While you are visiting our destination, we hope that you will be able to take advantage of sunshine and warm Gulf breezes in Southwest Florida during and following your meetings. We have over nine distinct communities, and a variety of unforgettable experiences, waiting for you. From Sanibel & Captiva Islands’ shell-laden beaches and ubiquitous nature to Fort Myers’ culinary corner and its historic river district, all locales have identities that stand out. Our free Lonely Planet guidebook will help you get to know these Florida pockets of charm. The comprehensive resource is filled with practical tips and local insights on what to see and do on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. You won't be able to imagine meeting Warm Regards, Director of sales jvance@leegov.com 239-338-3500 SUBMIT RFP With our Island Incentive Offer, new meetings receive a $3 room rebate per actualized room night - up to $5,000 - May through December. SUBMIT YOURS TODAY         Alva, Buckingham & Lehigh Acres Take your group to visit Manatee Park, a non-captive warm water refuge for the Florida Manatee. Optimum viewing months are late December, January, and February when the gulf temperature is below 68F. There's more to see, however, than just manatee. Kayak the Orange River for a peaceful trip through nature. As you paddle upstream, the Old Florida ambiance grows; live oak branches are arching overhead, fuzzy with air plants. For the less-adventurous in your group, service projects can be arranged at the park.       Diamondhead Beach Resort & Spa One of the largest tarpon migrations in the world takes place annually off our shores. Thousands of these mighty fish migrate through Boca Grande Pass during April, May and June. Known as the "Tarpon Capital of the World", Boca Grande has expert professional guides that can add unforgettable fishing memories to your group's visit. Stay at the historic Gasparilla Inn & Club, a classic "old Florida" resort. Here, the non-fishermen in your group can enjoy activities such as golf, croquet and tennis, or simply relax in the spa or by the beach.       Bonita Springs & Estero Harvest & Wisdom is officially open for business at Shangri-La Springs historic hotel in Bonita Springs. About 80 to 90 percent of the ingredients used in the organic restaurant's kitchen are grown on site. Docent-led garden tours can be arranged for your group to learn about the unique produce and flowers grown. Heading up the kitchen, and in charge of the ever-changing seasonal menu, is Executive Chef Allen Fisher. He competed on Food Network's "Chopped" and brings 18 years of experience.       CAPE CORAL Located just miles from fertile sugarcane fields, Wicked Dolphin Rum was born in 2012 out of an idea for a true Florida Rum. The family-run distillery produces award winning rums using 100% Florida sugar and local ingredients. Distillery Tours take your group through the steps of how ingredients are sourced, fermented and distilled. You will learn how the rum gets its unique color and taste, and how it is bottled. End in the distillery's tasting room where you will sample different rums.       FORT MYERS BEACH Did you know that the Fort Myers Beach shrimping fleet is the largest commercial fleet in the Gulf of Mexico? Shrimping, known as "pink gold", contributes millions of dollars to our economy. Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center offers guided tours so your group can learn first-hand about the commercial fishing industry. Visit the fishing docks to see how the boats are unloaded, trawl doors are built, shrimp nets are hand-sewn and learn about other important factors used in this unique industry.       FORT MYERS Downtown Fort Myers, also known as the River District, forms the core of a city that stretches for miles south along the Caloosahatchee River, and east to the rural interior. Let your group explore the original brick-lined streets, charming restaurants, shops and art galleries before treating them to a show at Florida Repertory Theatre. The fully professional, nonprofit theatre company has been called "One of America's Top Repertory Companies!" by The Wall Street Journal.       North Fort Myers There's more to our destination than picture-perfect beaches. ECHO Global Farm gathers solutions from around the world that are solving world hunger problems and disseminates them to their network. ECHO Global Farm Tour was even named as one of the top tours in the country for its unique experiences and charitable efforts. The tour highlights the difficult farming and gardening conditions around the world and demonstrates fascinating ways to produce food in harsh conditions. Visitors will walk through a series of lush gardens and have a chance to taste a variety of rare and nutritious food plants.       Pine Island & Matlacha To visualize a picture of Pine Island, first capture the spirit of the folks who live there. Part cozy town, part fishing village; at the center of this 17-mile-long canvas of imagination is the colorful artists' enclave of Matlacha. Take your group on the "Flavors of Matlacha Island Tour" offered by Florida Repertory Theatre. A delightful history, art, eco- and taste adventure is waiting for you!       Sanibel & Captiva Islands Shell-lovers from all over the world make pilgrimage to Sanibel Island's Gulf Coast. With good reason: Travel & Leisure Magazine ranked it the #1 shelling spot in North America. Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum located on the island, offers more than 30 exhibits for your group to marvel at. Follow your group's visit to the museum with a guided beach walk; a knowledgeable expert will tell you about the shells, mollusks and other marine life that has washed ashore.         Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa ranked No. 21 on Florida Trend Magazine's 2019 List of Best Companies to Work For The resort made its third appearance and is the only hotel on the prestigious list of Florida Trend Magazine's Best Companies to Work For in the State of Florida. One-hundred companies are ranked in small, medium and large employer categories. Florida Trend Publisher David Denor says "These best companies have figured it out! Providing their employees with an environment and culture that promotes growth both personally and professionally - all while delivering workplace benefits that lift employee morale and create loyalty". We know that meeting planners value the establishment of known-relationships and consider the helpfulness of staff to be very important in venue selection. Being included on this list is a testament of the culture created at the property; the staff will give you a sense of peace about the support and quality of programming you will receive. Headline Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis Headline Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis Headline Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis Headline Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis Headline Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis Headline Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis Headline Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis Headline Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis   FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Islandology is our way of life. It’s an oceanfront sunrise that feels as warm as it looks. It’s stopping to smile back on your tracks in the sand. XSITE TALLAHASSEE   FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Islandology is our way of life. It’s an oceanfront sunrise that feels as warm as it looks. It’s stopping to smile back on your tracks in the sand. CMCA   FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Islandology is our way of life. It’s an oceanfront sunrise that feels as warm as it looks. It’s stopping to smile back on your tracks in the sand. GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY DAY IN KANSAS CITY   FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Islandology is our way of life. It’s an oceanfront sunrise that feels as warm as it looks. It’s stopping to smile back on your tracks in the sand. PCMA Web Version of this Newsletter Manage your Newsletter Subscriptions or Unsubscribe Lee County Visitor&Convention Bureau 2201 Second Street, Suite 600, Fort Myers, FL 33901 To view this email in your browser click here.