COTI recognizes its Person of the Year
The Committee of the Islands (COTI) named SanCap Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai as its 2026 Person of the Year during its annual meeting on March 8 on Sanibel.
Board President Bill Millar presented the award, commending Lai for his leadership since he took his current position in 2018 and then seeing the chamber through difficult times — from red tide and a pandemic to three hurricanes.
“Through it all, John has led the local business community with great skill and a calm confidence that has served us well,” he said. “Whether it’s helping his members get back on their feet; testifying before city council, the state Legislature or other governmental bodies; dealing with the media; or participating in innumerable forums and meetings, John is always there making sure the business voice and perspective is heard and included.”
Besides his work for the islands community, Lai has championed tourism by bringing Lee County chambers together to advocate cohesively, as board member and president of VISIT FLORIDA, and as a leader for the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. He grew up in Fort Myers and has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry for 30-plus years.
“Thank you to all of you. To get this recognition from the Committee of the Islands, which does so much for this island and understands the quality of life on this island, it is incredibly humbling and gratifying,” Lai said. “Because serving the SanCap Chamber is so much more than a job. It’s all about people like yourselves, about home and family.”