This summer, something powerful happened on the campus of New College of Florida. More than 90 college interns from across the Sarasota region gathered for a one-of-a-kind experience: the SPARK Intern Summit, hosted by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. It was a day built around connection, empowerment, and real-world insight—because when we invest in young talent, we invest in the future of our local economy.

The summit featured a dynamic lineup of speakers, breakout sessions, and peer engagement, with Jaime Marco—entrepreneur, speaker, and community champion—serving as our high-energy MC and keynote speaker. Jaime’s message to these emerging professionals was clear: your story, your skills, and your energy matter. The interns left inspired, not just about the jobs they’re doing today, but about the careers and communities they can help shape tomorrow.

But this event was about more than just motivation—it was about impact. According to national data from Burning Glass Institute, students who complete an internship in their field of study are substantially more likely to land a job in that field after graduation. In fact, the data shows that those with relevant internship experience are twice as likely to receive a job offer in their desired field compared to those who do not. Internships don’t just build résumés—they build outcomes.

That’s why the SPARK Intern Summit is such a critical piece of our workforce development strategy at the Chamber. We know that Sarasota’s continued economic growth depends on more than just infrastructure and innovation—it depends on talent. And attracting, developing, and retaining that talent begins with experiences like SPARK.

For the interns, SPARK offers exposure to local industries, networking with business leaders, and a sense of belonging in a community that truly wants them to stay. For employers, it’s a front-row seat to the next generation of talent, with the chance to nurture meaningful professional relationships early.

Our partnership with New College of Florida, a rising leader in liberal arts innovation and workforce connectivity, made this event possible. Their campus was the perfect backdrop for the Summit—reinforcing the idea that education and enterprise can and should go hand in hand.

As we look to the future, the Chamber will continue championing initiatives like SPARK, CareerEdge, and our talent pipeline development efforts. Because if we want Sarasota to thrive not just today, but in 10 or 20 years, we must be intentional now about building the kind of community young professionals want to be part of.

The future is showing up—in internships, in classrooms, in conferences like SPARK with Jaime Marco—and it’s up to all of us to keep the spark alive.

Heather Kasten is the President/CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. The Greater Sarasota Chamber is a not-for-profit organization working to cultivate Sarasota’s prosperity and quality of life through our member businesses. Learn more at www.sarasotachamber.com or call (941) 955-8187.