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Connecting professionals. Sharing knowledge. Advancing best practices
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President's Message
Along with cooler weather, the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter celebrates the first anniversary of our chapter charter in October! What a first year, filled with many accomplishments and successes!
The lengthy newsletter showcases the plethora of local and global activities participated in by the chapter and individual members. There were even newsworthy items not included due to copy length!
Be sure to register for the next meeting on Tuesday, November 18 5:30 - 7:30 pm sponsored by Florida Power & Light. Register HERE.
The 2026 FL Suncoast One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours are the first tour in the LAI SemiQ East Coast Tours: Land Use & History (1776-2026) that celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
As a precursor to the February 25 – 27, 2026 One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours, the Chapter hosts a Land Economics Dialogues (LED) event on Wednesday, February 25 from 9 am – 4 pm. The LED focus is on local Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based-Solutions.
The FL Suncoast Chapter brings value to its membership and the community via a myriad of activities and opportunities for active participation. It is an honor to lead the vibrant chapter.
With Honor,
Holly Elmore
LAI FL Suncoast Chapter President
City of Sarasota skyline image courtesy of Holly Elmore Images (HEI).
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November 18 Chapter Meeting
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A hundred years of excellence - honoring the past, shaping tomorrow.
In our next LAI event, we invite you to hear Devaney Iglesias, Area Manager at the Florida Power & Light Company, board member and Immediate Past Chair of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, speak about FPL and the reliable power delivery to 12 million people across Florida. We look forward to seeing you there.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025
5:30 pm Open Networking
6:00 pm Program
7:00 pm Reception with appetizers and cash bar
LOCATION: Sarasota County Extension Office Twin Lakes Park, Green Building,
6600 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241
Register Now!
Free to attend with required registration. Free parking available on site.
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Happy Birthday, LAI FL Suncoast Chapter!!!
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On October 16, 2025 celebrates its first birthday! Wow, what a year!
At the LAI Annual Gathering in Phoenix, LAI Global President Kathy King announced the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter (Chapter) charter at the Awards Dinner on October 16, 2024. Chapter Board Member Jay Brady accepted the chapter charter; in his remarks, Jay emphasized the local and global teamwork that culminated in developing a chapter.
The Founding Chapter Board committed to oversee and lead an active chapter and succeeded! In the first year, the Chapter hosted four well-attended meetings, two with more than 50 attendees.
In the spring, the Responsible Communities Committee (RCC) began meeting at least once a month, usually in person. The RCC was the impetus for hosting the February 25, 2026 Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions LED (Land Economics Dialogues). With Committee support, Chapter member John Taylor will open the LED with the Coastal Water Dynamics presentation. Refer to a later section for details on the LED.
The Workforce Housing Taskforce met in the early summer with fifteen prominent community leaders attending the in-person meeting. Over the winter, the Taskforce will reconvene with renewed leadership.
With an impressive first year as a chapter, the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter is staged to soar! The Chapter brings tremendous value to the members as well as the community.
The IMPACT Magazine article, Happy Birthday, LAI FL Suncoast Chapter!!!, celebrates the monumental one-year anniversary and gives additional details on the active first year.
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Resiliency around the Globe: Local Responses to Hurricanes, Sea Rise, and Sudden Flooding
In addition to her Chapter President responsibilities, Holly co-chairs the Global Water-Land Series Group (Group) with Golden Gate Chapter member Jim Musbach. Chapter members Tim Rumage and Michael Barbour serve on the Group. The RiA Magazine article, Water Security, a pending to realized crisis, introduces the Group.
Chapter member Bob Bunting, Climate Adaptation Center CEO, was the lead speaker on the September 4 Resiliency around the Globe: Local Responses to Hurricanes, Sea Rise and Sudden Flooding global webinar. At Holly's request, the first part of Bob's presentation explained in a simple scientific manner how rising global temperatures are the catalyst for the extreme weather scenario.
The main portion of Bob's presentation focused on Florida’s Trifecta & The Path to Adaptation. The RiA Magazine article, Extreme Weather is HERE: important to align with nature for climate adaptation and resiliency, gives an overview of Bob's excellent presentation.
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LAI Montreal Gathering
In September, Holly represented the Chapter at the 2025 Montreal Gathering. The IMPACT article, 2025 Montreal Gathering: a personal perspective, showcases the personal and professional value LAI brings to its members.
As a LAI member since 2013 and veteran Gathering attendee, Holly loved reconnecting with dear friends from around the globe and making new friends. Additionally, Holly promoted the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours and Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions LED (Land Economics Dialogue) during the Gathering; post event Holly sent emails with a personal invitation to join the Tours and LED to attendees as well as LAI friends who missed the Gathering.
Photo of Old Montreal compliments of HEI.
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Water Challenges, Economics & Nature-Based Solutions LED
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As a precursor to the February 25 – 27, 2026 One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours, the Chapter hosts a Land Economics Dialogues (LED) event on Wednesday, February 25 from 9 am – 4 pm. The LED focus is on local Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based-Solutions.
An LED is an FL Suncoast-event series where prominent LAI members from around the globe provide expertise and advice on land- and water-related issues.
The LED agenda consists of four morning speakers followed by a brainstorming session during lunch. Morning presentation topics include Coastal Water Dynamics, Surface Water (Sarasota Bay, Gulf, Inland Waters), Extreme Weather, and Local & Regional Economics. The afternoon is dedicated to an empowering strategy session. A formal report will document the LED presentations, strategy session, and recommended nature-based solutions.
Land and water economics are the common thread within the LED–strategy points.
The LED is open to Global LAI members.
REGISTER HERE - early pricing ended on October 20; email Holly (holly@earth-impact.org) for an extended early bird code.
Sponsorship opportunities are detailed HERE.
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One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours
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The LAI SemiQ East Coast Tours: Land Use & History (1776-2026) celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a series of tours hosted by the seven Eastern Region chapters: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, FL Suncoast, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. The One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours (Tours) hosted by the Chapter is the first tour in the series.
On February 25 – 27, 2026, the Chapter welcomes distinguished land economics professionals from across the globe to the Sarasota/Bradenton area during the prime winter season. Due to bus limitations, the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours is limited to 45 out-of-town guests; local chapter members will participate via their own transportation.
As detailed in the Tours Itinerary, the tours consist of an opening reception, two days of tours filled with prominent speakers including a two-hour Sarasota Bay History Cruise, and finishes with a Closing Dinner Reception (pending sponsorship.)
The Tours is open to Global LAI members and a guest.
REGISTER HERE - early pricing ended on October 20; email Holly (holly@earth-impact.org) for an extended early bird code.
Sponsorship opportunities are detailed HERE.
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Transforming Places, Inspiring Lives
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Architecture Sarasota (AS) hosted the the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter (Chapter) for an empowering meeting at their stellar McCulloch Pavilion headquarters. Thanks to J.P. Morgan Private Bank's generous sponsorship the meeting was free to attend for chapter members.
After a new-member induction, Chapter Emcee John McCarthy introduced AS President Marty Hylton who gave a superb presentation to the nearly 50 LAI and AS members as well as prospective members attending the event.
Marty opened his excellent presentation with an overview of the Sarasota School of Architecture with a multitude of iconic images intertwined with interesting, often humorous, anecdotes regarding the architects and/or the buildings.
The IMPACT Magazine article, Transforming Places, Inspiring Lives, gives an overview of the empowering meeting with a feature on Marty's impressive presentation.
Photo of Marty speaking courtesy of HEI.
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Member Events - please support!
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Sustainable Communities Workshop - Sara Kane
Discover Sustainability at the 2025 Workshop - Register Today!
Join us 8:30a to 4p Nov. 06 at the Harvest House Learning Enrichment Campus in Sarasota for the 20th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop. This hybrid event offers both in-person and online attendance options, ensuring everyone can participate in shaping our community's sustainable future.
Explore crucial sustainability topics such as sustainable business, resilient architecture, and climate communication through engaging sessions and panel discussions. Connect with local businesses and community groups dedicated to environmental stewardship.
Secure your spot today:
In person: $55 ($30 for students)
Virtual: $20 ($5 for students)
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CAC Annual Florida Forecast Conference - Bob Bunting
The CAC hosts the 5th Annual Florida Climate Forecast Conference: Climate and Biodiversity on Thursday, November 13, 2025 from 8 am – 4:45 pm at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee campus.
Per the CAC event page:
From Florida’s coral reefs to its coastlines, wetlands, and wildlife, ecosystems across the state, and the planet, are under pressure. As species shift, vanish, or adapt, so must we. This conference will equip attendees with the science, strategies, and partnerships needed to protect biodiversity and the critical services it provides to people, economies, and future generations.
Registration is open at this LINK.
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Chapter members: consider joining one of the ad hoc committees and/or the Tours Organizing Committee! Potential chapter members: LAI FL Suncoast Chapter membership is via a sponsored nomination by an existing member. As a nearly 95-years-old land economics honorary, LAI-member criteria includes ten-years of experience in land economics-based professional endeavors as well distinguished achievements. For further information, please contact Chapter President Holly Elmore via info provided below.
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