INVESTING IN THE FUTURE PAGES 10-11 MEMBERSHIP UPDATES PAGES 20-21
With 126 holes of championship private golf, Heritage Golf Group is proud to be a vital employer and hospitality leader in the highly sought-after Sarasota market. With golf and lifestyle memberships available, there is truly something for everyone. Join today!
With 126 holes of championship private golf, Heritage Golf Group is proud to be a vital employer and hospitality leader in the highly sought-after Sarasota market. With golf and lifestyle memberships available, there is truly something for everyone. Join today!
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Tamiami Tap 711 S Osprey Ave #3, Sarasota, FL 34236
Good Morning, Sarasota! -
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast
Thursday, December 5th, 2024 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EST
Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast 400 Palmetto Avenue, Osprey, FL 34229
Premier Investor Reception –Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Thursday, December 12th, 2024 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM EST
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
The Greater Sarasota Chamber is rounding out it’s 104th year of serving the business community of Sarasota and what a year it has been!
This year our board, staff and members were recognized as being one of the Top 3 Chambers in the United States and Canada for the major cities category at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) annual conference in Dallas, Texas. What is so exciting about this honor, is that it is an external validation of the work we are accomplishing here in Sarasota to build a strong economy and support the businesses that provide jobs for our region. In 2024, we focused on issues that drive economic development and support community assets important to the vitality of our city. Our employers and business owners share that Affordable Housing continues to be at the forefront of issues facing their businesses. This November we will host our Affordable Housing Summit 2.0 in partnership with our local foundations. We continue to address workforce and talent issues through our workforce initiative of CareerEdge. Developing and equipping strong leaders through the Leadership Sarasota program and the Young Professionals Group, is what our member companies continue to ask for. This year we hosted our first Spark Intern Summit with over 70 local interns spending a half day investing in their professional development. Through our Opportunities For All program funded by the Barancik Foundation, we placed and funded 30 interns and the business grant application process is currently open. Your Chamber is at the forefront of collaborating with community leaders and stakeholders to continue to make Sarasota a great place to do business or start a business. The fruits of this labor will be the creation of jobs and resources to our community. One of our foundational strengths is being a convener – of information, resources, solutions, and opportunities.
I’d like to personally invite you to be a part of our Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for Friday, October 25th from 11:30am-1:15pm at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota Hotel. We will be inspired by a gold medal winning Olympic coach Kevin Mazeika, we will honor our outgoing Chairman of the Board Teri Hansen and hear from our incoming Chairman of the Board, Joe Hembree and his vision for 2025. Over the course of 100+ years, our Chamber has been on the cutting edge of innovation- constantly adjusting of the sails to best serve our 1,450 members and the Sarasota region.
Heather Kasten Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
YOUR CHAMBER AT WORK
LETTER FROM THE CHAIR
“This program introduced us to a bright, future leader. I am excited to contribute to enhancing his professional experience.”
That’s from a letter to our Chamber staff from the manager of a member business that hosted an intern last summer. The match was made by our Opportunities For All program, which placed 30 interns at 18 local employers.
Host businesses ran the gamut, from an IT provider and a big law firm to a STEM education nonprofit and our local Boys and Girls Clubs. The experiences they offered were as diverse as the interns themselves. And just like our membership, that diversification makes our business community better.
Last summer’s interns are back at school now, but their real-world experience stays with them. I expect many will return next summer for a new gig with a new employer. Of course, if we want them to stay for good after they graduate, affordable housing will be critical. That’s one reason why the Chamber will convene our second Affordable Housing Summit in November. Stay tuned for details on this important convening.
Before then, we’ll gather for our Annual Meeting on October 25. That’s when I’ll hand the gavel to 202425 chair Joe Hembree, and we’ll welcome our equally capable incoming board members. My term as chair may be over, but service to the Chamber is never finished. Thank you to my fellow board members and the entire Chamber membership for your tireless work to make our business community stronger.
Teri A Hansen
Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation Chair of the Board
34TH ANNUAL FRANK G. BERLIN, SR. SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS
On June 21st, over 600 attendees joined us at The Ora Ballroom to honor the best in Sarasota's business community at the 34th annual Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business Awards, presented by Herald-Tribune Media Group. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who are writing Sarasota's legacy! A special thanks to all of our amazing sponsors who made this event possible. Congratulations to our winners!
MEDIUM BUSINESS AWARD: BERLIN PATTEN EBLING, PLLC
LARGE BUSINESS AWARD: ROOFING BY CURRY
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD: CATALIST REALTY LLC
CHAMBER AMBASSADOR OF THE QUARTER
Janet Hazuda is honored to be recognized as the Sarasota Chamber’s Ambassador of the Quarter. Janet began her career with one main goal – to be able to help others. Janet’s passion for people and their life stories and using that knowledge to help them make the right financial decisions are what makes Janet an advocate for this community. Her focus is on the person and creating business relationships that last. As we highlight her 29-year career in the Credit Union arena, you can clearly see this is where her vocation and passion intertwine. Janet is the Sarasota Branch Manager for MIDFLORIDA Credit Union. She is proud to represent the Credit Union that established its humble roots in Lakeland in 1954 and has been going strong for 70 years. MIDFLORIDA has 62 branches spanning coast to coast and prides itself on helping members finance their homes and cars, handling their deposit accounts, manage their business finances, and turning their life’s dreams into their reality. Janet would say, “Each of our members play an integral part of writing our story and building our legacy.” Janet has lived in Sarasota for 31 years. She has a plethora of knowledge about her community and loves to refer her Credit Union members to local businesses from a restaurant to a trivia night (all Chamber members!).
Solutions to Keep Your Business Moving
YOUR
ALL-IN-ONE BUSINESS RESOURCE
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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.
It’s hard to believe that just five short years ago, Gulfside Bank opened its doors to Sarasota’s business community for the first time. We’ve been growing to meet the financial needs of a vibrant, thriving community ever since.
Today, Gulfside can do anything the big banks can do, only faster, with local decision making and a true personal touch you won’t find anywhere else. And we’re just getting started. Come grow with Gulfside.
CAREEREDGE UPDATES
Launch of CNA FastTrack Program with Meridian West Central College
Exciting start for our CareerEdge pilot program! Our Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students recently had their first in-person sessions, with both morning and night classes diving into their tuition-free hybrid learning journey. Thanks to Dwyer Workforce Development and Meridian West Central College for supporting this initiative. We’re eager to see the amazing progress they’ll make!
In partnership with:
Announcing our 2024 Upskilling Workers Grantees!
We are pleased to announce the selection of grantees for our highly anticipated upskilling work grant funding. These grants aim to empower individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in today's rapidly evolving job market, consequently, driving economic growth and ensuring a prosperous future for workers and businesses alike. With these grants, over 350 workers will be trained.
Congratulations to our recipients! We look forward to seeing the positive impact on our community.
CareerEdge Receives Significant Grants from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation!
We are incredibly grateful to share that CareerEdge and Opportunities For All, have been awarded a significant grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. The funding will be used to assist unemployed and underemployed individuals who have been unable to earn livable wages in gaining the skills and credentials they need to launch their careers and support their families.
CareerEdge has also been awarded a generous $150,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, made possible through the Venice Endowment Fund and the Ed and Barbara Strobel Fund, to bolster our local workforce development
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
Our 2024 YP Summit, presented by Kerkering, Barberio & Co., was incredible! Throughout the half-day event, we explored how to be bold in the marketplace, in the workplace, and in embracing failure. Congratulations once again to our 2024 Young Professional of the Year, Justin Johnson of IAS Marketing Services. Also, a huge thank you to our Keynote Speaker Tom Lelyo and all our session speakers for their valuable insights and contributions. Your input made the summit truly memorable.
Akiel Reyes Melendez Special Projects Assistant at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
“If you have the opportunity to join this program [OFA], 100% do it because it is so worth it. Even if you go back to campus, or wherever you go to school, you will still have that connection in the near future when you may be needing a job. Having that connection and knowing that your work spoke for itself and in the future they might want hire you back and give you a different opportunity thanks to the original opportunity which was this program.”
Our 2024 Opportunities For All Summer Internship Commencement Ceremony was a celebration of hard work and incredible achievements. We are so proud of our 30 talented interns and are excited for their bright futures ahead! We have some amazing emerging young leaders in the Sarasota community and this program is a testament to that.
A huge thank you to Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for making this program possible.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS
LEADERSHIP SARASOTA
On Wednesday, August 7th, we celebrated our three incredible honorees at the Celebrate Outstanding Leadership Awards presented by Willis Smith Construction, Inc
Congratulations to William Merrill III, of Icard Merrill Attorneys & Counselors, on the Lifetime of Leadership Award, Meghan Serrano, from Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, on the Impact In Action Award, and Chris Pfahler, of Tidewell Foundation, Inc., on the Leadership Sarasota Dedication Award.
In addition, a huge thank you to Philip Tavill from Children First for being our incredible keynote. Thank you to our sponsors that made this event possible. Here’s to continuing our commitment to exceptional leadership and community impact!
We are excited to introduce the distinguished members of the 2025 Leadership Class—an extraordinary group of individuals ready to make a significant impact on the region.
Mike Ahern
Jenna Albers
Spencer Anderson
Franchesca Angotti
Michael Barrett
Justin Bellante
Robyn Bell
Sofiia Bevzenko
Melissa Bontrager
Chelsea Bradshaw
Marnie Buchsbaum
Alex Calendo
Robert Connor
Nicole Coyne
Kelli Dancer
Angela De La Rosa
Chris DiBitetto
Briana Dobbs
Chad Evener
James Fanto
Fiona Farrell
James Ferrick
Allison Foster
Anthony Gagliano
Kevin Golumbeck
Justin Gomlak
Kelley Granahan
Omar Guevara-Soto
Katrina Hoeft
Dominque Johnson
Dana LeBlanc
Scooter Maloney
Teddy Mejeur
Chrystal Mijares
April Miller
Christopher Miller
Gregory Miller
Christopher Nigro
Derek Ober
Denise Ogg
Austin Pella
Eric Pugh
Sasha Pyatte
Erik Sloat
Melissa Strassner
Ryan Thompson
Jason Toale
Sofie Wachtmeister
James Wendland Jr.
Jacqueline Woish
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS
CORPORATE CORNER
Telese Zuberer
“The key to our firm’s success is our integrity and intense passion for our work.”
Position: President
Dr. Larry R. Thompson
President
Ringling College of Art and Design
What is the biggest leadership lesson you have learned?
This axiom that I believe in is a truism for leadership in both business and life: “Some situations require silence even if you have or know the answer.” I believe it is imperative to be a good listener. I also firmly believe that as a leader you should surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.
What is one piece of business advice you would give to local entrepreneurs?
The best piece of advice I’ve been given was from Maya Angelou during her TOWN HALL presentation. The statement was so poignant: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That has become my philosophy and it has helped me as I have moved forward as a leader.
Are there any exciting developments happening in your company?
Ringling College has experienced tremendous growth, especially over the last decade, and we have no intention of slowing down. We are constantly reviewing our academic curricula to stay on the cutting edge of student needs for the future which I believe is the creative economy. We have plans for a new Signature Academic Building, as well as a new residence hall, endowed faculty positions, and more on the horizon. The Signature Academic Building will be a signifier for the College and the community that you have arrived in a place that highly values arts and culture.
What
do you love the most about Sarasota?
For me, it is the people who make this amazing community so wonderful. Sarasota has long been a place for culture and the arts to flourish, attracting some of the world’s most exciting artists, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and authors to share their perspectives. We are lucky to be surrounded by such diverse talent and experiences. Plus, the scenery isn’t too shabby either.
Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234 | www.ringling.edu
GET CONNECTED
We recently celebrated the 3rd annual Fall For Sarasota, presented by Sam's Club, on September 10-12, where local businesses and nonprofits came together to support our community. In just three days, over 500 volunteer hours were dedicated to 21 meaningful nonprofit projects. We are so thankful for the generosity of everyone involved. We ended the week of service with a celebration reception and showcase at the Senior Friendship Centers, recognizing the incredible work and the connections made.
The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County, known as the ELC, is a
MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
June 2024 – August 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.
1 Health Place
Above & Beyond
Acree Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electric
Alex Amaya Productions
AllerVie Health
American Cancer Society
Aster & Links
Aura Apartments
Aviotec
Barrett's Electrical Solutions, LLC
Blue Haven Pools
Brilliant Harvest, LLC
CC Vision Care PLLC
Centripetale Product Development
Chaz 51 Steakhouse
CIP Solutions
Climate Adaptation Center Inc.
Clive Daniel Home
Coatue Companies
Conquest Dynamics Inc
Diamond Banc
Disc Centers of America/Sarasota
EcoLite LED / EcoSport
Elasmar Design
Elements Massage
Elwell Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Escape Reality Sarasota
Escapology of Sarasota
Evolv Media, Inc.
Fairway Funding Group, Inc
Festive Lighting Pros
Fifi's Fine Resale Apparel
Find My Self-Love
Floor & Fabric Care
Floor Coverings International
Florida Sign Company
Floridacentral Credit Union
Focused Schools
Fox Lea Farm
Full Life Compost LLC
Goldflower Cannabis
Grant's Gardens
Greenpoint ATM Solutions
Gulf Coast Gatherings
Gulf Coast Protection
Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc.
Horizon HR and Bookkeeping
Innovative Optics
James Smith, PLLC
JELD-WEN
JPL & Associates
KS Contracting Services
Larew Doyle & Associates, Inc.
Lavender Healthcare & Wellness
Liana at Sarasota
Lotus 73 LLC
Making It Easy Golf LLC
Marcel DW
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
June 2024 – August 2024
Mission Critical Product Design
MK Construction Group LLC
ML Concrete LLC
Montoya Painting and Home Improvement LLC
Naked Farmer
Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A.
Osprey PolyClinic
Peterman Advisory
Pierce Group Loans Powered by Loan Factory
Pinnacle Homecare
Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida
PLG Computers
Poseidon Roofing
Premiere Weight Loss + Wellness
Pura Vida Miami
Red Pros Roofing
Reinventing Your Clean LLC
Retirement Health Plans Made Simple
RND Automation
Rogers Market
RVS II Enterprises LLC
S.O.S Suds by Syd Cleaning Co.
SailorGirl Companies
Sarasota Contemporary Dance
Sarasota Promo
Sarasota Sign Shop
Sarasota Toy Museum
Sarasota-Manatee Bicycle Club, Inc
Sheldon, Gettel & Dahl
Smart Things For Events
Southside Village Dental Care
Sprinkles
SRQ Sun Resources, LLC
Studio Mc+G Architecture, Inc.
Taylor Morrison
The Florida Quest Hockey Organization
The Law Office of Stacey Maloney, PLLC
Turbo Tint
United States Awning
University Park Country Club
Veith Engineering & Business Solutions
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of Sarasota
Way Maker Signs
Webber Mediation Services
World's Attic Thrift Shop
Yes! Coach Lisa
MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
CELEBRATING THE BIG MOMENTS
June 2024 – August 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!
June 2024
4366 Independence Court, Unit F Sarasota, FL 34234 Sarasota,
677 N. Washington Boulevard, Suite 42 Sarasota, FL 34236
533 S. Pineapple Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236
JobGraze
Total Asphalt Maintenance, Inc.
Figgy Co
Celebrations Venue LLC
NEBA Network Inc
Dr. Martin Luther King Way Sarasota, FL 34234
Naked Farmer
Cattlemen Road, #58
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!
July 2024
Premiere Weight Loss + Wellness 1961 Floyd Street, Suite C Sarasota, FL 34239
August 2024
Tide
140 University Town Center, Unit 126 Sarasota, FL 34243
CC Vision Care PLLC
3920 Bee Ridge Rd, Building D, Suite 103 Sarasota, FL 34233
