Business Briefs
Changes announced
by Scott Fischer Enterprises
Scott Fischer Enterprises has announced new developments in its business strategy that include the addition of another dealership and personnel changes and additions.
The changes include adding a new dealership to the company portfolio in southern California. Expected to close within the first quarter, the new location will be operated by Sean Delaney. Formerly president of Scott Fischer Enterprises, he will become the partner and general manager of the store.
Additional changes involve personnel and include:
n Curtis McKinley, former general manager of Scott Fischer Enterprises’ Huntsville, Alabama, store, Rocket Harley-Davidson, has been named the general manager of the company’s flagship store, Six Bends Harley-Davidson in Fort Myers.
n Jeff Lewis has been named the general manager at Rocket Harley-Davidson.
n Joe Callas, formerly floor manager at Thunderbird Harley-Davidson, Scott Fischer Enterprises’ dealership in Albuquerque, N.M., has been named sales manager at Naples Harley-Davidson.
n Aaron Barney, formerly sales manager at Naples Harley-Davidson, has been named Riding Academy director for Southwest Florida, serving both Naples and Six Bends Harley-Davidson.
Founded and led by Scott Fischer with co-owner John Greene, Scott Fischer Enterprises owns and supports six Harley-Davidson locations (Six Bends Harley-Davidson in Fort Myers; Naples Harley-Davidson in Naples, Fla.; Rock-et Harley-Davidson in Huntsville, Alabama; Blue Ridge Harley-Davidson in Hickory, N.C.; and Thunderbird Harley-Davidson and Duke City Harley-Davidson, both in Albuquerque, N.M.
Scott Fischer Enterprises is a motorsports industry within the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. For more information please visit SFE-US.com.
RSW to feature nonstop flights
to Bahamas starting in May
The Lee County Port Authority has announced that Silver Airways will begin nonstop service from Southwest Florida International Airport to Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport May 26, 2016. Flights will operate three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
This is the first time RSW will have nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas.
For more about Silver Airways, visit www.silverairways.com.
For more information about Southwest Florida International Airport, visit www.flylcpa.com or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/flyRSW.
Hodges University’s IT Pro Camp
Hodges University will host the second annual IT Pro Camp from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27. The event will be held on the Fort Myers campus at 4501 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Individuals interested in the latest IT-related technologies, as well as those seeking professional development, are welcome to attend.
Last year’s event, also hosted by Hodges University, made such an impression on IT Pro Camp officials that Fort Myers was placed on the regular circuit of stops for the organization. With only seven stops made throughout the year in the state of Florida, it is significant for Hodges University to be hosting the event.
Situated in a conference-style learning environment, IT Pro Camp is a free, one-day learning event that serves students, business owners, business decision-makers, IT professionals and others interested in IT technologies.
Individuals associated with technology companies, technology recruiters and professional businesses are encouraged to participate and sponsor the event.
For more information about IT Pro Camp, visit www.itprocamp.com, or to register for this free event, visit ftmyers2016.eventbrite.com.
Pushing the Envelope
celebrates 10th anniversary
Pushing the Envelope Inc. celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Jan. 29 with clients, partners and community members at an open house event. Approximately 60 people were in attendance.
Since opening in 2006, Pushing the Envelope has experienced tremendous success, receiving numerous awards and recognition of excellence in the industry.What started as a direct mail and printing business has grown into a marketing communication firm, servicing both local and national brands such as Harley-Davidson, BB&T – Oswald Trippe and Company, Gulf Coast Humane Society and more.
For additional information about Pushing the Envelope, visit GetPushing.com. or call 239-221-2858.
Benkert speaker at next
Power Hour presentation
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 4:30 – 6 p.m., John Benkert, CEO of CPR Tools, will present “Data Security in the Digital Age: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business” as a special guest speaker for Pushing the Envelope’s Power Hour speaker series.
A new program within its Rise Up initiative, Pushing the Envelope created Power Hour to share knowledge and empower others to succeed. Power Hour is held quarterly and topics include: new business trends, marketing and communication tips, business development and more.
To attend Power Hour, register at Get-Pushing.com/Community/Power-Hour.
Attendance is complimentary, but space is limited. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Wednesday, Feb. 17.
For additional information about the presentation, please contact Michelle at 239-221-2858 or email Michelle@getpushing.com.
First Class Aerials receives FAA
certification to operate drones
First Class Aerials, a leading video production company in Naples, Florida, that has won over 25 national awards, is now officially certified to operate drones by the Federal Aviation Administration. First Class Aerials and The Naples studio is now one of the only video production agencies in Southwest Florida that is accredited to film and produce drone videos.
Drew Townsend ,owner at First Class Aerials said, “As soon as the Federal Aviation Administration announced their rules and regulations for all unmanned aircrafts, I immediately began studying the details and applied.” The FAA put key initiatives in place for unmanned aircraft systems to protect the nation’s “challenging” airspace.
First Class Aerials specializes in high end aerial photography, video and video productions.
For additional information about First Class Aerials, which is located at 501 Goodlette Road North, Suite B-306, in Naples, visit www.firstclassaerials.com or call 239-430-2200.
Nominations sought for
2016 Distinguished Entrepreneur Award
The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University will host its 2016 Distinguished Entrepreneur of SWFL Awards and Ceremony event Wednesday, May 18, from 6-8 p.m. at Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers.
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A., is the title sponsor for the event. Former TV news anchor Stacey Adams will be the evening’s master of ceremonies. Individual tickets are $75.
The Florida SBDC is currently accepting nominations for the awards and there are several sponsorship opportunities. This year’s celebration will feature two new awards in addition to the Distinguished Entrepreneur of SWFL.
The new awards include Distinguished Business Advocate of the Year and Distinguished Business Innovator of the Year. Nominations are open from Feb. 1 through March 31.
The application is processed online; details, qualifications and instructions, including tickets, are available at www.fsbdcswfl.org/de2016.
All nominees will be invited to a VIP reception, scheduled for April 7 at FGCU Lutgert College of Business to celebrate their nominations and business successes.
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 additonal information, contact about the program, contact Amanda Stirn, marketing director, at astirn@fgcu.edu, or 239-745-3706.
To find out more about sponsor opportunities, contact Theresa Ayres at tayers@fgcu.edu, or 239-628-0127.