November 2014

Trends Chamber

The Official Publication of The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

Join Us Every Tuesday at the Shops at Surfside for the Surfside Sunset Market, 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Cape Coral Farmers’ Market, Every Saturday at Club Square, 8 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

November 2014

LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL GRADUATION, November 15th at Palmetto Pine Country Club.

RSVP For The General Membership Lunch, November 12th at LaVenezia. SPEED NETWORKING IS BACK! Sponsored

by The News-Press, LCEC and Centurylink

To Promote and Serve Business and Community

Join us For The Business After Hours November 20th at FOS Furniture

Chamber Trends Monthly Advertising

Basic Advertising Prices Full Page $337.00 1/2 Page $227.00 1/4 Page $147.00 Business Card $117.00 (All ads include a hyperlink to your company’s website or a 30-second commercial promoting your business.

Non-profit organizations receive 2 free 1/2 page ads per year upon request with their membership.)

Prime Advertising Pricing Full Page $367.00 1/2 Page $287.00 1/4 Page $207.00 Business Card $167.00 (All ads include a hyperlink to your company’s website or a 30-second commercial promoting your business and a banner ad in the Chamber Trends Weekly E-Newsletter) Specials Feature Your Business On The Cover Cover photo showcasing your company with a full page article, up to 3 pictures and company logo spotlighting your business.

Only one per month. First come first serve basis. Your spotlight can also be linked to your company website and/or a commercial promoting your business.

Chamber Trends Weekly Advertising

Press Release $25.00 (Runs 1x, includes 60 words, company logo, link to your company website.)

(Non-profit organizations run 2x for $25.00) Banner Advertisement $50.00 per month (runs 4x, includes link to your website) Company Spotlight $157.00 (Runs 4x, includes short story, link to website, link to additional company information, 2 pictures and Company logo.)

E-mail Blasts

Company Spotlight E-mail Blast $199.00 The investment for the Business Spotlight is $199 and will run twice throughout the month of your choice.

Dimensions - 6 inches wide x 8 inches tall, 300 dpi resolution.

Please call Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext. 107 for more information.

All Chamber Publications Are Distributed to More Than 16,000 contacts

November 2014 Publisher & Editor Donna Schuman-Germain Communications Director donna@capecoralchamber.com Contributing Editors Mike Quaintance Chamber President q2u2@capecoralchamber.com Stephanie Roberson Technology Director stephanie@capecoralchamber.com Claudia St. Onge Business Manager cso@capecoralchamber.com Matt Lamb Membership Sales matt@capecoralchamber.com Annette Siner Membership Sales annette@capecoralchamber.com Melanie Lempke Administrative Generalist melanie@capecoralchamber.com Amanda Brunson Special Events Coordinator amanda@capecoralchamber.com Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral P.O. Box 100747, Cape Coral, FL 33910 2051 Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33904 Phone (239) 549-6900 Fax (239) 549-9609

NOVEMBER 12, 2014 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCH SPEED NETWORKING LA VENEZIA 4646 SE 10th Pl. Club Square, Cape Coral, FL 33904 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM NOVEMBER 15, 2014 LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL CLASS OF 2014 GRADUATION PALMETTO PINE COUNTRY CLUB 1940 SW 9th Court, Cape Coral, FL 33991 6:30 PM NOVEMBER 20, 2014 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS FOS Furniture 790 Del Prado Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33909 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM EVERY SATURDAY THROUGH MAY CAPE CORAL FARMERS’ MARKET Club Square - SE 47th Terrace and SE 10th Place Cape Coral, FL 33904 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM TUESDAYS YEAR ROUND Surfside Sunset Market - The Shops at Surfside Veterans Parkway and Surfside Blvd., Cape Coral, FL 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM DECEMBER 6, 2014 CENTURYLINK HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Downtown Cape Coral - Cape Coral Parkway Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting 6:30 PM 4:00 PM - 10 PM To register for any of the above events online visit www.capecoralchamber.com

Q’s WORLD WHICH PART OF THE WAVE ARE YOU RIDING? Mike “Q” Quaintance, President, MBA, IOM

Thank you to those chamber members who have acknowledged the efforts made to grow and improve your Chamber. It is comforting when a respected banker like Steve Stewart from Preferred Community Bank acknowledges that strategic move by the Chamber. I appreciate the support and wisdom of the Chamber board for supporting this management initiative.

We are riding the front of the wave by investing in a larger sales force. Many of you have probably met Matt Lamb and Annette Siner, who are two new full time sales people, as well as Linda Kirby who is an independent contractor. We also added another independent contractor, Lisa Barrella, who is starting strong. Membership is the lifeblood of any organization. The Chamber could not accomplish what it does without its members!

This investment improves our ability to serve our existing members as we have more bodies able to fulfill your needs. We are now more able to be responsive to scheduling ribbon cuttings, sharing referral reports and following up with members’ requests for assistance. It will also allow your Chamber president a greater opportunity to participate in regional activities like the Horizon Council, Southwest

2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Florida Alliance of Chambers and SBDC programs.

We probably have all heard that history repeats itself. Many of us may have life experiences that support that construct. If we look at the period following the Great Depression, we see that people’s economic confidence was definitely rattled. Our great recession, or whatever history will call it, was not nearly as devastating, but very painful for most. This pain has cost many to be generally more cautious, which is normal human behavior. If one falls off a bike and gets hurt, that pain and experience is very relevant until the bike rider experiences several subsequent successes and then the joy of riding overcomes the negative experience of the pain.

The same behavior occurs in other parts of our lives, both personal and professional. Many of us know intuitively that the sooner we get back on the bike the better. The Chamber is getting back on the bike by investing in team members that can help grow the Chamber thus providing you with greater opportunities for commerce through networking with other members.

While attending the Workforce NOW 2014 Forum at Hodges University, an economist suggested that our growth in the U.S. should carry us through 2018.

At that point, there would be flattening of U.S. economic growth versus a major downturn. What this suggests is that we have three good years to grow our organizations before this flattening. Many businesses, large and small, are sitting on the sidelines still affected by the physiological impacts of the Great Recession.

Risk adverse companies are aggressively investing in their businesses and communities to take advantage of this strategic opportunity now to improve profits and better prepare to leverage the marketplace when the economy hits that flattening cycle.

Have you ever watched surfing competitions?

Where do the surfers ride the wave? Observations have taught me that successful surfers ride the front of wave not the back. Which part of the wave are you riding?

Chairman - Annette Carrasquillo, LAI Design Associates, LLC Chairman Elect - Ed Ramos, Ramos Builders, Inc. Treasurer - Brett Bisbe, B2 Solutions, Inc Past Chairman - Joseph Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting, Inc. Beverly Black - Black Business Solutions, LLC Ed Bolter - Lamar Advertising Dana Brunett - City of Cape Coral Matthew Connar - Boost Creative Tony Constantino - Financial Advisor Kevin M. Burns & Assoc. P.A. Diane Everhart - Northwestern Mutual Financial Joseph Francioni - The Smart Companies Cynthia Gallagher - The Breeze Newspapers Tom Hansen - Boat House of Cape Coral Tim Hauck - Fuller Metz Cremation and Funeral Services Cheryl Komnick - Caloosa Tent & Rental Trish Lassiter - LCEC Michelle Lewis - Past Chairman - B2 Solutions Donna Meola, First Merchant Payment Services, Past Chairman Thomas Shipp Jr. - Past Chairman - Tom Shipp at the Martin Law Firm Stanley Spicer - Platinum Service A/C Chris Spiro - Past Chairman - Spiro & Associates Zachary Zeis - The Smart Companies

2014 TRUSTEES

Rhonda Chapman - First Citizens Bank Sallie Dwyer - SunTrust Merchant Services Sandra Greiner - SunSplash Family Waterpark Mike Hollow - RE//MAX Realty Team Scott Kashman - Cape Coral Hospital Laura Koehn - CapeCoral.com David Owen - BB & T - Oswald, Trippe & Co. Wendy Piascik - Lee Memorial Health System Michelle Whitlock - Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors

2014 CHAIRMAN EMERITUS Tom Giles - Avalon Engineering Wayne Kirkwood - Kirkwood Electric Elmer Tabor - Wonderland Realty

CHAMBER STAFF

Mike Quaintance, President Donna S. Germain, Communications Director Claudia St. Onge, Business Manager & Farmers’ Market Director Stephanie Roberson, Technology Director Matt Lamb, Membership Sales Annette Siner, Membership Sales Melanie Lempke, Administrative Generalist Amanda Brunson, Special Events Coordinator Linda Kirby, Membership Sales Contractor Lisa Barrella, Membership Sales Contractor

SEPTEMBER NEW MEMBERS & RENEWALS New

Aire Americano Rafael Diaz

Sam’s Club John McAdoo

Smoothie King Cape Coral Jinky Parsons

DJC Insurance & Financial Services/ New York Life Ins. Co. Member Since: 05/06/2003

Blaze Bistro Anita Cotuqno

Renewals

FGCU-Small Business Development Center Member Since: 10/27/1999

Carmel Financial Giancarlo Rainero

AAE Glass Member Since: 10/26/2011

Fireservice Disaster Kleenup, Inc. Member Since: 06/01/1998

Charles A. Roberts Charles Roberts

Annie’s Collision Center Member Since: 09/19/2013

Florida Skin Center Member Since: 10/11/2012

Dean Street Insurance Ron Scalzo

Arnold Roberts Signature Homes Member Since: 10/17/2011

Florida SouthWestern State College Member Since: 10/01/1990

Family First Cooling and Heating Chris Velez

Blot Engineering, Inc. Member Since: 10/09/2013

Florida Weekly Member Since: 10/30/2012

Bowland Member Since: 06/01/1995

Greenwell Bat-A-Ball, Inc. Member Since: 07/01/1992

Harley Rental Cape Coral Clyde Daenzer

Cape Christian Fellowship Member Since: 09/29/2006

Guthrie Builders, LLC Member Since: 10/04/2013

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa Brian Kramer and Patricia George

Cape Coral High School Member Since: 09/28/1999

Hodges University Member Since: 10/09/2012

Cape Coral Power Squadron Member Since: 10/01/2009

IBERIABANK Member Since: 09/28/2005

CC Stone w/Coastal Realty SWFL Member Since: 03/03/2009

Jason’s Deli Member Since: 09/20/2004

Century 21 Sunbelt Realty, Inc. Member Since: 09/01/1992

Kobayashi Dojo / Main Campus Member Since: 03/01/1997

Champion Self Storage Member Since: 09/25/2007

Lee County Electric Cooperative - LCEC Member Since: 12/01/1993

Cheetah Printing & Signs Member Since: 06/27/2012

Matteo Graphics Member Since: 05/25/2011

Chicago Pizza Member Since: 06/24/2008

Men’s Rights Law Firm Member Since: 10/06/2008

Coconut Bay Construction, Inc. Member Since: 10/26/2011

Miz Catherine’s - A Dessert Cafe’ Member Since: 11/30/2012

Gables Insurance Recovery Ruben Olivarez

Intech Printing and Direct Mail Dan Fitzgerald Kristin’s Hair Salon Kristin Schwartz Larry’s Auto & Truck Larry St. Amand MYCO Business Systems Jeff Shaw Point Ybel Brewing Company Walt Costello Prints Charming Photo Booth of SWFL, Inc. Raymond Schilke

North Fort Myers Academy For The Arts Member Since: 10/21/2008 Parker House Properties Member Since: 09/14/2011 Pottery Express Member Since: 10/29/2011 REALTOR® Assoc. of Greater Fort Myers & the Beaches Member Since: 10/28/1999 Renaissance School Member Since: 10/27/2011 Seminole Casino Immokalee Member Since: 09/02/2010 Shops At Surfside Member Since: 09/07/2010 Sinclair Custom Homes, Inc Member Since: 06/28/2013 Stabley Marketing, LLC Member Since: 04/11/2012 Sunshine Jewelers & Gold Exchange Member Since: 06/27/2012 The Bell Tower Shops Member Since: 07/10/2000 Vital Records Control Member Since: 10/29/2008 Water Medic of Cape Coral, Inc Member Since: 09/19/2013 Woody’s Surfside Island Rum & Grille Member Since: 10/10/2012

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

Leadership Cape Coral Graduation

November 15, 2014 Palmetto Pine Country Club, 6:30 pm

SPONSOR THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2014 ___ Scott Blonde, The Breeze Newspapers ___ Greg Blurton, Investors’ Security Trust - Sponsored By Siesta Pebble ___ Christin Collins, Lee Memorial Health System - Sponsored By Lee Memorial Health System ___ Eileen DeLuca, Florida SouthWestern State College ___ Rana Erbrick, Cape Coral City Council, Dist 5 - Sponsored By Lamar ___ Julie Ferguson, Cape Coral Caring Center ___ Paul Flores, Waste Pro of Florida ___ Jonathan Gabel, Priority Payments South Florida - Sponsored By Siesta Pebble ___ John Hobson, CenturyLink ___ Laura Koehn, CapeCoral.com ___ Casey Logan, The News-Press-Cape Coral Bureau ___ Stacy Lomonaco, Regions Bank Cape Coral Pkwy East ___ Nancy MacPhee, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau ___ Carmine Marceno, Lee County Sheriff’s Office - Sponsored By Sharee Thieleman, (Ret. American Airlines) with Miloff Aubuchon Realty ___ Laurie Morris-Wilson, IBERIABANK ___ Chris Nicely, Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community

$100 SPONSORSHIP INCLUDES • • • • • •

Sponsor Name In Program Sponsor Logo In Rotating Power Point at Event Sponsor Name in All E-mail Invitations to Graduation Sponsor Name on Event Webpage Sponsor Recognition on all social media sites (12,000 contacts) Does not include dinner

Please Fax or e-mail to Donna Germain donna@capecoralchamber.com (239) 549-6900 ext 107 (239) 549-9609 fax

___ Dan Puleio, Cape Cleaners - Sponsored By First Merchant Payment Systems ___ Sarah Sheffield, Massage Envy Spa - Cape Coral ___ Tracy Siekmann, City of Cape Coral Parks & Rec - Sponsored By Black Business Solutions ___ Annette Siner, Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral - Sponsored By Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery ___ Ross Smith, Lee County Electric Cooperative - LCEC ___ Debbie Stella, Lee County Electric Cooperative - LCEC ___ Margie Stevens, A Touch Of Class Pet Grooming ___ Emily Teachout, American Cancer Society ___ Steven Teuber, Neaher & Teuber, P.L. ___ Dottie Tronnes, Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community ___ Chuck Warren, Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery - Sponsored By UBS Financial - Karen S. Barnes ___ Russ Winstead, FGCU-Small Business Development Center

BUSINESS NAME BILLING ADDRESS CARD NUMBER CARD TYPE PHONE

E X P I R AT I O N D AT E E-MAIL

THREE DIGIT CODE

CHAMBER TRENDS

WE ARE THE LEADERSHIP CHAMBER!

Annette Carrasquillo, LAI Design Associates 2014 Chairman

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”….. Jack Welch eadership… Since 1993, your Chamber of Commerce has taken a very proactive approach to promoting leadership. The Jr. Leadership Program, Leadership Cape Coral and the Advanced Leadership programs were developed in order to grow the future leaders of our community.

Recently, I attended the orientation meeting for the 2014 Jr. Leadership Program. These kids are great – they have ambition, enthusiasm and a yearning to learn! This program allows juniors from our local high schools the opportunity to learn about the history of our community and meet a group of diverse business and community leaders. Through nine weekly sessions, 28 students will learn about advertising and marketing, the medical, media, education and public safety professions, in addition to learning the history of Cape Coral. These students are the future of our community and we hope that by providing them with these sessions and contacts, it will help prepare them for their futures.

If you were at the October General Membership luncheon, you had the

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opportunity to hear Junior Leadership graduate, Adebola Malike Adigun, give a truly inspiring and emotional speech about his life and how Junior Leadership helped him. Now, after graduating college, he has come back to our community to work and be a leader/role model for others. This is what it is all about!

Back in August the Leadership Class of 2014 kicked off their 13 week session at the Pink Shell. Since then they have visited local media outlets and marketing businesses, spent time at Lee Memorial Health System, the City of Cape Coral, the US Coast Guard, Sheriff’s Department, Lee Co. Mosquito Control, Cape Coral Police and Fire Departments, as well as visits with local schools, manufacturing facilities and many others. Over the 13 weeks, the class develops a true bond working together to give back to our community!

Their journey ends with a fun day of Arts and Entertainment at Cultural Park Theater and then graduation at a gala event on November 14, 2014. The business people in this class have committed to our community and through this class and many before it, many of our leaders are found.

The third leg in the Leadership series is Advanced Leadership. This program is an eight part series developed to hone one’s leadership skills as well as reviewing the core concepts of leadership through a lecture type program in class. It’s about defining your leadership style and putting it to the test.

The next Advanced Leadership program will kick-off in March of 2015. If you are interested in this program, please contact Donna Germain at donna@ capecoralchamber.com or 549-6900 ext. 107.

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral continues to be committed to these Leadership Programs and to growing leaders in our community!

As always, I hope to see you Having Fun in November!

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCH A

t the October General Membership Lunch, the Chamber’s Education Committee honored our local educators at the 9th Annual Principal’s Lunch sponsored by The News-Press, CenturyLink and LCEC. Guest Speaker Adebola “Malike” Adigun (Top Left), educator and Junior Leadership graduate, spoke to the group about how our educational system and programs like Junior Leadership helped him as a young man.

(Mid Right) One of our favorites, Principal Steve Hook from Oasis Elementary stops for a photo after winning a Florida Everblades prize.

(Bottom Left) Thank you to Achieva Credit Union for bringing the money machine to the event. One luck principal got 1 minute in the booth. The money collected went to benefit the school.

(Bottom Right) Chrysten Foley, Nova Southeastern University served as emcee for the lunch welcoming our principals, sponsors and dignitaries.

The Chamber and its Education Committee would like to thank all of the lunch sponsors, principal sponsors, principals and attendees for their contributions. Join us for Speed Networking at La Venezia in November!

MARKETING TRENDS WE’RE ALL DANCING AS FAST AS WE CAN….JUST TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE MUSIC. Christopher T. Spiro, Spiro & Associates

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very year for as long as I have been in business it sneaks up on us! Season! It’s here. And when I mean it sneaks up on us, we have no idea how to gauge how busy or how slow we will be in the months leading up to season as well as season itself. Of course in the new economy as a business owner, we are also trying to stay as lean as we can as well since having to hire and fire is one of the toughest things a business owner or manager has to do.

So it happens, almost like clockwork - we get slammed. We have more work than there are hours in the day. We have clients with extremely short deadlines. We have clients who decide that this will be a good season so they better ramp up their advertising, marketing and public relations in preparation. As a result, office moral goes down, tempers rise and the likelihood of a bad customer service experience becomes more and more real every day.

So you’re saying to yourself “okay Spiro, congratulations you’re busy…what’s the damn point?” The point is this, while we are all dancing as fast as we can trying to keep up with the music we need to not lose site of the fact that many of us are in a service business…as in “serve-us” SERVE the client. And that while the peak of the mountain of work looks unreachable, it’s not. Your staff needs to be reminded that while they may be tired, feel unappreciated and overworked, that this is the time that business owners and managers get to lay a little groundwork for slower times. And the key point to remember is that being nasty, short, and curt with a customer or client does your brand no good.

I often tell people in my world that there are only three things that set agencies apart….creative, strategy and service. Everything else can be outsourced.

Everything else can be purchased a-la-carte. Without killer creative surrounded by a unique strategy, you have nothing. And without top-shelf customer service you won’t last as a business at all.

My friend Gary Aubuchon turned me onto a book by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles called “Raving Fans.” This short read is all about going far beyond traditional customer service, it’s about creating raving fans for your business, something Gary

believes in with his heart and soul. In the inside front of the book jacket there is this simple quote: “Your customers are only satisfied because their expectations are so low and because no one else is doing better. Just having satisfied customers isn’t good enough anymore. If you really want a booming business, you have to create Raving Fans.” If you ever experience past customers of Gary’s you will find that they are Raving Fans of all of his companies. You will find that they are the best foot soldiers his sales department can have because they grow his sales force one satisfied Raving Fan at a time.

Here at Spiro & Associates we are a bit more irreverent and follow the thoughts and mentoring of Mr. Walt Disney. There is a book by Bill Capodagli & Lynn Jackson called “The Disney Way.” This book talks extensively about going that extra mile so that the customer gets to “enjoy the show.” This is the philosophy that we employ here at my firm. We are in a fun and exciting business…customer service needs to be the same.

And finally, a word of caution. If things are crazy and that staff member doesn’t offer the best customer service experience don’t be surprised if it doesn’t show up on social media. People are brave when they can hide behind a keyboard and monitor.

People are brave when they don’t have to face you. People are nastier, meaner and downright rude sometimes…and if you correct things, very rarely do they go back to those same social media venues and update the scenario.

So keep dancing…the music eventually slows down enough for you to keep up….and then we jump back on the merry-go-round for another season of fun!!

Good luck!

Remember what Walt had to say about customer service…

Christopher “The BrandMan” Spiro can be found digitally dancing as fast as he can (it’s not pretty) via any social media outlet…usually depicted with a big cigar, some brown liquor and with his wife Rachel. To keep tempo with his brand tid-bits hit him up: 239.481.5511, CSpiro@SpiroAndAssociates.com, and www.facebook.com/ christopher.spiro.

Advertise in the Chamber Trends Weekly E-Newsletter.

A Banner Ad is just $50 per month!!

Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 or donna@capecoralchamber.com

LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL 2014

14 KARATS

Donna Germain, Communications Director

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he Leadership Cape Coral Class of 2014 had an amazing last month and it’s hard to believe that we are preparing to graduate another class from this amazing program.

The month started with Education Day Chaired by 2012’s Sandy Silva, Ida S. Baker and MerriBeth Farnham, HDPR Group and 2013’s Lorraine Barraco, Jet’s Pizza. The group started the day at Ida S. Baker HS for a tour of the school and then traveled to the Oasis Charter School Campus for tours of the Elementary, Middle and High School. The group then traveled to Cape Coral School of Technology for a delicious lunch sponsored by Achieva Credit Union and Sylvan Learning Center.

The following week, and definitely a program favorite, was Coast Guard Day. With more than 400 miles of canals in Cape Coral, our waterways are one of our greatest treasures. This day shows the class how that treasure is protected. Chaired by 2010’s Capt. Pete Louzao, 2012’s Bill Jacob, CenturyLink and 2013’s Yvonne Werline, Kevin M. Burns & Associates and Chris Cordrey, Siesta Pebble Pool Interiors, the class spent the day at the US Coast Guard Station on Fort Myers Beach and experienced life on base and also went underway as the crew demonstrated maneuvers on the water. Another amazing lunch was served to the class and sponsored by CenturyLink.

City Government and Public Safety Day came next with the dynamic duo of Heather and Joe Mazurkiewicz organizing the day with co-chairs from 2012 Kevin Hobstetter, LCEC, Brian Hamman,

Lee County Commission and 2013’s Jacque Miloff, Miloff Aubuchon Realty. The class started the day with a mock city council meeting where they played the roles of council, the public and city staff.

The class then toured the police department and watched a SWAT and K-9 demonstration. The Fire Department came next where the class learned a bit of what it takes to be a first responder. The day ended at the city’s Emergency Operations Center. Lunch was graciously sponsored by Miloff Aubuchon Realty.

Last, but definitely not least, was Arts and Entertainment Day. Chaired by 2013’s Bill Johnson, Jr., CCCIA and 2012’s Brandon Deaver, B2 Solutions and co-chaired by 2013’s Andrew Lampkins, Achieva Credit Union, the day is always a fun way to end the program. The day started at Cultural Park Theatre with improve games involving the entire class. Following the improve portion, the class was treated to a BBQ with some fellow alumni courtesy of 2014 program co-chair Karen Schuman-Barnes, UBS Financial Services. Keith Banasiak from Waste Pro assisted with the lunch providing the Grill, tables, chairs, coolers, etc. needed for the lunch. The class then traveled to the Cape Coral Historical Museum for a tour and scavenger hunt. The finished the day at the Cape Coral Art League where they judged some pieces in the gallery and participated in an art project.

On behalf of the Chamber, I would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s program. I cannot thank you enough for all of your time, talent and treasure. A very special thank you goes to our Leadership team Chairs Michelle Whitlock and Matt Lamb and Co-Chairs Karen S. Barnes and Jay Johnson. Thank you all for an amazing year. Please join us for graduation on November 15th at Palmetto Pine Country Club.

LEADERSHIP CAPE CORAL 2014

HEALTHY TRENDS

PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

Salvatore Lacagnina, D.O. Vice President of Health & Wellness, Lee Memorial Health System

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s mentioned in last month’s article, I have started another educational journey; this time in the specific area of anti-aging medicine. I invited the readers to join me on my journey over the next 18 months as I learn more about improving the aging process and helping folks lead an active and rewarding life with good health as the foundation.

This article is the first in a continuous series that will highlight the information I learn from this program. I am excited to share this information with the readers and with my patients. I am also excited to be working with patients on what is now known as “Lifestyle medicine” and will explain the connection between this and “Personalized medicine”.

The first topic in this series has to do with women’s health; and specifically, the symphony of hormones that affect a woman’s health. As a primary care physician, I see many women in the exam room concerned about symptoms related to menopause. As you probably know, the normal age to go through menopause is from 35-55. During this time there are many changes in the female hormones that contribute to the multitude of symptoms that could last for years if not treated effectively. As such, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is recommended for many symptomatic women with the goal of relieving symptoms, decreasing the risk of heart disease, memory loss, dementia, and osteoporosis.

The goal of treatment (HRT) is to replace deficient hormones with compounds as close to the woman’s natural hormones as possible.

When we discuss HRT, one of the major female hormones is estrogen; and when the level is not appropriate, the woman can experience hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, hair loss, depression, for example. As detailed, the number of symptoms are staggering and can be life altering. It is known that estrogen has about 400 functions in the body, so when the level is not where it should be, the individual can experience many symptoms that sometimes make life seen unbearable.

In the brain, estrogen stimulates the production of an enzyme that prevents Alzheimer’s dementia. Estrogen also increases the metabolic rate and improves insulin sensitivity and therefore helps control weight gain. It helps maintain healthy muscles and also helps with quality sleep. It decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving blood flow and decreasing the stickiness of platelets (and as such, decreases the formation of blood clots).

Estrogen has beneficial effects on the cholesterol profile and on blood pressure. It also improves the thickness and softness of the skin (this helps decrease wrinkles). It improves sexual interest and also decreases the risk of depression by its effects on brain chemicals.

When estrogen is replaced, the physician has the choice of using either synthetic hormones or,

what are called bio-identical hormones. Synthetic estrogen is not the same chemical structure as the estrogen naturally made in the body. Bio-identical hormones are the natural hormones that women make in their own body.

When we look further at estrogen hormones, we see that there are actually three types: E1, E2, and E3; and there are two different receptors that these estrogens can attach to in order to do their jobs. All three estrogens are converted to other chemicals in the body and what they become has a direct effect on your health. You want to influence the conversation of estrogen to the healthier hormones; and there are several ways to do this including moderate exercise, eating cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, eating soy products and other healthy proteins, and by taking supplements such as Omega 3 fatty acids and B vitamins.

On the negative side, being overweight or obese influences the conversion of estrogen into the less healthy versions. Alcohol in excess increases the conversion of estrogen in a way that is thought to increase the risk of breast cancer. In the environment there are chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen (called xenoestrogens) and it appears that there are at least 50 of these chemicals which result in toxic effects in the body. One example is the plastic water bottles that are sold in the supermarket. These bottles contain BPA which is a xenoestrogen that is toxic to the body. This is the reason you should buy “BPA free” water bottles.

Overall, estrogen deficiency has been suggested to be a state of accelerated aging as described in the Clinics of Geriatric Medicine from 2003 in the article “The use of estrogen in older women”.

Another interesting article is in the American Journal of Medicine in 2009. This study evaluated 27 other published studies dealing with estrogen replacement and found a 28% reduction in the death rate in menopausal women under the age of 60 who used HRT. These women also reported a better quality of life.

So you might now be asking “how do you know if a women is deficient in estrogen (as well as other hormones)?”The answer is: you don’t until you measure the estrogen (and other hormone) levels. You also need to measure what are called the estrogen metabolites. These are the downstream chemicals produced as the body metabolizes (breaks down) estrogen. Therefore, you are measuring the level of estrogen and its metabolites all in one test which is best done by urine, saliva and blood tests. Samples of the urine, saliva and blood are taken over a 24-48 hour period; and in some cases over a 28 day period. This is necessary since hormone levels fluctuate during the day so you need to test the levels over a certain time period and not just at one point in time. These tests give the physician a better understanding of the individual’s physiology and how her body is functioning. This is where “personalized medicine” comes into play. With this information your physician knows what is happening in your body and can then develop a treatment plan that is specific for you. This approach is an advance when compared to the one-size-fits-all mentality since we are all individuals and not the same as every other woman or man.

When your health care provider helps you develop a personalized plan for your health, you can be sure that by following this plan you will live a better quality life, be healthier and able to age in a more fitful way enabling you to do all you want in life to accomplish your goals, whatever they may be. What a great way to live!

In summary, consider talking with your physician or health care provider about developing a personalized health plan; and work with him/her to incorporate HRT (if necessary) with healthy nutrition and exercise which undoubtedly are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle.

Stay well my friends and as always send questions and comments to Dr.Sal@Leememomorial. org

Get In Touch with New Residents, Prospects and Visitors with our Relocation Leads Program!

Contact Donna Germain at 549-6900 ext 107 or donna@capecoralchamber.com

LCEC – your cooperative

empowers you!

When you are an LCEC customer, you belong to one of the largest not-for-profit electric cooperatives in the nation. Governed by customers, we are committed to delivering reliable and cost competitive electricity.

Financial Strength

Reliability

• No rate increase for six years. Rate decrease in 2014*

• Maintaining 8,000 miles of power lines year-round

• Proudly serving customers since 1940

• Returned $220 million • On-call 24 hours a in equity over the day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year years

• One of only six Centers of Excellence in the utility industry

Quality Service

Community

• Top ten United Way employee contributor and community partner • Employees volunteer more than 5,000 hours annually

* 7% Public Service Tax – Imposed by Cape Coral City Council * 3% Cape Coral Franchise fee * 4.5% Unincorporated Lee County Franchise Fee – Approved by Lee County Commissioners

www.lcec.net

Tuscany

With the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce Tuscany

, rson if e p r 9 pe rson

9 pe !* $2,8799 pery Nov. 30 $2, osited b dep

One Hote Holid l ay!

Departing October 20, 2015 For more information, please contact Amanda Brunson at (239) 549-6900

GOVERNMENT TRENDS THE GAC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS EACH OF YOU VOTE!

Board, Mosquito Board, three (3) Constitutional Amendments, term-limits for County Commissioners and a change to the make-up of the School Board.

The candidates on your ballot affect your lives, your taxes and the future of our area. These issues will affect the documents that govern us. This is serious Joe Mazurkiewicz, BJM Consulting stuff!

2014 GAC Chairman As with all elections, it is important that we as citizens get informed and exercise our right to vote. If you have already voted by mail or early voting, uesday, November 4, 2014 is I commend and thank you for acting like an American! If you plan to vote on the General Election in Florida Election Day, I will see you at the polls. and your Government Affairs If you chose not to vote then you are making a conscious decision to throw Committee recommends you make sure away a right people around the world admire. Most important members of your voice is heard by casting your vote! our armed forces have died to protect our right to vote. Please Remember to In Florida, we vote for US Vote!

Congressman, Governor, Cabinet Members, State Representative, County Commission, School Board, Hospital

T

ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A POLITICIAN? THANK YOU!

Donna Schuman Germain Communications Director

O

n October 22, the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee hosted it’s Annual Candidates Forum that asks the question, “Are You Smarter than a Politician?”

Local, State and Federal Candidates participated in this unique candidates forum at Gulf Coast Village and tested their knowledge against the audience.

The Chamber would like to thank all of the candidates who attended and the participants from the public for making this another exciting and fun event for the chamber.

A Special Thank you goes our to all of our sponsors Gulf Coast Village, The News-Press, High Fidelity Studios, Lamar Advertising, LAI Design Associates, BJM Consulting, A Touch of Class Pet Grooming and LCEC. Thank you again to Oasis Charter Schools for the use of your quizzing software!

SCHEDULE YOUR RIBBON CUTTING TODAY! It’s not just for new members!

If you have recently renewed your membership or just joined, be sure to take advantage of this member benefit!

Contact Matt Lamb at 549-6900 ext 103 or matt@capecoralchamber.com

Graduation 2014 November 15, 2014

Palmetto Pine Country Club - 6:30 pm

AUCTION DONATION FORM

Thank you for the donation of ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Valued at $_____________________ for the 2014 Leadership Cape Coral Graduation Business Name: ___________________________________________ Contact Name:____________________________________________ Business Address:_________________________________________ City/State: _______________________________________________ Phone Number: __________________________________________ E-mail: __________________________________________________

Donors will be recognized in the marketing and promotion of the event.

For more information, please contact Donna Germain at (239) 549-6900 ext 107 or donna@capecoralchamber.com. Donation deadline, November 10, 2014. Please deliver to the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral 2051 Cape Coral Parkway E, Cape Coral, FL 33904.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

COFFEE NEWS 4706 Chiquita Blvd. Suite 200 Cape Coral, FL 33914 (239) 878-9563 www.coffeenewsparadise.com

CULVERS 1607 Cape Coral Pkwy E. Cape Coral, FL 33904 (239) 478-0894 www.culvers.com/restaurants/cape-coral-fl

EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS - LAURIE HOWE 3208 Chiquita Blvd. S Ste 207 Cape Coral , FL 33914 (239) 540-2331 www.edwardjones.com

GULF COAST SYMPHONY 6314 Corporate Court, Suite 100 Ft. Myers, FL 33919 (239) 277-1700 www.gulfcoastsymphony.org

RIBBON CUTTINGS

HARLEY RENTAL CAPE CORAL Cape Coral, FL (239) 314-6350 www.facebook.com/HarleyRentalCC

ZOUNDS HEARING 1751 Pine Island Road, NE Cape Coral, FL 33909 (239) 222-7680 www.zoundshearing.com

Myers Academy for the Arts North Fort Presents the annual performance of

The Nutcracker at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

December 12, 2014 7:00 pm

$10, $20, and $30 Tickets Reserved Seating Only

For tickets call 239-481-4849 or visit www.bbmannpah.com Publicity created by Pamela Manning

REAL ESTATE TRENDS From Our Chairman TREAT OR TRICK

Berge Aslanian (CDPE) 2012 Realtor, RE/MAX Island Harbor Donna Meola, Kirkwood Electric 2012 Chamber Chairman

TI

he goblins and ghosts are

can’t believe its December starting to show themselves as and I am writing my last we get closer to that timeofof year article as Chairman the when all of 2012 our visitors Board. has (aka, just snowbirds) flown by 10-27-14 and there have beenSome so many coming flocking down. early Real Estate Trends accomplishments I would like to are already here taking advantage Treat birds or Trick share. (Please forgive me if I have ofthemselves what our as fair city has to offer. any!!)

The goblins and ghosts are starting to show forgotten we get closer to that time of year when all of our visitors (aka, snowbirds)Acoming Some early birds look flocking at somedown. of we our most How fortunate are torecent live are already here taking advantage of what our fair city has to offer. in Paradise!

Our economy monthly figures will illustrate… is A look at some of our most recent monthly figures will illustrate… growing and the outlook for 2013 is for continued growth.

For the three month period ending 10/27/14: For thewas three monthyear!! periodMuch endingwas 10/27/14: 2012 a great accomplished for you, including Aug ’14 Septto’14do business.

OctHere ‘14 are a few of making Cape Coral a better place Median $ Home Median $ Homes Homes the highlights: Median $ s The Cape Coral delivered on their For Sale 1474 Economic $249,500 Development 1408 $250,000Office 1524 $260,000 promise business,290 investment employment in the Sold to increase 281 $175,000 $175,000and 281 $170,000 area. The team closed 137 economic development projects, which Aug ’14 ‘14 represents 85 new businesses inSept the’14 Cape and 52Oct expansions.

Condos Median $ Condos Median $ Condos Median $ The EDO created public/private partnership with Lamar For Sale 257 a $150,500 252 strategic $151,000 245 $148,000 Advertising and Group and marketing Sold 29 HDPR $135,000 36 a new $136,000 38 campaign $120,000that says “Cape Coral is Open for Business.”

Inventory of welcomed single familythe homes For Sale reversed its downward trend Cape Coral ofits 1,156 businesses in 2012 Inventory of single family homes For opening Sale reversed downward trend and increased and increased this month for a change while median prices also increased. this month for a change while median prices also increased.

It appears that the netIt including 301 place based businesses, 809 home-based businesses result is numbers of homes sold decreased and median prices of homes sold also and 46 unspecified businesses.

Commerce shorterand distances appears that the net result is numbers of homes means sold decreased median decreased. to travel for your goods and services.

Commerce also means a prices of homes sold also decreased.

Condos For tax Salebase slightlyand decreased as well as the median prices For Sale. Numbers of diversified jobs! condos went slightly up slightly but the median Sold condos CondosSold For Sale decreased as wellprices as theofmedian pricesdecreased For Sale.

The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral continues to grow as noticeably.

Numbers of condos Sold wentour up membership slightly but the was median Sold low condos well; in December 2011 at prices an alloftime of Sellers are trying to cash in on rising prices but buyers are still wanting lower priced 583 members, today we stand at 744.

This resulted in a 78 percent decreased noticeably. homes and condos. The lower priced units in both categories are what is selling most.

And, realtors are still struggling trying to find those lower “nice” properties.

We membership growth within a on retention rate of priced 81 percent.

Thiswanting could Sellers are trying to cash rising prices but buyers are still have been seeing very low numbers for properties sold. In fact, the numbers of units not have been accomplished without the referrals from our members, sold are abouthomes half of what normallyThe are lower based on historical monthly data.categories lower priced andthey condos. priced units in both a dynamic sales team and an awesome membership development areBut, what is selling most.new And, realtors are still struggling to offind those as stated last month, home construction is picking up. Astrying the price existing, committee. lower-priced homes increases, it is starting to make more economic sense for builders to lower priced “nice” We have beenandseeing very numbers for Chamber Leadership continue to develop community build, especially whenproperties. they addprograms financing incentives extras to eachlow property. leaders.

Insold.

November, 20 men and women graduated Leadership properties In fact, the numbers of units sold are about half of what they It becomes so much easier for a buyer to get a brand new home with warranty and Cape Coral.

Twenty-four members of the 2012 Chamber board have financing all in one easy step through that new home’s front door.

The convenience of normally are based on historical monthly data. graduated from the Leadership Program one stop shopping is extremely attractive because including it is so muchthe lessChairman complicated.and It

price of existing, lower-priced homes increases, it is starting to make more economic sense for builders to build, especially when they add financing Chair-Elect. We currently have 27 high school juniors in our Junior incentives andProgram. extras to each property.

Leadership ItThe becomes so easier for a buyer to a brand new home with Chamber much successfully presented (2)get Disney Institute programs in 2012. The team (yes, that I saynew teams because warranty and Chamber financing allSpecial in oneEvents easy step through home’s front it takes a village!!) brought an astounding 250,000+ citizens and door. The convenience of one stop shopping is extremely attractive because members together for Red White and Boom , Golf Tournament, it is so much less complicated. It makes it worth the extra $20,000-40,000 Farmers Market, Business Expo , Family Bowling Day, a Casino Trip between existing new homes many buyers today. to The Price is homes Right, and as well as ourforHoliday Festival of Lights on December But (there1st. is always a but) in a rising market we are seeing a potential Our on-line directory resulted in 1,300,829 web and referrals problem that canbusiness have costly consequences for buyers who finance their in 2012 that equates to 3,544 on average over the year per member!! sellers. Mortgage lenders always require an appraisal to verify the value of (Who says membership doesn’t pay?) theAproperty and to justify it asapp collateral for the loan.inAppraisers new Chamber mobile was introduced 2012. use data of It was alsosold a invery election year for our Public orAffairs similar homes priorbusy months.

If a house is selling for $5,000 more Committee! a group people who make that today than theThis sameis house soldofforpassionate 2 months ago, the appraisal maysure be lower the “voice” of business is heard, not only at the local level but also because of the lower priced comparative homes. An underwriter for the state and federal. The candidates’ forums were very well attended by mortgage lender located out of state doesn’t really know or care that this is a members and citizens of Cape Coral. market rising prices so they make a lending decision basedinonEducation the lower Our with education committee hosted the Excellence Awards in April and awarded $4,500 in scholarships to deserving valued home price sold two months earlier. This changes the dynamics of the high school seniors! transaction because now the buyers think they are over paying for the house It was also the first year of our “rotating” luncheons that are being and the mortgage loan based on that lower value. very well received bywill ourbe membership.

In the pastastwo weeks, we have of seen thisBoard occur with homes, one new Serving your Chairman the has two been an excellent experience blessed of and one used.and WithI feel the new home,forthehaving appraisalhad wasthe onlyopportunity three thousand meeting so many of you at meetings and events. under the purchase price and the builder absorbed the difference to preserve Thank you for honoring me with your trust and commitment! It the transaction.

On the used home,with the deal fell apart becauseand the difference has been my privilege to work my fellow directors amazing in price on only onemembership. comp was so great that the buyer got cold feet even staff as well as the I lookthere forward seeing of you future events and I price. wish you though were to other compsallthat easilyatsupported the contract good health and prosperity!

So, in this Halloween season, the trick is to be aware of comps that may be lower than your purchase/selling price. Planning on strategies to overcome any lower comps will give you a terrific treat, a completed transaction!

Now that you know, the only thing left is to wish you Happy Property Hunting or Selling!

Berge Aslanian (CDPE) is a Realtor in Cape Coral with RE/MAX Island Harbor and an active member of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. For questions about residential real estate, please call his cell, (239) 989-3463 or email realtorberge@att.net or visit www.RECapeCoral.com.

But, as stated last month, new home construction is picking up. As the

makes it worth the extra $20,000-40,000 between existing homes and new homes for many buyers today.

But (there is always a but) in a rising market we are seeing a potential problem that can have costly consequences for buyers who finance and their sellers. Mortgage lenders always require an appraisal to verify the value of the property and to justify it as

We deliver, every day.

Call Lynnie to advertise

910.4575

FIRST HOUR FREE

BUSINESS MENTORS

Here To Help!

The First Hour Free Program is designed to provide Chamber Members with professional business resources to help them start or grow a business, and the First Hour Is Free!!! Need Professional Business Advice? Need to Explore the Merits of a Business Idea? Need to Identify New Opportunities? Looking to Trial a New Business Relationship?

GET YOUR INFORMATION HERE! RESOURCES INCLUDE;

HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT INSURANCE GRAPHIC DESIGN ENGINEERING BUSINESS COACHINGATTORNEY FINANCE ADVERTISING PRINTING ACCOUNTING GOVERNMENT CONSULTANT FIND these professionals by going to www.capecoralchamber.com under “Membership” then Programs.

(239) 549-6900

Diamond Member Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

Lee Memorial Health System P.O. Box 2218 Fort Myers, FL 33902 CenturyLink Store 2710 Del Prado Blvd. South Cape Coral, FL 33904 LCEC 4980 Bayline Dr North Fort Myers, FL 33917

$ LCEC works hard to manage costs, maintain the electric system, improve processes and create efficiencies so that electric rates can remain competitive for customers. We do not plan to raise rates in 2013 and will continue to do everything possible to keep rates stable.

Executive Member Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral

Dean Street Insurance 615 Cape Coral Pkwy W 104, Cape Coral Gulf Coast Village Retirement Community 1333 Santa Barbara Blvd. Cape Coral Premier Oncology Radiation Specialists In Urology 24 Del Prado Blvd N, Cape Coral The News-Press - Fort Myers Office 2442 Dr. MLK Blvd. Ft. Myers Suntrust Bank 530 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL 33904 4532 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904 1533 Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL 33914 2139 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33904

LCEC hasn’t raised electric rates in nearly 5 years!

The increase on your upcoming electric bill is due to a tax imposed by the City of Cape Coral. LCEC customers in Cape Coral will notice a change in their electric bill beginning October 1, 2013. Cape Coral City officials recently levied a public service tax of 7 percent that will be added to monthly electric bills. The new tax will be displayed on your LCEC bill as a separate line item so it can be easily identified.

LCEC is required by law to collect the tax from business and residential customers who purchase electricity in Cape Coral. LCEC will deliver funds to the City similar to how Cape Coral franchise fees are delivered, which are also collected through electric bills.This new tax will be used to fund the City’s general operations. To calculate the amount the monthly public service tax will add to your electric bill, visit www.capecoral.net and utilize the PST Calculator. Please refer any questions regarding the Cape Coral public service tax to the Cape Coral Citizens’ Action Center, 239-574-0425. www.lcec.net • 239-656-2300

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

T

he Boat House of Cape Coral was the place to be for the October Business After Hours. Owner Tom Hansen welcomed more than 100 attendees to his location for some great food and great networking. (Top Right) (Mid Left) Chamber President Mike Quaintance and B. Pat O’Rourke from Lee County EDO. (Mid Right) Tom Hansen, onwer of the Boat House of Cape Coral speaks to the group and announces the winners of the 50/50 raffle.

(Bottom Left) melanie lempke and Linda Kirby from the Chamber are hard at work selling 50/50 tickets to fund scholarships for our local high school graduates.

(Bottom Right) Steve Stewart, Bonnie Sanford and Kim Geiger from Preferred Community bank

A healthy and productive workforce is essential to the success of any business.

The Wellness Center of Cape Coral is designed with you in mind:

Network Administration Maintenance Agreements Off-site Data Storage Dell, Acer, Apple (239) 573-1000 www.entechcomputers.com

and certified staff, an integrated • Degreed • Fitlinxx, with medical oversight by exercise tracking software a physician

most Les Mills group • The exercise programs in the area

screening and • Medical fitness assessment fitness plan for • Customized each member

Free Personal Training Session for all chamber members with a new one-year membership.

that provides feedback on exercise plans

age assessment, • Body including strength,

flexibility, cardio respiratory capacity and body composition

Wellness Center of Cape Coral 609 SE 13th Court Cape Coral, FL 33990

239-573-4800

...

with a purpose. & Have Fun! 2051 Cape Coral Parkway E Cape Coral, FL 33904 (239) 549-6900 (800) 226-9609 www.capecoralchamber.com