Sarasota Young Professionals Group

Home
United States
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota Young Professionals Group

The Sarasota Young Professionals Group is a program of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.sarasotaypg.com for more information.

Our Mission: To connect, retain, and serve Young Professionals in the Greater Sarasota area through engagement, opportunity, and advocacy. Our Vision: A dynamic community with a high quality of life for Young Professionals. Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed by The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) Board of Directors, Young Professionals Group Council, Leadership Sarasota Council, and v

olunteers are solely those of the individuals and do not reflect the opinions of the GSCC, the programs and councils, the members, or the staff of the GSCC. Social Media & Website Disclaimer:

While The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce makes reasonable efforts to monitor and/or moderate content posted on its social media platforms, we do not moderate all comments and cannot always respond in a timely manner to online requests for information. The GSCC reserves the sole right to review, edit and/or delete any comments it deems are inappropriate. Comments including, but not limited to, the following may be deleted or edited by the moderators:

• Abusive or hurtful comments about an individuals or businesses associated with the GSCC.
• Off-topic and redundant comments (this includes promotion of events, groups, pages, Web sites, organizations and programs not related to or affiliated with the GSCC)
• Comments that use foul language or “hate speech” (for example, including but not limited to racial, ethnic or gender bashing language)
• Personal attacks or defamatory statements or comments (i.e., making negative personal or untrue comments about a participant)

All links to other web sites found linked from The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s social media and websites are provided as a service to our members and the community, but such linkage does not constitute endorsement of those sites by the GSCC, and as such we are not responsible for the content of external websites.

04/15/2026

Meet our April YPG Member Spotlight: Jennifer Contreras!

HOMETOWN: Sarasota, FL
TITLE: Marketing and Operations Coordinator
COMPANY: Express Employment Professionals Sarasota
YPG MEMBER SINCE: January 2024

What’s the best piece of professional advice you have been given?
"Be someone people enjoy working with, not just someone who gets the job done. Skills matter, but your attitude and how you treat people is what makes opportunities come back to you."

What’s your favorite thing about Sarasota?
"The balance between work and lifestyle. I can have a full productive day and still end it watching the sunset at the Bay Park."

What’s one (or two) things people would say you do really well?
"I think people would say I stay calm in fast paced or high-pressure situations and figure things out quickly. I also bring a positive energy and try to make things easier for the people around me."

What would you say you need the most help with?
"Taking a step back and not getting caught up in the small details. I tend to want everything to be perfect, but I’m learning that sometimes done is better than perfect."

04/14/2026

Nominations for Young Professional of the Year are still open—but not for long!

Know someone making a real impact in Sarasota’s professional community? Or maybe that someone is you? This is your chance to recognize the leaders bringing fresh ideas, energy, and dedication to our region.

🏆 Three outstanding honorees will be recognized at the Young Professionals Summit on Thursday, May 28, 2026!

And don’t forget to secure your spot—this is one event you won’t want to miss. The 2026 Young Professionals Summit is designed to spark ideas, build connections, and energize the next generation of leaders in Sarasota. With a new time, new location, and an exciting lineup in the works, you can expect engaging conversations, real-world insights, and meaningful connections.

Join us for the day:
• Check-in + networking at 1:15 PM
• Program begins around 1:45 PM
• Stick around for our first-ever “Connection Hour” with drinks & lite bites on the 8th floor after the summit ends at 5 PM

Submit your nomination today:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RJ5SGBW

Then register to attend and be part of the experience at www.sarasotachamber.com!

Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged!

04/13/2026

Join us Thursday, May 21st at Gecko’s Grill & Pub – Fruitville for this month’s YPG After Hours! We’ll be gathering on the back porch for a relaxed evening of connection and conversation.

Whether you're looking to meet new people, grow your network, or get more plugged into the Sarasota community, this is the perfect place to start.

Pre-registration is encouraged—grab your spot and come hang out with us: www.sarasotachamber.com!

03/19/2026

Nominations are officially OPEN for Young Professional of the Year!

Do you know a rising leader making an impact in our community? Or is that you? Now’s the time to recognize the passion, innovation, and drive shaping Sarasota’s future.

🏆 The winner will be announced at the Young Professionals Summit on Friday, May 28, 2026!

Join us for an afternoon of connection, inspiration, and growth:
- Check-in + networking begins at 1:15 PM
- Program kicks off around 1:45 PM
- Stick around after for our “Connection Hour” with drinks & lite bites on the 8th floor after the summit ends at 5 PM

Nominate today and help us celebrate the next generation of leaders!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RJ5SGBW
*Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged*

03/18/2026

Meet our March YPG Spotlight, Alexa Breiding!

HOMETOWN: Sarasota
TITLE: Digital & Public Relations Associate
COMPANY: Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
YPG MEMBER SINCE: 2024

What’s the best piece of professional advice you have been given?
Always schedule your work in a way that is considerate of both your own timeline and the needs of the person receiving the information. What may work best within your schedule does not always align with someone else’s. This is a lesson I’ve had to learn repeatedly. I tend to work ahead, but with everyone’s busy and often unpredictable schedules, it’s important to slow down and be mindful of others’ time and availability.

What’s one (or two) things people would say you do really well?
Completing assignments on time, which can be both a strength and, at times, a challenge. When a task is pending, it tends to stay at the forefront of my mind until it’s finished. I also rely heavily on keeping organized through a collection of Post-it notes. My desk is rarely without them, as they serve as constant reminders and help me keep track of priorities and details throughout the day. I often refer to this system as my “rainbow of organization,” since the variety of colors helps me visually sort and manage different tasks and responsibilities.

What would you say you need the most help with?
One of my personal goals is to become more comfortable stepping outside of my comfort zone. Much of my professional work involves structured guidelines and familiar processes, so it can be easy to remain within routines. Through YPG, I hope to challenge the status quo by intentionally meeting new people, building new connections, and participating in opportunities that encourage growth beyond what feels familiar.

03/11/2026

Wind down the workday and connect with fellow young professionals at YPG After Hours 🍻

Join us for a relaxed evening of networking, conversation, and great drinks at 99 Bottles. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet new people, grow your network, and enjoy one of downtown Sarasota’s favorite spots.

🗓 Thursday, April 2
⏰ 5:30 – 7:00 PM
📍 99 Bottles

Bring a friend, grab a drink, and make new connections with the YPG community. 🍺✨

Register now at www.sarasotachamber.com!

03/06/2026

Great turnout last night at our YPG After Hours x Leadership Sarasota Alumni After Hours at Lefty's Seafood & Oyster Bar! 🎉

It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces from Leadership classes past and present come together with our Young Professionals community for an evening of networking, reconnecting, and great conversation. Events like this highlight the strength of our Leadership Sarasota network and the incredible professionals who continue to stay engaged long after their class year.

Thanks to everyone who joined us!

03/02/2026

Join our Young Professionals Group for a morning coffee meetup at The Breakfast Company. This casual networking event is open to all young professionals looking to make connections, build relationships, and engage with the local business community in a relaxed setting!

Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 8:30 – 9:30 AM
Location: 411 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236

Pricing:
YPG Members – Complimentary
Non-YPG Members – $15

Register today at www.sarasotachamber.com!

02/18/2026

Meet our February YPG Member Spotlight is Alyssa “Ali” Orme! 🌟

HOMETOWN: Cold Spring, KY
TITLE: Vice President, Senior Trust Officer
COMPANY: Caldwell Trust Company
YPG MEMBER SINCE: 07/2025

What’s the best piece of professional advice you have been given?
"Someone once told me, “Skills can become obsolete; a growth mindset does not”. I think it’s important for myself, and young professionals, to harness the fact that our environment is always changing... even sometimes due to factors that are out of our control. You may not always understand these changes. Always seek ways to enhance your knowledge, find a good mentor, enroll in that next course, ask the questions you’re too reluctant to ask. Curious minds are growing minds. When you focus on becoming a person who wants to understand rather than someone who just executes instructions, you transition from being a replaceable resource to a high-value partner. "

What’s your favorite thing about Sarasota?
"Sarasota has been the most welcoming city that I have ever lived in. From the people to the organizations, everyone has made me feel right at home from the very start. It has that small-town feeling, while also having the luxuries of a big city."

What’s one (or two) things people would say you do really well?
"I think my friends would say that I am good at radical honesty; I am the friend they go to for honest advice, not the easy answer. They can count on me for direct (sometimes blunt) feedback while also being understanding of their ultimate choices."

What would you say you need the most help with?
"I would say something that is a constant struggle for myself is trusting my own knowledge and expertise. I feel like I am in a constant (internal) struggle to prove to myself that I belong in a room while simultaneously managing the internal pressure to “not screw up”. "

02/10/2026

Make your Thursday plans count 🦪🍸

YPG After Hours is heading to Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar on Thursday, March 5—and we’re teaming up with Leadership Sarasota Alumni for a combined night of connection and community. Both YPG members and Leadership Sarasota Alumni are invited to connect and build relationships across both groups.

Enjoy hush puppies and fish dip, grab a drink, and spend the evening connecting with fellow young professionals and alumni in a relaxed, after-work setting.

📅 Thursday, March 5, 2026
⏰ 5:00 – 7:00 PM
📍 Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar | 428 N. Lemon Ave., Sarasota

- YPG Members & Active Leadership Sarasota Alumni: Complimentary
- Non-YPG Members: $15 (pre-registration encouraged)

Not a YPG member yet? Join for as low as $45 (valid through September 2026) and attend this event FREE.

02/02/2026

Networking with a side of seafood? Yes, please. 🦪🍹

Join us Thursday, March 5 at Lefty’s Oyster & Seafood Bar for a special YPG After Hours x Leadership Sarasota Alumni mash-up! Mix, mingle, and make new connections while enjoying complimentary hush puppies, fish dip, and great company. Register online today at www.sarasotachamber.com!

01/16/2026

Join us at P.F. Chang’s on Wednesday, February 25 | 11:45 AM–1:00 PM for a delicious plated meal and a chance to connect, engage, and grow with fellow young professionals.

Event Highlights:
✨ Make Your Pitch – Share your 30-second elevator pitch
✨ Win & Give Back – Bring a door prize to showcase your business
✨ Expand Your Network – Build meaningful connections in a welcoming setting

Choose from tasty entrees like Chang’s Spicy Chicken, Beef & Broccoli, or Mongolian Tofu, and finish with a Key Lime Pie dessert.

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your network over great food! Register today at www.sarasotachamber.com!

Address

1945 Fruitville Road
Sarasota, FL
34236

Website

http://www.sarasotachamber.com/Young_Professionals/index.aspx

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sarasota Young Professionals Group posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Sarasota Young Professionals Group:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Travel Agency in Sarasota?