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The 36th annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade is set for 6-9 p.m. Dec. 7.

Holiday season begins with packed schedule of events

This is one of the most beautiful times of the year to be a part of the Fort Myers area. Every neighborhood, attraction and accommodation sparkles with the joy that the season brings. Get your calendar out now and begin planning so you don’t miss our traditional events and a few new ones.

Lee County Parks & Recreation holiday events
Cocoa with Claus, North Fort Myers Recreation Center, North Fort Myers
6-8 p.m., Dec. 13
Celebrate with Mr. Claus and his crew with cookie decorating, hot cocoa and a photo. Free.

Holiday Express Train, Lakes Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers
10 a.m.-2 p.m.; 6.- 9 p.m., Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 13 through Dec. 30
Ride on the Holiday Express as the Train Village route transforms into a dazzling display of holiday decorations and lighting. Free for ages 1-5 and $6 for ages 6 and up. Closed Christmas Day. leeparks.org/lakespark

Winter Wonderland, Veterans Park, Lehigh Acres
10 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 14
Holiday crafts, letters to Santa, photo booths, reindeer games and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos. Each child will receive a gift. Hot chocolate, cookie treats and a tree lighting will end the celebration. Admission is $5 per child ages 1-11. Pre-register at leeparks.org/register.

Events throughout Lee County
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers
Main Theatre: “A Christmas Carol, the Musical,” through Dec. 25
Off Broadway Palm: “Another Night Before Christmas,” through Dec. 25
Children’s Theatre: “The Elves and the Shoemaker,” Dec. 3-24
broadwaypalm.com

49th Annual Holiday Nights Celebration, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
Through Dec. 23, Dec. 26-Jan. 5, 2025
edisonfordwinterestates.org

Holiday House Christmas Stroll, downtown Fort Myers
“Christmas Stories through the Eyes of a Child”
Continuing through Dec. 31
fmwcc.net/house

Holiday in the Park, downtown Bonita Springs
Dec. 3
cityofbonitasprings.org

Festival of Trees, downtown Fort Myers
Dec. 5-8
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
fortmyersfestivaloftrees.com

Holiday Luminary Stroll on Sanibel and Captiva islands
Dec. 6-7
Sanibel (Dec. 6) and Captiva (Dec. 7) islands
13-month celebration of Sanibel’s 50th anniversary
sanibel-captiva.org/50th-anniversary

Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 7
Check website for viewing locations
fortmyersbeach.org/events/christmas-boat-parade-2024

Boca Grande Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 8
bocagrandewomansclub.org/events/boca-grande-annual-christmas-tree-lighting

Southwest Florida Symphony
Holiday Pops program
Dec. 9 at Shell Point’s Tribby Arts Center, Fort Myers
Dec. 11 at Faith Presbyterian Church, Cape Coral
swflso.org/concerts

Arts Bonita, Nashville Christmas: The Ultimate Holiday Concert, Bonita Springs
Dec. 12
Performing Arts Center, Moe Auditorium & Film Center, Bonita Springs
artsbonita.org/single-event/nashville-christmas-martin

Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade
Dec. 14
Baywater Boat Club
tinyurl.com/bonitaboat

Cape Coral Holiday Boat-a-Long and Christmas Movie
Dec. 21
Four Freedoms Park
tinyurl.com/capecoralboatalong

Santa’s Dolphin and Wildlife and Christmas Eve Sunset Cruise
Adventures in Paradise
Dec. 24 (check times)
adventureinparadiseinc.com/cruises/holiday-cruises

Support local
As you work to finish your holiday shopping list, please remember to shop local. Visiting our shops, attractions and restaurants, along with supporting our artists and their galleries, offers lots of unique gift ideas. It makes us all part of the growth of our community and enriches our unique neighborhoods. Maybe a gift card to a favorite restaurant, tickets to a local theatre or a favorite shop or a membership for a museum or an attraction.

From all of us here at the VCB, we want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and thank you for all you do to make our destination a very special place.

 
Executive Director
 
 

 

Lee County News

2024 VCB Annual Meeting recap

Our 2024 VCB Annual Meeting is in the books and we thank those who attended last week. Please visit our Annual Meeting Recap page for the full Sales & Marketing Plan, videos shared during the presentation, photos and more.


We would also love to hear about your experience whether you decided to attend or not. The survey below is brief and will be used to make future Annual Meetings better than ever.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK

Thank you, and we hope to see you next year at the 2025 Annual Meeting!

For more Annual Meeting photos, visit Facebook @leevcb

Hotel partners: Register now for Emergency Lodging Assistance Program

FEMA has activated lodging assistance for Lee County and only hotels that are registered can participate. 

There are currently over 500 residents in need of lodging. 

The Emergency Lodging Assistance Program (ELA) is administered by CLC Lodging on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

For more information on the FEMA CLC Program visit https://ela.corplodging.com/faq.php or 
email femahousing@clclodging.com or call 866-545-9865.

REGISTER FOR EMERGENCY LODGING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

If you're an industry partner and would like to be considered for a VCB Partner Spotlight, please contact Ray Sarracino, VCB communications director, at rsarracino@leegov.com

Add your deal to the VCB's new Calusa Blueway Challenge

If your business is located along the nearly 200-mile Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, post a deal in the Calusa Blueway Challenge. This gamified passport is a collaboration between Lee County Parks & Recreation and the VCB, and is part of a yearlong celebration of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail's 20th anniversary.
 
How it works: The Calusa Blueway Challenge will offer points for check-ins at attractions and businesses along the trail. Points collected can be exchanged for prizes, provided by the VCB. Those who complete the challenge will be entered to win a grand prize of a standup paddleboard or overnight stay in the destination.

Launch date: The Challenge continues through February 2025.
 
It's free: As a valued partner of the VCB, there is no cost for your business to participate.

Questions: Contact the VCB's Alison Giesen at agiesen@leegov.com to learn more.

CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR DEAL

Threshold 360 offers free filming of your business

Have you taken advantage of Threshold 360's free filming for industry partners? Don't miss out on this amazing, free opportunity for your tourism business.

Questions? Contact the VCB's Jennifer Walla at jwalla@leegov.com.

In partnership with the VCB, Threshold 360's videos can be used to promote your business in the following ways:

  • Uploaded to your Google My Business page
  • Sent to potential visitors and clients
  • Used in presentations or group proposals
  • Added to your listing on VisitFortMyers.com

VCB's Performance Dashboard 

Explore the Symphony dashboard, developed by the VCB, in partnership with Tourism Economics. The dashboard combines all our destination data sources to make data insights more user-friendly and interactive.

Key insights: 

  • Canada was the top international market for October 2024 with an average length of stay for Canadian visitors at 5.8 days. Toronto remains the top Canadian origin market. Source: Near

  • Domestic Visitation from the 500+ mile radius for October 2024 was 57% of visitors, a 14.2% increase compared to October 2023 indicating a return of fly-market visitation. Source: Near

  • Destination website sessions increased by 254% for October, compared to October 2023, with 64% of all sessions being from mobile and 31% from desktop. Source: Google Analytics

  • Average length of stay in October 2024 was 3.1 days, with 81.4% of stays including an overnight, average overnight visitation was up nearly a whole day compared to October 2023. Source: Near

December paid media placements

We're wrapping up our Q1 FY24/25 efforts, continuing to drive winter visitation and support groups/meeting efforts. Here is a snapshot of our paid media placements launching in December. 

Consumer:

  • Florida Turnpike brochure distribution print
  • TravelDesk – display
  • VISIT FLORIDA – full page

Meetings, weddings, travel trade:

  • Florida Trend – print
  • Prevue – group
  • Wellness Travel – display, email
  • Meetings Today – eNewsletter
  • Northstar AGENEatHOME – email
  • Recommend – email
  • The Knot – social

Guests First classes available online and in-person

Domestic sales activities

Rotating photos include:

  • (Photos 1-2) IMEX America, Las Vegas, Oct. 8-10: Lauren Hyps, VCB, conducted appointments and connected with meeting planners and professionals. The event drew a record 15,500 attendees, including 5,500 buyers, and featured networking opportunities like SITE NITE at IMEX.

  • (Photo 3-4) SITE Milwaukee Client Event, Oct. 17: Lauren Hyps, VCB, met and liaised with Midwest meeting planners.

  • (Photo 5-6) Retreat Resources Classic Southeast Roadshow, Oct. 21-25: Erin Lester, VCB, engaged with planners from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia during shows in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greenville, and Atlanta, which drew approximately 160 meeting professionals.

International sales activities

Rotating photos include:

  • (Photos 1-2) Germany VISIT FLORIDA Roadshow, Oct. 7-11: Nadia Bourgault joined Florida representatives on a five-city tour to connect with travel advisors and showcase Florida’s latest highlights.

  • (Photo 3) National Women’s Show, Oct. 19-20: Jeanette Faria, VCB Canada, participated in the two-day consumer show in Ottawa to promote the destination and the new and existing flights for winter with Porter Airlines and WestJet.

  • (Photo 4) Visit USA Halloween Workshop, Oct. 26: Nadia Bourgault represented the VCB, leading 30-minute workshops at Germany's largest U.S. travel trade training event, attended by over 110 agents and operators. Pictured: Lena Schambach (Bradenton Gulf Islands), Katharina von Bremen (Visit Tampa Bay), and Nadia Bourgault (VCB Germany).

December sales events

New Shellcast episode: What is inside the Sanibel time capsule?

Communications team activities

VISIT FLORIDA Colombia press trip, Nov. 4-7: 5 Colombian journalists representing El Heraldo, RCN Digital, El Espectador, Pulzo and La Republica experienced many parts of the destination. Thank you to the industry partners involved with their press trip, including:

  • Dixie Fish
  • Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina
  • Bongo's Bar & Grill
  • Jack's Restaurant
  • Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
  • 'Tween Water Island Resort & Spa
  • Crow's Nest Steakhouse
  • The Shipyard
  • Edison and Ford Winter Estates
  • Luminary Hotel & Co. 
  • Oxbow Bar & Grill
  • Bay Street Yard
  • Farmers Market Restaurant
  • Ford's Garage
  • Fort Myers Mural Society

Germany press trip, Nov. 12-19: 5 German journalists representing Funke Medien, Augsburger Allgemeine, Schwabische Zeitung, Weekly Rhein and Saabrucker Zeitung saw many destination highlights, including a visit with fellow German Elke Podlasek, co-owner of Wickie Lighthouse and The Magic Bus Caffeine & Creamery on Sanibel. Thank you to the following industry partners:

  • Discover Airlines
  • Dolphin Transportation
  • Banyan Hotel Fort Myers, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
  • Ford's Garage
  • Veranda Restaurant
  • Dixie Fish
  • Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium
  • Snug Harbor
  • Mainstay, North Captiva
  • Margaritaville Beach Resort, Fort Myers Beach
  • Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
  • Backyard Social
  • Miromar Outlets
  • Artisan Eatery
  • 810 Billiards & Bowling
  • Adventures in Paradise
  • Adventure Sea Kayak & SUP
  • Point Ybel Brewing Co. 

Communications earned media results

Visitor Services activities

Rotating photos include:

  • (Panel 1) Halloween at RSW: Our Tourism Ambassadors celebrated Halloween at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) by decorating pumpkins for Pumpkin Palooza! Facebook and the RSW traveling public voted for the manatee pumpkin as the winner.

  • (Panels 2-3) Where in Southwest Florida have our Tourism Ambassadors been? They have taken familiarization tours to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Miromar Outlets and Lakes Park. A big thank you to the destination industry partners for rolling out the welcome mat for our volunteers.

  • (Panel 4) Sports events: In partnership with Lee County Sports Development, our volunteer Tourism Ambassadors assisted at the Parasail Operators Symposium and Roy Hobbs World Series.

  • (Panel 5) Fort Myers Brewing Co. opening at RSW: Our Tourism Ambassadors experienced the brand new Fort Myers Brewing Co. bar and restaurant at RSW. This new addition is in partnership with HMSHost. Stop by next time you’re flying in or out of Concourse D.

  • (Panel 6) 4,500 hours milestone: We celebrated Heide’s milestone of 4,500 hours with our Tourism Ambassador program. Thank you for your service and congratulations, Heide!

VCB in the community

Career Day at Ray V. Porttorf Elementary School gave the VCB's Annie Banion and Crystal Wanke the opportunity to share information about jobs in the hospitality industry and talk about the importance of tourism to our economy. These third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students asked a lot of questions and were encouraged to be tourists in their own neighborhoods. 

Edison and Ford Winter Estates Holiday Nights, through Jan. 5  

FISH of Sanibel Captiva, Dec. 6-7

NEXT TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING 9 A.M. DEC. 12
Chambers of Commerce
BOCA GRANDE
CAPE CORAL
EAST LEE COUNTY
GREATER ESTERO
FORT MYERS BEACH
GREATER FORT MYERS
GREATER PINE ISLAND
NORTH FORT MYERS
SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS
SWFL INC.
2024-25 VISITOR GUIDE
WEBCAMS THROUGHOUT LEE COUNTY
WHAT'S NEW IN THE DESTINATION IN DECEMBER
INDUSTRY PARTNER NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
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