Page 1 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
Message from President Michael Morawski
A s 2019 nears its end, so does my tenure as President of this legacy
organization. While now would be the perfect time to speak about all this year’s accomplishments I’m
going to defer that conversation to others and instead focus on the future.
On January 1, 2020, this organization will be congratulating Ms. Virginia Panico, our Executive Vice President for her legendary service over the last twenty-nine years and wishing her a long happy well-deserved retirement. At the same time, we will be welcoming Mr. Scott Atwell as our new Executive Vice President. Mr. Atwell, a second-generation Conch, who is returning to Key West after thirty plus years of developing his own unique skill set from outside of Key West presents our chamber with a fresh new approach that builds upon the foundation and structure crafted during Ms. Panico’s incumbency.
Your Board of Directors, during our annual retreat (Nov. 14 & 15) had an opportunity to interact with Scott. His skills as a broadcaster were immediately present. Within seconds of meeting him, his mannerisms convey internal confidences, while instilling an environment of comfort and ease within the audience. His conversational approach focuses on others interest and desires, leading to an unfiltered dialog exchange. He’s a strategic thinker, astute, and detailed.
What’s that mean as we move forward: A freshness will be instilled into the how and why we do what we do. Engagement, evaluation, implementation, monitoring,
Speakers Address a Blueprint for the Future: Restoring Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
continued on page 34
continued on page 3 4
First Vice President Billy Spottswood thanked our speakers David Paul Horan, Sarah Fangman and Brice Barr who presented information on the National Marine Sanctuary.
I t was a very lively lunch as a trifecta of speakers presented various viewpoints and solutions to the vast
coral reef problem that The Florida Keys face. All three agreed that something needs to be done, the deviance comes in as to what should be done.
Sarah Fangman, Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary began her State of the Reef address with the wide impact the problem is having on the reef. The last time they looked was in the early 1990s, and things are shown to be significantly worse. The timeline begins in 2014 with a warm water mass bleaching event, then drought and elevated salinity. After that, came the Florida Bay seagrass die-off followed by a sponge die-off with the end of 2016 showing the coral disease outbreak. Hurricane Irma in 2017 added to the problem and sargassum stranding’s last year and this year threw fuel on the fire.
In the face of these challenges, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) released a Comprehensive Management Review detailing A Restoration Blueprint. The proposed plan offers four alternatives to our residents:
4 Alternative 1: Continue to allow the present 1997 Sanctuary Regulations and the 59. “Marine Zones” remain, as they currently exist.
4 Alternative 2: allows the FKNMS to add over 40 new “Marine Zones” and 750 square miles to the existing 3,800 square mile sanctuary. (A 20% increase in size.)
4 Alternative 3: the NOAA “Preferred Alternative.” This would add 41 new “Marine Zones” to the existing 57. This would be a 72% increase in the number of “Marine Zones.” Alternatives 2 and 3 also increases regulatory restrictions in the present 57 Marine Zones and would add numerous “No Motor” and “No Entry” areas to: Marvin, Barracuda, Lower Harbor, Mud Keys, Snipes, Sawyer, Contents, Woman Key, Boca Grande and the Marquesas. All of these islands would have “No Access” and adjacent waters surrounding these islands would be covered by new “No Motor,” “No Access,” ‘’Idle Speed,” “No Wake,” “No Anchor,” “No Trolling” Zones.
4 Alternative 4: a total closure of the most popular recreational areas along
Page 2 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
Ernest HemingwayHouse Museum
907 Whitehead StKey West, FL 33040
305-294-1136
La ConchaCrowne Plaza430 Duval St
Key West, FL 33040305-296-2991
Horan & Higgins, L.L.P.608 Whitehead St
Key West, FL 33040305-294-4585
The Chamber Chowder Heartily Thanks These Businesses for Their Generous Support of this Issue of the Newsletter
Porter AllenInsurance Company
513 Southard StKey West, FL 33040
305-294-2542
Old Town Key West Development
201 Front St, Suite 301Key West, FL 33040
305-294-3225
J im is a state-certified general real estate appraiser. He and his wife, Maria, met at the University of Florida, where their son
now attends. They decided in their mid-20s and the early 90s, “What the heck, let’s go to Key West!” She was a banker and he was appraising residential properties in the Palm Beach area when the opportunity came to learn the commercial side of the business. “We thought we’d be here for a couple of years. Twenty-six years later, here we are.”
When Jim’s boss, Richard Padron, decided to sell his company, Jim and Maria decided to buy it. That was 2004, “Our timing was perfect,” Jim shares with some sarcasm, “right before the market crashed.” But they persevered,
now having worked together for twenty-two years of their thirty-year marriage. “We’re both analytical and enjoy crunching numbers.”
Jim has experience appraising all over the Keys and that’s the local, geographical knowledge you want when “things can be so different a few miles or even a few blocks away.” Decades of experience, political prowess and steady awareness of the latest zoning laws, along with strong community connections are a recipe for success. “Experience tells you who to call and they, in turn, know to call me.”
Being based in Key West lends itself to a certain uniqueness. “Flood zones are always a hot button issue. Maps get redrawn and a difference of five feet can lead to an increase in insurance.” Also, in bigger cities one tends to specialize in one or two things, but being on an island brings with it a lot of variety. Whether
it’s an airport with the challenge of finding good comparable data, the government looking at buying property, a lender in contact for selling or financing, or an estate needing an appraisal for tax purposes, Jim and Maria are skilled in it.
Some of those skills were learned in Leadership Monroe. “I was in class eight. I think they are up to class thirty now.” Jim describes it as, “One of the best learning experiences in The Keys.” Community involvement is also a high priority. One of the first things he did upon moving here was join the Sunrise Rotary and he was president in 2013 and 2014. He was also president of the Key West Chamber in 2012.
They have a son attending the same school they met at, the University of Florida, and have plans to visit over Thanksgiving and watch the Florida versus Florida State game.
Each month, the Key West Chamber of Commerce spotlights a business or professional person whose business card is drawn at the Business After Hours. This month’s winner is Jim Wilson, President of the Appraisal Company of Key West.
Spotlight Shines on ... Jim Wilson, President of the Appraisal Company of Key West
Page 3 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
“Marine Sanctuary” cont. from page 1 4
and modification will trademark our path moving forward. I see our foundation remaining intact however the status quo will be pressured.
Over the last twelve months, I’ve had the honor of participating with enormously talented individuals whose skill sets are on display daily, within the companies they own, manage, or serve as staff. While our community is challenged by the lack of availability for employment; the talent employed within our independent businesses validate why we are one of the premier destinations in the world. You are that reason and your talents along with your staff members are needed as your board and our new Executive Vice President begin this journey.
Over the next thirty days, Mr. Atwell will be at the chamber offices meeting staff, understanding operations, and attending chamber activities. I invite you to join him at our after-hours event at Ricks and Dirty Harry’s on December 5th. This is the perfect opportunity to welcome Scott, introduce yourself, and give him a card for a future chat.
Other activities Scott will be attending prior to Virginia’s retirement; on December 10th, at 8:00am, location 500 Fleming Street (Spotswood’s office conference Room) he will be present at the IT (Information Technology) committee meeting. Immediately following that meeting he will attend, the Workforce Housing committee meeting, at 9:00am, same location. In addition to those two meetings, at noon on the same day, location Tavern N Town, he will be in attendance at, the Education Committee’s lunch meeting.
On December 16th, at the Pier House restaurant, 12:00pm the Membership Committee will be holding their monthly luncheon meeting and Scott will be in attendance.
On December 17th, at the Casa Marina Resorts, 12:00pm he will be attending our monthly General Membership meeting and at 4:30 same day at the Doubletree Grand Key conference room, he will be at the Marketing and Public Relations Committee Meeting.
Should you be available to attend any of these committee meetings and would like to participate on the committee please call the chamber offices at 305-294-2587 and have Dorothy add you on the committee list.
In closing, let me say again, what an honor it’s been serving as President of this incredible organization and wish all a Happy Holiday season.
President’s Message cont. from page 1 4
the reef south of the Keys (except to large commercial dive boats) and closure of the islands and large parts of the “back country” north of the Keys.Brice Barr, president of the Key West
Charter Boat Association, “representing many voices,” offered some history. “The past superintendent was relocated and that affected the relationship we had with the Sanctuary.” After years of asking questions regarding the study, they were stonewalled and the Sanctuary wouldn’t even disclose the areas they were looking at. After waiting seven years for the report, in July 2019 a new superintendent, Ms. Sarah Fangman, was named and then the Draft Economic Impact Study was released a month later on August 20th.
“The power that Ms. Fangman has to make these decisions after just coming into this process is extremely concerning.” Brice referenced the community meeting at the high school on September 23rd as evidence that there are a lot of concerned citizens that don’t want a lot of this to move forward. “Limiting access to the people that live here and visit here is not the answer.”
No motor zones will affect many different users: stone crabbers, lobster fishermen, bully netters, charter captains, and recreational boaters. “These are taxpaying citizens that will be losing ground. We understand about bird nesting and human interactions. There have been some no motor zones that have been in place for years, but have not been enforced.”
Brice gave evidence of his association already working with state and federal entities on bag and size limit changes that are having a healthy impact on fish populations. He suggested more educational focus from the Sanctuary to help eliminate prop scars, more channel markers in the backcountry, continuing to combat invasive species such as lionfish, and enforcing sewage regulations for live-aboard vessels. But most of all, he felt they should be heavily involved in restoring the flow of water from the Everglades to improve our water quality here and prevent damages.
David Paul Horan, attorney and diver, went even further back. “Thirty years ago this chamber recognized the clear and present danger of turning over control of our waters to a bunch of bureaucrats. That regulation could fundamentally damage and change our way of life. In 1990, NOAA illegally funded the Nature Conservancy to lobby the Keys voters to vote in favor of establishing the Sanctuary. It was in our regular election and defeated 55% to 45%. They didn’t listen then, and they aren’t listening now.”
Mr Horan further asserted that new regulations proposed will not, and do not, address the pollution coming out of Florida Bay. Closing popular reef areas, some of the best fishing areas, and backcountry islands will not help that. MOTE Marine coral cultivation will help bring it back, but The Sanctuary doesn’t fund that. They also haven’t worked with the Everglades National Park - another federal agency that controls the majority of Florida Bay. “We didn’t want more regulation thirty years ago, and we don’t want more now.”
The Key West Chamber Board of Directors opposes expansion of the Sanctuary and has authored a resolution, calling the proposed regulation an “unnecessary measure that will have adverse impacts on residents, property owners, businesses, tourism and quality of life for all Keys residents.” The resolution was unanimously approved by the 20 members of the board in attendance at its annual retreat held November 14-15, 2019 and it underscores the Chamber’s position that “any expansion in control or regulation by the FKNMS is unacceptable,” and goes on to endorse Alternative #1, which keeps intact the 1997 regulations.
The public comment period is open until January 31, 2020 and Ms. Fangman implores you to use your voice to pick one alternative, or parts of each and be heard. For complete information on the plan with maps and misconceptions corrected visit https://floridakeys.noaa.gov/blueprint/ and for the recording of the presentation, visit the Key West Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
Page 4 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
Dear Chamber Members, You can be a vital force in the creation
of a successful business community that will surely benefit your own business. Each of us is an important part of the Key West Chamber of Commerce. What we do to make our Chamber an active and productive force in our city is dependent on each of us supporting the goals we consider important.
You can make a difference. Below is a list of some of the functioning committees of your Chamber. If you or someone in your organization are interested in serving and/or would like additional information, contact our offices at: 305-294-2587 or email [email protected].
We need your input! You will make your Chamber dynamic and effective. Thank you.
2020 COMMITTEES 4 Economic Affairs:
Chair: Joe Caso Co-Chair: Mike Morawski Meeting Details: Held the fourth Tuesday of each month at 8:30am at The Lower Keys Medical Center.Objective: The mission of the KW Chamber’s economic affairs committee should be to work with chamber staff to obtain and analyze data to understand current and future economic conditions and trends, which may affect the general business climate in Key West.
4 Education Committee: Chair: Dr. Brittany Snyder Vice-Chair Angie WaltersonMeeting Details: Held the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00pm Key West Marriott Beachside.Objective: The committee works closely with school officials to establish scholarships, teacher fellowships, internships, etc. The committee has designed a Five Star program to recognize members who donate to the programs for teachers and students, which includes the Honor Roll 100/Charley P. and Orsolina Toppino Memorial Scholarship, Educational Enrichment, Teacher Recognition, Mentoring, and offering internships or sponsoring classrooms. Also included is Ready Set College! and the Financial Literacy Program for the Key West High School students.
4 Golf Tournament: Chair: Greg Sullivan Co-Chair: Bill LayMeeting Details: Held on Thursdays at 5:00pm at La Trattoria Oceanside (Meets Jan-April).
Objective: This committee will help in the planning of the event such as recruitment of sponsors, prizes & volunteers.
4 Marketing & Public Relations Committee Chair: Lynne Tejeda Co-chair: Melissa KendrickMeeting Details: Held the second Tuesday of each month at 4:30pm at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd.Objective: The Marketing and Public Relations Committee meets to discuss our image and the media in relationship to the chamber as well as evaluating and improving the marketing of the chamber to both members and the general public. This committee also, suggests speakers for the General Membership Meetings.
4 Membership Services Committee: Chair: Britt Myers Vice Chair: Mike WilliamsMeeting Details: Held the third Wednesday of each month at 12:00pm at various locations.Objective: The committee brainstorms to recruit members, as well as to improve the services the chamber provides to existing members, through scheduled call sessions to potential members, as well as doing follow up to retain existing memberships.
4 Tourism Committee: Chair: Melissa Kendrick Meeting Details: Held the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 4:30pm at Mel Fisher Museum.Objective: The committee reviews the trends for the previous month, i.e. cruise ship, bed taxes, etc. The committee also addresses hot-button items of the moment.
4 I.T. Committee: Chair: Billy SpottswoodMeeting Details: Held the second Tuesday of each month at 8:00am at Spottswood Law Office – 500 Fleming Street..Objective: To explore technology opportunities to benefit the chamber and its members.
4 Workforce Housing Committee: Chair: Michael Morawski Meeting Details: Held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00am at Spottswood Law Office – 500 Fleming StreetObjective: Work on solutions for affordable housing.
Key West Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2020
JOHN BARTELMO OMI Jacobs
JOYCE BENAVIDES Cayo Hueso Resorts/Cottages
JOE CASO, Treasurer Joe Caso, Caso & Company
DAVID CLAY, Executive Committee AppointeeLower Keys Medical Center
JED DODDSThe Studios of Key West
CARA HIGGINS, 2nd Vice PresidentHoran & Higgins, LLP
SAM HOLLANDThe Conch House
DARREN HORAN Benihana Key West
MELISSA KENDRICK, 1st Vice President Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
BILL LAYLa Trattoria/Catered Affairs
MICHAEL MORAWSKI, Past President Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
BRITT MYERS Key West Weekly Newspaper
PATRICIA NEYRA Check Construction LLC
MARK ROSSI, Executive Committee Appointee Rick’s/Durty Harry’s Entertainment Complex
Dr. BRITTANY SNYDERThe College of the Florida Keys
BILLY SPOTTSWOODSpottswood, Spottswood, Spottswood & Sterling PLLC
GREG SULLIVAN, President Waste Management
LYNNE TEJEDAKeys Energy Services
JOHN TOPPINO, Executive Committee Appointee Monroe Concrete Products
Page 5 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
It’s time to pull out your decorations for our annual holiday decorating contest!
The “Island of Lights” holiday decorating contest offers businesses the perfect opportunity to demonstrate their holiday cheer and enhance our island with Greetings of the Season for the citizens and visitors of Key West.Awards will be presented for first, second, and third place in two categories: • small business outdoor or single window display.• large business outdoor or multiple window display.
To enter contact Melissa atthe chamber office at: 305-294-2587 or
Page 6 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
-
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Pass
enge
rs
Source: City of Key West Port Operations
Key West Cruise Ship PassengersJanuary 2014 - October 2019
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
$-
$500,000
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
$3,000,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Bed
Tax
Col
lect
ions
in D
olla
rs
Source: Monroe County Tax Collector
Key West Bed Tax CollectionsJanuary 2014 - September 2019
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Airport closed 9/8-19/2017 for Hurricane Irma
Port Closed 9/6-22/2017 for Hurricane Irma
Hurricane Irma 9/10/2017
Passenger arrivals to the Key West International Airport in October, 2019 totaled 34,386. This is an increase of 9.5% when compared to the October, 2018 number of 31,399.
The 398,349 deplanements for the year 2019 thus faris 11.8% more than the 356,307 passengers that arrived to Key West in the first ten months of 2018.
Currently, American Airlines is providing service to Miami, Dallas and Washington National, and seasonal direct non-stop service to Charlotte, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Delta is offering service to Atlanta and seasonal service toLaGuardia which started March 9th. United Airlines isoffering direct non-stop service to Newark and seasonalservice to Chicago O'Hare. Silver Airways provides direct non-stop service to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa.
October, 2019 saw 605 planes land at Key WestInternational Airport which was 1.5% less than the sameperiod in 2018. The year to date total number oflandings of 6,846 is 4.4% less than the 7,158 planes thatlanded during the first ten months of last year.
A total of 77,902 cruise ship passengers disembarked inKey West from 39 ships during October, 2019. Thisis 48.3% more than October, 2018 which saw 52,534passengers visit Key West. The 782,605 passengers in the first ten months of 2019 is 11% more than 2018 year todate. The 333 total port of calls is 9.5% more than the 2018 year to date number of 304 ships.
Both the number of passengers and the number of cruise ship port of calls are higher this year when compared to 2018. The current numbers are higher than every yeargoing back to 2002 and 2003 when Key West greeted more than a million passenger in both years. Last yearwas the most passengers since 2006, and this year isexpected to be even better.
The cruise ship schedule for December thru Februarycompared to the same three months in 2018, 2019, and 2020 is shown below.
Number of Ships2018 2019 2020
December 43 53 TBAJanuary 47 42 55February 41 40 52
The reported Bed Tax Collections for Key West forSeptember, 2019 were $775,043 which is 13.8.% lowerthan the same period in 2018. The year to date Bed TaxCollections total $16,479,931 and represents a 8.9%increase over the same period last year.
The September, 2019 "occupancy rate" for Key Westwas 58.4% according to the Smith Travel Report. That isa 11.4% decrease over the 65.9% reported in September, 2018.
The Average Daily Rate (ADR) was reported at $189.65 for September of 2019. That is a 4.8% decrease from the ADR of $199.20 posted in September, 2018.
For the year 2019 thus far, Key West has seen a decreaseof 0.7% in occupancy rates, and a 0.9% increase in ADRyear to date compared to the same period in 2018.
Since Hurricane Irma passed on September 10, 2017and caused damage to some hotels, the number ofrooms available had declined. Key West saw 145 more rooms open up in recent months, but witnessed anotherhotel close 48 rooms for long-term renovations.
-
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Dep
lane
men
ts
Source: Key West International Airport
Key West International Airport ArrivalsJanuary 2014 - October 2019
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Airport closed 9/8-19/2017 for Hurricane Irma
Dec Chowder KW Air Data 1 of 1
Page 7 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
The best possible score an issue could receive would be a one, if that issue was selected first by every respondent. A score of 11 would indicate that issue was chosen last the most.
Each "Issues" Average Ranking
What Concerns Us The Most?In the third quarter Business Environment Survey respondents were asked the following question.Q. Please rank issues by impact significance on the Key West economic community through the remainder of 2019. With"one" having the most concerning significant impact on the community. Below are the results of those responses alongwith some analysis of the issues themselves.
The labor market overwhelmingly topped the list of concerns by respondents, and unsurprisingly 66% of the same people described the ease of hiring as "difficult" in the same survey. In the three months of the third quarter unemployment in Key West ranged between 1.8% and 2.1%. With an average of 4.92 (average rank between one and eleven) weather was the second most cited concern. With the survey being conducted during the early fall, and memories of Irma still fresh in the minds of many, it is not surprising that our vulnerability to severe weather events is on the top of the collective consciousness. The disruptions caused by Hurricane Dorian over the very important Labor Day weekend and Key West Brewfest was cited by many as a major hurdle to overcome in the quarter.
Both seasonal visitors and overnight visitors received a high number of votes indicating that our tourism based economy is dependent on people coming to visit Key West. While the numbers vary based on the different research company results from the likes of Rockport Analytics or D.K. Shifflet it is estimated that Monroe County greeted between 5.1 and 5.4 million people in 2018. Cruise ship passengers were not of a very big concern to most respondents and it was not completely clear as to whether or not those who listed it as a concern intended to speak to the volume or lack of volume of those visitors. A possibly underappreciated segment of the Key West economy cruise ship passenger numbers have been quite high. In 2018 Key West greeted over 861,000 passengers (the most since 2006), and the number for 2019 will be the most since 2003. The port of call schedule for the first few months of January and February will put 2020 on pace to top the past two years.
The macro-economic concerns of commodity prices and fears of a pending recession were ranked right behind labor, weather, and visitors. While always a concern the costs of goods has tightened margins in many industries, particularly the restaurant industry who has to balance the difference between costs and prices. Only 34% of the respondents in the third quarter business environment survey answered yes to the question regarding whether or not Florida would face a recession in 2020. Talks of an impending recession come up quite a bit, but Florida's consumer confidence had hit an all time high last spring before taking a brief nose dive in August. Floridians consumer confidence has rebounded every month since.
Traffic and infrastructure issues were at the bottom four of the list. The city has addressed these issues by adding the Duval Loop bus route, and has purchased smaller busses that can be utilized during non-peak hours. Recent parking changes are also being made with the idea of altering and alleviating concerning traffic patterns. In the last budget the city set aside more than $4 million for the pavement of streets and sidewalks. The city is considering borrowing money in the form of a bond to increase the size and the scope of these paving projects. There is is also an RFP being put out by the city to beautify Duval Street.
Page 8 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
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Key West Economic Environment & Outlook
The Key West Chamber of Commerce continuously monitors, compiles, and analyzes economic data; generating local data through
surveys of its over 500 members.
www.KeyWestChamber.org
Sources: Key West Chamber of Commerce 2019 3rd Qtr. Business Environment Survey; Smith Travel Research; The Key West Citizen; City of Key West Port Operations.
The third quarter of 2019 Business Environment Survey was conducted in October with 61 member businesses responding. In the survey an average of 35% of the businesses reporting claimed an increase in sales through the third quarter when compared to the same three months in 2018. However, 70% of the respondents stated they expected "more" sales in the fourth quarter of 2019 than they did in 2018. An additional 91% of the businesses described themselves as "optimistic" (54%) or "confidently positive" (16%) when asked about their expectations over the next twelve months. When asked if Florida would experience a recession in 2020, 68% respondents stated that was not something they expect to happen. The consensus amongst the businesses within the tourism sector was that July was better than August, and August was better than September. The threat of a dangerous weather event affecting much of South Florida during the normally busy Labor Day weekend was at least somewhat to blame for what many described as a disappointing last month of the quarter.
Passenger counts on flights arriving to Key West were up 12.6% in July, 7.3% in August, but dropped 0.1% in September when compared to 2018. Cruise ship passenger counts were up 20%, 23.8%, and 92.9% in the three months of the third quarter compared to the same months a year ago. The ferry passenger counts are currently higher year to date over last year, they were still lower by 15.2%, 13.7%, and 3.4% in July, August, and September. According to the Smith Travel Report occupancy rates for Key West decreased 2.3%, 2.6%, and 11.4% during the three months of the quarter when compared to the same months last year. Average daily room rates also dropped 1.5% in July, 0.5% in August, and 4.8% in September.
Events continue to be a big draw for the Key West business community. Sport Lobster Season (aka Mini-Season) and Key West Lobster Fest were the two events where the most respondents claimed more increases than the percentage of businesses who claimed they brought in less revenue. Less than 10% of the businesses reporting claimed to have done less business during the Hemingway Days events than they did during the same events last year. The event that the most respondents claimed to have had the biggest decreases was the Labor Day & Key West Brewfest, but that was almost certainly the fault of the weather forecast. Respondent's regard for the events seem to go down a bit each year, but few events receive more than 10% of respondents stating the event "ought to be dropped" or "not valuable at all". The Sport Lobster Season which respondents claimed resulted in the most increases in revenue, also ironically received 27% of the respondents stating it "ought to be dropped". The next closest event with the most negative sentiment was the "Mall on Duval", where 26% of respondents reported negative opinions.
Respondents continue to express frustration with the labor market. Unemployment in Key West hovered between 1.8% and 2.1% during all three months of the third quarter. The Key West labor force which combines both those who are employed and those who are notaveraged 15,500 during the third quarter, but that is still much lower than the 16,000 and 17,000 numbers Key West saw as recently as the year 2014. These are certainly factors as to why 66% of respondents described the ease of hiring as "difficult". There wasn't a significant increase in the amount of turnover reported, but more than 45% of all businesses claimed they were going to hire at least one more employee in the fourth quarter of 2019. An additional 38% of all businesses also reported an increase in employee salaries in the third quarter. When asked to rank the list of concerns facing the Key West business community between one and eleven, the choice of labor market was overwhelming cited as the biggest concern with 22 respondents checking that box first.
Page 9
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2019 Sponsored by: Keys Medical Group Primary Care 3224 North Roosevelt Blvd.
December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
Page 10 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
Cruise Ship Schedule
DECEMBER 201912/1 Celebrity Equinox 6:45-5:0012/1 Majesty 9:00-7:0012/2 N. Dawn 11:00-6:0012/3 Carnival Glory 8:00-4:0012/3 Disney Magic 7:45-5:0012/4 Riviera 7:30-6:0012/4 Disney Wonder 8:45-2:4512/5 Brilliance 10:00-8:0012/5 Silver Whisper 7:30-5:3012/6 N. Amsterdam 7:00-5:0012/7 Norwegian Sky 7:30-5:0012/8 N. Amsterdam 8:00-5:0012/8 Rhapsody 11:00-6:0012/9 Celebrity Edge 7:00-5:0012/9 Carnival Freedom 11:00-7:0012/10 Carnival Victory 7:15-1:3012/11 CelebrityInfinity 7:00-5:0012/11 Majesty 8:00-7:0012/12 Norwegian Sky 7:00-2:0012/13 CelebrityInfinity 7:00-5:0012/13 CarnivalSensation 7:30-1:3012/14 No Ship 12/15 Celebrity Equinox 6:45-5:0012/15 Majesty 7:30-6:0012/15 Empress 8:00-5:3012/16 SS Explorer 7:30-5:0012/17 CelebrityInfinity 7:00-5:0012/17 Carnival Victory 7:30-1:3012/17 Veendam 8:00-4:4512/18 Disney Magic 7:45-4:3012/19 Volendam 7:00-5:0012/20 No Ship 12/21 N. Statendam 7:30-5:0012/22 Spirit of Discovery 7:30-5:0012/22 Rhapsody 11:00-6:0012/23 Celebrity Edge 7:00-5:0012/23 Riviera 8:00-6:0012/24 Carnival Victory 7:30-1:3012/24 Brilliance 11:00-7:0012/25 CelebrityInfinity 7:00-5:0012/25 Majesty 8:00-7:0012/26 No Ship 12/27 CelebrityInfinity 7:00-5:0012/27 CarnivalSensation 7:30-1:3012/27 Veendam 8:00-4:4512/28 SS Explorer 6:30-2:0012/28 CelebrityReflection 7:00-5:0012/28 Viking Sky 8:00-5:0012/29 Celebrity Equinox 7:00-5:0012/29 Disney Wonder 10:30-4:1512/30 Europa2 8:30-5:0012/31 CelebrityInfinity 7:00-5:0012/31 Carnival Victory 7:30-1:3012/31 Empress 8:00-6:00
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All Keys Concrete, LLC101075 Overseas Highway
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Backyards of Key West3749 Duck AvenueKey West, FL 33040
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Mike Forster, Candidate for Monroe County
Commission District 5
PO Box 1459Islamorada, FL 33036
305-664-8022Contact: Mike Forsterwww.ilikemike.com Associate Member
Jim Mooney, Candidate for House Seat District 120
150 Ted Williams WayIslamorada, FL 33036
305-522-3383Contact: Jim Mooney
www.electjimmooney.comAssociate Member
Kolhage’s Appliance1700 North Roosevelt
Blvd., Suite 2Key West, FL 33040
305-294-0090Contact: Dan and Kristine Kolhage
www.kolhages.com Appliance Sales and Service
Sponsored by: Danielle Occhiuto, Vacasa
Rhonda Rebman Lopez, Candidate
for House Seat District 12033 Baker Road
Key Largo, FL 33037305-389-2979
Contact: Rhonda Rebman Lopez
www.voterhonda.com Associate Member
S/V Argo Navis0 Margaret Street
Key West, FL 33040 305-509-1771
Contact: Emyl Hattingh and Ralph Segar, Jr.
www.sailargonavis.com or www.hinducharters.com
Charter Boat: Sailing Vessel
New members Emyl Hattingh and Ralph Segar, Jr. - S/V Argo Navis, Jim Mooney - Candidate House Seat 120, Mike Forster - Candidate for Monroe Commission 5, Melissa Fernandez -All Keys Concrete, Rhonda Rebman Lopez -Candidate District 120, are welcomed by Michael Williams and Britt Myers.
Welcome New Members!
Happy Holidays!
Page 11 December 2019Chamber ChowderVol. 22, No. 12
12/1 Schooner Wharf Annual Tree Trimming and Toy Drive 305-292-3302
12/1 Locals Day at Key West Botanical Gardens 305-296-1504
12/1 Historic Tours of America Locals Day 305-293-724912/1 Max Weinberg’s Jukebox – 8:00pm – The Key West Theater
305-985-043312/1-7/31 Key West Fishing Tournament 305-923-593412/2 Locals Day at Key West Botanical Gardens 305-296-150412/2 Lighting of the Holiday Tree 6:00p.m. Bayview Park
305-809-388812/4 Key West Lighted Bike Ride Bayview Park Claire.hiller@
wesleyhouse.org 305-809-500012/5-7 Coast is Clear Music and Arts Festival. Tickets for the event
can be purchased www.coastprojects.com For more info contact the Key West Art & Historical Society.
12/6 Coast is Clear Concert. Location- Key West Light House. Event starts at Noon. 305-295-6616 Concert starts at 3:30pm. Purchase tickets at www.coastprojects.com. For more info you can also contact the Key West Art & Historical Society.
12/5 Rumors: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute – 8:00pm - The Key West Theater 305-984-0433
12/5 Sutton Foster - Tennessee Williams Theater 8:00pm 305-296-1520
12/6 Key West Historic Inns Holiday Tours 305-296-495912/7 Key West Triathlon - Higgs Beach [email protected] 954-
213-669912/7 Holiday Parade 7:00 p.m. Contact Maria in city managers
office for info 305-809-388812/7 Paula Poundstone – 8:00pm – The Key West Theater 305-
984-043312/8 Live Auction of special pieces donated by the Estate of Judge
Tegan Slaton. Contact Claire Hiller, Wesley House Family Service; 305-809-5060
12/10 Tiny Beautiful Things – The Red Barn Theatre 305-296-991112/11 A Peter White Christmas – 8:00pm – The Key West Theater;
305-985-043312/12 Music at Martello Concert Doors Open at 6pm East Martello
The Happy Dog Band.Starting at 7pm followed by featured legendary jam bad, Perpetual Groove www.kwahs.org/tickets
12/12-28 Around the World in 80 Days – Waterfront Playhouse 305-294-5015
12/13 Key West Historic Inns Holiday Tours 305-296-495912/13-15 I love Stock Island Festival- [email protected] 573-
680-5468 12/14 Parade of Paws and Holiday Bazzar for the FLKSPCA 10-2
• Want to reach our members by mail?• Our Membership List can be obtained in hard copy, labels, or an electronic file. • Contact us directly for rates at 305-294-2587 or email: [email protected]
Blast Emails: • Want to reach our members quickly and directly? • We can send out an E-mail blast to our members for $65.00. (Flyers in PDF or JPEG cannot exceed 600kb)
