VCB E-Mail News Network
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Week of July 5, 2010
VCB NEWS Recent projections by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirm the sentiments of a leading local expert that there is a minimal likelihood of oil from the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill impacting The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. NOAA reports that the probability of oil impacting the destination is less than 1 percent. Contacts: Tamara Pigott (TPigott@leegov.com) and Nancy Hamilton (NHamilton@leegov.com), 239-338-3500, www.leevcb.com www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100702_longterm.html. The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) has been producing and airing “FreshTV” spots, including some starring local resident and national TV personality Willard Scott, to advertise the “Still Pristine” status of local beaches. Contacts: Tamara Pigott (TPigott@leegov.com) and Nancy Hamilton (NHamilton@leegov.com), 239-338-3500, http://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/still_pristine.
TRANSPORTATION NEWS The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) conducted a Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study that showed Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Page Field General Aviation Airport (FMY) in Fort Myers contributed more than $3.8 billion to the region’s economy in 2009. Contact: Victoria B. Moreland (vbmoreland@flylcpa.com), 239-590-4504, www.flylcpa.com. AirTran Airways recently initiated nonstop weekend service between Fort Myers and Grand Rapids, MI. The flights between Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) will depart Fort Myers at 11:08 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and arrive at 3:40 p.m. Contact: Victoria B. Moreland (vbmoreland@flylcpa.com), 239-590-4504, www.flylcpa.com.
ACCOMMODATIONS NEWS Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers offers Labor Day holiday weekend incentives and special activities. Guests can take advantage of a special 20 percent off starting rate of $151 with a daily $50 resort credit. Contact: Vanessa Fioravante (vfioravante@krepspr.com), 305-663-3543, www.sanibelmarriott.com. Any couple who hosts a qualifying wedding at ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort on Captiva Island before the end of September is eligible to win a one-year anniversary getaway that includes five nights in a bayside suite, a welcome basket with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne, a couple’s massage, a dinner, a beach cabana for the entire stay, and a half-day use of bicycles, kayaks, or canoes. Contact: Emily Kettner (EmilyK@make-noise.com), 239-395-9555, www.tweenwaters.com. As part of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel’s annual FallFest value promotion, Hilton Garden Inn in Fort Myers offers its $329 per-person Off Island Adventure package through Dec. 31, 2010. It includes three nights’ accommodations, breakfast for two, and tickets for the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, and an Everglades Eco-tour. Contact: Colleen DePasquale, 239-790-3500, www.fortmyers.gardeninn.com. ‘Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island has put into effect its Clean ‘Tween Policy, whereby guests receive a 100 percent money-back guarantee should their stay there be interrupted by an official beach closing due to oil wash-up. Contact: Emily Kettner (EmilyK@make-noise.com), 239-395-9555, www.tweenwaters.com. Stay three nights at ‘Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island through Oct. 7, 2010, and receive the fourth night free. The offer includes a $100 dining credit. Contact: Emily Kettner (EmilyK@make-noise.com), 239-395-9555, www.tweenwaters.com. Sanibel Arms West Condominium has discounted vacation rates through Aug. 31, 2010, during its Summer & Fall Sale. Stay three nights in a gulf-side condo for $133.33 per night, or five nights in a garden-view condo for $119 a night. Contact: Jeanette Rollins, (jeanette@sanibelarmswest.com), 239-472-1138, www.sanibelarmswest.com. SunStays Vacation Rentals on Fort Myers Beach is offering summer discounts starting at $129 per night for a one-bedroom rental and $159 per night for a two-bedroom. Contact: Michelle Moran (michelle.moran@sunstream.com), 239-765 4111, www.sun-stays.com
ATTRACTIONS NEWS The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) recently granted Art of the Olympians (AOTO) Al Oerter Center for Excellence in downtown Fort Myers permission to fly the USA Olympic five-ring flag on-site. AOTO board members met with USOC representatives in Colorado Springs, where they received the official permission. Contact: Carla Ulakovic (carla.ulakovic@gmail.com), 239-826-8160, www.artoftheolympians.com. Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral has begun its summer operating schedule with park hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week through Aug. 22, 2010. Contact: Connie Barron (cbarron@capecoral.net), 239-574-0448, www.sunsplashwaterpark.com. The new restroom at the Sanibel Island Boat Ramp has its own solar power system, which will generate enough electricity to run its lighting and hand dryers, with excess that feeds back to the local power utility. The environmental and family friendly facility was funded by the Lee County Tourist Development Council (TDC). Contact: City of Sanibel Public Works, 239-472-6397. The Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers is offering new museum tours and invention demonstrations throughout the summer months. Daily invention demonstrations, presentations, and tours include the Edison phonograph every half hour, antique cars, and tours of the Edison Research Laboratory. Contact: Lisa Sbuttoni (lsbuttoni@efwefla.org), 239-334-7419, www.efwefla.org. On Fort Myers Beach, Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise’s FallFest offer awards one full fare free with the purchase of three regularly priced fares through Dec. 15, 2010. Contact: 239-765-7272, www.piecesofeight.com. For its FallFest special, Salty Sam's Marina on Fort Myers Beach has discounted boat rental rates to $99 for a 4.5-hour rental of a 20-foot pontoon boat. The offer applies through Dec. 15, 2010. Contact: 239-463-7333, www.saltysams.com. Imaginarium Hands-On Museum in Fort Myers has given its facility a summer spruce-up with upgrades to its Tiny Town and Animal Lab, and the return of popular exhibits including Busy Beehives, Puppet Theater, and Science of Motion. Contact: Helena Finnegan (Hfinnegan@cityftmyers.com), 239-321-7409, www.imaginariumfortmyers.com. Lee County Parks and Recreation recently unveiled improvements at Bunche Beach Preserve in south Fort Myers. The $1.4 million project includes an outdoor activity center, boardwalk, piers, canoe launches, composting rest rooms, nearby parking, and native plant landscaping. Contact: Roger Clark (Roger@leegov.com), 239-338-3500, www.leeparks.org. The City of Sanibel recently announced that the June 2010 attendance at its public beaches on Sanibel Island exceeded all previous years' monthly activity for June. Contact: Judie Zimomra (j.zimomra@mysanibel.com), 239-472-3700, www.mysanibel.com.
SHOPPING & DINING The JCK Designer Retailer Awards ranked Lily & Co. Jewelers on Sanibel Island number two in the nation. This is the four-year-old store's fourth consecutive year appearing in the top 50, and their third time being recognized in the top 10. Contact: Dan Schuyler (dschuyler@lilyjewelers.com), 239-472-2888, www.lilyjewelers.com.
SPECIAL EVENTS Upcoming major events/festivals: (For details, access the online calendar at: www.FortMyersSanibel.com.)
Through Aug. 7, 2010
Through Aug. 7, 2010
Through Aug. 15,
2010
Aug. 1, 2010
Aug. 6, 2010
Aug. 13-14, 2010
Aug. 19-Oct. 2, 2010
Aug. 21, 2010
Aug. 28, 2010
Sept. 3, 2010
Sept. 26, 2010 For details about any of the above news items, contact the Communications Department, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau:
Nancy Hamilton/
NHamilton@leegov.com
or call us at 800-237-6444/239-338-3500. For immediate general
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