Military Affairs

For more than 50 years, the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce has been a valuable avenue of service and support to the military stationed in our Space Coast community. The very first efforts to support the military from the Chamber were organized and worked through a Military Committee. In 1991, the current Military Affairs Council (MAC) was formed and continues today to provide Chamber support for military members and their families.

The MAC is an all-volunteer group of Chamber investors from the local area, both civilian and military, working together to enhance the quality of life in our community, especially for the enlisted members of the services assigned to the Space Coast.

2023 MAC Chair: Alexander Hall, President, Alliance Cyber

Chamber Staff Liaison: Cory Skeates, Vice President of Community Development

MAC Members

MAC Donation Request Form

Current MAC Member Donation Requests

The following is a list of current requests from our military partners:

Organization name (Required)	Space Coast 5/6
Briefly describe the organization	The Space Coast 5/6 is a professional development organization based out of Patrick SFB focused.
Name of event?	Maui Relief Drive
Type of event?	Welfare
Date of event?	10/6/2023
Number of attendees expected or number of individuals impacted?	0
Where will the event take place?	We will have collection points at multiple locations.
Who is the point of contact?	Vincent Clements
What is the best phone number to reach the point of contact?	3214949823 or 4127795946
Email address?	patvince@gmail.com
Please share event details and what is being requested (250 characters or less)	We are collecting new/used clothing, shoes, toiletries, and hygiene products to be donated to families impacted by the Maui wildfires. Please email me for details.

MAC Meeting Info

MAC Board of Directors: Meetings are held on the 2nd Friday of each month (except July and December) at 10:00 AM at the Cocoa Beach Chamber offices.

MAC Monthly Meetings: Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (except July and December) at 5:30 PM. Venues alternate monthly between locations on and off base.

MAC purposefully rotates between MAC member businesses and military facilities as to allow members to become familiar with military operations and active personnel to learn about the community and member businesses. Our monthly meetings always consist of a program that highlights the community/military organization hosting the event. These programs provide valuable insight into how many of our local organizations support the Department of Defense and include mission briefings on how our local military protects our way of life. Monthly meetings foster a better relationship between our local military units and our Chamber/MAC members.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for all on-base meeting for just $150.00. Contact Cheryl Clark at cclark@cocoabeachchamber.com to secure your sponsorship.

Please RSVP for the meetings by contacting Cory Skeates, VP of Community Development, at (321) 452-4390 or cskeates@cocoabeachchamber.com

MAC Events

The MAC holds many events throughout the year, including our monthly meetings. Listed below are events we host or assist with:

Junior Enlisted Appreciation Day (JEAD)

For the past 27 years, MAC has assisted with the annual JEAD. The MAC and the Space Coast Top 3 Association jointly sponsor the event to allow junior enlisted personnel (E-6 and below) to enjoy a half-day of relaxation and fun. They are served a barbeque lunch by the Top 3 unit commanders and the 45th Space Wing command staff. The JEAD increases Junior Enlisted morale across all services serving along the Space Coast. The event is attended annually by approximately 600 active-duty and reserve guard personnel MAC coordinates donations ranging from gift certificates for dry cleaning to weekend stays at local hotels along Cocoa Beach. Raffles are held throughout the afternoon of prizes donated by MAC/Chamber members.

Wine for Warriors Luncheon

The annual Wine for Warriors Holiday Luncheon, previously known as the MAC Wine Raffle and Luncheon, is the CBRCC’s final signature event of the year. This event brings businesses together to celebrate the holidays and participate in a wine raffle for MAC which benefits the military enlisted men and women of the Greater Space Coast. Attendees will have the opportunity to win 50 bottles of wine, support the military, and bring their staff for great food and company.

The usual attendance for this event is 100-150 guests, depending on the capacity of the venue, and tickets always sell out. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Wine Raffle go towards supporting MAC programs, non-profit organizations of the military, and enlisted military members stationed in Brevard County.

Golf Tournament

The Annual Champions Golf Tournament is one of the Chamber’s longest running events. It is a traditional affair that is popular with many Chamber investors who attend every year. The purpose of this event is to help support the ongoing efforts of the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber and its Military Affairs Council.

The tournament is an opportunity for members to network and get business done while enjoying some friendly competition. It is a networking event that offers much more than a typical luncheon, allowing for camaraderie and fun to forge relationships that last long after golfers leave the course.

In addition to the tournament itself, the event includes a variety of contests that involve prizes and are each sponsored by various parties.

Join the MAC

The MAC membership consists of both Active and Honorary members:

Active Members – Active Council members are organizations and individuals engaged in businesses, professions, and other activities aligned with the MAC’s purpose that have applied and been approved to join the MAC and have paid dues. Active MAC members have all the rights and privileges, including the right to vote on all matters put before the MAC membership; to serve on committees; and to attend regular MAC Board meetings with the privileges of the floor.

Honorary Members –The MAC Board of Directors may invite members of local, state, and national government bodies (including the military) to become honorary MAC members and may waive their dues. Honorary MAC members need not be Chamber investors. They have all the privileges of active membership except the right to vote or hold office.

MAC membership is $50/person for Cocoa Beach Chamber investors in good standing. MAC dues are tax deductible as the funds go to the CBACC Institute for Best Business Initiatives, Inc., a recognized 501(c)(3) organization.

Contact Cheryl Clark at cclark@cocoabeachchamber.com to get involved.

MAC Value Statement

Our work at the MAC will be guided and informed by our commitment to:

Advocacy – We create positive change by actively supporting or opposing military & defense issues that significantly impact our residents and businesses.
Quality of Life – Our goal is to make the Space Coast “America’s Military Hometown” through events and initiatives that make a positive impact on the lives of our military community.
Talent Development/Education – We value and work with partners to develop the diverse talents, initiative, and leadership necessary to fill the jobs of tomorrow.
Health & Wellness – We believe that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce.
Entrepreneurship – We’re determined to transform our citizen’s bold ambitions into a profitable reality.
Employment – We serve as a connector for those seeking talent and those with the skills to be successful.
“Buy Local” – We open doors for partners interested in establishing lasting business relationships throughout the community and the active-duty military establishment.

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Military Affairs

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