Leadership Tampa Class Application

Leadership Tampa is an intensive executive leadership program that introduces a diverse group of participants to GAIN insight into the major facets of the greater Tampa Bay community through educational sessions, tours and candid conversations with community leaders. Class members participate in a “behind-the-scenes” look of Tampa Bay and take part in experiences and other activities that provide an in depth look at Tampa Bay, challenging them to GIVE back and GROW their community.

The Leadership Tampa Class of 2027 application period is March 12 - April 30, 2026 by 11:59 pm.

Class Member Terms

Applicants must adhere to program rules of conduct and attendance requirements included in the application.

Attendance is mandatory at the Opening Retreat and Tallahassee Retreat.

Attendance at all sessions is expected. View the schedule of sessions and events.

Those who fail to attend the Opening Retreat and the Tallahassee Retreat and/or miss more than two (2) program days will be dropped without refund of tuition and sponsors will be notified.

Missing a program day requires notification prior to the program date. Missing any portion of a program day will be considered the same as missing a full day.

Participants are required to use the transportation method provided by the Tampa Bay Chamber.

Application Criteria

Your organization must be a Tampa Bay Chamber member.
You must live or work in the Tampa Bay area to apply.
Preferred candidates hold administrative or supervisory leadership roles within a business or organization, including senior executives, and established entrepreneurs or business owners.
Applicants must have full endorsement of their organization, including approval of all required time and financial commitments associated with the program.
Only one applicant per organization may be considered during each application cycle.
All applicants are required to participate in a personal interview as part of the selection process.
Attendance at an official Leadership Tampa informational session is required prior to application submission.
Applications must be complete at the time of submission; incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered.

Financial Commitment

Tuition

Tuition cost is $5,000. If selected, I will devote the required time and pay my tuition on or before July 10, 2026. Rate is subject to change.

Processing Fee

A non-refundable processing fee of $125 is required with all applications and must be submitted online (available upon completing the application). The processing fee is payable via credit card only. Please note that your company must be a Chamber member to apply.

Financial assistance

Limited scholarship opportunities are available. The scholarship application must be completed at the same time as your Leadership Tampa application. No scholarship will be provided without a completed scholarship application.

For questions about tuition assistance, please contact Taisha Edwin-Williams, Senior Director, Leadership Programs.

Deadline

Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on April 30, 2026. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Application Form

Please Note

Before submitting the form, it is recommended to prepare the following attachments first. The online application form needs to be completed in one session. The application page will time out after 15 minutes of inactivity.

Application Supplemental

As part of the application, the Application Supplemental is required. This Word document entails additional questions required for the application. It is recommended to download the Supplemental form, complete the questions and have it saved and ready to upload prior to completing the application below.

Download the LT Application Supplemental

Additional Attachments

As part of the application process, the following are also required:

Current Resume (limit one page, front and back);
One personal letter of recommendation (not from a work sponsor);
One letter of recommendation from a work sponsor;
Headshot photo (we only accept high-resolution color photos in JPG format); and
Signed Leadership Tampa Rules of Conduct & Commitment.

Download the LT Rules of Conduct & Commitment

Completing The Application

When your materials are ready, complete the online application. Applications received in any other manner will not be accepted or considered. No additional support materials are permitted. You must submit both the complete application and pay the application fee for your application to be accepted. This is a two step process - payment instructions are at the end of the online application form.

You will receive an email acknowledgment after your application submission.

First Name

Last Name

Nickname / Preferred Name

Home Address

City

Zip Code

Home Phone

Cell Phone

How long have you lived in the Tampa Bay area?

How did you hear about Leadership Tampa?

Personal Information

This information is helpful to ensure we meet our core value of a diverse class and environment.

Date of Birth

Ethnicity

American Indian/Alaskan Native Asian Black/African American Hispanic/Latino Multi-Racial Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander White/Caucasian Other Prefer not to respond

Gender

Female Male Other Prefer Not To Respond

Veteran

Yes No Prefer not to respond

ADA Compliance – Pursuant to the American with Disabilities Act, do you require any special accommodations?

Yes No Prefer not to respond

Please detail any special accommodations needed.

Employment Information

Current Employer

Industry

Title

If other industry, please specify.

Date of Hire

Work Address

City

Zip Code

Business Phone

Extension

Education

Highest Level of Education

High School diploma GED Vocational qualification Associate degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree Doctorate or higher

Optional

Name

Location

Dates of Attendance (From-To)

Degree

Leadership Tampa Information Session

Please indicate which date you attended:

March 24 March 30 April 6 April 16 April 24

Personal and Professional Accomplishments

This section provides an opportunity to share significant professional and personal accomplishments you achieved.

Have you completed a community leadership program in another locality?

If yes, what was the program name, location and the year of completion?

If applicable, list another program name, location and year of completion?

Special Awards/Honors received.

Describe the leadership roles or activities you have engaged in within your organization

What do you consider your single most important professional accomplishment and why?

Work Sponsors

The Leadership Tampa Rules of Conduct & Commitment must be signed by your CEO or your immediate supervisor. If you do not have an immediate supervisor, please explain. It is important your company or organization is aware of your time commitment, including mandatory retreats, the absentee policy as well as the financial obligation and offer full support of the Leadership Tampa nine-month program.

Work sponsors must be within your organization or on your board if self-employed. Please upload a letter of recommendation from only one of the work sponsors listed below. Only one letter will be accepted.

Work Sponsor 1 Name

Title

Organization

Phone Number

Work Sponsor 2 Name

Title

Organization

Phone Number

Personal Recommendations

List two people other than your work sponsors who are knowledgeable about your leadership performance and potential. Please upload a letter of recommendation from only one of the persons listed below. Only one letter will be accepted.

Personal Recommendation 1 Name

Title

Company

Phone Number

Personal Recommendation 2 Name

Title

Company

Phone Number

Attachments

Application Supplemental

Please upload your completed Application Supplemental.

Application Supplemental (PDF preferred)

Letter of Recommendation

Please upload a letter of recommendation from one of the recommendations listed above. Only one letter will be accepted. Letters from work sponsors may not be submitted.

Letter of recommendation (PDF preferred)

Work Sponsor

Please upload a letter of recommendation from one of your two (2) work sponsors. Only one letter will be accepted.

Work Sponsor (PDF preferred)

Headshot

We only accept high-resolution color photos in JPG format.

Headshot (jpg)

Rules of Conduct

Print, sign, scan and upload the Leadership Tampa Rules of Conduct & Commitment.

Rules of Conduct

Resume

Please upload your resume (limit one page, front and back.)

Resume

I understand if selected, I will devote the required time and pay my tuition on or before July 10, 2026

REQUIRED Application Fee - Please cut and paste link to pay

https://www.tampabaychamber.com/index.php?src=events&srctype=detail&refno=4359