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INDUSTRY APPRECIATION CELEBRATION RECAP
The Chamber believes in our industrial partners and truly appreciates their contributions to our economy and way of life. It is hard to imagine life in Bay County without the economic and civic contributions companies like our award recipients make on a daily basis.
Sporting Clay Tournament Winners:
1ST PLACE TEAM // System Services and Engineering – Kyle Shoots, Jonathon Shoots 2ND PLACE TEAM // Advance Fire Protection Services – Michael Sudheimer, Carl Ellis, Johnny Riley, Trent Susi 3RD PLACE TEAM // Smart Bank – Jeremy Bennett, Chuck Fuller, Connor Shaw, Hunter Shaw
THANKS TO OUR Sponsors:
PRESENTING // Gulf Power SPORTING CLAY // Tournament: Hancock Whitney; Lunch: Trustmark Bank; Prize: Brock Lawn and Pest Control; Refreshment Cart: Berg Pipe INDUSTRY APPRECIATION CELEBRATION AWARDS BREAKFAST // Presenting: Gulf Power; Award: Gulf Coast State College TABLE SPONSORS // Aaron Rich Marketing, Berg Pipe, By The Sea Resorts, City of Panama City, Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Holiday Beach Mechanical, Port Panama City, USA, RSAE Labs Inc., and Trustmark Bank
Business Expansion By The Sea Resorts
By The Sea Resorts has invested $10 million dollars to expand the business, solidifying their commitment for new jobs, event space and tourism for the community. In the past year, they have added Candlewood Suites to their family. The Legacy Hotel underwent a total renovation and reopened as a Radisson. The Shalimar Retreat has been rebranded to the Travelodge by Wyndham. With the name recognition and reach of Wyndham and Radisson, this move will bring added exposure to Panama City Beach. Also, recently rebranded Baymont by Wyndham and Ramada by Wyndham properties have been updated. By investing and upgrading the properties, it elevates the offerings to the Panama City and Panama City Beach area to clients looking for an upgraded experience.
Newcomer Fat & Weird Cookie
Our newcomer award winner, Fat and Weird Cookie, was born in August of 2018 after they received a little help from followers on Instagram. Over 1,000 cookies were sent from different people all over the world to the door of the owner, who was born and raised in Panama City. He and his wife sampled every cookie that came to them in an effort to create new ideas and put their own twist on their products. As a result, Fat and Weird Cookie has opened up a store-front location in Panama City and manufactures and distributes massive gourmet cookies with weird names, cookie dough and ice cream locally and all over the world.
Innovation RSAE Labs
During the last year, RSAE Labs has, in parallel, developed, deployed and validated multiple innovative technologies, products and services. These innovations represent significant advances in global logistics, cyber-security, manufacturing and health safety. ‘Mist’ (mobile interconnected sensor technology) is an advanced wireless IOT protocol developed in conjunction with the US DoD and the US Rail Industry and owned exclusively by RSAE Labs. Mist has set new standards for wireless IOT communications for cyber-security (only DoD certified) and lowest life-cycle cost. Last year, mist-based products and services were deployed for the first time in commercial manufacturing, global logistics and US rail operations.
Small Business of the Year Aaron Rich Marketing
Aaron Rich Marketing was launched in 2013 as a single person entity in 2013 and has consistently grown throughout the last 8 years to a staff of 18 employees almost entirely through word of mouth and community involvement. The business has expanded its service offerings and now has specialists in each business area. Aaron Rich Marketing has twice been recognized as Florida State’s Seminole 100 award for the fastest growing companies by an FSU led organization. They have been able to remain successful in maintaining operations and staffing despite going through a Category 5 hurricane and global pandemic.
Headquartered in Bay County, Florida, Eastern Shipbuilding Group is a leading innovator in marine construction and repair, utilizing both conventional assembly methods and modular construction. This combination of techniques has made their three facilities some of the most modern and efficient operations in the country. Today, Eastern Shipbuilding Group has a portfolio of over 350 vessels that can be found around the world. They recently built the latest iconic fleet of Staten Island Ferries and serve as the prime contractor for the U.S. Coast Guard’s highest acquisition priority, the Heritage Class Offshore Patrol Cutter. From their shipyard in Bay County Florida, ESG has built world class vessels for national defense and commercial purposes. Their corporate philosophy is to keep their promises and deliver excellence to their customers.
