Melbourne, Fla. [January 13, 2021] – The Melbourne Regional Chamber (MRC) recently announced the restructure of its executive leadership team to further position the organization as the area’s leading chamber for business advocacy and community development.  Michelle Salyer began work at MRC this week as vice president of communications and marketing, joining executive leadership team members Michael Ayers, president/CEO; Melody Thomas, vice president of business development; and Melody Buller, director of finance and human resources.

In this newly created role, Salyer will develop and implement strategic marketing and communications programs, drive awareness of the chamber brand, manage the investor program, maintain the MRC’s Five Star accreditation status, and coordinate the chamber’s councils and committees, among other duties. She has been a member of the MRC board of directors since 2017 and served as vice-chair of the marketing committee for two years. Salyer brings to the role more than 25 years of experience in marketing, advertising, public relations and journalism. She comes to the chamber from Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, where she spent six years as director of marketing and communications. In addition to operating her own public relations and communications firm for many years, she has worked for companies including Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex/Delaware North, Visit Orlando, Eddie Bauer Worldwide, Edelman Seattle and Austin Kelley Advertising in Atlanta. Salyer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of South Carolina with a cognate in Marketing.

Melody Thomas was recently promoted to the role of vice president of business development after serving the organization for 18 months as the director of business development. In this expanded
role, Thomas will continue to drive new partnership sales and tactics, as well as oversee the development and implementation of retention operations, efforts, and initiatives. Prior to joining MRC, Thomas served as area director of sales and marketing for LaQuinta Hotels by Wyndham in New Orleans for more than eight years and served on the board of directors for the Gulf South LGBT Chamber from 2014 to 2019. She currently serves on the board of directors for the SPCA of Brevard.

​“Our new leadership model will position the Melbourne Regional Chamber to provide even more outstanding value to our members, to the Space Coast business community, and the community at large,” said Michael Ayers, president & CEO of Melbourne Regional Chamber. “I am thrilled to welcome Michelle Salyer to the team and to promote Melody Thomas, who has been a key player in attracting new investors and members to the chamber in the last year and a half. Both of these professionals will help us further our mission to promote the business interests of our members and to create an environment in which business thrives.”

Ayers was appointed president/CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber in 2017. He brings to the role nearly 20 years of experience in government relations, management and political marketing in Washington, D.C., Illinois, Tallahassee and Brevard County. Buller has spent nearly 30 years in leadership at the Melbourne Regional Chamber, including 25 years at CFO, as well as five years as executive vice president/CFO of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce in Appleton, Wisconsin. As part of its strategic plan, the chamber also created the role of connections coordinator, which was filled by Macy Monroe. Monroe attended the University of Central Florida and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management. Most recently, she worked in the property management field. In her new role, Monroe supports the chamber membership team in providing support to existing and potential members and investors. 

The Melbourne Regional Chamber, founded in 1925, represents more than 1,000 organizations in Central Florida. It develops and promotes the business interests of its members through representation, advocacy, education, and support, while contributing to the growth and prosperity of a vibrant business community. For more information, visit www.melbourneregionalchamber.com.
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Downloadable headshots available: https://tinyurl.com/y5u6ca5x

Melbourne Regional Chamber is pleased to announce the promotion of Melody Thomas to Vice President of Business Development. Thomas has been with the organization for 18 months as the Director of Business Development.
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Prior to joining the Chamber, Melody was the Area Director of Sales & Marketing for LaQuinta Hotels by Wyndham in New Orleans for over 8 years and served on the Board of Directors for the Gulf South LGBT Chamber from 2014-2019. Melody currently serves on the Board of Directors for the SPCA of Brevard.
 
“Melody has played an integral role in strengthening our membership strategy, retention efforts, communications, and relationships with our members and community partners,” said Michael Ayers, President & CEO of Melbourne Regional Chamber. “She is an important part of our success and our future. As Vice President of Business Development, Melody will continue to drive new membership sales and tactics, as well as oversee the development and implementation of our retention operations, efforts, and initiatives.”
 
Melody also leads the Chamber’s newly launched Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Team and will support MRC’s revitalized Membership Development Team, which were two initiatives identified as priorities under the Chamber’s new 2021 workplan. 

The Melbourne Regional Chamber is pleased to announce the launch of COVID-19 Hero Appreciation Week presented by L3Harris and St. Francis Reflections. This appreciation-based program will recognize, celebrate, and salute all our COVID heroes who have diligently served our Space Coast region this year. At the heart of COVID Hero Appreciation Week is the opportunity to invigorate COVID front line workers by offering them the thanks they richly deserve but seldom receive.
 
During this week-long celebration, we will honor our COVID heroes, tell them their dedication and service are noticed and appreciated, as well as inspire continued connections and foster pride among our hometown heroes and local community.
 
“The strength and courage demonstrated by our COVID heroes over the past several months has been astounding and nothing short of inspirational. We are proud to launch this week dedicated to those who have bravely served our Space Coast Region during these difficult times,” commented Michael Ayers, President & CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber. “The Chamber recognizes that everyday people in our community and around the globe are putting their lives at risk to preserve ours.”
 
The Chamber wanted to make it easy for our community to share and demonstrate their appreciation for our COVID Heroes. So, each day, starting on Monday, October 26th, we are asking the community to send messages of thankfulness, share inspirational stories and acts of kindness on social media, and recognize a COVID Hero in their own special ways.
 
The Chamber is urging all community members to be part of this celebration by following these simple steps:
 
1. Visit our social media pages for COVID Hero Appreciation Week content & toolkit
2. Show your appreciation and gratitude for your heroes
3. Participate in our daily #hashtag activities and share your stories, pictures, and recognition moments
4. Spread the word about COVID Hero Appreciation Week
 
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH VIDEO

 -Melbourne, FL [August 27, 2020] - The Melbourne Regional Chamber (MRC) Board of Directors recently voted to formally endorse the extension of the half-cent sales surtax for Brevard Public Schools (BPS).
 
“One item on this November’s ballot with the greatest importance to voters in our community is the extension of the half-cent sales surtax for BPS,” said Michael Ayers, President & CEO of the MRC. “High quality schools help attract businesses and residents to the Space Coast and encourage those already here to stay, and there is a tremendous need to update our school infrastructure.”
 
In 2014, Brevard County voters overwhelmingly approved the sales surtax for a six-year period, which will expire at the end of this year. Although nearly $200 million in funding from the surtax has been invested in construction projects at local schools, there still is a funding backlog equating to millions of dollars in identified capital improvement projects. If residents vote yes to reauthorize this vital funding source, the half-cent sales surtax will continue to fund an estimated $270 million dollars of critical improvements such as facility renewal, educational technology, and security with all expenditures monitored by an independent citizen oversight committee.
 
The Melbourne Regional Chamber is proud to support this effort and encourages other community organizations to join the campaign to improve our schools. Every dollar raised stays right here in Brevard County and benefits our schools and students as funds are spent on a preapproved, publicly vetted list of projects.
 
“The condition of local school facilities has a direct relationship to the quality of education and, therefore, we are urging Brevard County's residents and businesses to support the extension of the sales surtax to help fund essential BPS repairs and upgrades,” commented Todd J. Pokrywa, President of The Viera Company and Chair of the Board for the MRC. Natasha Spencer, Senior Vice President of Shelter Mortgage and Chair of the MRC’s Business Advocacy Committee added, “An investment in our schools is an investment in our economic growth and the future of our community.”
 
The MRC continues to coordinate with Brevard Citizens for Better Schools, a registered political action committee, and other supporters of the referendum to help the measure pass this November. For more information about the initiative, contact: brevardbetterschools@gmail.com.

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Melbourne, FL [July 29, 2020] - Melbourne Regional Chamber recently announced the evolution and rebranding of its long-standing Better Business Council to Better Business Certified. The Melbourne Regional Chamber’s BBC has been serving the community for close to 60 years, and will continue to serve under the same acronym, with enhanced benefits to BBC business and area consumers.
 
“Our mission is to strengthen credibility and public confidence in Better Business Certified businesses through collaboration, joint marketing, public relations, and recognition,” said Tom Fulmer, VP of Business Development for National Drug Screening, Inc. and 2020 Chair of the Chamber’s BBC.
 
The Chamber’s Better Business Certified program (BBC) encourages high ethical business standards, informs and protects local consumers, and assists businesses that adhere to the sound & fair business principals. Member companies or organization must have been in business locally for one year, be properly licensed and insured, possess a good public reputation, and abide by the BBC Code of Ethics.
 
Enhanced value and special benefits offered to Better Business Certified member companies and organizations, include greater credibility and consumer confidence, increased visibility, marketing & promotional support, and referral services.
 
To learn more about how becoming BBC can benefit your business, please contact Melody Thomas, Director of Business Development at Melody.Thomas@MelbourneRegionalChamber.com.
 
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The Melbourne Regional Chamber is a five-star accredited chamber from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber proudly serves the business communities of Brevard County and East Central Florida. For more information, visit www.melbourneregionalchamber.com.

Melbourne, FL [June 26, 2020] – The Melbourne Regional Chamber is pleased to announce its Space Coast StayCation campaign. The campaign, which is a joint effort with the Chamber’s Visitors Bureau (CVB), is designed to help drive the local economy and the recovery of the region, and inspire locals to support tourism-based businesses while rediscovering all that our spectacular community has to offer.
 
The campaign, presented by FPL, aims to increase traffic to the website, www.SpaceCoastStayCation.com, which features an easy-to-use interactive planner that allows residents around the Space Coast to create their ultimate “StayCation Itineraries.” The campaign utilizes  local influencers and  $10,000 in digital marketing to encourage Space Coast residents and those in surrounding drive markets to patronize local hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail establishments and other businesses.
 
“We are actively providing resources for the local community to recover and sharing opportunities for community members to positively impact the Space Coast economy,” commented Michael Ayers, President & CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber. “The Chamber knows tourism is a top demand driver of the Space Coast economy, so until outside tourism returns, we are encouraging residents to experience what makes the Space Coast such a desirable vacation spot while also supporting our hospitality partners at the same time.”
 
The Chamber is urging all community members to be part of it by following these simple steps:

1. Visit SpaceCoastStayCation.com
2. Plan your perfect StayCation by building your customized itinerary 
3. Share your StayCation itinerary with your social networks
4. Share your StayCation memories with the hashtag #SpaceCoastStayCation  

 
“Space Coast StayCation provides residents a way to give back to their community, but also gives them an excuse to explore their very own backyards and become tourists in their own town,” said Pam Rothenberg, Managing Partner of Tuckaway Shores Resort and Chair of the Chamber’s Visitors Bureau.
 
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH VIDEO
 
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The Melbourne Regional Chamber, founded in 1925, represents 1,200-plus organizations in Central Florida. It develops and promotes the business interests of its members through representation, advocacy, education, and support, while contributing to the growth and prosperity of a vibrant business community. For more information, visit www.melbourneregionalchamber.com.

​Melbourne, FL [June 7, 2020] –The United States Chamber of Commerce, at its board meeting last week, awarded the Melbourne Regional Chamber with 5-Star Accreditation once again for its sound policies and organizational procedures, effective advocacy efforts, valuable programming, and positive impact on the Space Coast region.
 
Of the 7,000 chambers of commerce across the United States, only 128 are currently accredited at the 5-Star level, placing the Melbourne Regional Chamber among an elite 1%. It was first accredited in 1985 and achieved 5-Star status in 2005.
 
“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit its local economy and positively influence its community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber Vice President of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”
 
Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. To receive Accreditation, a chamber must complete a rigorous accreditation application which tests competency in nine modules: benchmarking, communications, facilities, finance, governance, government affairs, human resources, program development, and technology. This extensive self-review can take several months to complete.
 
“I couldn’t be prouder of our incredible team,” said Michael Ayers, President & CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber. “This recognition is a true testament to the relentless dedication to our members and the Space Coast community. It also demonstrates the Melbourne Regional Chamber’s impact on the region and how hard it works to help the business community grow and thrive daily.”
 
“Earning the highest, 5-Star Accreditation is validation from the U.S. Chamber that the organization serves as the voice of business in the Space Coast region and is a bold leader that advocates for important issues, and continually drives change and economic growth,” said Todd J. Pokrywa, Melbourne Regional Chamber Board Chair and President of The Viera Company. “It's gratifying to be recognized nationally from among our peers as one of the best, and I am confident that we will maintain our high level of performance over the next five years."
 
Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members. Once accredited, a chamber must go through a complete re-accreditation review every five years.
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The Melbourne Regional Chamber, founded in 1925, represents 1,200-plus organizations in Central Florida. It develops and promotes the business interests of its members through representation, advocacy, education, and support, while contributing to the growth and prosperity of a vibrant business community. For more information, visit www.melbourneregionalchamber.com. 

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.
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