Business Briefs
Cape Coral Discount
Furniture relocating May 1
Cape Coral Discount Furniture will be moving to a new location as of May 1. The store, which is currently at 1302 N.E. Pine Island Road, is moving to 1031 N.E. Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.
The store was established in 1984 by a native Lee County family and the move will provide a larger road-front location. For information, call 239-772-2211.
Easter fun at Yappy Hour
The Gulf Coast Humane Society will be celebrating Easter early at the monthly Cape Harbour Yappy Hour. All dogs and their owners are invited to join in on the fun today, Friday, March 28, from 6-8 p.m.
Easter baskets will be available for raffle and Easter eggs with fun surprise items inside will be available with a donation to GCHS. T-shirts will also be available for sale.
Attendees can meet and visit with adoptable dogs from GCHS looking for their forever home. Fathoms Restaurant and Bar, with The French Press Caf, will provide beer, wine and a deejay for entertainment during the event. Proceeds from beverage sales and a portion of sales from the Cape Harbour’s Fetch Dog Boutique & Bakery will also benefit GCHS.
The Gulf Coast Humane Society, at 2010 Arcadia St., in Fort Myers, was established as the first non-profit animal welfare organization in Southwest Florida in 1947. The 501(c)(3) organization’s mission is to rescue, provide safe refuge and compassionate care, and find forever homes for abandoned and neglected animals in the area. GCHS only takes in owner surrendered and transfers from other shelters and rescue groups with a high success rate of adoptions. Its veterinary clinic is open to the public and offers a full array of affordable services six days a week.
For more information about the events with the Gulf Coast Humane Society call 239-332-0364 or visit www.gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.
South Cape International Beer Fest
The South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations will hold “The South Cape International Beer Fest” Saturday, April 18, from 7-11 p.m.
During the event, Several South Cape restaurants and bars will be offering international beer, music, appetizers and, of course, drink specials. A fleet of trolleys will whisk participants around South Cape, stopping at various restaurants and bars. Each stop will feature a different international beer sample accompanied by a tasty appetizer. Several of the stops will have “love” entertainment.
There will be two check-in booths for patrons’ convenience. One will be located in the Big John Parking Lot, while the second one will be behind Backstreets in front of the Aubuchon building.
Tickets are $10 in advance and will be available for purchase on the day of the event at the check-in booths for $15.
Participating locations are Backstreets Sports Bar, 915 SE 47th Terrace; Cruiser’s Lounge, 1517 SE 47th Terrace; Dixie Roadhouse, 1023 SE 47th Terrace; Monkey Bar & Steakhouse, 1428 Lafayette St.; Rack’em Billiards, 1011 SE 47th Terrace; Ralph’s Place of Cape Coral, 1305 Cape Coral Parkway; Rockade, 1023 SE 47th Terrace; The Dek, 4704 SE 15th Ave.; Tiki Hut @ Dolphin Key Resort, 1502 Miramar St.; and Tubby’s City Hangout, 4810 Vincennes St.
Attendees of this event must be at least 21 years old. For more information, contact us at SouthCape-HEA@gmail.com.
Nomination deadline approaches
for ’15 Distinguished Entrepreneur Award
The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University’s scheduled closing date for nominations for Distinguished Entrepreneur 2015 is March 31. Business entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. The Distinguished Entrepreneur of SWFL Award recognizes a small- to mid-sized Southwest Florida business for its overall success, and provides an opportunity for the local business community to celebrate the company’s achievements.
The FSBDC at FGCU will host its 2015 Distinguished Entrepreneur of the SWFL Award and Ceremony event on Tuesday, May 19, from 6-8 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs. Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A., has been named title sponsor for the event. Individual tickets are $125.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this event. Nominations, sponsorships, and ticket purchases can be completed online at www.fsbdcswfl.org or contact the office at 239-745-3700.
The FSBDC at FGCU offers one-on-one, confidential, no-cost consulting and low-cost workshops for businesses throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. It is designated by the state as Florida’s principal provider of business assistance.
For more information, contact Amanda Stirn, marketing director, at astirn@fgcu.edu, or (239)745-3706.
CONRIC makes presentation
on digital marketing for FGCU
Connie Ramos Williams, CEO and president of CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing, has announced that marketing assistant Melanie Thomas and marketing Coordinator Josh Milton were featured speakers at a recent meeting of the FGCU chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. Thomas and Milton presented tips to the student organization on how to effectively use social media marketing in business.
Students learned how to get the most out of their digital marketing strategies, including harnessing the power of a press release to get media attention by using keywords, deep linking and online press release posting services. Thomas and Milton also highlighted the importance of using social media to gain the most positive publicity for one’s business.
The FGCU chapter of FPRA works to promote local learning and networking opportunities in public relations. Its mission is to enhance the professional development of its members. Through FPRA, the oldest PR organization in America, students have the opportunity to gain professional experience while still in school. The organization meets regularly, presenting topics ranging from branding and advertising to sports public relations to crisis management in business.
Founded in 2007, CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing is an award-winning, full-service PR agency provides strategic brand awareness campaigns, integrated public relations programs, marketing development and consulting services, advertising concept and campaigns, media buys, custom and niche publishing, creative writing and design, digital marketing strategies, website development and crisis communications strategy and implementation.
For more information on CONRIC PR & Marketing | Publishing, please call (239) 690-9840 or visit www.conricpr.com.
Above Board Chamber presents
‘Master Your Networking Skills’
The Above Board Chamber of Florida will present “Master Your Networking Skills” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, April 9, at The Landings Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club, 4540 S. Landings Drive in Fort Myers.
Spring is in the air, the perfect time for new growth. Business growth is as much about who you know as what you know. Do you know how to leverage your relationship network to your best advantage?
The April meeting will feature a panel of master networkers who will teach attendees how to establish relationships and turn their personal network into a major business asset.
The luncheon will be emceed by Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman. Panelists include: Erica Castner, Queen of Results Business & Breakthrough Coach; Lisa Doyle-Mitchell, President of Your Walking Billboard; Barry Nicholls, Adventurer/Entrepreneur; and Rick Williams CFO of Conric PR & Marketing | Publishing.
Registration on or before Friday, April 3, will be $22 for members and $28 for friends. After April 3, registration will be $28 for members and $32 for friends. RSVP at tinyurl.com/mpnsbx9
The Above Board Chamber of Florida is dedicated to bringing people of faith together within the community, in the workplace and amongst one another. Their mission is to supply members with the tools that will allow them to take every aspect of their lives Above Board.
For more information on the event or on how to become a member of the Above Board Chamber, contact Jeanne Sweeney at 239-910-7426 or visit www.aboveboardcham-ber.com.