In the News
Articles and Columns By and About the Manatee Chamber of Commerce
In addition to editorial columns on topics of importance to our region, the Manatee Chamber’s programs and initiatives are often featured by the media. Click the links below to read coverage from local media outlets.
July 2024
May 2024
March 2024
February 2024
- 2/16/24 Manatee Chamber’s Leadership Award Winner Has ‘Done So Much for So Many’ in Bradenton
- 2/15/24 61st Annual Dinner at the Manatee Chamber of Commerce
- 2/15/24 The Manatee County Chamber Hosts Its 61st Annual Dinner
- 2/14/24 Travel and Tourism Booming in Manatee County
November 2023
- 11/13/23 Manatee County High School Students Get a Glimpse of the ‘Real World’
- 11/11/23 Financial Literacy Program Gives Manatee Students Look at Real World
- 11/9/23 Manatee County Chamber Expo 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
June 2023
- 6/30/23 Largest Chambers of Commerce in Tampa Bay
- 6/30/23 Here Are the Top Small Businesses, Nonprofits in Bradenton and Manatee for 2023
- 6/13/23 Hurricane Preparedness Seminars Come to Lakewood Ranch
- 6/9/23 Creative Organizations and Entrepreneurs Get Real With Artificial Intelligence
May 2023
- 5/13/23 Manatee Healthcare Alliance Conducting Anonymous Survey to Help Steer Public Health Resources
- 5/11/23 Manatee County Chamber Spring Expo 2023 Happening Tonight
- 5/11/23 Local Employers Are Partnering to Build New Manatee County Affordable Housing Complex
April 2023
- 4/18/23 Dot Updates Future Transportation, Bridge Plans
- 4/12/23 Manatee County Residents Unhappy With Desoto Bridge Project
March 2023
- 3/2/23 Pittsburgh Pirates GM Talks Leadership, Trust, Culture — And Replacing a Legend
- 3/1/23 What’s the Best Way to Buy a House in Bradenton, Manatee in 2023? Tips for First-Timers
February 2023
- 2/27/23 Business People: MYP Awards
- 2/4/23 60th Annual Manatee Chamber of Commerce Dinner
- 2/3/23 Business Leader Who Fought to Keep Pirates, SRQ and Skyway Bridge Gets Manatee Chamber Award
January 2023
December 2022
- 12/26/22 How a Businessman Helped Keep the Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training in Bradenton
- 12/19/22 Manatee Chamber Announces 6th Annual Bartz Award Honoree
- 12/16/22 Manatee Chamber Announces Robert Blalock Will Be Honored With 6th Annual Robert P. Bartz Award for Outstanding Leadership
- 12/15/22 Manatee and Sarasota Chambers of Commerce Hold Connect Event
- 12/8/22 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Named Florida’s Chamber of the Year for 2022
- 12/7/22 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Named 2022 Florida Chamber of Commerce of the Year
November 2022
- 10/28/22 US SBA to Open Mobile Business Recovery Centers in Bradenton
- 10/27/22 Manatee County Announces Resources for Small Businesses
- 10/27/22 Manatee County Opens 2 Mobile Business Recovery Centers
August 2022
- 8/19/22 ‘Heart of Our Community.’ Here Are the 2022 Best Small Businesses in Bradenton, Manatee
- 8/10/22 Manatee Chamber Seminar: Boost Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn
- 8/5/22 Manatee Chamber Recognized as Largest Chamber
July 2022
- 7/27/22 Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Bay’s Largest, Announces Small Biz of Year Finalists
- 7/25/22 EXCELLence Performance Steps Up to Silver with the Manatee Chamber
- 7/20/22 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Is Largest in Tampa Bay Area, New Data Show
June 2022
May 2022
- 5/14/22 Carey Miller Named Florida Chamber Professional of the Year
- 5/9/22 Small Businesses Are the Heart and Foundation of Suncoast Economy
April 2022
March 2022
- 3/17/22 Pittsburgh Pirates President in Bradenton to Talk Spring Training. ‘Pretty Remarkable.’
- 3/17/22 Karen Mills Talks Business at RCLA Lecture
- 3/12/22 Project Teach Teaches East Bradenton Fourth Graders To Dream Big
February 2022
- 2/22/22 Manatee Chamber and School District Partner for Project Teach
- 2/21/22 Manatee Chamber Announces Winners for 2nd Annual MYP MVP Awards
- 2/14/22 How Does Manatee County Compare in Tampa Bay Area? Here’s a Look at the Latest Stats
January 2022
- 1/28/22 Meet the Top Leaders at Manatee Chamber Awards. ‘We Are Strong Because of Our People.’
- 1/27/22 Mac Carraway Shares Thoughts on Leadership
- 1/17/22 Indicators: Job Growth Creating Opportunity for Local Businesses … And New Challenges
- 1/14/22 Manatee Young Professional MVP Nominees Announced
December 2021
- 12/28/21 Here’s the Winner of the Chamber’s 5th-annual Bob Bartz Award for Outstanding Leadership
- 12/13/21 What Can Manatee Expect From Tallahassee in 2022?
- 12/9/21 How Will Manatee Become the No. 1 Place To Move To?
November 2021
- 11/22/21 Indicators | Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards Salute Quality, Excellence, Growth
- 11/19/21 Manatee County Is Recovering From Pandemic, but Challenges Remain Going Into 2022
- 11/18/21 Announcing the Manatee Small Business of the Year Award Honorees
- 11/17/21 Meet the 7 Winners of the Manatee Chamber’s 2021 Small Business of the Year Awards
- 11/17/21 7 Businesses Recognized at Manatee Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards
- 11/16/21 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Awards Recognizes 7 Area Businesses
September 2021
- 9/27/21 Indicators: Manatee Chamber Survey Shows Optimism for Local Economy
- 9/24/21 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Holding Planning Retreat & Leadership Conference
- 9/13/21 Focus on Manatee | Workforce Development Is a Priority
July 2021
June 2021
- 6/25/21 Bradenton Husband and Wife Share Award for Leadership. Their Work Together Has Been ‘Magic’
- 6/25/21 Focus on Manatee | There Are Opportunities for All To Create the Future for Our Children
- 6/11/21 Four Questions with Manatee and Sarasota Chamber Leaders
- 6/7/21 Tara Poulton Joins Chamber on Policy, Workforce
May 2021
- 5/31/21 Manatee Chamber Announces Hiring of Tara Poulton as Vice President, Public Policy & Workforce Partnerships
- 5/23/21 For Two Local Couples, It’s a Wonderfully Small World
- 5/19/21 Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Visits Manatee County
- 5/13/21 Amanda and John Horne to Receive Annual Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award
- 5/5/21 This Big Bradenton-Sarasota Shopping District Has Lots of Jobs, and a Way to Fill Them
April 2021
- 4/28/21 Bradenton Area Businesses Struggle With Staffing Challenges as Nation Gets Back to Work
- 4/21/21 Website Ranks Top Small Cities to Start New Business. Bradenton Ranks Near the Top.
- 4/12/21 Indicators: Chamber Closely Monitoring Legislative Session
March 2021
- 3/11/21 ‘Once in 100 Years’: Manatee Leaders Reflect On COVID-19 Pandemic
- 3/10/21 ‘This Is Something That Happens Once in 100 Years.’ Manatee Leaders Reflect On Pandemic
- 3/8/2021 COVID 19 and Manatee County Presents Marking One Year with a Focus on the Future
February 2021
- 2/22/21 Focus on Manatee: Chamber of Commerce Readies to Make Manatee’s Case in Tallahassee
- 2/15/21 Indicators: Manatee County Ready to Capitalize on Progress
January 2021
- 1/24/21 MD Now Ready to Build Clientele in Lakewood Ranch Area
- 1/24/21 Nutrition Store Near IMG Offers Shakes, Teas to Help Customers Look and Feel Better
- 1/20/21 New Inclusive Employer in Bradenton Celebrates Ribbon Cutting
December 2020
November 2020
- 11/23/20 Focus on Manatee | Despite COVID-19, We Have Lots to Be Thankful for in 2020
- 11/12/20 Pittsburgh Pirates Planning for Spring Training in Bradenton, Depending on the Pandemic
- 11/9/20 Indicators: Give the Gift of Local This Holiday Season
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
- 7/29/20 How Many Manatee County Students Will Return to Campus?
- 7/26/20 Focus on Manatee | We Each Have a Role to Play in Fighting COVID-19 Pandemic
- 7/20/20 Highlighting Compassion, Ingenuity and Resiliency
- 7/16/20 Masks Are No Longer in Short Supply
June 2020
- 6/30/20 If You Are a Manatee County Business Owner in Need of Masks, the Chamber of Commerce Can Help
- 6/29/20 Manatee Chamber to Give Away Free Masks to Businesses
- 6/28/20 Manatee Chamber Offers Free Face Masks for Businesses
- 6/15/20 Focus on Manatee | Businesses Ready to Ignite Economy After COVID-19. Here Are Some Ways Chamber Is Helping
- 6/11/20 Road to Recovery
- 6/4/20 Florida to Enter Phase Two Reopening
May 2020
- 5/29/20 Manatee Jobless Rate Rises to 11.8 Percent, as Economy Begins to Reopen in Pandemic
- 5/25/20 Businesses Will Lead Our Region’s Recovery
- 5/14/20 RecoverManatee Launches
April 2020
- 4/30/20 Reopening of Florida Commerce Phasing in on Monday
- 4/27/20 Focus on Manatee | Community Embraces Strategy That We Are Stronger Together
- 4/13/20 Chambers Lead Businesses Through COVID-19 Crisis
- 4/6/20 Manatee Chamber Provides Quick Access to Business Resources
- 4/2/20 Coronavirus Florida: More Than 200,000 File Jobless Claims
- 4/2/20 Manatee Groups Join Effort to Match Workers and Jobs as COVID-19 Slams Local Economy
- 4/1/20 Who’s Hiring During a Pandemic?
March 2020
- 3/31/20 Business Organizations Seek to Connect Displaced Workers With Job Openings During Pandemic
- 3/30/20 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (Cares) Act, #ManateeStrong
- 3/18/20 Chamber of Commerce Offers Help to Bradenton Businesses
- 3/9/20 Focus on Manatee | Get Involved in Your Democracy. Your Community Is Depending on It
February 2020
January 2020
- 1/23/20 Ernie Withers Takes Helm at Manatee Chamber. That Wasn’t His Only Honor of the Week
- 1/13/20 Manatee Chamber Announces Hiring of Amy Farrington as Vice President, Public Policy & Small Business
- 1/8/20 Manatee Chamber Hires Vice President of Public Policy and Small Business
- 1/3/2020 Former Herald Publisher Bob Turner Named Recipient of the Third Bob Bartz Leadership Award
December 2019
- 12/9/19 Looking Back, and Forward, in Manatee County
- 12/6/19 Manatee Needs Affordable Housing. Officials Hit the ‘Jackpot’ With Two New Projects
- 12/4 More Roads, Cleaner Water and Affordable Housing Top Manatee Delegation’s Goals for 2020
- 12/3/19 New Stormwater Rules Can Fix Water Quality, Rep. Good Says
- 12/3/19 With Red Tide Lurking, Lawmakers Talk Water Quality at Manatee Chamber Event
November 2019
- 11/22/19 Focus on Manatee: Connecting Students With Businesses Is Good for Everyone’s Future
- 11/20/19 City Leaders Want Downtown Bradenton to Be More Inviting to Younger Generations
- 11/18/19 What Could Make Downtown Bradenton More Vibrant? A New Study will Provide Ideas
- 11/14/19 Tampa Bay Rays President Makes the Case for Splitting Home Games with Montreal
- 11/13/19 Rays’ Tale of Two Cities
October 2019
- 10/20/19 Focus on Manatee: It’s Crucial to Involve Young Professionals in Planning for the Future
- 10/18/19 Inaugural Awards Ceremony Honors Young Community Leaders
- 10/16/19 Manatee Chamber to Promote Legislative Agenda
- 10/14/19 Focus on Manatee: Manatee Chamber Adopts 2020 State Legislative Priorities
September 2019
- 9/30/19 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Announces Nominees for the Inaugural MYP MVP Awards
- 9/27/19 Business & Education Partnership Awards Announced in Manatee
- 9/10/19 De Soto Historical Society and Manatee Chamber of Commerce visit Spain
- 9/8/2019 Focus on Manatee: It’s National Workforce Development Month. Here’s How You Can Take Part
- 9/7/19 Manatee Chamber Celebrates New Offices
August 2019
- 8/29/19 Manatee Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 130th Anniversary In New Building
- 8/26/19 Port Manatee Leaders Hit Road to Promote Trade Hub
- 8/24/19 Manatee Small Business of the Year winners Honored
- 8/24/19 Here Are the Winners of the 2019 Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards
- 8/9/19 Finalists Announced for Manatee Chamber’s Business and Education Partnership Awards
- 8/5/19 Bradenton Has three Entertainment Districts. All It Needs Now Are Businesses to Fill Them
July 2019
- 7/19/19 Tampa Bay Bucs’ Ready for Season Kickoff with Local Businesses
- 7/19/19 Bucs football Is in the Air at Lakewood Ranch G&CC
- 7/16/19 Manatee Chamber Launches MVP Award for Young Professionals
- 7/8/19 Manatee Chamber Moves (Back) Into New HQ
- 7/5/19 Focus on Manatee: Here’s How Manatee Chamber Is Approaching Milestone with Eye on Future
- 7/1/19 Dezelski: A Winning Legislative Session for Manatee
June 2019
- 6/27/19 These Are Manatee County’s Best Small Businesses in 2019. They Will be Honored in August
- 6/18/19 As Buchanan Talks Economy and Trump at Private Event, Protesters Demand He Go Public
- 6/7/19 Focus on Manatee: You Can’t Start Too Early in Preparing Students for Future Career Success
May 2019
- 5/22/19 Manatee Students Explore Horizons Through Project TEACH
- 5/6/19 Manatee Chamber Celebrates National Small Business Week
- 5/1/19 Manatee’s Outstanding High School Seniors Honored at 2019 Golden Herald Awards
April 2019
- 4/17/19 Manatee Tourism Director Touts Economic Impact of 3.1 Million Visitors
- 4/14/19 Big Money for Sarasota and Manatee in State Budget
- 4/2/19 They’re Called Pocket Neighborhoods. Here’s How They’ll Help Address Affordable Housing Issue
- Sb2 Mind Meld
March 2019
February 2019
- 2/25/19 Investors in Manatee Low-Income Area Can Get Tax Breaks
- 2/21/19 Forums to Offer Details About Funds to Assist Low-Income Areas
- 2/13/19 Manatee Memorial CEO: Local Health Care Continues to Expand, Improve
- 2/12/19 Home Prices Rose in 2018 in Bradenton Area. Here’s Who Benefited and Who Didn’t
- 2/8/19 Focus on Manatee: Here’s How the Chamber Is Trying to Strengthen Your Voice in Tallahassee
- 2/1/19 Tropicana Executive Tapped to Lead Manatee Chamber of Commerce Board
January 2019
- 1/28/19 Ron Allen: A Worthy Choice for Manatee Chamber of Commerce Honor
- 1/24/19 Bradenton Wants More Small-Scale Redevelopment
- 1/18/19 Focus on Manatee: Here’s How State Legislative Decisions Can Affect Our Prosperity
- 1/18/19 SBA Loans Are Helping Local Businesses Get Back On Their Feet After Months of Intense Red Tide
- 1/14/19 GOP Lawmakers Say Ex-Felon Voting Amendment Is ’Self-Implementing’
- 1/14/19 Jacki Dezelski: The Manatee Chamber’s List of State Legislative Priorities
- 1/9/19 Cargo Traffic and Passengers Increase at Port Manatee and Airport
- 1/9/19 Sarasota Airport CEO Talks on Latest Projects, New Destinations
- 1/8/19 Penny Hoarding:
Kyle Taylor Encourages Entrepreneurs to Push Through Their Fear - 1/7/19 Construction Company President to Receive Chamber’s Leadership Award
- 1/7/19 Allen Receives Bartz Award for Outstanding Leadership
- 1/4/19 His Community Support Is Well Known. He Will Receive Chamber’s Bartz Award As a Result
- 1/4/19 Allen Tapped for Manatee Chamber’s Bartz Award
- 1/3/19 For Manatee County, Unresolved Issues Carry Over Into 2019
Member Testimonial
“Boyd Insurance & Investment Services, Inc. enthusiastically and wholeheartedly supports the efforts of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. The partnership and common goals we share with our fellow Chamber of Commerce members is vital to our business community. The Chamber of Commerce reaches out to virtually every cross section of our community and is on the tip of the spear on so many critical issues. They offer a wide variety of business and social supports and we continue to rely on them to strengthen our business community for the better. The return on our investment constantly exceeds our expectations.”
Phillip B. Baker, AAI
Boyd Insurance & Investment Services, Inc.