Business Partner Membership

Champion Florida's Manufacturing Momentum

Connecting Expertise. Building Relationships. Growing Together.

Manufacturers don't succeed alone — they rely on the banks, insurers, consultants, distributors, and service providers who keep their operations running. The Sarasota-Manatee Area Manufacturers Association (SAMA) created Business Partner Membership to connect those companies directly with the manufacturing community they serve across the Suncoast and Heartland regions.

For Business Partners

You help manufacturers succeed; we help them find you.

As a SAMA Business Partner, you'll:

  • Build relationships with decision-makers through events, networking, and educational collaborations.
  • Position your brand as a trusted resource for manufacturing companies in the Suncoast and Heartland regions.
  • Gain visibility through website listings, newsletters, and event sponsorships that reach the manufacturing audience you want.
  • Host learning sessions or webinars that showcase your expertise.
  • Join a network that's serious about results, not just business cards.

When manufacturers grow, so does the network around them, and SAMA keeps your company front and center.

Establish Your Expertise

When you become a SAMA Business Partner, you join a network built on trust — one that connects your expertise with the manufacturers who need it most.

Establish yourself and your company as an expert, one which our manufacturing members will want to do business with. Please, no direct solicitation to the manufacturing members at events or via marketing efforts.

Please note that Business Partner Membership is subject to the following:

  • SAMA maintains a 75% manufacturer / 25% business partner ratio; a waiting list may be in effect.
  • Only three Business Partner members per industry type are permitted (e.g., banks, insurance companies, IT providers, CPAs). Exceptions require SAMA Board of Directors' approval.
  • Bronze-level Business Partners must upgrade to Silver or higher after 2 years of membership; Bronze is not offered to members in year three or above.

Membership dues are non-refundable. Membership belongs to the company, not the individual person.

Ready to apply? Here's how:

1) Decide your Level of Membership — Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum — detailed below.

2) Complete the SAMA Business Partner Application.

3) After acceptance, you'll receive a link to register and pay for your membership.

Bronze Membership – $1,500 (Flat Rate)

  • Logo on website, Business Partner Listing page, with hotlink to your website
  • Membership plaque
  • SAMA window decal
  • Access to SAMA Community Network (posting restrictions apply)
  • SAMA promotion of your educational webinars and events (curtailed for manufacturers, not co-branded, reviewed before posting) — you provide a PDF flyer, a 1920x450px carousel image, a 1200x600px event image, a registration URL, and a post-event attendee list; SAMA promotes it on the website and in the e-newsletter up to 4 weeks out
  • One company representative may attend up to 4 events per year (paid registration required)
  • Sponsorship and educational opportunities presented as they arise

Silver Membership – $2,500 (Flat Rate)

Includes all Bronze Level benefits, plus:

  • Larger logo on Business Partner Listing page
  • Opportunity to provide a one-pager PDF with hotlinks; a one-time Member Spotlight (e-newsletter and LinkedIn post) if provided
  • Logo and hotlink on all SAMA e-newsletters, Silver Business Partner section
  • One in-person educational seminar held during a Plant Tour, if desired
  • Logo on Banner Stand, Silver member section (graphics updated quarterly, displayed at various events)
  • One company representative per monthly event (paid registration required)

Gold Membership – $5,000 (Flat Rate)

Includes all Silver and Bronze Level benefits, plus:

  • Logo on SAMA's website, appearing on all webpages as users navigate the site
  • Largest logo on Business Partner Listing page
  • Logo and hotlink on all SAMA e-newsletters, Gold Business Partner section
  • Logo on Banner Stand, Gold member section (graphics updated quarterly)
  • Two complimentary admissions to monthly "standard" events (e.g., Plant Tours); excludes Special Events
  • Two complimentary embroidered SAMA polo shirts, if desired
  • Complimentary Tent Sponsorship at the annual Golf Tournament

Platinum Membership – $10,000 (Flat Rate)

Includes all Gold, Silver, and Bronze Level benefits, plus:

  • Logo and hotlink on SAMA's website home page Carousel
  • A standalone educational offering (e.g., a Lunch-and-Learn), if desired
  • Logo and hotlink on all SAMA e-newsletters, Platinum Business Partner section
  • Two complimentary advertisement opportunities in the SAMA e-newsletter
  • One email from the Executive Director introducing your company to SAMA Manufacturing members
  • One complimentary sponsorship opportunity for a non-golf event
  • Logo on the Business Partner Banner Stand, Platinum section
  • One private dinner for two representatives with a quorum of the SAMA Board of Directors and Executive Director
  • Annual Golf Tournament: complimentary foursome, complimentary Hole Sponsor Tee Sign, and complimentary Tent Sponsorship

Membership dues are non-refundable. Membership belongs to the company, not the individual person.

Benefits are subject to change, depending on situation.

SAMA is a 501(c)(6) association and membership dues are not deductible as a charitable contribution for US Federal income tax purposes but may be deductible as a business expense. Ten percent (10%) of your dues payment is for lobbying efforts and therefore non-deductible as a business expense.

Want more information? Please email or call Rob Harris, Executive Director, at execdir@sama-fl.com or 941-376-4272.

Ready to Apply?