• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce crosses the bridge to Anna Maria Island

The chamber hosted a Bridge Connection event on the north end of Longboat Key.


  • By Nat Kaemmerer
  • | 9:39 a.m. April 21, 2021
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island Chambers of Commerce are only a bridge apart, but the opportunity to get together is rare. Many members of both organizations took advantage of the April 20 Bridge Connection event, where members of both chambers met at Whitney's on Longboat Key for a night of networking. 

The chambers have joined before when they set sail on the Anna Maria Princess in 2019, but there is more space to social distance on dry land. Attendees split into groups of Longboat and Anna Maria members to chat about life and business a bridge away. Drinks and appetizers were served, and as the night wore on, attendees began slipping inside to be closer to the air conditioning. 

Before the evening ended, business cards were drawn for door prizes from each chamber. 

Matt Michala and Corey Grenz
Matt Michala and Corey Grenz
Marlene Masson, Kellie Spring and Katy Demick
Marlene Masson, Kellie Spring and Katy Demick
Attendees mingled in the indoor and outdoor portions of Whitney's.
Attendees mingled in the indoor and outdoor portions of Whitney's.
CJ Bader and Susanne Arbanas
CJ Bader and Susanne Arbanas
Mary Lou Johnson, Irina LaRose and Liz Yerkes
Mary Lou Johnson, Irina LaRose and Liz Yerkes
Jimmy Bonner with Dean and Jeanette Miller
Jimmy Bonner with Dean and Jeanette Miller
Mary Lou Johnson grabs a bite.
Mary Lou Johnson grabs a bite.
Attendees snacked on Whitney's appetizers.
Attendees snacked on Whitney's appetizers.
Joanna Baker, Andrew Vac and Laura Micciche
Joanna Baker, Andrew Vac and Laura Micciche
Becky Lietzau, Terri Kinder and Amber Tipton
Becky Lietzau, Terri Kinder and Amber Tipton
A group of Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce members welcomed attendees with nametags.
A group of Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce members welcomed attendees with nametags.
Jim Turk and Ron Valdez from the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.
Jim Turk and Ron Valdez from the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce.

 

Latest News

Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant
School district demands repayment of tax fees
  • May 8, 2026
School district demands repayment of tax fees
Mason Hull has more than 300,000 followers on TikTok.
  • May 8, 2026
Sarasota TikTok influencer arrested on child-pornography charges
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Multimedia artist Peg Green explains how stories of creation inspired this particular quilt. A collection of her works centered on ancient goddesses and muses is now on display at All Angels Episcopal Church.
  • May 6, 2026
Longboat gallery spotlights local quilting artist
At the Women's Golf Association season farewell on April 28 at the Longboat Key Club, players enjoyed perfect golfing conditions. Pictured, Brenda Baril, Donna Newton, Jennifer Cahill, Regina Repenning, Michelle Swartz, Katie Moulton, Louise Berg and Joyce Welch.
  • May 5, 2026
Women's Golf Association scrambles to close out season
Samantha Esposito celebrates her graduation with grandparents Mabel and Anthony.
  • May 4, 2026
Help celebrate new grads
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase
Longboaters met some of the current residents at the Humane Society of Longboat Key headquarters for the latest Off the Clock social on April 29, including Light. Light is a member of the "Hidden Gem Club" and promises to light up a room for his future adoptive family.
  • May 1, 2026
Chamber members see behind the scenes at Humane Society social
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi explains how robust community education contributes to the island's success in responding to cardiac distress calls. He touched on response times, disaster response and more at the April 30 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.
  • April 30, 2026
Fire chief explains Longboat's high cardiac rescue success rates

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free