RSW REPORTS RECORD-BREAKING JULY
During July, 570,977 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, an increase of 1.8% compared with July 2018. Year-to-date, passenger traffic is up 8.7% compared with last year. The traffic leader in July was Delta Air Lines with 150,177 passengers traveling to and from Fort Myers. Rounding out the top five airlines were Southwest (113,081), American (97,112), JetBlue (64,261) and United (48,590). Southwest Florida International Airport had 4,675 aircraft operations, a decrease of 1% compared with July 2018. Page Field saw 9,343 operations, a 31.6% increase from July 2018. In addition, nearly 2.9 million pounds of air freight moved through Southwest Florida International Airport in July 2019.
ART FEST NAPLES RANKED AMONG BEST IN U.S.
Art Fest Naples ranked No. 16 in Best Fine Art & Design Shows in America in Sunshine Artist Magazine’s 2019 list. A publication for art and craft show exhibitors, promoters, and patrons, Sunshine Artist’s annual list is compiled from votes cast by artists who are asked to list the top 10 most profitable art or craft shows they exhibited at in 2018. The 200 Best List is based entirely on revenue because, according to Sunshine Artists, it is the most objective indicator of a show’s future success. The annual show held at Fleischmann Park, draws 140 fine artists from around the country. The 2020 show will be held Jan. 18 and 19, 2020, and the deadline for artists to apply is Oct. 15. Sponsorships are available. For more information about the 2020 Art Fest Naples, contact Taire Malloy at (239) 634-2337.
COMMUNITY FORUMS SET FOR COLLIER ARTS, CULTURE DEVELOPMENT
The public is invited to join the conversation about enhancing the future of arts and culture in Collier County as part of the county’s Arts and Culture Strategic Plan process. The Open Community Forums are scheduled to take place from 5:30-7 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 18. The first event will take place at Collier County Public Library – Headquarters Library. On Sept. 18, two events will be held: one at the Board of County Commissioners Board Room and the other at Naples Art Association. A planning taskforce led by cultural and community leaders, in partnership with The Cultural Planning Group, is gathering the input. Attendees are encouraged to share their opinions and ideas about the county’s arts and cultural future. Numerous engagement opportunities are being afforded to residents including a community online survey (coming in mid-September), topic-focused discussion groups, open community forums, and social media. For updates and events, follow the plan on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
FSBDC’S G.L.O.W EVENT TO RETURN
The Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University is hosting its third annual women’s entrepreneurial event, G.L.O.W. (growth, leadership, ownership, well-being and wealth) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Bonita Bay Club. Guest speaker Erin Bemis, from Google, will provide actionable takeaways about growing and succeeding in business. Euthera Neal, a veteran entrepreneur with 30 years of experience will talk with Meagan Maloney, a business partner of Katy Perry’s dad, about the entrepreneurial journey from the perspectives of an entrepreneurial matriarch and millennial. This year’s panelists include Megan DiPiero of Megan DiPiero Photography and Coaching; Karen Mosteller of Markham Norton Mosteller Wright and Co.; Reema Bhatia of Stickboy Creative and Vectra Digital; Dr. Heather Auld of SWFL Integrative Medicine and Compassionate Cannabis Clinic; and Heidi Colgate-Tamblyn of Fifth Third Private Bank. Admission is $35. Click http://bit.ly/SBDCGLOWTICKETS19 to register or call (239) 745-3700. Last year’s event sold out.
GOODWILL SWFL STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY RESOURCE SERVICES
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (SWFL) is intensifying its services to help build the skills of people with challenges or low-skill-levels, according to a press release. Existing Job-Link Centers are being rebranded as Community Resource Centers (CRCs) and will be focused on up-skilling and family strengthening while connecting those most in need with services. The goal of the CRC is to help build independence through training and supports and increase access to community resources for those who struggle with the application process. Services will be structured to address areas critical to a family’s success such as employment, financial literacy, healthcare, food stamps, language barriers, childcare and more. Additionally, Goodwill has added digital training to their toolbox, offering free certificate courses and online workshops designed to improve employability. In addition to community services, CRCs will also house veteran and employee services under their umbrellas. Initially, the rebranding will roll out in Glades and Hendry counties where there is a high need for available, centralized resources.
Guadalupe Center students enjoying lunch.
GUADALUPE CENTER RECOGNIZED FOR EARLY CHILDCARE
Guadalupe Center has earned gold-level recognition from the Florida Early Care & Education Recognition Program for its efforts in implementing strategies that help prevent childhood obesity. Florida Early Care honors childcare centers and early-learning programs that demonstrate a commitment to best practices in the areas of healthy eating, healthy beverages, reduced screen time, physical activity and infant feeding to prevent obesity later in life. Guadalupe Center, the only center in Southwest Florida recognized by Florida Early Care as a gold honoree, serves more than 300 Immokalee students ages 6 weeks through 5 years old through its Early Childhood Education Program. The award is presented to early learning centers after a thorough evaluation from a steering committee comprised of leaders in the health and education community.
Kimberly Dye
GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE REACHES CAMPAIGN MILESTONE, HIRES THREE
Gulfshore Playhouse recently reached a $20 million fundraising milestone in its Next Stage Capital Campaign to build a new Theatre and Education Center at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South. To keep momentum moving forward, it has announced three new executive team hires who will help bring these plans to fruition. Kimberly Dye has been named chief advancement officer for Gulfshore Playhouse. In her role, she will be heading up the organization’s development and marketing teams and overseeing the successful completion of the theater’s Next Stage Capital Campaign to raise funds for the new facility. Dana Boll has been named capital campaign and events director. Boll will oversee the implementation of the Next Stage Capital Campaign as well as lead planning efforts for the organization’s signature fundraising events, including the inaugural Rising Stars luncheon benefiting Gulfshore Playhouse Education, and the annual gala. Kent Kyle is taking on the role of director of corporate and foundation relations. In his role at Gulfshore Playhouse, he will support the expansion of corporate gifts, annual giving and major gifts for the capital campaign. For more information, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org.
Eric Zimmerman
ZIMMERMAN EARNS NATIONAL ELECTION PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION
the Collier County Supervisor of Elections IT Director Eric Zimmerman was recently recognized as a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA). He joins more than 1,000 other election professionals who have gone through the credentialing process. CERA designations are offered through the National Association of Election Officials (the Election Center). The certification is accredited through Auburn University and covers topics ranging from election planning and management to ethics and election laws. Zimmerman joined the Collier County Supervisor of Elections office in 2013 and oversees the IT department specializing in network protection and cybersecurity. The Election Center’s purpose is to promote, preserve and improve democracy. For more information, visit www.ElectionCenter.org.
CHARITABLE NOTES
DDWS teacher grants deadline Oct. 31
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), with J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, has announced its 14th annual round of Teacher Conservation Grants. Up to $10,000 in grant awards are available to districts, schools, and individual teachers in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties this school year for conservation education-related projects. Teachers in the three-county area may apply for grants up to $1,000 each to fund new classroom science projects, stewardship, teaching aids, classroom materials, and work projects in their community or beyond. This year, two grants up to $3,000 are again also available to school- and district-wide projects. Applicants are invited to submit conservation-related proposals by Oct. 31. The approved proposals will be awarded by December for projects to be completed by May 2020. For further grant information and an application, visit tinyurl.com/dinggrants, or contact Sierra Hoisington at (239) 472-1100 ext. 4 or shois@dingdarlingsociety.org.
Don’t wait until the end of the week to find out what’s happening in Southwest Florida. Sign up for our free daily newsletter, Gulfshore Business Daily, to stay connected.
