Your Community Organizations

What does the City of Panama City Beach do? What does the Beach Chamber do? What does the Bay County EDA do? What does the Bay County TDC/CVB do? To be honest, it is difficult to distinguish the differences between each major community, government, and business organization. Here, we will summarize what each does and who to go to with certain questions to clear up some of the confusion.

Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

What we do—The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce is a growing, dynamic group and we want our Chamber members to flourish with our assistance.  The chamber serves the community as a business membership organization to help with networking, prosperity, and involvement. Through being active with the Chamber, you will have access to business leaders and influential people, and have opportunities to excel your organization in this community. The Chamber offers a wide array of diverse possibilities to get involved.  You get out of the Chamber what you put in to it!

Services—

• Networking opportunities for members
• Events
• Publication advertising
• Sponsorship opportunities
• Committees
• Free lobby advertisement
• Free website listing
• Grand Openings/Ground Breaking ceremonies

Common Misconceptions—The Beach Chamber frequently receives phone calls with inquiries or suggestions that the Chamber has no control over. It is surprising how many people walk in the lobby doors expecting to be able to pay their water or utility bill. Truth is, we deal strictly will helping local business survive in this economy while also trying to interject them within the community.

Vision—To evolve and cultivate the Panama City Beach community through partnerships with our neighboring chambers, Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and Economic Development Alliance.

Mission—To support, encourage and expand business development and tourism while enhancing the quality of life in our community.

Economic Development Alliance (Bay EDA)

What we do—The Bay Economic Development Alliance is an organization dedicated to creating new, quality jobs which increase the wealth in the community while sustaining and growing the existing economic base. Bay EDA operates as a public/private partnership made up of our county, cities, private businesses and community partners who share a common mission and are committed to working together for economic prosperity.

Services—

• Confidential Project Management
• Site Selection Assistance
• Customized Research Demographic and Labor Market Analysis
• State and Local Incentives Assistance
• Workforce Development
• Introductions to Corporate and Community Leadership

Vision—To work with strategic partners to enable the Bay County are to create new, quality jobs while sustaining and growing the existing economic base.

Mission—To assist in the attraction of new and diversified employers, to retain and encourage the expansion of existing diversified employers and to work to improve the business environment in Bay County.

Bay County Tourist Development Council/Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (TDC/CVB)

What we do—The Bay County Tourist Development Council contracts marketing and promotional activities with the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. The TDC comprises nine members appointed by the Bay County Board of County Commissioners. Three of the members are collectors of the tourist development tax; three members represent a tourist-related business; and three members are elected officials.

The Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau and Visitors Information Center offer visitors a resource for current Panama City Beach information about attractions, events, restaurants, and accommodations. Anything you need to know about Panama City Beach, we’re here to help!

Vision—The vision for Panama City Beach is to be the Gulf Coast’s premier, year-round beach destination.

Mission—The Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Bay County Tourist Development Council promote a positive image for Panama City Beach, increase tourism, and coordinate the marketing efforts to the total tourism community.

City of Panama City Beach 

What we do—The City of Panama City Beach assists residents, businesses, visitors, and government related issues. Panama City Beach is a home-rule City with a Council-City Manager form of government. The City Council is made up of five members elected at-large from each of the four wards and a Mayor who is elected at-large.

City Services—

• Parks and recreation
• Portable water and reuse water
• Sanitary sewers
• Road maintenance

Business Services—

• Business classification
• Estimated license fees
• How to apply for a license
• State or County licensing/certification requirements
• Pre-license inspection (free service)

Brand Statement—Home of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

 

Who you gonna call?

 

“I want to request that a pot hole on my street be filled.”

–The City of Panama City Beach.

“ I have a business looking to relocate to Panama City Beach.  Where do I start?”

–The EDA.

“’I’m doing research on Bay County. Where can I get demographics and statistics about the area?”

–The EDA.

“I want help getting my business involved with networking events involving other local small businesses.”

–The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

“What are the best condominiums to stay at on the beach?”

–The Beach Chamber or TDC/CVB

“I need information about the Christmas Parade, New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, 4^th of July Celebration, etc.”

–The TDC/CVB

 “Where can I get a business/vendor permit?”

–The City of Panama City Beach

 

Beach Chamber         TDC/CVB       The City of PCB         EDA

       235-1159                233-5070              233-5100         215-9965