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YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK PAGES 2-10

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE PAGES 11-12 MEMBERSHIP UPDATES PAGES 19-23

UPCOMING EVENTS

Power Hour Lunch (PHL) - Fleming's Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 - 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Fleming's Steakhouse & Wine Bar 2001 Siesta Drive, Suite 101, Sarasota, FL 34239

Shumaker Chamber University: Leveraging AI for Competitive Advantage

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM EST

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34236

Chamber Connect: Tweeds Custom Suits

Thursday, July 18, 2024 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM EST

Tweeds Custom Suits

1423 1st Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

State of the Community Series – Protecting Florida: U.S. Attorney Handberg Discusses Enforcement Priorities Against Fentanyl Supply Chain and COVID Fraud

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 11:30 AM - 1:15 PM EST

Carlisle Inn – Sarasota 3713 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota, FL 34232

Connect1st - New Member Welcome Reception

Monday, July 29, 2024 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM EST

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce 1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34236

To Register for our Upcoming Events, Scan the QR Code Below:

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Man In The Ring

Over the course of his time in the public eye, Theodore Roosevelt gave a number of moving, influential, highly quotable public addresses—but none of them has the legacy of the speech he delivered in Paris on April 23, 1910. This speech would become one of the most widely quoted orations of his career.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

This speech still resonates with many entrepreneurs who have the fortitude and courage to start their own business. Our board and team here at the Sarasota Chamber just hosted our Annual Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards celebrating our members and local businesses. This year we had a record crowd of over 600 chamber members attend the luncheon to celebrate our hardworking small businessmen and women. The touching and heartfelt words spoken from the podium is what continue to make our work here at the Sarasota Chamber so meaningful and impactful.

Our finalists’ businesses are extraordinary examples of successful businesspeople that truly exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of the Frank G. Berlin, Sr. who was a successful businessman and community leader and chaired the Chamber more than 70 years ago. It is for that reason that this event bears his name. The 30 finalists and hundreds of other small enterprises are the backbone of our community’s economy. Please join me in my celebration of their innovation and pursuit of excellence. They are, after all, the men and women “in the ring.”

Heather Kasten Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce President/CEO

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

As this issue of the Bridge lands in your mailbox, we are just weeks from learning if our Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce will earn the national distinction of “Chamber of the Year.” The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) informed Chamber leadership in May that we are a finalist in its Chamber of the Year competition. The annual award recognizes excellence in operations, member services, and community leadership.

Just 12 chambers across the country made the cut as finalists, through a process that includes evaluation by chamber-executive peers. This endorsement in and of itself is exceptional. “This year’s finalists represent the best in the chamber industry,” said ACCE President Sheree Anne Kelly. “They are community leaders and innovators, driving growth and regional prosperity.”

Of course, we aspire to be tops in our category of similarly sized chambers when ACCE announces the winners at its annual convention on July 17. (Nobody who knows me has ever doubted my competitive streak!) But Heather and her team deserve our congratulations and thanks regardless of the outcome. They do the same hard work every year that is being recognized so notably this one. We know how deserving they are, and our business community is the ultimate winner.

Teri A Hansen

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation Chair of the Board

CHAMBER STAFF

Heather Kasten President/CEO hkasten@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4050

Ed Hill Vice President ehill@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4040

Dan Sidler Vice President of CareerEdge & Economic Development dsidler@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4045

Isabella Alvarado Membership Coordinator ialvarado@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4030

Margaret Burton Executive Assistant mburton@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4051

Pete Bartosik Leadership Sarasota & YPG Manager pbartosik@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4039

Kevin Golumbeck CareerEdge Manager kgolumbeck@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4038

Zach Henkel Membership Investment Manager zhenkel@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4029

Melanie Lavender Opportunities For All Manager mlavender@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4058

Celeste Lloyd-Jones Event Manager cjones@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4035

Craig McGonigal Director of Membership Engagement cmcgonigal@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4034

Hayley Nau Sr. Communications Coordinator hnau@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4031

Allie Petschke Communications Coordinator apetschke@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4046

Christine Seaman Accounting Coordinator accounting@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4053

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK

CELEBRATING COMMUNITY AND CONNECTIONS AT THE 2024 GRAND EXPO: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!

Recapping an incredible night at our 2024 Grand Expo at Robarts Arena on April 4th, 2024! We were thrilled by the turnout and grateful to our sponsors and exhibitors for making this event possible. Attendees savored delicious bites from local restaurants, explored 80+ Chamber Member booths, and enjoyed networking over complimentary drinks. It was a night of community, connections, and celebrating our vibrant local businesses. Cheers to shopping local and strengthening our business landscape together!

Thank you to all the sponsors of the 2024 Grand Expo, whose support made this event possible!

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK

WOMEN AT WORK: ELEVATING LEADERSHIP WITH KINDNESS – AN INSPIRING EVENT WITH DEBBIE LUNDBERG

On Thursday, May 16th, we proudly hosted the Women at Work event presented by HBK CPAs & Consultants at Michael's on East. The day began with a delightful champagne networking reception and a delicious plated lunch. Our keynote speaker, the incredible Debbie Lundberg, captivated us with her insights on "Be the KIND of Leader Worth Following." Debbie, a 2x TED Speaker, Author, and Performance Coach, truly inspired us to elevate our leadership with kindness and emotional intelligence.

And a special shoutout to our amazing vendors: Jenny Townsend of Music Compound, Krista Black of Southern Steer Butchers, Angie Lewis of Mermaid Med Spa, and Gina Anabtawi of Beneva Flowers. Your contributions added an extra sparkle to our event!

Thank you to all of our sponsors.

YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK

DID YOU KNOW?

As a Sarasota Chamber Member, you have access to multiple advertising resources that are designed to amplify your message to thousands of potential new customers and clients.

Why Chamber Advertising?

• Targeted Exposure: Seamlessly connect with our quarterly magazine.

• Digital Impact: Reach members instantly with our e-blasts.

• Consistent Visibility: Showcase your brand in our weekly newsletter.

• Strategic Bundles: Tailored packages to suit your marketing goals.

• Community Engagement: Amplify your presence within the chamber network, fostering trust and recognition among fellow members.

To learn more, contact Zach Henkel - Membership Investment Manager zhenkel@sarasotachamber.com

YOUR

ALL-IN-ONE BUSINESS RESOURCE

Now offering full-service packaging design & printing!

Work with our team to create one-of-a-kind consumer experiences through specialty-made packaging serving a broad spectrum of industries.

DESIGN

Rely on our graphic designers for all of your business needs. Our creative team can start from scratch or apply your existing design to new projects.

With decades of print experience, we have the expertise to complete your digital, offset or large format projects on time and within your budget.

Let our mail department help you to determine the most successful method of distributing your next marketing or fundraising campaign.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

2024 CAREEREDGE EVALUATION

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative is proud to announce its 2023 efforts resulted in an economic impact of $2.7 million for the local economy. Their funding opportunities, unique programs and strategic partnerships with employers, educators, government officials, and community stakeholders are significantly contributing to the development of the region’s workforce. The collaborative approach to local solutions led to outstanding ratings in several critical areas of the yearly evaluation.

CareerEdge’s 2023 Annual Evaluation shows the substantial impact to the Sarasota-Bradenton economy, including more than $1.5 million invested in workforce development, almost $1.8 million in added wages, 461 workers trained, the creation of 100 new jobs, 182 new employment opportunities and 344 new certifications earned. The highly informative and detailed report includes other valuable metrics including demographics by gender, ethnicity, certifications earned by industry, and increases in annual wages per program.

To read the full press release and report, visit www.careeredgefunders.org.

CNA FastTrack Graduation

We are thrilled to announce the recent graduation of our CNA FastTrack program participants! This remarkable group of individuals has successfully completed comprehensive training in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) duties and responsibilities, preparing them for successful careers in the healthcare industry.

The CNA FastTrack program, a tuition-free opportunity funded by CareerEdge, was made possible through our valuable partnerships with Suncoast Technical College, Dwyer Workforce Development and our funders. This collaboration underscores our unwavering commitment to bridging workforce gaps and empowering individuals to pursue fulfilling careers in healthcare. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on training, our graduates are now equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their new roles.

Join us in celebrating their achievements and supporting their journey towards making a difference in the lives of those they will care for. Congratulations to all our CNA FastTrack graduates!

Upskilling Workers Grants Program

CareerEdge is proud to announce the following businesses that will be receiving grant funding through our Upskilling Workers Grants program! This program is tailored to assist businesses in overcoming workforce challenges and enhancing employee capabilities, particularly in the manufacturing, skilled trades, healthcare, and insurance sectors. Badger Bob, Veteran Air, Adams Group, Air Products, Bartelt, JELD-WEN, Sun Hydraulics, Easterseals Southwest Florida, Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

Congratulations to the grant recipients! We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these training programs on both employees and businesses.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

Summer Internship Program: Unlocking Doors to Professional Growth

What an incredible start to the Opportunities For All Internship Summer Internship Program! We're thrilled to have matched 30 skilled interns with 18 local employers. This summer, these bright future leaders will gain invaluable professional experience, enriching our community and economy. We are so excited to see all that they will accomplish throughout their internships! A huge thank you to the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for funding this incredible program.

To apply for the 2024 Summer Internship Program, use the QR code below for both interns and employers.

This experience is fully funded by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce through the Opportunities For All grant provided by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

ADULT & YOUTH LEADERSHIP SARASOTA

May was an inspiring month for our community as we celebrated the graduations of both our Youth and Adult Leadership Sarasota programs. These dedicated individuals have completed a journey of growth, learning, and leadership development, and we couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.

Youth Leadership Sarasota: Our youth leaders have shown exceptional commitment, creativity, and drive throughout their program. From engaging in community service projects to developing their personal leadership skills, these young individuals are truly poised to make a positive impact in Sarasota and beyond.

Adult Leadership Sarasota: Our adult graduates have also demonstrated remarkable dedication to enhancing their leadership abilities and contributing to the community. Through a series of intensive workshops, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences, they have emerged as stronger, more confident leaders ready to take on new challenges.

As we celebrate these achievements, we are equally excited to look ahead to the future. In the coming months, we will be welcoming our Leadership Sarasota Class of 2025. This new cohort will embark on their own transformative journey, learning from experienced mentors and each other to become the next generation of leaders in our community.

Stay tuned for more updates and stories from our leadership programs!

Celebrate Outstanding Leadership Awards

We are excited to announce the 2024 Celebrate Outstanding Leadership Awards, an event dedicated to honoring the exceptional leaders within our community. Join us for a memorable celebration on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Michael's On East Restaurant & Catering.

The Leadership Awards recognize alumni with a legacy of community participation and impact in three unique categories:

• Lifetime of Leadership Award: Honoring individuals for their extensive body of work in their career, community, and beyond.

• Impact in Action Award: Recognizing those currently leading impactful community endeavors.

• Leadership Sarasota Dedication Award: Celebrating commitment and dedication to the Leadership Sarasota program.

This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the remarkable contributions of our community leaders, network with fellow professionals, and be inspired by the stories of those who have made a significant difference.

We encourage you to register now to secure your spot at this prestigious event. Simply scan the QR code or visit our website to complete your registration.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS

CORPORATE CORNER

Icard Merrill

Telese Zuberer

Telese Zuberer

“The key to our firm’s success is our integrity and intense passion for our work.”

Position: President

Company: Icard Merrill

Q: Please provide a brief overview of Icard Merrill’s history and explain how they have evolved over the past 70 years.

Our firm was established in 1953. Since then, we have carried on the longstanding tradition of delivering innovative and effective legal solutions through dedicated and caring professionals. Our strong values and dedication to excellence, commitment, and integrity have never changed. Over the years, we have continually introduced innovative new practices and technologies to better serve our clients.

Q: What are the main areas of practice and how has that changed over time?

Real estate and land use have always been essential to our success, but we are really a full-service firm, also offering family law, community association, probate, estate, litigation, and corporate law. We are also the leading firm for participation in the 12th Judicial Circuit’s Guardian Ad Litem Program.

Q: What do you consider to be the most important ethics and principles leading to Icard Merrill’s current success?

We are known for integrity and instilling trust, as well as our strong ethics, core beliefs and values. We also involve our staff in many activities and events that result in a great sense of teamwork and camaraderie.

Q: What is the future direction of the firm?

We are growing from within and believe in fostering relationships with interns who blossom into attorneys. We have created a culture of support and teamwork which creates great synergy and longevity. There is a nexus of feeling part of a wonderful team here. Also, as an active member of the Law Firm Alliance, we are continually improving best practices and we will be growing our presence in our Punta Gorda location.

Q: How has your role been significant in contributing to a new approach for the firm?

My approach has been to come onboard with a fresh perspective and question the origins of processes. This has resulted in a unique mindset and opportunity to implement new processes when it makes sense to evolve and change to meet the needs of our clients. Most of the methods in place were very well established, but we have also been able to implement new ideas for improvement. We look forward to a successful future and continued great reputation for providing excellent legal counsel.

Icard Merrill, 2033 Main Street, Suite 600, Sarasota, FL 34237 / 941.366.8100 / www.icardmerrill.com

Caring. Innovative. Professional.

At Icard Merrill, we know that excellence is not achieved by accident. It comes from an unwavering commitment to excellence and hard work. It comes from experience and collaboration. It comes from research and dedication, to help navigate the way to a successful outcome.

For more than 70 years, our clients have been trusting us with their legal matters. Our promise to you is to always provide the highest level of service possible from our team of experienced professionals. It is truly our privilege to serve you.

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

Publix Super Markets, Inc.

The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Gilbane Building Company

Purmort & Martin Insurance Agency, LLC

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

Ringling College of Art and Design

Hembree & Associates, Inc.

SunCoast Blood Centers

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc.

FCCI Insurance Group

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Office Depot, Inc.

CS&L CPAs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

Adams and Reese LLP

Sarasota Ford

ICORR Properties International, LLP

Florida Southern Roofing & Sheetmetal, Inc.

Hanson Professional Services Inc.

RE/MAX Alliance Group/Linda Starcher

Pacer Group

LaGasse Plumbing, Inc.

Alvin J. Singleton, Inc. Roofing Contractors

Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing

Daiquiri Deck

Gettel Automotive

The Meadows Community Association, Inc.

Horizon Mortgage Corporation

Zenith Insurance Company

Window Craftsmen, Inc.

Purvis Gray

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

March 2024 – May 2024

Please help us in welcoming the following new members joining our Chamber family! We are excited to have these talented individuals and businesses join our vibrant community, and we look forward to fostering strong connections and collaboration with them as we continue to grow and thrive together.

AcaciaHR

Anthony C. Leonard Roofing

Arts & Central

Assisting Hands Home Care

Baron Holdings Property Management

BCB Homes, Inc.

Big W Media

BMO Bank - Sarasota

Boca

Bradenton Magazine

Casa Patrón Mexican Kitchen LLC

CCR Effect

Cedar Fox Coffee

Celebrations Venue LLC

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

CMSA Scholz, Oswald and Shaffer

Comcast Business

Cuba 1958

Culture Index

Davi & Valenti Movers

Digital Transformation Consultants LLC

Douglas Elliman

Dura Guard Roofing

Equitable Advisors

Evoke Headshots Photography Studio

Extreme Florida Roofing, LLC

Fat Rabbit Pub

Figgy Co

Genesis Organization Development, LLC

Green Era Cleaning Services

Handyman Roofing

Helicon

Honda of Sarasota

Hutton, Dominko, Swaim & Stall, PLLC

HydroCats

Integrity Employee Leasing

Jack's Donuts Florida Enterprise Florida LLC

JobGraze

Joey D's Chicago Style Eatery and Pizzeria - Bradenton

Joey D's Chicago Style Eatery and Pizzeria - Palmetto

Julmalex Service Center LLC

KPC Strategies

Kreyol Link Solutions

Landshark Home Improvement LLC

LernerCohen Healthcare

Mermaid Med Spa

NEBA Network Inc

New Wave Roofing

Non-Stop Locksmith

One Head At A Time, Inc.

Orchid Health and Wellness

Ostis Inspirations Stained Glass

Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa

Paradise Dermatology

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS CONTINUED

March 2024 – May 2024

As our Chamber family expands, we encourage all members—new and existing—to actively participate in our diverse events and networking opportunities. Let's build lasting connections, share insights, and collectively thrive. Welcome aboard, and join us on this exciting journey of growth and collaboration!

Parenting Matters

PartsVu

Pelican Cove Condominium Association, Inc.

Peoples Insurance Agency LLC

PowerUp2Sell LLC

Project Pride SRQ

Ready Home Inspections LLC

RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture

Rytech Restoration of Greater Sarasota

Sarasota Chalk Festival

Sarasota Musical Theater Co.

Sarasota POS LLC

SiteVivid LLC

Sonia Dillon LLC

Spa Soleil

Star Lab

Sunrise Irrigation

Sweet Sparkman Architects

Temple Beth Sholom

Tesar Homes, Inc.

The Market on Dearborn

The Village Health & Wellness

The Women's Center at Children's Therapy

Solutions/ Children's Therapy Solutions

TLS Insulation

Total Asphalt Maintenance, Inc.

Traction Real Estate Investors Association

Trusted Health Solutions

Tsunami Sushi & Cocktail LoungeLakewood Ranch

Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi - Sarasota

U.S. Army - Sarasota Recruiting Station

VIPcare / SaludVIP

Wells Fargo Advisors

Window Hero Sarasota

Xen Eleven, LLC

MEMBERSHIP UPDATES

CELEBRATING THE BIG MOMENTS

March 2024 – May 2024

Celebrate your business’s grand opening or major renovation with a Chamber Ribbon Cutting! Scan the QR code below to schedule yours today. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

March 2024

April 2024

La Chíc Bohème 1551 Lakefront Drive, Suite 101

David Weekley Homes 3903 Northdale Boulevard, Suite 280E

Norman Love Confections 8109 Cooper Creek Boulevard

Casa Patrón Mexican Kitchen LLC 4000 Cattlemen Road

Neal Communities 5800 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard

Coastal Car Wash 2290 Fruitville Road

PuroClean of Lakewood Ranch & Siesta Key 1949 Barber Road

MEMBERSHIP UPDATES

Ribbon cuttings are ceremonial events to celebrate the opening of a new business or the expansion of an existing one. The purpose of these events is to create a sense of community and generate publicity for the business. Ribbon cuttings provide an opportunity for businesses to showcase their products or services, network with other professionals, and gain exposure to potential customers. You can view all of Sarasota Chamber members’ ribbon cuttings on our social media platforms!

May 2024