Official Website of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce

 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

 APRIL 2008

Wha

What do these people have in common? A bank manager, a lawn care expert, life insurance agent, restaurant owner, airport owner, travel advisor, professional engineer, photographer, chamber volunteer, real estate agents and brokers, library manager, website manager, teacher, shoe gallery owner, pest control inspector, certified welder, stockbroker, hardware store owner, and shipyard owner?

These are just some of the many Pine Island business owners and employees who enjoyed our business card exchange in March at York Road Marine.  A diversified group. To be sure, who take advantage of the Chamber’s monthly after-hours get together to network with each other, exchange business ideas and have an enjoyable time.

The Chamber thanks very much Tom and Misty Papish of Pine Island Hardware and York Road Marine for hosting the successful event.

Many times during the course of our seemingly pressure-packed 30-day business cycle, many of us encounter a nettlesome difficulty or discover a solution to a business problem that we’ve wrestled with for some time.  Our monthly informal gatherings of like-minded business people are a great way to share the trials, tribulations – and solutions – as well as a way to meet fellow islanders and network and promote your business.

We encourage all our members to mark their calendars for the 3rd Thursday of each month.  April’s event will be held at 6 PM at Tropical Kitchens in the Industrial Park, thanks to owners Doreen and Frank Schooley.  We look forward to seeing all of you at this event.

The Chamber’s business breakfasts are a more structured way to meet.  These are held at 7:30 AM at Bert’s Bar, on the fourth Tuesday of each month.  A topical speaker is invited at each of these meetings, and there is time for members to chat after breakfast is served and still get to work by 9 AM.

Our membership list is growing.  In fact, we are approaching 300 members at this writing.  Each of these businesses is a resource for all of us.  We encourage all of our members to send their customers and clients to other local merchants, restaurants and service providers when the opportunity arises. There is no better way to network and help each other generate revenue and keep as much business as possible on the island.

Soon, we’ll be contacting each of you regarding advertising opportunities in our annual business directory, which will be published in the near future.  And don’t forget about the advertising opportunities on our very active website.  The cost of advertising on the web is nominal, and you reach people who specifically seek Pine Island information.

What else is going on?

The MangoMania committee is getting into gear and already the early press releases are hitting the magazines and websites.  The art contest to decide our motif for the event is being promoted in the papers and sent to our schools.  We encourage all artists to get involved.  The deadline for art work is May 1.  It can be dropped off at the Chamber office.

One of the most important aspects of MangoMania is the election of the Mango King and Mango Queen.  These two people are our ambassadors.  They promote Pine Island year-round.  We’d like all members to consider nominating their preference for Mango King and Mango Queen.  Nominations are due May 1.  The Chamber’s Board then meets with nominees and elects a King and Queen.

And of course, if you are interested in getting involved, just give Lisa a call at the Chamber Visitor Center at 283-4842.

The Chamber of Commerce motto has always been “Aware, Concerned, Involved” and to this end the Board recently appointed Sally Tapager the Chamber representative during the formation of the Pine Island Community Council.  The Board felt it necessary to have a representative from our business community on this panel.  The Chamber will keep members posted on any developments as they arise.

One of the focuses of the Chamber over the past year has been to brand Pine Island as “Florida’s Creative Coast.”  For many years our island has been known as the home of artists, artisans, writers and musicians who are know far and wide, and in many cases, nationally.  Of course, the old joke could be there is something in our water that is stimulating this creativity!  We’d like to think, however, Pine Island’s overall friendly atmosphere and environment is the key to nurturing the creativity of our talented neighbors.

Once again we will be linking with the Art Galleries on the island and the Matlacha Mariners to promote music and art in November, and the in January we will be focusing on authors and artists.  While it’s not yet set in stone, we are hopeful an Art Fair and Auction can be added to our promotional activities, increase “Florida’s Creative Coast” awareness and raise much-needed funds to continue our public relations programs geared to increasing Pine Island’s awareness and helping increase business for all our members.

As always, members’ ideas and assistance in any and all of our ongoing activities is greatly appreciated, and will be well received.  So stay aware, be concerned, and get involved.  Join us at one of the Chamber’s socials this month and add yourself to the diversified group of active and successful business people we are pleased to call members, neighbors and, most of all ….friends.

Cynthia Welch

President GPICC