Chamber October informative luncheon <\/p>\n
Join the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the SanCap Chamber of Commerce, and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa for an informative luncheon featuring U.S. Senator Rick Scott. Senator Scott will discuss the national economy, the cost of living, and the role of government in Florida and across the country.<\/p>\n
Portside Property Group 2026 year to date top agents<\/p>\n
Portside Property Group celebrates Ken King and Alison Stone for excellence in real estate.<\/p>\n
As a more than 30 year full-time Sanibel resident with decades of real estate experience, King, brings extensive local expertise and market awareness to every transaction. His understanding of changing market conditions allows him to strategically guide both sellers and buyers, helping them make informed decisions and position themselves for the best possible outcome. Known for his direct approach and strong negotiation skills, King is trusted by clients and colleagues alike to keep transactions moving smoothly from contract to closing. <\/p>\n
Stone brings a focused, client-first approach to every transaction, combining personalized service with a strong understanding of the Southwest Florida market. Her dedication, energy, and attention to detail allow her to build trusted relationships while helping clients confidently navigate their real estate goals.<\/p>\n
As a full-time Southwest Florida resident raising her family here, Stone offers valuable local insight and dedicated support to help you buy or sell with confidence.<\/p>\n
Milissa Sprecher to sponsor Sanibel sea turtle nest in client\u2019s name<\/p>\n
Milissa Sprecher, realtor of McCallion & McCallion Realty is proud to announce the launch of a new campaign to help Sanibel Island sea turtles \u2014 while thanking her clients with a positive island benefit.<\/p>\n
Called \u201cNest Sweet Nest,\u201d all buyers and sellers transacting with Sprecher or Realtor Jackson Sprecher will be the proud \u201cowners\u201d of a year-long sea turtle nest sponsorship through Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF).<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of ways to say thank you to real estate clients,\u201d Sprecher said. \u201cOur team decided to focus on a thank-you gift that\u2019ll benefit our marine life, our community and most of all \u2014 those beautiful little baby sea turtles. We hope that our clients will see it as a kind of \u2018legacy gift\u2019 that, sponsored in their name, will always be something to which they can look at and take pride in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those buying or selling a home, condo, property or business in Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers and Southwest Florida, contact the Realtor who\u2019ll make the experience perfect \u2014 and top it off with the knowledge that you, too, are making a difference in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone here is in love with this wonderful, unique concept. The opportunities to make a positive, lasting difference for our islands and our marine life can literally go on for years. Milissa Sprecher and team deserve a round of applause for their creativity, generosity and community-mindedness,\u201d Barbara Linstrom, Communications Director for SCCF, said.<\/p>\n
Contact Sprecher at www.MilissaSprecherRealtor.com or (239)414-6044. <\/p>\n
Heidrick & Company\u2019s Emily McGahey earns multiple leadership honors <\/p>\n
Heidrick & Company Insurance announced that Account Executive Emily McGahey has earned a series of prestigious honors recognizing her leadership, professional growth and commitment to Florida\u2019s independent insurance industry.<\/p>\n
McGahey was recently named the Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) Young Agents Council Young Agent of the Year, recognizing her contributions to the insurance industry and her involvement within Florida\u2019s young agent community.<\/p>\n
Building on that achievement, McGahey has also been selected for Florida\u2019s Future Insurance Leaders (FFIL), FAIA\u2019s leadership development program designed to prepare emerging insurance professionals to become future leaders within the industry and their communities.<\/p>\n
McGahey was the first person to submit her application for the program last fall and waited nearly a year to learn of her selection.<\/p>\n
Over the next year, McGahey will participate in leadership development, mentorship, education and networking opportunities through FAIA programs and events. She will also complete the Insurance Agents MBA (IA-MBA) program this fall as part of the FFIL program.<\/p>\n
In addition to her selection for FFIL, McGahey has been chosen to serve as co-chair of the FAIA Young Agents Council Political Advocacy Subcommittee, working alongside Robbie Sistrunk Jr., who will serve as the YAC leadership representative for the subcommittee.<\/p>\n
The Political Advocacy Subcommittee helps young insurance professionals better understand legislative issues affecting Florida\u2019s independent insurance agents and encourages greater participation in the political and advocacy process. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m incredibly grateful for these opportunities and honored to represent Heidrick & Company alongside so many talented professionals in our industry,\u201d said McGahey. \u201cI\u2019m excited to continue learning, build meaningful relationships with other insurance leaders and become more involved in the advocacy efforts that shape our industry. I look forward to taking what I learn through these experiences and using it to make a positive impact within our agency, our industry and the communities we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
SCIAR participates in SCCF and Coastal Watch\u2019s International Coastal Cleanup<\/p>\n
The Sanibel-Captiva Islands Association of Realtors partnered with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and Coastal Watch on Saturday, Sept. 19, to participate in the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup, part of Ocean Conservancy\u2019s global initiative. Gathering at 9 a.m. at the Shell Harbor Beach Access, members and volunteers spent two hours clearing trash and debris from the shoreline to protect the local marine ecosystem. The group consisted of both Realtor and affiliate members.<\/p>\n
Michael Saunders & Company agents and staff help during 2026 International Coastal Cleanup<\/p>\n
Agents and staff from Michael Saunders & Company\u2019s Sanibel\u2019s office spent Saturday morning giving back to the coastline they love, joining the 2026 International Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19.<\/p>\n
The team met at 9 a.m. at Shell Harbor Beach Access, teaming up with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) and Coastal Watch for the island-wide cleanup \u2014 part of the Ocean Conservancy\u2019s global effort to protect oceans and waterways. For two hours, volunteers worked the shoreline, picking up litter and debris and doing their part for the beaches that make Sanibel and Captiva what they are.<\/p>\n
For the Michael Saunders & Company team, it\u2019s a simple idea: this coastline is home.<\/p>\n
21 finalist announced for 2026 Industry Appreciation Awards <\/p>\n
The Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council and Lee County Economic Development Office have announced 21 finalists for the 2026 Industry Appreciation Awards.<\/p>\n
The Industry Appreciation Awards celebrate Lee County businesses that drive the local economy, employ our workforce and shape their industries. Winners will be celebrated at an Oct. 23 awards luncheon at Caloosa Sound Convention Center in Fort Myers. The event will also celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Horizon Council. Registration for the event is now open.<\/p>\n
The Industry Appreciation Awards will honor one winner in each of this year\u2019s seven categories. Finalists include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lee Trailblazer Award: Bob Dean Supply, Inc., Moran Kennedy, NORTHSTAR Technologies Group<\/p>\n
\u2022 Start Up of the Year: Southwest Florida Proton, Sugarshack Downtown, UBYou<\/p>\n
\u2022 Tech Catalyst Award: ADDMAN Group, Eightpoint, Optivate Health<\/p>\n
\u2022 Small Manufacturer of the Year: Botanical Brewing Company, NORTHSTAR Technologies Group, Wicked Dolphin Distillery<\/p>\n
\u2022 Large Manufacturer of the Year: California Closets of Southwest Florida, PRAVADA Private Label, VGM Holdings<\/p>\n
\u2022 Small Business of the Year: Aviation Precision Technology, COLDEST, Sun Harvest Citrus<\/p>\n
\u2022 Large Business of the Year: ADG Architecture, South Seas, Wright Construction Group<\/p>\n
\u201cLee County is home to an outstanding group of businesses that are making a significant impact across a wide range of industries,\u201d said Horizon Council Chair Ben Spence, who is chief operating officer of Lee Health and will become its president and CEO this fall. \u201cEach finalist has demonstrated a commitment to innovation, growth and excellence, and the contributions they are making to our community make them incredibly deserving of this recognition.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Oct. 23 event will be held at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St. in Fort Myers. The event starts with networking opportunities at 10 a.m. with a luncheon and awards ceremony to follow at 11 a.m. Event tickets for the 2026 Industry Appreciation Awards are $100 each and available online at IndustryAppreciationAwards.com. Tables of 10 are also available.<\/p>\n
HM Restaurant Group to become title sponsor of \u2018Ding\u2019 Darling Tarpon Tournament<\/p>\n
HM Restaurant Group will become the title sponsor of the annual \u201cDing\u201d Darling Tarpon Tournament, continuing the company\u2019s longstanding support for the premier Southwest Florida fishing tournament and its conservation mission continues despite a demand to remove the Doc Ford\u2019s name.<\/p>\n
HM Restaurant Group manages the Doc Ford\u2019s Rum Bar & Grille restaurants, which served as title sponsor of the tournament for the past 14 years. During that time, the tournament has raised more than $2 million to support conservation efforts at the J.N. \u201cDing\u201d Darling National Wildlife Refuge.<\/p>\n
As part of ongoing litigation and trademark disputes involving the Doc Ford\u2019s name, Randy Wayne White, owner of the Doc Ford\u2019s trademark, sued HM Restaurant Group to prevent it from using the Doc Ford\u2019s name in association with the tournament. As a direct result of the lawsuit, the longstanding Doc Ford\u2019s title sponsorship will end and HM Restaurant Group will become the title sponsor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would have been proud to continue supporting this tournament under the Doc Ford\u2019s name, just as we have for the past 14 years,\u201d said Joe Harrity, partner with HM Restaurant Group. \u201cRandy Wayne White has demanded that the name be removed, and as a result, we are happily moving the sponsorship to HM Restaurant Group. \u201cWe look forward to helping the tournament build on its success and expand its conservation impact for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
The title sponsorship change will take effect with the 2027 tournament. HM Restaurant Group will continue its financial support of the event under the company name.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the years, this tournament has evolved into one of the most powerful engines for conservation at \u201cDing\u201d Darling \u2014 and HM Restaurant Group has been instrumental in that growth,\u201d said Angeli Chin, events, marketing and grants manager for the \u201cDing\u201d Darling Wildlife Society. \u201cTheir unwavering commitment as our title sponsor doesn\u2019t just sustain the tournament; it propels us forward. Because of partners like HM, we\u2019re able to dream bigger, do more and expand the impact this event has on the waters and wildlife that define our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 15th annual \u201cDing\u201d Darling Tarpon Tournament will take place in May 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Chamber October informative luncheon Join the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the SanCap Chamber of Commerce, and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":415464,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-415463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=415463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/415463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/415464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=415463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=415463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=415463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}