The new Times Square Clock, Fort Myers Beach.

Take a moment to look at how far we have come

Like many of you, last week I took a moment to reflect on the past year. In the face of adversity, our tourism industry has displayed remarkable resilience. 

Together, we rolled up our sleeves and worked tirelessly to begin the work of restoring our destination. We’ve each been inspired by the spirit of unity, determination and resilience that has emerged. 

While we still have much work to do, there is no group I have more confidence in than the Lee County tourism industry. Yes, the story of our journey of recovery, rebuilding and renewal is still being written, but the natural beauty of our area and our commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for travelers remains unwavering.

Next month we will roll out our plans for the year ahead. Please join us Thursday, Nov. 9, for the Tourism Outlook Annual Meeting. It will be held at the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, from 8-11:30 a.m. 

Our keynote speaker will be “The Travel Detective” Peter Greenberg. The Emmy-award winner is travel editor for CBS News and has been a good friend to the destination. He and his crew visited before and after Hurricane Ian, putting together an episode chronicling the rebuilding taking place.

We look forward to seeing you at Annual Meeting and thank you for all you do to make the destination special.  

Lauren Hyps, national sales manager

The VCB welcomes Lauren Hyps as its new national sales manager.

Hyps will be responsible for promoting the Fort Myers’ Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods as a premier group travel and meetings destination to the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) markets in the Midwest U.S. territory.

“We are excited to welcome Lauren to our team,” said Tamara Pigott, VCB executive director. “Our visitor and meeting planner client base is strong in the Midwest and she will do a great job serving our hospitality businesses and helping us grow this segment even more.” 

As she built her career in the hospitality industry, Hyps was with VISIT Milwaukee for 15 years, most recently as associate director of sales. Before that, she worked in hotel sales for 9 years at several Milwaukee properties (The Pfister Hotel & Hyatt Regency Milwaukee). Hyps also boasts professional affiliations within the hospitality industry including MPI, PCMA and Destinations International. 

She and her husband, Gerard, live in the Milwaukee area where they are raising their three sons (Ethan, Cole & Tanner) and three boxer dogs (Rugby, Boone & Ash).

Lapi named to Florida Tourism Hall of Fame

Congratulations to Tony Lapi for being named to the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame at last month's Florida Governor's Conference on Tourism in Orlando. Lapi is president and chairman of the board of Sanibel Capitva Beach Resorts. His career in hospitality began in 1976 when he and his wife, Angie, moved from Rochester, New York, to Sanibel Island. He was part of a group that purchased 'Tween Waters Inn later that year. As general manager, Lapi was involved in extensive expansion of the property.

RSW expansion reminder

For visitors arriving at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) through the end of 2024, please remember to make them aware that the airport is undergoing a $331 million terminal modernization program to improve the passenger experience and make RSW a world-class airport.  

While we are thrilled with the exciting developments like consolidating and streamlining security checkpoints, adding concession space and providing passengers more amenities and options, this also means the airport is under construction when your visitors arrive and may run into longer wait times when they depart. For assistance, please look for our friendly Visitor Services booths located on the departure level as well as in baggage claim.

Whether here for leisure or business, we want the travel experience to be as stress free as possible.

New pickleball courts open at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa

Pickleball courts reopened at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Thursday, Sept. 28. The event included a ribbon-cutting and round-robin tournament with proceeds benefiting Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. 

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That's a wrap for Island Hopper Songwriter Fest

The sun has set on another amazing Island Hopper Songwriter Fest! Thank you to everyone who helped the VCB make this year's event a success! See you next year as we celebrate the 10th Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Sept. 20-29, 2024.

VCB brings home a Henry from Governor's Conference

The VCB took home a Henry, the top Flagler Award for Direct Marketing, at last month's Florida Governor's Conference on Tourism. The campaign was direct mail piece called "Hearts and Engagements Soar with Lee County."

Named for Henry Flagler, the Flagler Awards were established in 2000 by VISIT FLORIDA to recognize outstanding tourism marketing. Annually, the Flagler Awards honor many of the people and organizations that help maintain and improve Florida’s position as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.

Information for hurricane preparedness

Presentation links: 

• National Weather Service
• VCB presentation 
• Hurricane preparedness

If you do not currently have access to the Simpleview Extranet please contact Pam Brown or Erin Junkin. We will get you connected as soon as possible. 

It is important to access and update your information regarding emergency contacts through Simpleview Extranet for your business and generator availability. This is very important to the VCB Team who will be staffed at the Emergency Operations Center during an activation. The team receives many requests for sleeping rooms, dining, parking areas for vehicles/trailers and other unique requests.

October paid media placements

As we start FY 23/24, we have reintroduced our "always on" FY tactics, including standard digital display, audio podcast spots, paid social and native ad, and broadcast video placements. Our efforts in Q1 will largely be directed around influencing winter visitation, as well as supporting the groups/meeting business. Here is a snapshot of consumer paid media placements launching in October. 

Consumer:

• Precise TV – advanced TV
• Samsung – advanced TV
• Sojern – advanced TV
• Zeta – advanced TV
• Spotify – podcast, high-impact display
• Pandora – podcast, high-impact display
• NPR – podcast
• Dotdash Meredith – display
• Travel Desk – display, native
• Expedia – display, native
• Priceline – display
• Journera – video, display
• Shermans travel – display
• TripAdvisor – custom video hub, display, native

Sign up for the Sun Saver Passport today

We would love your Dine, Play, Shop or Sip deals! Sign up for the Sun Saver Passport today by scanning the QR code or clicking the image above. Want to learn more about the pass? Click HERE or email VCB member Vanessa Gomez at vgomez@leegov.com.

Guests First fall session registration now available

Domestic sales activities

Rotating photos include:

• (Photos 1-2) Capital CVB Reps Summer Client Event, Aug. 2: Betsy Bush, VCB, co-hosted and networked with about 260 Washington D.C.-area meeting professionals at this client event in Alexandria, Virginia.
  
  
• (Photos 3-4) Destination Southeast Show and Post-FAM, Aug. 13-17: (From left) Marwan Haddad, Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village; Erin Lester, VCB; Ani Farrell, Crowne Plaza Ft. Myers Gulf Coast; Sandra Keneven, Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village; and Tracy Ryan, Luminary Hotel & Co. at the Destination SE meeting planner show. The VCB was the destination host and the Westin was the conference host to over 200 conference attendees. Erin Lester also conducted a post-FAM of the destination for select planners and the Luminary hosted their guest rooms.
  
  
• (Photos 5-8) Connect Marketplace – Association & Corporate Shows and Client Events, Aug. 22-24: Betsy Bush and Jerry Terp, VCB, attended the association and corporate show tracts, meeting one-on-one with meeting planners and conducted two client events in Minneapolis. Over 3,000 meeting professionals attended the shows.

International sales activities

2023 Aarhus Travel Agent Dinner Event, Aug. 17: The VCB hosted an agent dinner event in Aarhus, Denmark to present updates on the destination's accommodations and attractions. Pictured: Jacob Küsch, North America product manager; Jysk Rejsebureau; Hanna Johannsson, VCB Nordic representative; and Kristoffer Eriksen, travel consultant, DANexplore. 

October sales events

Communications team activities

UK/VISIT FLORIDA press trip, Sept. 8-11: Visiting UK journalists participated in a voluntourism activity by helping in a beach cleanup with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. (From left) Amy Jones, OK! Magazine; Brooke Harrison Davies, VISIT FLORIDA's UK contractor; Meagan Dougherty Lowe, VISIT FLORIDA; Alicia Watts, Cosmopolitan UK; Annabel Illingworth, Thread Needle Media; Amanda Devlin, The Sun; and Amy Beecham, Stylist. 

Communications earned media results

Shiver me timbers! Visitor Services celebrates Talk Like a Pirate Day 

What's a pirate's favorite airport? ArrRSW, of course! Sept. 19 was Talk Like a Pirate Day and our Tourism Ambassadors and Visitor Services team had a fun time bringing the celebration to airport visitors.