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Councils & Committees

Members of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce have a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of both their business and the greater Sarasota community by serving on various Chamber councils and committees. This opportunity is available not only to you personally, but to all of your staff as well. Volunteer service affords Chamber members a means to become actively involved in community affairs. Even more importantly, it provides the vehicles necessary to bring together the wealth of talent, experience and expertise within our membership ranks for the benefit of our business community. See the listing below to discover the several ways to get involved, share your vision and have a voice in issues that affect your business.

Chamber Partners

In the Partners group, Chamber member volunteers serve as customer relations representatives for The Chamber, contact new members, and visit existing members to expand communications and involvement.

Commerce Sarasota Council

Commerce Sarasota addresses a broad array of business, public policy and community issues in order to enhance greater Sarasota’s economy, business success and quality of life. The focus of Commerce Sarasota is economic development by working to improve the business climate and retaining/growing the area’s base of employers through direct business assistance and support. CSC is all about helping our employers to profit, grow and succeed!

Education & Workforce Development Committee

This new group will consist of a variety of Chamber members who are interested in and supportive of, advancing our education and workforce development future in Sarasota County.

Events Committee

This new committee helps to plan and execute special Chamber events, including Sarasota Prime Time, golf outings, annual networking events and more.

Governmental Issues Council

This important Chamber group monitors and develops public policy positions that are "pro-business and pro-greater Sarasota." Research is involved, as well as meetings with elected officials and experts on various topics as The Chamber’s positions are developed and then communicated and lobbied.

International Business Council

This council’s mission is to develop and maintain the appropriate business services, partners, resources and international relations that will enable the greater Sarasota/Southwest Florida area to become a leader in the promotion and facilitation of environmentally friendly commerce and international trade.

Leadership Sarasota County

The Leadership Sarasota County program is designed to provide knowledge, opportunity and insight about "how things work in our community. Participants are exposed to diverse and effective leadership philosophies challenged by their peers and are expected to contribute in all the sessions and the class project. The sessions include study of local government, commerce and industry, education and the arts, health and human services and the media.

Marketing Committee

The goal of this committee is to prepare the optimal environment for membership sales, retention and involvement; and to create and maintain a clear and positive Chamber image and identity. Members on this committee conduct market research and play a key role in enhancing communications to maximize The Chamber’s visibility.

Membership Benefits & Events Council

Volunteer service opportunities exist in the areas of special events, networking opportunities, member relations and providing input to The Chamber’s membership growth plan.

Small Business Council

The Small Business Council acts as an advocate and resource for small business members of The Chamber. The SBC provides workshops and seminars on a variety of small business topics and one-on-one counseling sessions with SCORE and the MCC/SBDC. Current Small Business Council committees: Good Business & Ethics and Small Business Issues.

Technology Committee

The goal of this committee is to focus on the improvement of Chamber member programs and services through educational technology seminars, support Chamber projects and its technological needs, and support the economic development in the technology industry through programs that help businesses grow.

Trustee Advisory Committee

This new group meets periodically to help staff, plan and implement high-level events and services for the elite group of Chamber Trustee member firms.