Calling Local Businesses – Get Noticed at the ‘Kentucky Derby Party’ By Donating Auction Items!

The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation is now accepting auction donations for the 2013 Kentucky Derby Party on May 4, presented by Gulfcoast Coin & Jewelry. The Chamber Foundation is a 501©(3) organization, and all contributions are tax deductible with proceeds directly benefiting the annual scholarship program. To date, the Foundation has awarded $90,000 in scholarships to deserving area high-school and college students.

The Derby Party is Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Club at Grandezza, in Estero. Party festivities include a welcome cocktail reception, best hat contest, stick pony derby races, raffles and silent auction, live broadcast of the Derby race on big screens followed by and a gourmet dinner and a live auction. This event is open to the public and the community is encouraged to attend. Tickets are $95.00 per person. Chamber member business sponsorships are available by contacting the Chamber office.

In addition to the satisfaction of supporting local scholarship recipients, contributors will receive significant exposure to business leaders attending the event, members of the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, and the greater community through marketing promotions for the event.

Join the Chamber Foundation in their quest to award more scholarships this year than ever before, and experience first-hand the fun, fame, and traditions of the 2013 Kentucky Derby Party. To donate an item for the event, contact Cindy Burgess at (239) 992-2943 and Cindy@BonitaSpringsChamber.com or visit http://www.BonitaSpringsChamber.com.

Oh, Sweet Paradise!

Living the good life in Southwest Florida offers everything one needs for a happy, healthy lifestyle. Like bountiful sunshine, for example. Plus a wealth of outdoor activities, and a year-round selection of fresh fruits and veggies. What else can you ask for? How about world-class, delicious handcrafted confections for those special moments of sweet indulgence:

If chocolate is your passion, look no further. Flavor-filled truffles, unique chocolate bars and barks and a diverse variety of other handcrafted delights are just moments away at Royal Palm Chocolates off Old U.S. 41 in North Naples. Nurtured by love and dedication, Royal Palm Chocolates is a family venture. Former attorney Philip is joined by his wife Stephanie, their daughter Brittany and a close-knit staff who work together to fulfill Chef Philip’s lifelong dream to be a chocolatier. After graduating at the top of his class from the renowned Notter School of Pastry Arts, Philip landed a position in the pastry kitchen of the 5-Star and 5-Diamond Ritz Carlton Beach Resort in Naples, Florida. When the opportunity arose for the Finchers to open their own chocolate shop, Royal Palm Chocolates was born.

In just three years, the company has garnered local and national acclaim for creativity, adventurous flavor combinations and “true” chocolate taste. From retail to corporate gifting to the bridal industry, Royal Palm Chocolates has added a unique and delicious dimension to Southwest Florida and to the world of chocolate.

Discover Royal Palm Chocolates, a chocolate boutique gallery that will delight your senses:

1084 Business Lane, Naples, FL 34110
239.325.8300
RoyalPalmChocolates.com

For those yearning for freshly baked cakes and pastries, Bonita Springs recently welcomed Sweet Odin’s Danish Bakery. Discover the fragrant aromas and delectable creations baked every morning at this fourth generation, family-owned business. These master bakers are best known for Danish Kringle, a Danish dough suffused with 32 layers of butter, a rich layer of cream cheese, and your choice of mouth-watering fruit fillings ranging from fresh raspberry to sweet strawberry, to the number one favorite, pecan.

The warm and welcoming Olesen family includes Michael, his wife Mary, their son Kevin and wife Angi, and Angi’s mom, Carla. Baking since he was tall enough to reach the bench, Michael and his family look forward to pleasing guests with their carefully crafted selections.

Visit Sweet Odin’s Danish Bakery, a sweet experience you do not want to miss:

24830 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 2100, Bonita Springs, FL 34134
239.676.8120
SweetOdins.com

By: Phyllis Ershowsky, PKE Marketing & PR Solutions

Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Earns Five-Star Accreditation Status

Members of the vibrant Bonita Springs business community can be proud that their Chamber of Commerce has been recognized among the nation’s elite! As we set sail into 2013, we are proud to announce that the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce has received the prestigious five-star accreditation status, granted by the United States Chamber of Commerce.  This award of excellence solidifies just how diligently the Chamber is working to create and implement continuous positive change in Bonita Springs and beyond.

Earning five-star accreditation is not an easy accomplishment. Of the nearly 7,000 chambers in the United States, only 223 are accredited and only 77 of those have five star accreditation. So, what does this mean exactly?  The award means that the Bonita Springs Area Chamber has demonstrated excellence in leadership, strong business practices, community contributions, advocacy efforts and remaining current with industry best practices.

As always, the Chamber is working to foster growth in Bonita Springs and our neighboring communities, and nurture the place we live, work and play. We are only as strong as our dedicated staff, our members and the networks we develop. Our five-star accreditation is just one more testimonial to our strong foundation and commitment to progress.

To learn more about five-star accreditation visit http://www.uschamber.com/chambers/accreditation.

The Bonita Springs / Estero Economic Development Council Update

 June 2, 2011 — The Bonita Springs Economic Development Council Board of Directors unanimously approved a name change at its May 21 Board Meeting. From this point forward, the organization will be known as The Bonita Springs / Estero Economic Development Council. “Adding “Estero” to the name more accurately reflects our organization’s mission to be the area’s economic development authority fostering regional collaboration for the retention, expansion, creation and attraction of jobs and businesses for our entire service area,” explains Council Chairman Rich Mancini, “and Bonita Springs / Estero is a more accurate descriptor for our region of focus.”

 

According to Vice Chair Joe Ariola, “One of the most powerful tools we have as an organization is our ability to collaborate with our resource partners on behalf of the businesses we serve. Many of our partners and investors are physically located outside of Bonita Springs’ city limits, so the new name reinforces our commitment to collaboration throughout the region.”

The Bonita Springs / Estero Economic Development Council is in the process of developing its communication plan, website and collateral materials. All of these will incorporate the new name.

The Bonita Springs / Estero Economic Development Council is organized to build a place to live and work that is economically diverse with a year-round economy that also enhances the environment and reflects the character of the inhabitants of the Bonita Springs / Estero, Florida area. The BSEEDC meets on the second Wednesday of each month in the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Board room. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Council, contact any of the Board members above or Christine Ross at 239-992-2943.

Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce Helps Local Economy by Going Mobile!

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. June 1, 2011 – We are excited to announce their new mobile app, MyChamberApp, which helps consumers find discounts, events, and services offered by the Chamber and chamber members.

MyChamberApp provides maps, locations, phone numbers, websites, images, and even videos to help consumers make a shopping decision.

MyChamberApp is available to iPhone, iPod, Android and Blackberry users for free. To download the app please visit http://www.MyChamberApp.com/downloads or use the App Store on the iPhone or iPad.

The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is one of the early adopters of this mobile technology. “We are proudly serving our community and continue to help stimulate local commerce while supporting our members,” stated Christine Ross, president and CEO of the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. “This new technology will enhance member’s visibility, without additional cost, and allow us to better serve the community.”

To find out more, please contact Tiffany Esposito at (239) 992-2943 or Tiffany@BonitaSpringsChamber.com.

BONITA SPRINGS CHAMBER HOSTS BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS EXPO

 BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. May 25, 2011 – The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is planning its annual Business-to-Business Expo, which will take place on Thursday, June 9 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Vi at Bentley Village.

 

The Business-to-Business Expo, commonly referred to as the B2B Expo, is the Chamber’s premier business event. Now in its 17th year, the B2B Expo has built a strong reputation as the go-to tradeshow for local businesses to showcase their products and services, and a preferred event for networking overall.

 

Our advice: Stake out your booth or purchase your ticket to attend now, before the event is sold out.

 

Last year’s trade show attracted 45 exhibitors and over 200 attendees. Similar numbers are anticipated this year because most business owners understand the importance of the expo in creating more business.

 

“If you are trying to increase sales you know how valuable face-to-face time with potential clients can be,” commented Gabrielle O’Boyle, special events director for the chamber.

 

Tickets to attend the event are $10 and this event is open to the public. Please note that exhibitor space and locations with electric are limited, and booth locations are secured with payment. Vi at Bentley Village is located at 704 Village Circle in Naples.

For more information, please contact Gabrielle O’Boyle at (239) 992-2943. The deadline for exhibitors to be included in the event program is May 30. Both attendees and exhibitors can register online at BonitaSpringsChamber.com . For more information, please contact Gabrielle O’Boyle at (239) 992-2943.

 

 

BONITA SPRINGS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CELEBRATES RELOCATION OF LOCAL BUSINESS

 Dex Imaging Now Open on Old 41!

 

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. May 17, 2011 – We recently celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony of Dex Imaging in Bonita Springs on Wednesday, May 11 celebrating their relocation.

Dex Imaging – DEX is united in the pursuit of one goal: to make each customer’s document imaging equipment and workflow processes the most reliable (and effortless) part of their business, guaranteed. Of course, a lot goes into making that one goal a reality. They begin with respect for people. They value innovation, their customers and their employees and their expertise. They call them DEXPERTs.

Their promise is to always remain on the cutting-edge of document imaging innovation, providing world-class equipment, integrated document management solutions, knowledgeable (and accessible) technical expertise, flexible financing, and competitive pricing . . . all within reach, offered by one company.

 

Dex Imaging is now located at 24850 Old 41 Road, Suite #19 in Bonita Springs and can be reached at (239) 444-2193.