Historic St. Augustine Council — Standing the Test of Time: Lessons in Success from Historic Community Businesses.

Description

Join the Historic St. Augustine Area Council of the Chamber to learn from longtime local businesses about their unique recipe for success in St. Augustine. They'll share how they've navigated challenges over the years and what keeps visitors coming back.

Featured speakers:

Lorna MacDonald, President, Raintree Restaurant
Lorna MacDonald was born in Penzance, a small town in Cornwall located in the southwestern tip of England. In 1979, Lorna left the U.K. to sail with her family on a 45-foot sailboat bound for the U.S., landing in the city marina in St. Augustine. In late 1980, the family found an 1879 Victorian home at 102 San Marco Ave. that would become the Raintree Restaurant. In its first year of operation in 1981, the restaurant earned a spot in Florida Trend's Top 10 Restaurants. Forty-five years later, Lorna and her husband Chris Cantabene are still active in the day-to-day operations of the business.
As a longtime resident of the area, Lorna is deeply involved in the community. She is a founder and the first president of SAIRA, the St. Augustine Independent Restaurant Association, and she currently sits on the board of directors for the VCB. Lorna also supports Wildflower Healthcare, Boys & Girls Club, Limelight Theatre, St. Jude Children's Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters, EPIC Behavioral Healthcare, Home Again St. Johns and Habitat for Humanity.

John Fraser, President, Fountain of Youth Archeological Park
John Fraser is president of the Fountain of Youth Park, which his family has owned since 1927; he assumed management of the park from his father in 1972. John and family also own other historic properties in St. Augustine and are dedicated to preserving the local history. He is a board member of UF's Historic St. Augustine organization and allows UF archaeologists to excavate and explore the Fountain of Youth property. He has dedicated his career to promoting, marketing and advancing the St. Augustine history.

The Historic St. Augustine Area Council of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce serves as the unified voice for businesses in Historic Downtown, advocating for the unique needs of the area's business community. The council is designed to foster collaboration among businesses, support economic growth, promote the preservation of St. Augustine's rich heritage and provide valuable resources and networking opportunities to enhance business success in this iconic destination.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Gold Sponsor - $250

• Recognition as sponsor of 1 session
• Complimentary seat (1) at session
• Opportunity to offer promotional items/information to attendees
• Opportunity to address attendees and promote company (3 minutes)
• Post-event, receive a list of attendees with email addresses
• Name/logo recognition in promotional emails
• Logo and link on chamber website

Small Business Sponsorships – Business Builder, and Entrepreneur 

Silver Sponsor - $100

• Recognition as sponsor of 1 session
• Complimentary seats (2) at session
• Opportunity to address attendees and promote company (3 minutes)
• Name/logo recognition in promotional emails
• Logo and link on chamber website