FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAVARRE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES NEW FORMAT AND DATE FOR 2026 ANNUAL SAIL AWARDS CELEBRATION

Hurricane Isaias prompts Chamber to transform signature evening gala into uplifting community breakfast celebration

NAVARRE, Fla. — The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has announced important changes to its 2026 Annual SAIL Awards celebration following the impact of Hurricane Isaias on businesses, families, and the Navarre area.

Originally planned as an evening gala on Saturday, November 14, the Chamber’s signature annual event will now be held as the 2026 Annual SAIL Awards Celebration Breakfast on:

Friday, November 20, 2026
7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
St. Sylvester Catholic Church
6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway

“Like so many of our Chamber Members, our original plans were impacted by Hurricane Isaias,” said Gretchen Ludwig with My Home Watch Concierge | Grocery Concierge and Chair of the 2026 SAIL Awards Celebration Breakfast. “Many businesses and families are still cleaning up, working through insurance claims, helping employees and neighbors, and preparing for one of the busiest times of the year. We felt the best thing we could do was adjust our plans and create a celebration that meets our community where it is right now.”

The newly reimagined breakfast will retain the spirit of the Chamber’s Destination: Navarre - “Where Community & Business Meet in Paradise” theme while offering a more relaxed and uplifting way for the community to come together.

The Annual SAIL Awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations whose Success, Achievement, Inspiration and Local Impact help make the Navarre area an exceptional place to live, work, visit and do business.

“This year’s awards may be more meaningful than ever,” Ludwig said. “We have seen incredible examples of leadership, generosity, resilience and community spirit throughout 2026, and especially in the weeks following Hurricane Isaias. We want this morning to be about celebrating the people who continue to show up for Navarre.”

As part of the celebration, the Chamber’s 2025 SAIL Award recipients will help recognize the 2026 nominees in their respective categories before this year’s recipients are announced.

NAVARRE’S COMMUNITY TABLE

Another major change to the event is the introduction of Navarre’s Community Table.

The Chamber’s originally planned Culinary Tour of Navarre will now become a community-style breakfast experience featuring participating local restaurants and food businesses.

“Instead of taking our guests on a Culinary Tour of Navarre, we are inviting Navarre’s restaurants to pull up a chair and help us create our Community Table,” Ludwig said. “There is something especially meaningful about gathering around a table after a difficult time. It is where we connect, share stories, support one another and celebrate.”

Participating businesses will have the opportunity to showcase their food, hospitality and connection to the Navarre community during the event.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS HELP MAKE THE CELEBRATION POSSIBLE

The Chamber is grateful to the businesses, organizations and individuals already supporting the 2026 Annual SAIL Awards Celebration Breakfast.

Destination Partners:

• Buffalo Rock Company
• IDUMP.CO

First Class Partners:

• 1-800-TSHIRTS
• Eglin Federal Credit Union
• Navarre Chamber Foundation
• Okaloosa Gas District

Business Class Partners:

• Ernest “Skip” DalleMolle
• Marie Locklin
• Rx Express Pharmacy of Navarre
• The Vine Wine Bar, Bistro & Shoppe

Additional partnership opportunities are still available, with a deadline of November 12, 2026.

Partnerships help support the Chamber’s largest fundraising event of the year while providing businesses and organizations with opportunities for visibility, recognition and community engagement.

A CELEBRATION OF NAVARRE’S RESILIENCE

While the format may have changed, the purpose of the Annual SAIL Awards remains the same: to recognize and celebrate those who make a positive difference in the Navarre community.

“This year will look a little different, but that may be exactly what makes it so special,” Chanda Ryan, President/CEO of the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce said. “Hurricanes may change our plans, but they will never change the spirit of Navarre.”

The Chamber invites members, community leaders, businesses, past SAIL Award recipients and residents to join the celebration and pull up a chair at Navarre’s Community Table.

For event information, partnership opportunities and registration details, visit www.navarrechamber.com or contact the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

About the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce works to strengthen businesses, build connections, support economic and community development, and serve as a leading advocate for the Navarre area. Through programs, events, partnerships and community engagement, the Chamber helps create opportunities for businesses and residents to connect, grow and thrive.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Chanda Ryan, President/CEO
Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
1804 Prado Street
Navarre, FL
www.navarrechamber.com