From the President

Your Membership Matters!

By Jacki Dezelski, IOM, President | CEO

As the year comes to a close, your Chamber is not slowing down. In fact, our team is working at a meteoric pace to ensure that several of our signature member opportunities deliver value and make an impact as we end 2023 and enthusiastically start 2024.

• The Big Bank Theory program will finish strong at Parrish Community High School and help our local students strengthen their financial literacy skills. Overall, we will have reached approximately 3,000 students this year.

• Our Pancakes & Politics annual legislative preview breakfast will connect our members with the state elected officials representing Manatee and Sarasota Counties so that the voice of business is heard in Tallahassee ahead of the January 9 start to the Florida legislative session.

• The 2023-2024 Leadership Manatee class will complete its StrengthsFinder activity to help each individual capitalize on their unique leadership skills to make a difference in their businesses and our community.

• Our Holiday Coffee Club, December Business After Hours, and annual Golf Tournament will offer valuable networking opportunities and offer effective marketing strategies for our members.

• Our final Headliners luncheon of 2023 will feature of "State of the County" address with County Administrator Charlie Bishop and members of his County staff leadership team will share how the vision of the County Commission is being implemented and what's on the horizon for the new year.

• And, we will host one heck of a picnic at the Chamber's Lakewood Ranch office for our Member Appreciation Cookout; it is an event you do not want to miss!

All of this - and much more - happens because you choose to invest in the Chamber's mission with your membership. THANK YOU for making our extensive program of work possible.

We stand ready to help you achieve even greater success in the new year. I wish you peace and much joy this holiday season and share my gratitude for all that you make possible.