Creative Coast weekends taking shape
Florida’s Creative Coast weekends for this season are starting to take shape. Remember to notify the Chamber what you have planned, the hours that you will be open, special offers to visitors and any special events. If you haven’t put your plans on paper, take advantage of the fact that we are advertising full weekends and targeting families and groups of all sizes. To get an idea of what has already been scheduled, go to www.floridascreativecoast.com, then click on “FL Creative Coast Weekends.”
The Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) revised their own marketing campaigns to work with Chambers and establish ‘Vacation Packages’. I want to emphasize that you do not have to design a ‘package’ on your own. You can contact the VCB directly and let them know what service or event that you have to offer. The VCB will do their best to custom fit your program with others; which may include lodging, dining or other similar services or events. The purpose of these “packages” is to extend visitors’ stays to the area, thus driving more customers to our diverse businesses — and putting money in your coffers!
The Marketing and Membership Committees of the Board are working in several ways on increasing membership and member retention in the Chamber. You will be seeing more communications from our office asking for your input. We are YOUR Chamber and strive to keep you happy. When asked for comments and suggestions from you, please respond. We can’t know what you want from your Chamber if you don’t inform us.
Looking to the future — the annual membership dinner and meeting will take place in January, 2010, and if you would like to have a voice on the Board, now is the time to start thinking about it; five Board members will be elected at the annual meeting. For details on what is involved in participating in the Board, you may contact any of the current Board members or the office staff.
Welcome new members to the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce who joined in August.
— Easy Rider Charters, Capt. Dick May, Bokeelia 283-3247
— Palm Aluminum and Glass, Robyn Lazear, Coconut Creek, 888-421-1104
— Jeffrey Wood, individual member, No. Captiva Island, 898-2692