Sarasota County Chamber of Commerce (Sarasota, Florida)

Thursday, November 2, 2007, marked the 87th anniversary of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Although the chamber seems like a permanent fixture today, its early start was anything but secure. The Chamber of Commerce began as the Board of Trade in November 1911. Its purpose was to promote the City of Sarasota as a great place to work and a great place to spend the winter. However, in 1914 the Board of Trade functions came to a stop during a financial crisis and did not reorganize until 1916. For the next four years the Board of Trade continued to promote the City of Sarasota.

In 1920, as Sarasota County was, being formed, the Board of Trade reorganized and changed its name to the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Hamden S. Smith was the new Chamber's first president. The Chamber of Commerce met in a variety of places during its early existence. On June 4,1925, a new Chamber building was proposed with an estimated cost of $8,000.

For more information, visit the floridahistoryalive website and click on the Journals of Yesteryear section. While on the site, check out the historic markers, interesting short history stories, walking tours, and now a video spotlight.