever to let our Legislators know how strongly we feel against this drilling legislation. If the bill passes we will have countless oil rigs within sight of our beaches and a risk of spills and pollution from every rig, pipeline, tanker and crew boat. For our Legislators it is as simple a choice as this: a vote for oil or a vote for Florida?
Florida is on the brink of decisions that could forever endanger our clean waters our clean beaches and our valuable tourism based economy.” Mr. Rauschkolb said in a press release. “Proposals to lift Florida’s ban on drilling in both the near shore and off shore put Florida’s pristine coastline, waters, military mission and tourism in peril. READ MORE
Paul Casto - Public Works Director
Paul Casto, Panama City Beach’s Public Works Director, has been the public works director for 27 years and is one of Panama City Beach’s most beloved community leaders. One of Paul’s most rewarding achievements was the push for and development of the Panama City Beach Aquatic Center at Frank Brown Park. He believed children needed a place to learn to swim and a place to swim away from the dangers of the beach. He has been a Panama City Beach resident most of his life and believes Panama City Beach is moving in the right direction.
Paul Casto on Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport:
“I believe it will be a huge economic boost. I see more international travelers coming to our area as well as industrial growth which will mean more better-paying jobs for our residents. The locals obviously will benefit from the cheaper flights. I also believe one of the places that will benefit the most is the convention and sports market. More people will be able to come to Panama City Beach cheaper and safer than ever before.”
Paul Casto on Panama City Beach Development: READ MORE
Photo Courtesy of Walton County Chamber
Dawn Moliterno has been the President & CEO of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce for nearly 5 years and has been a leader in our region for quite some time.
Dawn serves on several boards all over our area including Coastal Vision 3000, West Florida Regional Planning Council CEDS Committee, Okaloosa/Walton Workforce Development Board, and the Scenic Corridor Association.
Dawn on the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
“I do believe the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport will change our economy and have a major impact on Northwest Florida in the near future and more dramatic impact down the road. We are already seeing the signs by all fares being considerably lower in airports throughout the region with the announcement of Southwest Airlines.” READ MORE
Picture Courtesy of Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce
If you don’t know Beth Oltman, President & CEO of the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, now would be a good time to drive down to Richard Jackson Boulevard and get to know one of Panama City Beach’s leading ladies. Beth hails from South Carolina, born in California, she has been the president of the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce for nearly 4 years.
We sat down with Beth for our Optimism on Panama City Beach series and talked PCB, current and future prospects.
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This month, Miracle Strip at Pier Park is opening to bring back all the great memories of Panama City Beach’s most beloved attraction. The rides are in place and soon, Pier Park will be roaring with screams and delight. At PCBDaily.com, we want to give you an opportunity to hit the park this year as often as you like by giving away an annual pass.
Tell us one of your best memories from the old Miracle Strip Amusement Park. Did you have your first date under the lights, maybe took a summer job working Dante’s Inferno or just had a great time with friends? Whatever your memory, post a comment below and WIN.
The winning annual pass includes a special “buddy pass” that allows the annual pass holder to get a free arm band for their “buddy” to ride with them for the day. This works great for children who need parents to ride with them or are older and want to bring a friend when they come.
Our staff will pick the top 10 best stories and the winner will be randomly chosen. The announcement of the winner will be made two weeks from now in our March 23rd newsletter.
Miracle Strip at Pier Park opens this Saturday, March 6th. So go out and have a blast!
For more information on Miracle Strip at Pier Park go to: www.miracle-strip.com. Giveaway rules can be viewed here.