Pictured: The annual meeting celebrated the Chamber's accomplishments in 2025 and set goals for the upcoming new year. Photo provided by the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosted its 105th annual meeting during the last week of October, gathering to reflect on the past year and to set the Chamber’s priorities for the next year. “This gathering is about clarity and connection—aligning our 1,500+ member businesses, 60,000 employees and community partners around the common goals that drive Sarasota forward,” says Celeste Lloyd-Jones, Chamber events manager.

These common goals, Lloyd-Jones says, include finding affordable housing and childcare solutions, continuing to develop the economic community in Downtown Sarasota and improving transportation and water quality.

Founder and CEO of Knight Speaker, Jim Knight, served as the keynote speaker at the meeting, delivering a presentation that focused on building a positive company culture. “We wanted to have a speaker that would resonate with our 1,500-member businesses. We felt that the topic of building a strong and resilient company culture applies to all businesses, large or small,” says Lloyd-Jones. Knight is a 3-times bestselling author on the topics of company culture, customer service, “rockstar” leadership and employee engagement.

The meeting celebrated the Chamber’s success this year with the CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, which partners directly with employers in the regional economy to help raise employment. “Under CareerEdge, we made a big impact in our community. We invested in local employers with over $150,000 in Upskilling Workers grants, which is expected to train more than 250 individuals, allowing them to grow their skills and advance their careers. The Youth Leadership program reached a new milestone with a record 47 participants—the largest cohort in its history,” says Lloyd-Jones. The Chamber also celebrated the 40th year of Leadership Sarasota, a program aimed at developing future and current leaders who go on to contribute to the broader business community in the region.

At the meeting, the Chamber also announced its 2025-2026 Chair of the Board—Jennifer Rominiecki, President and CEO of Marie Selby Gardens, and awarded the Chair’s Cup for most engaged Chamber member to John Stump, senior vice president and Sarasota market director for The Bank of Tampa.

As the Chamber moves into next year, Lloyd-Jones says its central goal is to continue to invest in the community and support its members in growing their range of businesses. “At its core, the Chamber exists for one reason: to ensure Sarasota remains a place where business thrives, families prosper and the community flourishes, today and for generations to come,” she says.

Pictured: The annual meeting celebrated the Chamber's accomplishments in 2025 and set goals for the upcoming new year. Photo provided by the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.