Business Notes
CHAMBER TO HOLD BUSINESS LUNCHEON
In partnership with the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the SanCap Chamber will hold its business luncheon meeting on April 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, at 17260 Harbour Point Drive, Fort Myers.
The guest speaker will be Norman Love Confections co-founder Norman Love. The award-winning chocolatier and Fort Myers entrepreneur will share insights from his journey building one of the country’s premier luxury chocolate brands.
After a successful 13-year career as executive pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Love launched his business in 2001 in Fort Myers. What began as a wholesale venture evolved into a highly sought-after retail brand, now featuring multiple chocolate salons at seven Florida locations.
The cost is $40 for members and $50 for non-members through April 10.
After April 10, it is $50 for members and $60 for non-members.
To register or for more information, visit tinyurl.com/41426luncheon.
SCIAR HOSTS LUNCH, LEARN PROGRAM
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) hosted a Lunch & Learn program on March 17 at its office on Sanibel.
Guest speakers and Clive Daniel Home Director of Business Development Bonnie Ell and interior designer Amber Redden presented “What’s Your Style?”
It began with an interactive style quiz that allowed members to discover their design preferences while gaining insight into a variety of interior design styles, ultimately helping them better understand how design influences buyer perception, enhances lifestyle appeal and can contribute to increased sales.
WOMEN WHO CARE HOLDS NEXT MEETING
100+ Women Who Care Sanibel & Captiva Islands hosted its second meeting of the season on March 10 at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors on Sanibel.
Members heard presentations from representatives from local nonprofits: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium Board President Clair Beckmann, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife’s (CROW) Corrie Presland-Byrne, and Sanibel Music Festival Board Co-President Deborah Larson.
Afterward, they voted to select CROW to receive the primary donation of over $20,000.
Thanks to the generosity of anonymous donors, the other nonprofits will also receive a donation.
Also at the meeting, members heard an update from the Children’s Education Center of the Islands on the impact of last year’s donation, plus a grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation.
100+ Women Who Care Sanibel & Captiva Islands is powered by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, and Florida Trust Wealth Management is its season sponsor.
For more information, visit SanCap100.org.
CFI BOARD WELCOMES BACK CONGRESS
The Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) announced that Melissa Congress has rejoined its board of directors, bringing with her decades of community leadership, philanthropic involvement and a deep commitment to the Sanibel and Captiva community.
Congress has been a Sanibel resident since 1989 and a respected community leader whose service spans education, health, environment, arts and social services. She is co-owner of Congress Jewelers, which consistently supports local nonprofits and community initiatives.
Congress has held leadership and volunteer roles with island organizations, including BIG ARTS, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Sanibel Community Association, and The Sanibel School PTA. She serves on the advisory board for the Children’s Education Center of the Islands, and she was a founding member of Sanibel-Captiva Cares.
Congress previously served on the CFI board and held the role of vice chair.
SCCF STAFFER RECOGNIZED WITH AWARD
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) announced that Marine Lab Director Eric Milbrandt, Ph.D., was honored by the Fort Myers Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA).
He was named the 2026 CCA Fort Myers Dan Shannon Conservationist of the Year for his commitment to conservation at the 41st Annual CCA Florida Fort Myers Chapter Banquet & Auction on March 19 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers.
CIYC MEMBERS HONORED WITH AWARD
The Captiva Island Yacht Club (CIYC) announced that members Jimi and Fawn Batchelor earned the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs’ (FCYC) Annual Cruising Award for completing The Great Loop.
The honor was presented at a recent FCYC meeting at The Venice Yacht Club and marks a historic milestone as it is the first time that a member of the CIYC has received the award.
The Great Loop is a journey spanning thousands of miles through interconnected waterways across the eastern United States and Canada — an accomplishment that reflects dedication, skill and a true passion for boating.
In recognition of their achievement, the award will be displayed at the club over the coming year, serving as a point of pride and an inspiration for fellow members and the broader community.
MAGAZINE SHOOT TAKES PLACE ON ISLANDS
Fort Myers — Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods partnered with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit to serve as the backdrop for the annual Swimsuit issue, which recently launched digitally and will run in the May print issue.
Set against the soft, white-sand beaches and natural landscapes, the collaboration elevated the area’s coastal beauty as the stage for the magazine to continue celebrating beauty in all its forms.
Featuring Orlandria, Jena Sims, Christen Goff, Katie Austin, Ellie Thumann, Jasmine Sanders and Gabi Moura, the May issue champions inclusivity and body positivity by featuring internationally recognized figures from A-list entertainers to world-class athletes and pop culture powerhouses.
Plans to feature the Fort Myers area were presented at the Lee County Tourist Development Council’s meeting on Jan. 8. Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau Chief Marketing Officer Brian Ososky outlined plans for the photoshoot to take place in January.
The shoot took place at some of the most well-known and beloved spots across the area’s barrier islands, including the Sanibel Lighthouse and Bowman’s Beach Park on Sanibel, South Seas on Captiva, and Cayo Costa State Park. The models were also photographed aboard a Sundance Sailing sailboat and the historic Fish Shacks of the Pine Island Sound.
For more information, visit https://swimsuit.si.com/swimnews/2026-issue-fort-myers-reveal.
HM RESTAURANT GROUP OPENS MARINA
HM Restaurant Group announced the debut of The Marina at Bonita Fish Company at the Fisherman’s Wharf on Fort Myers Beach.
The new 30-slip deep-water facility offers quick and direct Gulf access, accommodates vessels up to 100 feet and provides both long- and short-term slip options. It also offers slips for day boaters visiting any of the group’s three restaurants along the wharf.
The marina offers full water hookups and will introduce power this summer. It does not accept liveaboards.
The company began accepting long- and short-term rental reservations and leases on April 1.
For more information, visit bonitafishco.com/marina and the Dockwa app.
The HM Restaurant Group manages the Bonita Fish Company, Dixie Fish Company, and Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille.
BANK OF THE ISLANDS SERVES AS SPONSOR
Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands is a bronze hammer sponsor for Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties’ Women Build 2026 initiative.
It has supported the initiative since it was established in Southwest Florida in 2011.
Each year, Women Build brings together women and men to support safe, decent homes for female-led families in Lee and Hendry. The annual campaign raises funds for local home-building efforts to help women and their families, partnering with Habitat for affordable homeownership.
On March 7, several Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands team members donated their time for the annual Women Build Day, working alongside other volunteers to paint, sweep, patch and sand a future home for a Cape Coral family seeking homeownership.
ISLAND-OWNED BUSINESS RECOGNIZED
PrivateSky Aviation Services announced that it and one of its employee were recognized at the second annual Aviation International News (AIN) FBO Awards Gala on March 26 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The company was honored with the “Commitment to Progress” award, and it was listed as one of the top “FBO, Aviation Services Organizations.”
In addition, Operation Manager Dominick Dedominicis received the “Above and Beyond” award.
Sanibel resident Vincent M. Wolanin is chairman and founder of PrivateSky Aviation Services in Fort Myers.