Having built a sustainable business for more than 58 years based on their love of sailing, Steve and Doris Colgate will share their secrets to success and stories of sailing adventures around the world at the next business luncheon of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce.
The event is being held at Casa Ybel Resort’s Thistle Lodge, starting at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9, and hosted by Offshore Sailing School.
Steve founded Offshore Sailing School in Fort Myers in 1964, during his career as an America’s Cup and Olympic sailor. He was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2015. CEO and president Doris, the founder of the National Women’s Sailing Association and author of SAILING: A Women’s Guide, joined the operation in 1969.
The husband-and-wife team wrote several instructional and inspirational books about sailing, and, in October 2021 announced the publication of their biography, Offshore High, by renowned author and executive editor of Cruising World magazine, Herb McCormick.
Partnering with six resorts in Southwest Florida; St. Petersburg, Florida; and the British Virgin Islands, the Colgates offer courses from two-hour introductory lessons to weeklong instruction on topics such as liveaboard cruising, coastal navigation, and performance racing. Local sailing school campuses include South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Pink Shell Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach, and Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village & Tarpon Point Marina.
Offshore Sailing School’s philanthropic efforts in the past ten years have generated more than $175,000 to help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society find cures for blood cancers. The company also supports several other charitable, artistic, and community organizations where its employees live, work, and play.
“Get ready for an adventure-inspired perspective on the workplace from a couple who has created a business model based on something they love,” said John Lai, chamber president and chief executive officer. “You can’t help but get whisked away by their passion for getting more people enjoying the sailing lifestyle.”
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, March 4, at sanibel-captiva.org or by calling 239-472-8255. Payment is due at time of registration.