Pictured: Only 149 local chambers across the country have received 5-star accreditation, out of nearly 7,000. Provided photo.

This June, President and Chief Executive Officer Heather Kasten and her team at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce received news that their organization had been awarded the highest honor possible, a 5-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The 5-star is a huge accomplishment and a testament to the board of directors and the dedicated, passionate team of people that show up here every day,” Kasten says.

Achieving this level of accreditation has been a long-term goal for the Chamber. Over the past ten years, the organization has worked to establish a strong organizational structure and a durable system of support for Sarasota’s economy. After receiving a 4-star accreditation following its 2022 application, the Chamber hired a Director of Government Affairs to meet requirements for the 5-star rating. “What was exciting when we submitted this year is that we had already hired our Director of Government Affairs, Marlon Brown—a former city manager—to come and fill that role,” Kasten says. “Nobody knows public policy at the city, county and state levels like Marlon.” Adding Brown to the team brought the Chamber, which had already met most requirements, up to a 5-star level.

Kasten says that the rigorous process of submitting the nine-section, in-depth application for this rating helped the Chamber establish set plans for both internal operations and external programs. “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce did a really thorough check under the hood as to the work that we're doing and how we're doing it. It forced us to think about the future,” she says. Following this process, the Chamber has an established strategic plan for how it will support Sarasota businesses, and joins just 149 other local chambers—out of nearly 7,000 nationwide—with five stars.

As the Chamber continues to work with local entrepreneurs and larger corporations alike, Kasten plans to expand opportunities for start-up businesses and young professionals, hoping to draw new talent to the city. She hopes that the new accreditation brings opportunities for increasing the scope of the Chamber’s work and connections with local businesses. “I envision the Sarasota Chamber spending a lot of time in that entrepreneurial space, helping to grow and foster people starting companies, as well as growing the number of jobs in Sarasota,” Kasten says.

Pictured: Only 149 local chambers across the country have received 5-star accreditation, out of nearly 7,000. Provided photo.