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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
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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.

 

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