The economy is a big topic nowadays. No one has a crystal ball, but at the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County (EDC) we actively stay on top of current industry trends and are proud to present the data that matters most to our business and government leaders. We are once again looking ahead with our annual Economic Outlook event, on Thursday, May 15th

We will have a great conversation between Michelle Dennard, Vice President-Regional Executive of the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and Bemetra Simmons, President and CEO of Tampa Bay Partnership.

Michelle will discuss today’s capital and credit landscape and what it means for businesses navigating change. She will explore real-world insights into pricing and inflation and break down the latest monetary policy trends in an easy-to-understand way.

In her role, Michelle is responsible for the Branch's Board of Directors and the District's Advisory Council on Transportation and Logistics and provides regional input into the Atlanta Fed's monetary policy process. Before joining the Fed, Michelle most recently served as president and CEO of CareerSource Florida Inc. She has also served as the Director for the Division of Strategic Business Development at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (now FloridaCommerce) and Deputy Director of the Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

Bemetra will discuss key economic trends shaping our region. From job growth and affordability to wages and workforce dynamics, she will break down the data driving prosperity in the Tampa Bay region and Sarasota County. Discover how strong communities are built through quality jobs, smart planning, and a thriving talent pool.

Bemetra serves as the President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, a regional coalition of business and nonprofit leaders joined by a shared commitment to improving Tampa Bay residents' personal and economic well-being. Before joining the Partnership, Bemetra was the Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at United Way Suncoast. She also has over 16 years of experience as an executive in the banking industry.

These two panelists will provide a unique look into local competitiveness and economic trends, with macro insight into the real-time data tracked by the Federal Reserve Bank.

Networking will occur from 8:00 to 9:00 am., and the event will begin promptly at 9:00am. You can purchase tickets by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-economic-outlook-tickets-1191813208389?aff=oddtdtcreator. For information regarding promoting your brand through a sponsorship, please reach out to Community Engagement & Event Specialist Anna Eger at aeger@edcsarasotacounty.com.

We look forward to seeing you at this year's Economic Outlook!

Erin Silk is the President & CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County.

For ticket information click here.