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| Kathy King presenting the chapter charter; from left to right: Jay Brady, Kathy, Steven Gragg, and Susannah Bergmann Photo courtesy of Marina Olmos |
On September 26, the LAI Executive Committee unanimously approved a resolution recommending that the Board of Governors approve the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter charter; at the October 16 LAI Business Meetings, the Board of Governors unanimously approved the chapter charter.
Formal chapter-development investment began in November 2023 with an impressive inaugural meeting hosted at the Nathan Benderson Park Finish Tower. The IMPACT article, The Power of LAI Comes to Florida!, showcases the excellent event where 13 LAI Suncoast members were inducted. Kathy traveled from Los Angeles and LAI Past President, LAI Fellow, and New Chapter Development Chair Steven R Gragg from El Paso, Texas to support the underdevelopment chapter.
The FL Suncoast Chapter's official territory is the coastal counties from Tampa Bay to Naples, with an initial emphasis on Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The FL Suncoast Chapter boasts 22 active members including seven Board of Directors. By yearend, the chapter strives to reach 30 members with a long-term goal of 50 members.
Member recruitment was stymied due to recent hurricane destruction; the Suncoast was impacted with three hurricanes in two months - Debby, Helene, and Milton; Helene and Milton were less than two weeks apart, and Milton made landfall on Siesta Key, one of Sarasota's barrier islands. FL Suncoast Chapter President Holly Elmore did not travel to Phoenix due to hurricane implications.
About LAI
LAI is the honorary global network for thought leaders
in all fields related to the preservation and sustainable development of land.
LAI is a growing network of chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. Each chapter offers a wide variety of programs with industry leaders, discussion forums, community service projects and networking events.
Membership is highly selective through a nomination process initiated by a LAI member. Nominees for LAI membership must demonstrate ten or more years of experience in their fields, professional distinction, and outstanding contributions to the community in their field of endeavor.
LAI is committed to excellence and high professional standards to make a difference. A value to members is knowing you are someone who helped make that difference.
LAI FL Suncoast History
When she returned to her hometown Sarasota, FL in 2021, then a LAI Executive Committee-member and former LAI Atlanta Chapter Board member, Holly immediately began nominating local environmental leadership as LAI At-Large members. A prestigious group of LAI At-Large members formed.
Building off the successful November 2023 meeting, the underdevelopment chapter hosted two excellent 2024 meetings, with a third rescheduled due to local hurricane destruction.
On April 25, LAI FL Suncoast hosted a second successful meeting at Grove Restaurant located in Lakewood Ranch (LRW) where LWR SVP Laura Cole gave a superb, intriguing presentation. Four new LAI FL Suncoast members were inducted by LAI VP Craig Binning who traveled from Toronto for the event. The IMPACT article, Shining Stars: Lakewood Ranch and LAI FL Suncoast!, gives an overview of the empowering meeting.
A third official meeting on June 13 was hosted at the GCCF offices. After the induction of four new FL Suncoast members, GCCF SVP Community Investment and LAI member Jon Thaxton gave an excellent presentation on Affordable Housing: There are Simple Solutions.
Thanks to the GCCF’s generous sponsorship, the well-attended event was open to LAI members and prospective members at no charge. The meeting ended with a lovely reception that was much appreciated by the attendees.
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| Inductees at the June 13 meeting; from left to right: Jon Thaxton, Ray Goldsby, Katie LaBarr & Kevin McQuaid Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
The October 22 meeting featuring Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) CEO & President Rick Piccolo was rescheduled to November 21 due to hurricane damage at the airport. Rick will present on the $100 million expansion project to add a new terminal and its local economic impact. Additionally, Rick will update on finances, capital improvements, operations and air service, and industrial development.
Thanks to the generous meeting sponsors - Magnum Builders, DeAngelis Diamond Construction, and Spectrum Underground - the event is free to attend for local LAI members and guests. Registration is open at this LINK.
In addition to the meetings, LAI FL Suncoast hosted two successful happy hours, one in February and one in August.
Keys to Success
A myriad of best practices culminated in building LAI FL Suncoast into an organization that achieved LAI chapter-charter criteria.
Strategic Member Recruitment
Initially, Holly’s strategy was to nominate Sarasota’s elite environmental leadership, and she succeeded! Once in the chapter-development stage, membership recruitment emphasized diversity to complement the strong environmental sector.
In general, individuals with executive-management status and superb local land economics connections were recruited and nominated for membership. Emphasis was placed on an individual’s eagerness to assist in building LAI FL Suncoast into a viable chapter.
Personalized Communication
For upcoming events, potential members were sent personalized emails inviting them to attend. Post event, potential members who attended and those who did not attend were sent personalized emails that included a link to an article showcasing the meeting. Additionally, the emails shared the next event with a request to "Save the Date."
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| FL Suncoast member John McCarthy hosted a tour of the Historic Spanish Pointe Preserve; pictured from left to right: Mary Dougherty, John, Kathy King & Steve Gragg Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images |
In addition to personalized communication, event flyers were sent to members as well as the 140+ prospective member list. Two quarterly newsletters were well received by members and prospective members alike; a third winter newsletter is slated to close out 2024.
Consistent Superb Events
Beginning in February, LAI FL Suncoast hosted or will host a meeting or happy hour every other month. Thanks to the Executive Team’s stellar industry connections, excellent speakers spoke on pertinent topics. Many potential members attended due to the speaker/topic yet departed most impressed with LAI FL Suncoast.
As the nucleus territory is Sarasota and Manatee Counties, care was taken to ensure that meeting locations were geographically diverse.
Thanks to the generous support of the LAI New Chapter Development Committee the early 2024 events were free to attend for members and prospective members. Beginning with the June meeting, local sponsorship covered the event costs and kept meetings free to attend.
With meetings planned well in advance, the following event was announced as the current meeting closed.
Committed Leadership
The LAI FL Suncoast leadership team includes seven members committed to building a strong chapter that brings value to members as well as to the community. Attending the nearly monthly leadership meeting was a priority in hectic schedules. Leadership took responsibility for executing tasks within their realm of expertise.
A leadership succession plan is in place through 2030.
Future Plans
As previously stated, the chapter membership goal is 30 members by year end, an achievable target. By 2026, LAI FL Suncoast anticipates a total of 50 members.
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| Global leadership celebrates the FL Suncoast Chapter Charter; from left to right: Craig Binning, Susannah Bergmann, Steve Gragg, Kathy King, and Jay Photo courtesy of Marina Olmos |
Leadership chooses to explore a chapter project that meets Land Economics Foundation-funding requirements and would contribute to the community and local land economics.
As Sarasota/Bradenton is a phenomenal winter destination, LAI FL Suncoast seeks to host a regional event within the Eastern US Region strategic plan. If there is global interest, LAI FL Suncoast would love to host a future Global Gathering.
Stay tuned as the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter charter is simply a big inaugural step in building a strong, successful chapter.