Isabelle Renault
President/CEO
St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce
Spring has literally and visually sprung, and we are enjoying the nice weather! We joined our many visitors at THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament earlier this month — the course was beautiful! Jared Rice, executive director of the tournament, recently shared that 60 percent of tickets sold were purchased outside of our area — what a showcase for St. Johns County!
Your St. Johns County Chamber staff and volunteer leaders have been kept busy with numerous ribbon cuttings, events and advocacy efforts. We had a successful Economic Development Council Breakfast on Jan. 25 at World Golf Village, and Jeff Sheffield, executive director of North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), shared an overview of transportation changes ahead for our county. His presentation is posted on our website at https://www.sjcchamber.com/edc-quarterly-breakfasts
I hope you can all join us at our next Economic Development Council Breakfast on April 26 at World Golf Village. Jason Barrett, president and CEO of Flagler Health + (note the new name of the former Flagler Hospital) will be highlighting changes ahead for this expanding organization and industry. Flagler has already announced its expansions into Murabella and Nocatee. Registration is open for this event at https://www.sjcchamber.com/events/details/economic-development-breakfasts-2018-2019-177
And, of course, don’t miss the many events coordinated by the Chamber’s Ponte Vedra Beach Division staff, Toni Boudreaux-Godwin and Lucia Miller, and sponsored by Chamber members in the Ponte Vedra area. I am especially looking forward to the State of the Beaches Joint luncheon on April 11 at the Sawgrass Beach Club. I am so proud of our collaboration with JAX Chamber and its Beaches Division. The After Hours at THE PLAYERS on March 7 was immensely successful and a great example of that partnership!
Speaking of Toni Boudreaux-Godwin, please join me in congratulating her on being chosen as a member of St. Augustine Record’s inaugural class of “40 Under 40.” I am so proud of her fine efforts leading the Ponte Vedra Beach Division and look forward to honoring her at the March 28 Celebration lunch. Please join me — more information can be found at http://www.gatehouselive.com/expos/under/staugustinerecord/. Part of her success story is the amazing coordination of the Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show. Mark your calendar for Sunday, Sept. 15 and visit the new website at www.PVAutoShow.com.
Our brilliant weather reminds me that hurricane season will be here soon. It is important and necessary to take precautions and preparations. Please take advantage of our local resources such as the St. Johns County Government Preparation Guide (https://www.sjcemergencymanagement.com/pdf/hurrprepguide.pdf) and FloridaDisaster.biz.
We want to provide you with the tips and tools that you need to be resilient and prepared.
Stay involved in the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. We have lots of information on our website at www.sjcchamber.com. You can also call us or visit us. Our Ponte Vedra Beach office is at 200 Solana Road; the phone number for the office is (904) 285-2004. Our St. Augustine office is at 1 News Place in St. Augustine; our number there is (904) 829-5681. We continue to deliver continuous value-added service to our members and the community, resulting in a business environment and quality of life where existing businesses prosper, and new companies find it attractive to locate in St. Johns County. The Chamber strengthens business credibility, improves business visibility, amplifies business advocacy and drives prosperity in the community.
