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BUSINESS
Building Industry Association of Okaloosa-Walton Counties sees record growth under new leadership
The Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties has transformed from struggling with member retention to becoming one of Florida’s success stories, demonstrating how strategic changes and focused leadership can revitalize an industry organization.
- Following careful board deliberation, the association implemented significant operational changes, including streamlining staff positions and restructuring leadership roles. The board’s collective decision to restructure, while initially met with skepticism, has proven successful.
Under the new operational model with Jennifer Fleming taking the helm of daily operations, the association has achieved unprecedented growth and improved member engagement.
Through collaborative board decisions and strategic initiatives, BIAOW has achieved several significant milestones:
- Membership has grown from 164 to over 200 members
- Retention rates improved from 58.1% in December 2023 to 72.2% by October 2024, surpassing the state average of 71.1%
- The association moved from being the third-lowest in state retention rankings to above average
- Financial stability improved through strategic staffing changes
The association’s political advocacy through state and national partnerships has proven crucial for the industry. Working as a unified team, BIAOW actively engages in legislative issues affecting the construction industry. This advocacy proved particularly vital during COVID-19, when the association fought successfully to keep construction workers on the job.
One of the association’s key initiatives has been addressing the construction industry’s labor shortage through strategic educational initiatives and career pathway development. Working collaboratively with local educators, the association has expanded construction programs reaching 1,600-1,800 students across the district.
- A significant victory came in April 2024 when legislation, championed by the association’s leadership team, was passed creating structured summer employment opportunities for students aged 16 and up who are enrolled in construction programs.
The Florida Home Builders Association recently recognized BIAOW’s transformation by naming it the Area 1 leader in recruitment, acknowledging the association’s success in the region spanning from Pensacola to Tallahassee.
As the current leadership team prepares for transition in December 2024 following President Jason Carducci’s three-year term, there’s confidence about the association’s future under incoming president Ferrin Campbell. The board’s strategic decisions and unified approach have positioned the association to potentially reach 300 members by the end of 2025.
- “The future is bright for the Building Industry Association,” says President Jason Carducci. “Through everyone’s efforts, we have a renewed focus, the synergies are there and the labor force is bright with everything that the Okaloosa County School District is doing with trades.”
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GIVING BACK
Impact100 Northwest Florida awards $500,000 to local nonprofits
Impact100 of Northwest Florida awarded $100,000 grants to five nonprofit organizations serving Walton and Okaloosa Counties during their annual grant distribution on Nov. 10.
2024 Impact100 Grant Recipients ($100,000 each):
- Arts & Culture: Destin History and Fishing Museum
- Education: Emerald Coast Autism Center
- Environment, Recreation & Preservation: Gulfarium C.A.R.E Foundation
- Family: The Arc of the Emerald Coast
- Health & Wellness: Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Inc.
Each organization underwent a comprehensive vetting process that included grant applications, financial reviews, and in-person site visits by Impact100 members. The general membership voted to select the final grant recipients from among 10 finalists, two from each category.
Since its establishment in 2012, Impact100 of Northwest Florida has awarded 46 grants totaling $4,886,000 to support local communities. The organization’s mission focuses on empowering women as philanthropists and leaders while bridging geographic areas within the region.
- The 2024 Board of Directors includes Joni Wallace, Tara Pierce, Robin Donlon, Schala Duckett, Carly Barnes, Della Goodson, Georgia Henderson, Melanie Adams, Carrie Brewer, Mary Tinsley, Deborah Busby, LeAnn Caravello, and Denise Greene.
Those interested in becoming members or business sponsors can contact the organization at communication@impactnwf.org. Additional information about Impact100 NWF and the grant recipients is available on their Facebook page.
THINGS TO DO
Sinfonia Gulf Coast to present ‘The Grinch in Concert’ with live orchestra
Sinfonia Gulf Coast will bring holiday cheer to the Emerald Coast with a special screening of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” accompanied by a live orchestra performing the film’s score on Dec. 14.
- The Film in Concert event will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, featuring the orchestra performing James Horner’s score while the movie plays on the big screen.
“This family-friendly event is one of our favorites because it combines the magic of live orchestral music with a classic holiday story that resonates with all ages,” said Demetrius Fuller, Music & Artistic Director of Sinfonia Gulf Coast.
Tickets range from $40 to $65 per person, with discounted prices available for students ($20-$35) and active-duty military personnel with valid ID ($25-$40).
Proceeds from the event will support Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s music education and community outreach initiatives throughout Northwest Florida.
- The performance is part of Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s 2024-2025 season, which includes upcoming shows such as “Bette, Babs & Beyond” on Jan. 17, “Classical Connections featuring Howard Levy, Harmonia + Piano” on April 4, and “Tchaikovsky X Drake” on May 17.
For tickets, visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org or call (850) 460-8800. Event organizers recommend early purchase due to limited seating.
REAL ESTATE
ERA American Real Estate launches “Super Open House” weekend featuring extensive property showcase
ERA American Real Estate kicks off its latest “Super Open House” event today, running from Thursday, November 14 through Sunday, November 17, 2024.
- This highly anticipated event continues the company’s tradition of showcasing an exceptional selection of properties throughout the Emerald Coast region and beyond.
The Super Open House event serves to energize the local housing market while demonstrating ERA American Real Estate’s substantial presence in the region. House hunters will have the opportunity to explore over 75 properties across ERA American’s service area, spanning from Pensacola to 30A, and extending north to DeFuniak, Crestview, and Milton.
To streamline the viewing experience, ERA American Real Estate has updated their user-friendly interactive map, accessible at erareal.com/super. This comprehensive tool displays all participating properties in the Super Open House event, enabling visitors to efficiently plan their weekend viewings.
The Super Open House event maintains its signature convenience factor – no appointments are required. Interested buyers can visit any participating property during the posted open house hours, which are clearly indicated on the online map. This flexible approach enables visitors to explore various homes at their leisure.
Don’t miss this chance to discover your perfect home during ERA American Real Estate’s Super Open House event, running from Thursday, November 14 through Sunday, November 17, 2024. Visit erareal.com/super to access the interactive map and begin planning your Super Open House tour today.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Fort Walton Beach Police Department announces promotions, welcomes new officers
The Fort Walton Beach Police Department celebrated the promotion of five officers and welcomed two new members to its ranks during a ceremony Wednesday.
Police Chief Robert Bage announced the promotions of Lt. Brandon Chapin and Lt. Jamieson Ross to the rank of Major. Additionally, Sgt. Ryan Chisholm and Sgt. Terrence James were elevated to Lieutenant positions, while Corporal Edgardo Santiago was promoted to Sergeant.
- The department also swore in two new officers, Britney Holland and Connor Manning.
During the ceremony, Chief Bage recognized two long-serving staff members. Records Supervisor Chantill Hunt was acknowledged for her 30 years of service to the police chief, while Theresa Harmon was honored for her decade of service with the department.
TOURISM
Okaloosa tourism up as Florida sets record-breaking quarter
As Florida posted record-breaking third quarter tourism numbers with a 1.8% increase in visitation, Okaloosa County finished its 2024 fiscal year with a 1.5% increase in bed tax collections.
- “The Free State of Florida continues to break records for tourism,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said. “It is a testament to our model, and we will continue to operate our state with common sense, fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and a penchant for freedom.”
Jennifer Adams, director of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism, said the county collected approximately $43 million in bed taxes for fiscal year 2024, despite facing increased competition in the tourism market. The slight decline in September collections was attributed to the split timing of Labor Day weekend between August and September.
“We typically have about 8 million visitors a year,” Adams said, noting that July presented its own challenges with only four weekends in the month this year.
While Florida reported 2.3 million overseas visitors in Q3, Okaloosa County’s international presence focuses primarily on English-speaking markets including the United Kingdom, Ireland, and parts of Germany. Adams recently returned from a London tourism conference where potential visitors showed particular interest in diving opportunities rather than just beaches.
- “They want to know about getting in the water,” Adams said. “We couldn’t talk enough about diving and what they can see and do in the water.”
The county’s domestic tourism remains strong with 13 regional markets including Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Houston. Orlando was added as a new target market this year, a strategic decision based on overlapping visitor patterns.
The destination is also seeing growth in Canadian visitors, particularly among adventure travelers. The tourism department participates in regional marketing efforts in Toronto and plans to continue international outreach through Visit Florida partnerships.
Adams noted a shift in the destination’s image and approach to tourism. “Our research shows we’re far more favorable in people’s eyes as a value destination. We’re not considered a discount destination anymore,” she said.
The tourism department is expanding its focus northward, following the expansion of the bed-taxing district. Adams said properties in the northern part of the county perform well outside of summer months, and new developments are underway.
- “We’re building trails. We’re adding more events to the Baker Area Recreational center, and we’re trying to do more on the rivers and get people down Turkey Creek,” Adams said. “The North end does very well in regard to collections, and they’re opening up new hotels in Niceville and Crestview, and even some more in Fort Walton Beach.”
Looking ahead to Q4, the tourism department has adjusted its marketing strategy to target potential visitors during their holiday planning phase rather than waiting until the beginning of the year.
“We switched our strategy last year,” Adams said. “We realized that October, November, December, we were missing the boat because we put all our money into January, February, March, April, while people were actually planning before the holidays.”
Her department has already begun implementing this strategy, maintaining a strong digital presence, particularly on Google, where they aim to capture potential visitors during their inspiration and planning phases.
Adams credits the destination’s success to improved hospitality scores and enhanced community engagement, noting a significant shift from past challenges.
- “I remember years ago when I came in and we had a big stakeholders meeting and I told everybody that our hospitality scores were really low and people didn’t think highly of us,” Adams said. “It was really good because nobody liked that and everybody worked very hard to get back on track.”
The results of those efforts are evident in visitor feedback, with some families returning multiple times after previously writing off the destination. “A family was telling us how four or five years ago, they never would have thought of coming back here again because they just didn’t have a good visit. Now they’ve been three times,” Adams said.
The tourism office has also evolved its approach to destination management, now employing seven marine biologists – a unique feature Adams notes she’s the only tourism director to have on staff. The department focuses on environmental initiatives like the Emerald Coast Open lionfish event and artificial reef deployment, positioning the destination differently from Florida’s east and west coasts.
“We have to continue to educate and position ourselves differently,” Adams said. “I don’t even consider us a snowbird destination anymore. We’re really trying to get people who want to do more than just chase a discount.”
This strategy appears to be working, with visitors increasingly engaging with the community and appreciating the destination’s value beyond its beaches. “We need to make it a better place for everybody,” Adams said. “I can actually feel that happening and I’m not saying that because I need to say it. I live here and I feel it.”
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