About the Downtown Council

The JAX Chamber Downtown Council is where professionals meet to connect, collaborate, and energize the growth of Jacksonville’s Downtown business community.

We are one of the Chamber’s most active and energized groups, where professionals, business owners, and civic leaders across industries come together to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of Downtown Jacksonville. From monthly breakfast meetings with influential speakers to high-energy happy hours and insider tours of transformative projects, the Downtown Council is a front-row seat to the momentum and magic happening in the Urban Core. More than just networking, it’s a welcoming community built on bold ideas, real relationships, and shared purpose. Whether you’re a long-time local or new to the scene, this is the council that moves downtown forward, where you’ll Come Curious. Leave Connected™.

We gather for Downtown Council Breakfast on the first Friday of each month at 7:30 a.m. at The Jessie for networking and engaging guest speakers. On the third Friday, we switch things up with our Downtown Council Happy Hour, a lively, come-as-you-are social at one of downtown’s locally owned, JAX Chamber-member venues. Whether you’re a longtime member or joining us for the first time, you’ll find friendly faces, great conversations, and a welcoming community ready to connect.

Breakfast meeting pricing: $20 for Council members, $30 for JAX Chamber members (pre-registered), and $40 for non-members and walk-ups. Happy Hour pricing can be found in the event below.

#TheCoolestCouncil

Upcoming Events

January 16
Downtown Council, Organization

Downtown Council Happy Hour at the Riverfront Plaza

Time: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Riverfront Plaza
2 W. Independent Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32202
View Event Details

Join the Downtown Council Here

Small Business Leader of the Year

Each year the JAX Chamber salutes the entrepreneurial spirit of Jacksonville’s small businesses with the Small Business Leader of the Year (SBLY) Award. This Council nominates one of their members to represent them at the JAX Chamber’s Annual Breakfast and to compete as the #1 SBLY overall.

Want to nominate someone?

A nominee must:

  • Be a member of the JAX Chamber in good standing
  • Be an owner, partner or shareholder of at least 25 percent of the business
  • Be active in the day-to-day management of the company
  • Be established locally in the same business for at least three years
  • Demonstrate professional business acumen and leadership
  • Have gross revenues of less than 5 million dollars per year for the previous three years

Get Involved

Downtown Council Committees

  • Finance & Budget
  • Marketing & Communications
  • Membership & Guest Experience
  • Nominating
  • Speakers, Socials & Events

If you are interested in participating with a committee, either fill out this form or contact Kathy Sutton at 904-273-5367 or kathy.sutton@jaxchamber.com, and she will connect you to the appropriate committee chair.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Member Perks

Free breakfast if individual joins at meeting (free meal applied to subsequent meeting)

Painting of the Paw Prints

Painting of the Pawprints

Downtown Council is proud to present Painting of the PawPrints.