Bit-Wizards & TalkingParents Awarded American Advertising Federation Gold and Silver ADDYs 2025
For the 15th consecutive year, the Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents team earned Gold and Silver "ADDYs" from the Pensacola Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. The ADDY Awards are the largest and most representative competition in the advertising industry, recognizing and rewarding the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. For their work in 2024, the team was awarded three Gold and 11 Silver ADDYs, totaling 14 awards. Recognition spanned a variety of categories, including social
Bit-Wizards Celebrates 25 Magical Years of Business
Fort Walton Beach, FL – Feb. 1, 2025 – Managed IT provider Bit-Wizards celebrates its silver anniversary after 25 years in business. Established as a software engineering company on Feb. 1, 2000, the award-winning business now stands as a leading Managed IT Services (MITS) provider and a steadfast supporter of the Northwest Florida community. After starting the company in Austin, TX, co-founders Vince Mayfield and Louis Erickson brought Bit-Wizards back to their hometown in Shalimar, FL, where they opened
Be the Magic Foundation Brightens the Holidays for Fresh Start Families
The Be the Magic Foundation, run by managed IT provider Bit-Wizards, took its holiday tradition of supporting the local community to a whole new level. This year's partnership involved Fresh Start For Children & Families, an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive educational, vocational, and economic housing programs that help homeless families achieve self-sufficiency. Because the families at Fresh Start are in the process of rebuilding their financial independence, parents who wish they could
Bit-Wizards Enhances IT Security and Efficiency for Local Law Firm
Bit-Wizards, a managed services provider (MSP) with clients throughout the southeast, proudly announces the success of its ongoing partnership with Lisa Jo Spencer, P.A., a probate law and estate planning office based in Mary Esther, Florida. Since 2019, Lisa Jo Spencer's team has leveraged the company's Managed IT Services (MITS) to address critical challenges, transforming their efficiency and protecting them from evolving cybersecurity threats. Before partnering with Bit-Wizards, the law firm faced
Bit-Wizards Earns #5 Spot on Top 100 Best Companies List
Bit-Wizards was recently named one of Florida's Best Companies To Work For for its 15th consecutive year. The annual Best Companies To Work For In Florida list featured in the August issue of Florida Trend magazine ranks 100 companies in small, medium, and large employer categories. "We're so excited to be named to the Florida Trend Best Workplaces list for the 15th year in a row! Our company culture is vital to our success, and we live our core values daily. This recognition shows our team's fantastic
Destin Chamber Trustees Invite Local First Responders to Appreciation Cookout on Sept. 11, 2024
The Destin Chamber Trustee members are celebrating and thanking local first responders with a free cookout on Wednesday, Sept. 11. They will be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs at Destin Fire Station #9 at 848 Airport Road, in Destin, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. All police officers, firefighters, medical personnel, beach safety, EMS and military are invited. Trustee membership is the highest membership level in the Destin Chamber, and it shows a significant commitment to and investment in the Chamber and in
Bit-Wizards Makes Inc.’s Annual List of Best Workplaces for 2024
Bit-Wizards has been named to Inc.’s annual Best Workplaces list for the eighth year! Prominently featured on Inc.com, the list results from a comprehensive measurement of American companies that excel in creating exceptional workplaces and company cultures, whether operating in a physical or a virtual facility. “Each year, Inc.’s Best Workplaces program recognizes the very best in terms of companies that have fostered a truly amazing culture,” says Inc. editor-in-chief Mike Hofman. “We use hard
Bit-Wizards Compels Businesses to Review BCDR Plans as Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins
With the arrival of this year’s hurricane season, Managed IT Services (MITS) provider Bit-Wizards underlines the necessity for companies to review their business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) plans. Even though peak storm activity typically occurs in September, experts predict an 85% chance of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season with an anticipated 17 to 25 named storms in 2024. Preparation is key to ensuring your BDCR plan gives your business the best chance of survival. By developing an
Tammie Bowyer Honored as Destin Chamber’s Business Person of the Quarter
– During the Destin Chamber’s March 8 Business Before Hours Sponsored by Bit-Wizards, Tammie Bowyer (above right), owner of Stepping Stones Early Learning Academy, was honored with the Chamber’s Business Person of the Quarter Award. This award is presented directly from the Chamber’s Board of Directors to a Destin area businessperson showing vision for his or her business and leadership in our community. Bowyer is seen above with the Chamber's 2024 Chairman of the Board Christian Carlee of
Bit-Wizards & TalkingParents Awarded American Advertising Federation Gold and Silver Addys
Fort Walton Beach, FL – February 22, 2024– For the 14th year in a row, the Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents team was awarded Gold and Silver “ADDYs” by the Pensacola Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. The ADDY Awards are the largest and most representative competition in the advertising industry, recognizing and rewarding the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising. For their work in 2023, the team received two Gold and six Silver ADDYs, totaling eight awards. Recognition
Bit-Wizards Highlights Hazards of Poor Password Security on National Change Your Password Day
Managed IT Services (MITS) provider Bit-Wizards encourages business owners and their employees to evaluate their overall password security in light of National Change Your Password Day. Over 80% of confirmed breaches are related to stolen, weak, or reused passwords. Even though almost 90% of people recognize the risk of reused or similar passwords, only 12% follow best practices. With recent cyberattack trends leveraging tools like social engineering and AI for identity theft and other breaches, proper
Be the Magic Foundation Makes Record-Breaking Contributions in 2023
Bit-Wizards’ Be the Magic Foundation (BTMF) proudly reinforced its support of the local community in its third year. Through various partnerships, 23 local nonprofits, organizations, and students received $156,943 in cash donations and over $363,680 in services and volunteer support throughout 2023. In total, BTMF contributed $520,625, the most significant donation amount to date. Founded in 2021, BTMF aims to make the future of Northwest Florida stronger and more viable through the support of Youth
Be the Magic Foundation Brings Holiday Cheer to Fresh Start For Children & Families
Several years ago, the Bit-Wizards team started their own holiday tradition of supporting the local community through its Be the Magic Foundation. This year was no different as our very own Wizards created their own version of Santa’s workshop to make dreams come true for families in need. For the fourth consecutive year, Be the Magic decided that this year’s recipients would be the 27 children residing at Fresh Start For Children & Families. Fresh Start’s mission is to share love and compassion through
October 2023 Update from One Okaloosa EDC
By Nathan Sparks, CEcD Executive Director of One Okaloosa EDC Welcome to Fall! After the scorching hot summer that we experienced, the (slightly) cooler temperatures are, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. Fall not only brings cooler weather, lighter traffic, fewer crowds and, my personal favorite, FOOTBALL – it also brings a change of leadership at One Okaloosa as our new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. We cannot say enough about what a pleasure it has been to serve under Jillian McQueen, Hilton Garden
Bit-Wizards Urges Businesses to Assess BCDR Plans Amidst Height of Hurricane Season
Managed IT Services company, Bit-Wizards, encourages businesses of all sizes to assess their business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) plans as we reach the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. 25% of businesses fail to reopen after a disaster, which is why it’s crucial for companies that could be affected by a hurricane to take BCDR seriously and plan in advance. “If a disaster impacts your business and you don’t have a plan, at the very least, you’re going to lose clients, you’re going to lose
Bit-Wizards Makes Top 5 Again!
For the 14th year in a row, Bit-Wizards was named one of Florida's Best Companies To Work For in 2023. The annual Best Companies To Work For In Florida list, featured in the August issue of Florida Trend magazine, ranks 100 companies in small, medium, and large employer categories. After a couple of years of tremendous growth, Bit-Wizards moved from the Small to Midsized category in 2022. Coming in at #4, this is the second consecutive year that Bit-Wizards has secured a spot in the top
Bit-Wizards’ Recent Pen Test Results Prove High Level of Security
Bit-Wizards is proud to announce that they scored a 5 out of 5 on their latest external pen test and a 4.5 out of 5 on their internal pen test. The Managed IT Service provider chooses to undergo a penetration test every six months, allowing an outside company to perform an authorized attack on their network to evaluate its security posture. “The goal is to try to be one step ahead of the hackers at all times. Instead of going through a vulnerability assessment, which tends to be cheaper and less time
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Okaloosa County Public Schools Foundation Inaugural Pickleball Smash a Success
The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) held its inaugural Spring Pickleball Smash April 28 thru 30 at Mooney Tennis & Pickleball Courts in Fort Walton Beach. The three-day tournament raised over $15,000, which will support and extend educational opportunities for the Take Stock in Children (TSIC) scholarship program, which currently provides two-year college scholarships and one-on-one mentoring for academically deserving high school students from low-income families. In addition, the money will also
Bit-Wizards Makes Best Workplaces List!
For the seventh year in a row, Bit-Wizards is named to Inc. Magazine’s annual Best Workplaces list. Featured in the May/June 2023 issues, which hits newsstands on May 16, 2023, and prominently featured on Inc.com, the list is the result of a comprehensive measurement of American companies that excel in creating exceptional workplaces and company culture, whether operating in a physical or virtual facility. After collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. selected 591 honorees this year. Each
Be the Magic Foundation Pledges Over $45,000 in Support for PAWS in 2023
To kick off its third year of partnership with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, Bit-Wizards' Be the Magic Foundation (BTMF) is doubling down on its support this year. On Saturday, April 29th, BTMF presented PAWS’ Executive Director, Ashley Degraaf, a check for $20,000 and spent the afternoon volunteering onsite. In addition to the cash donation and over 40 hours of Wizard volunteer time at the facility, PAWS will also receive a total of $20,000 in hardware and skill-based services. “Bit Wizards
