On the First Friday of the month at 9am we meet via Zoom. Each month, attendees hear from representatives from the following City government departments and organizations:

• City Hall
• CRA
• DDA
• Fire Department
• Police Department
• Planning & Zoning

The purpose of the Forum is to inform our membership regarding developments in both the corporate and the public sectors. Speakers and topics are chosen to educate… and entertain. These forums include representatives from City Staff, County, State and Federal governments, key business leaders, academicians, and thought leaders in relevant topics. The meeting is informal and free flowing. It’s also free and open to the public. It’s an invaluable opportunity to get information on upcoming city projects, developments and county government initiatives.

One of the roles of Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce is to advocate on behalf of our members, partners and the business community, as well as advocate for the economic wellbeing of our community.  This year, we surveyed our members to ask what issues are most important to them in relation to our advocacy efforts. Based on the results of this recent survey, our members are most interested in the Chamber focusing their advocacy efforts on economic development, workforce development, affordable housing, and education.    The plan below was developed in response to our member input and addresses how the Chamber will advocate locally, in our county and at the state level.  It also addresses our communication efforts related to Advocacy.

Advocacy efforts with the City

Economic Development

• Stay abreast of the issues that come in front of City Commission that affect our local businesses. Send emails and/or speak at City Commission meetings on these issues which could include LDRs, zoning, site plan modifications.
• Advocate for specific requests that come from Chamber members that impact the business community.
• Advocate with the City for a Workshop on the Golf Course.
• Advocate for free and affordable programming at Old School Square and throughout our city so that programming is accessible to our entire community.

Affordable Housing

• Advocate for Affordable Housing units to be included in new developments, especially in the Congress Corridor.

Education and Workforce Development

• Support the DCEF to raise money for our local schools.
• Spearhead an education summit to define education goals for Delray Beach
• The Chamber will bring together industries for apprenticeship programs and job fairs to provide lucrative careers for our youth and adults.
• Participate in the Delray Full Service Center Advisory Board.
• Advocate for enrollment and bringing relevant programming and funding to our schools.

Communications and Partnership

• Continue presenting the First Friday Forum, bringing together representatives from City Hall, the CRA, the DDA, Police and Fire along with a guest speaker each month.
• Utilize our monthly Government Affairs/Economic Development eblast highlighting specific topics of interest and promoting upcoming City and Chamber meetings.
• Work to amplify the City’s messaging on projects and issues that affect our business community. Ex. New parking rates implementation, GO Bond, special event policies.  Utilize our Government Affairs eblast and the First Friday Forum as channels along with social media and Delray Morning Live.
• Continue to hold our quarterly Partners meetings with the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, CRA and DDA.
• Attend/view all City Commissioner, CRA and DDA meetings.
• Continue working on the Tourism Implementation plan with the City and DDA.
• Invite City Commissioners to various Chamber events and meet with them individually throughout the year.
• Develop a plan for engagement with the West Atlantic community.

Advocacy Efforts with the County

Economic Development

• Connect with all of our County Commissioners to develop relationships. Have an open dialog with them so we will be aware when issues come up that will affect our local businesses.
• Representation on the Business Development Board (BDB). Have Noreen Payne, our BDB Representative, make a presentation to the Board semi-annually.
• Participate in quarterly BDB Stakeholder’s meeting.
• Help maintain Tourist Development Tax (TDT/Bed Taxes) revenue for local tourism promotion, which supports businesses in the community, sustainability efforts, the arts, sporting events, people working in the visitor industry, and quality of place for everyone.

Affordable Housing

• Participate in the “Housing for All” Steering Committee. This is led by the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County.
• Advocate for development of the Tri-Rail station site that includes mixed used development.

Education and Workforce Development

• Continue to work with CareerSource on workforce development initiatives.
• Keep open lines of communication with our PBC School Board members.  Continue to have them present their Legislative Agenda to us annually. Provide support to School Board legislative requests that align with Chamber interests.  Advocate with the School Board to bring relevant programming and funding to our schools.

Communications and Partnership

• Utilize our Government Affairs eblast and First Friday Forum to provide information from County leaders on issues that affect our membership.
• Continue to present County Day in Leadership Delray highlighting the Tourism Development Council agencies and the Sheriff’s office.
• Participate in Leadership Palm Beach County to expand our network.

Advocacy Efforts with the State

Appropriations

• Advocate for Appropriations made by Chamber members and the City.

Economic Development

• Stay abreast of the bills that come before the State Legislature that affect our local businesses and keep in touch with our local representation so we can be aware of bills of note.

Education and Workforce Development Efforts

• Work with the Florida Chamber in the Campaign for Grade Level reading.
• Support Voluntary Pre-K full day bill.
• Support bills that address workforce talent development.

Communications and Partnership

• Utilize our Government Affairs eblast and First Friday Forum to provide information from State leaders on issues that affect our membership.
• Produce the Legislative Lunch to give members an opportunity to meet with and hear from our State Legislators.
• Attend all Florida Chamber Legislative update Webinars during the Legislative session. Consider supporting the issues they are focused on.
• Participate in Palm Beach County Days in Tallahassee.  Work alongside Boca Chamber to set up meetings.
• Annual Chairman’s Club meeting with State legislators representing Palm Beach County.