Chamber Hires New Events Director

Jess McDowell is the new Events Director at the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce. She took over the position last week coming to Fort Myers Beach from Alaska.

Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Jess spent 15 years in marketing before her family decided to try life without frostbite. Two months ago, they hauled everything they owned in a trailer from Seattle to Fort Myers, along with a 14‑year‑old Pomeranian, a lot of snacks and questionable sanity.

Jess told Beach Talk Radio that it turned out this place feels familiar—small town, beautiful scenery and people who you feel like you’ve known forever. “Jacki saw something in me, and now I’m the Events Director for the Fort Myers Beach Chamber, gratefully swapping snow sculptures for sand sculptures. Community grows when people show up for each other, and as the new Alaskan in town, I’m grateful I landed the job that gets everyone in the same room.”

Chamber President Jacki Liszak said, “The Chamber team is thrilled to welcome Jess to Fort Myers Beach! We’re looking forward to a fantastic year and are excited to introduce her to our incredible community and the laid-back Fort Myers Beach lifestyle.”