Troy McLellan President & CEO Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce

In an interview with Invest:, Troy McLellan, president and CEO of the Boca Chamber, discussed the chamber’s milestones, workforce challenges, policy priorities, technological initiatives, key partnerships, and its vision for fostering sustainable growth and quality of life in the region.

What milestones has the chamber achieved in the past year or so?
The Boca Chamber is the largest chamber in Palm Beach and Broward counties in terms of membership. While our numbers fluctuate, we consistently maintain around 1,500 members. As a regional organization, our primary market encompasses South Palm Beach County, including Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and parts of North Broward, particularly Deerfield Beach, given our proximity as a border community.
Boca Raton is an attractive place to do business, and our membership base reflects that, spanning from Miami to Jupiter. However, most of our members are concentrated in South Palm Beach and North Broward counties. This robust membership highlights the strength of our business community.
Our leadership is a critical component of our success. We have some of the most accomplished business leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs serving on our board, which has helped propel us to our current position.
Most recently, about two weeks ago, the Boca Chamber was honored with the George Long Award at the Mayor’s Ball, an annual event hosted by one of Boca Raton’s Rotary Clubs. George Long was the first mayor of Boca Raton, so receiving this award was a significant and proud moment for us.

What are some of the key workforce challenges and opportunities in your community, and how are businesses and organizations addressing them?
In workforce trends, we’re seeing a gradual return to office environments, a shift mirrored nationally. Remote and hybrid work remain popular due to cost savings in areas like real estate. However, many companies are realizing the downsides: loss of connectivity, innovation, and collaboration. This has led larger employers to encourage or mandate a return to the office, and Boca Raton is no exception.
Locally, workforce dynamics pose unique challenges. Some employees, accustomed to remote work and its lifestyle, find transitioning back to in-person work complex. The Boca Chamber adapted quickly, returning to in-person operations early in the pandemic. Being together is essential for our industry and has proven effective.
Workforce housing remains a longstanding issue. While Palm Beach County passed a bond referendum to fund housing, the revenue is yet to be fully implemented. The chamber has prioritized this legislatively to ensure progress.
Affordable housing is especially critical for industries like hospitality, where wages can make living locally challenging. We are collaborating with stakeholders and officials to address these issues through infrastructure improvements, such as Brightline and Palm Tran, ensuring businesses can attract and retain talent.

What are some of the most pressing policy issues the chamber is addressing?
In Florida, we benefit from a pro-business environment, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, his cabinet, and the legislature, making it easier to promote the state as a great place for business.
At the county and local levels, we see the same attitude. County commissioners and city council members support business, and we work with them to streamline processes like permitting, which remains a top priority across the cities we serve.
While Florida and Palm Beach County offer many advantages, there’s always room for improvement. When the Business Development Board (BDB) recruits companies to the area, we ensure Boca Raton has the tools to accommodate them. Collaboration with the BDB, Discover the Palm Beaches, and other agencies is critical to our ongoing success.

What new programs or resources has the chamber introduced to help businesses leverage technology and innovation for growth?
We’re in an AI-driven world, which brings opportunities but also creates anxiety for small businesses due to the unknown. While larger corporations have IT departments, smaller businesses often lack those resources.
The Chamber plays a vital role in educating members about AI and other technologies. We host roundtables and workshops to help businesses, whether they have one or 10 employees, understand how to integrate technology effectively.
We’re evaluating specific programs for members, but in the meantime, we leverage expert members to provide actionable advice. Our goal is to help businesses boost efficiency, remain competitive, and grow through innovation.

What partnerships have significantly advanced the chamber’s role in creating connections or advancing local commerce?
The chamber’s work is guided by our four pillars: CAPE: Connecting members, Advancing commerce, Protecting business, and Enhancing the community. These principles drive our partnerships and collaborations.
I’m proud of the relationships we’ve built with local elected officials, educational institutions, and healthcare leaders. We work closely with mayors, city councils, and county commissioners in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach to ensure the business community’s voice is heard and policies align with business needs.
We maintain strong ties with Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University, and Palm Beach State College, promoting workforce development and commerce through education. Many leaders from these institutions serve on our board, fostering dialogue and collaboration.
Healthcare is another critical area. Boca Raton’s major hospital systems, Baptist Health and Tenet Healthcare, are represented on our board, creating an ecosystem where leaders work together to ensure the region thrives.

What is your vision for Boca Raton, and what role will the chamber play in shaping it?
The region’s future is bright. Boca Raton will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025, marking a century of thoughtful growth. The chamber, established in 1952, has played a significant role in shaping the city and will continue to do so.
As Boca Raton grows, the challenge is to ensure growth remains smart and sustainable. Unchecked expansion is not what the community wants. We’re focused on fostering strategic growth while maintaining the city’s exceptional quality of life.
The chamber will continue partnering with stakeholders, leveraging resources, and drawing on the community’s intellectual capital. By advancing commerce and enhancing quality of life, we aim to keep Boca Raton a vibrant place to live, work, learn, and play.

How does the collaboration between the business community and local leaders shape the overall quality of life and opportunities in the region?
I want to highlight the incredible philanthropy here. Whether it’s support for healthcare, education, or other causes, the generosity of this community is extraordinary. That philanthropy, however, is tied to a strong business community — one cannot exist without the other.
Finally, the leadership in Boca Raton is unparalleled. The best and brightest individuals across industries choose to live and work here. Their expertise, combined with the community’s resources, makes Boca Raton one of the best places to live, work, learn, and play.