The Bridge Magazine - April 2018

THE GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER MAGAZINE

APRIL 2018

BRIDGE CONNECT

PROMOTE

NEW HIRE

SUPPORT

UPCOMING EVENTS

SARASOTA CHAMBER PAGE 4 REAFFIRMS FOCUS YPG Q DASH: RECAP PAGE 12 ON EDUCATION CELEBRATE OUTSTANDING AND WORKFORCE LEADERSHIP HONOREES YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS!

WITH DEVELOPMENT OF CHIEF WORKFORCE STRATEGIST POSITION PAGES 6 & 7

ANNOUNCED

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SARASOTACHAMBER.COM

SARASOTA FAST FACTS The Orioles’ economic impact in Florida is more than

$97 million annually

* SARASOTA COUNTY GOVERNMENT 2016 REPORT

Thanks to almost

$10 million

In the nine years since the Orioles moved Major League Spring Training to Sarasota, more than

in tourism focused media provided by the Orioles to Sarasota County, the number of yearly first-quarter visitors from the Mid-Atlantic has grown by more than

985,000 fans

300%

have enjoyed Orioles baseball at Ed Smith Stadium

$3 million

in cash and in-kind contributions to the Sarasota community

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APRIL 2018 •

in 6th to 8th grade each year about healthy living, including exercise, eating right, and being tobacco-free.

since 2009

#2

the Orioles have donated more than

2

4,500 kids

AND in 2016, Baltimore-Washington ranked in origin of out-of-state visitors to Sarasota

Since moving year-round operations to Sarasota in 2010,

* AS OF DECEMBER 2017

The Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge teaches more than

More than

135,000 players, families, and spectators have participated in various youth baseball tournaments and games at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex since 2013.

That’s an average of 27,000 each year!

VISIT ORIOLES.COM/SARASOTA TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORIOLES’ IMPACT IN SARASOTA DAYS A YEAR GREATER SARASOTA365 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER MAGAZINE

The Orioles’ Arts in the Ballpark event series has drawn approximately

22,000 attendees to 12 shows at Ed Smith Stadium since the program’s inception in 2013

C H A M B E R S TA F F Kevin Cooper President/CEO kcooper@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4050 Brittany Lamont Vice President blamont@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4040 Dillon Buckland Communications Coordinator dbuckland@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4039 Mimi Cirbusova Young Professionals Group Coordinator mcirbusova@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4038 Barbara Hines Leadership Sarasota County Coordinator bhines@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4026 Craig McGonigal Membership Engagement Manager cmcgonigal@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4034 Christine Miller Executive Assistant to the President cmiller@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4051 Megan Neal Membership & Events Coordinator mneal@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4031 John Vitolo Membership Investment Representative jvitolo@sarasotachamber.com (941) 556-4058

SERVING OUR BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

THE PROBLEM OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT R AT E A S A N E C O N O M I C M E A S U R E A number of economists and other keen observers have long bemoaned the amount of attention paid to the unemployment rate.

Indeed, it is perhaps the most questionable statistic among those perceived as a strong indicator of economic conditions.

Every month, people across the country wait for the federal jobs report and then look simply to the unemployment rate in an attempt to achieve some sort of clarity on the direction of the local, state and national economies.

Some might note that the rate and the general economy tend to move in the same direction (e.g., high unemployment rates were prevalent during the Great Recession). But that truth is due mainly to the tangential nature of the rate and the economy. To illustrate that point, the unemployment rate can go down while the economy loses jobs because there many factors behind the rate.

The unemployment rate is perhaps more misleading in Sarasota County than in most communities across the United States.

Simply put, the unemployment rate is the percentage of the population, ages 16 and over, who are jobless but looking and available for work. The critical element of the calculation is the concept of looking and available.

If one is not employed, are available for employment but not looking, then you aren’t counted — there’s a whole separate statistic for that.

The labor-force participation rate measures the number of people, ages 16 and over, who are either employed or looking and available for work. In 2016, according to the United States Census Bureau, the U.S. labor force participation rate was estimated at 63.1 percent. In Sarasota County, that same figure was estimated at 48.2 percent. That literally means that more than half of the working-age population in Sarasota County wasn’t counted as part of the workforce.

To put it another way, more than one out of every two working-age people in Sarasota County don’t have a job and aren’t even looking for one.

If the labor-force participation rate in Sarasota County mirrored that of the country, the county would have roughly an additional 53,578 citizens in the workforce. If no jobs had been created to accompany that growth, the county’s unemployment rate would have been a staggering 27.3 percent. Instead, because of its low participation rate, the unemployment rate was actually 4.8 percent.

The main driver behind the disparity, which may seem quite obvious, is the demographic profile of the county’s citizens. As one might expect, labor-force participation peaks in the age bracket of 35 to 44. It decreases for those older than 44 and drops off significantly for those 60 years old and older.

Estimates show that nearly 27 percent of the U.S. population is over the age of 60. But in Sarasota County that figure leaps to nearly 50 percent. What’s more, the people over 60 in Sarasota County participate in the labor force at a lower rate than their average counterparts across the country. This should come as no surprise once one realizes that, in general, Sarasota County citizens rely more heavily on investments, retirement and social security as sources of income than does the overall country.

To be clear, there is nothing inherently wrong with having an older, wealthier population. In fact, it can provide a number of benefits. But it creates a unique challenge for employers and exacerbates the challenges faced by those involved in workforce development.

The unemployment rate in Sarasota County is low, but knowing what that means requires peeking under the hood once in a while to see how it works.

Reprinted with permission of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune View Original Here

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce exists to maximize our members’ success, the community’s competitiveness, and the area’s economic strength.

P: (941) 955-8187 | F: (941) 366-5621 Referrals/Consumer Info (941) 366-3144 PARTNERING TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS MAGAZINE DESIGN BY DILLON BUCKLAND, COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

KEVIN COOPER

CHAMBER PRESIDENT

UPCOMING EVENTS

ANNUAL EVENTS THE BIG IDEA LUNCHEON WITH A.G. LAFLEY & BILL WADDILL Thursday, May 10 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

The Francis

Presented by: Williams Parker

2018 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS

SARASOTAFILMFESTIVAL.COM 941.364.9514

@MYSFF

Friday, June 15 11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Presented by: Herald-Tribune Media Group

2018 SARASOTA SUMMER SHOWCASE Wednesday, June 27 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

To Be Announced

Presented by: Comcast Business

M O N T H LY E V E N T S CHAMBER CONNECT

CHAMBER 411

Complimentary for Members $20 for Future Members

Complimentary for Members

5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Boardroom

Thursday, May 17 Barber Chair, LLC

Tuesday, May 15 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

GOOD MORNING SARASOTA

SHUMAKER CHAMBER UNIVERSITY

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Complimentary for Members $20 Future Members

Thursday, April 19 SunCoast Blood Bank Thursday, June 21 Performance Eyecare, P.A.

POWER HOUR LUNCH 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Boardroom Complimentary for Members $20 for Future Members

Thursday, April 12 How to Recruit & Retain Your Best & Brightest - Employee Benefits Style! with Brown & Brown Insurance 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Wednesday, April 11 Wicked Cantina Sarasota

Thursday, May 31 7 Steps to Small Business Marketing with Systematic Business Marketing 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Wednesday, May 9 Shore Diner

June To Be Announced

$20 Prepaid Members $35 Future Members/Walk-Ins

Wednesday, June 13 Carlisle Inn Sarasota

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APRIL 2018 • GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER MAGAZINE

Future Proofing Your Business and Your Life Succession Planning ROB LANE KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT SUCCESSION PLANNING. As managing shareholder of Kerkering, Barberio & Co., Lane himself is a second-generation leader and product of firm founders Dick Kerkering and Allan Barberio’s own succession plan. On top of that, Rob’s family has owned and operated an orange grove in Desoto County since 1890, which has been passed down to family members over the generations. It’s no surprise that Rob takes an active interest in the topic of succession planning for his clients and the future of KB. “When Dick and Allan launched Kerkering Barberio in 1972, they were focused on creating an environment for accountants that was highly entrepreneurial and not bogged down by the bureaucracy they experienced in big firms,” Lane explained. “As we’ve grown over the years, that’s been a sizable challenge, to manage growth without sacrificing quality.

And as we move into the third generation of leadership, we continue to focus on building and planning for the future while keeping the individuality of a small firm that can be nimble for our clients.”

In working closely with clients to transition their own businesses and move into retirement, Rob has learned many lessons over the years.

He cites lack of sufficient planning time as one of the biggest challenges that retiring baby boomers are facing today.

“It’s important to be deliberate in planning how you will exit your business, and to allow yourself enough time to do it correctly,” Lane continued. “We find that, for a small to midsized business, it takes five to ten years to implement an exit plan. Having goals in place before you implement a process is crucial to success.”

By identifying the goals that are most important, business owners create the best

opportunity to develop a plan to address them. It also brings clarity to any potential conflicting exit goals, because a business exit typically affects more people than just the owner. Initial goals may not mesh with other goals, and by setting goals before a process is implemented, this will become apparent and can be addressed to manage any conflicts that could impede an owner from exiting the business on his or her own terms.

“It’s unfortunate when we see business owners who have not allowed sufficient planning time to design their exit leave many decisions up to timing and luck,” concluded Lane. “We like to keep the dialogue open with our clients and have them thinking sooner than later about this next phase of their business, and their life. Ideally, succession planning starts on the day your company begins.”

Here are three types of goals that many business owners set as they begin to plan their exit strategy:

1

FOUNDATIONAL GOALS When it comes to a business exit, the foundational goal is financial independence. This means transferring ownership and receiving enough money to not have to work again, unless by choice.

2

UNIVERSAL GOALS These are goals that nearly all owners aim to achieve, including departing the business when they want, for the money they need and to the person or people they choose.

3

VALUES-BASED GOALS These revolve around personal values and ethics, and can be the most influential types of goals.

Examples might include making sure the business isn’t shut down locally, or maintaining the company’s culture after you leave.

Unfortunately, many owners don’t even realize that they have valuesbased goals until late in the exit planning process, when it may be too late to address them.

ROBERT J. LANE, CPA Managing Shareholder

CEO Profiles are a benefit of the Economic Driver level of membership.

To schedule yours, contact Brittany Lamont at blamont@sarasotachamber.com or (941) 556-4040.

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SARASOTA CHAMBER REAFFIRMS FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE WITH DEVELOPMENT OF CHIEF WORKFORCE STRATEGIST POSITION YOUR CHAMBER IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE HIRE OF MIREYA EAVEY to fill the newly created role of Chief Workforce Strategist. This hire reaffirms The Chamber’s long-standing strategic efforts to support education and workforce development in the community. In her role with The Chamber, Eavey will greatly broaden and expand the organization’s education and workforce support programming.

The Chamber’s membership has often cited the importance of being able to find the right talent, at the right time, in order to support its short and long-term goals. At the same time, many of the organization’s employer-members face challenges in doing so. It is with that understanding that Chamber leadership has placed a refreshed focus on creating and supporting efforts to heighten the availability of the right workers at the right time. Amongst all assets that businesses rely upon, and invest in, it is their people that are the most valuable. In order to continue providing value to the community, The Chamber will seek to deepen its engagement within the

space in order to assist in minimizing the hinderances created by skills gaps and talent scarcity.

“This is an exciting and logical extension of the many years of work we, as an organization and community, have invested in,” said Chamber President | CEO Kevin Cooper. “If I could have chosen anyone to further The Chamber’s efforts in this area, it would have been Mireya. I hope our membership and the community-at-large is just as excited as I am.”

Eavey has an extensive community background here in Sarasota. She was Sarasota Area President for United Way Suncoast where she provided strategic and operational direction for all Sarasota and DeSoto area United Way community programs. During her tenure with United Way Suncoast, Eavey maintained her service as managing the CareerEdge Funders Collaborative. In the capacity of her new position with The Chamber, Eavey will continue her leadership role with CareerEdge, to provide an exceptional labor force to the region’s growing industries by leveraging community assets and forming

high-performing workforce partnerships.

Said Mireya, “I grew up in Sarasota County, raised my family, pursued my career, and have advocated for both workforce and economic improvement for the community. To work in a formal capacity alongside The Chamber team, where I’ll support a thriving workforce community, is not only my passion, I feel it is my purpose.”

Following this transition, CareerEdge, a partnership of business, government and philanthropic organizations that leverages public and private dollars to provide opportunities for better jobs and wages in Manatee and Sarasota counties, will move its operational functions to the Chamber in early summer. CareerEdge’s recent workforce initiatives include a certified nursing assistant training program, automotive technician training programs and plumbing and electrician certification programs.

Funded with public and private dollars, CareerEdge has helped create 1,369 jobs in the region.

“I grew up in Sarasota County, raised my family, pursued my career, and have advocated for both workforce and economic improvement for the community.

To work in a formal capacity alongside The Chamber team, where I’ll support a thriving workforce community, is not only my passion, I feel it is my purpose.”

- MIREYA EAVEY

CAREEREDGE FAST FACTS $9.8 MILLION IN INVESTMENTS

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4,790

INDIVIDUALS SERVED

APRIL 2018 • GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER MAGAZINE

1,369

NEW JOBS CREATED

WHAT IS

?

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SKILLED WORKERS CareerEdge was designed to work on both sides of the labor market – the supply side and the demand side – as well as among intermediary organizations, such as higher education institutions, in order to fuel the pipeline of skilled labor needed by the region’s employers.

Two of the most tangible goals are to help low-skill/low-wage workers advance into higher-skill/higher-wage careers, while providing employers with the workers they need to accelerate growth.

CareerEdge focuses on the following: INNOVATIVE EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIPS CareerEdge is providing a tailored support package never before available from workforce intermediaries in the region. That package includes grants which invest in customized worker training and support programs, combined with hands-on technical support by CareerEdge staff, all designed to help employers advance their incumbent workers into higherskill/wage positions and expedite the creation of entry-level jobs.

EDUCATIONAL BRIDGE BUILDING CareerEdge partners with other workforce intermediaries and educational institutions to bridge gaps in training programs in order to be more tightly attuned to the needs of the region’s employers.

INCREASING INVESTMENTS CareerEdge is working to increase the amount of philanthropic resources invested into workforce development, particularly for underserved segments of the labor force, and to leverage those investments to increase the sums invested by public agencies and private employers.

As of December 2017, CareerEdge and its employer partners have invested $9.8 million in training programs and regional workforce development.”

POLICY ADVOCACY & PUBLIC DISCOURSE CareerEdge is influencing policy decisions regarding both workforce programming and funding commitments by reframing the public discourse, inspiring data-driven decisions, and by educating leading advocacy groups and philanthropists on innovations and new directions in workforce development.

For more information on the work being done at CareerEdge, please visit

www.CareerEdgeFunders.org

7,404

CERTIFICATES/DEGREES EARNED

$24.4 MILLION

2,845

NEW WAGES & RAISES

EARNED RAISES

Source: CareerEdge Funders (careeredgefunders.org)

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A N N U A L C H A M B E R B R E A K FA S T

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 8

Presented by Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. | Featured Speaker Eric Spiegel, Former President/CEO of Siemens USA

PA RT Y I N T H E PA R K Presented by Keller Williams on the Water Sarasota | Photography by Patti Reed Portraits

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APRIL 2018 • GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER MAGAZINE

MARCH 2018

CHAMBER MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

NETWORKING EVENTS

KERKERING, BARBERIO & CO., Certified Public Accountants, is pleased to announce that participating employees donated over $15,000 to the UNITED WAY SUNCOAST in 2017.

Trustee Reception Baltimore Orioles Spring Training

GOODWILL MANASOTA is launching a new partnership with Replay Outreach in an effort to help at-risk youth in our community to provide job training and shadowing, and the opportunity for part-time jobs, with the goal of helping teens get on the path to future success.

CHILDREN FIRST expands mental health support for children and families by adding 12 master’s- and doctoral-level interns from ARGOSY UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, and NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY. Jim Selinski has recently been named Chief Operating Officer by the Board of Directors for the VAN WEZEL FOUNDATION, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports arts education and community enrichment initiatives in partnership with the VAN WEZEL PERFORMING ARTS HALL. VENICE REGIONAL BAYFRONT HEALTH had the lowest readmission rate of any major South Florida hospital for patients undergoing one of the most frequently used procedures in treating narrowing heart arteries, according to Dexur, a data-driven hospital and healthcare news and research service.

Sarasota Spring Showcase Presented by Comcast Business

The ATLANTA BRAVES will open a spring training preview center in North Port by April 9 that will give people a chance to take a virtual tour of the stadium now under construction and to learn about season ticket options.

THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY fourth and fifth grade students received the gift of learning with the brand new Dart STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Lab.

THANK YOU CHAMBER CHAMPIONS!

FARR LAW FIRM, one of South West Florida’s oldest and largest law firms, opened a new office in Sarasota February 2018 and was recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report in the “Best Law Firms” of 2018.

DUTCHCRAFTERS (JMX Brands), the largest retailer of Amish furniture, celebrated their fifteenth anniversary.

ARTISTREE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE & DESIGN has received the Readers’ Choice Platinum award for Landscape Services for the second consecutive year from Florida Community Association Journal Magazine.

CALDWELL TRUST COMPANY has been honored with an ADDY

by AdFed Suncoast, the local chapter of the American Advertising Federation, for excellence in advertising.

GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER MAGAZINE

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RIBBON CUTTINGS

Acropolis Greek Taverna 229 N. Cattleman Road, #65 Sarasota, FL 34243 www.acropolistaverna.com

Artists on Main Street 1467 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236 www.artistsonmainstreet.com

Clyde Butcher Gallery 55 S. Boulevard of the Presidents, Suite A Sarasota, FL 34236 www.clydebutcher.com

Everglades Equipment Group 6209 McIntosh Road Sarasota, FL 34238 www.efe1963.com

Florida Lighting Maintenance, LLC 6341 Porter Road, Suite 4 Sarasota, FL 34240 www.floridalightingmaintenance.com

Fortunoff Backyard Store 7522 S. Tamaimi Trail Sarasota, FL 34231 www.fortunoffbys.com

Knockerball N’ Ninjas 8201 S. Tamiami Trail, #56 Sarasota, FL 34238

Laurel Oak Country Club 2700 Gary Player Boulevard Sarasota, FL 34240 www.laureloak.com

Metro Diner - Lockwood Ridge 6056 Lockwood Ridge Road Sarasota, FL 34243 www.metrodiner.com

NEW MEMBERS Altez Vacations LLC

Charter Communications/Spectrum

iVEZT, LLC

Analytics2Go. Inc.

Elan Rosemary

JAB Creations

Art Ovation Hotel Sarasota

Farr Law Firm

Jiffy Lube- 3811

Atlanta Braves Spring Training Complex

ForeverInYourHeartsEulogies.com

Key Sailing

Atlantic Beer and Oyster

Gerdes Construction, Inc.

Lightspeed Voice

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Bank Sarasota in Organization, LLC

Hahn Promotions

Lisk Associates, LLC

Baymont Inn & Suites

Hair Cuttery - Tamiami Trail

Make-A-Wish Southern FL, Suncoast Region

Berean Group International

High Temperature Concept

Naples Flatbread Kitchen & Bar

BMO Harris Bank

International Auto Spa

ONS RENT-A-CAR

Camelot Community Care

International Beams, LLC/ IB X-LAM USA

OsteoStrong Sarasota

Carlisle Inn Sarasota

ITelagen LLC

Pascone’s Ristorante’

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OCTOBER 7, 2017 - MARCH 31, 2018 To book your Ribbon Cutting for a grand opening or relocation, contact Megan Neal, mneal@sarasotachamber.com or (941) 556-4031.

Office Furniture & Design Concepts 7810 25th Court E., #104 Sarasota, FL 34243 www.officefurnituredesignconcepts.com

Pottery As Art 622 Cattleman Road Sarasota, FL 34232 www.potteryasart.com

Red Dog’s Roofing of Florida, Inc. 6311 Porter Road, Unit 9 Sarasota, FL 34240 www.reddogsroofingflorida.com

Rodizio Grill Sarasota 5911 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34232 www.rodiziogrill.com

Southern Steer Butcher 4084 Bee Ridge Rd Sarasota, FL 34233 www.southernsteer.com

The DeSota 1415 2nd Street Sarasota, FL 34236 www.thedesota.com

Tractor Supply Company 7130 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34240 www.tractorsupply.com

Vitality Bowls 8226 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34238 www.vitalitybowls.com

Zemil Jewelers 1484 Main Street Sarasota, FL 34236 www.zemil.net

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 8 - M A R C H 2 0 1 8 Patti Reed Portraits

Sarasota Sports Medicine

Pottery As Art

Sash & Sill

The Beach Club

Raketes

Savannah Grand Assisted Living

Thrive Healthcare Tide Dry Cleaners

Tampa Bay Lightning

RAVE Imaging

SERVPRO of South Sarasota

Red Dog’s Roofing of Florida, Inc.

SpeedPro Imaging Affinity Solutions

United Rentals

Rise Above Performing Arts

Steve Rennie

Violin Shop Sarasota

RMF Engineering, Inc.

Sun Country Cleaners

Voalte, Inc.

RomanticVows.com

Sunshine Green Enzyme Detailing

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage

Sarasota Pain Relief Centers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

West Villages Corporate Trustee

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WINNING TEAM: THE NATIVES + BRAD WITH HAGAN BRODY

WHAT YOU MISSED: YPG Q DASH SCAVENGER HUNT THE SARASOTA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP (YPG), a program of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, hosted the 2018 Q Dash Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, March 3rd, where over 60 participants scoured the City for two hours to discover landmarks and earn points. The Q Dash is the area’s only scavenger hunt that focuses on the unique arts, culture, history,

and small businesses of Sarasota. “This event is a love note to Sarasota. No matter how long you’ve lived here, we hope the Q Dash helps you find something new about the city that you didn’t know before,” said YPG Coordinator, Mimi Cirbusova.

Teams earned points by decoding clues and posting photos to social media. Each landmark was valued between 10-30 points, depending on the difficulty of the clue and the distance from the Start/Finish lines. If a team needed a break, they could grab a drink and appetizer at

one of three Pit Stops: Louie’s Modern, Alfstad & Contemporary, and Aloft Hotel. The event concluded at City Hall, where the winning team was announced by City Commissioner, Hagan Brody.

The winning team, The Natives + Brad, scored an impressive 925 points—earning them the Grand Prize Package of local goodies and trophy. Three additional teams won titles in the Judge’s Choice Awards in categories, including “Best Costume,” “Best Wrong Answer,” and “Most Creative.”

YPG EVENTS YPG SPELLING BEE Thursday, April 19 The Gator Club 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

YPG BOARD ALUMNI DINNER Thursday, April 26 Libby’s Cafe + Bar 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

YPG AFTER HOURS

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Complimentary for Members $15 Future Members

Thursday, April 5 CitySide Apartments Thursday, May 3 Dynasty Dance Clubs Thursday, June 7 iHeart Media Sarasota 12

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C e l e b r at e O u t s ta n d i n g

L e a d e r s h i p Awa r d s TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2018 | ART OVATION HOTEL | 11:30 A.M. - 1:15 P.M. LEADERSHIP SARASOTA COUNTY, a program of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, will honor four of its own at the annual Celebrate Outstanding Leadership Awards. The 2018 honorees include: W.E. Chip Gaylor, Class of 1994, who will receive the Lifetime in Leadership Award; Veronica Brandon Miller, Class of 2009, and Drayton Saunders, Class of 2004, will receive the Impact in Action Award; and Dean Crowley, Class of 2003, will be honored with the Leadership Sarasota Dedication Award.

The new Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 North Palm Avenue, will host the luncheon on May 8th, starting at 11:30 a.m. Sponsorships and individual reservations are available online at www.sarasotachamber.com/events.

honoring excellence in leadership LIFETIME OF LEADERSHIP

IMPACT IN ACTION

IMPACT IN ACTION

LEADERSHIP SARASOTA DEDICATION

W. E. CHIP GAYLOR

VERONICA BRANDON MILLER

DRAYTON SAUNDERS

DEAN CROWLEY

CLASS OF 1994

CLASS OF 2009

CLASS OF 2004

CLASS OF 2003

(CLICK ABOVE TO VIEW HONOREES BIOS)

CLASS PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION LEADERSHIP SARASOTA CLASS OF 2018, a program of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, selected a serenity garden at The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center as their class project. Their efforts will be showcased at a ribbon cutting

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ceremony on Wednesday, May 9th.

Picnic tables, trash receptacles, stepping stones and totems are being installed as well as landscaping. Artwork for the mural is provided by Fay Han, a Ringling College of Art & Design student.

The class has enjoyed working together to help make such a visible contribution to Glasser/Shoenbuam Human Services Center and looks forward to the garden bringing a sense of serenity and peace to those that spend time there.

APRIL 2018 • GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER MAGAZINE

YOUR CHAMBER IN THE NEWS

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LEADERSHIP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CLASS OF 2019 APPLICATIONS FOR BOTH THE ADULT AND YOUTH CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE NOW! The deadline to submit an application is Thursday, May 31st at 12 p.m.! (No exceptions) THE LEADERSHIP SARASOTA COUNTY ADULT PROGRAM offers an opportunity for those enthusiastic about and interested in the leadership and welfare of our community to go behind the scenes and see “how things work.” It’s a chance to meet new people, make solid life-long friendships, and experience networking opportunities that might not otherwise be available. It is about growth – growth in leadership and teamwork skills, and growth in both personal and professional self. Interactions and face-to-face discussions with community leaders stimulate creative thinking and encourage class members to become more involved. The class adopts a class project leaving a lasting impact in the community.

THE LEADERSHIP SARASOTA COUNTY YOUTH PROGRAM is an exciting, educational, once-in-a -lifetime experience for high school juniors. Students learn about the diversity and complexities of the community. This is accomplished through participation in an eight-month, structured experiential program that meets for half a day, once a month during school hours.

Students who will be high school juniors for the 201819 school year are encouraged to apply.

ADULT LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS

YOUTH LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS

GREATER SARASOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBER MAGAZINE

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APRIL 2018

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BRIDGE

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S AV E T H E D AT E !