• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • 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
  • 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

George Landry will start his position as Longboat Key town manager Sept. 14
  • June 29, 2026
Meet George Landry, Longboat Key's next town manager
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosts local legislators at a panel discussion June 24 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.
  • June 29, 2026
Manatee, Sarasota legislators talk infrastructure, property taxes
Florida Highway Patrol says it clocked this Ford Mustang GT at 142 mph on Interstate 75 late Friday.
  • June 27, 2026
Sarasota driver charged with hitting 142 mph on Interstate 75
The lunch and dinner buffet at Der Dutchman is available from 11:45 a.m. to close. The breakfast buffet is offered from 7 to 11:15 a.m.
  • June 27, 2026
Sarasota Amish eatery ranks as No. 2 buffet restaurant in US

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

Jetson Grimes
  • June 28, 2026
Voices of America: What's your favorite American tradition?
Kelera Turaga, a dancer with GRAE Productions, performs at sunset for The Ritz-Carlton's reopening celebrations for the Lido Key Tiki Bar on June 20. After a year-and-a-half rebuilding process, the beachside bar is now open to the public.
  • June 27, 2026
Lido Key residents and visitors rejoice a Tiki bar's return
Arlene Merriman
  • June 27, 2026
Voices of America: What do you think you have in common with someone living in this country 250 years ago?
Ellen Waugneux, Heather Rippy and Stephanie Troxler at the first Summer Night Out of the summer season.
  • June 26, 2026
Longboaters meet to sip and shop during summertime event
MJ Price
  • June 26, 2026
Voices of America: How do you reflect your patriotism?
Commodore Saul Landesberg assumed his new leadership role with the Bird Key Yacht Club at the passing of the gavel on June 20 at Art Ovation Hotel.
  • June 25, 2026
Bird Key Yacht Club leadership looks forward to clubhouse completion

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