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Connecting professionals. Sharing knowledge. Advancing best practices
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One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours
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Register NOW!
Extended early bird pricing ends December 31 midnight EST. Use the below codes for the reinstated early bird pricing:
- Tours: HollyDiscountGlobal
- LED: HollyDiscountLED
Learn about registration options for Global and LAI FL Suncoast members at this LINK. Scroll down for Tours/LED details.
The Tours/LED are open to Global LAI members; a guest is welcome on the Tours.
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Warm, Sunny Weather Awaits in the Suncoast
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WOW, the FL Suncoast weather is FABULOUS – low 60’s overnight and mid 70's during the day! Often, there is a delightful breeze. As this is the dry season, rain is scarce and brilliant blue skies with scattered clouds are common. Come join us this February 25 – 27 for the One-by-Sea, Two-by-Land Tours along with the Water Challenges, Economics, and Nature-Based Solutions LED (Land Economics Dialogue) in sunny, warm, and gorgeous Sarasota! Enjoy a respite from the harsh winter conditions in the north and learn about the Sarasota's economic drivers, innovative development, and the gorgeous beaches and bayfront - experience WHY so many choose the Suncoast for their retirement destination. Additional Tours/LED information is included below. Register NOW – early bird pricing ends when the calendar says farewell to 2025. I am excited to welcome you to my lovely hometown that many call paradise! With Enthusiasm, Holly Elmore
FL Suncoast Chapter President
holly@earth-impact.org
404-510-9336
Photo banner is a Sarasota skyline image from across Sarasota Bay courtesy of Holly Elmore Images.
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The Tours begin with a lovely opening reception at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens located on Sarasota Bay, and the final tour is at The Bay, a 53-acre public park located north of Selby Gardens and on Sarasota Bay near downtown. From a land economics standpoint, 53 acres of primarily parking lots and other impermeable surfaces were transformed into an amazing public park; The Bay was designed to provide resilience to the downtown district during extreme weather events, provide food and habitat for urban wildlife via a native-plant or Florida-friendly landscape, and serve as a public amenity for the community. Speakers will educate on the behind-the-scenes efforts to create a public-private partnership to bring The Bay from vision to reality. Additionally, the former Bay Park Conservancy Managing Director and COO will share the intricacies of planning, designing, and implementing the completed Phase I of The Bay.
Photo courtesy of Holly Elmore Images.
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The Bay
About The Bay
The Bay is a signature public park along Sarasota Bay. Designed to be “One Park for All,” The Bay is open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of the community, now and for generations to come.
The Bay conserves, preserves, restores and transforms 53 acres of precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay from what was mostly parking lot into a blue and green oasis – providing a sustainable bayfront gathering place for the community to experience and enjoy a wide range of park uses, free programs and events.
The first 10-acre phase of the park opened in October 2022. Design and development of Phase 2, the next 14-acre $65 million development, is fully funded and underway with expected completion in 2026. The completed park in total will cost an estimated $200 million and will take approximately 8-10 years to complete over four or more phases.
Source The Bay Website
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Land Economics Dialoges (LED)
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Water Challenges, Economics, Nature-Based Solutions LED
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; use the HollyDiscountLED to reinstate the discount through December 31.
Sponsorship opportunities are detailed HERE.
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One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours
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.
Step into history, innovation, and paradise for the One-by-Land, Two-by-Sea Tours. Learn how the Suncoast evolved over the past 250+ years with visits to:- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the world’s first net-positive energy botanical garden,
- Nathan Benderson Park, a world-class rowing venue built from an old shell-excavation pit.
- Sarasota Bay History Cruise, and more!
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; use the HollyDiscountGlobal to reinstate the discount through December 31.
Sponsorship opportunities are detailed HERE.
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LAI SemiQ East Coast 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 hosted by the LAI Fl Suncoast Chapter is the first tour in the series.
Registration is open for the following Tours:
- Annapolis, March 19 - REGISTER
- Atlanta, April 16 - REGISTER
- New York City, May 14 & 14 - REGISTER I hope that you register for other Tours, they will ALL be fantastic!!!
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