Matanzas Pass, Fort Myers Beach

Sales & Marketing Meetings return April 21-22 with TripAdvisor insights and industry updates

The VCB's Sales & Marketing Meetings return April 21-22. Join us for a forward-looking session focused on driving summer demand, market trends and how to position your business for the months ahead. There's even time to connect with fellow hospitality partners and the VCB team.  

And we will open the floor for a chance to share feedback, challenges and ideas that will shape our collective efforts as we move forward. 

In addition, guest speaker, Carol Johnson, senior client principal partner at TripAdvisor, will discuss valuable tips to enhance TripAdvisor presence, manage reviews and maximize ROI.

Both sessions include:

• 8 a.m. continental breakfast
• 8:30 a.m. VCB updates
• 9-10 a.m. Remarks from Carol Johnson of TripAdvisor  

NEW TV SPOTS

We have added two new 15-second spots to the Just Feels Right campaign to keep the messaging fresh and expand audience appeal. In these videos, the storytelling is from the lens of a multi-gen family and a pet-loving couple.

NATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK, MAY 3-9
Join us May 3-9 as we celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW) and the tourism and hospitality industry’s impact on Lee County.

We invite you to participate in the following ways as we recognize the industry that fuels opportunity and connects us all.

Tourism Tidbits: We want to see how you are celebrating NTTW!

Send us a 15- to 30-second video showing how you plan to celebrate OR get inspired by these questions:

• How does tourism benefit your business?
• How does tourism benefit your staff?
• How does tourism benefit your community?
  
  

April 21 (unless you're already booked for our Sales & Marketing Meeting on the same day): Join the VCB at 9:30 a.m. at the Lee Board of County Commissioners Meeting for the proclamation reading to officially make May 3-9 National Travel & Tourism Week.

Light Up Lee, May 3-9: Shine blue lights on your building in support of NTTW. Share a photo of your shining lights to Miriam Dotson, VCB communications manager, at mdotson@leegov.com. When sharing on social media, don’t forget to use the hashtag #NTTW26 and tag us @LeeCountyVCB. 

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) shined blue lights on the control tower in 2024. 

VISIT FLORIDA PRESIDENT & CEO TO SPEAK AT TDC
The April 9 Tourist Development Council meeting will include a special guest presentation from Bryan Griffin, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, offering perspective on statewide tourism trends, opportunities and the direction of Florida’s tourism marketing efforts.

Thank you for all you do to make tourism such a vibrant part of Lee County's economy. Have a wonderful April. 

Sign up now to plant your adopted mangroves, April 27, 29 or May 1, in their forever homes

If you adopted a mangrove at our Annual Meeting back in November, it’s time for the next exciting step — planting it in its forever home.

NEW Kind Traveler introduces Every Stay / Adventure Gives Back in Fort Myers

The VCB is excited to introduce Every Stay / Adventure Gives Back. In partnership with Kind Traveler, a socially conscious booking platform that gives back to the community, participating partners contribute a set amount per booking to a designated local nonprofit – turning every tour, excursion or experience into a force for kindness. 

Adventure operators & experience providers are encouraged to join Kind Traveler’s Every Stay / Adventure Gives Back program to showcase your property’s commitment to Lee County’s future.

To join, contact the VCB's Nancy MacPhee, destination development manager, at nmacphee@leegov.com

As part of the program, your property will be featured on this landing page. 

Congratulations to Sanibel Rec Center & VCB for earning Certified Guest Service Property designation

The City of Sanibel Recreation Center and the Lee County VCB were recognized at the March 12 Tourist Development Council meeting for earning the Certified Guest Service Property designation. This prestigious recognition is awarded to organizations whose front-line employees have completed the Guests First Training Program and achieved their Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) certification.  

Through its continued partnership with the American Hotel Lodging Education Institute, the VCB is helping elevate service excellence across Lee County. Interested in bringing this nationally recognized certification to your team? Contact Guestsfirst@leegov.com

News items & updates

• South Seas joint venture acquires 22-acre Rauschenberg property on Captiva
• Matlacha Community Center reopens after storm damage
• Slipaway adds coffee, breakfast cart to lineup
• By the Sea condos break ground on final Sanibel building
• Captiva's Mucky Duck reopens after hurricane repairs
• Legacy Harbour Marina to reopen in May after $15M renovation
• Pirate ship to celebrate 20 years
• Fort Myers Beach conducting survey on water taxis
• Anarchy Ale Works opens its doors in Alva
• 'Ding' Darling resumes partnership with Clyde Butcher
• Courtside Steakhouse reopens at Sanibel Harbour Resort
• Buffalo's Resurgence Brewing opens in south Fort Myers
• Quaint Irish pub opens in Cape Coral and we love it already
• RSW provides updates on terminal expansion project
• Visitors reminded to use Premium Parking at Lee County parks
• CIHS to honor Tony Lapi with Guardian of History Award

⚽ Soccer fan savings – Submit your offers ⚽

Our Soccer Fan page is now live and we’ll be targeting U.S. travelers heading to matches in Miami—encouraging them to turn downtime between games into a visit to our destination.

This is a prime opportunity to capture high-intent visitors already planning travel to Southwest Florida.

Want to be featured? Submit your offer through the partner portal, including:

• Lodging packages or special rates
• Attraction discounts
• Watch party details
• Soccer-themed specials

Important:
To be included on the page, please use the phrase “Soccer Fan Savings” in your offer (we are unable to use “World Cup” in advertising).

Let’s give fans a reason to extend their stay and experience everything our destination has to offer.

The VCB directs hundreds of thousands of potential visitors to our website to promote Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and we want them to know about your business!

Make sure you're included by adding a deal and getting free marketing to boost your accommodations, restaurants, shops, attractions and more.

Threshold 360 offers free filming of your business

The VCB has partnered with Threshold 360 to offer free filming of your tourism business for a virtual tour.

Limited spaces are available so don't miss out on this amazing opportunity. Contact the VCB's Alison Giesen, destination development coordinator, at agiesen@leegov.com

Domestic Sales activities

Rotating panels include:

• (Panel 1) Florida Encounter, Feb. 2-4: Erin Lester, VCB, joined seven hotel partners to meet with planners alongside Florida's leading meetings and hospitality partners in Orlando. 
  
  
• (Panel 2) Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA), Feb. 10-12: Candice Cocco and Jami Smith, VCB, met with faith-based planners in Lexington, Kentucky.
  
  
• (Panel 3) Lunch and Learn, Feb. 13: Betsy Bush, VCB, connected with Katrina Mayo, senior program assistant, with the National Education Association, in Alexandria, Virginia.

International Sales activities

Rotating panels include:

• (Panel 1) Reisemesse Trade Fair, Jan. 30-Feb 1: The German VCB team attended this consumer event in Dresden where they highlighted the destination in their daily 20-minute presentations showcasing soft adventure and camping.
  
  
• (Panel 2) Florida Huddle, Feb. 2-4: Charm Evans, VCB, and Rhonda Decherd, South Seas, attended this annual three-day VISIT FLORIDA event in Orlando where they networked and conducted one-on-one, pre-scheduled appointments with domestic and international travel trade buyers and suppliers. The VCB was also a sponsor at this year’s event.
  
  
• (Panel 3) Ferie for Alle, Feb 20-22: The Nordic team attended this Danish consumer fair, showcasing the destination’s sports and attractions. The event attracted over 1,000 exhibitors and 54,000 consumers.
  
  
• (Panel 4) Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show, Feb. 20-22: Jeanette Faria, VCB Canada, attended the show which attracted almost 30,000 consumers interested in outdoor activities. This show launches the spring adventure travel planning season for the Canadian market.

April Sales events

Communications team activities

Andre Coutinho & Marcela Thompson, Band News, Brazil, March 5-8: Andre Coutinho, tourism columnist for Band TV and host of the radio show "Partiu, BandNews," and his wife/producer Marcela Thompson, came to the destination as part of a VISIT FLORIDA press trip. Miriam Dotson, VCB, met with them at Oxbow Bar & Grill, and Jackie Parker, VCB, did the same with them at Over Easy Cafe. Thank you to our partners, including Adventure Sea Kayak & SUP, Anchor Inn & Cottages and many others for making their visit a great experience. 

Twins spring training broadcast booth interviews spotlight partners

Minnesota Twins spring training TV & radio interviews: The VCB had the opportunity to invite partners to sit in for broadcast booth interviews during five Minnesota Twins home games at Lee Health Sports Complex / Hammond Stadium. Partners included, from left: Rob Whyte & Cody Lewis, Fort Myers Brewing Company; Greg Longenhagen, Florida Repertory Theatre; and Holly Shaffer, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, with Minnesota Twins broadcasters Dan Gladden and Kris Atteberry. It was a fun way to let visitors know about things to see and do in the destination before or after the game. Other partners (not pictured) in the booth were Bob Rando, Captiva Cruises, and Jimmy Cruz, Brightwater Lagoon.

Communications team earned media results

April paid media placements

Our efforts in FY25/26 Q3 are largely to influence summer visitation through our "Just Feels Right" campaign, as well as to support the groups/meetings and international business. 

Here is a snapshot of our paid media placements launching this month:

Consumer

• Afar – display, social enewsletter, social/video, custom content, full page + advertorial
• Expedia – custom content, display, native, enewsletter
• Garden & Gun – print, display
• Kayak – display
• New York Times – audio, native, display
• People Inc. – social, display, rich media
• WGCU - video

Meetings, weddings, travel trade:

• Sojern – display, video, native
• EproDirect – dedicated email
• Skift Meetings – native, enewsletter, display
• Travel Market Report – display, custom content, dedicated email
• Honeyfund – dedicated email

International

• BrandUSA (Germany) – display
• Expedia/VRBO (UK) – display, native

Visitor Services activities

It's a been a busy season at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). Our Tourism Ambassador volunteers spread some smiles when we rolled out Project Cookie during some flight delays and cancellations. 

During spring training, Tourism Ambassador volunteers attended Red Sox and Twins games and staffed the visitor information booths at both ballparks.

Go out and support this TDC-funded event

3rd annual FITMIX FEST, May 1-2

To learn more, follow@fitmixfest