Business Notes
LAI RECEIVES VISIT FLORIDA APPOINTMENT
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai recently received confirmation from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Gov. Ron DeSantis of his appointment to the Visit Florida board of directors.
The appointment is effective July 1 and runs through June of 2025.
The board is Visit Florida’s private sector governing body that provides guidance, input and insight into the evolution of its marketing programs. Appointed by Enterprise Florida, in conjunction with the Florida DEO, the board is comprised of representatives from key sectors of the tourism industry and is balanced geographically throughout the state.
Lai has been president and CEO of the chamber since 2017. Prior to that, he served as membership director for eight months. Under Lai’s supervision, Visit Florida named the chamber’s visitor center one of 13 official Florida Certified Tourism Information Centers. He is also responsible for chartering the Southwest Florida Alliance of Chambers in 2018 in response to the water quality crisis.
He currently sits on the board of directors for Lee County Sports, serves as chair elect of the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, and is past president of the Lee County Hotel Association and the Fort Myers Conference and Convention Council.
IWA RECEIVES AWARD FROM SEDA
The Island Water Association received the 2020 “Outstanding Membrane Plant Award” from the Southeast Desalting Association during its Spring Symposium on June 8 in Cape Coral.
The award recognizes outstanding plant operations, maintenance and exemplary treatment plant performance.
“The Island Water Association is unique from other utilities because, in addition to operating our facilities, plant operators perform routine lab work, maintain parts and supplies inventory, and complete upgrades to our equipment, piping and treatment systems,” IWA Production and Safety Coordinator Brandon Henke said. “This hands-on approach gives our operators practical knowledge and maximizes the productivity, safety and reliability of high-quality water service to our membership.”