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NFM Chamber’s ‘Taste’ deemed highlight of 2014

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Despite a slight dip in membership and the decision to not hold its “Redneck Games” event, 2014 was a good year for the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce.

And Chamber Executive Director Chris Jackson remains confident that the organization is as strong as ever.

Jackson said the “Taste” event was the highlight of the year for the Chamber, adding that restaurants such as Longhorns in South Fort Myers have already shown interest for 2015.

“We’re very excited about how it did in its second year. We’re going to do it again this April,” Jackson said. “Everyone enjoyed it, and the vendors were very pleased and it should snowball to make it bigger yet.”

Jackson said among the first things the Chamber will do is gear up the Honorary Mayor campaign in new and exciting ways, as well as possibly being part of the Edison Festival of Light Parade next month.

“Things like that are great for us and the community because it helps showcase the Chamber, its involvement in the community and shows how we’re a vital force in North Fort Myers,” Jackson said.

Jackson said he wants to make the mayoral “election” a huge event, rather than the low-key one it was last year at the Chamber office. The chamber is working on the parameters and hopes to have it ready in the first quarter of the year.

“I can see it as being our biggest event of the year in terms of participation and level of the candidates and impacting the community,” Jackson said.

Another highlight was the announcement that LCEC will, for the next several years, help fund the Chamber’s foundation, which funds college scholarships to high school students.

There were some disappointments, such as the cancellation of the Redneck Games due to lack of sponsorships and availability of organizations to make it happen.

“We couldn’t make it happen in time and we’re evaluating for 2015,” Jackson said.

Membership in the Chamber is at about 200, down slightly from 2013 as some businesses left or closed, Jackson said.

One of the big gets for the Chamber was Love’s Travel Stop on Bayshore Road, just off the highway, one of the first big businesses to set up shop on that crucial interchange.

Jackson said plans are in the works to beef up membership and the value of membership to members beyond the standard meet-and-greet after-hours events and luncheons.

Jackson did a Facebook seminar in partnership with the Small Business Development Center in November, which was free to members and very successful. In 2015, he will mail out the monthly newsletter to increase visibility.

“It lasted six hours, and FGCU sent one of its key people, and it was a great event. We’re looking to provide value to our members,” Jackson said.

As for 2015, Jackson and the chamber board, now led by former “mayor” and new president Al Giacalone, are now discussing what their plans are moving forward. Among the challenges, Jackson said, is to decide on the appropriate time to stage a major event, especially this time of year, so the Chamber doesn’t step on toes.

“We’re grateful to the participation of our businesses and we look forward to expanding those relationships in 2015,” Jackson said.