Business Notes (9/3/14)
Lee County earns statewide Excellence in Sport Tourism Award
Lee County Parks and Recreation earned an inaugural Florida Recreation and Park Association Excellence in Sport Tourism Award, presented by the Florida Sport Foundation at the recent annual FRPA conference in Orlando.
The awards, broken into mid-large sport market and small sport market categories, recognize the unparalleled contributions of Florida’s county and municipal Parks and Recreation Departments to sports tourism.
Lee County won for mid-large market; the City of Pensacola Neighborhood Services took home the small market award.
Nick Gandy, of the Florida Sports Foundation, said county and municipal governments provide the maintenance and infrastructure to support the numerous sporting and recreational activities occurring annually throughout Florida.
Recipients were nominated by Florida’s Regional Sports Commissions.
“We are proud to stand in partnership with the Florida Recreation and Park Association to present the first Excellence in Sport Tourism Award,” Florida Sports Foundation President John Webb said. “This award program was developed to recognize department contributions to the sport tourism efforts of their community.”
Lee County Parks and Recreation has been an integral partner in the growth of sport tourism in the area by more than 450 percent. The philosophy is one of customer service excellence. Each employee interacting with sports tourists attends a training program offered by the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau called “Guest First.”
In 2013, Lee County Parks and Recreation facilities hosted more than 80 events, attracting almost 130,000 visitors and generating an estimated $52.4 million direct economic impact for the community.
In addition, the department manages and maintains the spring training homes of the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. Spring Training in Lee County on average generates nearly $48 million in direct tourist expenditures annually.
Chamber of commerce to host expo, job fair
The Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce will host a Business and Consumer Expo, along with a job fair, on Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church on Homestead Road.
In addition to vendor booths, the event will feature entertainment, activities for children and prizes from the participating businesses.
Admission is free.
For information, contact the chamber at (239) 369-3322.
Horizon Foundation nears fundraising goal
The Horizon Foundation, which supports the efforts of the Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Office, is just shy of breaking its fundraising goal.
Having raised $387,545 to date, it has just $12,455 less than the goal set forth for the year and is asking for Lee County business and community support.
Last year, the foundation raised a record $385,000, which was $35,000 more than the goal. It set the goal for fundraising in 2014 even higher at $400,000.
The fundraising ends on Sept. 19 at the 23rd Annual Industry Appreciation Week luncheon, which will be held at the Harborside Event Center.
The majority of the fundraising goes directly to support the marketing and business assistance objectives of the Lee County Economic Development Office program.
To make a contribution, contact B. Pat O’Rourke at (239) 338-3161 or bporourke@leegov.com.
For information about the Horizon Foundation and Lee County Economic Development Office, visit: www.leecountybusiness.com/home/horizon-council.
Business Notes (9/3/14)
Lee County earns statewide Excellence in Sport Tourism Award
Lee County Parks and Recreation earned an inaugural Florida Recreation and Park Association Excellence in Sport Tourism Award, presented by the Florida Sport Foundation at the recent annual FRPA conference in Orlando.
The awards, broken into mid-large sport market and small sport market categories, recognize the unparalleled contributions of Florida’s county and municipal Parks and Recreation Departments to sports tourism.
Lee County won for mid-large market; the City of Pensacola Neighborhood Services took home the small market award.
Nick Gandy, of the Florida Sports Foundation, said county and municipal governments provide the maintenance and infrastructure to support the numerous sporting and recreational activities occurring annually throughout Florida.
Recipients were nominated by Florida’s Regional Sports Commissions.
“We are proud to stand in partnership with the Florida Recreation and Park Association to present the first Excellence in Sport Tourism Award,” Florida Sports Foundation President John Webb said. “This award program was developed to recognize department contributions to the sport tourism efforts of their community.”
Lee County Parks and Recreation has been an integral partner in the growth of sport tourism in the area by more than 450 percent. The philosophy is one of customer service excellence. Each employee interacting with sports tourists attends a training program offered by the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau called “Guest First.”
In 2013, Lee County Parks and Recreation facilities hosted more than 80 events, attracting almost 130,000 visitors and generating an estimated $52.4 million direct economic impact for the community.
In addition, the department manages and maintains the spring training homes of the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. Spring Training in Lee County on average generates nearly $48 million in direct tourist expenditures annually.
Chamber of commerce to host expo, job fair
The Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce will host a Business and Consumer Expo, along with a job fair, on Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church on Homestead Road.
In addition to vendor booths, the event will feature entertainment, activities for children and prizes from the participating businesses.
Admission is free.
For information, contact the chamber at (239) 369-3322.
Horizon Foundation nears fundraising goal
The Horizon Foundation, which supports the efforts of the Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Office, is just shy of breaking its fundraising goal.
Having raised $387,545 to date, it has just $12,455 less than the goal set forth for the year and is asking for Lee County business and community support.
Last year, the foundation raised a record $385,000, which was $35,000 more than the goal. It set the goal for fundraising in 2014 even higher at $400,000.
The fundraising ends on Sept. 19 at the 23rd Annual Industry Appreciation Week luncheon, which will be held at the Harborside Event Center.
The majority of the fundraising goes directly to support the marketing and business assistance objectives of the Lee County Economic Development Office program.
To make a contribution, contact B. Pat O’Rourke at (239) 338-3161 or bporourke@leegov.com.
For information about the Horizon Foundation and Lee County Economic Development Office, visit: www.leecountybusiness.com/home/horizon-council.
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