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Fly fishing FAM at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, July 14.

Co-op Advertising Program rolls out Aug. 18

Here’s something we want to make sure is on your radar: The Lee County Cooperative Advertising Program rollout for 2021-22.

The program will be presented from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, in Room 118 of the Lee County Administration East Building, 2201 Second St., Fort Myers. This is a great opportunity for accommodation and attraction partners to learn more about a variety of marketing opportunities that leverage great exposure at an exceptional value.

This preview gives everyone time to plan and budget for fiscal year 2021-22 ahead of the purchase date.

The Co-op Advertising Program includes the following categories:

Digital media
Email marketing
International
Tradeshows and sales events
Travel trade
Social media
Website advertising

The co-op buy-in will open promptly at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are not already registered for the program, please do so by contacting MMGY’s Elizabeth Escribano by noon on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at eescribano@mmgyglobal.com

CO-OP RSVP

Reminders

Time change: The next Tourist Development Council meeting will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12.
Cheers to a new event: That’s right, SWFL Craft Beer Week, Sept. 2-6, is a brand-new event presented by the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce in partnership with six local breweries, other partners and the VCB.
Save the date: The VCB’s Annual Meeting is set for Tuesday, Nov. 9, at Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa. Stay tuned for start time and our very special guest speaker!

Finally, our hearts go out to the family of Brent and Kristen Jerome, who were vacationing locally when they were struck by lightning. Our gratitude goes out to the individuals and first responders who quickly rendered aid. Sadly, Brent passed away, and Kristen continues to recover. We are deeply saddened by this tragic event.

Executive Director

RSW reports record-breaking June traffic

A record-breaking 839,377 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) during June.

This increased 253% compared to June 2020 and more than 43% above June 2019. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 49% compared to last year. The traffic leader in June was Southwest Airlines, with 200,194 total passengers.

Rounding out the top five airlines were Delta (182,143), American (135,758), United (116,942) and Spirit (69,091). Southwest Florida International Airport had 7,374 aircraft operations, an increase of 91% compared to June 2020. Page Field saw 11,134 operations, a 2.2% decrease compared to June 2020.

Captiva Beach Renourishment Project

The Captiva Beach Renourishment Project is scheduled to begin Aug. 18, which means the mobilization of construction equipment could affect public parking areas on Captiva Island.

For updates on closures of Turner Beach or Alison Hagerup Beach parking lots, please follow Captiva Erosion Prevention District at www.mycepd.com or on Facebook @CaptivaErosionPreventionDistrict

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest hotel deals

Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns Sept. 17-26! Make sure your property is included on our deals listing by contacting Joan Barkowski, VCB, at jbarkowski@leegov.com to have your details added to our web and social channels.

Also, be sure to book your room now to experience the excitement firsthand. Visit islandhopperfest.com/deals or fortmyers-sanibel.com to secure your reservation.

Headliner tickets on sale now

Jimmie Allen and Michael Ray will headline Island Hopper Fest this September! Tickets are available now exclusively in the Island Hopper Fest App. Download it in the App Store or on Google Play.

Michael Ray: Sept. 23 in downtown Fort Myers at Pinchers
Jimmie Allen: Sept. 26 on Fort Myers Beach at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina

Songs from the Sand returns Aug. 19

See you at the E Awards Aug. 26

We look forward to seeing you at 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: 8 a.m. breakfast begins; 9 a.m. Awards Ceremony, Thursday, Aug. 26
Where: Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St., downtown Fort Myers
Contact: Visitor Services team, 239-590-4855

RSVP TODAY

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:

75 partner deals
5,259 passport downloads
383 offers redeemed

Welcome VCB Visitor Services Coordinator Benecia Toyloy

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) welcomes Benecia Toyloy as its new visitor services coordinator.

Toyloy’s role will include coordinating the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers who work for the VCB. She will also provide informational and support assistance to visitors arriving at Southwest Florida International Airport, as well as play an integral role in producing special events.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOYLOY

Public relations activities

Rotating photos include:

(Photos 1-2) Fly fishing FAM, July 12-15: Southwest Florida fly fishing legend Norm Zeigler met with outdoors writer Heide Brandes to discuss the sport, his books and fish at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Photos by Chris Tilley
(Photo 3) Boston Red Sox Media Event, June 25: Boston-area journalists attend Yankees-Red Sox game at Fenway Park with VCB.
(Photo 4) At Red Sox event, Timothy Leland, guest; Julie Hatfield, writer; and Francesca Donlan, VCB.
(Photo 5) Midwest Travel Journalists Association (MTJA) pre-conference site visit, June 27-29: It was too rainy to be on the water, so Capt. Brian Holaway took the tour inside McCarthy's Marina and showed Amy Weirick, Maggie LaCasse and Matthew Scotti how to cut a mango. The fall MTJA Conference is set for Oct. 17-21.
(Photo 6) MTJA and NJF destination immersion at the Bubble Room with Maggie LaCasse, NJF; Matthew Scotti, NJF; Amy Weirick, MTJA site coordinator and Weirick Communications president; Wrenda Goodwyn, Goodwyn Communications; and Annie Banion, VCB.

Domestic sales activities

Rotating photos include:

(Photos 1-3) June 28-30: HelmsBriscoe Annual Business Conference, Betsy Bush & Jerry Terp, VCB, conducted over 40 one-on-one appointments with meeting planners.
(Photos 4-5) June 29-July 1: Florida Society of Association Executives, Erin Lester, VCB, conducted two days of destination presentations as a Bronze Sponsor of this meeting planner event in Orlando.
(Photo 6) June 22: Travel Advisors of Tennessee client event, Florida Travel Marketing, on behalf of the VCB, conducted a destination presentation to about 20 travel advisors in Nashville.

SALES ACTIVITIES & UPCOMING SHOWS

Lee County VCB Length of Service Awards

Lee County VCB Length of Service Award recipients include, from left, Candice Coco, 10 years; Jason Glasscock, 5 years; Lisa Harmer, 15 years; Fran Belasco, 10 years; Nancy MacPhee, 30 years; Brian Ososky, 5 years; Simone Behr, 15 years; and, not pictured, Pamela Johnson, 25 years.