This edition of the Business Matters Blog was published in the Venice Gondolier on Saturday, May 6, 2026. 

The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce has released its first‑quarter report, outlining major accomplishments, community programs, and advocacy efforts aimed at supporting local businesses and strengthening the regional economy.

One of the Chamber’s most significant achievements came at the close of 2025, when it earned 5‑Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This national recognition is awarded to only a small percentage of chambers across the country and reflects excellence in governance, financial stewardship, programming, and member services. Chamber leadership noted that the accreditation affirms the organization’s commitment to operating at the highest standard on behalf of its members.

In mid-January, we celebrated our 100th Anniversary in partnership with the City of Venice. With more than 475 guests in attendance, the evening felt like a true Venice Area family reunion, an opportunity to honor our history, celebrate our present, and look ahead to the next century of business leadership.

The first quarter also brought staffing changes following the retirement of two long‑time team members Debra Mattar and Barbara Hines. The Chamber welcomed Charlie Thorpe as Director of Leadership & Government Programs and Kathy Hoel as Administrative / Program Coordinator. Charlie has already made a significant impact, bringing fresh energy and vision to our leadership and government affairs initiatives. Kathy’s support in coordinating and delivering Chamber programs and events will strengthen our operations and enhanced member experience.

As part of its ongoing focus on workforce development, the Chamber hosted a Workplace Stability Workshop in January. The session addressed how challenges at home can affect employee performance and provided employers with tools to recognize when a team member may be struggling. Two local nonprofits, Family Promise and the Venice Police Department, shared practical signs employers can look for when an employee may be struggling, signs that can often be mistaken for disengagement or lack of effort. The businesses in attendance represented nearly 800 employees, the reach of this workshop was significant. Attendees left with tools to better support their teams and connect employees with resources before small struggles become larger barriers. We will be repeating this workshop.

Advocacy remained a central focus during the first quarter. The Chamber’s 2026 legislative priorities, developed through direct member input, were presented to the local legislative delegation in November, and again in early January in Tallahassee meeting with state lawmakers and discuss important issues to the business community. Throughout the legislative session, members received weekly updates from Chair‑Elect Justin Taylor, with additional insight from Charlie Thorpe.

Several community events also marked the quarter. The annual Non‑Profit Rally brought together more than 50 organizations and drew strong public participation. The Community Scorecard featured updates from Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight, City of Venice Mayor Nick Pachota, and 2025 Chamber Board Chair Michael Bacon. With our Workforce Pipeline Partnership with Venice High School, we continue to bring business leaders into the classroom to share industry pathways and opportunities, whether students are college bound or entering directly into the workforce. Strengthening the workforce pipeline remains essential to our local economy and to our business members. Additional programs included the Women Empowering Women Luncheon celebrating Internation Women’s Day, and the annual Wise Guys event for our guys.

Interesting numbers to share are in the first 90 days of the year we welcomed over 3,500 visitors, answering just under 1,000 phone inquiries and giving out just under 3,000 of our members’ names as a trusted referral.

The Chamber emphasized that supporting local businesses remains central to its mission of promoting business growth and success.

Kathy Lehner

President/CEO