BUG: Recognition program at Littleton recognized 110 children last month. Thank you for volunteering Harris and Barb Segel and Dick Arndt. The r ecognition program (photo below) at Orangewood elementary where our member Angela Nader is the principal presented awards to 106 children (thank you for volunteering Barbara Hartman, Chrysten Foley, Liz Ross, Harris Segel). Please e xcuse any omission of volunteer names, these were only names reported.

 

Tamara Pigott, Executive Director for the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau was our speaker today. With her was Nicole King-Smith. 4,808,677 people visited Lee County in 2016 and spent 34 billion. 57,000 jobs were created as a result. She provided us with other statistics on being origins of our visitors. 27% are international. The top 3 countries are Germany, Canada and the UK. Top US cities/states are New York, Indianapolis, Boston. One their current goals is to grow off season visitors. 2017 brings a brand new campaign although the brand remains the same. She showed us two short videos one focuses on the beauty of our islands and the other targets the millennial generation. April 21st is National Seashell day and in the fall they will be hosting the annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. We received a pocket guide of our county with a host of facts and information. Visit their website and have a copy sent to friends. To learn more visit www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com,   www.LeeVCB.com or call 239-338-3500.