​The Greater Naples Chamber has selected Gov. Ron DeSantis to be the recipient of its inaugural “Friend of Collier Business” award.
 
DeSantis was chosen because of his strong commitment to the environment, water quality and the businesses that depend on it. The Greater Naples Chamber’s Board of Directors commended DeSantis for his actions since being elected to address business and community leaders concerns about our water quality.
 
Michael Dalby, president and CEO of the Naples Chamber; Garrett Richter, the chair-elect of the Greater Naples Chamber, president of First Florida Integrity Bank and a former state senator; and Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster, director of government relations, presented DeSantis with the award during a trip to Tallahassee.
 
“More than 40% of the Chamber’s nearly 1,200 members are in the tourism and hospitality industry, and were significantly impacted during the 2018 red tide and blue-green algae water crises,” said Dalby. “We applaud Gov. Ron DeSantis for his bold actions to protect our precious resources and ensure Florida remains the best place in America to live, work and play.”
 
The Naples Chamber has identified water quality and Everglades restoration as a top public policy priority. It is a member of the Southwest Florida Alliance of Chambers, which is a coalition of Southwest Florida chambers of commerce committed to advocating at the local, state and federal levels to improve Southwest Florida’s quality of life.
 
For more information, visit www.napleschamber.org/advocacy.

​The second annual Naples Children’s Business Fair welcomed an impressive 1,200 attendees to peruse and shop young entrepreneurs’ businesses on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Gulf Coast High School. The fair had participation of 123 youth-run businesses with 211 student participants.

Presented by Barron Collier Companies, the Greater Naples Chamber’s Leadership Collier Foundation hosted the fair in partnership with Collier County Public Schools to give students the experience of entrepreneurship firsthand and sell their original products and services to the public.

“This event is a great opportunity for youth in our community to get early exposure to the kinds of experience many business professionals wish they had had growing up,” said Nikkie Dvorchak, Naples Chamber vice president of events and development. “It was great to see students take their business plans and execute them from start to finish. We were blown away by the quality of their products, marketing, displays and salesmanship.  We are already looking forward to how this event will continue to grow next year.”

Throughout the day, attendees had the chance to vote for the “most original business idea,” “highest business potential,” and “most creative business.” Local leaders served as judges and awards were presented in five age groups, with one student awarded the “Sunshine Award” –which granted this year’s winner, Genevieve’s Art, a spot to display and sell her product in a local Sunshine Ace Hardware store.

First place winners also won the opportunity to spend the day with Barron Collier Companies CEO Blake Gable visiting different industries in Collier County and learn what it takes to run a successful business.

The Greater Naples Chamber announced today that Vi at Bentley Village, a continuing care retirement community, is the organization’s newest Legacy Leader. Legacy Leaders serve as corporate underwriters to the overall mission of the Greater Naples Chamber.

“Vi at Bentley Village is thrilled to enhance its affiliation with the Greater Naples and become a Legacy Leader investor,” said Joe Chambers executive sales director, Vi at Bentley Village. “We hope to become more involved in the local community, and to help the chamber and other Legacy Leaders highlight the benefits of living, working and expanding businesses to Collier County.”
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Legacy Leaders are considered an influential group of key stakeholders in Collier County, who play a key role in the Chamber’s public policy involvement, economic development efforts and civic engagement. Through their contributions, the Chamber is equipped to educate the public on legislative issues, be a voice for business and strengthen informal ties among government, business and non-profit leaders to spark greater trust, civility and progressive cooperation.

“The decision by Vi at Bentley Village to become a Legacy Leader demonstrates their commitment to help shape and mold our community’s future,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber.
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In addition to Vi at Bentley Village, the Chamber’s Investors include: Arthrex, Collier Enterprises, ACI Worldwide Inc., Bank of  America, Barron Collier Companies, CenturyLink, David Lawrence Center, Fifth Third Bank, First Florida Integrity Bank, Gallagher Lutgert Insurance, Lutgert Companies & Premier Sotheby’s, Golisano Children’s Hospital of SWFL, Healthcare Network of SWFL, Hilton Naples, IBERIABANK, Moorings Park, Naples Daily News, NCH Healthcare System, Inc., Stock Development, TECO People’s Gas, BUILD, LLC, Cohen & Grigsby, DeAngelis Diamond, Florida Power & Light, GATES Construction, Grant, Fridkin Pearson, P.A., Hahn Loser & Parks, LLP, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., John R Wood Properties, Lake Michigan Credit Union, London Bay Homes and The Arlington.