Where Community Meets Tourism: A Month of Celebration and Connection

By Bay County Chamber of Commerce

7/1/2026

Feature

by: Lisa Moore, Vice President of Foundation & Events, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

Tourism Appreciation Month was a meaningful celebration of Bay County’s leading industry and the partners who continue to drive its success. Throughout the month, we highlighted the impact tourism has on our local economy, workforce, and overall community identity. From hotels and attractions to restaurants, events, and transportation providers, tourism remains a cornerstone of growth in our region—supporting thousands of jobs and welcoming visitors from across the country and beyond.

This year’s month-long recognition was made possible thanks to the support of our tourism partners: Destination Panama City, Discover Mexico Beach, and Visit Panama City Beach. Their ongoing commitment to collaboration and promotion of our region helps strengthen Bay County’s position as a premier Gulf Coast destination.

We launched Tourism Appreciation Month with a joint First Friday event in partnership with the Panama City Beach Chamber, presented by System Service & Engineering and Hello Credit Union. This collaborative kickoff brought together members from across the region for a morning of networking and connection, setting the tone for a month focused on partnership, engagement, and appreciation for the tourism industry.

A standout event of the month was the annual Tourism After Hours & Cornhole Tournament, presented by Destination Panama City. This signature event combined networking with a little friendly competition and a lot of fun. Special thanks to our Tournament Sponsor, Buffalo Rock Pepsi, and Game Sponsor, Paul Davis Restoration of the Emerald Coast, for their support in making the event a success.

Sixteen teams competed in this year’s tournament, filling the evening with energy, laughter, and plenty of competitive spirit. Congratulations to our winners: Leadership Bay Alumni, who took BAY BIZ / SUMMER 2026 35 first place; The Unicivil Servants (City of Panama City Beach), who earned second place; and The Lamar Sandbaggers (Lamar Advertising), who se - cured third place. The event once again proved to be a member favorite—offering a relaxed atmosphere where business connections and community relationships could grow naturally.

We also hosted our annual Spring Classic Golf Tournament at Bay Point, where 23 teams participated in a full day of play and networking. The course was alive with conversation as members connected throughout the event, interacted with sponsors stationed on the holes, and enjoyed entertaining golf trick shots along the way. One of the most talked-about additions this year was the “Heckle Hole,” created in partnership with Panama City Comedy, which brought a fun and unexpected twist to the tournament and kept players laughing throughout the round.

This tournament would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors, including the Great Golf Ball Drop presented by Dat Cajun Place and Panhandle Helicopter, Breakfast Sponsor ABC Supply Co., Cart and Scorecard Sponsor Trustmark, Beverage Sponsor Buffalo Rock, Prize Sponsor Emerald Coast Site Construction, Hole in One Sponsor Bill Cramer Chevrolet, and Libations Basket Sponsor Shepard Law. We also appreciate our hole sponsors: Bird - ie Clip, Burke Construction, Cowboy Golf, East Bay Flats, Emerald Park Apartments, Empire Real Estate, Game Changer Golf, Hutt Insurance Agency, Panama City Comedy, PanCare, Lamar Advertising, Lewis Bear Company, and WPGX Fox. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Neon’s Bar 72 in first place, Bay Point Players in second, and Peoples First Insurance in third.

Each of these events reflected the heart of Tourism Appreciation Month—bringing people together to celebrate the industry that supports our community year-round. Tourism is more than an economic driver; it is a collaboration of businesses, organizations, and individuals who collectively create the experiences that define our destination.

We are grateful to every sponsor, participant, volunteer, and partner who contributed to making this month such a success. Their continued support ensures that Bay County remains a vibrant, welcoming, and competitive destination for visitors and residents alike.