About the Downtown Council

The Downtown Council is one of the largest councils, offering a wealth of information on downtown development and top-of-mind issues. In addition to dynamic programming, the Downtown Council facilitates the annual “Pawprints Event” where big cat paw prints are painted along Bay Street to the stadium just in time for football season. This is a well-connected group for downtown business members.

Meets first and third Friday, 7 a.m., at The Jessie.  There is also a virtual option.  $20 for council members, $30 for JAX Chamber members pre-registered, $40 for non-members and all walk-ups.

Upcoming Events

May 3
Downtown Council, Organization

Downtown Council Breakfast with Nick Primrose, Chief, Regulatory Compliance, Jacksonville Port Authority

Time: 7:00am - 9:00am
Jessie Ball duPont Fund
40 E Adams StSecond Floor - Room 208 - Lecture Hall
Jacksonville, FL 32202
View Event Details
May 17
Downtown Council, Organization

Downtown Council Breakfast with Caitlin Doherty, Executive Director of MOCA Jacksonville

Time: 7:00am - 9:00am
Jessie Ball duPont Fund
40 E Adams StSecond Floor - Room 208 - Lecture Hall
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
Painting of the Paw Prints

Painting of the Pawprints

Join us and 500 die-hard Jags fans in downtown Jacksonville for the Painting of the PawPrints, the Downtown Council’s biggest event of the year. 

Would you like to be a Spotlight Speaker?

Get Involved

Downtown Council Committees

  • Communications and Social Committee
  • Membership Committee
  • Programs

If you are interested in participating with a committee, please 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)