Annual Report 2011-2012 - Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce

“But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,” faltered Scrooge, who now began to
apply this to himself. ‘Business!’ cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. ‘Mankind was my
business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence,
were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive
ocean of my business!’ - Charles Dickens, 1812-1870. A Christmas Carol
This year, we mark our Chamber’s sapphire anniversary. Our many successes over the past four
and a half decades reflect the strength of our mission, members, values and culture. I think that
the founders of our Chamber would be amazed by how far we have come, and excited about the
opportunities ahead as we continue our charge to serve our members, promote an environment
where businesses can grow and prosper, and enhance the quality of life of the Bonita Springs
area. We are greater than the sum of our parts, and remain the leading advocate for the business
interests of all Southwest Florida residents.
The 2011-2012 Chamber year was a time to assess, retool and revamp for the opportunities
ahead, while maintaining our superior level of offerings to you, our members – our core constituency
- our raison d’etre. We improved financially - reviewing, evaluating and strengthening our
financial policies to ensure steady and sound fiscal strength. We educated - hosting two candidate
forums for mayoral, city council, county clerk, school board, and fire district candidates.
We focused on membership ROI - partnering with Infintech to offer discounted credit card
processing fees, and pressing Tallahassee regulators to reduce health insurance costs via small
group (i.e. Chamber-sponsored) insurance offerings. We nurtured relationships – the over 100
annual Chamber events meant over 100 opportunities for members to network, socialize and
represent their businesses. We advocated - actively voicing the business community’s positions
when addressing proposed government regulation, and monitoring our elected officials’ actions
or inaction. We gave back – benefiting local students through a continued and unique tradition
of scholarship grants (now totaling over $90,000). And we had good times – our Chamber does
not hesitate to use the word “fun” in the same sentence as “work”, “growth” and “profit”.
These, and all of the other accomplishments of the past year, were achieved through the time,
talent and treasures of our selfless volunteers, generous sponsors and dedicated staff. Working
together, working harder, and working smarter, your FIVE STAR Chamber has laid the groundwork
for economic vitality and growth in our corner of the world. And that momentum will
continue under the strong leadership of Joseph Murgalo, your incoming Chairman, and one heck
of a good man.
In closing, I am very pleased to present the 2011-2012 Annual Report of the Bonita Springs Area
Chamber of Commerce. I am humbled by the chance I was given to lead this august organization,
and I extend sincere and most appreciated thanks to all of our Chamber staff, Board of
Directors, committee chairs, volunteers and members. And I encourage all to take part, engage
and contribute to the greater good of our Chamber and our community.
God bless all of you,
James D. Dati, Esq.
Chairman of the Board, 2011-2012
Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce

October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012
Networking
• Produced over 110 events in 2011-2012.
• Our very popular monthly event, Business After Hours,
attracted more than 1,300 people throughout the year.
• A total of 600 people attended Business Before Business
receptions and 52 businesses participated with table top
displays.
• The President’s Club hosted 4 socials for its members
attracting more than 235 Senior Executives to these
events.
Promotional Opportunities/Exposure
• Invest for Success partners totaled over $33,000 for the 2011-
2012 program year with 6 members signing up for the annual
sponsorship packages.
• Lobby Advertising generated over $12,500 in revenue for the
Visitors Center.
• 33,000 visitors stopped by the Visitors Center for assistance
with their travel and business needs.
• The Web site generated over 13,000 page views per month to
the home page alone.
• We continue to provide members the ability to post
coupons to the website to assist participating businesses
in attracting more customers.
• Produced bi-monthly, Chamber E-Briefs sent to 3,500
contacts, highlighting our events, programs and promotions
keeping the membership informed and on top of the many
issues and activities offered each month.
• Developed a monthly Member Appreciation communication
to highlight new and renewing members.
Business/Education Partnerships
• The President’s Club provided $3,000 in scholarships, which
was awarded to three local high school seniors.
• The Ralph A. Richardson Endowment Fund provided $4,000
in scholarships to two local college students.
• The Florida Gulf Coast University Endowment Fund provided
$1,000 in scholarship funds to a high achieving university student
on behalf of the Chamber.
•Total scholarships awarded to date, $90,000.
• We hosted 4 Florida Gulf Coast University interns and two
Estero High School interns at the Chamber in 2011-2012,
developing the leadership skills of our future workforce.
Public Affairs/Economic Development
• Continued to produce a monthly Economic Development
and Government Affairs Report highlighting advocacy and
progress and was sent to 3,500 contacts.
• Launched Government Affairs website specific to the Bonita
Springs area to keep the community better informed about local,
state and federal legislation with bill tracking, news and
contact information.
• Hosted Candidate Forum to allow the public to become further
acquainted with the positions of the candidate’s prior to voting. The
forums included those running for Mayor, City Council, Bonita
Springs Fire and Rescue Commissioner, Lee County School Board
and Lee County Clerk of Courts.
• Developed a position paper supporting EMS Transport for
Bonita Springs Fire and Rescue District and advocated at the
county level on their behalf.
• Successfully advocated at the Lee County Commission to
send the EMS Transport issue to special magistrate.
• Advocated at the Metropolitan Planning Organization to keep
the 951 extension on the long-range transportation map.
• Participated in the grassroots movement against state
Amendment four.
• Lobbied state legislators and the Florida Office of Insurance
Regulation for group health insurance for associations.
• Joined the Southwest Florida Leadership Initiative to execute a
Candidate School that would encourage voter turn-out, develop
candidates and publish a candidate report card.
• Lobbied City Council to table the proposed zoning changes
to Chapter Four.
• Currently working with the City of Bonita Springs to
update initial aspects of zoning for Chapter Four of the
land development code.
• The Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council gave
presentations to the City Council four times this year.
• The EDC received a total of 35 leads from existing, expanding or
relocating businesses during it’s first year.

October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012
• Assisted businesses to fill over 19,900 sq. ft. Saved a total of five
clients $139,116 in impact fees.
• Three expansion/attraction projects are estimated to bring in
$2,702,428, resulting in 22 new jobs, with estimated economic
impact.
• Christine Ross, President and CEO was named person of the
year by the News-Press for development of the Bonita Springs
Estero Economic Development Council.
• The City of Bonita Springs streamlined permitting with Bonita
Springs Fire and Rescue and Bonita Springs Utilities through an
extension of the MOU created last year.
• Successfully advocated for a two year extension on Waiver of
Impact Fee’s on existing buildings to August 2014.
Community Involvement/Tourism
• Collected over 3,000 pounds of food during the Annual
Harvest Night event to help replenish the shelves of the
Bonita Springs Assistance Office’s food supply.
• Collected hundreds of toys at our Annual Holiday Party,
which were donated to the Bonita Springs Assistance Office
for distribution to local families in need.
• Continue to operate the Visitor’s Center welcoming and
informing over 33,000 visitors and residents as a core service
to our members.
• Provided referral services for members along with brochure
and lobby visibility to guests.
• Mailed 1500 information packages to visitors and relocating
citizens highlighting the Bonita Springs area and our members.
• Participated in the Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build;
renovating a home for a single mother in Bonita Springs.
Training/Leadership Development
• Executed the Leadership Bonita program with 19 class
members. As part of the program participants heard from
more than 100 speakers and took 44 tours of local facilities.
• Graduated the 13th class of Leadership Bonita bringing the
active alumni to more than 260 graduates who are poised to
provide the surrounding community with their leadership skills.
• Two staff members participated in Institute for Organization
Management by the US Chamber of Commerce; one staff member
graduated from the four year program.
• Continued to engage in a formal consulting program with
the Small Business Development Center to hold on-site
training services for area businesses.
• Launched the first affinity program providing lower credit
card processing rates exclusively for members.
• Coordinated the first fund raising trip to China with 40
community members traveling from Beijing to Shanghai.
• Staff participated in over 620 hours of professional
development workshops provided by the US Chamber
of Commerce, International Economic Development
Council, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Public
Relations Association, the Florida Association of Chamber
Professionals and FGCU’s MBA program.
Membership Development & Retention
• Recruited more than 165 new members to the Chamber this year.
• Continued to increase membership retention rate.
• Conducted four New Member Welcome Receptions with
nearly 200 new members attending.
• Hosted over 40 ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new or
relocating businesses to the area.
Special Events
• Coordinated the Annual Holiday Party in December with 300
people in attendance. 42 business sponsored gift boxes that
were auctioned to the attendees.
• Hosted the second Annual Kentucky Derby Party presented by
the President’s Club with a crowd of 130 attendees.
• Worked with Florida Gulf Coast University on Market Pulse,
a real estate and economic review symposium showcasing
for the third year in a row a representative from the Federal
Reserve Bank; Vice President and Senior Economist Michael
Bryan.
• Sold out the Annual Golf Tournament with 144 players.
• Hosted TechXPO showcasing technology-related
businesses with more than 22 exhibitors and over 160
attendees.
• Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon sold out with 240 attendees.
• Held annual Business 2 Business Expo showcasing more than
42 exhibitors to 250 attendees.

October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012
• Hosted five Refresher Series classes in August which
offered lunch and education business seminars to over
150 people.
Geographic Location
• Hosted the Summer Lunch Series attracting over 250 local
professionals for power networking and education.
9%
1%
4%
Awards/Recognition
• Encouraged nominations for the Blue Chip Enterprise
Award program sponsored by BB&T Oswald Trippe and
Company.
14%
17%
55%
Bonita Springs
Naples
Fort Myers
Estero
Cape Coral
Other
• Distributed eighteen awards at the 2012 Annual Meeting.
• Received the Bronze Award for our 2011 Holiday Party
program from American Chamber of Commerce Executives.
Organizational
• Financially successful fiscal year, with improved forecast
for 2012-2013.
307
Length of Membership
• Re-applied for Five Star Accreditation through the United
States Chamber of Commerce.
201
184
• The Finance Task Force continued to meet and monitor the
chamber financial report and projections.
• Held a Board Retreat in August to assess results and develop
new three year strategic plan for the organization.
Less than 2
Years
99
2-5 Years 6-10 Years Over 10 Years
• A task force from the membership will develop the boards
strategic outline for approval in October 2012.
• Coordinated the work of more than 20 committees and task
forces to carry out the business plan of the organization.
• Conducted a membership-wide survey to assist with
planning for the organization in 2012-2013.
• Held a Staff Retreat in July to analyze event and program
outcomes in order to adjust for continuous improvement in
the coming year.
Top Five Areas Members Would like to See the
Chamber Focus On
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Top Five Areas You Would like to
See the Chamber Focus On
• Enhanced member visibility on website using customer
relationship management functionality and search engine
optimization.