For Sarasota and Bradenton business owners
Networking groups in Sarasota, and the room just south.
Fort Myers is barely an hour down I-75. The 239 Collective brings Sarasota and Bradenton founders, executives and business owners into curated rooms with the people building Southwest Florida.
2026 guide
Networking groups in Sarasota.
Looking for networking groups in Sarasota? Here are the main places Sarasota business owners and professionals connect, plus a different kind of room a short drive away.
- 01Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Sarasota Chamber hosts member mixers, programs and councils, including its Young Professionals Group for emerging leaders.
- 02Young professionals groups
Beyond the chamber’s Young Professionals Group, Sarasota and Bradenton have independent groups for professionals under 40.
- 03Referral groups
BNI and similar referral chapters meet weekly across Sarasota and Manatee counties.
- 04Rotary and civic clubs
Sarasota has an active network of Rotary and service clubs that mix networking with community work.
- 05Industry associations and Meetup groups
Real estate, construction, healthcare and creative industry groups, plus free Meetups, host events throughout the year.
The 239 Collective. A curated, social-first networking community in Southwest Florida. Sarasota business owners join us for events in Fort Myers, Naples and Estero to meet the founders, operators and investors building one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions. No referral quotas, no pitching. See upcoming events.
Event alerts
Join the list.
New events and networking picks across Florida, sent first to the list. A few emails a month, never on blast.
The drive
Sarasota to the 239.
Why make the trip
Worth the drive.
- 01Sarasota and Southwest Florida share clients, buyers, talent and second-home owners. Knowing the right people in Fort Myers, Estero and Naples pays off.
- 02At about an hour and fifteen minutes away, our Fort Myers and Estero events are an easy evening drive, no hotel required.
- 03Our rooms are curated and balanced across industries: real estate, construction, finance, hospitality, healthcare and professional services.
- 04Social first, no pitching: the relationships come from the conversation, not a referral quota.
Calendar
Upcoming events in Southwest Florida.
Next date announcing soon.
Questions
What are the best networking groups in Sarasota?
Popular options include the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and its Young Professionals Group, BNI referral chapters, Rotary clubs, industry associations and free Meetup groups. Sarasota business owners also drive about an hour and fifteen minutes south to The 239 Collective’s curated events in Fort Myers and Estero.
Are there networking events near Sarasota in Southwest Florida?
Yes. The 239 Collective hosts curated networking and social events in Fort Myers, Estero and Naples, about an hour to an hour and a half south of Sarasota on I-75.
How far is Fort Myers from Sarasota?
Fort Myers is roughly 75 miles from Sarasota, about an hour and fifteen minutes by car on I-75.
Can people from outside Southwest Florida join The 239 Collective?
Yes. Approved guests from anywhere in Florida can buy tickets to our events. Request an invitation, tell us where you are based, and we will let you know about upcoming dates.
Explore Fort Myers, Naples and Estero, or read our Southwest Florida business networking guide.