The Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau presented its annual Junonia Award to Jeanne Bigos, general manager of the Outrigger Beach Resort and Charley’s Boathouse Grill & Wine Bar on Fort Myers Beach, at its virtual Tourism Outlook event.

 Created in 2006, the VCB’s Junonia Award recognizes individuals who positively impact Lee County’s tourism community by demonstrating unique capabilities, leadership, commitment and dedication. The award is named for the junonia, a treasured shell known for its rarity and exceptional quality.

Bigos, and her husband, Joe, moved to Fort Myers 32 years ago to be near family on Captiva Island. She began her career at the Outrigger as an accountant and worked her way up to general manager.

A press release sent out by the bureau stated that “Bigos’ passion for Fort Myers Beach shows in her efforts to promote tourism and her dedication to superior customer service.

In the 1990s, Bigos was part of a VCB and local lodging effort to create an international committee devoted to the pursuit of global tourism. Their initiative created a strategy that continues to drive international visitors to Lee County.”

Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County VCB stated that “Jeanne’s game-changing efforts in the international arena helped Lee County develop into a desirable destination for visitors from Europe.”