West Tampa Chamber

🎉 West Tampa Chamber Monthly Luncheon – May Event! 🎉 Join us for our upcoming Monthly Luncheon featuring the Honorable Retired Judge E.J. Salcines, as he presents a fascinating discussion on the Military History of West Tampa. Judge Salcines is a renowned historian, former appellate judge, and lifelong West Tampa resident known for sharing powerful stories that connect our community to its rich cultural and historical roots. 📅 Event Details: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 🕦 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Networking & Registration 🍽️ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Luncheon & Presentation 📍 Location: Hillsborough Community College – Dale Mabry Campus DTSU Building 🎤 Guest Speaker: Hon. Ret. Judge E.J. Salcines 🎯 Topic: Military History of West Tampa 🙏 This luncheon is generously sponsored by Jessica Fernandez, Attorney at Law ⚠️ Space is limited—reserve your tickets today! 🔗 /events/monthly-luncheon-with-ej-salcines/

Thank you to the Hillsborough Education Foundation for hosting this month’s Café and Connections especially during Teacher Appreciation Week and for providing such an wonderful, engaging and educational morning to our members. We also appreciated the opportunity to tour the historic Centro Español de West Tampa. The Centro Español of West Tampa was built by cigar workers as a branch of El Centro Español de Tampa and served as an important social, cultural, and health center for Tampa’s immigrant community. Designed by Fred J. James, the building included a gym, café, health clinic, casino, and the Royal Theater, reflecting the strong community life of West Tampa’s cigar industry era. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, the historic building was later restored by the city of Tampa and now serves as the home of the @hillsedufnd 📚 Thank you to the @kreweofwesttampa for sponsoring the cafe con leche and to @brandedbybeck for serving as media sponsor and helping showcase this special event. ☕️✨ We are so grateful to everyone who attended and to all of our partners and supporters who helped make the event a success. #WTChamber #WestTampa

🎉 Welcome Our Newest Member! 🎉 The West Tampa Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome TECO Energy as our newest Platinum Level Member! TECO Energy is a Tampa-based energy company providing electric and natural gas services through its subsidiaries, including Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas. Serving hundreds of thousands of customers across Florida, TECO plays a vital role in powering homes, businesses, and communities throughout the region. With a long-standing history in Tampa dating back to 1899, TECO Energy has grown into one of the state’s leading utility providers, committed to delivering reliable energy service while investing in infrastructure, innovation, and a more sustainable energy future. 🔗 Learn more: We are honored to have TECO Energy join the West Tampa business community at the Platinum Level and look forward to their continued leadership, partnership, and impact. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome! 👏

Happy Mother’s Day from the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce 💐 Today we celebrate all the amazing women who nurture, guide, support, and love in so many ways — moms, grandmothers, stepmothers, godmothers, foster moms, mothers-to-be, aunts, sisters, mentors, and every mother figure who makes a difference in our lives and community. Thank you for the strength, compassion, wisdom, and care you share every day. Your impact reaches far beyond your families and helps our community thrive. Wishing you a day filled with love, appreciation, and joy. Happy Mother’s Day! 💖

The #WTChamber was honored to attend this morning’s West Tampa Friends gathering alongside fellow members of the West Tampa Chamber at @lateresitarestaurant celebrating legendary Pop Cuesta. Coach Cuesta’s impact as a teacher, mentor, and longtime baseball coach at Jefferson High School has shaped generations of young men both on and off the field. His remarkable career included coaching future Hall of Famers Fred McGriff, Tino Martinez, and Luis Gonzalez. It was a wonderful morning recognizing a true West Tampa icon.

🎉 Welcome Our Newest Member! 🎉 The West Tampa Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Freedom Boat Club as our newest Business Level Member! Freedom Boat Club is the world’s largest boat club, offering members hassle-free access to a wide variety of boats without the responsibilities of ownership. With hundreds of locations across the U.S. and around the world, members enjoy unlimited boating opportunities backed by maintenance, cleaning, storage, insurance, and training provided by the club. Founded in 1989 and now part of Brunswick Corporation, Freedom Boat Club has built a strong reputation for making boating simple, accessible, and enjoyable—whether for experienced boaters or those new to life on the water. Members can reserve boats at their home location or take advantage of reciprocal access when traveling. 🔗 Learn more: We’re excited to have them join the West Tampa business community and look forward to their involvement and impact! Please join us in giving them a warm welcome! 👏

🎉 **Welcome Our Newest Member!** 🎉 The West Tampa Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome **Darryl Belluccia** as our newest Young Professional Level Member! Darryl Belluccia joins the Chamber as part of our growing Young Professionals community, dedicated to building connections, developing leadership skills, and contributing to the future of West Tampa’s business environment. Young Professionals members play a key role in bringing fresh energy, ideas, and engagement to our local business network. We are excited to have Darryl as part of the Chamber and look forward to his involvement, growth, and contributions within the West Tampa business community. Please join us in giving him a warm welcome! 👏

Welcome Our Newest Member!🎉 The West Tampa Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome **Suncoast Credit Union** as our newest Business Level Member! Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in Florida, serving more than a million members with a full range of financial services including personal and business banking, loans, mortgages, and financial education. With a strong commitment to community impact, Suncoast is dedicated to improving the financial well-being of its members while reinvesting in the communities it serves. Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Tampa, Suncoast has grown into one of the region’s most trusted financial institutions—known for its member-first approach, competitive rates, and dedication to local service and support. 🔗 Learn more: [] We’re excited to have them join the West Tampa business community and look forward to their continued involvement and impact! Please join us in giving them a warm welcome! 👏

Yesterday morning marked an exciting milestone for West Tampa as we attended the groundbreaking of a transformative new shared campus for Just Elementary School and Stewart Middle Magnet School. This project represents more than new buildings, it’s a meaningful investment in our students, our families, and the future of our community. As we look ahead to a modern, innovative learning environment, it’s nice to see the commitment of honoring the rich history and cultural legacy that defines West Tampa. The West Tampa Chamber is proud to support initiatives that strengthen education while preserving the spirit of the community we serve. We look forward to seeing this vision come to life and the lasting impact it will have for generations to come. @hillsboroughsch

🎉 Welcome Our Newest Member! 🎉 The West Tampa Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome First Bank of the Lake as our newest Business Level Member! First Bank of the Lake is a nationally recognized financial institution specializing in SBA lending and business banking solutions. With a strong focus on helping small businesses grow, they have funded billions in SBA loans across the country and are known for delivering personalized service, innovative financing options, and a commitment to long-term client success. Their mission is centered on providing businesses with the capital and financial tools they need to expand, thrive, and achieve their goals—strengthening communities through economic growth and opportunity. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.fblake.bank/ We’re excited to have them join the West Tampa business community and look forward to their involvement and impact! Please join us in giving them a warm welcome!

The West Tampa Chamber joined the community in a meaningful celebration honoring the legacy of the honorable Judge E.J. Salcines and his family—Juanita and Emiliano Salcines with the re-Opening of Salcines Park on the corner of N. Howard Ave. & Main Street. Most of all, the event reflected the deep love this city has for EJ and the lasting impact his family has made on West Tampa and our broader community. The day highlighted a full-circle moment for the Chamber, when EJ recognized that the Chamber—originally the Optimist Club—was founded on the same site 108 years ago and has now returned to Main Street as West Tampa continues its revitalization. A special thank you to the Tampa CRA for the beautification of Salcines Park and its thoughtful improvements, including a new fence, updated amenities such as domino tables, beautiful fountains, and added shade creating a more welcoming space for residents and families. We also extend sincere appreciation to our board member and past president Jeanette LaRussa Fenton for her involvement in this important project and her continued service through her role on the Tampa CRA Advisory Committee. Yesterday’s celebration served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Salcines family and the continued momentum of growth and pride in West Tampa.

☕✨ You’re Invited: Café & Connections ✨☕ Start your morning with purpose, connection, and community! Join us for our bi-monthly Café & Connections, this month is hosted by the Hillsborough Education Foundation in partnership with the West Tampa Chamber of Commerce—where conversation, collaboration, and impact come together. Enjoy delicious Café con Leche, generously sponsored by the Krewe of West Tampa, while networking with local leaders, educators, and community members who are passionate about making a difference. 📅 May 5th ⏰ 8:30–10:00 AM 📍 Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) 🎟️ Free & open to all (registration required) What to Expect: 8:30–9:00 AM – Networking, coffee, and light breakfast 9:00–9:30 AM – Guided tour of the Teaching Tools Resource Center (TTRC) + HEF overview 9:30–10:00 AM – Q&A and additional networking Get an inside look at how HEF supports students and teachers across Hillsborough County, including a tour of the TTRC—a free resource store empowering educators. 🤝 Build connections ☕ Enjoy coffee and culture 🌟 Discover the impact happening in our community 🔗 Register here: /events/cafe-connections-at-hef/ Bring a friend and grow your network—we can’t wait to see you there!