Comprised of nearly 200 chamber members with a professional or general interest in the South Beaches area. The council is characterized by their dedication to community efforts and advocacy for local business issues.

Meet Verna Brown, South Beaches Business Council (SBBC) President
Verna Brown moved to St. Augustine in 2004 and since then has been actively involved in the community. She has worked for Habitat for Humanity as Resource Development Manager, and then retired only to stay involved with the Chamber of Commerce thru its Ambassador Program. She has chaired numerous fundraising events and has also been a volunteer coordinator. During the last two years she has chaired the Beach Blast Off - a New Year’s Eve celebration at the St. Johns County Pier.

Meetings:  SBBC meets the third Thursday of each month (click for calendar). The meetings feature a guest speaker presenting relevant information to you and your business.

Access to SBBC meetings and events is a Chamber membership benefit. No additional membership cost is required. The council is open to any Chamber member who is interested in the South Beaches area of St. Johns County.

Accomplishments:

• Conceived the idea, initiated the financing, and raised money and awareness for the building of “Splash Park at the Pier.”
• Created Beach Blast Off! The New Year’s event for the beaches area. The event includes Kids Zones, live entertainment, food, street vendors, a chili cook-off and a fireworks display.  Proceeds from the event benefited Splash Park and the Veterans Memorial Project at Lakeside Park. 
• Participates in the annual “Taste of the Beach,” proceeds benefit the Betty Griffin House.
• Through the Chamber advocacy process, the council helped keep the street name A1A Beach Blvd. intact.

“The council is characterized by its dedication to community improvement for residents and businesses.”

-Verna Brown, President