2201 Second St., Suite 600 | Fort Myers, FL 33901 | T 239.334.1106 | email: TPigott@leegov.com

August 25, 2014 Letter From Executive Director Tamara Pigott Planning for annual sales and marketing plan underway The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) currently is working with marketing partner MMGY Global to develop our annual sales and marketing plan, which we will unveil to you in early October at the Team Tourism Annual Summit. In the meantime, I am excited to share with you some news about the planning process.   MORE >     Tamara Pigott, VCB Executive Director

VCB Initiatives and Programming

VCB adds new three staff members The VCB welcomes three new staff members: Lorilei Barsh, marketing coordinator; Sean Corey, volunteer coordinator; and Lisa Harmer, senior account clerk.  MORE >

Industry Calendar

Staying up-to-date with the latest news, developments and issues that affect your business is critical. Lee County Tourist Development Council meetings, along with other industry meetings, provide this, along with important networking opportunities. Mark your calendar and plan to attend upcoming meetings.  MORE >

Sales Team News Update

VCB promotes destination to state association executives The VCB recently promoted The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel at the annual conference of the Florida Society of Association Executives (FSAE), which more than 350 association executives attended in Orlando. MORE >

MarCom Update

Public relations is recognized as one of the most effective and important tools in any successful marketing initiative. By capturing attention and touting the diverse attributes of Lee County’s tourism product to traditional and social media outlets, the VCB’s MarCom department generates substantial editorial coverage for our destination and tourism partners. In 2013, the VCB earned $18.6 million in advertising equivalency. The term refers to the cost of an editorial story if it had been paid-for advertising. Advertising equivalency is the industry standard and gives PR a monetary value. Readers, viewers and listeners of stories about the area will hopefully be engaged and choose our destination for vacations and meetings. Here’s a sample of what they’re saying about us.  MORE >

News from Sports Development

July scores win for summer sports visitation The Lee County Sports Development Office reports a significant increase in the number of sports teams that traveled to Lee County to compete in the month of July compared to the same month last year.   MORE >

Visitor Services News

Reservations underway for E Awards celebration on Sept. 9

The VCB invites industry partners and business leaders to the 2014 Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards Ceremony on Sept. 9 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa. MORE >

Airport News

Airport traffic increases in June During June, 478,692 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), an increase of 1.2 percent compared to June 2013. MORE >

Industry News

Pink Shell resort adds wildlife experiences with naturalist The Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina has hired local naturalist Vince McGrath to offer resort guests morning wildlife walking and kayaking expeditions to explore the eco-zones of the local marine environment.  MORE >

Local restaurants win Wine Spectator award Wine publication Wine Spectator has awarded three local restaurants with its 2014 Wine List Award of Excellence, which is reserved for restaurants that offer 100 or more well-chosen wine selections from quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.  MORE >

Local properties earn guest satisfaction honors Three local properties recently earned top rankings in the 18th annual J.D. Power 2014 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, which measured overall guest satisfaction scores from more than 67,000 in North America.  MORE >

Offshore Sailing School promoting 50th anniversary regatta Registration is underway and sponsorship opportunities are available for the Offshore Sailing School’s 50th Anniversary Celebrity Pro-Am Regatta scheduled for Jan. 8-10 at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach.  MORE >

Old Corkscrew Golf Club earns national accolades GolfAdvisor recently ranked the Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero among the top-rated golf courses in the United States.  MORE >

Hampton Inn earns Expedia honors The Hampton Inn Fort Myers-Airport I-75 has earned a 2014 Expedia Insiders Select Award.  MORE >