The Manatee Chamber of Commerce has once again earned statewide recognition for its leadership and impact, being named the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP) 2026 Chamber of the Year. With this latest honor, the Manatee Chamber is the only chamber to have received the prestigious distinction six times.
The recognition was made even more special with the announcement that Manatee Chamber President & CEO Jacki Dezelski was named the FACP 2026 Chamber Executive of the Year. This historic achievement makes Dezelski the first Florida chamber professional to have received both the inaugural FACP Chamber Professional of the Year (2015) and Chamber Executive of the Year awards.
The awards recognize the collective dedication, leadership, and commitment that drive the Manatee Chamber’s work throughout the community. Since its founding in 1889, the organization has remained focused on its mission: To build a positive business environment while enhancing our community’s quality of life.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor for our organization and the people who make our work possible,” said Dezelski. It reflects the dedication of our members, our Chamber team, our Board of Directors, and our volunteers, all of whom share a commitment to making the greater Manatee County region a stronger place to live, work, and do business.”
In addition to the awards, the occasion provided an opportunity to celebrate important career milestones among the Manatee Chamber team. Dezelski marked 30 years in the chamber industry, while Member Events Coordinator Kaylee Carpentier and Member Development Representative Liza Minteer each celebrated five years as chamber professionals.
These milestones reflect the experience, passion, and dedication of the people behind the Manatee Chamber’s work and its continued commitment to serving the business community.
Each of these honors is a testament to the strength of the Manatee Chamber, the businesses that invest in its work, and the community it serves.
