850 — The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida

The Studer Community Institute annual business, leadership and entrepreneurship conference, EntreCon® is back.

With vision, commitment, intentionality, and the right resources, EntreCon® encourages people to say embrace what really matters and let go of what’s holding them back. Get ready to 'Discover Your Potential' at EntreCon® 2024, on Nov. 13–14. Celebrating a decade of growth with a lifetime of possibilities.

At EntreCon® 2024 you will be challenged to think differently and reassess old ways of doing things.

You will leave feeling more equipped to:

1. Tackle tough challenges.
2. Embrace discomfort as an opportunity for growth.
3. Focus on what’s working well.
4. Strengthen your company culture.

Learn more and get your tickets: https://www.850businessmagazine.com/local-events/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event/2490626-entrecon-business-leadership-and-entrepreneurship-conference

Partners for over 20 years, Stewart Proctor and J.R. Long joined Ciminelli Real Estate Services, establishing the Tallahassee Office of Ciminelli Real Estate Services, in 2020.

Ciminelli has a regional office that handles marketing, accounting and HR tasks, which enables Proctor and Long to focus their efforts on their specialties of leasing, sales and property management, currently managing a portfolio of 950,000 square feet of commercial space and establishing long-term client relationships.

To learn more:

2024 Professional Profile: Ciminelli Real Estate Services - 850 Business Magazine J.R. Long, CCIM and Stewart Proctor, CCIM

Eat, Drink, and B. Mary at The Market Shops’ ninth annual Bloody Mary Festival on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Powered by Step One Automotive Group and benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, the event offers unlimited bloodies prepared by local bars and restaurants, local food, live music, a DJ, craft beer, Bubbly Bar, shopping, SEC Football, and much more!

Learn more and get your tickets: https://www.850businessmagazine.com/local-events/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event/2590235-the-market-shops-bloody-mary-festival

Welcome to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, a 55-and-better community inspired by the music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett. Built on food, fun, music and escapism, this community redefines active adult living for those growing older but not up.

A Change in Latitude - 850 Business Magazine Welcome to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, a 55-and-better community inspired by the music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett. Built on food, fun, music and escapism, this community redefines active adult living for those growing older but not up. Located along the Intracoastal Waterway near Panama....

Ciminelli Real Estate Services Tallahassee branch, led by Stewart Proctor and J.R. Long specializes in property management solutions and services to fit a variety of commercial business models. They ensure your property is maintained, tenants are satisfied and that economic benefits are maximized for the owners.

📸: Erich Martin

More Than Managed - 850 Business Magazine Ciminelli Real Estate Services’ property management solutions exceed expectations

The ITEN WIRED TechNet CyberCoast 2024 conference will take place Oct. 16–18 at Hilton Pensacola Beach, welcoming entrepreneurs, business leaders, industry experts, students and all who are interested in furthering the region’s success through technology and innovation.

Charged up for ITEN WIRED 2024 - 850 Business Magazine Many are looking forward to the annual convergence of learning and connection that the 2024 ITEN WIRED | TechNet CyberCoast summit will present.

Enjoy the last days of summer this Labor Day Weekend! 😎

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob LaCasse as its new general manager.

Sandestin Announces Newly Appointed General Manager - 850 Business Magazine Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort® is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob LaCasse as its new general manager.

Phillip Gainer, a product of Washington County, is the secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 3, headquartered in Chipley, where Gainer resides.

His route to work isn’t congested, but his job involves coordinating projects designed to keep pace with development.

District 3’s efforts to compete for state transportation funding are complicated by the fact that while it is home to two of the ten fastest-growing counties in the state—Walton and Santa Rosa—its population is the smallest among the state’s seven transportation districts.

Even as development accelerates, the best the district can do is to apply a process for prioritizing projects and knock them off the list as funds become available.

Illustration by Sierra Thomas

Chasing the Rabbit - 850 Business Magazine Phillip Gainer is the secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District 3. His job involves coordinating projects designed to keep pace with development.

Watersound Fountains, a 148-apartment resort-style independent living community located in Inlet Beach, Florida, has opened its doors to residents.

Developed through a joint venture with The St. Joe Company, Watermark Retirement Communities and BRW, this community is the first free-standing independent living community in Watersound.

Senior Living Community in Watersound Opens Doors to Residents - 850 Business Magazine Watersound Fountains, a 148-apartment resort-style independent living community located in Inlet Beach has opened its doors to residents.

🎉 Congratulations to Alex and Mitch, the winners of our 2023–24 Ultimate Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Getaway! The engaged couple plan to marry on the beach in Panama City Beach, Florida. They are extremely excited to have won and can’t wait to sink their toes in the sand at the Gulf-front Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, Florida!

🙏 Thank you to the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa for partnering with us on this amazing giveaway! Stay tuned for your chance to enter to win the 2025 Ultimate Getaway!

🏖️ The Hilton is the ultimate getaway where amenities abound. Not only is it situated on the beautiful white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, the property was recently renovated and boasts three swimming pools (two outdoor and one indoor), whirlpools, the award-winning world-class Serenity by the sea Spa and an expansive sunbathing deck and an array of recreational and water sport activities.

📸: Jessica Rae Photography

2024 Ultimate Getaway Winner Selected - 850 Business Magazine We are thrilled to announce that we have selected a winner of the 2024 Hilton Sandestin partnership giveaway!

Matt Algarin, director at Walton County Tourism, favors a regional approach to tourism promotion. That sentiment is shared by Algarin’s counterpart in Okaloosa County, Jennifer Adams Kemp.

“We would rather them stay in the region than go somewhere else, even though they may not get to me the first time,” she said. “They will get to me at a later date.” Individual counties have their respective attractions, but there is nothing to prevent visitors from parasailing off Panama City Beach one day and cooling off at Vortex Spring in Holmes County the next.

📸: Courtesy of CCA Florida

Regional Cooperation - 850 Business Magazine Tourism promoters are joining forces

In 2014, Eastman Chemical acquired the Taminco Corp., including its plant located in Pace in Santa Rosa County.

Today, the facility employs over 100 workers and has about 50 resident contractors.

Its main products are various types of amines, derivative compounds of ammonia. These “functional amines” and their derivatives serve as key building blocks in a broad array of chemical products with a wide range of applications, including agriculture, manufacturing, water treatment, personal and home care, pharmaceuticals, animal nutrition and oil and gas end markets, among others.

📸: Mike Fender Photography

Historic Company Prizes Innovation - 850 Business Magazine In Pace, Eastman Chemical jobs are highly coveted

In 2005, a group of friends united by a passion for fine wine and a philanthropic spirit decided to host a silent auction to benefit children in need in Northwest Florida.

To their delight, the event raised around $80,000 and laid the groundwork for what would become the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation.

As of last year, the organization had distributed $32 million in donations to children’s charities in Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties and benefitted an estimated 100,000 youths.

📸: Destin Charity Wine Auction

The Business of Fundraising - 850 Business Magazine Collaboration spurs wine auction’s success

Students have long had a home at IHMC.

This summer’s student collaborators included cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy participating in the Cadet Summer Research Program.

📸: Photo courtesy of Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition

U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Summer Research Program - 850 Business Magazine U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Summer Research Program finds a home at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC).

ITGulfCoast and AFCEA International Blue Angels Pensacola Chapter have partnered together once again to bring ITEN WIRED TechNet CyberCoast to Pensacola Beach for the 17th year of the annual summit.

ITEN WIRED has historically served as the Southeast’s premier conference to connect, collaborate and build community with industry leaders, entrepreneurs and educators on innovation, technology and entrepreneurship topics.

The three-day event features captivating keynote presentations, a diverse range of speakers across industries and backgrounds, opportunities to network with like-minded experts and professionals, beautiful beach views, entertainment and so much more!

For more information and to register, check out the link below.

ITEN Wired | TechNet CyberCoast

Digital Boardwalk is proud to announce that it has been named the winner in the IT Services category of VIP Pensacola’s prestigious Best in Pensacola competition.

This esteemed recognition highlights Digital Boardwalk’s commitment to excellence, innovation and exceptional customer service in the IT industry.

Digital Boardwalk Named Winner in VIP Pensacola’s Best in Pensacola Competition for IT Services - 850 Business Magazine This recognition serves as a milestone in Digital Boardwalk’s commitment to providing top-tier IT services

Mayor Russ Barley likes to make the rounds in Freeport, delivering progress reports to service clubs and other gatherings.

He talks about efforts by the city to develop infrastructure in anticipation of growth rather than in response to it. He cites work to expand the city’s existing wastewater treatment facility and its plans to build a second one on the east side of town.

He lists businesses that are new to Freeport: Circle K, Pizza Hut, Emerald Coast Title Co., 331 Noodles, Tool Expo and Otto’s Car Wash.

He cites development orders—approved, pending and anticipated—and reports that the city can be expected to grow to 30,000 in population in the next 10 years.

📸: Mike Fender Photography

Leaps and Bounds - 850 Business Magazine Growing Freeport works to preserve its small-town atmosphere

For 44 years, John Hogan served as CEO of Capital Health Plan, one of the most successful and highly regarded HMOs in the country.

After earning a master’s degree in health planning at the University of Virginia, Hogan worked for regional health systems agencies in Brunswick and then Albany, Georgia.

The jobs aligned with his master’s degree but not with what he truly wanted to do. Versus planning and development, his greater interest was bringing about market alternatives to the traditional fee-for-service approach to healthcare.

📸: Courtesy of Capital Health Plan

Early Adopter - 850 Business Magazine John Hogan was a health plan pioneer

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa proudly announces the completion of its extensive $35M property-wide renovation, coinciding with the resort’s 40th anniversary. 🎉

This multi-phased refurbishment encompasses a comprehensive upgrade of the resort’s accommodations, amenities and dining experiences.

📸: Courtesy of Hilton Sandestin Golf Resort and Spa

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Completes Impressive $35M Renovation - 850 Business Magazine Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa proudly announces the completion of its extensive $35M property-wide renovation, coinciding with the resort’s 40th anniversary.

Steve Bornhoft, former editor of 850 Magazine, dedicates his last editor's letter to his experience at BEYOND, Florida Power & Light's Northwest Florida Economic Symposium.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4desoro

🥧 Pies & Provisions, a locally owned artisanal pie shop in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, is thrilled to announce its grand opening, offering delivery and pickup options of their sweet and savory pies to Santa Rosa Beach and the coastal communities along 30A.

Founded by the dynamic mother-son duo Ryan and Julie Robinson, Pies & Provisions brings a touch of love, tradition and coastal charm to every bite.

📸: Modernmade Photography

Pies & Provisions Brings Artisanal Pies to Santa Rosa Beach - 850 Business Magazine Founded by mother-son due, pie shop offers local delivery and pickup