‘State of FMB Chamber’ deemed to be improving
At the most recent Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, a change of the guard at the board chairman position was announced as was an uplifting report about the financial situation of the local group that promotes business and provides visitor information.
Before outgoing Beach Chamber Chairman John Gavin introduced new Chairman David Anderson, Gavin spoke about the organization’s past hardship and its recent rise in stability. He stated that the Chamber was “struggling to live within its means” during the 2012-13 year.
“We had a budget that would pay the bills based on Ifs,” he said. “I don’t have to tell you that the bills didn’t all get paid.”
In 2013-14, the Beach Chamber hired Bud Nocera as president. Before the end of 2014, under Nocera’s direction, the local chamber converted a Caravel Airstream trailer into a mobile information center (“Roxie”) and placed it on Fort Myers Beach. After downsizing its staff, the organization then moved its main office onto the Beach, going from a building to a suite and lowering utility and insurance costs.
“Hard decisions had to be made, feelings were hurt, but progress was made,” said Gavin. “We had some land mines pop up along the way in the shape of some previous years’ unpaid bills and commitments, but still, in 2014, we lived within our means.”
The new year presents a new outlook for the Beach Chamber, according to Gavin. He referred to his organization as “The New Chamber” in his departing speech.
“We started the new fiscal year caught up on bills and with enough money in the bank to cover January,” said Gavin.
Between the hard times and present day, the Beach Chamber displayed resiliency.
“Not only did we move into a new building (last) year, but we continued on a new direction both with our leadership and our fiscal responsibility,” stated Gavin.
After spending two years as the Beach Chamber treasurer, Anderson knows of the past financial plight and the road ahead. He referred to the local organization as being “in dire financial and organizational straits” just over three years ago.
“Membership was down, our relationship with the Town was strained and things didn’t look good,” he said.
Anderson was happy to report that the Beach Chamber has locked Nocera in for another three years.
“Where we are today is a direct result of his hard work and the efforts that he has put in,” he said. “Now, we have a strong, engaged board of directors, an active, enthusiastic ambassador’s committee as well as an efficient, capable staff. We (have) plans to be debt-free this year. Our relationship with the Town is strong, membership is up and our retention rate is now above the national average for chambers of commerce.”
Anderson spoke about islanders being resilient survivors through hurricanes, tropical storms and oil spills and expressed the need to continue that toughness through the upcoming Estero Boulevard Improvements Project.
Anderson reported that the Beach Chamber will soon provide an “Estero Boulevard Survival Kit,” a guide that will involve financial and emergency planning resources and Chamber programs, to members and nonmembers alike.