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Events pivot to keep everyone safe
It’s February and we are so fortunate that we can enjoy warm weather and sunny skies while most of the country is cold and gray.
We can still enjoy some of our most popular outdoor events this season – safely. Despite the many challenges during this pandemic, our partners have worked tirelessly to create events with abundant safety measures.
The VCB applauds these forward-thinking efforts that allow all of us to enjoy special deals and some of the most anticipated events of the year. (Scroll down to our "Save the date" section for more event info.)
It's also important that visitors explore some of our best-kept secrets. And who doesn't love a deal?
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The VCB's Sun Saver Passport allows users to find more than 50 deals (and growing!) on attractions, restaurants and experiences throughout the destination. Plus, it's free!
Since going live in November, there have been more than 2,500 passport downloads and 135 offers have been redeemed.
Partners can learn more about participating in the passport here.
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Threshold 360: The VCB has partnered with Threshold 360 to capture a free, virtual tour of your location to be used on our consumer website. It can be used in meeting presentations and by event planners.
It's easy to upload to your Google My Business Profile. So far, 152 partners in Lee County have videos.
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Please contact Jennifer Walla at jwalla@leegov.com to find out more about Threshold 360 benefits and scheduling.
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Walk on the wild side: This year, I want to spend more time enjoying the natural beauty of our area. For me this means a combination of exploring all our neighborhoods and communities and getting in as many hikes as possible. I’ll admit it is a stretch to call it a hike when you live in the Florida flatlands. However, the time I’ve spent exploring Telegraph Creek Preserve in Alva and Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve East in North Fort Myers (top photo) has been cathartic. I've also taken some amazing walks on Boca Grande and through the Dean Park neighborhood. It is amazing how much more you see when you explore on foot.
While I love the beach, there is something special about our access to so much nature. Get outside and see if it doesn't make you more appreciative of our slice of paradise. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
Have a great February!
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Tamara Pigott
VCB executive director
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ArtFest Fort Myers, Feb. 6-7
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Southwest Florida’s premier art festival will take to the streets of the River District, Feb. 6-7, as well as offer an online gallery. Executive Director Sharon McAllister and her team have put in place “Be Smart While Loving Art” safety protocols, including tickets for timed entry to control the crowd size and facilitate social distancing. Masks and credit and debit card transactions will also be the norm.
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2021 Virtual Sanibel Shell Show, March 5-6
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With the motto “The Shell Show Must Go On” the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club prepares to host the Virtual 2021 Sanibel Shell Show, March 5-6. Event Chair Clair Beckmann and her team are making this virtual show interactive. Viewers will have the chance to vote for the Best Shell Photo, win hourly door prizes and learn how to create DIY shell projects.
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Southwest Florida Reading Festival, March 1-13
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The Southwest Florida Reading Festival will be a free, virtual event March 1-13 and include live events with authors who write for adults, teens and children. Produced by the Lee County Library System, the festival will offer online S.T.E.A.M. contests featuring Lego building, a reading challenge and festival bingo. Grab & Go Festival Craft Kits will include a free book for kids and teens.
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Tourist Development Council (TDC) meetings are held at the Lee County Admin East Building, 2201 Second St., Room 118, Fort Myers.
Agenda: Available one week before meeting
Wear a mask: To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we respectfully ask that all attendees follow CDC guidelines including wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines.
Watch live: There will also be a live stream of the TDC meeting on Lee TV.
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VCB-produced video helps Fort Myers win Frontier Airlines Warm Weather Destination contest
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Frontier Airlines voters named Fort Myers the top warm weather destination of 2021. Fort Myers took top honors in an online vote conducted over a two-week period in January.
Tyri Squyres, Frontier's vice president of marketing, said the VCB-produced video captured "stunning beaches, outstanding dining options and fun vacation vibe, it's no wonder Fort Myers took the top spot."
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Beach & Shoreline funding request cycle is open
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The application request cycle for the VCB’s Beach & Shoreline program is open. The deadline to request fiscal year 2021-22 funding is Feb. 27.
In fiscal year 2020-21, the Beach & Shoreline program funded $9.1 million dollars in projects, including beach nourishment, maintenance erosion control, emergency beach cleanup.
Funding is provided through the Tourist Development Council with final approval from the Lee Board of County Commissioners.
Recently completed projects include:
- Restroom facilities at Tarpon Bay Beach on Sanibel and Cayo Costa State Park
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The new kayak landing at the Matanzas Preserve complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act access guidelines.
- Boardwalks at Matanzas Pass Preserve
- Dune walkovers on Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach and Gasparilla Island State Park
For more information visit leevcb.com/funding-programs/beach-and-shoreline.
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Customer service: Soft skills will help us succeed
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Together we are rebuilding our businesses, our community and the tourism industry.
As we navigate into 2021, it’s safe to say that five-star customer experiences will include soft skills. Think kindness, empathy, resilience and ethical behavior.
According to “The Importance of Soft Skills in a Post-Pandemic World” in Forbes, these skills will be in high demand.
Four strategies that can assist with soft skills include:
- Admit to the journey
- Avoid knee-jerk reactions
- Take responsibility and apologize
- Commit
The article went on to say, “Organizations need to be more systematic in the development of soft skills across the workplace (including among leaders) to help build communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.”
The VCB looks forward to working with our industry partners to help them achieve this shift in perspective.
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PCMA Convening Leaders, Jan. 11-15: Betsy Bush, VCB, with meeting planners on a virtual networking event.
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GPS Impactful Events Midwest, Dec.9: Jerry Terp, VCB, conducted one-on-one virtual appointments with 19 meeting planners.
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January virtual meeting planner shows attended
Jan. 11-15: Betsy Bush, PCMA Convening Leaders
Jan. 21: Jerry Terp, Smart Meetings National Smart Start Show
Upcoming virtual shows
Feb.10-11: Jennifer Walla, Travalliance Virtual Wedding Expo
Feb. 23: Erin Lester, Northstar INTERACT Back To Booking
Feb. 24-25: Jerry Terp, Luxury Meetings ITME World Expo
Feb. 25: Betsy Bush, Smart Meetings National Smart Start Show
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Southern Living, Jan. 9-13: The magazine's in-destination photo shoot to feature some islands in spring issue (and maybe some local dogs).
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Coverage resulting from 'A Shell of a Problem' virtual book club exceeds 1.6 million views
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Travel goods for today: Travel comes home
- Fort Myers
- Sanibel
- The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
As a result of our recent virtual book club outreach and work with journalist Kathy Witt, she featured the destination and "A Shell of a Problem: A Sanibel Island Mystery" by Jennifer L. Schiff on Tribune News Service which syndicated her story to several publications, including:
- The Sacramento Bee (UVM: 1,269,434)
- Indiana Gazette (UVM: 21,640)
- Finger Lakes Times (UVM: 37,333)
- Decatur Daily (UVM: 193,091)
- Bellingham Herald (UVM: 119,106)
- News Bug (UVM: 16,320)
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Jan. 8: Travel + Leisure (UVM 3,168,640, also syndicated to MSN - UVM 43,192,260)
Best places to travel in February
Dec. 30: Thrillist (UVM 4,358,065)
The laid-back “anti-Florida” is the ideal winter escape
- American Legion Post 123
- Blind Pass Beach
- Boca Grande
- Bowman’s Beach
- Cabbage Key
- Cabbage Key Inn
- Captiva
- Captiva Cruises
- Causeway Islands Park
- Cayo Costa State Park
- Fort Myers
- Gramma Dot’s Restaurant
- J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham
- Sanibel Deli
- Sanibel Island
- Sanibel Island Beach Resort
- South Seas Island Resort
- The Mad Hatter
- The Mucky Duck
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2201 Second Street, Suite 600
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Toll Free 800.237.6444 | Local 239.338.3500
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