Business Briefs
‘Fathoms Friday Feeding Frenzy’
benefits Community Cooperative
Fathoms Restaurant & Bar along with The French Press teamed up with Community Cooperative on Friday, Aug. 7, to host “Fathoms Friday Feeding Frenzy,” a benefit concert event to promote the non-profit’s mission to eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County.
Attendees who donated $10 or ($10 worth of) non-perishable food items received a ticket for a free drink and were entered into the” Summer Drive for Hunger” drawing, which will award a $5,000 cash prize on Aug. 18 at Sam Galloway Ford.
Attendees who contributed were also registered for a raffle for a Romantic Night Out for Two, which includes dinner at Fathoms, a select bottle of wine and dessert at The French Press. Ten percent of dinner sales at Fathoms during the event were donated be back to Community Cooperative.
Fathoms Restaurant &?Bar and The French press are both located in Cape Harbour on Cape Harbour Drive, in Cape Coral.
For information, call Fathoms at 239-542-0123 or The French Press at 239-542-0212.
Southwest Florida International Airport
announces passenger numbers for month of August
During August, 454,360 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport, an increase of 1.8 percent compared to August 2014. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 3.7 percent from the same period last year.
The traffic leader in August was Delta with 112,527 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (87,895), JetBlue (61,724), US Airways (45,940) and American (35,515).
Southwest Florida International Airport had 4,349 aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings), a decrease of 1.3 percent compared to August 2014. Page Field saw 7,043 movements, a 3.5 percent increase from August 2014. In addition, 2.3 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in August 2015, a decrease of 3.6 percent compared to August 2014.
Southwest Florida International Airport served more than 7.9 million passengers in 2014 and is one of the top 50 U.S. airports for passenger traffic. For more information, visit www.flylcpa.com or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flyRSW.
Heart of the Community Extravaganza
set for Oct. 16
On Friday, Oct. 16, Southwest Airlines, Lee County and city of Fort Myers will unveil the Heart of the Community placemaking grant enhancements to the Cornog Plaza on the campus of the Fort Myers Regional Library. A 2 p.m. news conference will kick off the Heart of the Community Extravaganza, which will include a costume swap, Scary-oke Sing-off, treat bag craft, a stilt walker, balloon-tying and sweet treats provided by Southwest Airlines. Festivities wind down at 5 p.m. Costumes and blankets or lawn chairs are suggested. The Cornog Plaza is located at 2450 First St., in Fort Myers.
Families can go green this Halloween by swapping their gently used Halloween costumes and accessories! Beginning Oct. 1, costume donations will be accepted at Library Administration, 2345 Union St., in Fort Myers. A token will be exchanged for each donated costume or accessory.
Those with a swap token will be invited to “shop” first during the extravaganza Oct. 16 from 2-3 p.m. hose without a token may start shopping at 3 p.m. and all unclaimed costumes will be donated.
The Scary-oke Sing-off is Karaoke in not-so-scary costumes and begins at 3 p.m. The costumes and performances will be a frighteningly good time.
Southwest Airlines provided a $50,000 grant to the Lee County Library System to transform the Cornog Plaza into an interactive space through a combination of expanded amenities and family-oriented programs. The library system worked with the community to determine a clear vision and programming platform for the space. New amenities provided by the grant include: oyster canopy, giant bean bags chairs, rocking chairs, colorful tables and chairs, large market umbrellas and game carts. Additional funds will be spent on programming and an interactive piece for children.
Placemaking is an emerging movement with environmentalist roots that positions public spaces as engines for urban development, serving as catalysts for building sustainable, healthy, inclusive and economically viable neighborhoods.
For more than 40 years, Southwest’s lead partner Project for Public Spaces (PPS) has refined the participatory Placemaking process.
Pediatric Dentistry of Fort Myers
to host Snow Day 2015
Pediatric Dentistry of Fort Myers is hosting a fundraiser in partnership with Abuse Counseling and Treatment Inc. The inaugural Snow Day 2015 will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8016 Summerlin Lakes Drive, Fort Myers.
The purpose of the Inaugural Snow Day is to get the community involved
in joining ACT’s cause to eradicate domestic violence.
The event will feature a flurry of activities, including magic snow experience, snowfall special effects, Disney tribute guests Anna, Elsa and Olaf, bounce houses and slide, kid’s holiday crafts, and much more.
The Snow Day 2015 event will cost adults $5, and activity bracelets will be available for children for $10.
ACT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit social service agency serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking in Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. ACT has been providing a circle of support for victims and their families since 1978. ACT provides critical services to those in crisis through a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, forensic examinations, medical, legal and personal advocacy, violence prevention programs, children’s programs and more.
For additional information about the event, please visit www.actabuse.com
2nd Annual Fort Myers Craft Beer Fest
at Marina at Edison Ford Oct. 3
The 2nd Annual Fort Myers Craft Beer Fest is set to return to the Marina at Edison Ford Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2-8 p.m. Following up on a highly successful first year, the festival returns with even more unique and different offerings.
The one-day festival will feature more than 80 craft beers from around the world and live musical performances. The festivities begin at 2 p.m. with entertainment by Hatley until 5 p.m., followed by the Blues Brothers Soul Band, a tribute show to the Blues Brothers from 5-8 p.m.
New for this year will be Firkin tappings every hour. Firkins, an exclusive, unique and one-of-a-kind beer offering in authentic mini-kegs, will be tapped each hour and include brews from the participating craft beer participants including Cigar City Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing Company and Terrapin Brewing. Also new for the festival will be Randalling (Beer Infusing) of two specialty beers during the event.
There will also be food from the award-winning Texas Tony’s Rib House, corn hole, river cruise offerings from Pure Fort Myers as well as offerings to stroll the historic Edison Ford Estates directly beside the Marina.
Admission is free with all-you-can-sample tickets available for $35 in advance and $40 on the day of the event. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for $50, which includes an extra hour of sampling from 2-3 pm, a limited edition mini beer stein sampling mug, and an exclusive firkin tapping for VIP ticket holders during the extra hour of tasting.
Tickets can be purchased at www.craftbeerfestfortmyers.com or in person at the Marina at Edison Ford.
The event will also offer to designated drivers non-alcoholic drink tickets when registering at the event main entrance. Cab service will also be available on site throughout the event.
The Marina at Edison Ford is located at 2360 West First St., in downtown Fort Myers. For more information please call or visit www.craftbeerfstfortmyers.com.
Florida SBDC teams with Enterprise Florida
to host International Trade Expo
The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University has partnered with Enterprise Florida to host the Center’s first International Trade Expo. This free event takes place Thursday, Oct. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Holiday Inn at Fort Myers Airport, 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive, Fort Myers.
A light continental breakfast will be served, and there will be raffles throughout the event. Space is limited and registration is highly recommended. Register online at fsbdcswfl.org/international-trade-expo/ or by phone 239-745-3700.
Three breakout sessions will run concurrently with the open tradeshow. International experts will speak on topics including website globalization, insuring export receivables, and finding international clients and vetting buyers. Businesses will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with export specialists; participate in export business matchmaking, and identify potential export business partners. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Guest speaker for the event will be Manuel Mencia, senior vice president of the International Trade and Business Development division of Enterprise Florida Inc. The division is headquartered in Miami and maintains offices in six Florida cities as well as several countries around the world. Mencia joined Enterprise Florida in 1996. Prior to that, he served as vice president of World Marketing at The Beacon Council between 1992 and 1996. He has acquired extensive international trade expertise having served in various executive positions at the Florida Department of Commerce between 1977 and 1991.
For additional information, contact Kevin Brady at (239) 745-3700 or kbrady@fgcu.edu.
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.
Bennett’s to celebrate
National Coffee Day Sept. 29
Bennett’s Fresh Roast will celebrate National Coffee Day Tuesday, Sept. 29, by offering free coffee and unveiling a new coffee creation inspired by one of its star employees.
Beginning at 6 a.m., the downtown Fort Myers and Sanibel locations will offer one free 12-ounce brewed coffee per person until 11 a.m.
In addition, Bennett’s newest coffee drink will be available beginning Sept. 29. Inspired by downtown Fort Myers’ employee and Fort Myers High School student Jenavieve Verley, the Creamy Spug is a concoction of delicate cinnamon flavors including two shots of Bennett’s smooth fresh roasted espresso blend poured into steamed and frothed half and half (breve, poured macchiato style), then topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon,
Bennett’s downtown Fort Myers shop is located at 2011 Bayside Parkway and is open Monday through Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bennett’s Sanibel shop is located at 1020 Periwinkle Way and is open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit www.BennettsFreshRoast.com.
Registration opens for ‘How to Build/Market
Your Business on a Shoe String’
Above Board Chamber of Florida will present “How to Build/Market Your Business on a Shoe String” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8, at Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., in Fort Myers and on Monday, Oct. 12, at the Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail, N., in Naples. Reservations are required at www.aboveboardchamber.com.
It can be daunting to start a business without a war chest full of funding, so the Above Board Chamber of Florida has assembled a panel of veteran business owners in a variety of industries whose resourcefulness has proved their most important working capital.
The Fort Myers meeting will be emceed by Connie Ramos-Williams of CONRIC PR & Marketing and will feature a panel including Gary Aubuchon, president of Aubuchon Team of Companies; Louis Bruno, president/owner of Bruno Air Conditioning, Jonathan L Romine RLA, CLARB, principal and director of landscape architecture at EnSIte, Inc.; and Judy Williams, co-owner of Spada Salon & Day Spa.
The Naples meeting will be emceed by Sue Huff of E. Sue Huff and Associates and will feature a panel including Louis Bruno, president/owner of Bruno Air Conditioning; Bill Daubmann, senior vice president of My Shower Door; Diane Pisani, founder of Your Home Watch Professionals; and Paul Schmidgallo/executive chef at Fire & Rice LLC.
Fort Myers lunch registration
Registration on or before by Thursday, Oct. 1, will be $25 for members, $30 for guests. Registration after Oct. 1 will be $33 for members, $35 for guests.
Naples lunch registration
Registration on or before Thursday, Oct. 9, will be $25 for members, $30 for guests. After Oct. 9, registration will be $28 for members, $33 for guests.
Non-members are encouraged to attend two meetings, then consider joining us to be part of the Above Board Chamber of Florida. To become a member of the Above Board Chamber, contact Jeanne Sweeney at 239.910.7426.
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The Above Board Chamber of Florida is dedicated to bringing people of faith together within the community, in the workplace and amongst one another. Its 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.aboveboardchamber.com.