My first experience with CABA was soon after moving to
Tampa 4 years ago. Being new to the area, my boss suggested
I join CABA! The rest is history. Four years later, it gives me great
pride to be the 34th President of this organization. CABA helps
NICHOLAS ROMER
small businesses connect with the community and promote good
faith among residents. CABA was founded in 1985, when Dale
Mabry Highway was being widened to four lanes, and was negatively impacting small
businesses in Carrollwood. The founding members met with the city, and worked out
a schedule allowing road improvements to occur at night to prevent the blockage
of business entrances during the day. The result today is a thriving community
and shopping/restaurant district that attracts locals and travelers alike. Hundreds of
business success stories have enabled CABA to grow to nearly 400 members. It just
goes to show that if we unite and support each others businesses, we can make a
difference, and maintain more control of our futures than we realize.
As a small business, it is extremely difficult to spend money on television, radio,
print or SEO advertising. CABA helps get the word out to the community by hosting
live events throughout the year that directly connect us with thousands of local
residents. We also have weekly meetings at a different CABA member business each
week, so our business owners can showcase their businesses to the neighborhood.
We are able to connect customers to our local businesses by strategically placing our
printed directories throughout the Carrollwood Area, reaching thousands through
social media and scheduling events on our website, www.useCABA.com. We also have
an online directory, and are promoting it more and more each year.
Just in the past 10 years we have hosted CABA Presents Taste of Carrollwood, an
event where attendance has grown from several hundred people to nearly 5,000! Last
year it was held at Raymond James Stadium and allowed our restaurants and small
businesses opportunities to engage directly with many in the community. We also
host our Annual Classic Golf Tournament at one our CABA member golf courses each
fall. This event helps promote one of our CABA non-profits each year while raising
money for and awareness of their causes. We also host an Annual Trunk or Treat event
in October that is growing each year, and a Holiday Tree lighting event each December.
Like anything, you get out what you put in. If you are willing and able to invest the
time into this group, there is no doubt it will pay off. Please remember to “Use a CABA
Member First”, and please come by an event, or reach out to me to discuss the value of
a CABA membership. You will find that there is no better value for getting the word out
about your business. If you would like to discuss any of this further, I would be happy
to meet for a coffee or lunch, at a CABA restaurant, of course!
Message From the President
Sincerely,
Nicholas Romer
2019-2020 CABA President
4 USECABA.COM 2019-2020 CARROLLWOOD AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION DIRECTORY
/www.useCABA.com
/USECABA.COM