- April 26, 2024
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The Hyatt Regency Sarasota's main ballroom was packed to honor Sarasota's best business and commerce leaders during the Chamber of Commerce's 95th annual meeting.
Representatives from Sarasota Ford, Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay, and Sarasota Ford were awarded the chamber's "Investing in the Future" award.
Trey Peteman and John Matter.
Harry Hobson of Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay awarded Chamber's highest honor, milestone anniversaries of service awards, to the following groups: Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen; the Herald-Tribune, and Girl Scouts of Southwest Florida.
Harry Hobson and Susan Stewart
Harry Hobson and Patrick Dorsey
Harry Hobson and Bill Harrison.
Larry Face, Anita Elvridge and Martin Langa
Paul Hudson, Tom Smith and Jim Prozzi.
The employees at the award-winning firm of Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen. The firm has been serving the citizens and interests of Sarasota for 90 years.
Tramillla Rowe, Margie Ferrino, Laura Haraburda, DJ Haile and Shayla Ladd work at Hawthorne Village of Sarasota, which was honored with the "Hiring Our Neighbors" award.
Matt Buchanan from Sarasota Ford with friends and family after winning the "Investing in the Future" award.
Today The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce hosted its 95th annual membership meeting and luncheon, Salute to Business, in the ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Hundreds of local business leaders, family members and friends reflected on the last year and honored organizations for their decades-long support to the community and local economy.
The one person whose absence was greatly felt was the late Rod Warner. Affectionally known as Mr. Roundabout, Warner was the most public advocate for implementing roundabouts into the city and county's streets and thoroughfares. In honor of his efforts and positive impact on Sarasota, the Chamber posthumously awarded Warner the Chairman's Cup. His daughter Amanda Warner accepted the honor on behalf of her late father and her family.
"He will have more impact on your daily life than any individual here," says Chris Gallagher, outgoing chairman of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. "His is the finest expression of a civic leader. I never saw him strong-arm anyone or criticize anyone."
In addition to the awards and festivities, Gallagher passed on the chamber gavel to his successor Lisa Krouse, senior vice president of FCCI Insurance Group.
The chamber's other top honorees of the year included:
"Hiring Our Neighbors" Award: Hawthorne Village of Sarasota; TableSeide Restaurant Group; The Resort at Longboat Key
"Investing in the Future" Award: Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay; Matter Brothers Furniture; Sarasota Ford
And for the "Milestone Anniversaries of Service" award, three organizations who combined have contributed over 270 years of service to the Sarasota area were honored for their past and continuing support for the community: Herald-Tribune Media Group; Girl Scouts of Southwest Florida; and the law firm of Williams, Parker, Harrison, Dietz & Getzen.
