Spotlight On: Kelly Flannery, President & CEO, South Tampa Chamber of Commerce
December 2024 — In an interview with Invest:, Kelly Flannery, president and CEO of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the chamber’s efforts during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, highlighting how it provided support to impacted businesses. Flannery shared key aspects of the chamber’s 2024 strategic plan, emphasizing member-focused services and advocacy to drive business growth in the region.
How does the South Tampa Chamber support businesses during challenging times?
The impact of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton has been interesting, we had two back to back storms only a week apart. In the first storm many of our residents were displaced by a historic storm surge. In the second storm sustained wind caused the most damage. Combined the Tampa Bay area saw a level of destruction we haven’t seen in over 100 years.
The chamber has focused on identifying members with personal needs, particularly those displaced from their homes, and matching them with services. We sent out communications asking members to let us know if they needed help or could offer assistance, allowing us to make strategic matches based on their situations. We also launched a member-to-member gift card drive, collecting more than $4000.00 for places like Amazon, restaurants, home improvement and grocery stores. This way, those impacted could purchase exactly what they need, depending on where they were in their recovery. We also distributed 100 care packages donated by an elementary school in Pensacola. People from all over the state want to help.
Local businesses were impacted in a different way. There were commercial corridors who also experienced flooding with the first storm. In addition to blowing over signs, broken windows and other destruction caused by 90mpi wind, and an extended power outage for nearly a week. Not only were the businesses forced to remain closed, but businesses like restaurants also experienced significant loss in products which is expensive to replace.
Looking ahead, we’re ensuring that the business community understands its role in the broader recovery. We’re sharing information about financial aid programs available and guiding businesses on how to access those resources. Using the same model we did during the pandemic, we’re gathering information from partners, press releases and conference calls, compiling it, and distributing it through email, social media, and even going door-to-door in the hardest-hit areas. It is also important for the community at large to support our local businesses now when they need it most.
What are some of the trends you’re seeing in business formation in South Tampa recently?
We faced challenges in 2021 and 2022 with some businesses closing — not so much during the pandemic itself, but in its aftermath. However, in 2023 and 2024, we’ve seen a strong shift in the other direction, with many new businesses opening and thriving. What stands out is the rise of niche businesses, like a cookie dough shop down the street from our office, which operates like an ice cream shop but serves cookie dough, an indoor entertainment facility with golf simulators, a sauna studio, and a detox medical spa.
One silver lining from the pandemic is that it pushed businesses to get creative in how they operate and offer services. That spirit of innovation continues, and it’s evident in the new businesses opening.
The medical industry in South Tampa is booming. Tampa General Hospital (TGH) and others are expanding by opening off-site facilities, so people no longer need to visit the main hospital’s emergency room. These standalone ERs and Urgent Cares provide more convenience — fewer lines, easier parking — by bringing healthcare services closer to where people live.
What are the main areas of focus for the chamber’s 2024 strategic plan, and how will it drive business growth?
Our five year strategic plan focuses on four pillars. First, prioritizing member-specific support, ensuring we meet the needs of our members with tailored services and a strong member experience. We’ve also been expanding our young professional programs, which are key to developing the future workforce.
The second focus is on being a resource for businesses across South Tampa and beyond, aiding in their growth and success. Third, we are advocating for impactful issues at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure a high quality of life for residents and a strong economic climate for businesses.
Lastly, we’re committed to operational excellence. We want our team to continue learning and growing, so we can serve our members with best practices and ethical leadership. This year I celebrated ten years as the president and CEO of the South Tampa Chamber and also completed the Institute for Organization Management, a program through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has been invaluable. By focusing on operational excellence, we can lead in the community more effectively and help drive long-term success.
How have your workforce development programs evolved, and are there any new initiatives addressing labor market challenges?
Workforce development is a key focus for us, and we’re tackling it on two fronts — one short term and one more long term.
In the short term, we are focusing on our young professional community. These are recent graduates who’ve either relocated to Tampa or, ideally, stayed after attending one of our universities. Retaining this talent is essential. Our young professional program, launched a few years ago, started as a networking space but has evolved to include more professional development. We now offer workshops throughout the year, where experts teach specific skills or tools that young professionals need in their careers. We also host Q&A sessions with successful mid-level professionals who share their leadership philosophies and career insights.
The long-term focus is on early childhood education, which may seem distant from workforce development but is crucial. We’re looking at how to support the future workforce — those entering the job market in 15 to 20 years. This focus stems from data showing how critical early childhood learning is and the importance of third grade reading scores. Up until third grade, children are learning how to read; after that, they are reading to learn. If they fall behind early on, they’re more likely to stay behind as they progress. That’s why we’re focusing on programs that give young children the tools they need early on to succeed in school and, eventually, in the workforce and in life.
As the chamber gears up for its Centennial in 2026, what are your goals and priorities leading up to this milestone?
We’re really focused on advocacy — identifying where we can have the most impact both locally and beyond. Next year, we’ll launch a new legislative agenda that we’re proud of, and we’re eager to work closely with elected leaders after this election cycle to push our community forward and make it as strong as possible. We’ll also continue our support for MacDill Air Force Base, which is one of Tampa Bay’s largest employers and key economic drivers.
Internally, we’re planning new events and programs over the next few years. We’ll keep expanding our professional development initiatives, while also launching programs specifically tailored to business owners based on member feedback. These will focus on areas they’ve expressed interest in to help them strengthen their businesses and skills.
We’re also finding new ways to recognize the community’s resilience and success. We relaunched an expanded Business of the Year program in 2024. Our board recently discussed ideas for how to celebrate those who have stood out post-COVID and honor our recent “hurricane heroes” for their contributions during difficult times.
Looking ahead to our Centennial in 2026, we aim to achieve accreditation through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Only about 3% of chambers nationwide hold this accreditation, and we hope to join this esteemed group. It’s an exciting goal that aligns with our commitment to excellence as we move into the next phase of growth for our community and the chamber.
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