Sanford Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

 

Thank you to our Sponsors

Executive Partners


Waste Pro USA

HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital


Conner Health & Education

K.L. Phillips

SunVena HVAC

Insurance Land

Diana Health

Rescue Outreach Mission

Hernon Manufacturing

Edward Jones - Leigh Ann Lyons

Awe Glammed Up

Amazing Adventure Hunts

Compass Health Insurance


Sanford Young Professionals


Above All Needs Commercial Cleaning & Janitorial Services

Steadman Legacy Credit Firm

Airrow Boat Adventures

Spotlight

Secure Your Spot: Sanford State of the City Luncheon


The Sanford Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 2026 Sanford: State of the City Luncheon on Thursday, October 29th from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM at the Historic Sanford Civic Center.


This year’s program will feature Mayor Art Woodruff, who will introduce Sanford’s newly elected Mayor, Ms. Christina Hollerbach marking an exciting new chapter for our community.


Attendees will also hear about the highlights, accomplishments, and progress made throughout 2026, while gaining a look ahead at the priorities, projects, opportunities, and challenges that will help shape Sanford in 2027 and beyond.


A Special Update on Seminole Towne Center


We are also pleased to welcome back Mr. Jay Douglas, Managing Director of Development for The Ardent Companies, who will provide an update on the Seminole Towne Center redevelopment project, highlighting progress made throughout 2026 and sharing a look ahead at the exciting plans and next steps for 2027.


From economic development and infrastructure to public safety, community initiatives, business growth, and major development projects, this luncheon gives our business community an opportunity to hear directly from the leaders and organizations helping shape Sanford’s next chapter.


But State of the City is about more than hearing what’s ahead — it’s about bringing our community together.


Connect with fellow business owners, community partners, elected officials, and local leaders. Strengthen relationships. Ask questions. Stay informed about the decisions, investments, and developments that impact the place where we live, work, do business, and grow.


Be informed. Be connected. Be part of Sanford’s future.


✨ Sponsorship opportunities are available! Showcase your business to community influencers and decision-makers while supporting one of Sanford’s most anticipated annual events.


✅ Early check-in begins at 11:00 AM

✅ Networking & lunch: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

✅ Presentation begins at 12:00 PM


Don’t miss your chance to be part of this important conversation shaping Sanford’s future.

👉 Register Today & Explore Sponsorships


Sanford: State of the City Luncheon

📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 🕚 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

📍 Historic Sanford Civic Center

Happening This Week

☕ Business Connections Has a New Home for the 4th Quarter!


Beginning Wednesday, October 7th, our Business Connections Networking Breakfasts will be held at Teen Challenge Southeast Men’s Center, located at 3706 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford, FL 32773, for the remainder of 2026.


We extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to Teen Challenge Southeast Region, our 4th Quarter Venue Sponsor, for opening their doors to our Chamber community. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support, generosity, and commitment to the Sanford Chamber and the businesses we serve.


Join us every Wednesday from 7:30–9:00 AM for great connections, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to Connect. Promote. Grow.


📍 Remember the new location starting October 7th:

Teen Challenge Southeast Men’s Center | 3706 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford

🇺🇸 Veterans Bring More Than Experience—

They Bring Leadership


Join us for our Business Connections Networking Breakfast as we welcome Remo Eyal, Co-Founder of Decision Tactical, for a conversation on Veterans in Business & the Civilian Workforce.


Learn how Decision Tactical is supporting and connecting veterans right here in Sanford, while gaining practical insight into how employers can recognize the leadership, discipline, adaptability, teamwork, accountability, and problem-solving skills veterans bring to the workplace.


Come make valuable connections, support our veteran community, and start your Wednesday with great networking and an important conversation!


🤝 Come ready to CONNECT. PROMOTE. GROW. one conversation at a time!


🤝 Guest Speaker: Remo Eyal, Co-Founder of Decision Tactical


📅 Wednesday, October 7th

⏰ 7:30 – 9:00 AM: Casual networking over breakfast

📍 Location: Teen Challenge Southeast Men's Center

3706 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, 32773


The Sanford Chamber Ambassadors are the heart, energy, and welcoming faces of our Chamber community, and we’re looking for members who want to get involved, build relationships, have fun, and help businesses Connect. Promote. Grow.


Ambassadors can contribute in ways that match their interests and strengths:


👟 Feet on the Streets: Visit members, learn about their businesses, strengthen relationships, and personally invite them to get involved.


🤝 Membership Committee: Welcome guests, introduce members, share your Chamber experience, and help everyone feel comfortable and connected.



🎉 Event Committee: Help plan memorable events, recommend businesses to spotlight, secure raffle donations, and contribute ideas for food, décor, and special touches.


You don’t have to be a salesperson, we need you to be you. Your relationships, personality, experience, and enthusiasm make you one of the best representatives our Chamber could have.


Our Ambassadors meet once a month for lunch at a Chamber member establishment. We break bread, exchange ideas, make a plan, and get things done! Along the way, you’ll expand your network, increase your visibility, develop leadership skills, and build professional relationships that often become lasting friendships.


CONNECT. PROMOTE. GROW.

📅 Wednesday, October 8th

⏰ 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Be the Connection. Be the Welcome. Be an Ambassador.

📍 Location: Olive Garden Restaurant

10 Towne Center Cir., Sanford, 32771

If you are supportive, welcoming, community-minded, and ready to help us continue building something special, we have a seat at the table for you.


Register for an upcoming Sanford Chamber Ambassadors Monthly Luncheon and come see what we’re all about. Help us keep the heart of our Chamber beating strong! ❤️

Upcoming Events

☕ Start your morning with fresh connections at the Sanford Chamber’s Business Connections Networking Breakfast & Member Meeting.


💬 During The Conversation Carousel, the topics, not the people, rotate every five minutes!


Share ideas, exchange experiences, discover new perspectives, and build meaningful relationships with fellow Chamber members.


📇 Bring your business cards, your best ideas, and your willingness to join the conversation!


🤝 Come ready to CONNECT. PROMOTE. GROW. one conversation at a time!


🤝 Member Meeting:

🎠 Same Seats. New Conversations! 🎠


📅 Wednesday, October 14th

⏰ 7:30 – 9:00 AM: Casual networking over breakfast

📍 Location: Teen Challenge Southeast Men's Center

3706 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, 32773


🤖 Discover How AI Can Help Your Business Today!


Artificial intelligence isn’t just for large corporations, it can help small businesses save time, improve marketing, simplify daily tasks, and work more efficiently!



Join us for an informative morning of networking and learning at our next Business Connections Networking Breakfast.


💡 Presentation: Taking Advantage of AI Today: An Overview for Small Business

No AI experience is needed—just bring your questions, business cards, and curiosity!


🤝 Connect with local professionals

🧠 Learn practical AI strategies

⏱️ Discover tools that can save you time

📈 Find new ways to help your business grow


✅ Reserve your seat today!


📇 Bring your business cards, your best ideas, and your willingness to join the conversation!

🎤 Guest Speaker: Bernard Williams

Co-Founder & CTO of Digital Edge Automation Partners


📅 Wednesday, October 21st

⏰ 7:30 – 9:00 AM: Casual networking over breakfast

📍 Location: Teen Challenge Southeast Men's Center

3706 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, 32773


🤝 Come ready to CONNECT. PROMOTE. GROW. one conversation at a time!

Think you’re good at reading people? We’ll see! 🕵️‍♀️


Join us for networking with a wickedly fun twist. There will be clues, suspects, and a mystery waiting to be solved! 👀🔎


☕ Bring your business cards, your best detective skills, and a watchful eye.


Costumes and festive attire are encouraged but not required!


Keep your friends close…and your suspects closer! 😈



🎃 Something Wicked Is Coming to Business Connections!


📅 Wednesday, October 28th

⏰ 7:30 – 9:00 AM: Casual networking over breakfast

📍 Location: Teen Challenge Southeast Men's Center

3706 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, 32773




🤝 Come ready to CONNECT. PROMOTE. GROW.

📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026

⏰ 7:30–9:00 AM

📍 Teen Challenge Men’s Center

3706 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford, FL 32773

🤝 Make Connections

Learn What Moves Central Florida!



Join our Business Connections Networking Breakfast featuring 🎤 Natalia Barbour, Senior Transportation Planner at MetroPlan Orlando. Discover how transportation planning connects communities across Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties while networking with fellow business professionals.


💼 Bring your business cards, questions, and curiosity for a morning of connections and fresh insights!


MEMBER EVENTS

📅 Monday, October 5, 2026

🚪 Doors Open: 4:30 PM | Event Begins: 6:00 PM

📍 Orlando Marriott Lake Mary

✨ An Evening of Hope, Transformation & New Beginnings


Join Teen Challenge Southeast Men’s Campus for the Rewritten Gala 2026, an inspiring evening celebrating lives transformed, stories rewritten, and the power of hope and recovery.


This special event, presented by HGR Construction, Inc., will feature keynote speaker Patric Young and an opportunity to support the life-changing work of Teen Challenge Southeast.


Come celebrate the stories being rewritten and help create new chapters of hope for men and families throughout our community.

Entrepreneurs Anonymous

Hollerbach With Purpose

Wednesday, October 7th

4:00 - 5:30 PM

112 Sanford Ave., Sanford, 32771

Registration is encouraged.


For more information or to sign up, contact Christina@HWPConsult.com or call (407) 219-9586. Come as you are and connect with a community that’s here to support your success.

Entrepreneurs, this one’s for you! 


Hollerbach with Purpose invites you to Entrepreneurs Anonymous, a free monthly meetup designed for real conversations and authentic connections. Held on the first Wednesday of every month from 4:00 – 5:30 PM at 112 Sanford Ave., Sanford, this gathering offers a relaxed space for both aspiring and established business owners.


Skip the pitch decks and formal networking, this is your opportunity to talk shop, share challenges, ask for advice, exchange contacts, and gain support from like-minded entrepreneurs who understand the journey. Whether you’re launching a new idea or growing an existing business, you’ll find valuable insight and encouragement here.

🇺🇸 Help Us

Welcome Our Heroes Home!


Join Honor Flight Central Florida for a very special Welcome Home Celebration as Mission #37 returns to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) on Saturday, October 17th.


Help us fill the airport with cheers, flags, signs, and gratitude as we give these deserving veterans the homecoming they deserve. Bring your family, friends, coworkers, and plenty of patriotic spirit!


They served for us.

Now let’s show up for them! 🇺🇸

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026

⏰ 10:00–11:45 PM

📍 Orlando Sanford International Airport

1200 Red Cleveland Blvd., Sanford, 32773

📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026

⏰ 5:00 PM

📍 1711 S. Orange Blvd.

Sanford, FL 32771

We encourage our Chamber members and community partners to come together for an evening that celebrates second chances, restoration and the power of community support. Your attendance helps Angels of Mercy Ministries continue providing women with the resources, encouragement and opportunities they need to build a new future.

✨ Light the Way: An Evening of Hope & Transformation ✨


Join Angels of Mercy Ministries for its Fourth Annual “Light the Way!” Gala.This inspiring evening supports the organization’s mission of “Restoring Women, Transforming Lives.”


Angels of Mercy Ministries is a Sanford-based, faith-based nonprofit dedicated to helping women rebuilding their lives after homelessness, incarceration and addiction. Through bridge housing, skills training, job placement and reentry support, the organization takes a holistic approach to helping women achieve lasting self-sufficiency and successful transitions back into the community.


This year’s keynote speaker is Natalee King, a U.S. Air Force veteran, recovery advocate, youth drug-prevention advocate, speaker, author and Gold Star widow. After experiencing profound personal loss and addiction, Natalee found recovery and now shares her story to bring hope and encouragement to others facing their own difficult journeys.


✨ Hope Returns: An Evening of Impact & Inspiration


Join Recovery House of Central Florida for the 2026 Hope Returns Gala, an inspiring evening celebrating recovery, renewed lives, and the power of hope.


Come together with community leaders and supporters to help further the organization’s important mission and make a lasting difference for individuals working toward a brighter future.

📅 Thursday, November 12, 2026

📍 The Westin Lake Mary

2974 International Parkway, Lake Mary

Hot Deals

🏠 Member-to-Member Hot Deal: Save 15% with Built 2 Last Roofing Solutions!

Offer Details:

✔ 15% Off New Roofing Projects

✔ Available to Chamber Members & Employees

✔ Discount Code: SanfordCC

✔ Cannot be combined with other offers

The Greater Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce is excited to highlight an exclusive Member-to-Member Hot Deal from Built 2 Last Roofing Solutions, LLC!


Sanford Chamber members and their employees can receive 15% OFF new roofing projects by using discount code SanfordCC when scheduling an appointment.


Whether you're replacing an aging roof, repairing storm damage, or investing in a new construction project, Built 2 Last Roofing Solutions delivers quality craftsmanship, dependable service, and roofing solutions built to stand the test of time.



For more information or to schedule your consultation, contact Built 2 Last Roofing Solutions at 407-848-4406 or visit


Built2LastRoofingSolutions.com.



Don't miss this opportunity to protect your investment while enjoying exclusive Chamber savings!

🚗 Chamber Member Hot Deal: Save on Your Next Rental!


Sanford Chamber members have access to special business rental rates with Enterprise, National, and Alamo! Whether you need a vehicle for business travel, an upcoming trip, or simply need to keep moving, take advantage of this exclusive member benefit.


Choose from convenient locations at Sanford International Airport, Sanford Town Center, and the Longwood/Lake Mary area.


📞 Call 855-266-9289 and mention Account #6020624 when booking.


Another great benefit of being a Sanford Chamber member, helping you save while supporting your business!

Let Us Help You Promote Your Next Event!


Each week, the Sanford Chamber of Commerce sends out a Newsletter to hundreds of local businesses promoting upcoming events.

If you are a Chamber member, and have an upcoming event, please let us know and we will include it in our weekly newsletter

Contact us for more information

Tricia Feliu

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Our Alliance Partners are an essential part of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, representing a group of visionary businesses and organizations that are deeply committed to strengthening our local economy and supporting community growth. These valued partners go above and beyond in their investment, helping us provide impactful programs, valuable networking opportunities, and critical resources to our members.



By aligning with the Chamber at this level, Alliance Partners enjoy enhanced visibility, strategic connections, and a seat at the table in shaping the future of our business community.


Job Listings

📢 Hiring? Let the Sanford Chamber Help!

Are you looking for qualified talent to join your team? Let us help spread the word!

Each week, the Sanford Chamber of Commerce sends out a Newsletter to hundreds of contacts, giving your job openings valuable exposure to local professionals.

We’d love to help you find the perfect fit for your company! Contact us today to get your job listing featured.


Want to get involved?

The Sanford Chamber of Commerce is currently looking for Chamber Ambassadors. If interested please contact Tricia Feliu at tfeliu@mysanfordchamber.com

Sanford Regional Chamber of Commerce

230 E. First Street Sanford, FL 32771

(407) 322-2212

My Sanford Chamber

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