The SanCap Chamber of Commerce is hosting a breakfast summit presentation on the State of the Islands from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday, Jan. 29, at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers.
The presentation will highlight the results of the Economic Outlook the chamber, in partnership with the Community Foundation of the Islands, commissioned from Dr. Amir Neto, director of the Regional Economic Research Institute at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Doors and registration open for the event at 8 a.m. Breakfast commences at 8:30 and the program at 9.
“Dr. Neto’s findings derive from surveys sent to island businesses in the past 90 days,” said SanCap Chamber President and CEO John Lai. “They will effectively communicate when businesses and services on the islands can be expected to return. This presentation will deliver initial findings. Following this, we will update the outlook at chamber business luncheon meetings on a quarterly basis.”
The summit also will include a State of the City panel featuring representatives from the city of Sanibel, a State of Real Estate panel featuring local real estate industry, and a State of Nonprofits panel featuring island organizations. Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza, Deputy City Manager Steve Chaipel, and Director of Building Craig Molé will present for the city’s outlook. Representatives from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Community Housing and Resources (CHR), “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, FISH of SanCap, and SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) will represent nonprofits, while Sanibel Captiva Islands Association of Realtors CEO Bill Robinson will moderate a panel of local real estate agents.
Bank of the Islands sponsors the Economic Outlook presentation at the Lighthouse level, and other sponsorships are currently available for this event. Visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759 for sponsorship information and to register for the event.
The chamber is holding the summit in lieu of its monthly business luncheon. The public is invited; SanCap Chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for breakfast attendance is $50.
Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Payment is due at time of registration. Cancellations must be received 24 hours prior to the event to be eligible for refund.