Chambers of Commerce in Southwest Florida: Bringing Value to the Community

As residents of Southwest Florida, we are extremely lucky to have a variety of Chambers of Commerce serving our community. These Chambers represent and advocate for our local communities. From promoting volunteerism to offering advertising to local businesses, these Chambers offer a great deal of value to our local businesses and residents. Some have been around for over 50 years!

We’ve compiled a list of the Chambers of Commerce serving the Southwest Florida area. Included are the Chambers’ leaders and what value they offer to the community and their members.

Above Board Chamber of Florida

President: Jeanne Sweeney

The Above Board Chamber of Florida is an organization that focuses on bringing people of faith together in the community and workplace. Above Board uses Biblical principles to impact each member’s life using speakers and community outreach programs.

Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce

President: Richard Edwards

The Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce gathers the business community of Boca Grande to facilitate the success of not only their own businesses, but of the community as a whole. The Boca Grande Chamber offers the successes that stem from a group effort and also networking and business opportunities for its members.

Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce

President/CEO: Christine A. Ross

The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is focused on providing as many benefits as possible to local residents and businesses along with upholding Bonita Springs’ reputation as a beautiful place to play and work. The United States Chamber of Commerce has also recognized the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce by awarding them the Five-Star Accreditation status. The Bonita Springs Area Chamber also offers numerous networking events for members along with chamber committees and task forces.

Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce

President: Mike Quaintance

The Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce supports the growth of over 1,000 member businesses in SWFL. The mission of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce is: “To promote and serve businesses & the community.” The Cape Coral Chamber offers events throughout the year and also offers sponsorship and networking opportunities.

The Chamber of Southwest Florida

Executive Director: David K. Miller

The Chamber of Southwest Florida is an organization that defines leadership as a contribution to the community. The Chamber is a strong advocate for members’ interests before the government and strives to “encourage a continuing development of regional infrastructure.” The Chamber of Southwest Florida also strives to keep members informed by providing links to area businesses and government resources. Some Chamber of SWFL members include Edison State College, Southwest Florida Works, and the Lee County Sheriff’s office.

Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida

Chairman of the Board: John Spence

The Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida is like any other chamber organization. Business is the main focus, but with an emphasis on the Christian businessperson and individual. The Christian Chamber of SWFL provides a place for the Christian businessperson to express their faith. “The goal of the Christian Chamber is to inform, educate, and motivate Christian business people to be better at what they do…” Members of the Christian Chamber of SWFL include 88.7 WAY-FM, Jason’s Deli, and Merrill Lynch.

Estero Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director: Grace Fortuna

The Estero Chamber of Commerce focuses on keeping Estero sustained through the support of local businesses and community members. The Estero Chamber of Commerce places a significant emphasis on its role to “promote, advocate, educate, assist, and involve our members and the Estero community.” The Estero Chamber of Commerce offers many networking and advertising opportunities to businesses that choose to become members. Members of the Estero Chamber of Commerce include The American Cancer Society, California Pizza Kitchen, and Miromar Outlets West, LLC.

Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce

President: Frank (Bud) Nocera

The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce places its focus on bringing new people to the community. Tourism brings in a significant amount of revenue to Southwest Florida’s economy, and this Chamber provides visitors with tips and ideas. With a complete list of things to do and places to see, the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce promotes local businesses through their business directory and articles. In addition to promoting to visitors, the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce is a forum for local news and events for year-round residents.

Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

President: Heather Christie

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce focuses on building and maintaining a thriving business sector in the greater Fort Myers area. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber knows what it’s like to deal with difficult economic times, and offers great value to its members through networking and advertising opportunities. The Chamber also offers exposure to its members through free job postings on its website.

Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce

President: John Paeno

The Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce puts its efforts toward “developing, promoting, and protecting the commercial, professional, financial, and general business sector of the greater Pine Island area.” This Chamber offers tourism information for those looking to visit and help to promote local businesses. Along with networking opportunities, members of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce can take part in its Mango Mania event – an event that attracts over 10,000 people!

Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce

President/CEO: Gary Bright

The Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce has a very clear goal for its mission: “To promote and advance the civic, economic, and social welfare of the community of Lehigh Acres.” Lehigh Acres is relatively smaller than the Fort Myers area, but is growing at a steady pace. Many local businesses benefit from memberships with the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce. Many residents look toward their local Chamber of Commerce for business information – this in turn fosters the local community.

Lee County Chamber of Commerce

President: Armando Nargi

The Lee County Chamber of Commerce says it loud and clear: “Supporting local businesses & YOU!” While offering free visitor guides to support the tourism industry, the Lee County Chamber also offers events and networking opportunities for its members. Like other Chambers of Commerce, the Lee County Chamber of Commerce also offers advertising to its members to promote their businesses through events, directories, and through Lee County Magazine.

North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

President: Dick Collins

The North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce has its office based out of one of the beloved attractions in Lee County – The Shell Factory. The North Fort Myers Chamber offers advertising opportunities on its website along with information to tourists about the North Fort Myers area. Networking opportunities for local businesses are some other benefits added by the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce with many business luncheons each month.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

President: Ric Base

If potential visitors need any information about Sanibel or Captiva Island, they don’t need to look any further than the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce.  This Chamber focuses on promoting its local businesses through listing things to do, places to eat, places to stay, and even information about holding weddings! Visitors can also look at live beach footage of the islands!

Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

President/CEO: Veronica Culbertson

The Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides many opportunities to local businesses through advertising and networking events. The Chamber holds regular business luncheons and monthly “After-Hour” events. The Chamber also offers educational opportunities to members through seminars, workshops, orientations to starting/growing your own business, and person-to-person consultations.

Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director: Winifred Thomas

“Serving tourism and business in the Florida Everglades” – this is the mission statement of the Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce. Its mission statement represents exactly what the Chamber accomplishes. On its website, the Everglades Area Chamber of Commerce has a section solely dedicated to visitor information along with a section for local residents/businesses to offer information about the community.

German American Business Chamber of Florida, Southwest Chapter

President: Jim Hollars

The German American Business Chamber of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit association of businesspeople to promote economic exchange between the state of Florida and the Federal Republic of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Members of this association have the opportunity to network with businesses to exchange information concerning international business with Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Immokalee Chamber of Commerce

President: Bernardo Barnhart

The Immokalee Chamber of Commerce focuses its attention on the growth and success of local businesses. Along with assisting with the expansion of businesses, the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce also puts a great deal of effort toward attracting new businesses to the Immokalee area. On its website, it provides a list of the top benefits from membership which include networking opportunities, website advertising opportunities, and regional/governmental advocacy.

Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director: Sandi Riedemann

The Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce promotes local businesses and tourism in the Marco Island area. Like many other Chambers, the Marco Island Area Chamber offers many benefits to its members. A main benefit is the opportunity to network and advertise within the community. The Marco Island Chamber of Commerce also hosts a blog on its website informing members and residents of events, business openings, and other news.

Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce

President/CEO: Mike Reagen, PhD

The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce serves not only the Naples area, but also the entire Collier County. This Chamber offers most of the other benefits offered by other Chambers including networking events/opportunities. In addition, the Greater Naples Chamber also has a section of its website dedicated to people looking to volunteer or intern. Other benefits offered by the Greater Naples Chamber include educational opportunities, government advocacy, and targeted advertising.

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director: Julie Mathis

The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce “is organized to advance the prosperity and general welfare of its business members and the community they serve.” Its mission (like many other Chamber missions) is clear and concise about what they plan to achieve. The Charlotte County Chamber has many goals set for the Charlotte County community. This Chamber also offers networking opportunities along with the provision of business leadership.

Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce

President: John R. Wright

The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce hopes to promote local businesses through the marketing of Punta Gorda as a wonderful place to live, work, and play. This Chamber offers many benefits to its members, which in turn promotes growth within the community. Networking and advertising opportunities are the main benefits offered by this Chamber. Other benefits include community recognition, business seminars, and governmental advocacy.

To Our Chambers: We Thank You!

When all is said and done, Chambers of Commerce exist to serve their communities as a whole. Whether it’s through the promotion of local businesses to residents or upholding a city’s reputation for the tourism industry, one thing is definitely clear: our Southwest Florida Chambers do an excellent job of serving our area. We look forward to seeing all that they accomplish in the future!