Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
ANGIE GREENNew leadership wants to offer more, with a new logo, seminars and networking events.
LARGO - If you're looking for Largo's chamber of commerce in the phone book, it won't be under the Gs much longer.
The Greater Largo Chamber of Commerce has become the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's board recently approved the name change.
Chamber president Charles Cronk said the new name will better include businesses within a larger geographical range and to create a wider service area.
He said the new name more accurately describes areas that are unincorporated or businesses within Largo city limits that have a Clearwater address.
The chamber also has a new logo, designed by Logoworks of Largo.
Chamber officials plan to offer more services for members, including seminars and new networking opportunities.
These new changes are the result of a switch in chamber leadership. Cronk, appointed by the board in February, said he's eager to do more for business groups.
"It's an exciting time for the chamber. Seminars, a new look, new name. We hope to be the voice of businesses in the Largo/Mid-Pinellas area," Cronk said.
Name changes have been a recent trend among chambers of commerce in Pinellas County. In 2000, Clearwater's chamber switched from the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce to its current name, Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce. Chamber officials said the name change was partly to make the group easier to find in the phone book.
The Clearwater chamber also makes an effort to serve groups beyond its city limits.
So with chambers continuing to expand their service areas, how will a business owner decide which chamber to join?
"All chambers have members from different cities," Cronk said. "We have members of multiple chambers." Businesses decide which chamber or chambers will serve them best, he said.
- Angie Green can be reached at 727 445-4224 or agreen@sptimes.com