Pictured: Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Laura DiBella. Provided photo.

For business leaders, some of the most consequential forces affecting our companies originate far beyond the boundaries of Sarasota County.

A shift in global trade. An infrastructure investment hundreds of miles away. A disruption at a port. Each can influence the cost of doing business, the movement of goods, access to markets and a region’s ability to compete for investment and talent.

Understanding those connections is critical as Sarasota County looks to the next chapter of our economy.

On September 24, the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County will bring together our region’s business and community leaders for our 2026 Annual Meeting. This year’s theme, Leading Business Forward, reflects both our progress and our focus on what comes next.

Our keynote speaker, Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Laura DiBella, will bring a national perspective to the forces shaping business and economic competitiveness and what they mean for Sarasota County.

You don’t need to operate a shipping company to be affected by maritime commerce. Ports and supply chains influence businesses and consumers across the economy. Sarasota County is part of a larger regional ecosystem, with proximity to SeaPort Manatee and Port Tampa Bay connecting our community to domestic and global markets.

Chairman DiBella will explore how ports, infrastructure, logistics and global market access contribute to competitiveness, how federal decisions affect local commerce and investment, and the trends business leaders should be watching as trade and supply chains evolve.

Our Annual Meeting is also a time to celebrate the leadership positioning Sarasota County for the future. This year, the EDC became an Accredited Economic Development Organization, placing us among fewer than 100 accredited economic development organizations worldwide.

That recognition reflects the strength of our organization and the work being done to advance economic development in Sarasota County. It also places our EDC among a select group of organizations meeting the highest standards of the profession.

At the Annual Meeting, we’ll also share our 2026 Annual Report, introduce our 2027 Board of Directors and recognize the recipient of the Clyde Nixon Leadership Award.

The event will provide a look at the work underway, the people leading it and the priorities shaping Sarasota County’s economic future. I hope you’ll join us on September 24 as we continue Leading Business Forward. Reserve your seat in the link below.

Erin Silk is the President and CEO of EDC Sarasota County.

Pictured: Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Laura DiBella. Provided photo.

For reservations click here.