TRAFFIC ALERT TODAY!

Both the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox have home games today (Tuesday, March 30). The Twins game at Hammond Stadium starts at 12:05PM and the Red Sox game at Jet Blue Stadium starts at 1:05PM. Peak traffic is anticipated between the hours of 11:30AM and 1:00PM and then again between 3:45PM and 4:30PM.
APRIL'S QUICKLIST
Thursday, April 1 - Member Advocacy Committee Meeting (8:30AM)

Friday, April 2 - Equity Committee Meeting (8:00AM)

Wednesday, April 7 - Ambassadors Committee Meeting (8:30AM), Women in Business Event (4:00PM)

Thursday, April 8 - P2P Lunch Meeting (11:45AM), Ribbon Cutting, Homewell Care Services (4:30PM)

Tuesday, April 13 - Leadership NEXT Event (5:00PM)

Wednesday, April 14 - P2P Morning Meeting (8:15AM)

Friday, April 16 - Cornhole Tournament (1:00PM)

Tuesday, April 20 - Chamber Board Meeting (7:30AM), Chamber Foundation Board Meeting (8:45AM)

Wednesday, April 21 - Women in Business Committee Meeting (4:00PM)

Thursday, April 22 - P2P Lunch Meeting (11:45AM), Ribbon Cutting, Home 2 Suites by Hilton (5:30PM)

Tuesday, April 27 - Leadership NEXT Committee Meeting (8:30AM)

Wednesday, April 28 - P2P Morning Meeting (8:15AM), Luncheon (11:30AM)

Thursday, April 29 - Ribbon Cutting, Murano at Three Oaks (4:30PM)
LEARN ABOUT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Women in Business Committee will host 11 nonprofits showcasing volunteer opportunities at their April 7 networking event at Bell Tower.


The event, which runs from 4:00-6:00PM on Wednesday, April 7, will be hosted by Bell Tower, and appetizers will be provided by Chamber member Burntwood Tavern. $10 for Chamber members, $20 for future members. Admission includes one complimentary beverage. 
ENTREPRENEURS FROM THE WINE ROOM & GRAZING HAUS FEATURED
April's Leadership NEXT event on April 13 will be hosted at The Wine Room Fort Myers. We will hear from Sarah Newcomb, the founder of the The Wine Room, and Ali Strauss-Eck, from Grazing Haus who will share about their entrepreneurial experiences building their businesses.

The event, which runs from 5:00-7:00PM on Tuesday, April 13, is free to attend for members of the Chamber, and $10 for future members. Admission includes one complimentary beverage. Attendance will be limited, and registration is required. We thank you in advance for wearing a mask when you cannot distance. 

Leadership NEXT's Annual Sponsor is the Florida Gulf Coast University Alumni Association.

This month's event sponsor is TECO Peoples Gas.
PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY DRIVE
Community Cooperative is asking businesses and the community to help support a Peanut Butter & Jelly collection drive through April 21. Peanut butter and jelly are some of the most frequently requested items at mobile food pantries because it is kid-friendly, shelf-stable, and protein-rich. Community Cooperative will be gathering supplies to keep shelves stocked all summer long at a Peanut Butter & Jelly Food Drive and Community Weigh-In April 21.

In addition, the collection honors Community Cooperative’s late founder Sam Galloway Jr., who began the Soup Kitchen 37 years ago by handing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches after church in downtown Fort Myers to people who needed food.
 
Donations are needed of any brand or type of peanut butter, almond or alternative nut butter, jelly or jam in plastic jars instead of glass. Also, no expired or homemade items or pre-made sandwiches will be accepted.
 
A Weigh-In to see which team and individual collected the most peanut butter and jelly is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. April 21 at Community Cooperative with prizes and fun.
 
For more info on the PB&J drive, email Tami@communitycooperative.com. A Food Drive Tool Kit and printable flyers are available to decorate collection boxes or bins. Financial donations to purchase peanut butter and jelly for the drive are also welcome. For more information visit Community Cooperative's website.
2ND ANNUAL CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT - ALMOST SOLD OUT!
If you've been considering participating in the Chamber's Cornhole Tournament on April 16, don't delay - there are only a handful of places remaining for teams. This event is a great opportunity for outdoor, team-building fun!

The tournament is presented by iBERIABANK and this year we're having it in Downtown Fort Myers next to the Chamber at Florida Repertory Theatre's outdoor venue. Check-in is at 1:00PM with tournament play from 2:00-5:00PM. Afterwards, stay for Music Walk downtown!
 
The tournament is open to 32 teams and we'll have double elimination rounds leading to the winning team. Fort Myers Brewing Company is the official beer of the tournament. Sponsors include Florida Repertory Theatre, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Pool Pros, APEX Roofing & Restoration, Decorum Luxury Apartments, NFI Masks, Inceptus, Gulfpoint Construction and Crowne Plaza Fort Myers at Bell Tower.

$200 per team - includes 4 people (2 players, 2 alternates) food from Bubba's Roadhouse, 2 adult Craft Beers or Spyked Seltzers from Fort Myers Brewing for each team member over 21, unlimited soft drinks from Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, and 4 stainless Cornhole tumblers.
CHAMBER LUNCHEON - ALL ABOUT INTERNSHIPS
On April 28 we will discuss all things internships - from development to best practices – to ensure that the opportunities you offer will both challenge and support students as they expand their professional horizons. Our guest speaker is Ashleigh Droz, the Director of the Office of Internships & Cooperative Programs at Florida Gulf Coast University.
 
The event runs from 11:30AM-1:00PM on Wednesday, April 28 at the Crowne Plaza. $25 for Chamber Members, $35 for Future Chamber Members. Limited seating available to allow for distance seating. Masks are required in public areas of the hotel. 
The Chamber reserves the right to reschedule in-person events based on COVID-19 data.