Plant City’s community and business leaders donned legwarmers, miniskirts, and parachute pants and teased their hair to sky-high heights for The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Chamber Gala last Thursday night. At the 80’s-themed event, held at the John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College, last year’s Board of Directors was recognized, the gavel was passed to the 2023 Chairman of the Board, new board members were sworn in and local businesses recognized as the “berry best” in our community.
Outgoing Chairman of the Board Irene Castillo expressed gratitude for being able to serve Plant City’s small businesses in 2022 and highlighted some of the Chamber’s accomplishments last year, including being instrumental in the Florida Legislature’s passage of a bill designating the strawberry shortcake as Florida’s official dessert, unveiling the updated Plant City Map & Guide at its Florida Strawberry Festival booth, the addition of two new membership programs (Connect & Grow and Small Business of the Month Award), an August Candidate Forum so the community could meet candidates running for office and the relaunching of Schmoozapalooza, New Teacher Coffee and Leadership Plant City. It also organized the Chamber Nonprofit Leadership Roundtable that helps connect nonprofit organizations in the local community. Started by Chamber CEO Christine Miller, the event was so successful it’s being instituted county-wide.
“The Plant City Chamber of Commerce is here to be the voice of Small Business, our motto is “Business Building a Better Community,” said Castillo. “Through the support of our membership, trustees, ambassadors and board we are building a better Plant City through our daily work.”
In a time-honored tradition, Castillo passed the gavel to the 2023 Chairman of the Board, Wesley Joyner. The sixth-generation Plant City resident’s remarks to the audience focused on how great it is to live, work and raise a family in Plant City. “The Chamber will continue to provide leadership that will improve Plant City’s businesses and our community,” he said. “It will be the leading force promoting the commercial, agricultural, industrial and civic interests of Plant City and East Hillsborough County.”
After the passing of the gavel, 2023 Best of Plant City awards were presented to local citizens and businesses. Winners of the 2023 Best Of Plant City Awards included:
- Spirit of the Chamber Award: Deanna Hurley
- Chairman’s Award: Nick Thurston
- Ambassador of the Year: Jason Jones
- Visionary Award: Jake Austin
- Economic Development Award: Dan Sudler of Sudler Real Estate
- Downtown Enrichment Award: Norma’s Sandwich Shop
- Community Service Award: Bikes for Christ
- Customer Service Award: The Barber Company
- Best Community Event: Plant City Honors Our Veterans & Active Military
- Health, Wellness & Fitness: V.E.V. Fitness & Nutrition
- Non-Profit of the Year Award: Hillsborough Cattlemen’s Foundation
- Employer of the Year: Patterson Companies
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Kristi Grooms- Fancy Farms Market
- New Business Award: Bruton’s Cigar Shop
- Small Business of the Year: Pelican’s SnoBalls
- Emerging Leader: Ryan Gill
- Business of the Year: Hungry Howie’s