March 2011 - Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

a
p u b l i c a t i o n
o f
t h e
g r e a t e r
n a p l e s
c h a m b e r
o f
c o m m e r c e
Business Currents
MARCH
2 0 1 1
w w w . n a p l e s c h a m b e r . o r g
17
Collier County
Public School District:
Today and Tomorrow
12
27
College Bound in
Southwest Florida
How to Put Social Media
Marketing to Work for
Your Company
Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org I Business Currents I MARCH 2011 Planning an event?
We have you covered. How may we be of service?
Lisa Vinciguerra
Paige Simpson, CMP
Liz Sanders
Director of Catering
Special Events Manager
Catering Sales Manager
and Conference Services
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
239-659-3108
239-659-3174
MARCH
2011 I Business Currents I Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org
239-659-3124
5111 Tamiami Trail North
Naples, Florida 34103
239-430-4900 • hiltonnaples.com
Find us on Facebook
Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org I Business Currents I MARCH 2011 Making it look
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MARCH 2011 I Business Currents I Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org
CONTENTS
7
BUSINESS CURRENTS MAGAZINE | MARCH 2011 | VOLUME 6 / NUMBER 3
COVER STORY
17 Collier
County Public School District:
Today and Tomorrow
In the 1970, the public school district had between 15,000 and 18,000
students and two high schools: Naples and Immokalee. Today, there
are over 42,000 students and eight high schools. Along with an everexpanding school district, there have been significant changes in how
children are educated, thanks to technology and a changing population.
Here we take a look at a few of the challenges facing the district today.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Naples Community Airport:
An asset with no cost to community
The
Florida
Department
of
Transportation values the Naples
Municipal Airport’s annual economic
impact at more than $120 million. The
numbers are about to get better....... 7
HIGHER EDUCATION
College Bound in Southwest Florida
For many high school graduates
throughout Collier County, the next
natural step is to attend some type
of college to earn a professional
accreditation, an associate’s degree, a
bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree
or a doctorate. In Southwest Florida,
there are many choices for students,
including Ave Maria University, Ave
Maria School of Law, Edison State
College, Florida Gulf Coast University,
Hodges
University
and
Nova
Southeastern University................... 12
PUBLIC POLICY
Classroom Reduction Amendment
Collier County schools (and students)
are subject to the implementation
of Florida’s Class Size Reduction
Amendment,
also
known
as
Amendment 9. How is CCPS
dealingwith the amendment and what
does it mean for individual students?
�� 21
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BioFlorida: Growing Florida’s
Bioscience Industries
BioFlorida was founded in 1997 as
a means to unite and support a small
group of biotechnology entrepreneurs;
today the organization represents
a broad range of companies and
institutions in various sectors of
bioscience technology..................... 25
25
MARKETING
How to Put Social Media Marketing
to Work for Your Company
Social media marketing is here to stay. If you are not already active in venues
such as a business blog, Facebook,
Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, you
should be asking yourself whether
it’s way past time to jump in with both
virtual feet........................................ 27
27
THE CHAMBER SCRAPBOOK
Caught in the act at recent events!...32
NEW MEMBERS
Chamber New Member Business
Directory...........................................35
RENEWING MEMBERS
Renewing
Member
Business
Directory...........................................36
RIBBON CUTTINGS
New businesses in town...................38
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Business Accolades and Achievements
What’s
happening
with
local
businesses.......................................40
TRANSITIONS
Who’s who in the local business
community............................................... 43
EVENTS CALENDAR
Guide to upcoming Chamber Programs
and Events........................................... 44
Business Currents
A PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER NAPLES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org I Business Currents I MARCH 2011 The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce
thanks our Legacy Leaders for their
support and dedication.
Together, we are striving to make
Collier County the best place in
America to live and work.
Official Publication of
The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce
2390 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 210, Naples, FL 34103
239-262-6376 Tel ‫ ׀‬239-262-8374 Fax
www.napleschamber.org
PRESIDENT & CEO
Michael V. Reagen
EDITOR
Marci-Nicole Seamples
SALES
Cotrenia Hood
Kathy Swank
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
Alicia Robbins / Panther Printing
CONTRIBUTORS
James Coletta
Roy Duffus
Randy Jones
Teresa Morgenstern
Nancy Payton
Steve Rasnick
Marci Seamples
editorial board
Michael Wynn, Chair
Jeffrey Allbritten
Theo Etzel
Jonathan Fishbane
John Fumagalli
Michelle Gleeson
Nancy Lascheid
Teresa Morgenstern
Edward Morton
Rey Pezeshkan
Stephanie Spell
Susan Takacs
LEGACY LEADERS
The Arlington of Naples
Barron Collier Companies
Collier Enterprises
IberiaBank
Lutgert Insurance/The Lutgert Company/
Premier Properties
NCH Healthcare System
Physicians Regional Healthcare System
Stock Development
Tigris Pharmaceuticals
Titan Custom Homes
BENEFACTORS
Arthrex
Cheffy Passidomo
Cohen & Grigsby, PC
GATES
Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, Athan & Crown
Hahn, Loeser & Parks, LLP
Manhattan Kraft Construction
Mutual of Omaha Bank
Sunshine Ace Hardware
CHAMBER STAFF
For more information about the Legacy
Leader program, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/legacyleaders
Michael V. Reagen, President & CEO
Brenda O’Connor, Sr. Vice President, Programs
Robert Sandy, Vice President, Community Relations
Andrea Lynn, Sr. Vice President
Joan Larson, Controller
Marci Seamples, Vice President, Communications
Lori Freiburg, Executive Assistant to the President
Sandra Calad, International Community Manager
Didem Guler, Public Services Coordinator
Cotrenia Hood, Account Executive
Nancy Kerns, Visitor Information Center Specialist
Don Neer, New Member Services
Andrea St. Cyr, Marketing Specialist
Kathy Swank, Sr. Account Executive
E C O N O M I C I M PAC T
Naples Community Airport:
An asset with no cost to community
By I.M. Stackel
of
F
ebruary is not only the
height of Naples’ tourism
season but also the start
the state legislative session.
�� Naples
So,
�� Municipal
�� Airport
��
executive director Ted Soliday is in
overdrive. He has just returned from a
two-day trip to Tallahassee.
The Florida Airports Council held its
annual meeting. Soliday is the president
of the group.
Airport leaders then take a day or
two to meet with state legislators.
“It is two days of pretty intense
sessions,” said Soliday, who has been
overseeing the airport for 17 years.
When you run a municipal airport,
you stand in the past, present and future
at the same time.
certificated air carrier airport run
primarily with revenue generated from its
operations.
You scan and analyze annual numbers,
you manage day-to-day operations, and,
you try to anticipate just about anything
that can arise that could affect the
community and local economy.
It is home to flight schools, air charter,
aviation and non-aviation businesses as
well as fire/rescue services, mosquito
control, car rental agencies and the Collier
County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit.
There’s a pause because you want to
talk about the recent economic depression
but are almost afraid to ask.
During the 2009-10 fiscal year, the
airport accommodated 86,000 takeoffs
and landings.
Soliday jumps in.
The airport net operating revenues
for 2011 are $9.399 million, an increase of
$90,000 over the 2010 budget.
“The economic downturn did not
affect our bottom line tremendously,”
Soliday said.
Naples Municipal Airport is a
The airport’s operating expenses
for 2011 are $7.44 million, and increase
of $465,000 over the 2010 budget.
Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org I Business Currents I MARCH 2011 Katie Sproul, ChairWOMAN
Michael Wynn, CHAIR-ELECT
Sunshine Ace Hardware
CJ HUESTON, Immed. Past Chairman
Corporate Dimensions, Inc
Bud hornbeck, VICE-CHAIR
Lutgert Insurance
BILL SPINELLI, Vice-Chair
Titan Custom Homes
Lou Vlasho, Vice-Chair
Rimaco Corporation
JAMES A. WARNKEN, Vice-Chair
Markham, Norton, Mosteller, Wright & Co. P.A.
John Passidomo, Vice-Chair
Cheffy Passidomo, P.A.
Michael Reagen, President
Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce
THOMAS ABRAHAM
Morton Wasmer Abraham Construction Mangers, LLC
Jeff ALlbritten
Edison State College
Bruce Anderson, Esq.
Roetzel & Andress LPA
MICHELLE ARNOLD
Collier County Government
TOM BUCKLEY
Naples Day Surgery
DAVID CALL
Fifth Third Bank
R. Scott Cameron
Cameron Real Estate Services, Inc.
Mike Carrigan
TIB Bank
Cathy Christopher
Inn on fifth
John Fumagalli
Northern Trust
Todd gates
GATES
Dottie gerrity
cedar hames
Paradise Advertising
Michele Harrison
John R. Wood
Murray Hendel
Collier County President’s Council
Clark Hill
Hilton Naples & Towers
David Kakkuri
Florida Gulf Coast University
Jason Hunter Korn
Cohen & Grigsby, P.C.
Peter Manion
Ex Officio Liaison with GNL
Geoffrey Moebius
Physicians Regional Healthcare System
Bob Mulhere
Mulhere and Associates, LLC
Edmundo Muniz
Tigris Pharmaceuticals
Colleen Murphy
Gibraltar Private Bank
Bob Murray
Collier County President’s Council
David Neill
Naples Daily News
Cheryl Pavlick
Collier Enterprises
KP Pezeshkan
Kraft Construction
Kevin Rambosk
Collier County Sheriff’s Office
Mayela Rosales
Media Vista Group
John Schmieding
Arthrex
jeanne seewald
Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLP
Thomas Schneider
Ex Officio Liaison with GNL
J. KEITH SHORT
IBERIABANK
Michael Stephen
Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Brian Stock
Stock Development
Tom Taylor
Hole Montes, Inc.
VICKI TRACY
The Arlington of Naples
sandy waite
Platinum Total Fabricare
Allen Weiss
NCH Healthcare System
JOHN K. WIEST
Lee Memorial Health System
The airport’s operating income for
2011 is $1.955 million, a $375,000 decrease
from the 2010 budget.
Customer facility charges remained
the same at $137,000.
Airport officials anticipate $5.86
million in revenue from refueling charges.
The
Florida
Department
of
Transportation values the airport’s annual
economic impact at more than $120
million.
“We have $10 million in the bank and
zero debt,” Soliday said just before the
Valentine’s Day weekend.
The airport flies on income: fees and
services.
“It receives no tax revenue and there
are no hidden costs,” Soliday said.
The some $120 million is the airport’s
direct contribution to the economy,
Soliday said. It is based on how much the
airport charges the airplane operators,
as well as wages, salaries, purchases,
construction, fuel sales and maintenance
costs.
buses for each aircraft. One for luggage,
one for people.”
“People come to Naples because of Naples.
They probably wouldn’t come if we didn’t
have this great little general aviation
facility,” Soliday said
“We are the 24th largest general
aviation business -- of our kind -- in the
world,” Soliday said. “And we are known
as the “best little airport in the country.”
Naples has a good reputation.
That counts for a lot.
The annual Wine Festival brought in
more traffic than average, Soliday said, as
will the ACE Golf Tournament in March.
“Even with the weather the way it is,
the ramp is loaded with business jets of all
sizes, coming to our community to enjoy
the fine dining, beach, and everything
(else) the community is known for,”
Soliday said
He looks at those figures but he
doesn’t include them in his reports.
Still, when considering how the
airport benefits the community, one
cannot ignore spending while in the
community.
“The Naples Municipal Airport is
an asset”, said Jack Wert, who heads up
the Naples, Marco Island and Everglades
Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).
“Although we do not currently have
commercial flights into this airport, many
visitors come to our area by private aircraft.
There are several corporate conferences
and board meetings that are held here and
attendees use corporate aircraft to travel
here.”
Most of the out-of-town attendees to
the Naples’ Winter Wine Festival use the
Naples Airport as their entry point, says
Wert. Likewise, he indicates most of the
corporate executives who have second or
third homes here will use Naples Airport
as their entry point.
The numbers are about to get better.
Naples Airport now has a U.S.
Customs facility.
“We will (now) have the opportunity to
welcome travelers on private aircraft from
“These are direct economic impacts,”
Soliday said. “I’m not talking about (trickle
down effect.) That would probably be five
times that amount.”
The average person who lives in
Naples likely flies in and out of Southwest
Florida International Airport. But business
and leisure visitors do enjoy the proximity
of the local airport, said Soliday and area
tourism officials.
“I believe the airport is an attraction.
And one with no cost to the community,”
Soliday said.
There are days when Soliday walks
out onto the field and there are private and
charter planes stacked up. An appropriate
corresponding number of limousines
and hotel vans are lined up ready to
pick up passengers and whisk them off.
“This is the gateway
community,” Soliday said.
to
the
“Last month (January) we had three
major conventions including 3M. Most
people arrived in private aircraft. 3M,
itself, owns very large aircraft,” Soliday
said. “Buses from hotels were lined up in
our waiting area. There were two or three
Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org I Business Currents I MARCH 2011 the Caribbean here directly from their
island departure points,” Wert said.
It should increase traffic and tourism
-- and employment -- although those
estimated numbers were not immediately
available.
CVB tourism sales and marketing
manager
Debi
DeBenedetto
just
completed a report on the tourism for the
first six weeks of 2011: January 1st through
February 14th.
Without using an indirect impact
multiplier, DeBenedetto calculated that
visitors spent $1.28 million on hotel
rooms.
Using the number of hotel room
nights, rented meeting space, lodging tax
and modest multiplier for food and drinks,
DeBenedetto comes up with $2.93 million
in total gross revenues. For six weeks.
Soliday keeps an eye on all of these
figures. It helps him predict how he’s going
to manage the airport in years ahead.
One reason that the airport has
remained profitable is because when the
economy started heading south, Soliday
put small operational maintenance
projects on hold. He didn’t fill open
positions at the airport and eliminated
some jobs.
“At one point, we even went
to a 32-hour week,” Soliday said.
But all business decisions must be balanced
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10 MARCH 2011 I Business Currents I Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org
against community needs. The airport
and upscale real estate industry have an
intangible interdependent relationship.
The real estate industry benefits
immensely from the airport, Soliday said.
“Would this community -- which
has the second highest income per capita
in the nation -- be here if we didn’t have
this very special little airport?” Soliday
asked. “These people expect the best in
everything they do.”
In mid-January, the Naples Area
Board of Realtors released its 2010
year-end numbers, and reported that
closed sales increased more than
10 percent compared with 2009.
Mike Hughes, Vice President of DowningFrye Realty, called 2010 a strong year
despite unprecedented challenges.
“The news of the oil spill in the Gulf,
the bank freeze on foreclosed homes and the
end of the homebuyer tax credit left many
sitting on the fence due to uncertainty. In
the face of those challenges, the market
showed great resilience,” Hughes said in a
prepared release.
Overall closed sales increased 10
percent to 7,840 sales in 2010 compared to
7,126 sales in 2009.
The increased sales were in every
price category upwards of $300,000
said Jo Carter, President of Jo Carter &
Associates.
According to NABOR President and
www.DowntownNaplesAssociation.com
(239) 435-3742
D E S T I NAT I O N
DOWNTOWN
The Heart of Naples
Shops, style and surprises. Enjoy fabulous
Fifth Avenue South, 3rd Street
South and the Bayfront. Escape to the
eclectic shopping venues of 41-10,
Crayton Cove and Tin City. Stroll a
gallery, find that special unique gift,
entertain friends. From sidewalk cafes to
world-class dining, enjoy a meal then
visit the area’s most pristine beach and
pier. All within a short walking distance.
We are Destination Downtown.
Enjoy!
March 10th
Evening on Fifth
“March Madness”
6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
5th Avenue S.
March 12th
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
11:00 am to 1:30 pm
5th Avenue S.
March 12th
Parade Celebration
10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sugden Plaza
March 26th to March 27th 23rd Annual Downtown
Naples Festival of the Arts
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
5th Avenue S.
Photos courtesy of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB.
Upcoming Event:
Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org I Business Currents I MARCH 2011 11
Managing Broker of Prudential Florida
Realty, Brenda Fioretti, higher-priced
homes sold better.
“The most improved segment of our
market is the $1 million and above price
category. In the $1 million to $2 million
price segment, pending sales increased
29 percent and closed sales increased 33
percent.,” Fioretti said.
Home sales grew steadily in 2010
resulting in a decline in the months of
inventory.
“The level of housing inventory has
decreased for the fourth consecutive year.
This is helping to bring the market back
into balance,” said Steve Barker, Managing
Broker of Amerivest Realty.
Soliday, who has been running the
airport for 17 years, admits that despite
the profitability, Naples leaders keep
asking about more carriers.
“We’re doing everything we can to
attract scheduled service,” Soliday said.
õ
A professional writer and journalist for more
than three decades, Ilene Stackel splits her time
between Naples and some imaginary world in her
head. Locally she’s known for government and
political coverage, but she spends most of her time
exploring plate tectonics, anthropology, spiritual
belief systems, swimming, taking long walks and
hiking, watching intelligent movies and TV shows,
and reading books that can hold her interest for
longer than 15 minutes. That most certainly
includes cookbooks.
Naples Municipal is currently
home to three charter services:
Exec Air. Inc, Naples Air Inc.
and Naples Jet Center.
Exec Air flies to Key West,
Orlando, Tampa, Miami,
Jacksonville, Daytona,
Tallahassee, Hilton Head
and New Orleans.
Naples Air flies to 48 states,
the Bahamas, and Caribbean.
Naples Jet Center is an aircraft
management business and
charter service, providing
VIP charter service to
destinations across the U.S.
and around the world.
H I G H E R E D U CAT I O N
College Bound in Southwest Florida
by Teresa Morgenstern
F
or many high school graduates throughout Collier County,
the next natural step is to attend some type of college to
earn a professional accreditation, an associate’s degree, a
bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctorate. In Southwest
Florida, there are many choices for students, including Ave
Maria University, Ave Maria School of Law, Edison State
College, Florida Gulf Coast University, Hodges University and
Nova Southeastern University.
“Over the years there has been an increased interest in
higher education, and that has a magnetic attraction,” said
Dr. Jeff Allbritten, President, Edison State College Collier
Campus. “Thirty years ago, we were the only game in town,
but now students have a variety of choices. With the colleges
and universities, it’s more about cooperation than competition.
The more programs and resources that all of us can add to the
community, the more of a catalyst it becomes in the overall
growth, and the more local talent stays local.”
Collectively, there are tens of thousands of students, ages
18 and up, who take some sort of college classes. Edison State
College Collier Campus alone has over 4,000 students. Add in its
Lee, Charlotte and Hendry-Glades locations, and there are over
25,000 students. Florida Gulf Coast University had over 13,000
students enrolled this past fall, while Ave Maria University
has nearly 600 students and Ave Maria School of Law has 475
students. Hodges University (formerly International College)
has just over 3,000 students. Nova Southeastern is based in Fort
Ave Maria University
Lauderdale, but has off-site campuses around the state of Florida,
including Fort Myers, and one in Nassau, Bahamas. Overall, the
university has over 28,000 students.
While the majority of the students are registered full time,
there are a significant number who take classes part-time,
and who are from the local area, national and international
locations.
“We’ve seen big changes with an average annual growth
rate of about nine percent,” said Marc Laviolette, Director
of Admissions, Florida Gulf Coast University. “Most of that
growth is from traditional freshmen, but we’ve also seen more
students transferring from other colleges and universities, and
international students.”
“Ave Maria School of Law has 475 students, all full time. They
represent every state in the nation and many foreign countries,”
said John Knowles, Director of External Affairs/Interim Director
of Development. “This has been the case throughout the school’s
history.”
Each college and university has its own niche when it comes
to academic specialties and offerings.
“Our top three start with healthcare. And that’s not just
nursing. We include many medical support areas, from physical
therapy to radiology. Second, we are known for education with
bachelor degrees for teaching. Third is science, including biology
and environmental disciplines,” said Dr. Allbritten. “We like
keeping our students
excited and interested
in their studies. It’s
also important for us
to continually nurture
working relationships
with area employers
because that gives our
students access to real
world, hands-on learning
experiences,
and
a
natural pool of graduates
as future employees.”
“Our most popular
degree is in management.
We’ve also made great
inroads in environmental
sciences,
business
degrees
and
resort
and hospitality,” said
Laviolette.
At Ave Maria School
of Law, Knowles said
Florida Gulf Coast University
it’s best known for cannon law, military/
national security law, public interest law
and practical skills.
With the many opportunities to
advance one’s education, an evolution has
taken place.
“Obviously the most common career
path for an Ave Maria Law graduate is to
enter the legal profession as a practicing
attorney,” said Knowles. “Some will enter
politics or the media, and many will go
into public policy organizations or nonprofit leadership.”
“It’s encouraging to see so many
students stay in this area instead of
leaving,” said Laviolette. “Only half of our
students are from outside the area, with 65
percent of them from a five-county area.”
“Most of our students are Catholic,
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Christine & the team at the
STORMFORCE
4160 Corporate Square
Naples, FL 34104
Phone: 239-261-5495
www.StormForce1.com
On being the first to spot Chester this month!
You could be here next month! Simply find the Chamber Cat (this
page doesn’t count!) and email Marci
at [email protected]
with the page number.
(contest open to Greater Naples
Chamber Members Only)
but most other Christian denominations
and many non-Christian faiths are
represented,” said Knowles. “Ave Maria
School of Law has a very diverse student
population reflective of her national and
global scope.”
“Our students are capable of
accomplishing many great things,” said
Dr. Allbritten. “We are proud of the many
on-campus organizations we have that
give our students the opportunity to
further develop their leadership skills and
get involved in our community.”
All agreed that meeting the growing
needs of an expanding student population
offers challenges and opportunities.
“We really try to respond to the
surrounding area. For example, we saw a
local need and an interest in engineering,
and we have since launched a school
of engineering,” said Laviolette. “Our
hospitality students rely on the area to be
placed for internships.”
“Our students have a fantastic student
government, the Student Bar Association,
which holds weekly meetings and is very
communicative on students’ needs and
concerns,” said Knowles. “Administrators
have an ‘open door’ policy with students
and are extremely accessible. We have
a full-time Chaplain who is a Roman
Catholic priest who offers counseling and
spiritual services to our community.”
“At Edison we do needs assessments
with our students and employers,” said
Dr. Allbritten. “What we have learned
by utilizing these resources is the ability
to anticipate needs ahead of the curve
and build programs accordingly. Just as
important, this has also allowed us to be
flexible too.”
If there was a crystal ball that could
reveal how higher education in Southwest
Florida would look in the next 10 years,
the consensus is that there will be a
continued increase in the desire to remain
in the community while also advancing an
education.
“We should be at 20,000 to 22,000
students in the next decade, and that will
mean the need to expand our campus,”
said Laviolette. “We will continue to
increase our course offerings.”
“The Law School will enjoy exponential
growth in her alumni community in the
next 10 years, which will help with all
the key areas of the law school’s life,” said
Knowles. “Our relationships in the Naples
community will become more settled,
and our ties to the legal community will
strengthen. Our law faculty will grow
and become even stronger, which will
provide greater value to students. Our
commitment to our mission and Roman
Catholic identity will remain steadfast.”
“At Edison, we’ll continue to offer
more and more baccalaureate degrees,”
said Dr. Allbritten. “With more degrees,
we will offer additional programs, and
that will encourage the continued growth
of our campus. In the future we’ll offer
more centers for classes, consulting and
ultimately continue our dedication to
serving our community.” õ
Hodges University
Nova Southeastern University
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COVER STORY
Collier County Public School
District: Today and Tomorrow
By Teresa Morgenstern
W
hen Chief Operating Officer Michele LaBute arrived in Collier County in the 1970,
the public school district had between 15,000 and 18,000 students and two high
schools: Naples and Immokalee. Today, there are over 42,000 students and eight
high schools.
“The change has been phenomenal. I remember when all the teachers could meet in Pine Ridge
Middle School’s cafeteria,” she said. “And now, there are 3,000 teachers in a county that covers
2,000 square miles.”
Along with an ever-expanding school district, there have been significant changes in how
children are educated, thanks to technology and a changing population. As the demographic
profile of a typical student evolves, so too has the education they receive, and the requirements
for graduation. In early 2010, the Florida legislature passed Senate Bill 4, also called the
graduation bill. In the next seven years, starting with this year’s high school freshman class, SB
4 brings new graduation requirements and the eventual replacement of the math and science
sections of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). By the 2013-2014 academic
year, incoming high school students will be required to pass algebra I, geometry and biology
end-of-course exams in order to graduate.
“There is a lot more standardization in what we are doing and a new accountability factor,”
said LaBute. “Teachers have the freedom in their methodology, but they are all teaching the
same thing.”
According to the school district’s website, more than 46 percent of the students live in
homes where English isn’t the first language or may not be spoken at all. That percentage
jumps another seven percent to 53 in grades PreK through third. These statistics and the desire
to improve academic scores have led to the implementation of an extended school year at one
elementary school for the fall 2011.
“We have found that children in homes where English is spoken very little or not at all,
summer break means an even greater gap in retention of what was learned in school,” said
LaBute. “They return to school further behind, and the teachers spend much more time getting
them back on track and moving ahead.”
Looking for a solution, the school district turned to the Balsz Elementary School District
in Phoenix. The district implemented a 200-day calendar and realized dramatic increases in
reading scores, where 90 percent of its students qualify for free or reduced lunches and half of
its students are English learners. With the Arizona school district as an example, the Collier
School District will implement at 200-day school year this fall at Parkside Elementary School.
The school district will spend an extra $600,000 for the program.
“We met with the school principal about this idea, and then sent a survey to the parents to
gauge how supportive they would be,” said LaBute. “We found of the more than 800 students
there, only about 20 parents opposed the extended year.”
Parkside Elementary School students will start July 11, a full 20 days earlier than the rest of the
district’s schools. Their extra days, however, will be 5.5 hours and focus on subjects from English,
math and science to social studies. Additional schools within the district may also implement a 200day school year in the coming years.
A Change in Leadership
Just as things change over time, so too has the leadership at the school district. Last year, the school
board voted not to renew Superintendent Dr. Dennis Thompson’s contract.
New Initiative Says “Get On The Bus”
Simply put, The Education Foundation’s new initiative, “Get on the Bus™”
is to encourage the community to get involved in the success of education in
Collier County.
“The idea behind this was to create a website that gives access to
everyone who is interested in how they can help the students and teachers
of Collier County schools,” said Susan McManus, President, The Education
Foundation. “Visitors to the site can learn what they can do, whether it’s
donating resources or their time. This site will include information on what
is needed at particular schools.”
The site, www.GetOnTheBusCollier.org, will have additional features
added throughout the year.
“The first part of the site is live, which includes information about
scholarships and internship opportunities,” said McManus. “In the Spring
we hope to have a section where educators can post their classroom needs. In
the fall we hope to have the more interactive features of the site for students
and their families.”
The site itself is an extension of the Connect Now Community
Engagement initiative, which brought together business and community
leaders to collectively create a process that ultimately provides an additional
source for support of schools. Over the course of 18 months, hundreds of
community members participated in conversations in English, Spanish and
Creole to communicate what they want and expect for their schools. From
there, 46 representatives gathered to bring all the information that became
the Community Statement.
The site, said McManus, is already making an impact.
“This is a way to partner and work with the community organizations
to benefit our schools. It’s important to pay attention to the little things
we do and share ideas,” she said. “Arthrex, for example, donated
wireless printers for our Take Stock (in Children)
students going to college. This site will help
our community know how they can help
and ultimately make a difference in the
educational success of our students.”
“We have completed the first stage of
the search, and that is hiring a national
search firm to assist us with the process,
and to engage the community as a whole,”
said Julie Sprague, Chairwoman, Collier
County School Board. “We want to
involve everyone because everybody has a
stake in this decision.”
Sprague said that groups from SACS,
the PTA, teacher unions, non-teaching
and staff support unions and women’s
groups to churches, civic organizations
and individuals were encouraged to
participate.
“We set up a website where everyone
could go to participate in a survey about
the search for a new superintendent.
That survey gave everyone a chance to
let us know what they are looking for in
a superintendent, what qualities he or
she should have,” said Sprague. “We’ve
taken a very proactive approach and are
recruiting people. We’re not waiting to
get resumes. It’s important to us to do this
the right way and get the best possible
candidates. We will also be visiting their
communities and interviewing them as a
part of this process.”
The entire process, Sprague said, should
lead to the hiring of a new superintendent
by mid-April. In February, two critical
stages in the process will have been
completed: a series of town hall forums
with the community, the finalization of the
application form for potential candidate,
marketing and promotional materials,
and recruitment efforts at the American
Association of School Administrators
conference in Denver. The deadline for the
submission of all candidate application
materials has been set for March 30. By
the week of April 13, the development
and finalization of interview questions
and procedures with the board should
be established, along with a list of semifinalists. Interviews for the finalists are
tentatively scheduled for the week of
April 18.
“There could be some changes to
the dates, but this is the schedule
we plan to follow in order to select a
new superintendent,” said Sprague.
“Ultimately, we want our decision to be
based on what the community says they
want in a new superintendent.”
Additional Educational Opportunities
Along with the traditional high school
experience, students in the Collier
County School District have additional
educational opportunities, from online
courses to dual enrollment in partnership
with Edison State College.
“High school juniors and seniors have the
opportunity to take classes on our Collier
County campus,” said Dr. Jeff Allbritten,
President, Edison State College Collier
Campus. “They have the potential to earn
an associate’s degree while simultaneously
earning their high school diploma. And
they can do this without having to pay for
college tuition or books.”
“I think all students start off with incredible ability and curiosity, and
if they’re given the opportunity to pursue that, if they’re given a chance
to see the neat things about the world in terms that they can appreciate
and enjoy, that their abilities will be reinforced and that we’ll really
achieve so much more potential out of the great students we have than
we do today.”
– Bill Gates
Last fall Edison State College received
unanimous approval from the Collier
School Board for the Edison Collegiate
High School-Collier. Planned for a fall
2013 opening, the school will accept
100 freshman students, then each year
thereafter, 100 additional freshman
students until the school caps at 400
students. The school will be Science
Technology Engineering Mathematics
(STEM) based. This will be the third
STEM-based collegiate high school.
Edison State College launched the first
one in Charlotte County two years ago
and now has 200 students in ninth and
tenth grade, and last fall, the Lee County
school with 100 freshman students. The
Charlotte County school recently ranked
third in the state for FCAT reading
scores.
Students who graduate from an Edison
Collegiate High School can also earn an
associate’s degree simultaneously with
their high school diploma.
Looking Ahead
The future of the Collier County School
District?
“I think the way we do things now will
be as different as how it was done 20 years
ago, and even more different 20 years
from now,” said LaBute. “Technology will
obviously be so much further advanced,
but I think there will still be a teacher and a
classroom. A key component of education
is the interpersonal relationships. There
is no substitute for the support a student
gets from a teacher.”
“Our job is to get these kids really ready
for this new world they are walking into,”
said Sprague, “And align ourselves with
that direction.”
According to the Collier County
Public Schools website, the district is a
recognized technology leader, with about
27,000 networked computers throughout
the district. Of those, 20,000 are accessible
by students.
“The technology in our district is
terrific, and focused on the students,” said
LaBute. “The computers are another tool to
provide additional interaction and guided
instruction to our students. We want to
be sure that we have technology for kids’
sake, not technology for technology’s
sake.”
õ
Teresa A. Morgenstern is the founder
of WordPlay, Inc., with offices in Naples,
FL and Dallas. A native of Camp LeJeune,
NC, Morgenstern graduated from Ball State
University, Muncie, IN with a BA in journalism
with specialties in sports and feature writing.
Prior to launching WordPlay,Inc. she was the
public relations manager for WCI Communities.
She is the 2006 president of the Public Relations
Society of America/Gulf Coast Chapter, the public
relations director for Taste of Collier, a Gulfshore
Business Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 business
professionals for 2005,a two-time National Telly
Award winner for scriptwriting and a five-time
Golden Image Award winner, Florida Public
Relations Association. She also serves on the
board for Sports Club, a non-profit after-school
child care and summer camp program, PRSA
Gulf Coast Chapter and is a 2010 graduate of
Leadership Collier.
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PUBLIC POLICY
Classroom Reduction
Amendment
By Teresa Morgenstern
D
istrict Population: nearly 43,300 across 48 schools
throughout Collier County (excluding charter schools).
Of those students, nearly 44 percent are Hispanic while
40 percent are White. And more than 59 percent of the students
qualify for a free or reduced price lunch. There are nearly 3,000
teachers, with just fewer than 50 percent with advanced degrees.
During the 2009-2010 school year, Collier County School District
students surpassed the state average for SAT scores in verbal, math
and writing scores. Last year, 2,700 students marched to “Pomp
and Circumstance” during their high school graduation, a nearly 81
percent graduation rate, while the dropout rate was two percent.
According to the school district’s website, it’s just a quick snapshot
of the students who attend Collier County Public Schools.
Those very students are now subject to the implementation
of Florida’s Class Size Reduction Amendment, also known as
Amendment 9. The amendment received voter approval in 2002,
which set limits on the maximum number of students in core classes
such as math, English, foreign languages, social studies, science,
self-contained (kindergarten and first grade), Exceptional Student
Education (ESE) and English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL). There can be up to 18 students in grades prekindergarten
through third grade; up to 22 students in grades 4-8; and up to 25
students in grades 9-12.
In November 2010, voters were asked to approve a constitutional
provision of the classroom amendment so that it would be based
on averages, not actual individual classroom numbers. The Collier
County School District decided to defy the class size amendment
in order to await the outcome of Florida Class Size, Amendment
8. The average class sizes within the school district are 16 for prekindergarten through third grade; 19 for grades 4-8; and 22 for high
school.
“We decided to wait on spending millions of dollars, hiring 200
teachers, purchasing materials and rezoning children, and then end
up not needing to do it in the first place,” said Michele LaBute, Chief
Operational Officer, Collier County Public Schools. “I still think it
was a good decision.”
“The 2002 amendment required voter approval of 50-plus
percent,” said Sprague. “But in the last election, you needed 60
percent voter approval to pass an amendment.”
The amendment failed, and as a result, Collier County was
fined.
“Right now, the state has adjusted the fine with a nebulous
formula to $2.8 million,” LaBute said. “If our class plan is approved,
then the state would return 75 percent of that fine to our district.
The remaining 25 percent would be distributed to districts in the
state that are already in compliance.”
That 25 percent adds up to $700,000.
“Smaller classes sound like the Fourth
of July with hot dogs and sparklers,” said
LaBute. “It sounds like a good American
thing. In very large districts in the state,
there were classes that had 40 kids in
them. Collier County has never had
that extreme. In 2002, there were 18
amendments on the ballot, and I don’t
think voters had the ramifications of the
amendment explained to them, including
funding.”
“I was a teacher in 2002, and there
were some classes on the other coast that
had 40 to 50 kids in them. I had 40 some
kids in my class and you simply can’t do
as good a job with that many students,”
said Julie Sprague, Chairwoman, Collier
County School Board. “With smaller
classes, you can give students more
individualized attention, which is why I
believe the amendment passed. However I
don’t think voters saw all the attachments
that came with the amendment.”
The money needed to comply with this
state mandate is the responsibility of the
state, according to the Florida Department
of Education (FDOE), and not the local
school districts. Such funding can be
supplemented with federal money.
“The amendment states that our
legislation must fund the costs of the
amendment,” said LaBute. “But we have
had to rely upon our reserves to get us
through this year, and we may or may not
have enough to get us through a second
year. We are hopeful but not optimistic
that the legislature will provide the
necessary funding. This amendment has a
big effect on our programs, with between
$15 million and $16 million in recurring
costs.”
LaBute added that funding is a huge
question without knowing the outlook of
the new governor and what cuts he will
make in order to cut spending and balance
the state budget.
“The economy affects funding with the
state’s general revenue - property taxes,”
she said. “We’ve had three years of a down
economy.”
During that time, the school district’s
population has been stable, even with a
one percent growth.
“We haven’t seen a lot of change in our
numbers overall,” said LaBute. Although
The reach you need.
the national unemployment rate hovers around 10 percent, one
change the amendment creates is new jobs in the school district.
“This school year, we hired over 300 teachers, and next year we’ll
be looking for over 500 teachers.”
The school district must now comply.
“We have some really hard decisions to make. Once a
classroom reaches the maximum number of students allowed,
the challenge comes when a new student enrolls. We can hire a
teacher, split the class into two new classes, or, if there is no room
at the school, that student will have to be bused to a neighboring
school,” said LaBute. “In the past we’ve bent over backwards to
accommodate as many students as we can, but now we just can’t
do that anymore.”
Tough Choices
For Annalise Smith, the class size amendment has directly
impacted her children, who are in the first and fourth grade at
Osceola Elementary School.
Osceola. I believe that kids who have to be rezoned to another
school should be the first let back into their school if there are
openings.”
Sprague added that the population is moving to the north
and central parts of Collier County. Such movement will impact
schools like Osceola, Laurel Oak Elementary and Gulf Coast
High School.
“We have to look at the future so we don’t have to keep
rezoning and uprooting kids again and again,” she said. “We
need to leave a little wiggle room in these classes based on
projections.”
“It’s like going to McDonalds with no money,” said Smith.
“How do you pay for the Big Mac? It’s really unfortunate that
people didn’t understand the unintended consequences and how
it ultimately affects our children. It’s a Catch-22. It sounds great,
but is it practical or even cost-effective? How is our state going
to pay for all of this?” õ
“We were spared the rezone last year. The school board
made the most responsible decision they could at the time by
not complying with the original amendment and waiting for
the outcome of the November vote,” she said. “They reevaluated
the use of teachers and classes and I commend them for that.
However, my kids are part of the proposed students who will
be rezoned to another school. I understand the amendment, but
what I don’t understand is why 79 kids from our school have to
be rezoned, when we have 80 out-of-zone students allowed to
stay.”
LaBute said those choice and out-of-zone students are
children are school employees and the result of hardship cases.
Once approved, she added, these students have to reapply each
year. The school board was set to vote on the matter during its
February 15 meeting.
“If a school is at capacity, we can’t allow additional students
to attend there,” said Sprague. “The rezoning is to bring balance
to all schools across the district. For example, enrollment at
Seagate Elementary School is really low this year, while other
schools are at capacity. I’m really torn about the situation at
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E C O N O M I C TDEECVHENLO
OLPOMGEYN T
BioFlorida: Growing Florida’s
Bioscience Industries
by William R. Knab
B
ioFlorida was founded in 1997 as a means to
unite and support a small group of biotechnology
entrepreneurs; today the organization represents
a broad range of companies and institutions in various
sectors of bioscience technology. Our mission is to represent
and advocate for the state’s biotechnology, pharmaceutical
and medical device industries. We seek to establish Florida as
a worldwide leader in the biosciences. BioFlorida’s leadership
and programs positively influence the growth of the industry,
including initiatives related to capital formation, public policy,
workforce development, education and commercialization of
research. BioFlorida’s programs and events are designed to bring
like minds together, and foster both individual and collective
success of our membership. Statewide activities offer a platform
for discussion of industry issues, a forum for peer discussions, and
networking for enhancement of existing businesses. We act as
the catalyst for the growth of Florida’s Bioscience Industry
In an effort to expand the ability of Southwest Florida to
attract quality high wage jobs and companies in the bioscience
industry, the economic development organizations in Southwest
Florida helped to launch a new Southwest Chapter for BioFlorida
in 2009 this is the sixth BioFlorida chapter in the state. BioFlorida
has organized into local chapters to insure that each regions
individual needs are identified and met.
Southwest Florida is poised to be the next hotspot for growth
in Florida’s expanding bioscience industry. BioFlorida now
has a real presence in this region and will be able to represent
the bioscience community through networking, education and
outreach programs, advocacy, and member benefits to companies
and institutes in the region.
The need to establish a dedicated chapter to this region was
imminent to ensure that Florida’s southwest life sciences cluster
– including industry, research, education and provider services
– grows in line with the rest of the state. With a six county
regional effort encompassing Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry,
Lee and Sarasota, the Southwest Chapter provides a central
communications conduit for networking, recruiting, training and
information as well as a direct link to statewide efforts.
Assets to grow a successful bioscience community already exist
in the region, with resources quietly growing over the past ten years.
The region has excellent academic resources including Florida’s
Gulf Coast University (FGCU) with an established bioengineering
program. Edison State College and Hodges University have
developed leading allied health training programs. Today, more
than 35 well-established bioscience companies in the six-county
region thrive in the area, and there’s hope of attracting new
companies.
We have established
access to capital through the
newly formed Tamiami Angel Fund and a
network of business incubators are being planned for the
region. Research parks in partnerships with FGCU are also
under development and planning throughout Southwest
Florida, with the first park announced last year near the
Southwest Florida International Airport.
As the voice of Florida’s bioscience industry, BioFlorida
now represents 200 member companies and research, including
biomedical R&D companies, medical device manufacturing,
clinics and hospitals, academia, government and non-profit
organizations, and industry services/products. In 2010, the
BioFlorida Institute was established to provide support for
K-12 science education, workforce development programs,
professional training and industry and research information.
BioFlorida’s legislative policy efforts to assist growing
the industry are well established in both Tallahassee and
Washington DC, and include a comprehensive set of legislative
priorities and an active governmental affairs committee.
2010 Highlights:
• BioFlorida hosted several district tours for policymakers
and fly-ins for advocacy at the federal level.
• Numerous BioFlorida legislative priorities were passed in
2010, including a small business matching grants program,
funding for the Innovation Incentive Fund and funding for
biomedical research grants.
• At the federal level, BioFlorida supported the Qualified
Therapeutic Discovery Project, which awarded more than
$26M in grants to 77 Florida-based bioscience companies
• BioFlorida hosted the Florida Pavilion at the BIO
International Convention held May 3-6 in Chicago. More
than 15 Florida-based companies and organizations were
represented, and the conference
boasted more than 15,000 attendees
from 65 countries and 49 states.
In February of 2010, BioFlorida
members travelled to Tallahassee for the
3rd Annual BioFlorida Legislative Day,
where they attended a Biotechnology
Legislative Caucus Meeting chaired by
Rep. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) and
Sen. Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) and
later met with legislators in one-on-one
meetings.
Initiatives for 2011
BioFlorida plans to increase its
legislative advocacy communications by
enhancing grassroots outreach programs,
engaging members in governmental affairs
activities and educating members on
important issues.
BioFlorida is launching an online
Bulletin Board that will offer members
the ability to post product and service
needs, outlines Chapter sponsorship
opportunities and benefits and integrates
and improves group purchasing programs
(cost saving programs offered to BioFlorida
members only from the national BIO
organization).
BioFlorida is committed to helping its
membership grow their business, which
ultimately helps the state’s entire industry
flourish. Some of the programs in place
include:
• Access to capital
• Business development
• Company & industry marketing
• Online Career Center & job postings
• Group purchasing discounts
As a strategy to assist members,
BioFlorida is developing specialized
business growth programs that are offered
free of charge, including professional
development programs, webinars and
seminars with industry experts.
BioFlorida played a key role in getting
the Qualified Therapeutic Discovery
Project passed in Washington. The
industry group then worked diligently
with its membership base to make sure
Florida companies benefited from this
important legislation. Over 75 Florida
firms were awarded more than $26 million
in federal tax credits or grants under the
Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project
Program for research and development of
new products or therapeutics with promise
to significantly advance healthcare in the
country. The program, which was created
as part of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act of 2010, awarded up
to $244,479.25 per application.
“Our company learned about the
opportunity through BioFlorida’s training
and education programs, which helped
us submit successful applications,” said
Stephanie Warrington, BioFlorida vice
chair, and vice president of corporate
affairs & business development at Xhale,
Inc., a Gainesville developer of medical
devices and breath-based technologies.
“Grants such as these are critical to
the development of our product line,
the growth of our company, and the
advancement of many other bioscience
companies in the state.”
Xhale was awarded two grants totaling
$422,771.25 to conduct research into a
novel ethanol monitor, and for a breathbased glucose monitor.
The federal credits or grants are
designed for projects that show significant
potential to produce new cost-saving
therapies, create U.S. jobs, increase the
country’s competitiveness or significantly
advance the goal of curing cancer within
the next 30 years. The credit or grant
can cover up to 50 percent of the cost
of biomedical research expenses that
qualify. The maximum credit is $5 million
per firm, and $1 billion for the program
nationwide. Only firms with 250 or fewer
employees were eligible to apply for
credits or grants to put toward 2009 and
2010 investments.
“One of the elements Florida needs to
grow its bioscience businesses is earlystage capital and grants to take innovative
healthcare solutions to the next level of
development,” said Thomas McLain, chief
executive officer of the St. Petersburgbased Claro Scientific, LLC, and chairman
of BioFlorida’s federal policy committee.
“BioFlorida’s
legislative
committee
went to Washington to meet with our
representatives in Congress to ask them
to support this initiative. Now at a
challenging time for our state’s economy,
Florida will benefit from increased
investments in biotechnology, research
and jobs because of these credits.”
The U.S. Treasury Department reported
it received more than 5,600 applications
requesting more than $10 billion.
“This is a great way to help young,
innovative companies through these
tough economic times, and we will
continue to support efforts to expand
and extend the therapeutic tax credit
program in Congress,” said Russell Allen,
president and chief executive officer of
BioFlorida. “We continue to advocate for
state-sponsored support for emerging
bioscience companies to continue the
momentum of the federal program, and
to help create the high value jobs in our
industry that will strengthen Florida’s
economy.”
BioFlorida’s Southwest chapter is
a little over a year and a half old at this
point. We have tripled the membership
base in Southwest Florida and provided
6 high profile public events. We look
forward to growing a vibrant cluster of
Bioscience/Lifescience companies here
in Southwest Florida leading the way to
more stable employment and economic
diversity for the region.
For further information, or to get
involved with BioFlorida, contact William
Knab, BioFlorida South West Chapter
Chair at 239-287-2655 or wrknab@gmail.
com. Additional information can also be
found at www.bioflorida.com. õ
MARKETING
How to Put Social Media Marketing
to Work for Your Company
By Newt Barrett
Social media marketing is a trend,
not a fad.
What’s clear from current research
is that when we evaluate social media,
we are not talking about the marketing
longevity equivalent of the hula hoop or
the Lambada.
sadder than a business blog whose most
recent post was a year ago. And, there is
nothing less impressive than a Facebook
fan page with only a few fans and hardly
any messages to or from those fans.
Yes, social media can be an extremely
effective marketing tool. But, you will need
Social media marketing is here to stay. to make a serious company commitment
If you are not already active in venues such to ensure that it is effective for your
as a business blog, Facebook, Twitter, organization.
LinkedIn, and YouTube, you should be
Limited space permits us to dig into
asking yourself whether it’s way past time only three social media tools, but they
to jump in with both virtual feet.
are arguably the most important for most
The answer to the question is yes with small to medium-sized businesses.
an important caveat…
•
A Business Blog
…Before making the commitment to
one or many possible social media outlets,
it is vital to determine whether:
•
Facebook
•
Twitter
• you understand the target audience
that you intend to reach
• you have something valuable to
communicate to that target audience
• you have someone with the time, skill,
and enthusiasm to execute a consistent
social media program--either inside or
outside your organization
What Exactly Is Social Media and
Why Is It Important?
to develop a content marketing mindset.
This requires companies to think like
publishers. And, that sounds an awful lot
like social media as Wikipedia defines it:
Social media is information content created
by people using highly accessible and scalable
publishing technologies. At its most basic sense,
social media is a shift in how people discover, read
and share news, information and content. It’s a
fusion of sociology and technology, transforming
monologue (one to many) into dialog (many to
many) and is the democratization of information,
transforming people from content readers into
publishers.
Because social media is in a constant
state of flux with new technologies and
tools coming and going you might feel
intimidated at ever trying to understand
the essence of social media. But as Paul
Gillen explains in his excellent book
Social media is really all about
content marketing. In
previous articles, we
spoke about
the need
• you will make the time to listen
and respond to your social media
audience.
There is nothing
This is the last in a four part series designed to help you create an effective online content
marketing strategy that will enable your organization to attract your ideal target buyers
and to make it easy for them to become customers.
Secrets of Social Media Marketing, “there is nothing mysterious about social media.
The practices that we all use to maintain meaningful relationships in our personal lives
apply just as well online. It’s just that the media is different.”
In a sense, social media goes back to the earliest times, when people gathered
together in the marketplace and shared information about crops, food, neighbors, the
evil King, and rumors of a scary dragon lurking in the forest.
In the 21st century, we talk about the same sort of stuff, but much of it has moved
online and become highly mobile thanks to the Internet, iPhones, iPads, and a host of
other leading-edge devices.
Just a few years ago, social media was a relatively marginal phenomenon. Today, just
like the Internet, it is absolutely mainstream and therefore belongs as a core part of your
marketing mix.
Five Reasons Why You Should Begin Your Social Media Marketing Efforts Now:
Chamber
Connect
Your
Connection
to the
Business
Community
In Your
Email
Every
Monday
Don’t
Miss It!
1. Your customers are using it to make buying decisions. Millions of web users,
both in the business to consumer and business-to-business markets, are reading
blogs, visiting Facebook, and tweeting daily. They are relying increasingly on social
media for buying information in both the b2b and b2c worlds.
2. Smart news organizations are with the social media program. The New York
Times and Wall Street Journal and your local newspaper have made social media
fundamental to how they learn and how they report. If it’s good enough for their
information gathering and sharing where it really counts, it’s certainly good enough
for the rest of us.
3. Your competitors are using it. You’re almost certainly paying attention to your
smartest competition. I’d be surprised if most of them haven’t already dived headfirst
into social media waters. Organizations as diverse as law firms, interior designers,
real estate agents, and roofing companies are using blogs, podcasts, videos, and
user communities such as Facebook to demonstrate their expertise and thought
leadership. Don’t let those tough competitors outmarket you via social media.
4. It can be your most cost effective marketing strategy. The required financial
investment in creating a blog, for example, can be close to zero. The real investment
will be in time and thought required to craft a content marketing strategy which
provides valuable information to your customers and prospects. You may need to
hire specific content creation resources either internally or externally. 5. Your old-style marketing is less and less effective. Because buyer behavior has
changed, you cannot expect traditional advertising and public relations alone to
drive buyers to your business as it did a decade ago. You may certainly want to
use those traditional tools to drive them to your online home. That’s where you can
prove to prospective customers that you are a reliable supplier who can be trusted,
based on your knowledge and understanding of your their problems. A regular
blog, a Facebook fan page or a series of informative YouTube videos may be just the
ticket to prove that you are the best choice to provide essential solutions. Why Your Blog Is Your Most Important Social Media Tool
At heart, social media is all about relevant and compelling content. Why? Social media
is simply an instance of content marketing with the opportunity for meaningful
interaction with your target customers. A business blog is the best place to begin.
Thanks to free or inexpensive blogging tools, even the smallest organization can be on
the same technological footing as news sources such as the New York Times or the
Wall Street Journal. That may seem relatively obvious. What may be less obvious
is that your blog is every bit as much a social media tool as Twitter, Facebook or
LinkedIn. In fact, I am convinced that a blog is the most important social media
weapon in your arsenal. Here’s why:
Six Reasons That Your Blog Must Be the Core of Your Social Media Strategy
1. To have meaningful social media impact, you must provide a critical mass of
content that will position you and your organization as thought leaders within
your market niche. Nothing works better than a blog to achieve that objective. 28 MARCH 2011 I Business Currents I Visit Us Online at www.napleschamber.org
Over time, your blog will contain an increasingly rich
and relevant reservoir of information that serves as
a Google magnet. Thus, you will become more and
more findable by those customers you need to attract.
2. You can provide an unlimited amount of vital information
in a single location. Because Web visitors are desperately
seeking answers to their most pressing questions, you
have the opportunity to provide just the right answers for
your ideal target customers. The best blogs can provide
the vast majority of targeted information that there ideal
visitors require in their search for solutions.
3. Content aside, the structure of a blog enables you to
organize your information almost effortlessly to the
benefit of your visitors. By defining the most important
areas of information that you will cover and translating
them into ‘categories,’ you enable your visitors to
find exactly what they want with minimal effort.
4. Unlike other social media tools, such as Facebook,
Twitter, and LinkedIn, your blog is open to the entire
world. This enables you to achieve potentially infinite
reach for your critical mass of content. Although you may
request visitors to register and offer them enticements
such as a free e-book or eNewsletter, they don’t have
to join a special club to benefit from your information.
5. You can be both timely and comprehensive. Although
Twitter couldn’t be more timely, the information, opinions,
and advice you tweet can never be comprehensive. Your
blog can be just as timely as Twitter because you can post
information instantaneously. But you can also make each
post as comprehensive as necessary and integrate that post
with lots of other relevant information on your blog.
6. Your blog posts, far from being isolated from other great tools
such as Facebook and Twitter, can be automatically pulled
into each one. Thus, those two powerhouses can enhance your
online presence every time you post an article on your blog. That’s three for the price of one. Not bad.
Thus, the first step in implementing your social media strategy
should be creating a business blog. Once your blog is up and
running with lots of relevant customer centric content, then start
thinking about Facebook and Twitter–and any other possible
social media tools you might consider.
Expanding Your Social Media Efforts to Facebook and
Twitter
Facebook: How to Beat the Big Guys without Spending a
Nickel
Facebook gives the same David versus Goliath benefit that
businesses can derive from an effective blog. This is especially
true when local businesses are competing against large national
companies.
Any individual or business can have a free presence on Facebook
with the opportunity to aggregate hundreds--or even thousands-of friends and fans with whom to interact. There is no need to
worry about being outspent in your local market as you would be
in newspapers or television by competitors with deep pockets.
A terrific example is a two-person specialty grocer in a
small Virginia town with a very small budget but a very big
imagination.
George Bowers Grocery Makes a Fun 1 to 1 Connection That’s
Impossible for the Kroger to Match
The right niche and the right approach enable a two-person
company to outshine a retailing giant on Facebook. That’s true
of George Bowers Grocery in Staunton Virginia where owners Katie
McCaskey and Brian Weidman have created a delightful grocery
store that focuses on high-quality foods and other specialty
products.
The couple knew they could not compete head-to-head with
the local Kroger supermarket in their community. Instead they
have captured the spirit of the original 19th-century owner as a
provider of “staple goods & fancy groceries.”
They offer wonderful local meats, cheeses, wines, and craft
beers as well as a variety of specialty items. They target
the diverse mix of neighborhood residents, local food
enthusiasts, and culinary tourists each with their own
distinctive interests and needs. The atmosphere of the
store itself is an eclectic blend of the old-fashioned and
the modern.
And, they have a lot of fun with their marketing, in
person and online.
Meeting The Marketing Challenge: Content
Marketing, Social Media, and Live Events
Newspaper, TV, radio, and Yellow Pages advertising
were out of the question given the grocery’s tiny marketing
budget. Instead, online content marketing and the judicious
use of social media became the obvious marketing solution. In
particular, their use of live events and Facebook demonstrates how
New Chamber Members
Bill Goddard - Keating Assoc.
Real Estate
Mr. Bill Goddard
850 5th Avenue South
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 262-6606
For Eternity Photography
Thomas M. Fabian V
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 649-4993
www.foreternityphotography.com
Sugar Palm Bakery, LLC
Mr. David Calandra
5417 Airport Pulling Rd.
Naples, FL 34103
(239) 254-8115
www.sugarpalmbakery.com
Capital Guardian Wealth
Management
Mr. Bob P. Hodges, Jr.
4001 N. Tamiami Trail
Suite 330
Naples, FL 34103
(239) 919-5900
www.capitalguardianllc.com
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
Ms. Sue Stewart
4780 Cattleman Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 921-5358
www.gsgcf.org
Trim Wellness Café
Mr. Mark Porraro
9655 Tamiami Trail North # 102
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 594-8746
www.trimwellnesscafe.com
Concrete Crack
Solutions, Inc.
Ms. Wanda Moore
5140 Cobble Creek Court
#103
Naples, FL 34110
(239) 594-0299
www.Cracks-Be-Gone.com
David M. Kover &
Associates, LLC
Mr. David Kover
5636 Hammock Isles Dr.
Naples, FL 34119
(888) 411-2590
www.davidkover.com
dotNaples LLC
Mr. Alexander Schubert
1632 SE 46th Street
Cape Coral, FL 33904
(239) 234-1144
www.dotFlorida.org
Hulett Environmental Services
Mr. Michael Raab
13970 Treeline Avenue
#1
Ft. Myers, FL 33913
(239) 225-6323
www.bugs.com
Naples Home Watch, Inc.
Mr. Kent Brooks
7775 Naples Heritage Dr.
Naples, FL 34112
(239) 877-2179
www.NaplesHomeWatch.net
Niche Event Rentals
Ms. Donna McFarlane
(239) 352-9000
www.nicheeventrental.com
Spanky’s Speakeasy
Ms. Jane Hunt-Alander
1550 Airport Pulling Rd N
Naples, FL 34104
(239) 643-1559
www.spankysnaples.com
For more information on these and all Chamber members,
visit the Chamber business directory online at
www.napleschamber.org
Assisting Hands
10661 Airport Pulling Road N.
# 15
Naples, FL 34109
www.homecarenaples.com
Assisting Hands provides assistance with the
activities of daily living – whether preparing a
meal, assistance with bathing, or safety and
fall prevention – all in the privacy and comfort
of your own home. We tailor our services to fit
your needs – whether it’s one morning a week,
or around the clock. Services are available
24/7. We customize our services to your needs
and schedule!
Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners, LLC
9140 Corsea del Fontana Way
Bldg 110, Suite 2
Naples, FL 34109
www.bks-partners.com
We design, implement and manage holistic
insurance solutions for companies and
sophisticated individuals; all from a convergent
perspective. We offer an alternative to risk
management and insurance: a client centric
approach of a boutique firm with resources and
industry specialization.
Bill Goddard , GRI, Realtor
Naples, FL 34102
www.Naples3.com
Bill has been a resident of Naples, Florida since
1954. He attended Naples High School. Bill left
Naples to join the United States Navy and Florida
State University. Upon graduation he joined Ford
through Bartow Ford Company where he bought,
sold or established automobile dealerships. He
retired in 2000 and brought his Real Estate
License to Naples to sell his Home Town to those
who really appreciate “The Best”.
Concrete Crack Solutions, Inc.
5140 Cobble Creek Court
#103
Naples, FL 34110
Naples Home Watch, Inc
7775 Naples Heritage Drive
Naples, FL 34112
www.NaplesHomeWatch.net
Naples Home Watch is a fully insured and
licensed Florida corporation. Our objective is
to give owners of a second home the piece of
mind that their property will be in the best of
condition when they return to Naples. We treat
your homes as if it were our own.
Naples Scene Visitor’s Guide
PO Box 122
Sanibel, FL 33957
www.IslandSceneSanibel.com
The Naples Scene Visitor’s Guide connects Naples
businesses to vacationers all along the coast
of Southwest Florida. The magazine is placed
over 6,500 hotel rooms from Naples to Bonita
Springs, Estero, Fort Myers for an entire year,
reaching an estimated half a million vacationers.
Vacationers to SWFL like to take day trips – our
magazine directs them to your door!
Sugar Palm Bakery
5417 Airport Pulling Road
Naples, FL 34109
www.sugarpalmbakery.com
Sugar Palm Bakery serves fresh baked goods,
along with custom and special event cakes and
pies. Additionally, breakfast and lunch items
are available including soups, chili and stew,
specialty sandwiches and more.
Trim Wellness Café
9655 Tamiami Trail North #102
Naples, FL 34108
www.trimwellnesscafe.com
Trim Wellness Café is a unique concept to SW
Florida, where we serve optimal health through
infused Vitamin Therapies, Medically Prescribed
Weight Loss, and Hormone Optimization. The
Café offers a luxurious, yet relaxed social setting
with free Wi-Fi, TV’s and many types of healthy
refreshments.
N
S
e
p
w
o
t
M
l
e
i
m
g
b
h
e
t
r
Concrete Crack Solutions recently became the
area provider for the FlexSeal Crack Repair
System. This revolutionary system creates a
strong adhesive, waterproof, flexible bond
with concrete surfaces. Used since 2002, the
system effectively repairs cracks on pool decks,
lanais, driveways, etc. All work carries a 3 year
warranty. Free estimates! Call 239-594-0299.
Hulett Environmental Services
13970 Treeline Avenue
#1
Ft. Myers, FL 33913
www.BUGS.com
Hulett Environmental Services is a full service
pest control company that focuses its business
efforts on the latest techniques in pest
prevention. We provide state of the art pest
prevention, lawn spraying and fertilization, and
termite treatment. Providing state of the art
services for our customers, satisfaction is our
#1 priority!
RENEWING MEMBERs
AJC Associates, Inc.
2614 North Tamiami Trail
#502
Naples, FL 34103
www.cddflorida.com
(239) 435-3988
American Momentum Bank
301 5th Avenue S.
Naples, FL 34102
www.americanmomentumbank.com
(239) 213-9509
Andre’s Steakhouse
2800 Tamiami Trail N.
Naples, FL 34103
(239) 263-5851
B Squared Advertising, Inc.
5675 Strand Court
Naples, FL 34110
www.b2ads.com
(239) 593-3600
2600 Golden Gate Parkway
Naples, FL 34105
www.barroncollier.com
(239) 262-2600
Bear’s Plumbing, Inc.
1900 Trade Center Way
Naples,FL,34109
(239) 597-2951
BSSW Architects, Inc.
949 Central Avenue
Naples, FL 34102
www.bsswarchitects.com
(239) 643-3103
Buca Di Beppo Italian Restaurant
Naples, FL 34108
www.bucadibeppo.com
(239) 596-6662
Carlson Harris General Contractors, Inc.
6017 Pine Ridge Road
Suite 240
Naples, FL 34119
www.carlsonharris.com
(239) 352-2460
Coastland Center
Naples,FL 34102
www.coastlandcenter.com
(239) 262-7100
Cohen & Grigsby, PC
27200 Riverview Center Blvd.
Suite 309
www.cohenlaw.com
239.261.4673
Collier Anesthesia, P.A.
1336 Creekside Blvd
Suite 1
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 261-1158
Comcast Cable
12641 Corporate Lakes Drive
Naples, FL 33913
www.comcast.com
(239) 793-9600
Cool Beans Cruises
278 Capri Blvd.
Naples, FL 34113
www.coolbeanscruises.com
(239) 777-0020
Extra Space Storage - Naples
14600 Old US 41 N.
Naples, FL 34110
www.extraspacestorage.com
(239) 597-3194
Corey Billie’s Airboat Rides, Inc.
20610 Tamiami Trail E.
Naples, FL 34114
www.CBAirboatrides.com
(239) 389-7433
Florida Buyer Broker
649 5th Avenue south
#302
Naples, FL 34102
www.floridabuyerbroker.com
(239) 513-9002
CRS Technology Consultants
4426 SE 16th Place Suite 4
Cape Coral, FL 33904
www.crs-tc.com
(239) 643-1888
Cummings & Lockwood
Fourth Floor
Naples, FL 34103
www.Cl-law.com
(239) 262-8311
Devcon
9241 Brookwood Court
www.devcon-security.com
800-489-8064
DoubleTree Guest Suites, Naples
Naples, FL 34110
www.naplessuites.doubletree.com
(239) 593-8733
Dr. Thomas Hale, DDS/Advanced Dentistry
of Naples
9180 Galleria Court
Suite 100
Naples,FL,34109
www.SmilesByHale.com
(239) 593-0880
E&S Insurance
Suite 1
Naples, FL 34103
www.es-insurance.com
(239) 261-5470
7007 Lely Cultural Parkway
Naples, FL 34113
www.edison.edu
(239) 732-3720
Edward Jones Investments-Steve Stolz
#3
Naples, FL 34110
www.edwardjones.com
(239) 597-7402
Encore Bank
Suite 604
Naples, FL 34108
www.encorebank.com
(239) 591-3613
Erin’s Isle Restaurant
6190 Collier Blvd.
Naples, FL 34114
(239) 774-1880
Goodwill Industries of S.W. Florida, Inc.
4940 Bayline Drive
North Fort Myers, FL 33917
www.goodwillswfl.org
(239) 995-2106
Gulfshore Insurance, Inc.
4100 Goodlette Road N.
Ste 100
Naples, FL 34103
www.gulfshoreinsurance.com
(239) 261-3646
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County,Inc.
11145 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, FL 34113
www.habitatcollier.com
(239) 775-0036
Hill, Barth & King, CPA’s
3838 Tamiami Trl N
Suite 200
Naples, FL 34103
www.hbkcpa.com
(239) 263-2111
Hooters
3625 Gateway Lane
Naples, FL 34109
www.hootersflorida.com
(239) 275-6339
Impressions
11903 Hedgestone Court
Naples, FL 34120
www.impressionsnaples.com
(239) 455-4709
Insurance and Risk Management Services,
Inc.
8950 Fontana Del Sol Way,
Suite 200
Naples, FL 34109
www.irmsinc.com
(239) 649-1444
International Satellite Services, Inc.
1004 Collier Center Way
#205
Naples, FL 34110
www.issi-us.net
(239) 598-2241
J.P. van Dongen, M.D. P.A.
599 Ninth Street North, #308
Naples, FL 34102
www.drvandongen.com
(239) 643-7888
Keen Battle Mead Insurance
800 Harbour Drive
Suite 6
Naples, FL 34103
www.kbmco.com
(239) 261-4342
small can be beautiful when it comes to
21st-century marketing.
Live events are the one traditional
marketing tactic they employ successfully.
They feature plenty of free goodies for
foodies to entice them into the store
week after week. Each event is tightly
integrated with their online content
marketing efforts.
Facebook is particularly effective
because it gives Katie and Brian the chance
to interact with their local customers and
to alert them of the latest fun, free events.
The grocery has hundreds of fans
drawn primarily from their small town of
just 25,000 residents. There is a consistent
level of interaction between the company
and its customers. In fact, they estimate
that 75% of their customers connect with
them on Facebook or read their blog.
Best of all, on Facebook they can
battle local giant Kroger toe-to-toe. That
would’ve been impossible in the local
newspaper, radio or TV station. They
can’t out spend Kroger with traditional
advertising, but they certainly can
outmaneuver them on Facebook.
Although Kroger has thousands of
Facebook fans across the United States,
they average only 10 fans per store–while
George Bowers has 429 at their single
location. And, Katie manages to stay just
as current on the George Bowers Facebook
page as their billion-dollar competitor.
At the same time, this micro marketer’s
Facebook page has a much stronger visual
appeal on a daily basis than does Kroger.
George Bowers Grocery has achieved
outsized results by leveraging content
marketing and social media components
that are either free or very inexpensive.
Facebook is a cornerstone of that
strategy.
Great food and great Facebook have
proven to be a winning combination.
Twitter: Another Powerful Social
Media--and Content Marketing--Tool
Two Private Dining Rooms
for Business or Pleasure.
Twitter has taken off like a rocket in
the past few years. It’s a powerful tool for
businesses of every size both for outbound
and inbound communications. As Michael
Deutsch of Mindjet, the mind mapping
software company, said in a comment on
my website:
I’ve been in contact with some incredible
people from around the world — all within the
context of my job! I never would have been able
to find these individuals using traditional tools
— or it I could, it would have taken a lot more
time, effort, and money. The power of Twitter’s
search is incredible. You’re listening to the global
consciousness. Hear what people have to say about
your brand, company, industry. Find leads, make
connections, learn about the competition.
The Bullet Point Guide to Twitter:
•Twitter is a micro-blogging service that
you can use from anywhere you can get
an Internet connection.
• Wine Room accommodates up to 16 guests
• Coach’s Room accommodates up to 40 guests
Score a touchdown and “wow” your guests by
booking a private dining room for your next
special event, business meeting or holiday party.
Contact Maurica Hurley, Business Development Manager, for details and
availability at [email protected] or 239.659.3176.
Voted Best Business Lunch!
Join our Mobile VIP Text Club for exclusive offers, specials, event updates and more!
Plus Free Calamari Appetizer! Text “SHULAS’ to 97063
Inside the Hilton Naples • 5111 Tamiami Trail North • Naples • Phone 430-4999
•You sign up and give yourself an identity
that lives on Twitter, such as Michael’s–
Twitter.com/michaeldeutch.
•You can then post 140 character
text messages which may include
hyperlinks.
•You can choose to follow fellow
members whose ‘ tweets ‘ will show up
automatically on your Twitter page.
•Other members can choose to follow
you to see what you have to say.
•The heavy hitters on Twitter may have
zillions of followers and may post
dozens of tweets per day.
•Every Twitter member can pass on
or ‘ retweet’ other messages so that
the reach of what you have to say is
potentially huge and global.
•All of this happens in real time
Six Easy Ways for Twitter to
Strengthen Your Marketing Efforts:
1. Share your best thinking concisely
to deliver quick, obvious value.
Those of us who spend a lot of time
blogging, crank out hundreds of words
to share our knowledge on the topics
with which we are most engaged.
That’s good and important. But a
pithy, 140 character tweet can also
convey a thought precisely and can
then resonate through retweets across
the twittersphere. That can make
for accelerated thought leadership.
2. Monitor
and
interact
with
conversations that take place within
your niche markets. Because effective
content marketing is as much about
conversation as it is an outbound
messages, you need to maintain a
dialogue with customers, prospects,
and industry thought leaders. By
using tools such as HootSuite and
TweetDeck, you can watch in real
time what is being said so that you
can respond and add value to the
conversation.
3. Follow and familiarize yourself
with critical trends in your market.
Because it is so hard to stay current,
we need all the help we can get. Twitter is an ideal tool for following
those trends in real time. You can
also use Twitter Search to see what’s
happening right now in topic areas
that are really important to you.
4. Create interest groups for others
who are passionate about issues
that resonate with your customers
and prospects. Within these groups,
you can focus on only those issues that
are most pressing for group members. One tool that Doriano Carta of
Mashable recommends is tweetworks
because it enables you to set up ad hoc
groups on the fly.
5. Extend the reach of your blog posts
onto Twitter automatically. We
all want to reach as many people as
possible with the writing we do on
our blogs. As we increase our use of
Twitter, we will develop hundreds
and perhaps thousands of followers
to whom we may offer instant access
to our blog posts. A great tool called,
twitterfeed, then seamlessly pulls
your latest blog post on to Twitter.
Summing Up the Social Media
Marketing Imperative
You can use the core social media
tools both effectively and inexpensively
to compete against competitors large
and small. But, as with every content
marketing effort, it’s vital to make a
consistent long-term commitment and to
build your social media strategy on a solid
understanding of your target customers.
By understanding them, you will be able
to communicate and to interact with
those customers in a meaningful way.
õ
Newt Barrett is President of Content
Marketing Strategies and the co-author of
Get Content Get Customers. He helps business
organizations to transform their prospects
into buyers with content marketing, social
media, and SEO. You can learn more at his
website ContentMarketingToday.com.
The Best Little Airport in the Country.
Celebrating 65 years.
...and we’re just getting started.
What can
general
aviation do
for you?
Access to Private Charters
Air Ambulance
Sightseeing
Aerial Photography
Fight Training
Aviation Merchandise
Air Cargo & More
When you support the airfield-based businesses at Naples
Municipal Airport, you’re not only getting great value for
yourself, you also become part of the more than $100
million your airport brings in to our local economy.
Naples Municipal Airport
The Best Little Airport in the Country
(239) 643-0733
www.flynaples.com
The Chamber Scrapbook
Wake Up Naples @ The Hilton Naples
State Representative Matt Hudson, Joe Foster
State Representative Matt Hudson, Adam Babington
Claudia Valdes, Susan Mellen
Rick Borman, Joe Turner
Linda Williams, Karen Wright
All Photos Courtesy of Bob Raymond
January 19, 2011
Adam Babington, State Representative Matt Hudson
Wilma Boyd, Marina Berkovich
Kay Marie Bork, Larry Graham
Jason Babel, Susan Mayer
Elaine Hamilton, Rick Broman, Kristen Coury
Kensington Golf & Country Club
2700 Pine Ridge Road
Naples, FL 34109
www.kensingtoncc.com
(239) 649-4440
Naples Sailing and Yacht Club
896 River Point Drive
Naples, FL 34102
www.THENSYC.com
(239) 774-0424
Lake Trafford Marina Airboats & Alligators
6001 Lake Trafford Road
Immokalee, FL 34142
www.laketrafford.com
(239) 657-2214
Naples/Marco Island KOA
1700 Barefoot Williams Rd
Naples, FL 34113
www.napleskoa.com
(239) 774-5455
Lutgert Insurance
1395 Panther Lane
#100
Naples, FL 34109
www.lutgertinsurance.com
(239) 262-7171
Nordstrom
Naples, FL 34108
www.nordstrom.com
(239) 325-6100
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
6314 Corporate Cort
Suite 140
Ft. Myers, FL 33919
www.marchofdimes.com/florida
(239) 433-3463
Minnesota Twins
14100 Six Mile Cypress Parkway
Ft. Myers, FL 33912
www.TwinsBaseball.com
(239) 292-5240
Miromar Design Center
10801 Corkscrew Road
#305
Estero, FL 33928
(239) 390-5100
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
800 Laurel Oak Drive
Suite 400
Naples, FL 34108
(239) 598-7900
Mutual of Omaha Bank
625 9th Street N.
Suite 101
Naples, FL 34102
www.mutualofomahabank.com
(239) 261-2045
N. Rex Ashley C.P.A., P.A.
1044 Castello Dr
Suite 106
Naples, FL 34103
(239) 261-7200
Naples Florida Limousine Service
4451 Gulfshore Blvd. N.
Naples, FL 34103
www.JerryCangiano.com
(239)438-2437
Orange Technology Management
5911 Star Grass Lane
Naples, FL 34116
www.NoHourlyIT.com
(239) 438-4934
Park Shore Resort
600 Neapolitan Way
Naples,FL,34103
www.parkshorefl.com
(239) 263-2222
Phillips Harvey Group
801 Laurel Oak Dr
Ste 303
Naples, FL 34108
www.swflcpas.com
(239) 566-1600
Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, LLP
9132 Strada Place
3rd Floor
Naples, FL 34108
www.porterwright.com
(239) 593-2900
Stanley P. Gulin, M.D., F.A.C.S
6610 Willow Park Drive
Suite 104
Naples, FL 34109
www.drgulin.com
(239) 596-8000
Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn - Naples
Naples, FL 34103
www.staybridgesuitesnaples.com
(239) 643-8002
Summit Medical Supplies, Inc.
990 1st Ave S.
Naples, FL 34102
www.summitmedicalsupplies.com
(239) 261-7300
Sunshine Ace Hardware, Inc.
Naples, FL 34102
www.sunshineace.com
(239) 262-2940
The ACE Group Classic
2010 Orange Blossom Dr.
Naples, FL 34109
www.acegroupclassic.com
(239) 593-3900
The News-Press
24850 Old 41 Road
#25
www.news-press.com
(239) 948-7330
Tommy Bahamas Restaurant
1220 3rd Street South
Naples, FL 34102
www.tommybahama.com
(239) 643-6889
Providence House
P.O. Box 128
Naples, FL 34106
www.providencehousenaples.org
(239) 692-8779
Townsend Foods, Inc.
4120 Enterprise Ave.
#116
Naples, FL 34104
(239) 262-5967
Ramada Inn of Naples
1100 Tamiami Trl N
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 263-3434
United Arts Council of Collier County
Suite 504
Naples, FL 34103
www.uaccollier.com
(239) 263-8242
Safe Financial Solutions, LLC
3811 Airport Rd. N.
Suite 201
Naples, FL 34105
www.mysafefinancial.com
(239) 403-9960
Naples Historical Society
PO Box 201
Naples, FL 34106
www.napleshistoricalsociety.org
(239) 261-8164
Self Insured Plans LLC
1016 Collier Center Way
Suite 200
Naples, FL 34110
www.selfinsuredplans.com
(239) 403-7884
Naples Lumber & Supply Company, Inc.
3828 Radio Road
Naples, FL 34104
www.napleslumber.com
(239) 643-7000
Southwest Florida EcoTours, Inc.
P.O. Box 111352
Naples, FL 34108
www.southwestfloridaecotours.com
(239) 776-9050
Naples Original Video Productions, Inc.
2721 Branch Lane
Naples, FL 34109
www.vcrproductions.com
(239) 594-5588
St. Matthew’s House
2001 Airport Road S.
Naples, FL 34112
WWW.stmatthewshouse.com
(239) 774-0500
WilsonMiller, Inc.
3200 Bailey Lane
Ste 200
Naples, FL 34105
www.wilsonmiller.com
(239) 649-4040
Zonta Club of Naples
5848 Paradise Circle
Naples, FL 34110
www.Zonta-Naples.org
(239) 597-4759
ribbon cuttings
IHOP
1921 Davis Blvd, Naples 34104
Clinical Compound Pharmacy
2612 Tamiami Trail N., Naples 34103
www.smallbizpros.com
Bryan, Bradley & Williams, LLC
3003 Tamiami Trail N. Suite 210, Naples 34103
www.naplestaxaccounting.net
Concrete Crack Solutions
5140 Cobble Creek Ct #103, Naples 34110
Michelle Spitzer
Owner and CEO
MaidPro, Naples & Fort Myers
and Hodges University graduate
Follow the
Leaders
For over twenty years, Hodges University has been educating the men and women in
our community who have reached their goals and often surpassed them. Through its
outstanding Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, Hodges University
has set the standard for its students to become leaders in their field.
If you have big goals and a desire to achieve, visit our campuses in Fort Myers or
Naples, or log on to www.hodges.edu.
Educating the leaders of our community for over twenty years. Hodges University.
On campus. Online.
BusinessBriefs
DID YOU KNOW?
Collier County is constantly seeking contract and vendor services.
They post RFPs (request for proposals) almost daily and they can be
found online on the county website.
Don’t have time to check the
Collier County website all the time?
It’s ok! We’re here to help!
All new county solicitations are listed in the
Chamber Connect each Monday - watch for it in
your email box!
A look at what’s happening in the business community
Hodges University has selected
Naples philanthropists Dolph and Sharon
von Arx as its 2011 Humanitarians of the
Year.
The David Lawrence Foundation has
been awarded an $11,000 grant from The
Jerry L. and Barbara J. Burris Foundation.
Our views are
almost as amazing
as our cuisine.
Owned and Operated by the Watkins Family for Over 60 Years
Representatives of the City of Naples
Airport Authority met with the Federal
Aviation Administration in Atlanta
to identify next steps in establishing
formal air traffic control procedures to
help minimize noise in neighborhoods
surrounding Naples Municipal Airport.
Media Vista Group has been
recognized as a recipient of the 2011
Florida Companies to WatchSM award.
Hodges University has announced the
recognition of Michael Pelland, a teacher
at Gateway Charter High School, as its
2011 Founders Award winner.
David Lawrence Center announced
that the Acute Care Services Department
now offers an inpatient Suboxone® Detox
Protocol.
Gulfshore
received the
Philanthropy
Community
County.
Naples’ Choice for
Breakfast and Brunch
Naples’ Only Beachfront
Restaurant
Our daily a la carte breakfast
menu and full buffet are served with
panoramic views of the Gulf, while
our seasonal Sunday brunch has
become a Naples tradition.
Indoors or alfresco, for lunch or
dinner, we will treat you to breathtaking views, fresh regional seafood
and mouth-watering specials.
Insurance Inc., recently
Outstanding Corporate
Award presented by the
Foundation of Collier
The Magnolia Ball 2011, benefiting the
NCH Healthcare Foundation, will be
held April 9th at The Ritz-Carlton Golf
Resort and will feature Chad Kimball,
star of Broadway’s Memphis.
The Hilton Naples Florida Hotel has
been selected to receive the prestigious
annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice
Awards™ 2011 for Best Ceremony and
Reception Venue in Naples.
The Third Annual GreenFest Expo,
will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday,
March 26 on the Edison State College
Collier Campus at 7007 Lely Cultural
Parkway in Naples. Event is free and open
to the public,
2005-2010
For reservations, call 435.4348
For reservations, call 435.4347
sNaplesBeachHotel.com
Robb & Stucky Interiors announces
the imminent arrival of a new line of
'5,&3(/2%",6$./24(s.!0,%3&,/2)$!
NBH26130 CurrentsHBEvergldAd.indd 1
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of
Southern Florida announced they will be
present their Wishmaker’s Ball on March
18 at the Club at The Strand of Naples.
1/3/11 1:10:45 PM
furniture designed by the celebrity twin
brothers and antiques experts Leigh and
Leslie Keno. The new line of hand-crafted,
classically modern furniture is called the
Keno Bros.™ collection.
The Education Foundation of Collier
County inducted twenty-two new eighth
grade students into the Take Stock in
Children Scholarship and Mentoring
program.
The City of Naples Airport Authority
reinforced its commitment to maintain
the 75,000-pound weight limit for aircraft
at Naples Municipal Airport.
Princess Moody and Gabriel Davis
of Ohio will be celebrating their being
selected as the winning couple of Naples
Botanical Garden’s 11-11-11 Dream
Destination Wedding Giveaway.
Youth Haven announces a $25,000
gift from the George & Carol Bauer
Foundation to support the organization’s
continued mission of being a life line to
safety for abused and neglected children
in the community.
A new community collaboration
has been crafted for members of the
Naples Historical Society and Naples
Botanical Garden: Members from either
organization receive a $2 discount off the
admission price of the other.
Development is underway for the
initial phase of Journey Through Paradise,
an interactive website sponsored by
the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades
Convention and Visitors Bureau
highlighting the imagery of Alan S. Maltz,
the “Official Fine Art Photographer for
the State of Florida”.
The Naples Art Association at
The von Liebig and PNC Wealth
Management celebrate the arts and
culture of Cuba beginning March 12
through April 30 with an exhibition of
Cuban and Cuban-American art.
The
Swamp
Buggy
Spring
Championship will be held March 5th
and 6th at the Florida Sports Park. Visit
www.swampbuggy.com.
The Chamber Executive Club will
meet Wednesday, March 23rd at 7:30 am
at the Old Cypress Country Club. John
B. Jung, Jr., Senior Managing Director at
BB&T Capital Markets will be sharing
market insights and observations with
the Executive Club. Register at www.
napleschamber.org.�� õ
Transitions
HALL AVAILABE
FOR RENTAL !
Who’s Who in the Business Community
The David Lawrence Center
installed the following new officers:
Edward Sheridan, President; John Gast,
, VP; Pablo X. Veintimilla as Treasurer;
Catherine Fay, Secretary.
Planning a party, fundraiser
or special occassion?
Call us! Our hall boasts the
largest dance floor
in SW Florida!
Juan D. Bendeck has joined the
partnership at Hahn Loeser & Parks
LLP.
(239) 774-2701
Riverchase
Dermatology
and
Cosmetic Surgery announces the
addition of Daniel I. Wasserman, MD,
FAAD to their list of providers offering.
John Pollock, CIC, has been promoted
to BB&T Insurance Services’ regional
agency manager for Florida.
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright
& Company, P.A. announces Karen
Mosteller has accepted a seat on the
advisory board of the Small Business
Development Center at FGCU.
Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS
of Florida Eye Health and Suncoast
Surgery Center has been selected for
the 2011 Best of Fort Myers Award in the
Ambulatory Surgical Center category.
Markham
Norton
Mosteller
Wright & Company, P.A. announces
Carol Stephens joined the firm as an
Administrative Assistant.
Gulfshore Insurance Inc., announces
Tyler Caron, Marketing Representative,
has been certified as a Construction Risk
and Insurance Specialist (CRIS).
Virtually Yours
Christine Citrano of John R. Wood
REALTORS Inc. was awarded the
esteemed Certified International Property
Specialist (CIPS) designation.
Stefanie
Kincaid-Tucker,
HR
Manager for Conditioned Air Corporation
of Naples recently earned certification as a
Professional in Human Resources (PHR).
The City of Naples Airport Authority
appointed Edith Scott “Scottie” Yeager and
Bob Erbstein to its Noise Compatibility
Committee for a four-year term.
Premier Sotheby’s International
Realty announces Michelle BurkePhillips joined as Managing Broker for the
firm’s Gallery office.
With server virtualization, your business can run leaner and meaner
because you’ll have less equipment to worry about. At the heart
of this technology infrastructure is eliminating as many servers as
possible while still maintaining the level of IT that you need. That
means decreased costs, less power consumption, and reduced
overall IT management. Contact us live for all the virtual details.
Josie Presar has joined Wegman
Design Group as a senior designer.
IBERIABANK announced Karen
Shawdee and Anita Tynski have
recently been promoted to Commercial
Relationship Managers. õ
Better technologies. Better Business.
239.643.1888 • CRS-TC.com
CRST 4329 March 2011 NCBC.indd 1
2/2/11 2:38:09 PM
Chamber Calendar of Events ..................................................................................................
Thursday, March 3rd
Protect Your Business – Fraud Prevention
Workshop
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Co-Sponsored with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office
Location: Professional Development Center
615 3rd Avenue S.
Topics covered will include identity theft, anti fraud
techniques, counterfeiting, and E-Crime prevention.
Complimentary program, includes light lunch
Reservation mandatory
..........................................................................................
Thursday, March 3rd
Accelerated Networking Luncheon
11:30 am to 1:15 pm
Location: Bajio Mexican Grill
2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road
(Vanderbilt Galleria/Corner Vanderbilt & Airport)
Members Only. Register by March 2nd
$15 Pre-Registration/$25.00 Walk-In (No Exceptions)
Walk-Ins are NOT guaranteed a seat!
.........................................................................................
March 2011
and catered refreshments. Kate Spade will join in the
special evening to be held under the stars as well as
in the shops.
Complimentary for Executive Club members.
...........................................................................................
Saturday, March 12th
Simple Steps Session 5 – Funding Your Business
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Co-Sponsored with SCORE Naples
Location: The Chamber Building
2nd Floor/Leadership Collier Foundation Room
This final workshop will focus on how to finance your
business concept and the feasibility of financing
opportunities – both traditional sources of funds
and some less commonly known. Our coaches will
work with you in personal group activities to assist
in reaching a decision about the feasibility of your
business planning and to understand the next steps
that are necessary to move ahead.
$39.50
Call (239) 430-0081 to register
Thursday, March 3rd
CIVIC Wine & Cheese Event
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Speaker: Consul General of Germany, Eva Countess
Kendeffy
Program: German Reunification - the 20th Anniversary
$5
.........................................................................................
Saturday, March 5th
Simple Steps Session 4 – Financial Projections
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
This workshop allows you to utilize the data developed
in Sessions 2 and 3 to develop financial projections
and ratios and build a financial model. This will help
you match your business concept with personal
income goals, gain a better understanding of the
risk and rewards, identify start-up costs, on-going
expenses, and funds needed to finance the business.
You will learn how to develop an income and cash
flow statement, balance sheet, break even analysis,
and key financial ratios.
$39.50
Call (239) 430-0081 to register
.........................................................................................
Thursday, March 10th
Executive Club Mixer
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Brooks Brothers, Waterside Shops
This premier retail Chamber Executive Club member
will host a special evening of networking, discounts,
Wednesday, March 16th
Wake Up Naples 7:30 am
Sponsored by Youth Haven
Location: The Hilton Naples
Program: Leadership Florida Survey Results
$20 in advance/$25 at the door
and non members
Wednesday, March 23rd
Executive Club Breakfast
8:00 am
Sponsored by BB&T
Location: Old Cypress Country Club
Special Guest speaker Mr. John B. Jung, Sr. Managing
Director, Market and Integration for BB&T. Mr. Jung
will offer a valuable national perspective on the
market, direct from Washington.
Complimentary for Executive Club Members.
Pre-registration required
...........................................................................................
Saturday, March 26th
Time Management
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Time once wasted is gone for good. Be more
productive both at work and at home.
We will discuss various strategies and learn some
tricks to improve efficiency. Learn how to better
March/April 2011................................................................................ Chamber Calendar of Events
manage this scarce resource through better
control of the elements within your universe:
the physical, environmental, behavioral, as
well better use of today’s technology.
$35
................................................................................
Tuesday, March 29th
(yes, Tuesday - it’s not a typo)
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Stock Development
2647 Professional Circle
$5 in advance/$10 at the door/$25 non
members
................................................................................
Tuesday, March 22nd
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Program: Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik
Discussion The Slovak Republic: Its Government, Politics,
Economy and Developmental Challenges
$5
................................................................................
Thursday, April 7th
Accelerated Networking Luncheon
Wednesday, April 20th
Wake Up Naples- The Chamber Annual
Meeting
7:30 am
Location: The Hilton Naples
Sponsored by CRS Technology Consultants
Presentation on “The State of the Chamber”
as well as special awards to our outstanding
members!
$20 in advance/$25 at the door and non
members
.............................................................................
Thursday, April 21st
Business After 5
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: AZN Restaurant at the Mercato
$5 in advance/$10 at the door/$25 non
members
11:30 am to 1:15 pm
Location: McCormick & Schmick’s
9114 Strada Place (Mercato)
Members Only. Register by April 6th.
$15 Pre-Registration/$25.00 Walk-In (No
Exceptions)
Walk-Ins are NOT guaranteed a seat!
................................................................................
Wednesday, April 13th
Chamber Membership Drive
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
An exciting one day event as we call on
non member businesses in our community
to present the many benefits of Chamber
membership. Help us fulfill our mission to make
Collier County the best place in America to
live and work! Details to come.
................................................................................
Tuesday, April 19th
Calendar of Events
Business After 5
Speaker: Colin Barr, Chair of History
Department, Ave Maria University
Program: Healing the Celtic Tiger- An analysis
of the new Irish Government and its plans
to navigate the troubled waters of IMF/EU
oversight.
$5
.............................................................................
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Register for all events at www.napleschamber.org
Clockwise from the upper left corner: Yung, Ayers, Richter, Powers
2ND ANNUAL
MERCATO
F I N E A RT S F E S T I VA L
MARCH 5-6, 2011
MERCATO SHOPPING CENTER
Vanderbilt Beach Road and US 41, Naples
Left to right: Wierzalis, Garcia, Clemente, Pacsuta
23rd annual
Downtown Naples
F e s t i va l of t h e A rts
March 26-27, 2011
Fifth Avenue South (Downtown Naples)
Festivals Hosted By
Festivals Sponsored By
Title Sponsor
Cooperative effort funded
in part by Collier County
Tourist Development Tax
sNAPLESARTORG
SAFE
STRONG
SECURE
THAT’S
ON US
TIB Bank is stronger than ever! Through an investment of capital from North American
Financial Holdings (NAFH), TIB has now become part of the new, dynamic and ever growing
family of NAFH banks. And, because of this investment, TIB is one of the safest, strongest
and most secure banks in Florida.
Stop by and you will see the same friendly faces who’ve served you in the past, the same name
above the door and you’ll receive the same great service that you’ve grown to expect.
TIB Bank is safe, strong and secure. Now more than ever, you can Bank On Us to help you
realize your financial dreams.
ON US
Banking
•
wealth management
•
Trust Services
800.233.6330 | www.tibbank.com
FlorIdA KEyS | HomESTEAd | SouTHwEST FlorIdA

March 2011 - Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

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