OKEECHOBEE —  Ready to help promoted your business for free? Learn about Google My Business, a free tool for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps. Get hands-on help creating or updating your business profile or a simple website. The Google class will be held Thursday, July 15, from 10 to 11 a.m.

In this session we’ll show you how to:
• Create or claim your business profile on Google,
• Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps
• Use Google My Business to connect with potential customers,
• Create a free website using the info from your business profile.

Reserve your seat now by registering at www.okeechobeebusiness.com. Look for the class scrolling on the left side of the page, click it and then register.

Another class will be held Thursday, July 15, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the chamber conference room. Learn how your business can be found online with Google. This workshop explains how Google Search works and how you can improve a website’s visibility with Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The session also introduces products like Google My Business, Google Trends, Search Console, Google Analytics, Google Ads, and more.

In this workshop we’ll discuss best practices for:
• Improving your website’s visibility in Google’s organic search results, on all devices
• Creating a free Google My Business listing
• Advertising your business on Google

Seating is limited as we are still practicing social distancing. You can reserve your seat by registering at www.okeechobeebusiness.com Look for the class scrolling on the left side of the page, click it and then register.

Chamber Business of the Year Awards dinner:  Grab your partner and plan to attend the Business of the Year Awards on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Downtown Venue. The BOYA Event has been transitioned to an evening event with networking, great food, a chance to dress up, and a ton of surprises along the way! Tickets go on sale Aug. 16! Mark your calendars now and be ready to reserve your table when the tickets go on sale.

Now that the date is set, it’s once again time to nominate your business for the Business of the Year Awards! Nominations began on Wednesday, July 7 and end on Friday, Aug. 6. You can submit your nomination for the Business of the Year Awards in one of the following categories Business Development, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Community (definitions for which can be found in the directory of awards).

Please remember that no one knows your business better than you, so get your nomination in and share your successes and challenges with the judges. Not sure which one to choose? We have provided a short quiz that will help you sort it out and can be found at the bottom of the page on our website www.okeechobeebusiness.com.

In addition to the business awards this year, we have added the “Future Business Leader” award. The Future Business Leader Award recipient will be one that has been nominated by their employer for outstanding leadership within the company in which they are currently employed. The measures used to determine such a recipient will be primary responsibilities, professional milestones, internal award/accolade history, etc. Please visit our website for more information on all award categories.

All applications are digital this year but you have the ability to edit your application as many times as you like before Friday, Aug. 6, at 4 p.m. Rating 3 Star outline SPONSORSHIPS are still available, please call the Chamber at 467-6246 for all the details.