LOCALPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

SRQ MEDIA believes in cultivating our locally-invested business economy by recognizing the entrepreneurs whose companies have made impactful contributions to the Sarasota and Bradenton market region. The Localpreneur of the Year program recognizes entrepreneurs who are driving successful, locally-owned businesses with purpose and passion and who have earned the respect of their peers in the following areas: corporate acumen, innovation, philanthropy, leadership and community impact. Each year, the community nominates hundreds of individuals they feel best capture the spirit of a “localpreneur”. Judges from New York City and Denver jury the final applications submitted by the honorees to identify the top five winners who best capture the spirit of the Localpreneur of the Year. Those individuals are announced and recognized at the Annual SB2 State of the Regional Economy and Localpreneur of the Year Awards Luncheon in January of each year.

SB2 LUNCHEON SYMPOSIA

SB2 is a community, philanthropic and business initiative comprised of a series of three annual luncheons devoted to key regional topics in philanthropy and the economy. SB2 focuses on the collaboration between Sarasota and the Bradenton Area and catalyzes relevant and future-focused regional dialogue through a keynote presentation and facilitated panel discussion with regional representatives from both counties and nationally on topics impacting our local economy.

Each luncheon features an in-depth keynote presentation from a notable regional expert in the field who joins the panel to expand on the context of the topic and deliver fresh perspective on how our community fits into the broader picture of the state, region and country. Adding to the engagement-centric atmosphere, SB2 will also feature an awards ceremony during each luncheon celebrating local changemakers, passionate localpreneurs and philanthropic good heros. Topics, opening presentations, panelists and speakers will be confirmed one to two months in advance of the symposium date as relevant community dialogue evolves.

The February luncheon symposium focuses on the regional economy and its prominent drivers in tourism, arts, healthcare and small business. The July Transformation in Philanthropy and December Philanthropic Agenda luncheon symposia focus on the independent sector.