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Connecting professionals. Sharing knowledge. Advancing best practices
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President's Message
The arrival of the summer heat and frequent rain shifts the Sarasota/Bradenton region into a slower pace with easier access to the beaches, restaurants, and other community gems.
Within the summer energy, the Lambda Alpha International (LAI) FL Suncoast Chapter continues to thrive via a growing membership, quarterly meetings, and recently launched ad hoc committees. At the April 2 chapter meeting, the following new members were inducted: - Brad Baker, Serial Tech Entrepreneur and Real Estate Developer
- George Nicolopoulos, Whitney Hancock VP Business Banking
- Robert Lincoln, Attorney at Law Offices of Robert K. Lincoln, P.A.
- John Lambie, Civic Matters Director
- Miles Toder, Senior Commissioned Officer of the US Foreign Service (retired)
Be sure to register for the upcoming Wednesday, June 25 5:50 - 7:30 pm meeting hosted at Architecture Sarasota in downtown Sarasota. Register HERE.
Mark your calendars for February 25 - 27, 2026 to attend the FL Suncoast Chapter One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours; a tour within the LAI SemiQ East Coast Tour: Land Use & History (1776-2026); the Suncoast Tours is the first in a series of seven tours hosted by LAI Chapters in the Eastern Region.
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.
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Transforming Places, Inspiring Lives
We invite you to hear Marty Hylton, President of Architecture Sarasota, speak about the mission and work of Architecture Sarasota and its focus on design innovation championing environment, sustainable urbanism, and modern dwelling.
McCulloch Pavilion, headquarters of Architecture Sarasota
5:30 pm Open Networking
6:00 pm Program
7:00 pm Reception with appetizers and cash bar
Thanks to JP Morgan's generous sponsorship, the meeting is free to attend with required registration.
Register HERE.
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Resiliency around the Globe: Local Responses to Hurricanes, Sea Rise and Sudden Flooding
SAVE THE DATE
The September 4, 2025 webinar looks at recent and very severe threats imposed by a warming climate and examines ways in which communities are responding to these threats. From a series of hurricanes raging across Florida’s Gulf Coast, to the recurrent inundation of the waterfront in historic Annapolis, Maryland, to the catastrophic flooding in Valencia, Spain last year, local policymakers, planners and other professionals are urgently working to build resiliency and mitigate future harm.
FL Suncoast Chapter member Bob Bunting, Climate Adaptation Center CEO, is the lead speaker in the webinar. In addition to featuring the devastation, recovery, and current scenario from the 2024 Gulf Coast Hurricane Trilogy, Bob will explain how warming ocean waters are the catalyst for more frequent and more severe weather events.
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One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours
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The LAI SemiQ East Coast Tour: 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
hosted by the LAI Fl Suncoast Chapter is the first tour in the series. On February 25 – 27, 2026, the FL Suncoast 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 Tour 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.)
An eight-person Tours Organizing Committee meets virtually on a regular basis. Sponsorship opportunities are detailed HERE
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University Town Center and Beyond
On Wednesday, April 2, the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter hosted its third meeting as an official LAI Chapter. At the meeting Benderson Development Executive Director of Leasing Mark Chait gave an excellent presentation on University Town Center and Beyond.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship from Integrity Mortgage Capital the 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.
The IMPACT article, Benderson Development: tremendous influence on the Sarasota-Bradenton commercial landscape, gives an overview of the meeting.
Photo: Event sponsor Kelly Gilliland of Integrity Mortgage Capital at the podium; photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images.
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Responsible Communities Committee
A group of eight chapter members convened in person in April and May to strategize on development of a Responsible Communities Committee. At the May meeting, the group decided to focus on Water and Education; as water and soil are in a sacred marriage, the committee also focuses on the soil.
The name "Responsible Communities" is simply a holding namesake and will eventually evolve as the committee establishes itself. The next in-person meeting is slated for Tuesday, July 1 @ 2 pm.
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Affordable Housing Taskforce
New chapter member Jim Boyd, SVN® Commercial Advisory Group Senior Advisor, enthusiastically agreed to take a leadership role in the LAI FL Suncoast Chapter Affordable Housing Taskforce! A prominent group convenes on Tuesday, July 8 12pm for an inaugural in-person strategy session.
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Jon Thaxton
In April, former Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton was appointed to the Planning Advisory Board. The Planning Commission is a volunteer board that advises the County Commission on a range of development decisions, including amendments to the long-range growth plan and land use applications.
Jon was one of the first local LAI members nominated by Holly Elmore, long before there was a chapter vision.
Jon is the Gulf Coast Community Foundation Director of Policy and Advocacy.
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Sara Kane
Chapter member Sara Kane was the May 2025 commencement speaker at Everglades University; many of the students receiving bachelors and masters degrees work full time while raising families.
A quote from Sara's speech: You’ve reminded us all that it’s never too late to grow, to dream, or to change direction- and that the path to education isn’t always straight but it is always worth it
Sara is the Sarasota County Sustainability and Resilience Manager.
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Chapter members: consider joining one of the newly formed 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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