Business Associations
Our team collaborates with numerous statewide partners to ensure that current and future businesses and employees are receiving the greatest benefit from all partners to create the best business climate in Florida.
Statewide Organizations
Enterprise Florida
The principal economic development organization statewide, Enterprise Florida is a public-private partnership between Florida’s businesses and government.
Film Florida
A state-wide not-for-profit entertainment production trade association that represents Florida’s film, TV & digital media production industry.
Florida Chamber of Commerce
Devoted to the advocacy of private businesses in the state of Florida.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
In collaboration with our partners, DEO assists the Governor in advancing Florida’s economy by championing the state’s economic development vision and by administering state and federal programs and initiatives to help visitors, citizens, businesses, and communities.
Florida Economic Development Council
Educates, advocates for, and connects Florida’s economic development professionals.
FloridaMakes
FloridaMakes is a service designed to strengthen Florida’s high-wage manufacturing sector.
Florida SBDC
The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida is a member of the Florida SBDC Network.
GrowFL
To provide strategies, resources and support to second-stage companies for next level growth.
Local Business Organizations
Argus Foundation
We apply business leadership to important community issues
Englewood Chamber of Commerce
Leading economic growth with a balanced voice between local businesses, residents and tourism.
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
Cultivates Sarasota’s prosperity and quality of life through member businesses.
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance
Gives a voice to local small businesses and provides opportunities for them to increase their visibility.
Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce
Helping Hispanic companies thrive and prosper together in the general market of SW Florida.
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce
Supports the Longboat Key, Lido Key and St. Armands Key communities as their tourism information center and advocacy partner to make the Keys a great place for business.
Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce
Teaching capitalism and expanding access to capital, technical support, procurement opportunities, effective networking, and sharing of information for Black-owned and minority businesses.
North Port Area Chamber of Commerce
A non-profit organization encouraging business prosperity through advocacy, engagement and cooperation.
Venice Area Chamber of Commerce
For more than 90 years, the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce has promoted business growth and success, while cultivating a vibrant and engaged community.
Visit Sarasota County
The official destination marketing organization for the Sarasota County region. VSC provides targeted exposure with regional, national and global audiences, direct sales opportunities, visitor experience opportunities, free educational events and extensive social media endeavors that feature our partners.
Regional Organizations
Florida High Tech Corridor
A 23-county region spanning from Florida’s Sun Coast to Space Coast, The Corridor is a place where research and innovation thrive.
Gulf Coast Builders Exchange (GCBX)
Advocates on behalf of the building industry in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties, representing a broad cross-section of the building industry, including contractors, suppliers and others from affiliated industries.
Gulf Coast CEO Forum
The Gulf Coast CEO Forum mission is to be the premiere organization for entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officers in the Gulf Coast area of Southwest Florida. The Forums foundation is built upon its ability to build Relationships, generate Ideas and formulate Solutions.
Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association (BIA)
A membership-driven networking and advocacy group focused on the needs of the building & development industry and related business in Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
Sarasota/Manatee MPO
The regional transportation planning entity for Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
Sarasota Area Manufacturers Association (SAMA)
A group of local companies dedicated to improving the manufacturing environment in Sarasota & Manatee Counties.
Score | Manasota
The Manasota Chapter of SCORE covers Sarasota and Manatee counties on the west coast of Florida. We have over 90 volunteers to assist you with your business problem solving.
Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee
The Realtor® Association of Sarasota and Manatee subscribes to a strict code of ethics and has access to numerous services and programs to enhance their offerings.
Tampa Bay Partnership
A coalition of business leaders working together to address the region’s toughest economic challenges.
Workforce Organizations
We work with all workforce organizations to ensure that our community is preparing today’s leaders for vibrant jobs for years to come.
Government
The Sarasota County EDC works cooperatively with the county government as well as each municipality to ensure that economic development is vibrant in every corner of Sarasota County.
Education
The EDC works with all education partners to prepare tomorrow’s leaders for the future they deserve in the paradise we call home.
Sarasota County School Board
Prepares students to achieve the highest learning standards by engaging a high-quality staff, involved parents, and a supportive community.
Suncoast Technical College
The Suncoast Technical College provides quality technical education to meet workforce development and community needs.
USF Sarasota/Manatee
Offers more than forty bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and certificate programs in four colleges: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Science and Math, Business, and Hospitality and Tourism Leadership.
State College of Florida
Provides engaging and accessible learning environments that result in student success and community prosperity.
New College
The highest quality of liberal arts education in the context of a small, residential public honors college with a distinctive academic program.
Ringling College of Art & Design
Since 1931, creatives from every corner of the world come to Ringling College of Art Design to deepen, transform, and explore their passions.
Keiser University
Keiser University is a regionally accredited private career university that provides educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels for a diverse student body in traditional, nontraditional and online delivery formats.
Cross College Alliance
Five institutions dedicated to higher education and community building along the West Coast of Florida.
Other Key Innovation Partners
UF Innovation Station
The first physical extension of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering in Florida providing access to unique and high-value University of Florida resources. The UF Innovation Station Sarasota County focuses on establishing and growing partnerships with the private, academic, and public sectors in the region with the focus set clearly on growing the region’s innovation economy.
SRQ Airport
A public agency that operates and manages the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
Nathan Benderson Park
A not-for-profit 501c3 created to manage Nathan Benderson Park, a community asset and world-class, multi-use sports venue.
Mote Marine Laboratory
From its Sarasota base of operations, Mote Marine conducts internationally-respected research on six of the world’s seven continents—continuously helping to create a more ocean-literate society.
Roskamp Institute
A non-profit organization devoted to understanding causes and finding cures for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders and addictions.
