The masthead on the monthly newsletter makes a simple statement: The new and improved North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. With a new executive director, Dee Intihar, and a growing community, the chamber is increasing its services to meet the needs of area businesses.

In the past year, the chamber has cut expenses, restructured and moved its office to North Key Drive. For members, it published a membership booklet and created chamber decals. At the end of 2002, the chamber named Intihar, formerly with Klocke of America, a German manufacturer of sample-size packaging for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals with a facility in Fort Myers, to its top post, after more than six months without an executive director.

Intihar's primary focus has been to pump up membership, signing up more than 60 businesses in recent months, bringing the chamber's membership total to 230. It's her first gig as a chamber director.

Gulfshore Business: What do you see as the chamber's purpose?

Dee Intihar: Every day that we're open we promote chamber businesses. We're giving them business. We average 40 visitors a week at our office and 50 phone calls.

When I see a business that we need to have in the chamber, I try to convince them that being a member is the best thing for their business. For some companies it's hard to pay the membership fee (which starts at $175), but it's worth it.

GB: What type of education and networking opportunities and benefits does the chamber provide for members?

DI: We have monthly luncheons with speakers on how to promote your business and get the best out of your employees [Joyce Ann Niblick of Small Business Solutions is the featured speaker at the March luncheon]. We have business after hours each month and plan to have either a fund-raiser or social event every month. Right now, we're looking to provide insurance to members. We coordinate member-to-member discounts and offer special discounts such as $50 off an ADT security system.

GB: What type of questions and challenges have you faced in your first few months on the job?

DI: Just learning everything about the chamber business, such as developing open communication between the community and the chamber. We'd also like more members to help plan events.

I have about 15 volunteers in the office. I hope in April to hire a part-time administrative assistant.

GB: How many members do you hope to have by the end of next year?

DI: At least 350. I've got my work cut out for me.

Officials with the greater fort Myers Chamber of Commerce say the chamber tries to separate itself from others with a commitment to education. Ten percent of membership dues go into an education fund created in 1990 to provide grants for teachers, schools and education-oriented groups.

It's now time for its major fund- raiser for education-the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Chico's ABC's Dinner Auction, set for Feb. 27 at The Forest Country Club in Fort Myers. Over the years, proceeds from the auction (which is in its seventh year), other fund-raisers and membership dues have raised more than $250,000 for education.

The auction is one of the chamber's hallmark events, says Mike Cannington, marketing director for Hooters and co-chairman of the auction committee.

Last year, the event featured 132 silent auction items and 32 live auction items, and more are expected this year. Fishing charters, Lasik eye surgery, electronics, resort vacations, airline tickets and weekends at private homes on the beach are among the hot-ticket items. Another popular item is the chance to bid on dinner cooked by past chamber presidents.

Businesses are asked to sponsor tables and donate auction items, which provide exposure to bidders. Individual tickets cost $30. For more information, call the chamber at (239) 332-3624.

Local companies will demonstrate their successful quality improvement processes at an event hosted by The Chamber of Southwest Florida and its Quality Improvement Network on Feb. 14.

The Annual Team Showcase 2003 Event features companies using quality improvement processes in areas such as leadership, strategic planning, customer service, human resources, and development and management.

Several companies will compete to represent our region at a statewide team showcase coordinated by The Florida Sterling Council. The council is a public/private not-for-profit corporation that promotes, assesses and recognizes organizational performance excellence and offers training to organizations striving to improve their bottom line. Past regional representatives include Bagel Bites, Yoder Brothers, GE Client Services and Pall Aeropower.

The chamber's Steve Scott says the event is an opportunity for companies and organizations to consider employing quality processes and for those that have been involved with such tools to provide recognition for employees.

The event, held at Fort Myers High School from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., also will feature seminars providing customer-service tips and quality-improvement training. The registration fee is $49. For more information, call Scott at (239) 278-4001.

chamber contacts

North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

(239) 997-9111 phone, (239) 997-4026 fax

New officers for 2003 include president Terry Pye of North Fort Myers Fire Control & Rescue and treasurer Joyce Ann Niblick of Small Business Solutions.

Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

(239) 332-2930 phone, (239) 332-7276 fax

www.fortmyers.org

The Chamber of Southwest Florida

(239) 278-4001 phone, (239) 278-3319 fax

www.chamber-swflorida.com