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The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s weekly newsletter is your resource for news and best practices to help you navigate COVID-19 in the days and weeks ahead.

DeSantis issues Phase 2 of reopening Florida

This just in, effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 5, businesses will see further easing of restrictions as outlined in Phase 2: Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.

Read Executive Order 20-139

Apply today for LeeCares funding

Lee County Government is investing in Human & Business Services to provide immediate assistance for individuals, families and businesses. Funds are available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act federal stimulus package.

The county will close its Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) distribution site for small businesses at the end of business day on Friday, June 5 and is encouraging qualifying businesses to apply now.

Apply online or call 239-533-CARE

State approves Lee County’s second amendment to minimum standards for vacation rentals

The state approved a second amended version of Lee County’s minimum standards regarding out-of-state reservations, which is called a Vacation Rental Safety Plan.

Pursuant to Executive Order 20-123 signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 15, and effective immediately, the following amended measures are required as minimum standards for vacation rentals throughout Lee County that are accepting reservations and guests for any length of stay.

Read the Amended Safety Plan

RESTART SWFL pledges to help businesses restore consumer confidence

RESTART SWFL is an initiative by Florida Gulf Coast University's Lutgert College of Business to help small businesses re-enter the marketplace and assist with helping businesses overcome the current lack of consumer confidence.

The program includes panels for health, business and ethics for local businesses. Upon completion of two of the panels and agreeing to a pledge of principles, businesses will receive a logo/seal of confidence to display at their business and website to show they meet or exceed health standards.

April 1 Coronavirus Economic Impact Report

May 12 Follow-up Report

RESTART SWFL Panel Registration

VISIT FLORIDA's Small Business Toolkit

State Park's Phase 1 Reopening

Florida Small Business Development Council

Florida Chamber of Commerce's COVID-19 Resource Center

Plan for Florida's Recovery "Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step."

White House's Opening Up America Again

National Restaurant Association's CARES Act Guidance

Small Business Administration Relief Options

U.S. Travel's CARES Act Relief Resources

American Hotel & Lodging Association's CARES Act FAQs

Broadway Palm cooks for Meals on Wheels

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre has been dishing out entertainment for years. But most recently, it’s been dishing out meals to serve the hungry. Owner Will Prather had been donating more than 2,000 pounds of food each month to Community Cooperative. Those donations stopped after his last show closed March 15 and he had to furlough his employees. Once he received a Paycheck Protection Program loan, he brought his executive chef and two sous chefs back into the kitchen to help prepare food for Meals on Wheels. Since the pandemic, the Meals on Wheels program has grown about 20% as seniors are reluctant to leave their homes and are separated from their families. Prather calls it a “win-win” for his employees and the community.

Offshore Sailing School offers free online learn to sail course and video series

Offshore Sailing School founders Steve and Doris Colgate collaborated with the BoatUS Foundation in 2013 to create a comprehensive Online Learn to Sail Course for beginner sailors. This course offers great preparation for an on-water certification course and is a great refresher for experienced sailors, too.

To receive a special course code to access free enrollment, please complete Offshore Sailing School’s newsletter request form here. Please type in the Question textbox on the form, “request Online Learn to Sail Course code.”

While working remotely, the Colgates are busy producing a video series from their home called #DocksideChatswithSteve. The videos provide a little sailing-oriented entertainment for those who may also be staying home during the COVID-19 crisis.

The series began March 30. New episodes premiere every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on their social media channels:

Facebook: @offshoresailingschool

Instagram: @colgate_offshore_sailingschool

Twitter: @Sailing_School

YouTube: offshoresailing

Stay informed about what is happening in our core international markets and read about trends, consumer sentiment, travel trade happenings and more.

This week: Canada - download the insights

CDC's Interim Guidance for Businesses & Employers

FRLA's Critical Guidance Standards for Hospitality Reopening

AHLA's Safe Stay Initiative

AHLA's Enhanced Industry-Wide Hotel Cleaning Standards

U.S. Travel's "Travel in the New Normal"

Leading heroically and ethically in the coronavirus era

10 a.m., Tuesday, June 9

COVID-19 has changed the social contract between businesses and their customers and employees. Join SWFL experts as they discuss how to lead heroically and think about the mindset shift needed to thrive during times of unprecedented crisis management.

Hosted by RESTART SWFL: FGCU's Economic Recovery Initiative

How local businesses pivoted their business models during COVID-19
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 9
COVID-19 has changed the social contract between businesses and their customers and employees. Join SWFL experts as they discuss how to lead heroically and think about the mindset shift needed to thrive during times of unprecedented crisis management.
Hosted by Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA

Thrivability: PPP, you've got it, now what?
8:30 - 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 10
This complimentary program will feature local experts who will cover compliance and other rules associated with the Paycheck Protection Program.
Hosted by Southwest Florida Community Foundation

LODGING on Demand
Aired on May 28
LODGING Editor Kate Hughes connected with Tamara Baldanza-Dekker, chief marketing officer at Margaritaville, Gary Gray, chief investment officer at 247 Hotels, and Mark Williams, CEO of Coakley Williams Hotel Management Co., to talk about how the hotel industry is ramping back up for summer leisure travelers.
Hosted by LODGING the official publication of the American Hotel & Lodging Association

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