Sam Ankerson, executive director of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, will speak at the Nov. 10 business luncheon meeting of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, to be held at Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island at 11:30 a.m.
Ankerson took the helm at the museum in March. Prior to that, he served as deputy director at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Fla., managing operations including communications, visitor experience, facility, program, and COVID-19 response and reopening.
At Norton, Ankerson also coordinated the 2019 opening of a major new wing designed by award-winning architects Foster + Partners. Before moving to Florida, he lived in Vermont, where he worked for 14 years in development and communications at Shelburne Museum, and for four years in fundraising at the University of Vermont. He began his career in the music business.
“With all the exciting things we have been seeing happen at the shell museum in the past couple of years, we anticipate an informative and fascinating talk about Sam’s plans for the museum and how it has evolved into its current important mission of education and conservation,” said John Lai, chamber president and chief executive officer.
The chamber business lunch is a monthly networking opportunity held at various member locations. The chamber strives to provide speakers to discuss relevant business topics for the membership.
Sanibel-Captiva chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for luncheon attendance is $30 for chamber members only. Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, at sanibel-captiva.org or by calling 239-472-8255. Payment is due at time of registration.