Set Sail with Beach Chamber on May 30th

The Panama City Beach Chamber’s IdeaWork’s committee will held an Idea Camp in the form of a “Sunset Think Tank” aboard the Paradise Adventures 52″ Catamaran on May 30th.

This fun, interactive “Idea Share” takes place from 5 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, May 30th.

Idea Camp is presented by Southwest Airlines and this next event is sponsored by A Superior Air Conditioning and MaceTech Security Solutions.

Idea Camp is an interactive think tank with focused networking and a friendly exchange of business dialogue in a laid back atmosphere.

The IdeaWorks committee has successfully held four Idea Camp’s previous this year, at Kingfish Grill, g.Foley’s and Runaway Bay Caribbean Grill.

Speakers for May 30th include a presentation by the chamber’s new President and CEO, Lance Allison; “Rebranding Homelessness” by Billy Fox, Pathways of Panama City Rescue Mission; “The Gift of Time” by Kandi Gardiner, MSC; “Practical Tips to Maintain your Privacy” by Russell Mace of MaceTech Security Solutions; and “Becoming a Purple Cow” by Jason Koertge of PCB Luxury Properties.

Cost to attend is FREE for Panama City Beach Chamber members and $20 per person for non-members. This event is open to a public but fills up quickly, so do not delay if you want to sign up! Drinks and light eats will be available, as well as time for informal networking, so bring your business cards.

For more information call the chamber at 850-235-1159.

Next Idea Camp is March 21st!

Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce invites you to Idea Camp #3 on Thursday, March

21, 2013 at G. Foley’s Restaurant at 3212 23rd Street in Panama City, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. This

IdeaCamp is presented by Southwest Airlines and sponsored by North Florida Financial and

Macetech Securities. Cost to attend is free for Beach Chamber members; $20 for non-members. The

Chamber is still signing up speakers. For more information and to RSVP, call the Beach Chamber at

(850) 235-1159.

IdeaCamp is an interactive think tank with focused networking and an ‘ideashare’ of great

business dialogue. On February 26, the diverse crowd at Kingfish Restaurant & Sushi Bar inside Bay

Point Wyndham, mostly members of the local business community, enjoyed the second IdeaCamp

event. “When IdeaCamp was created last fall, our initial goal was simple,” says IdeaWorks

Chairman David Balmer, “We wanted guests to ‘walk away with more ideas for their business than

they had when they arrived.’” The IdeaWorks Committee has already reached that goal, and has

additionally created a unique networking event to inspire business connections and deepen those

relationships. “The diversity of guests and speakers, who talk on a variety of business and leadership-

related topics, is what keeps this event interesting, fun and relevant,” says Balmer.

Topics for March 21 include: “Hovering on the Edge of Technology Commercialization” by

Dr. Stephen Dunnivant from Gulf Coast State College; “If Les Miserables Leaves New York at 8 PM

EST” by Jennifer Jones from Bay Arts Alliance; “The Perfect Website Homepage” by Cebo

Campbell from Novel Avenue Creative; “Top Ten Ways to Improve Collections” by Michael Pak

from Transworld Systems; and “How I Use Email Marketing to Create Hundreds of Customer

Interactions in One Day” by Jason Koertge from PCB Luxury Properties.

Hey Grandma! Southwest Airlines Announced Direct Flights from St. Louis for 2013

Hey St. Louis residents, looking for a cheap way to get to the beach? Southwest Airlines just announced direct flights from St. Louis to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) starting March 9th and going through August 10th. They experimented with daily flights last year from the great midwest to Panama City Beach, and obviously it was successful enough to warrant doing it again!

Last year they ran the non-stop flights from June to August.

So, Grandma, pack your bags, I’m flying you to the beach!

Full Press Release.

PANAMA CITY, FL (February 27, 2013) – After a successful trial in 2012, Southwest Airlines is bringing back a nonstop flight from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL). The route begins March 9th and will run every day through August 10th, covering the busy spring break and summer travel seasons in Northwest Florida.

Southwest tested the seasonal flight from June through August of last year and achieved great results. During its two month run, Southwest carried about 16,000 passengers on the roundtrip route between Panama City Beach and St. Louis.

“We are very happy about the return of the nonstop flight to St. Louis,” said Airport Executive Director John Wheat. “St. Louis is a fantastic destination for our locals to visit and at two hours flight time, it makes visiting Panama City Beach much more convenient for those in the Midwest.”

The initial March 9th flight is scheduled to depart from Panama City Beach at 10:05 a.m. while the first flight in is scheduled for a 2:45 p.m. arrival. Subsequently, the route’s regular departure time is 12:05 p.m. with arrival at 2:05 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.southwest.com.

Head to Idea Camp this Tuesday Night!

Some people were good at sitting still at school.

They could look at the teacher patiently and listen until it was their turn to talk.

And then there was those of us who couldn’t wait to jump in or had a hard time fighting the urge to go someplace else in our heads…..

If you can relate….you need to join the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce and attend IDEA CAMP this upcoming Tuesday night, February 26th at 5:30 pm at the Kingfish Restaurant and Sushi Bar inside the Wyndham at Bay Point.

If you are someone who needs to be engaged….then you need to come to IDEA CAMP!

This IDEA CAMP is not your typical sit down and listen kind of event, it is anything BUT that.

It is a fast paced, high energy sharing of ideas with a handful of speakers who are small business leaders just like yourself.

This is an informal event with an opportunity for learning and a little bit of networking in a more casual, intimate setting.

And the best part, because it is being built around the concept of “doing things differently”, it is an event that is a live, organic thing, changing and growing, just like its’ participants.

PCB Daily founder and owner of Panama City Beach Luxury Properties Jason Koertge spoke at the inaugural IDEA CAMP and will be facilitating at this event.

My mother and Beachy Beach Real Estate Broker, Karen Smith will also be speaking this time, on the topic she seems to own…ENTHUSIASM. I am pretty sure the woman could find a way to get excited about towel lint.

If you want some of that enthusiasm then you need to come to IDEA CAMP! Also speaking will be Kandi Gardiner, Michael Mace, Zachary Dickerson and more.

Idea Camp events are made possible because of the support of Southwest Airlines with Tuesday’s event locally sponsored by North Florida Financial and Emerald HR Solutions, Inc and of course, Kingfish Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Bay Point.

The first event they gave away airline tickets, this time, word is they have a gong. No long-winded speakers allowed here!

Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Members attend for FREE and guests may attend for only $20.

Participants enjoy a two hour program with interactive learning, networking, light appetizers and one drink ticket,…oh and a chance at the gong.

If you can not make this event, mark your calendars for Thursday March 21st and get ready to share, learn, and network at G.Foley’s in Panama City for next month’s IDEA CAMP.

For more information, email Marta Rose: marta@pcbeachchamber.org.

Half Million Passengers at New Airport This Summer

With this summer’s perils, the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport still handled nearly three times as many passengers as the old airport did the same period last year, 446,135 passengers over 160,000 to be exact. On top of that, parking needs have exceeded expectations, pushing the airport board to develop additional permanent parking.

All in all, traffic expectations have been exceeded across the board, especially considering the summer we had on the beach. There is a lot of speculation about the viability of Southwest Airlines maintaining their presence here, though, with average passenger loads weighing in around 64%, but officials are optimistic that 2011 will be much better.

Check after the break to read the full press release.

Continue reading “Half Million Passengers at New Airport This Summer” →

Southwest Airlines Marketing Working

One of the cool things about bringing in Southwest Airlines to the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport was that we get to take advantage of SWA’s amazing marketing success. This proven track record of creating an immense brand awareness so far has proven invaluable so far in marketing Panama City Beach, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

Continue reading “Southwest Airlines Marketing Working” →

Enormous Turnout for New Year's Eve at Pier Park

Definitely smashing the turnout record number from last year, this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration at Pier Park far exceeded expectations for success. Last year’s event was immense, but this year the added elements brought out crowds by the thousands. All through the night, we were continually amazed by the shear numbers of people that were everywhere.

Continue reading “Enormous Turnout for New Year's Eve at Pier Park” →

New Aerials Released of the New Airport

The runway extension is heavy production, the terminal is almost complete and we’re just a few short months away from seeing those beautiful canyon blue jets flying over our beaches. Here are the latest aerials of the brand new, but not yet completed Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.

Continue reading “New Aerials Released of the New Airport” →

Southwest Airline’s New Flight Destinations Welcomed by All

Bob Montgomery, Southwest Airlines vice president of properties announced on Wednesday the new destinations from the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. While disclosing the much awaited news he told that there would be non stop flights to and from the new airport to Orlando, Baltimore, Houston, and Nashville. The announcement of the key destinations would eventually help tourists and regular travelers to get direct or connecting flights to other 58 Southwest gateway cities.

Continue reading “Southwest Airline’s New Flight Destinations Welcomed by All” →

Southwest Airlines to Announce the Destination Cities

Southwest Airlines will announce the four to and fro flight locations from the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport on Wednesday moring.The ceremony will be held at the Breakers Restaurant in Panama City Beach at 10.00 AM. Bob Montgomery, Southwest vice president of properties will make the announcement during a press conference. He will also announce the new special introductory fares for the eight non stop flights from the new international airport.

We’ve been running a poll on which destinations were more favored by our readers to come to Panama City Beach. The top five respectively were Chicago, New York, Nashville, Dallas, and Baltimore.

The new international airport is expected to be opened on May 18^th 2010 with the Southwest flights to operate daily. The Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill said that it was exciting news and everybody would be delighted when southwest announces the low fares.

In the meantime, Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC) officials will start a public relations campaign in the cities after the announcement is officially made, using social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. According to Dan Rowe,TDC executive director, the announcement and selling of the flight tickets would bring energy to the whole project.

The TDC has made an agreement with Southwest, the largest domestic airlines in USA to bring its service to the new airport with daily non stop flights from the four cities. The airline reached an agreement previously with The St. Joe Co., the Panhandle’s largest landowner, that guarantees any losses from its new operations into Northwest Florida for the initial two years. Many experts see the deal as a boost for the economic development of the region.