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Welcome to Business Blogs!
It is our goal to offer as much business education as possible to our members and the community.
Our blogs are designed for members to share best business practices in various industries. We realize one-size-does-not-fit-all and that your business or product might call for a different workflow process, different marketing technique or different hiring process.
So, slow down, read a bit and reach out to the business owner who wrote the article of interest to you.
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26th Annual Awards Dinner and Leadership Estero Graduation The 2024-2025 Board of Directors were elected and installed. The 26th Annual Awards Dinner of the Greater Estero Chamber and Leadership Estero graduation was held at Shadow Wood Country Club on June 7. Our keynote speaker was Mark Wilson of London Bay Homes. The Leadership Estero 2023-2024…
Golf Tournament 2024 On Saturday, May 4 our Annual Golf Tournament was held in beautiful weather with a great group of golfers! Proceeds provide operating costs for the Chamber and the Estero Historical Society. We are so thankful to our sponsors, who made the event possible: Title Sponsor: Hotwire Communications Tournament Sponsor: Coconut Point Ford…
May Food For Thought The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce was proud to host the Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller at our Food for Thought Luncheon May 1. Clerk Kevin C. Karnes gave an excellent presentation on the responsibilities of his office here in Lee County, including the safeguarding court records,…
April Food For Thought April’s Food for Thought Luncheon featured Debra Wilson, Lee Health’s Vice President of Oncology, on Wednesday, April 3 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Estero, Florida. The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce was thrilled to host this presentation on how Lee Health continues to grow its services at their Cancer Institute…
Esterofest 2024 What a great time was had by thousands of area residents at EsteroFest 2024! The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce wants to thank the many, many people who made this community celebration available with free general admission. Residents enjoyed a Kids Zone, a Business Expo, presentations from Estero Fire Rescue and the Lee…
Leadership Estero Environment Day The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce Leadership Estero Environment Day took our class on a wet walk through a Cypress Dome, to the Water School at FGCU and FGCU’s food forest, to Lee County Government’s Recycling Center and Water-to-Energy plant. The variety and scope of efforts locally to enhance and protect…
March Food for Thought A full house for the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce’s March Food for Thought featuring Captain Chris Wittman of Captains For Clean Water at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Community Outreach Center at Miromar Outlets in Estero, Florida! He demonstrated the importance of clean water to our local economy and how…
Leadership Estero Public Safety Day Members of Leadership Estero gathered Friday, February 16, 2024 for Public Safety Day, where they toured the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, participated in training exercises with deputies, and met Chief Assistant State Attorney Richard Montecalvo of the Office of the State Attorney – Amira Fox. Thanks to our bus sponsor,…
February Food for Thought The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce thanks Christine LoConte, Volunteer Manager of United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades for being our Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce Food for Thought speaker on January 7 at the Hyatt Place in Estero, Florida. LoConte shared how their “School Resource Center” program benefits students…
January Leadership Estero Class The 2024 Leadership Estero Class had a wonderful, fun-packed day Friday with a curriculum focus on History, Arts, & Tourism. The morning rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits! The day commenced with an informative presentation by Estero Historical Society President Gail Langer. The Estero Historical Society sponsored a full breakfast buffet…
Huge thanks to Ted’s Montana Grill for hosting Alive After Five! on July 31, 2025. A full and lively crowd filled the deck for great food and casual socializing with fellow peers, members, and future members! It may be summer but our local business community never stops moving our area forward!
A huge thank you to everyone who packed the house for our July 10 Alive After Five at Oak & Stone Restaurant! The evening was filled with vibrant conversations, warm connections, and absolutely delicious food. We’re so grateful to Oak & Stone for being such gracious hosts-and to our amazing Chamber members who brought the…
We’re thrilled to congratulate our President, Clifford “Cliff” Brand, on being featured in Estero Life Magazine for his unwavering commitment, community-first leadership, and family-rooted values. From growing up in a family-owned pharmacy in Georgia-where neighbors were treated like family-to serving our local SWFL community through finance, church, school boards, and the Chamber, Cliff brings heart and…
Leadership Estero 2024-2025: Healthcare Day Healthcare Day with Leadership Estero began with a visit to Lee Health Coconut Point, then proceeded to NCH Florida North Naples Hospital for a tour of the new medical building, which is set to open on June 9th. The event continued at the Village of Estero with presentations from 4KIDS…
The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce is proud to award two $1,000 scholarships to remarkable Estero High School seniors whose talents and drive exemplify the future of our community! Shiv Kalvadia earned 1st place in our “Business in Estero” essay competition. Shiv will be heading to Florida Gulf Coast University this fall to pursue a…
Chris Simoneau of Lee Health captivated a packed room at the April Food for Thought Luncheon, hosted by the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce, with his thought-provoking presentation: “The Promise and Peril of Southwest Florida Healthcare.” Drawing on his deep expertise as a healthcare strategist, Simoneau offered compelling insights into the region’s evolving landscape-sparking conversation…
New GECC President Cliff Brand On April 1, Cliff Brand assumed the position of President for the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce, showcasing his dedication to the community. With prior experience on the Board of Directors and as the Golf Tournament Committee chair, Cliff brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. His active…
Leadership Estero 2024-2025: Environment Day The Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Estero classmates embraced their wild side during Environment Day! The day started at the new Discovery Center at Lovers Key State Park, where they walked along a maritime hammock on Black Island Trail. They had an open dialogue with a panel of industry…
Leadership Estero 2024-2025: Arts and Tourism Day For Arts & Tourism Day, the Leadership Estero class took a tour of the Wasmer Art Gallery and learned about the art and theatre programs at Bower School of Music & the Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University. Dr. Amir B. Ferreira Neto of FGCU’s Regional Economic Research…
A packed house of over 30 people attended the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce January 2025 Food for Thought Luncheon, which featured a presentation from the EsteroFest Committee on the many ways local organizations and businesses can make the most of their participation. EsteroFest 2025 is scheduled for March 15 at Estero Community Park and…