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Customer service can make or break us

While local tourism rebounds, it is important that we remain mindful of the quality of our customer service.

We are grateful to each of you for always treating our visitors with appreciation and kindness. That personal touch creates return visitors year after year.

The VCB looks forward to the return of our Guests First customer service training program the first week of October. (Schedule coming soon.) This free educational program for Lee County hospitality employees offers customer-service skills training to front-line and management professionals.

Safety will be at the forefront of the Guests First training, along with training partners to set realistic expectations that achieve their customer service goals. If you have meeting space and would like to host Guests First training, please contact Nicole King-Smith at nking@leegov.com.

Reminders

No July meeting: The next Tourist Development Council (TDC) Meeting will be 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12.
Partner discount: This month, the Florida Attractions Association 2021 Annual Conference offers $150 off full conference, nonmember registration rate to all VCB partners. Make plans now to attend the conference Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at the Luminary Hotel & Co. in downtown Fort Myers.
Early bird discount @GC21: Another conference to put on your list, the annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism (GC21) will be held Sept. 8-10 at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. Discounts available through July 14.

Keep cool, have a great July and we’ll see you at TDC on Aug. 12.

Executive Director

Alaska Airlines to restart RSW flights to Los Angeles and Seattle in November

Alaska Airlines will resume its nonstop service between Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on Nov. 19. Alaska Airlines has also increased the frequency of both flights and will operate daily to LAX and SEA.

Lai receives VISIT FLORIDA appointment

John Lai, president and chief executive officer of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, was recently appointed to the VISIT FLORIDA board of directors.

The appointment is effective July 1 and runs through June 30, 2025. Lai replaces Bill Waichulis. Other Southwest Florida board members include Merry Coffman and Matthew Johnson.

The board of directors is VISIT FLORIDA's private sector governing body that provides guidance, input and insight into the evolution of its marketing programs.

Now open! Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Airport

Conveniently located off Interstate 75, Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Airport is across the street from Southwest Florida International Airport and one mile from Gulf Coast Town Center. Florida Gulf Coast University is three miles from the hotel and sandy beaches are just 10 miles way.

Opened: June 14
Rooms: 102
Address: 10400 Airkraft Court, Fort Myers
Phone: 239-208-5454
Contact: Tanya Aldana, general manager, tanya.aldana@baywoodhotels.com
Pet-friendly: Yes
Amenities: Digital key, free WiFi, free breakfast, free parking, fitness center and pool

Now open! Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cape Coral/North Fort Myers

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cape Coral/North Fort Myers is a select service hotel as part of the Marriott International Bonvoy family of hotels.

The guest rooms feature a work space desk, 55” HDTVs with in-room entertainment package, mini-refrigerators, coffee makers and microwaves. The hotel is conveniently located to downtown Cape Coral and Fort Myers and accessible to Southwest Florida’s beaches, nature preserves, Southwest Florida International Airport and Punta Gorda Airport.

Opened: June 11
Rooms: 109
Address: 1701 Old Pondella Road, Cape Coral
Phone: 239-652-0269
Contact: Devin Jarvis, general manager, devin.jarvis@marriott.com
Pet-friendly: No
Amenities: Free high-speed internet, free breakfast, fitness center and pool

Aimbridge Hospitality job fair July 27

Job fair July 27 at Courtyard Fort Myers/Cape Coral

E Awards nomination deadline July 15

Don't miss the July 15 nomination deadline for the 21st Annual Elaine McLaughlin Hospitality Service Awards.

The E Awards honor those who provide exceptional customer service to Lee County visitors and residents. We look forward to seeing you at this special celebration!

When: Thursday, Aug. 26
Where: Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St., downtown Fort Myers
Contact: Visitor Services team, 239-590-4855
Email nomination: visitorservices@leegov.com

NOMINATION FORM

Wheelchair Travel's John Morris speaks at The Business of Accessible Travel, Opportunities & Benefits Workshop

Thank you to all of the partners who attended The Business of Accessible Travel, Opportunities & Benefits Workshop on June 23 at Caloosa Sound Convention Center & Amphitheater.

Guest speaker John Morris, travel writer, advocate for individuals with disabilities and owner of Wheelchair Travel, gave partners ways to provide a positive guest experience for people with disabilities.

WHEELCHAIR TRAVEL PRESENTATION

Thank you to all the partners who attended the workshop

Preparedness guide

HURRICANE WORKSHOP VIDEO

Get your deals included on the Sun Saver Passport

Partners, please remember to add your deals on attractions, restaurants and experiences throughout our community. The Sun Saver Passport is available via mobile phones.

Sun Saver Passport by the numbers:

71 partner deals
4,920 passport downloads
358 offers redeemed

Welcome VCB Marketing Coordinator Jason Boeckman

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) welcomes Jason Boeckman as its new marketing coordinator.

Boeckman’s role will include helping to oversee website editorial content, maintenance and development. He will also assist with planning and logistics for events, such as Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and the VCB Annual Meeting, among other duties.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BOECKMAN

Songs from the Sofa features Ruthie Collins

The June 17 edition of Songs from the Sofa featured Nashville singer-songwriter Ruthie Collins. Hosted by Miriam Dotson, VCB, Songs from the Sofa is a great way to preview performers who will be part of Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Sept. 17-26.

Look for the next performance of Songs from the Sofa/Sand on July 15.

NATJA Virtual Conference includes Lee County

Sanibel Lighthouse was the setting as Miriam Dotson, VCB, gave a destination presentation to travel writers attending the 2021 North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) Virtual Conference & Marketplace, June 2-4. Dotson’s interactive tour – filmed on an iPhone by Annie Banion, VCB, – was done in collaboration with Visit St. Augustine and Visit Central Florida.

New Shellcast episode visits Dog Beach

Domestic sales activities

Rotating photos include:

(Photos 1-2) May 10-13: Global Meeting & Incentive Travel Exchange (GMITE) 2021, Betsy Bush & Jerry Terp, VCB virtually conducted one-on-one appointments with meeting and incentive event planners.
(Photos 3-4) May 17-19: HelmsBriscoe FAM, Erin Lester, VCB, conducted a three-day FAM with planners Christine Bevins, Amy Martell, Lynn Willison and Stacey Wood.
(Photo 5) May 25: American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace OnDemand, Candice Cocco, VCB, conducted one-on-one appointments with almost 30 group tour operators educating them on what our destination has to offer the motorcoach market.

SALES ACTIVITIES & UPCOMING SHOWS

International sales activities

May 20: Travel agent webinar with Spoiled Agent live from Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina with Stefanie Zinke, VCB, and Gary Lee, Pink Shell. They spoke to more than 140 travel agents in Canada. Lee shared destination insider tips and hotel facts.