Chamber salutes businesses, prepares for new leadership

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce recognized local businesses during the 96th annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon.

  • By Amanda Morales
  • | 3:41 p.m. October 7, 2016
  • Sarasota
  • News
  • Share

The first day on the job for Kevin Cooper,  the new President and CEO for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, included standing in front of more than 400 guests for the Salute to Business 96th annual Membership Meeting & Luncheon. 

The crowd gathered at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota for the event that honored businesses for hiring neighbors, investing in the future and attaining milestone anniversaries of service. 

It was a day of embracing change as the outgoing President and CEO Steve Queior passed the gavel to Cooper. After 13 years of leading the chamber Queior announced that he was stepping down to pursue interests in education and workforce development.

Andrea Knies and Mimi Cirbusova
Andrea Knies and Mimi Cirbusova
Charles Murray of PPi Technologies Group receiving the award for Hiring Our Neighbors from Jon Thaxton.
Charles Murray of PPi Technologies Group receiving the award for Hiring Our Neighbors from Jon Thaxton.
Charlie D. Bailey, 2016-17 chair-elect of the board, welcomes guests to the 96th annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon Friday, Oct. 7 at Hyatt Regency Sarasota.
Charlie D. Bailey, 2016-17 chair-elect of the board, welcomes guests to the 96th annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon Friday, Oct. 7 at Hyatt Regency Sarasota.
Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Harry Hobson presents the award for Investing for the Future to John McLain, Venice Regional Bayfront Health, Drayton Saunders, Michael Saunders and Company, and Richard Carlisle, Community Aids Network.
Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Harry Hobson presents the award for Investing for the Future to John McLain, Venice Regional Bayfront Health, Drayton Saunders, Michael Saunders and Company, and Richard Carlisle, Community Aids Network.
Joe H. Hembree leads the audience into the Pledge of Allegiance.
Joe H. Hembree leads the audience into the Pledge of Allegiance.
John Acevedo and Dr. Stephen Nicholas of the Community Aids Network.
John Acevedo and Dr. Stephen Nicholas of the Community Aids Network.
John Cranor and Sarasota County School Board member Jane Goodwin
John Cranor and Sarasota County School Board member Jane Goodwin
Easter Seals Southwest Florida President and CEO John Waters and Chris Pfahler, development director for Sarasota Crew.
Easter Seals Southwest Florida President and CEO John Waters and Chris Pfahler, development director for Sarasota Crew.
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Cooper and Jon Thaxton
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Cooper and Jon Thaxton

 

Latest News

A rendering of a renovated and expanded former Perkins restaurant into Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy for the homebuilding industry.
  • February 18, 2026
Homebuilder groups team up for apprenticeship school
The estate at 6610 Gulf of Mexico Drive provides access to Sarasota Bay.
  • February 18, 2026
Longboat Key estate, designed by prominent architect, listed for $22M
Aurora Pena and Theo Light, second graders at Tara Elementary School, appreciate the new and improved classrooms and cafeteria.They are also looking forward to using the new field and playground when they are complete.
  • February 18, 2026
Final month of $31.4 million renovation at Tara Elementary
Boat lifts flank each side of the canal in a Country Club Shores neighborhood. The town of Longboat Key is preparing to enact a continuous canal maintenance program that would include flat fees and ad-valorem assessments for residents.
  • February 18, 2026
The ins and outs of Longboat's proposed canal maintenance program

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content