Need to catch up on Southwest Florida business news? No problem. Here are the top stories of the week pulled from our daily newsletter, Gulfshore Business Daily.
Friday, March 1
FIFTH THIRD BANK NAMED AMONG WORLD’S MOST ETHICAL COMPANIES
Fifth Third Bank has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2019 World’s Most Ethical Companies.
Fifth Third, which has several Southwest Florida offices, is one of five banks to be named among the world’s most ethical companies and one of only three in the U.S. Fifth Third’s core values include working as one bank, taking accountability, being respectful and inclusive, and acting with integrity.
These values serve as the foundation of the company’s commitment to responsible banking. In the past year, the bank continued to make strides in strengthening its ethics and compliance programs, its ongoing investment and involvement in the communities within its footprint, and focus on environmental sustainability, a press release states.
Thursday, Feb. 28
LATCHKEY LEAGUE HONORS FOUNDER
The Latchkey League held its annual “Sweetheart Soriee” on Feb. 16 at the Vineyards Country Club in Naples, honoring the nonprofit organization’s founder Myra Janco Daniels on Feb. 16 at the Vineyards Country Club in Naples.
More than 200 guests attended. The evening included performances from the Barron Collier High School Jazz Band, Opera Naples Youth Chorus and pianist Jodie DeSalvo.
Proclamations for her achievements in founding Latchkey League were presented by the City of Naples as well as the Collier County Commissioners. A State of Florida Senate proclamation was also presented. The Salvation Army presented Myra with four stars making her an honorary colonel for life. For more information, visit www.latchkeyleague.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
AMATEUR SPORTS INCREASE TOURISM
Lee County hosted 158 amateur sporting events in 2018, generating its highest year on record in terms of hotel room nights sold. The events generated $72.2 million in direct visitor spending, a $6.3 million increase from 2017.
Lee County Sports Development reports 163,546 hotel room nights sold; 169,761 sports tourism visitors; and an increased number of annual events, from 144 to 158. The 2018 numbers reflect amateur sports only.
The numbers do not include spring training impacts for the Boston Red Sox or Minnesota Twins, the Fort Myers Miracle minor league baseball or the Florida Everblades minor league hockey. For more information, visit www.leegov.com/sports.
Tuesday, Feb. 26
NCH NAMED AMONG AMERICA’S BEST HOSPITALS
NCH Healthcare System has been named one of “America’s Best Hospitals for 2019” by HealthGrades. This recognition means NCH Baker Downtown Hospital and NCH North Naples Hospital are in the top 5 percent in the nation for overall clinical excellence in the current year.
HealthGrades America’s Best Hospitals is based solely on clinical outcomes for 32 conditions and procedures. This distinction rewards hospitals that consistently exhibit exceptional, comprehensive quality care.
LEE HEALTH HOSPITALS AMONG BEST IN U.S.
Four Lee Health adult acute care hospitals have been named among “America’s Best Hospitals” for 2019, a distinction that places them in the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide, according to Healthgrades, an online resource for information about physicians and hospitals. This designation rewards hospitals that consistently exhibit comprehensive, quality care across all clinical areas. Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark Medical Center and Lee Memorial Hospital are four of 18 Florida hospitals included in the grouping. Being in the top 5 percent means patients at Lee Health hospitals are less likely to experience medical or surgical complications and have the best chances for survival during and after hospitalization. For more information, click here.
Monday, Feb. 25
RSW REPORTS RECORD-BREAKING JANUARY TRAFFIC
During January, more than 1.05 million passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, an increase of 8.7 percent compared with January 2018. The traffic leader in January was Delta Air Lines with 190,395 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (180,711), American (133,274) Frontier (126,059) and Spirit (126,033). Southwest Florida International Airport had 9,338 aircraft operations, an increase of 1 percent compared with January 2018. Page Field saw 9,320 operations, a 10.5 percent increase from January 2018. In addition, slightly more than 2.8 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in January 2018. For more information, visit www.flylcpa.com.
In other news…
Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart reflects on his first job at a downtown Fort Myers restaurant.
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