2024 ANNUAL REPORT
On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, I want to thank you for your support of the Chamber. Your investment has allowed us to continue our efforts to support the development and growth of our members’ businesses and the regional economy. As I reflect on our accomplishments of 2024, I want to highlight the following: As the voice of business, we worked with our Public Policy Committee to craft our 2024 legislative priorities. These priorities focused on business-friendly policies that align with our mission. After the member input period, these priorities were presented to local and regional officials. As reported by Justin Taylor, VACC Board Member & Public Policy Chair, many of the priorities members told us were important to them had successful outcomes During the election year we hosted a Candidate Forum event which brought together the business community, state, county, and city candidates to share how they were going to make a difference for the business community We are committed to maintaining relationships and keeping conversations going throughout the year with all our elected officials in support of our mission to create a vibrant and prosperous business community.
We continued to focus on promoting our member businesses through print, digital and in-person referrals. Chamber staff and volunteers are committed to being an extension of your marketing team and we actively promote your business to visitors, residents, and newcomers. I hope that all of you are taking advantage of these great member benefits by ensuring we have your rack cards for display in our lobby and that you have added content to your business directory listing. We had an impressive number of visitors in our lobby and to our website so please make sure you are making the most of these marketing tools to tell your story.
Our 501c3 Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation graduated another class of Leadership Venice, a program designed to expose current and future leaders to all aspects of our wonderful community. Teen Leadership had another successful year showing our high school students what goes on in the Venice Area, and much to my amazement they didn’t know about half of it. We launched our community program All About Venice for those who have just moved to the area to gain knowledge of the new community they now reside
We held another successful Buying Local Pays Back community event which incentivized the purchase of goods and services in our service area by offering cash prizes to shoppers This event ran for 29 days in late November/early December and generated over $150,000 in receipts which translated to a $1 5 million economic impact to our Venice Area businesses This was a great example of collaboration between the Venice Chamber, our board members, who generously donated their money to fund the cash prizes, Venice MainStreet and the Venice Gondolier Look for the summer program to roll out in July, August, and September
In the coming pages, you will read about the wonderful programs and resources we designed to provide opportunities for our members to showcase their business, make meaningful connections and attend professional development workshops. I invite you to visit our website to learn more about our entire program of work as I believe you will find something that piques your interest and aligns with your business goals.
I am excited to see what 2025 has in store for the Chamber, our members, and the Venice Area. As a Chamber we celebrate our 100-year anniversary, a great accomplishment for any organization, and that is thanks to you our members who have supported and believed in our mission and vision to help us carry it forward. I am truly grateful for the past and look forward to the next 100 years.
As always, no matter what challenges lie ahead, we hope to remain one of the most valuable resources for you and your business. We look forward to working and growing beside you!
Respectfully,
Kathy Lehner President & CEO
OUR MISSION: Promoting Business Growth & Success Since 1925.
OUR WHY: The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce believes in creating a thriving, vibrant, and prosperous business community for the greater Venice Area.
2024 DIRECTORS
Annette Boone, Boone Law Firm
2024 OFFICERS
Dane DeSantis Chair of the Board, Hallmark Business Brokers
Michael Bacon Chair Elect, Bacon Brands
Tish Scott-Murphy Treasurer, Seacoast Bank
David Joyner
Immediate Past Chair, Joyner Family Insurance
Kathy Lehner President & CEO, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce
Matthew DePalma, Capstan Financial Consulting Group
Karen Fordham, Wound Rx Management Services
Jess Fronckowiak, J2 Solutions Inc.
Lourdes Fuller, Lightspeed Voice
Randy Kendrick, Venice Print Center
Christine Masney, Wellen Park
Jim Normandin, Venice Gondolier Sun (APG Florida)
Justin Taylor, MRT ACE Lawn and Garden Center
Beau Walker, Home & Condo Rentals and Property Management, Inc
Natalie Woody, Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC
TITANIUM
Absolute Aluminum • Absolute Window & Door
Sarasota Memorial Hospital - Venice
Sharky's on the Pier • Fins at Sharky's • Snook Haven
PLATINUM
Alliance IT/Ring Authority • BrewBurgers • Shuck N’ Ale • Brew-Za-Bagels
Classic Creations in Diamonds & Gold • Nau-T-Girl Jewelry • Coins, Pawn & Collectibles
DG Advisors • Hazeltine Nurseries, Inc. • iHeart Media • J2 Solutions Inc.
Joyner Family Insurance • Kingdom Roofing • Pop's Sunset Grill
Sunshine Electrical Services, Inc. • Venice Gondolier Sun • Venice Print Center
Babe's Plumbing, Inc. & Fire Sprinklers • Berlin Patten Ebling, PLLC, Attorneys At Law
Bishop Construction Services, Inc. • British Open Pub • Caldwell Trust Company
Crews Bank & Trust • Engel & Völkers • First International Title • Grand Living
Gulf Coast Community Foundation • HCA Florida Englewood Hospital
HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital • Health Insurance Marketplace USA • Hill & Hill Plumbing Co
Hough & Company, P A , CPAs • Jacaranda Trace • James Griffith Salon • Lee Evans, P A Law Offices
Lightspeed Voice • Matthews-Currie Ford • Montgomery's CarpetsPlus ColorTile • PGT Innovations
Scyber IT Managed Services • SouthState Bank • TECO Peoples Gas • Village On The Isle
Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc.
Boone Law Firm • Contemporary Hearing • Corporate Cleaning of Venice, Inc
Farr Law Firm • Home & Condo Rentals and Property Management, Inc.
Keller Williams Island Life Real Estate - Lueanne Wood, P.A. • Merrill Lynch • Payroll Vault
THANK
David Joyner, Joyner Family Insurance
ADVOCACY
WE ARE THE VOICE OF BUSINESS
The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to being the voice of business for our community. With our members input, we developed a list of legislative priorities to advocate for public policymaking at county and state levels on issues that align with our mission of promoting business growth and success. Together, we send the message that our businesses are active, engaged, and strive for a thriving, vibrant, and prosperous community. We are with our businesses every step of the way to ensure that the business voice is heard.
During the 2024 Legislative Session over 1900 bills were filed, of which more than 320 passed through both chambers. Passing the largest budget in Florida’s history, the FY24-FY25 State budget is sitting at $117.5 billion before any item-line vetoes by Governor DeSantis. Here are some additional take aways from the 2024 session:
Florida’s Business Rent Tax was be reduced to 2% from 4.5%
Legislation passed to expedite approval process for residential building permits
Working to return Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to its intended position of being the insurer of last resort
$13.98B allocated in FY24-25 state budget for FDOT 5-year Work Program
City of Venice, Mayor, City Manager and Assistant City Manager
Greg Steube, US CongressmanFlorida’s 17th District
Jimmy Patronis, State of Florida CFO
10,498
LOBBY VISITORS & CALLS
7,489
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
Richard Smyser Key to the Chamber Recipient
Presented by Dane DeSantis, 2024 Chair of the Board
Our annual Economic Outlook Breakfast featured Jerry D. Parrish, Ph.D., Chief Economist. Topics covered were economic growth, earnings, inflation, and market trends.
Wise Guys is an event just for men featuring expert speakers in their field helping our members grow wiser in Business, Health, and Finance.
EVENTS & PROGRAMS LEADS EXCHANGE GROUP
The Leads Exchange Group program helps our members grow strong business relationships that result in cultivating referrals.
Our annual Golf Tournament is our only fundraiser event and sells out every year! It offers unique marketing opportunities and the chance to spend time with current and future customers.
We host a Summit in the Fall and a Luncheon in the Spring.
The CEO Roundtable Program is a professionally facilitated advisory group designed to provide CEOs and Presidents with the opportunity to connect with their professional colleagues of diverse industry backgrounds to confidentially discuss the challenges and successes involved with running a business.
VENICE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
COMMUNITY
Community Event & Expo connects our member businesses with community members by allowing them to promote their products & services face-to-face in a unique venue.
Non-Profit Rally is where you can discover the vital non-profits in the greater Venice area and learn how your support as a volunteer can make a difference in our community.
$1.5 MILLION
ECONOMIC IMPACT IN 28 DAYS
The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and our Leadership Venice Program have partnered with Venice High School to bring the “Real World" program to high school students. Area business owners and leaders from the community meet with high school students to provide a look into the “real world” of business Many opportunities exist in the workplace, and this program showcases careers that may have never been within the students’ scope of possibilities
FOUNDATION
Testimonial:
“My life has been impacted greatly as leadership gave me a sense of belonging, purpose and a want to help continue supporting our community and grow together!” -CT
Testimonial:
Thank you for allowing me to participate in Leadership. I feel like I have grown as a person going around and seeing all the different careers that Venice Florida has to offer - EC
Testimonial:
I found value in each session. I thought some would not be as interesting as they all became. -JS
The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, leads the educational initiatives of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Programs.
Leadership Venice is a 9-month program designed to expose current and future leaders to all aspects of the Venice community.
Teen Leadership Venice is a program that provides area high school students a chance to enhance their knowledge and develop leadership skills that will empower and motivate them to become involved and committed to their community. High school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply.
You can show your support for the Teens all year long with a tax deductible donation.
All About Venice is a community immersion program connecting residents with local business leaders. Join your neighbors to learn about the community from those who make things happen. This is a 6week program held at the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce on consecutive Tuesdays from 9 AM – 10 AM. Light refreshments are served. Chamber membership is not required to participate - this program is open to the public.
This past year the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded the Sarasota County Schools and Venice High School’s Outstanding Business Partner of the Year Award.
