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The boardwalk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

VCB photo

Working together to build a place to visit, live and work

As my tourism colleague, Maura Gast, once said: “If you build a place people want to visit, you build a place where people want to live. If you build a place where people want to live, you’ll build a place where people want to work. If you build a place where people want to work, you build a place where business needs to be. If you build a place where business has to be, you’ll build a place where people have to visit.”

This is something to keep in mind as we move forward in our effort to provide you with opportunities for growth.


AUG. 3 - CO-OP ADVERTISING PROGRAM

We’re only a few days away from the Aug. 3 Co-op Advertising Program rollout for 2022-23. We want to make sure you’re taking advantage of this opportunity.

What: The VCB extends the vast reach of its media plan through a Cooperative Advertising Program. It offers industry partners a wide variety of promotional opportunities that leverage great exposure at an exceptional value. 

When: The program will be presented from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, in Room 118 of the Lee County Administration East Building, 2201 Second St., Fort Myers.

REGISTER FOR CO-OP ADVERTISING PROGRAM

Why industry partners should participate: This is a great opportunity for accommodation and attraction partners to learn more about a variety of marketing opportunities. This preview gives everyone time to plan and budget for fiscal year 2022-23, ahead of the purchase date.

The Co-op Advertising Program includes:

  • 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. Thursday, Aug. 18, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are not already registered for the program, please do so by contacting MMGY’s Joshua Lambert by noon on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at jlambert@mmgy.com.


AUG. 11 - STRATEGIC PLAN PRESENTATION

On Aug. 11, we will present to the Tourist Development Council the final version of our Destination Strategic Plan. Upon approval, this plan will guide the work of the VCB over the next five years.

The intent is to be good stewards of both our data-led tourism efforts and the quality of life of our community. This will be built around three main areas of focus:

  1. Optimizing the positive impacts of our visitor economy
  2. Placemaking
  3. Destination adaptability


NOV. 10 - PETER GREENBERG JOINS ANNUAL MEETING

That’s right! Multiple-Emmy award winner Peter Greenberg will be our very special guest at the Tourism Outlook Annual Meeting on Thursday, Nov. 10, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. Known in the travel industry as “The Travel Detective,” Greenberg is the travel editor for CBS News and appears frequently on “CBS This Morning.”

Join us at the Annual Meeting as we share results and highlights from 2022 and reveal our new 2022-23 sales and marketing plans.

Registration will open closer to the event date.

The VCB is eager to continue building relationships and continued growth, right along with you. Have a great August and thank you for all you do to promote tourism and hospitality here in Lee County.

 
Executive Director
 
 

 

Industry Partner News

Wells appointed to VISIT FLORIDA board of directors

Congratulations to Robert "Rob" Wells III, president of Cabbage Key and Tarpon Lodge, for being recently appointed to the VISIT FLORIDA board of directors. 

Wells also serves as vice chair of the Lee County Tourist Development Council.

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.

The board, which is appointed by Enterprise Florida, Inc., in conjunction with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, is comprised of representative from key sectors of the tourism industry and is balanced geographically throughout the state. 

His term runs through June 30, 2026. 

Lee County is also represented on the board by John Lai, second vice chair. Lai is president and CEO of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.

Offshore Sailing School's Doris Colgate inducted
into 2022 National Sailing Hall of Fame

Doris Colgate, president and CEO of Offshore Sailing School

The National Sailing Hall of Fame’s (NSHOF) Class of 2022 inductees includes Offshore Sailing School President and CEO, Doris Colgate, who resides in Fort Myers, Florida, where the company headquarters is located. Colgate joins 12 other sailors who have had significant impact in the sailing industry.

“This year’s inductees exemplify innovation, virtuous competition, and are exceptional sources of inspiration for the young and old in the sport of sailing,” said Gus Carlson, President of the National Sailing Hall of Fame. “We are proud to honor their accomplishments and welcome them into the Hall of Fame.” The members of the Class of 2022 join 101 current National Sailing Hall of Famers, all of whom are featured in the Legends of Sailing exhibition at The Sailing Museum, which recently opened in Newport, R.I. 2022 marks the 12th year of annual induction to the National Sailing Hall of Fame.

Doris Colgate’s interest in sailing began in the advertising department of Yachting Magazine in New York City. Colgate went on to found the National Women’s Sailing Association and the Women’s Sailing Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the lives of women and girls through education and access to the sport of sailing. Colgate authored SAILING: A Woman’s Guide, published in 1999 by International Marine/McGraw Hill. OFFSHORE High debuted in October 2021. The biography about the Colgates and Offshore Sailing School was written by Herb McCormick. Colgate has received numerous sailing industry, business, and tourism awards, and has served on nearly every sailing industry organization’s Board of Directors.

NSHOF inductees were nominated by sailors from across the United States. Nominees must have made a sustained and significant impact on the growth and development of the sport in the United States at a national or international level.

Dixie Live to host bartender, waitstaff training event Aug. 30

The "Upselling Local Craft Beers" course will teach craft brewers, bartenders and waitstaff how to help increase sales. The class is being conducted in partnership with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) and will be taught by craft beer specialists from both J.J. Taylor and Suncoast Beverage. The event will include tastings, sales techniques and discussions with local brewers. The class is free and is presented for people working in the industry. 

WHEN: Tues., Aug. 30, 1 p.m.
WHERE: DIXIE LIVE
1015 SE 47th Terr., Cape Coral

swflcraftbeerweek.com

In the news

Lee County News

Welcome VCB Market Intelligence Analyst Dr. Roberta Atzori

In this new role, Dr. Roberta Atzori will provide strategic analysis and insights regarding Lee County’s tourism performance.

This is a specialized research position to provide data analysis to guide budget spend and business decisions promoting the area as a visitor destination.

Atzori earned her Ph.D. in hospitality management at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Prior to joining the VCB, Atzori was a professor of hospitality and tourism management for 10 years. She has consulted for several hospitality companies, government entities and non-profit organizations, and has spoken at numerous international conferences throughout the world.

A native of Sardinia, an island off the coast of Italy. She speaks Italian, Spanish and English fluently.

GET TO KNOW DR. ROBERTA ATZORI

What is your go-to restaurant in Lee County?

I am very new to Lee County and still exploring all the amazing places our beautiful county has to offer. But I fell in love with a little restaurant called South Beach Bar & Grille located right on the beach by Gasparilla Island State Park in Boca Grande.

What are three interesting facts someone might be surprised to learn about you?

  • I've been told I make the best pasta carbonara.
  • I love Florida’s summer heat.
  • I once sang in front of 50,000 people at a soccer stadium in Germany

Walk on the beach or hike (by Florida standards) in the woods?

Walk on the beach. As an island girl, nothing makes me happier than feeling the warm sand under my feet along with a fresh breeze.

Updates from the Performance Dashboard

The VCB's new Industry Insights Dashboard provides our partners with the latest Lee County-specific travel data. Partners can use this information to make informed marketing decisions, resource planning, revenue forecasting and more. 

This month's insights:

  • Overall demand for out-of-state travel is expected to increase by approximately 2% from June to July. Top out-of-state markets are expected to be New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Cleveland. There is an increase in visitation from more northern markets as the temperature shifts. Markets like Washington, D.C.; Minneapolis / St. Paul; Detroit and Lexington have less visitation representation as the weather warms up in their markets. Source: Arrivalist's dashboards and insights, comparing trips per month and top origin markets
  • Average booking lead times for flights increased by 4% month over month, sitting at 54 days for June travel, while hotel booking windows saw compression from 67 days in May to 58 days in June. Based on previous years, hotels consistently continue to be booked further out by approximately 1.5 weeks. Source: Sojern Average Lead Time in Days, Flights and Hotels data
  • ADR continues to have a strong performance in June with vacation-rental ADR up 12% and hotel ADR up 3% over 2021. Occupancy continues to drop compared to 2021, with vacation-rental occupancy down 20% and hotel occupancy down 10% in June compared to the previous year. Source: STR monthly report for hotel data and KeyData for vacation-rental data

Hurricane preparedness resources

Lee County's All Hazards Guide is a great resource to help prepare your family and loved ones on how to stay safe during an emergency. It's packed with useful information about emergency supplies, evacuation plans and ways to stay safe. Click on the image to get your copy.

Click the links below to watch helpful videos with practical advice on family safety during an emergency.

Videos: Determine your risk

Develop an Evacuation Plan

CATALOG OF HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS VIDEOS

Try the Fort Myers Discovery Challenge today

Explore Fort Myers and surrounding areas to discover the arts and cultural attractions that make our islands, beaches and neighborhoods naturally unique. Embark on a guided tour of the Mound House that overlooks Estero Bay or walk the Calusa Heritage Trail on Pine Island. From our nationally recognized shell museum on Sanibel Island to the funky art galleries of Matlacha, there are so many ways to have a good day. Using your phone, check in to each location and you could find exclusive savings and deals.

The challenge ends December 20, 2022!

Sales activities

Rotating photos include:

  • (Photo 1) June 1-4: Fraternity Executives Association Annual Meeting, Candice Cocco (VCB) with a fraternal meeting planner in her trade show booth in Norfolk, Va. 
  • (Photo 2) June 5-8: PCMA EduCon, Betsy Bush (VCB) with a meeting planner on their way to a networking event in New Orleans.
  • (Photo 3) June 6-10: Chicago Travel Agency Sales Calls, Pictured is one of 60 travel advisors to whom Holly Morris (FTM) promoted the destination in the greater Chicago area.
  • (Photo 4) June 14-17: Tallahassee Client Event & Sales Calls, Erin Lester (VCB), Grant Hart (Luminary Hotel) and Sandra Keneven (Westin Cape Coral) hosted a client event and made sales calls to meeting planners from Florida associations in Tallahassee.
  • (Photos 5 & 6) June 23-25: Travel Advisors of the Mid-South (TAMS), Shelley Crant (FTM) and Jennifer Walla (VCB) co-hosted a client dinner and promoted the destination at a trade show to over 100 travel advisors throughout the Midwest and South in Franklin, Tenn.

Upcoming sales events

Global Sales

May 31st - June 3rd: Destination Education Experience, Jeanette Faria VoX Canada, Katie Varano MMGY Global, Zeeshan Rashid Four Communications UK, Nadia Bourgault GCE Germany, Samantha Ballin MMGY NJF, Diana Piktel MMGY NJF, Lisa Wilson Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

Guests First

July 14: Dr. Nicole King, VCB Training & Development Manager participated in the Summer Reading program at the NW Regional Library in Cape Coral. The theme of the reading event was to showcase tourism and how it plays a role in the community.

Marketing

July 12: VCB Marketing Director Brian Ososky presented at the Florida Public Relations Association Southwest Florida Chapter’s monthly meeting. He spoke about the challenges and opportunities associated with organizational rebranding efforts. The event was held at Dave & Buster’s at Bell Tower Shops.

PR/Communications

June 21: FOX Weather reporter Brandy Campbell, left, interviews Dr. Jose Leal, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum Science Director during a segment commemorating National Seashell Day recorded June 21 and broadcast nationally. 

June 23: London-based travel journalist Lauren Jarvis, Craig McMicken, left, and Chris Joshua aboard the Nautical Tiki cruise on the Caloosahatchee River during a FAM tour.

Public relations/communications earned media results

Celebrate outstanding hospitality with us

You are invited to join the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau in celebrating the 2022 Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards (the E Awards). Show your support for our nominees who will be recognized for their extraordinary customer service and professionalism.

The E Awards will be held on Thursday, September 8th at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. and the awards ceremony will begin at 9 a.m.

Please RSVP by August 30 at EAwards.org or by calling 239-590-4855. Nominees attend as our guests. Supporters are $25 per person.

E Awards
When: 8-11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8th
Where: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs

2022 TDC meeting schedule

Red tide resources

Local

LEE COUNTY WATER QUALITY RESOURCES
RED TIDE FACT SHEET

State

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION DAILY RED TIDE SAMPLE MAP
FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION RED TIDE FAQS
RED TIDE RESPIRATORY FORECAST TOOL
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.
   

2201 Second Street, Suite 600
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Toll Free 800.237.6444  |  Local 239.338.3500

Copyright © 2022 Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau
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