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NFM Chamber holds membership drive to build stronger presence in 2009

3 min read

Many businesses are joining the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce to help strengthen the local business community. For those that do from now through March 31, the owner or contact person will get placed into a drawing to win two round-trip tickets abroad JetBlue Airlines to fly anywhere the company flies in the continental U.S.

Also, every renewed chamber membership that pays within the time frame and any active member that recommends a new business that joins the chamber will also be placed in the drawing.

The winner of this contest will be announced at the chamber’s April Business Leaders Luncheon. The chamber luncheons are held every third Wednesday of the month.

The drive just started recently and Chamber Executive Director Dina Porter said it’s already going well.

“I’ve already had four new members this week alone,” she said. “It’s fabulous to be able to offer this incentive for new and returning members.”

Tracy Trader, general manager of JetBlue, said her company was happy to offer the chamber the incentive. She also talked about JetBlue.

“The new airport has been wonderful for us,” she said. “We’ve had two more gates since November.”

She said JetBlue tries to offer a product that is attractive to both business and family flyers.

“We’re giving what we call ‘the JetBlue Experience,” she said. “Our new slogan is ‘We’re Jetting,” which is not just flying, it’s a customer service experience.”

She said other airlines have looked at cutting customer comfort and to add costs while they do not.

“We don’t charge for snacks or drinks, you can have seconds of you wants,” she said. “Some airlines are charging for the first bag, we’re not.”

She added that the winner can fly anywhere JetBlue flies. “That includes Cancun, Aruba, the West Coast.”

She mentioned some other locations including Boston, JFK and Newark.

“We’re also serving Washington Dulles as of this month, we began serving Buffalo and we’ll do White Plains over the summer,” she said.

“We are excited to be able to offer this additional incentive for new businesses to join the chamber,” said John Gardner, chamber president-elect. “We have a lot of great programs to offer our members and would like to see new faces at our many business events.”

The chamber’s mission is to foster the economic vitality and quality of life within the North Fort Myers area, he added.

Chamber officials remind members and potential members to save the date for the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Grand Re-Opening celebration and membership drive being hosted by Tom and Pam Cronin Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Shell Factory’s Dolphin Room.

For more information call Porter at the chamber office at 997-9111.