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The beaches of Gasparilla Island State Park, Boca Grande, Dec. 10, photo by Jackie Parker, VCB.

New year, new look, new website and more

As you can see at the top of this newsletter, the VCB is using a new logo.

Our new name Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods replaces The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. This is nearly two years in the making with input from stakeholders around the county, local residents, visitors and travelers interested in visiting our area.

The objective was to build a strong brand reflective of our destination today, boost local pride and increase our collective sense of community. For a brand to be embraced as the voice of our destination, it must be diverse and inclusive of all voices.

Most importantly, it has to be accepted by those who call it home. That’s what gives it the authenticity that residents and travelers are looking for.

Our brand messaging is built on five key pillars:

Change of pace
Commitment to nature
Connection to water
Sense of community
And, our ability to always be active

At its core, the new brand combines the fundamental need all travelers share with what Lee County naturally provides: the gift of time. More than ever, people need time to relax but also require time to actively pursue their passions with the people they love most.

Above all else, this balance is what Lee County offers.

Along with the new logo, we’re introducing a fresh color palette, cool blues and greens to connect with the nature and landscape of Lee County. Add to that bright pinks and yellows that capture the vibrant personality of the destination.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHES LATER THIS WEEK
We're putting the finishing touches on our new website, VisitFortMyers.com. Since the website is accessed 60% of the time through mobile devices, we’re taking a mobile-first approach with the look and usage. The website is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and will also include a chatbot feature to help visitors with vacation planning.

NEW VISITOR GUIDE
It’s bigger and better! Our new Visitor Guide contains expanded storytelling and larger photos that bring the destination’s beauty to the forefront. The guide will be available at our visitor information booths at Southwest Florida International Airport, trade show events and our website.

CLICK TO SEE NEW VISITOR GUIDE

NEW CAMPAIGN
On Jan. 10, we launch the fun “It’s a Good Day” marketing campaign built on the belief that it’s time for more good days and there’s one place that always delivers. We’ll encourage new and repeat visitation by highlighting our best qualities and the emotional benefits we offer.

Building on a new tourism campaign alongside the new brand helps the VCB capitalize on what travelers want now. Because life has seemingly been happening one day at a time for all of us, it’s easy to only see the bad, not the good.

Lee County has the opposite effect.

We have the opportunity to prove that we’re ready to make every day a good day.

Happy New Year to all of our industry partners. May 2022 be our very best year!

Executive Director

Learn about Lee County's all-electronic tolls

Lee County Government has produced this video to help visitors be aware of the all-electronic tolling.

Sales activities

Rotating photos include:

(Photo 1) Nov. 4-5: Greater Midwest Chapter of PCMA client event, Jerry Terp, VCB, and Megan Dunphy, Luminary Hotel & Co., attended Chicago event with approximately 75 planners.
(Photos 2-3) Nov. 8-12: IMEX America, Jerry Terp, VCB, and Marwan Haddad, The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, met one-on-one with meeting planners and hosted client events. Over 3,400 planners attended the show.
(Photos 4-6) Nov. 5-17: Eastern Travel Association Tradeshows and travel advisor events, Holly Morris, Florida Travel Marketing, promoted the destination in Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pa.

January sales events

Dates	Event	Audience	VCB representative
Jan. 8-11	American Bus Association	Group tour	Candice Coco
9-12	PCMA Convening Leaders	Meetings	Betsy Bush
12-14	Florida CVB reps	Meetings	Erin Lester
23-26	CESSE CEO Winter Meeting	Meetings	Jerry Terp
24-26	Florida Encounter	Meetings	Erin Lester
24-26	Florida Huddle	International	Jerry Terp
28-30	Travel & Adventure Show	Consumer & travel advisors	Florida Travel Marketing

Public relations activities

Rotating photos include:

(Photo 1) Dec. 7: Miriam Dotson, VCB, with Canadian writer Marina Jimenez
(Photo 2): Dec. 10: Annie Banion, VCB, with writer Elizabeth Hey of PBS Travelscope Blog and Group Travel Leader, and husband, Kevin
(Photo 3) Dec. 17: Jackie Parker, VCB, with German TV host Jürgen Drensek of "Was mit Reisen" (What to travel with)

'Gift from the Sea' writers retreat and panel discussion

The VCB, in partnership with Captiva-Chapel-by-the-Sea and the Captiva Island Historical Society, recently hosted a "Gift from the Sea" panel discussion that included Kristina Lindbergh, granddaughter of author Anne Morrow Lindbergh. A writers retreat to celebrate the impact of the book, which was published in 1955, included 10 local and national participants. Photos by Chris Tilley

Rotating photos include:

(Photo 1) Francesca Donlan, VCB, and the guest panel, Kristina Lindbergh; Anna Hodgdon and Charley, her daughter and granddaughter; Ken Sneeden and Capt. Brian Holaway.
(Photo 2) Event attendees
(Photo 3) A speaker was set up so attendees sitting outside at the chapel could hear the event.
(Photo 4) Kristina Lindbergh; Francesca Donlan, VCB; Lauren Kaufman, NJF; and Dayna Harpster, writer participant.
(Photos 5-7) Event reception
(Photo 8) Charley Hodgdon and her grandmother, Kristina Lindbergh, autograph copies of "Gift from the Sea."
(Photo 9) Writers retreat participants Melanie Payne, Dayna Harpster, Lauren Kaufman, Tonya Fitzpatrick, Cindy McCain, Kristina Lindbergh, Allison Lane, Francesca Donlan, Artis Henderson, Nancy Stetson, Anne Putnam and Shelly Rivoli
(Photo 10) Charley Hodgdon
(Photo 11) Sunset at the chapel.
(Photo 12) Writer Anne Putnam embraced the theme with a shell shave.

Santa manatee spreads holiday cheer

During the holiday season, the VCB's Visitor Services Tourism Ambassadors got a little help from a manatee dressed as Santa. The manatee greeted visitors at Southwest Florida International Airport and at Edison and Ford Winter Estates' Holiday Nights. Our thanks to Jason Glasscock, VCB, for bringing holiday smiles to so many people.

Out and about with Visitor Services Tourism Ambassadors

New flights at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) have kept the VCB's Visitor Services Tourism Ambassadors busy.

The ambassadors also continue to take familiarization trips throughout Lee County. This is a great opportunity for them to learn about the destination and help answer questions from visitors at RSW.

We want to thank our industry partners for hosting our Tourism Ambassadors!

Rotating photos include:

(Photos 1-3) Dec. 16: Visitor Services Tourism Ambassadors greet inaugural United Airlines flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
(Photos 4-5) Nov. 29 and Dec. 2: Familiarization visits to FastTrax and Manatee Park, respectively

VCB thanks Commissioner Hamman for service

At the Dec. 8 Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting, Commissioner Brian Hamman was recognized for his service from 2019 to 2021 as TDC chair. Commission Chairman Cecil Pendergrass was appointed as the new TDC chair.

PR/Communication results

1. Travel Awaits (impressions: 60,653) 12/1/21, By Tom Wuckovich
Ft. Myers's most festive event of the season happens this Saturday

Bayfront Park
Bonita Bill's
Dixie Fish Co.
Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille
Fort Myers Beach
Matanzas on the Bay
Nervous Nellie's Restaurant
Original Shrimp Dock
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
Salty Sam's Marina
Salty Sam's Pirate Cruise
Siesta Isles
Sight Sea-R Cruise

2. Fox News (impressions: 21,550,873)
2a. Trend Fool (impressions: 24,150)
2b. New York Post (impressions: 21,550,873) 12/7/21, by Perri Ormont Blumberg
The 10 best Christmas towns in America