Melbourne, FL – January 21, 2020 – Members of the Melbourne Regional Chamber, Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Palm Bay Chamber conducted their sixth-annual Tallahassee Fly-In this week. The title sponsor of the event, Orlando Melbourne International Airport, made the flight possible as it does each year. The group of 50 chartered a plane, arrived in Tallahassee in time for morning meetings, conducted smaller group meetings with legislators and executive branch leaders concerning their Brevard Joint Chamber Legislative Agenda (Please see attached Joint Legislative Agenda), and were back in Melbourne the same evening.
“This trip continues to be a tremendous value for our members, as our meetings this year included an address from Governor DeSantis at Brevard Day, briefings by Cabinet level directors, and of course advocacy meetings with legislators and their respective staff members regarding the Joint Chamber Legislative Agenda,” said Todd J. Pokrywa, Melbourne Regional Chamber’s Chairman of the Board, and President of The Viera Company.
Participants were addressed by Governor DeSantis, as he discussed issues facing Brevard County with great enthusiasm. The Indian River Lagoon is a top priority of the Governor and it was evident, as he spoke to Joint Chamber members gathered in the Historic State Capitol’s Senate Chamber for Brevard County Day in Tallahassee, that he is well versed on the needs that accompany the growth of our manufacturing and commercial space sectors.
Brevard’s legislative delegation also addressed those at Brevard County Day at the Capitol, brought together by Representative Tyler Sirois (R-51) and Senator Tom Wright (R–14). Participants from colleges, non-profits, tourism, space exploration and other local businesses and vendors were also in attendance, showcasing Brevard’s best and brightest.
Representative Randy Fine (R-53), who chairs the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, met with members that participated in the Tallahassee Fly-In, where he discussed their Joint Brevard Chamber Legislative Agenda. Of particular importance to both Fine and all four Chambers are issues concerning the Indian River Lagoon, the Brevard Zoo Aquarium, and the Junior Achievement Workforce Readiness Program Expansion, among other legislative issues.
“Our Tallahassee Fly-In has become increasingly beneficial for our members, as each year we are able to engage our legislative leaders and to keep Brevard based business concerns on their radar,” said Michael Ayers, President & CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber. “And the feedback we’ve had on this trip in terms of the value and the return on the investment of both time and dollars, has been phenomenal.”
The Melbourne Regional Chamber (MRC) is a 5-star accredited Chamber from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that was founded in 1925. MRC represents 1,100-plus members making it the largest business organization in the East Central Florida region. Its mission is to develop and promote the business interests of our members through representation, advocacy education and support while contributing to the growth and prosperity of a vibrant business community.
###
