march 2015

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Trends Chamber To Promote and Serve Business and Community MARCH 11TH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON MEETING AT LA VENEZIA JOIN US FOR THE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS MARCH 19TH AT RAMOS BUILDERS JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY AT THE SHOPS AT SURFSIDE FOR THE SURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM CAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKET EVERY SATURDAY AT CLUB SQUARE 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

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Please enjoy the latest issue of the Chamber Trends Magazine!

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Page 1: March 2015

TrendsThe Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral March 2015

Chamber

To Promote and Serve Business and Community

MARCH 11TH GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

MEETING AT LA VENEZIA

JOIN US FOR THEBUSINESS AFTER HOURS MARCH 19TH AT RAMOS

BUILDERS

JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY AT THE SHOPS AT SURFSIDE FOR THE SURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

CAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKETEVERY SATURDAY AT CLUB SQUARE8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Page 2: March 2015

Publisher & EditorDonna Schuman-Germain

Interim Vice [email protected]

Contributing EditorsMike Quaintance

Chamber [email protected]

Stephanie RobersonTechnology Director

[email protected]

Claudia St. OngeBusiness Manager

[email protected]

Matt LambMembership Director

[email protected]

Annette Siner Membership Sales

[email protected]

Melanie LempkeAdministrative Generalist

[email protected]

Amanda BrunsonSpecial Events Coordinator

[email protected]

Chamber of Commerce of Cape CoralP.O. Box 100747, Cape Coral, FL 33910

2051 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904Phone (239) 549-6900 Fax (239) 549-9609

MARCH 2015MARCH 3RD

CAPE CORAL INSURANCE GROUP820 LAFAYETTE STREET, CAPE CORAL, FL

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

MARCH 11THGENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON MEETING

LA VENEZIA 4646 SE 10TH PL CLUB SQUARE, CAPE CORAL, FL 33904

CAPE CORAL MAYORS - PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

MARCH 19THBUSINESS AFTER HOURS

RAMOS BUILDERS1223 SE 47TH TERRACE, CAPE CORAL, FL 33904

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

MARCH 25THWOMEN’S POWER NETWORKING

WICKED DOLPHIN RUM 131 SW 3RD PLACE, CAPE CORAL, FL 33991

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

MARCH 27THNETWORKING AT NOON

THE RED HEADED WITCHES 1910 DEL PRADO BLVD. S., CAPE CORAL, FL 33990

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

EVERY SATURDAY THROUGH MAYCAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKET

CLUB SQUARE - SE 47TH TERRACE & SE 10TH PLACE , CAPE CORAL, FL 33904

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

TUESDAYS YEAR ROUNDSURFSIDE SUNSET MARKET

THE SHOPS AT SURFSIDE VETERANS PARKWAY AND SURFSIDE BLVD., CAPE CORAL, FL

2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (NEW HOURS)

TO REGISTER FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE EVENTS ONLINE VISIT WWW.CAPECORALCHAMBER.COM

Page 3: March 2015

LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL ANNUAL SPONSORSHIPS$2,500 Annual Investment – Cornerstone• Company Logo on Jr. Leadership Shirt• Company Logo on Leadership Cape Coral Shirt• Company Logo on all Leadership Program Materials• 4 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off• 4 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• 4 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Graduation• Opportunity to speak at Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• Opportunity to speak at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• Opportunity to hang banner at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• Opportunity to audit one Leadership Cape Coral Day• Opportunity to audit one Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Day• Opportunity to audit one Advanced Leadership Day or Chamber University Day• Company Logo on Sustaining Partner Leadership Web Page• One Full page advertisement in Chamber Monthly E-Trends Newsletter Annually

$1,200 Annual Investment – Partner• Company name of all Leadership Programs Materials• 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off• 2 Tickets to Leadership Graduation• 2 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Graduation• Opportunity to speak at Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off• Opportunity to hang banner at Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• Opportunity to audit one Leadership Cape Coral Day• Opportunity to audit one Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Day• Opportunity to audit one Advance Leadership Cape Coral Day or Chamber University Day• Company Name on Sustaining Partners Leadership Web Page

$500 Annual Investment – Supporter• Company name on all Leadership Programs Materials• 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Kick-off• 2 Tickets to Leadership Cape Coral Graduation• 2 Tickets to Jr. Leadership Cape Coral Graduation

ARE YOU INTERESTED?It is simple to participate, just fill out the registration form below and fax, or mail it to the Chamber.

Leadership 2015

B U S I N E S S N A M E

B I L L I N G A D D R E S S

C A R D N U M B E R

C A R D T Y P E E X P I R A T I O N D A T E T H R E E D I G I T C O D E

P H O N E E - M A I L

BJM CONSULTINGBB&T-OSWALD, TRIPPE & COTHE AUBUCHON TEAM OF COMPANIES

Management and

Page 4: March 2015

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORSChairman Ed Ramos, Ramos Builders, Inc.

Chair-Elect Brett Bisbe, B2 Technology Solutions, IncTreasurer Trish Lassiter, Lee County Electric Cooperative Past Chair Annette Carrasquillo,LAI Design Associates

Barb Adams, LeeSarBeverly Black, Black Business Solutions, LLC

Ed Bolter, Lamar AdvertisingDana Brunett, City of Cape CoralMatthew Connar, Boost Creative

Tony Constantino, Kevin M. Burns & Assoc. P.A.Diane Everhart, Northwestern Mutual Financial

Joseph Francioni, The Smart CompaniesCynthia Gallagher, The Breeze Newspapers

Sandra Griener, Sun Splash Family WaterparkTom Hansen, Boat House of Cape Coral

Tim Hauck, Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral ServicesScott Kashman, Cape Coral Hospital

Laura Koehn, CapeCoral.comCheryl Komnick, Caloosa Tent & Rental

Michelle Lewis, B2 Technology SolutionsKatharyn Owen, Jones, Haber and Rollings, PL

Christopher Spiro, Spiro & AssociatesMichelle Whitlock, Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors

Zachary Zeis, Storm Smart

CHAIRMAN EMERITUSWayne Kirkwood, Kirkwood Electric, Inc.

Thomas Giles, Avalon EngineeringJoseph Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting, Inc.

Donna Meola, Priority Payments of South FloridaThomas Shipp Jr, Attorney

Elmer Tabor, Wonderland Realty/Cape Coral Town Center

TRUSTEESKevin Ahmadi, Gulf Coast Village

Keith Banasiak, Waste Pro of FloridaRhonda Chapman, First Citizens Bank

Nancy Dunning, Cape Coral Association of RealtorsSallie Dywer, SunTrust Merchant Services

Mike Hollow, RE//MAX Realty TeamJay Johnson, Bubba’s Roadhouse and Saloon

David Owen, BB & T - Oswald, Trippe & Co.Larry Weir, Premier Insurance Corporation

CHAMBER STAFFMike Quaintance, President

Donna S. Germain, Interim Vice PresidentClaudia St. Onge, Business Manager

& Farmers’ Market DirectorStephanie Roberson, Technology Director

Matt Lamb, Membership DirectorAnnette Siner, Membership Sales

Melanie Lempke, Administrative Generalist Amanda Brunson, Special Events Coordinator

Linda Kirby, Membership Sales ContractorLisa Barrella, Membership Sales Contractor

VALUE PROPOSITIONMike “Q” Quaintance, President, MBA, IOM

For 18 years I have pondered the question, what is the value members find in Chamber membership? Why do members renew their

membership every year? Ultimately, how does the Chamber win members? Typically, academics refer to Michael Porter’s Competitive Strategy Theory where businesses choose a competitive strategy based on cost leadership, differentiation or focus.

A business example of a cost leadership strategy would be Wal-Mart, where they leverage buying power to purchase more efficiently than many of their competitors in order to pass the savings to customers. An example of differentiation strategy might be Cirque du Soleil as it originally sought to differentiate itself from the tradition of circuses. Lastly, a focus strategy, which chooses to focus on a certain industry or segment of an industry.

Clearly, the Chamber’s strategy is the focus strategy as we seek to meet the needs of the business community by providing networking and educational opportunities, advocate on behalf of business to government, and operate the welcome center and website in order to drive more traffic to our member’s doors, telephones and websites.

Additionally, the Chamber understands and

advocates for the symbiotic relationship that exists between the community and business, hence community event, charitable events and activities are a part of the annual business plan. Hence, as all can see cross-functional activities are important in the Chamber’s value proposition.

At the time of this article, 11.7% of our members have been members for 20 plus years, 15.2% for 10 to 20 years, 13% for 6 to 9 years, 19.5 % for 3 to five years. Impressive? Maybe yes, maybe no.

National research shows that up to 50% of businesses fail in the first year, 91% fail in the first five years, and only 9% survive 10 years of more. As you can see our member retention for business is better than the national business failure rate, as 26.9% of our members have been members for more than 10 years, compared with the national number where only 9% of business survive for 10 or more years. This might suggest the importance of maintaining your Chamber membership as it correlates to general business success.

Strategy requires choice, clear communication and coherent performance management practices from both volunteers and staff. Like any other business, the Chamber cannot just spew stirring metaphors to create value; it must produce results and shared goals that meet the communicated purpose of the Chamber. Have you thought about your proposition? Which one of Porter’s strategies to you employ in the marketplace? Do you and your team really walk the talk?

Have you communicated to your team with clarity what your organizations strategy is? Clarity about the strategy will help your team members focus more efficiently, qualify customers more effectively, and allow your organization to allocate resource more profitably. Please do not under-estimate the value of your chamber membership and its correlation to its influence on your organization’s success.

Q’s WORLD

BE NUMBER ONE...BE SECOND TO NONE!

Page 5: March 2015

Chamber Trends Monthly Advertising Basic Advertising Prices

Full Page $337.00 1/2 Page $227.00 1/4 Page $147.00

Business Card $117.00 (All ads include a hyperlink to your company’s website or a 30-second commercial promoting your business.

Non-profit organizations receive 2 free 1/2 page ads per year upon request with their membership.)

Prime Advertising Pricing Full Page $367.00 1/2 Page $287.00 1/4 Page $207.00

Business Card $167.00 (All ads include a hyperlink to your company’s website or a 30-second commercial promoting your business and a banner ad in the

Chamber Trends Weekly E-Newsletter)

Specials Feature Your Business On The Cover

Cover photo showcasing your company with a full page article, up to 3 pictures and company logo spotlighting your business. Only one per month. First come first serve basis. Your spotlight can also be linked to your company website and/or a commercial

promoting your business.

Chamber Trends Weekly Advertising

Press Release $25.00 (Runs 1x, includes 60 words, company logo, link to your company website.)

(Non-profit organizations run 2x for $25.00)

Banner Advertisement $50.00 per month (runs 4x, includes link to your website)

Company Spotlight $157.00

(Runs 4x, includes short story, link to website, link to additional company information, 2 pictures and Company logo.)

E-mail Blasts Company Spotlight E-mail Blast $199.00

The investment for the Business Spotlight is $199 and will run twice throughout the month of your choice. Dimensions - 6 inches wide x 8 inches tall, 300 dpi resolution.

Please call Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext. 107 for more information. All Chamber Publications Are Distributed to More Than 16,000 contacts

Page 6: March 2015

Your Health ROIEd Ramos, Ramos Builders

2015 Chairman

Are you finding that there are not enough hours in the day? Is your productivity down? Do you find

yourself waking up at 3:00 in the morning thinking of all the upcoming days’ tasks? Are you waking up tired with little energy during the day? Is your favorite adult beverage the

way you relieve stress? Well maybe it’s time to improve your productivity and Health ROI.

If you are like me you may say that you haven’t had the time to exercise. So if you didn’t exercise today why not? Because you didn’t have time? Did you have more important things to do? If you think that you can’t fit exercise into your day think about this:

• You Do Have Time - You have the same amount of time as everyone else. It is how you choose to spend it. If exercise is important to you, you need to decide what it is more important in your daily activities. Do you really need to surf Facebook for 45 minutes or should you go exercise instead?

• Try Small Workouts – Most people spend more time at the water-cooler in the morning than it would take to go to the gym. It doesn’t have to take 3 hours. Working out is about consistency as much as it is about intensity.

• You Don’t Need a Gym – People say it takes too long to “go to the gym” or that they don’t want to pay for a membership. No worries, no gym needed. Run outside. Do push-ups, sit-ups, and more.

• Do It Early – Thinking that you are going to workout after a long day at your job is not realistic. Put first things first. Exercise first thing in the morning, before you start your day.

Exercise and a healthy life style is not only about how you look and feel, it will make you a more productive business person and in the process:

• Pumps You Up – I hear people say, I can’t workout because I will be too tired. Not true. Exercising will pump you up better than any caffeine or energy drink. It drives you and lifts your energy level.

• Improves Your Confidence – Being healthy increases your confidence. Knowing that you have pushed yourself physically, increases your ability to believe in yourself in other areas of your life.

• Increases Your Capacity – Simply put, being healthy increases your body’s capacity to get things done. Whether it is putting in long hours at your job or playing with the kids.

• Inspires Creativity – Want to jump-start big ideas? When you are “in the zone” exercising is when some of your most creative ideas will come. Trying to solve a problem? Go for a workout and you might surprise yourself how many solutions you come up with.

• Builds Momentum – A body in motion stays in motion. While others are struggling to get their day started in the office, you will come in already at a full jog. You will become known for your energy level and ability to hit the ground running.

Instead of taking time out of your schedule, you will find that it increases your productivity in all your endeavors. There is a myth that staying in shape takes too much time out of one’s day. The truth is that exercising acts as a catalyst to improve your performance in all areas of your life.

The Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with Lee Memorial Health System and is offering its annual fitness challenge to begin March 23rd. This is a great way to jump-start your exercise program and take charge of “Your Health ROI.” It is time to take charge of your health the way you would your business.

Whether you do the health challenge or make a conscious effort to get started on your own join me in improving Your Health ROI.

CHAMBER TRENDS

BE NUMBER ONE...BE SECOND TO NONE!

Page 7: March 2015
Page 8: March 2015

NEW

321CruiseJoshua Melendez

Anytime Zip Line Inc.Scott Roberts

Coastal Locksmith, IncKevin James

Demetrios Gonis IncBethel Bright

HertzOswald Romero

Individual - Ken NakamuraKenNakamura

Lifeline Family CenterKathy Miller

Luvy Bear Quilts 4 Tots, Inc. Ian Nelson

Noela ChocolatAnde Grant

Patriot Pets & Supplies of Florida, LLC

Dianna Reinhardt

Prestige Automotive Center LLCCarlos Rendon

Robert Garcia JewelryRobert Garcia

Secret Places, Inc.Steve Hare

Tennessee Still CompanyDaniel Hlavna

The Body Shop Ink Company Fred O’Dell

The Letter BoxAmy Rouskey

RENEWALS

AAA Auto Club Group dba AAA TravelMember Since: 07/31/2007

Achieva Credit UnionMember Since: 01/31/2013

Barton Insurance Agency/NationwideMember Since: 02/01/1989

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Inc

Member Since: 08/28/2012

BMI Barnett MarineMember Since: 12/19/2013

BobSuhrie.Remax Florida.comMember Since: 02/02/2010

Brents Music & SoundMember Since: 02/01/1998

Cape Coral Art LeagueMember Since: 01/28/1999

Cape Coral Social Club

Member Since: 02/23/2009

CC Stone w/Coastal Realty SWFLMember Since: 03/03/2009

Chicago PizzaMember Since: 06/24/2008

Chippendale AudiologyMember Since: 02/25/2014

CoolAir Air Conditioning & HeatingMember Since: 11/06/2013

Don Truax Mobile DetailingMember Since: 10/23/2013

DQ Grill & ChillMember Since: 01/23/2013

Edward Jones Investments – Terry

FrithMember Since: 02/01/1995

Great Clips for HairMember Since: 01/20/2009

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.

Member Since: 11/14/2011

High Fidelity StudiosMember Since: 11/17/2008

Hill, Barth, & King, LLCMember Since: 01/28/2013

Kinetic Thoughts LLCMember Since: 01/28/2010

Kirkwood Electric, Inc.Member Since: 12/01/2001

Matteo GraphicsMember Since: 05/25/2011

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc

Member Since: 10/31/2011

Northwestern Mutual Naples/Estero Group

Member Since: 01/27/2014

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Member Since: 04/13/1999

PartyLite Candle Ladies Renee’ & Rhonda

Member Since: 04/13/2012

RaceTracMember Since: 02/20/2013

Rebecca A. Ross with Robert W. BairdMember Since: 01/11/2012

Red Salon & SpaMember Since: 09/26/2007

Southwest Florida Yachts, Inc.Member Since: 11/20/2013

Spiro & AssociatesMember Since: 01/01/1996

StifelMember Since: 02/17/2009

StoutenCramer, Inc.Member Since: 02/07/2012

Sun Dream Services Inc.Member Since: 02/20/2013

The Aubuchon Team of CompaniesMember Since: 11/01/1995

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

Member Since: 02/04/2013

The Windsor of Cape CoralMember Since: 05/21/2008

Trebing Tile and CarpetMember Since: 02/11/2012

Wright Construction GroupMember Since: 02/25/2012

Zoomers Amusement ParkMember Since: 2/21/2012

Thank you for your Membership!

JANUARY NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS

Page 9: March 2015

___Alexis Peters, N. Ft. Myers-Sponsored by LCEC

___Bryce Van Horn, Ida S. Baker

___Donte Carter, Ida S. Baker-Sponsored by Keith & Heidi Veres

___Drayton Diggs, Ida S. Baker-Sponsored by Keith & Heidi Veres

___Edmund Aviles, Mariner-Sponsored by LCEC

___Hannah Hauck, Ida S. Baker - Sponsored by The Quaintance Family

___Hannah Theriault, Mariner-Sponsored by Florida Southwester State College

___Ian Milaski, Oasis Charter

___James Shannon, Cape Coral HS - Sponsored by the Cape Coral Mayor’s Scholarship Fund

___Jasmine Casiano, Ida S. Baker-Sponsored by LCEC

___Jenifer Schuman, Ida S. Baker - Sponsored by Ken’s Auto Repair

___Jillian Lucia, Oasis Charter

___Jordan Diggs, Ida S. Baker-Sponsored by Keith & Heidi Veres

___Joseph McNeely, Mariner

___Josh Mamott, Oasis Charter

___Julian Valdivia, Oasis Charter-Sponsored by LCEC

___Kayla Morris, Ida S. Baker-Sponsored by Chicago Pizza

___Kevin Persaud, Island Coast

___Kyle Soricelli, Cape Coral-Sponsored by LCEC

___Madison Lampkins, N. Ft. Myers - Sponsored by Achieva Credit Union

___Melia Coughlin, Oasis Charter

___Melissa Kindma, Oasis Charter

___Preston Siner, Cape Coral - Sponsored by Karen S. Barnes, UBS Financial Services

___Rachel Barnes, Mariner

___Rebecca Goldstein, Mariner

___Rileigh Baker, Island Coast-Sponsored by LCEC

___Sara Bryce, Oasis Charter

___Shaena Carson, Oasis Charter

___Taylor Hadden, Oasis Charter

Jr. Leadership Cape Coral

B U S I N E S S N A M E

B I L L I N G A D D R E S S

C A R D N U M B E R

C A R D T Y P E E X P I R A T I O N D A T E T H R E E D I G I T C O D E

P H O N E E - M A I L

SPONSOR THE CLASS OF 2015AT THE MARCH 11th CHAMBER LUNCH

$100 SPONSORSHIP INCLUDESTHE CHANCE TO MEET AND SIT WITH YOUR STUDENT AT THE MARCH 11TH CHAMBER LUNCH AT LA VENEZIA, 11:30 AM

YOUR COMPANY LOGO IN EVENT POWERPOINT

RECOGNITION IN EVENT E-MAILS

RECOGNITION AT THE LUNCH AS A SPONSOR

EACH SPONSOR WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND JUNIOR LEADERSHIP GRADUATION ON APRIL 9TH AT CULTURAL PARK THEATRE AND WILL BE RECOGNIZED THAT EVENING

**100% of your sponsorship goes to fund the Junior Leadership program for our local students. The program is FREE to students and is funded through generous sponsorships like these. Please note lunch is not included in the price of the sponsorship and will be $20.00 at the door.

Please Fax or e-mail to Melanie [email protected] (239) 549-6900 ext 102 (239) 549-9609 fax

Please e-mail your high resolution logo to [email protected] by March 6th.

BJM CONSULTING, BB&T-OSWALD, TRIPPE & CO, THE AUBUCHON TEAM OF COMPANIES, MUTUAL OF OMAHA BANK

Page 10: March 2015

PANIC!!!Christopher T. Spiro, Spiro & Associates

It’s here!! It snuck up on so many, leaped out from the shadows and scared the crap out of you!

That’s right, Season is here and damn if it’s not going to be a great one. So why did it sneak up on you? Why are you panicking? Why did you not plan accordingly? I know, I know…Thanksgiving was a week later, which brought Christmas a week sooner…compound that

with the fact that Christmas and New Year’s Eve were on a Thursday so of course almost everyone took the long weekends…and then BAM! Its here, Season….everbody PANIC!! We basically worked four weeks on a nine-week window.

I’m laying in bed on Monday, Jan. 5, it’s 4 a.m. and all I hear is my text messages going off and emails pinging in. My wife Rachel says to me “check your texts.”

Ya’ see if I am getting a text at 4 a.m. it’s from our college freshman son CJ, our grad school working girl daughter Chelsea, someone’s on fire or someone died.

But not that Monday morning.

Instead, it was clients in panic mode:Text #1 “call me asap. need to see u today!”Text #2 “need to jumpstart mktg this week call me on ur way to office this a.m.”Text #3 “dad, delt party was a rager going to bed, luv u.”

My email inbox was similar…requests for meetings, Outlook meeting requests and just overall panic.

OK Spiro, so you get up early and have clients who panic, what’s the point??!! The point is a simple one: no one plans to fail in business so why would you let your marketing plans fail during the busiest time of the year?

Why would you not plan for a successful marketing effort in advance so that you can work on managing your marketing versus creating it during season? Why would you incur additional “rush charge” expenses (because vendors know they got ya’) when all you needed to do was plan?

July 5th is the day the bell rings at Spiro & Associates. That is the day I begin to make calls to set an August meeting to plan for season. Yes, I know not everyone’s season is the same, but I am generalizing here. But in August we have out the Halloween decorations, September the Thanksgiving décor and in October we are jamming to Christmas tunes.

Ya’ see, we run a minimum of 60 days in advance for media deadlines, website updates, digital advertising, brochure production, etc. We sit with our clients and review the previous year’s successes and failures. We discuss what our goals and initiatives are for the upcoming season and plan accordingly. This allows our clients to plan appropriately to fund the marketing properly, make the sales force aware of the forthcoming initiatives and have sales goals in place to gauge success.

In addition, it leaves enough time for us on the agency side to work on your creative strategy, media strategy, digital/social strategy and public relations strategy. These efforts don’t need to be a major project, they don’t need to take up a tremendous amount of time, but sitting down to plan and budget will help ensure your success.

Happy New Year to all…two months late! Not because I put off writing this article, simply because we have been helping those in panic mode get off the ledge! Call me, or your agency, and shock them by asking for your annual planning meeting early. Execute that plan and see how much smoother your year starts and how much more your register rings!

Christopher “The Brand Architect” Spiro can be found digitally…not panicking via any social media outlet…usually depicted with a big cigar, some brown liquor and with his wife Rachel or lovely children. To keep off the ledge with his brand tid-bits hit him up: 239.481.5511, [email protected], and www.facebook.com/christopher.spiro.

MARKETING TRENDS

Advertise in the Chamber Trends Weekly E-Newsletter.

A Banner Ad is just $50 per month!!Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107

or [email protected]

Page 11: March 2015

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH 2015

Dinner & Cocktails5:30pm - 6:30pm

at the Cape Coral Art League Building

Showtime7:00pm (Doors open at 5:00pm)

at the Cultural Park TheaterYou may walk between venues, or assistance will be provided.

The Cape Coral Mayors Scholarship Fund

presents

$30ppTickets can be purchased from any

Cape Coral Mayors Scholarship Fund Board Member or call (239) 898-0442.

The case for Life

Lifeline Family Center, Inc.907 SE 5th Avenue

Cape Coral, FL 33990239.242.7238

lifelinefamilycenter.org

18th Annual Benefit DinnerThursday, March 26th, 2015at 6:30 p.m. in the evening

McGregor Baptist ChurchHope Building, Fellowship Hall

Fort Myers, FL

Tickets: $70 per person or Tickets: $70 per person or $400 for a table of 8

Please RSVP by Monday, March 16thLee StrobelKeynote Speaker

Lifeline Family Center presents

Page 12: March 2015

VITAMIN D - IS IT A VITAMIN OR A HORMONE?

Salvatore Lacagnina, D.O.Vice President of Health & Wellness,

Lee Memorial Health System

Over the last several years much has been learned about Vitamin D. Initially it was thought that the major effect

was on the bones but now research shows us that Vitamin D has receptors in most cells of the body. Because of its varied effects on many cells of the body, it appears to function more as a hormone than a vitamin. By definition, a hormone is a substance produced in the body

that is transported to target organs or cells to regulate physiology and function. A vitamin is an organic compound and a vital nutrient that an organism requires in limited amounts to participate in chemical reactions. Vitamin D functions more as a hormone and has been shown to be involved in many illnesses including but not limited to heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, depression, autoimmune diseases and about 15 different cancers.

Vitamin D is produced in the body via the actions of sunlight and undergoes metabolism in the liver and kidneys to the active form called Vitamin D3. It has been estimated that D3 influences as many as 1000 genes and, as such, has widespread influence on health when it is at a therapeutic level in the body; and disease when insufficient or at a sub therapeutic level. Testing for the level of D3 is an easy blood test done by most labs. When you read the clinical literature about the therapeutic level you can find differences of opinion since some authorities set the healthy level at a number which simply prevents disease. But this has to be distinguished from the blood level necessary for optimal health. As such, some authorities define the appropriate level of Vitamin D3 around 40 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml); yet others define the healthy blood level between 50 -120 in order to decrease the risk and incidence of many diseases and cancers that D3 deficiency can influence.

Since D3 deficiency can influence so many health conditions, let’s look at the mechanisms that can cause the most common ones starting with heart disease. It is known that D3 deficiency can influence blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, the risk of bacterial and viral infections, as well as the level of circulating immune cells. All of these abnormalities have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease; and when D3 is supplemented and the levels get back to normal, the risk and incidence of these diseases decrease.

D3 deficiency also influences insulin synthesis and secretion via its ability to regulate calcium. When this occurs, the risk of diabetes increases, as does the risk of metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, heart failure and overall vascular inflammation.

There is also evidence that D3 deficiency increases the risk of auto immune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel disease. In addition, there might be an increased risk of breast cancer since D3 can increase the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in the breast.

D3 deficiency is also related to other cancers including colon, prostate, bladder, stomach, kidney, other solid tumor cancers, as well as Hodgkin’s and Non Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Research has shown that D3 has direct effects on cancer cells; but the risk of cancers also increases because of the effects of D3 on mediators of inflammation and other cells in the body that regulate the growth of cancer cells. A study by Giovannucci showed that male cancer deaths could be decreased 29% by the use of 1500 units of D3 daily in D3 deficient individuals.

D3 supplementation has also been shown to influence bacterial and viral infections; and to decrease the risk and incidence of falls in frail elderly individuals. In the latter studies, D3 supplementation has been shown to improve neuromuscular function. Another interesting study with female athletes showed that supplementation of D3 to individuals with low levels increased the height of jumping and other sports performance measures.

In relation to brain function, studies have shown a two times risk of dementia in individuals with low levels of D3. There are also some research reports that point to an influence of D3 deficiency on the annual influenza epidemics.

Now that we understand some of the far reaching health implications of D3 deficiency what are we able to do about this? The answer lies in knowing the blood level of D3 and understanding how to supplement appropriately. As mentioned above, checking the blood level of D3 is an easy lab test and, if found to be deficient (level <20 ng/ml) or insufficient (levels from 20-40 ng/ml) replacement is as follows: for every one point (one ng/ml) below the defined therapeutic level, you need to take 100 units of D3. As an example, if your level is 30 ng/ml and you want to get it up to 40 ng/ml you would need to take 1000 units daily of D3. Your physician or health care provider will check the blood level before you start supplementing and then probably repeat the test in a few months. During this time you might notice an improvement in energy or mood; but even if you do not, please know that correcting D3 deficiency goes a long way toward improving your overall health. The goal for any supplementation (vitamins, hormones, nutrients, etc.) is to not only prevent disease but as important, optimize overall health and function.

It is all about achieving optimal health via creating the optimal healing environment both internally and externally. Therefore, do all you can each and every day to stay healthy by making health your number one priority. Make health last by making health first!

Stay well my friends and please send comments and questions to [email protected]

HEALTHY TRENDS

Get In Touch with New Residents, Prospects and Visitors with

our Relocation Leads Program!Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 or

[email protected]

Page 13: March 2015

• ToptenUnitedWayemployeecontributorandcommunitypartner

• Employeesvolunteermorethan5,000hoursannually

• Maintaining8,000milesofpowerlinesyear-round

• On-call24hoursaday,7daysaweek,365daysayear

• Proudlyservingcustomerssince1940

• OneofonlysixCenters of Excellenceintheutilityindustry

Quality Service

Reliability

• Norateincreaseforsixyears.Ratedecreasein2014*

• Returned$220millioninequityovertheyears

* 7% Public Service Tax – Imposed by Cape Coral City Council* 3% Cape Coral Franchise fee* 4.5% Unincorporated Lee County Franchise Fee – Approved by Lee County Commissioners

Financial Strength

Community

www.lcec.net

LCEC – your cooperative empowers you!WhenyouareanLCECcustomer,youbelongtooneofthelargestnot-for-profitelectriccooperativesinthenation.Governedbycustomers,wearecommittedtodeliveringreliableandcostcompetitiveelectricity.

Page 14: March 2015

Tuscany

Tuscany

OneHotelHoliday!

Departing October 20, 2015

With the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce

For more information, please contact Amanda Brunson at (239) 549-6900

$2,899 per person,

$2,799 per person if

deposited by Nov. 30!*

Page 15: March 2015

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Family Traditions Home Decor & Furnishings Kelsey Crandall

1405 S.E. 47th TerraceCape Coral, Fl 33904

(239) 313-3739

Noela Chocolat Ande and Shane Grant

1309 S.E. 47th TerraceCape Coral, Fl 33904

(239) 793-3859 www.senditsweetly.com

Employee Care, Inc.Flora Sanchez

1423 SE 16th Place, suite 201Cape Coral, Fl 33990

(239) 945-9988www.employeecare.us

Luvy Bear Quilts 4 Tots, Inc. Ian Nelson and Nancy Dunne

(239) 770-8277 www.luvybearquilts4tots.com

Page 16: March 2015

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Smoothie King of Cape Coral Jinky Parsons

1806 Del Prado Blvd. S, Suite 1, Cape Coral, Fl 33990

(239) 673-8164 www.smoothieking.com/location/

view?store=1086

Tennessee Still Company Daniel Hlavna

1141 Pine Island Rd. S.W.Cape Coral, Fl 33991

(239) 673-9028

Sugar Rush Dawn Leman

1338 Del Prado Blvd SCape Coral, Fl 33990

(239) 242-0887

New and Renewed Members!!!

Schedule Your Ribbon Cutting Today. Call Matt Lamb

today at 549-6900 ext 103

Page 17: March 2015

DID ANYONE HEAR THE STARTING BELL?

Berge Aslanian (CDPE) Realtor, RE/MAX Island Harbor

Somewhere, somehow, sometime in the past couple of weeks the race really started. Which one? The one where everyone decides they want to buy a house or condo immediately, some under crazy terms and some with really fast closings (one week). Most of us never heard the bell but the frenzy has started.

Let’s take a look at the numbers to see how if we are really trending up. For the three month period ending 2/25/15:

Inventory of single family homes For Sale continues to climb with a slight increase in median prices. The numbers of Homes Sold have increased over 5% and the median price slightly increased.

Numbers of Condos For Sale decreased 7% followed by median prices showing a 3% increase. Numbers of condos Sold increased while the median prices of Sold condos declined again.

The market continues to strengthen. As mentioned in the title, we are now off and running. Mid-February phones began ringing in earnest with buyers looking and agents making more showing appointments. These indicators have started to result in offers and contracts. In fact, last week was one of the busiest ever for this agent.

Apparently our annual marketing plan is generating positive results. That harsh northern weather is freezing some sense into more people that

living here is a pretty good way to go. They are here and they are buying. Sometimes though, our educational process does not sink in fast enough to help them learn how to complete the mission with minimal stress.

Just this past weekend a buyer decided to purchase a totally rehabbed condo in a 55+ community. Closing was set for three weeks. The day after the deal was set buyer decided to close on the coming Friday, four days away.

Unfortunately, the property management company could not process the application and set up a personal interview that fast because they are swamped and their schedule is extremely full this time of year. The title company could not get title insurance and all of the other mandatory items done in time because they too are swamped at this time of year.

The buyer became upset. (A standard case of “I created the problem but I’m going to make my problem your problem”.) Simple solution: we offered to rent the unit for the time it would take from when he wanted to close to when it could actually close (1 week). He didn’t want to pay rent, didn’t want to go back to PA and didn’t want to pay exorbitantly high hotel rates (his words) for another week. After calming down and penciling out the dollars and cents of it, he came to realize that renting for a week was least expensive alternative and would give him a place to start storing all the stuff he was starting to buy.

Sometimes we have to provide more than a small bit of guidance to get them to understand what actually makes sense. This goes for both buyers and sellers. The bottom line is that real estate agents, builders, title companies and lenders are not magicians. We do our best to accommodate and we go the extra yard but sense and sensibility must be brought to the table too.

The media have been hyping all kinds of information about how to buy, when to buy, how to negotiate and a whole slew of other usually useless information. Please find a realtor with whom you can relate well and then go with what they say. Our prices continue to climb and our inventory is limited. Buying now at today’s prices is far superior to buying next year for $25-50,000 more!

As always, we urge you to take advantage of climbing market but please use a reputable realtor to help. Happy Property Hunting or Selling!

Berge Aslanian (CDPE) is a Realtor in Cape Coral with RE/MAX Island Harbor and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. For questions about residential real estate, please call his cell, (239) 989-3463 or email [email protected] or visit www.RECapeCoral.com.

From Our Chairman2012

Donna Meola, Kirkwood Electric2012 Chamber Chairman

I can’t believe its December and I am writing my last article as Chairman of the

Board. 2012 has just flown by and there have been so many accomplishments I would like to share. (Please forgive me if I have forgotten any!!)

How fortunate we are to live in Paradise! Our economy is growing and the outlook for 2013 is for continued growth.

2012 was a great year!! Much was accomplished for you, including making Cape Coral a better place to do business. Here are a few of the highlights:

The Cape Coral Economic Development Office delivered on their promise to increase business, investment and employment in the area. The team closed 137 economic development projects, which represents 85 new businesses in the Cape and 52 expansions.

The EDO created a public/private strategic partnership with Lamar Advertising and HDPR Group and a new marketing campaign that says “Cape Coral is Open for Business.”

Cape Coral welcomed the opening of 1,156 businesses in 2012 including 301 place based businesses, 809 home-based businesses and 46 unspecified businesses. Commerce means shorter distances to travel for your goods and services. Commerce also means a diversified tax base and jobs!

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral continues to grow as well; in December 2011 our membership was at an all time low of 583 members, today we stand at 744. This resulted in a 78 percent membership growth with a retention rate of 81 percent. This could not have been accomplished without the referrals from our members, a dynamic sales team and an awesome membership development committee.

Chamber Leadership programs continue to develop community leaders. In November, 20 men and women graduated Leadership Cape Coral. Twenty-four members of the 2012 Chamber board have graduated from the Leadership Program including the Chairman and

Chair-Elect. We currently have 27 high school juniors in our Junior Leadership Program.

The Chamber successfully presented (2) Disney Institute programs in 2012. The Chamber Special Events team (yes, I say teams because it takes a village!!) brought an astounding 250,000+ citizens and members together for Red White and Boom , Golf Tournament, Farmers Market, Business Expo , Family Bowling Day, a Casino Trip to The Price is Right, as well as our Holiday Festival of Lights on December 1st.

Our on-line business directory resulted in 1,300,829 web referrals in 2012 that equates to 3,544 on average over the year per member!! (Who says membership doesn’t pay?)

A new Chamber mobile app was introduced in 2012.It was also a very busy election year for our Public Affairs

Committee! This is a group of passionate people who make sure that the “voice” of business is heard, not only at the local level but also state and federal. The candidates’ forums were very well attended by members and citizens of Cape Coral.

Our education committee hosted the Excellence in Education Awards in April and awarded $4,500 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors!

It was also the first year of our “rotating” luncheons that are being very well received by our membership.

Serving as your Chairman of the Board has been an excellent experience and I feel blessed for having had the opportunity of meeting so many of you at meetings and events.

Thank you for honoring me with your trust and commitment! It has been my privilege to work with my fellow directors and amazing staff as well as the membership.

I look forward to seeing all of you at future events and I wish you good health and prosperity!

We deliver, every day.

Call Lynnie to advertise 910.4575

REAL ESTATE TRENDS

2-25-15 Real Estate Trends

Did Anyone Hear the Starting Bell?

Somewhere, somehow, sometime in the past couple of weeks the race really started. Which one? The one where everyone decides they want to buy a house or condo immediately, some under crazy terms and some with really fast closings (one week). Most of us never heard the bell but the frenzy has started. Let’s take a look at the numbers to see how if we are really trending up. For the three month period ending 2/25/15: Dec ’14 Jan ’15 Feb ‘15 Homes Median $ Home

s Median $ Homes Median $

For Sale 1708 $275,500 1809 $280,000 1821 $282,500 Sold 317 $175,000 266 $172,000 280 $175,000

Dec ’14 Jan ’15 Feb ‘15 Condos Median $ Condos Median $ Condos Median $ For Sale 257 $149,000 286 $150,000 266 $154,500 Sold 40 $135,000 39 $130,000 44 $123,500

Inventory of single family homes For Sale continues to climb with a slight increase in median prices. The numbers of Homes Sold have increased over 5% and the median price slightly increased. Numbers of Condos For Sale decreased 7% followed by median prices showing a 3% increase. Numbers of condos Sold increased while the median prices of Sold condos declined again. The market continues to strengthen. As mentioned in the title, we are now off and running. Mid-February phones began ringing in earnest with buyers looking and agents making more showing appointments. These indicators have started to result in offers and contracts. In fact, last week was one of the busiest ever for this agent. Apparently our annual marketing plan is generating positive results. That harsh northern weather is freezing some sense into more people that living here is a pretty good way to go. They are here and they are buying. Sometimes though, our educational process does not sink in fast enough to help them learn how to complete the mission with minimal stress. Just this past weekend a buyer decided to purchase a totally rehabbed condo in a 55+ community. Closing was set for three weeks. The day after the deal was set buyer decided to close on the coming Friday, four days away. Unfortunately, the property management company could not process the application and set up a personal interview that fast because they are swamped and their schedule is extremely full this time of year. The title company could not get title insurance and all of the other mandatory items done in time because they too are swamped at this time of year.

Page 18: March 2015
Page 19: March 2015

Please R.S.V.P. - 239.770.8277

COME JOIN US

PANCAKE BREAKFAST F U N D R A I S E R

LUVYBEAR QUILTS 4 TOTS, Inc. is a newly founded non-profit organization in Lee County. Our goal at LUVYBEAR is to bring a smile to a child’s face by providing a quilt and Teddy Bear to tots ages 3 and up to Golisano Children’s Hospital and Cape Coral Hospice in Lee County.

LUVYBEAR QUILTS 4 TOTS, Inc.

DATE: APRIL 11, 2015

TIME: 8:00AM TO NOON

B R E A K FA S T I N C L U D E S ; PA N C A K E S , S A U S A G E , C O F F E E A N D J U I C E

PLACE: THE ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB

4725 VINCENNES BLVD. CAPE CORAL FL 33904

COST: $5.00 ADULTS - $3.00 KIDS | PRIZES, RAFFLE, 50/50, FACE PAINTING

Sponsored By

For further information visit us on the web at www.luvybearquilts4tots.com

Page 20: March 2015

CHAMBER OFFERS NEW BUSINESS CONNECT REQUEST

FOR PROPOSALStephanie Roberson, Technology Director

Another great benefit to chamber membership are the leads and referrals that can be generated.

Your chamber of commerce has implemented a new program that will allow individuals and businesses to submit a Request for Proposal to

all chamber members.

Submitting a Request for ProposalSimply visit the chamber website at www.capecoralchamber.com > RESOURCES

> BUSINESS CONNECT RFPs, click on the Submit Business Connect Request for Proposal link, fill out the online form and SUBMIT

Once a RFP has been submitted, the chamber staff will view and approve the proposal to be listing on the Business Connect Request portion within the Members Only Section of the website.

Viewing and Submitting a ProposalSimply log into your Members Only portal on the chamber website and click on

Business Connect Request; all request will be listed here. Once a member chooses a

request to submit a proposal for, the request will not go away. All request will stay active in the Members Only portal until the proposal request reaches the expiration date.

If you would like more information about the Business Connect RFP feeds or need your online credentials to access the Members Only Portal to view the Requests for Proposal, please contact Stephanie Roberson at (239) 699-8442 or [email protected]

BUILDING YOUR CHAMBER MUSCLE

Matt Lamb, Membership Director

You often hear us use the analogy that your Chamber Membership is a lot like a gym membership. How, you may

ask? Well, if you simply invest in a gym

membership but do not go to the gym, how likely are you to see the results that motivated

you to join? Not too likely, at all, I would venture to guess, and I am sure you would agree.

Your Chamber membership is very similar in the sense that the opportunities provided in the networking events are your “trips to the gym.” Think of it as “business fitness.” Word-of-mouth recommendations are considered the most effective marketing channel for acquiring new business opportunities. Generally, we do business with whom we know, like and trust. The more people you meet at

these events, the more opportunities you afford yourself to enhance your business profile and expand your business revenue.

It has been said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one-step – and that one-step is making an effort to attend your ‘business fitness gym.’ Having said that, it is also true that most of us are not generally comfortable in face-to-face networking. I know I sure was not at first, but thinking outside the box and, more importantly, outside of my comfort zone quickly opened my eyes to the opportunities and yielded results I would not have had otherwise. Much like that gym membership, once you take that first step – you will be very glad you did. We look forward to seeing you soon!

MEMBERSHIP TRENDS

TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Page 21: March 2015

Scholarship Scams Put Snag In Student Search

College acceptance letters have been going out to applicants all across Southwest Florida recently, and as

the buzz on social media continues to grow with excitement, students and families are now facing the reality of

how to pay for tuition, housing and the cost of living that come along with the dreams of higher education.

We all know about scholarships and financial aid, but do you know how to tell the difference between a

fraudulent offer for aid and a legitimate one? If not, here are some facts you should know to protect yourself from

con-artists looking to school you:

You should NEVER pay for a scholarship search or processing fee. Some services may

charge money to help you conduct your search, but these services only have access to

information that is already freely available to you. There is NO exclusive access to secret

databases.

If you are “guaranteed” a scholarship or your money back, you’re most likely dealing a

shady company. The only people guaranteeing a scholarship are members of a scholarship

committee when they are notifying you that you have own.

If you receive an “unsolicited” email telling you that you’ve been selected to receive a

scholarship for which you have not applied – delete, delete, delete.

Stay clear of anyone offering you promises of a low-interest student loan that involves a

“fee”. Legitimate student loans are offered through the federal government, bank lenders and

other private institutions and none of them require you pay anything other than the interest

charges you will accumulate over the life of the loan.

Avoid random engine searches for scholarships and aid. Instead, check out these websites for

more information on preparing and funding your college education:

www.studentaid.gov, www.fafsa.gov, or talk to the financial aid office at your college of

choice.

For more information about this Fraud Alert or to report a scam, contact the Lee County Sheriff's

Office Fraud Line at 258-3292.

Page 22: March 2015

GAC UPDATEJoseph Francioni, Chairman

The Smart Companies

The growth happening in our city right now is extremely exciting. The South Florida Canoe and Kayak Club have

started working with the City to move their state-of-the-art boathouse and athletic facility project forward.

They received an 8-0 vote to move forward with a lease of the land from the city. This

facility is going to offer year-round advanced paddle sport training and recreation, which could bring in an additional $8.6 million in annual revenue.

The University of South Florida has completed its visioning charrette for the Bimini Basin area, with 42 local stakeholders sharing their strategic ideas and thoughts to transform the area into a “destination” area that is friendly to pedestrians, cars, and boats alike. They will be doing a presentation on March 17 with the results, and a final presentation to Council in April.

The Board of County Commissioners meeting was held March 3 discuss impact fees. Lee County Commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of increasing impact fees from 20 percent to 45 percent for a 3-year period beginning March 16. Cape Coral will see a slight increase only in the school portion of their impact fees.

These are just a couple of the highlights going on along with elections, COP4 introduction to council on March 23, Mobile Food Vendors Ordinance, Chambers Candidates Forum in October, and Candidates Hobnob in August.

GOVERNMENT TRENDS

Women’s Power  Networking 

MARCH 25, 2015 4:30PM-6:30PM WICKED DOLPHIN RUM 131 SW 3RD PLACE, CAPE CORAL 

The event will be hosted and sponsored Wicked Dolphin Rum. The cost is only $25.00 to attend and includes networking opportunities, drinks, appetizers, the chance to win great prizes, and a presentation by Claudia Monte from CAM Consulting

Group LLC on the topic “Own Your Power”.

We also have table sponsorships available for $100.00, which includes a table at the event to market your business and one free participant.

Register today at: www.capecoralchamber.com Or Call Amanda at (239) 549-6900 ext 111/ [email protected]

Page 23: March 2015

Lee Memorial Health SystemP.O. Box 2218

Fort Myers, FL 33902

CenturyLink Store2710 Del Prado Blvd. South

Cape Coral, FL 33904

LCEC4980 Bayline Dr

North Fort Myers, FL 33917

B2 Technology Solutions1406 SE 46th Lane

Cape Coral, FL 33904

Dean Street Insurance615 Cape Coral Pkwy W 104, Cape Coral

Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Cape Coral

Premier Oncology RadiationSpecialists In Urology

24 Del Prado Blvd N, Cape Coral

The News-Press - Fort Myers Office2442 Dr. MLK Blvd. Ft. Myers

Suntrust Bank530 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 339044532 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 339041533 Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 339142139 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904

DiamondMember

Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

ExecutiveMember

Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

$LCEC works hard to manage costs, maintain the electric system, improve processes and create efficiencies so that electric rates can remain competitive for customers. We do not plan to raise rates in 2013 and will continue to do everything possible to keep rates stable.

The increase on your upcoming electric bill is due to a tax imposed by the City of Cape Coral. LCEC customers in Cape Coral will notice a change in their electric bill beginning October 1, 2013. Cape Coral City officials recently levied a public service tax of 7 percent that will be added to monthly electric bills. The new tax will be displayed on your LCEC bill as a separate line item so it can be easily identified. LCEC is required by law to collect the tax from business and residential customers who purchase electricity in Cape Coral. LCEC will deliver funds to the City similar to how Cape Coral franchise fees are delivered, which are also collected through electric bills.This new tax will be used to fund the City’s general operations. To calculate the amount the monthly public service tax will add to your electric bill, visit www.capecoral.net and utilize the PST Calculator. Please refer any questions regarding the Cape Coral public service tax to the Cape Coral Citizens’ Action Center, 239-574-0425.

LCEC hasn’t raised electric rates in nearly 5 years!

www.lcec.net • 239-656-2300

Page 24: March 2015

Our first General Membership Lunch of the Year kept us on our toes with a scheduling

miscommunication, but in the end, it turned out to be a great event and we have another good chamber story to add to the collection. The topic was Leadership management and Dr. Brian Moffitt served as our speaker for the lunch giving members a sneak preview of our Advanced Leadership Program which starts this Friday. We also welcomed our new members (top left) to the chamber.

Pictured Clockwise: New Member Dr. Norma Jeanne Appelbaum, Adult Dentistry of SW Florida and Margie Stevens, A Touch of Class Pet Grooming, Our 2015 Chamber Chairman Ed Ramos, Dan Pulio, Cape Cleaners and David Hampton, PSA.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCH

Page 25: March 2015

Network AdministrationMaintenance Agreements

Off-site Data StorageDell, Acer, Apple(239) 573-1000

www.entechcomputers.com

Advertise in the Chamber Trends Weekly E-Newsletter.

A Banner Ad is just $50 per month!!

Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 or

[email protected]

Page 26: March 2015

The First Hour Free Program is

designed to provide Chamber

Members with professional business

resources to help them start or grow a

business, and the First Hour Is Free!!!

FIRST

HOUR

FREE

Need Professional Business Advice?

Need to Explore the Merits of a

Business Idea?

Need to Identify New Opportunities?

Looking to Trial a New Business

Relationship?

GET YOUR INFORMATION HERE!

BUSINESS MENTORS

Here To Help!

RESOURCES INCLUDE; HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

INVESTMENT INSURANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN ENGINEERING

BUSINESS COACHING ATTORNEY FINANCE ADVERTISING PRINTING ACCOUNTING

GOVERNMENT CONSULTANT FIND these professionals by going to www.capecoralchamber.com under

“Membership” then Programs. (239) 549-6900

Page 27: March 2015

2051 Cape Coral Parkway ECape Coral, FL 33904

(239) 549-6900(800) 226-9609

www.capecoralchamber.com