Business
Manatee Chamber of Commerce Named Florida Chamber of the Year for Sixth Time; CEO Jacki Dezelski Honored
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- The Manatee Chamber of Commerce was named Florida Association of Chamber Professionals 2026 Chamber of the Year for the sixth time.
- President and CEO Jacki Dezelski was named FACP 2026 Chamber Executive of the Year.
- Dezelski will receive the 2026 Rick Fawley Economic Development Award of Distinction at the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation luncheon.
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce was named Florida Association of Chamber Professionals 2026 Chamber of the Year for the sixth time, the only chamber to win the award that many times in its 29-year history. Yahoo reported the honor, along with the recognition of president and CEO Jacki Dezelski as FACP 2026 Chamber Executive of the Year.
Manatee Chamber's Sixth Statewide Honor
The Manatee Chamber of Commerce first won the Chamber of the Year award in 2000. Dezelski is the first Florida chamber professional to have received the executive award and the inaugural FACP Chamber Professional of the Year in 2015. She joined the Chamber in 1996 and became president-CEO in 2017.
On Thursday, Dezelski will receive the 2026 Rick Fawley Economic Development Award of Distinction during the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation 2026 Annual Update Luncheon at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. The accolade recognizes her leadership, creativity, collaboration and community engagement among other areas.
Manatee Chamber's Membership and Programs
According to akta.pro company records, the Manatee Chamber represents approximately 2,000 businesses, making it the largest chamber in the Tampa Bay region. The Bradenton, Florida-based nonprofit was founded in 1889 and serves members across Manatee and Sarasota counties through tiered memberships, networking events, advocacy, education and accreditation programs including the Better Business Council and Manatee Young Professionals.
The same records list a partnership with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation on economic development initiatives and joint events such as the Meet the Candidates Forum. The Chamber also maintains a Lakewood Ranch Office at the McClure Center, extending its reach into the Sarasota portion of the Lakewood Ranch area alongside its Bradenton headquarters.
Recent Manatee Chamber Awards and Members
In August 2026, the Chamber named Aginto, a Sarasota-based digital marketing agency, its Small Business of the Year at an awards ceremony on Aug. 28, according to FinancialContent Business Page. In November 2026, Sunday Home Inspections, a Sarasota-based company, joined the Chamber as a 2026 member, the same outlet reported.
What Comes Next for Dezelski
Dezelski will receive the Rick Fawley Economic Development Award of Distinction at the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation luncheon on Thursday.