Kudos

This column recognizes the outstanding achievements of those in the tourism industry. Please join us in acknowledging these accomplishments. 

New Lee County Holiday Inn tops in guest satisfaction

The new Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport @ Town Center ranked highest in overall guest satisfaction for the more than 900 Holiday Inns in North America. The hotel scored a guest satisfaction rating of 96.3 percent, based on responses to electronic surveys sent by the brand to guests who have stayed at the hotel.

"The challenge is to keep that level of service and spirit as time goes on," said Brian Holly, managing director for the hotel, which opened in February 2009.

The hotel has 169 guest rooms and 7,000 square feet of meeting, banquet and pre-function space. It is located two miles from Southwest Florida International Airport on Alico Road, across from Gulf Coast Town Center. For more information call 239-561-1550 or visit www.hiftmyersairport.com

Edison & Ford Winter Estates earns prestigious award

Members of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) present the Phoenix Award, from left: SATW president Tim O’Keefe; member Annette Thompson, Southern Living; president and CEO Chris Pendleton, Edison & Ford Winter Estates; SATW past president Laurie Borman; member Nancy Hamilton, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau; and member Karen Bartlett, Gulfshore Life. Photo courtesy of Linda Sikes.

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates received the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) 2009 Phoenix Award at a recent reception at the Royal Palm Yacht Club in Fort Myers. The SATW Phoenix Awards recognize organizations actively involved in conservation, preservation and beautification that further the growth and appeal of North American travel destinations.

In nominating the estates, Laurie Borman, SATW past president said, “I saw an inspiring place where visitors can peek into the lives of two American geniuses. These homes bring to life the exciting times and lifestyles of the 1920s, as well as provide a compelling attraction to downtown Fort Myers. I also visited the homes as a child on vacation, so it was especially gratifying to see that this treasure has been preserved for future generations to appreciate.”

The annual award, given since 1969, is an initiative of SATW, a non-profit professional association that works to promote responsible travel journalism and to provide professional support for its members.

“We are grateful to the Society of American Travel Writers for this honor,” said Chris Pendleton, president and CEO of the estates. “The estates’ staff and board of trustees are proud of the newly completed $12 million restoration and will continue to preserve this national historic treasure to provide visitors with a unique historical, scientific, educational and cultural experience.”

The Edison & Ford Winter Estates are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For additional information call 239-334-7419 or visit www.efwefla.org.

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society awards school conservation education grants

Front: Soo Christoff, The Sanibel School; Katie Riemenschneider, Lexington Middle; Trissy Taft-Ladi, Spring Creek Elementary; Toni Westland, refuge environmental education specialist. Back: Kurt Schulte and Barbara Von Harten, The Sanibel School; Doris Hardy, "Ding" Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS); Cheryl Darbyshire, Eric Riemenschneider and Tamara McKay, Lexington Middle; Susan Cassell, DDWS; Emily Maloney and Yolanda Figueroa, Colonial Elementary; and Bambi Fischer, Sunshine Elementary. (Not pictured: Anna Haag, Trafalgar Middle School)

            The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society (DDWS) recently awarded $5,000 in grants to eight conservation education-related projects at six Lee County schools. Teachers submitted 28 grant applications to the DDWS Environmental Education Committee, and a committee chose the awards based on need and relevance to conservation.

Schools funded with the DDWS grants include:

• Colonial Elementary School of Fort Myers for its "The Cycles of Life" and "Down Under the Sea" projects

• Lexington Middle School of Fort Myers for its "Face It! Animals Need Our Protection" and "LXMS Native Shade Tree and Plant Restoration" projects

• Spring Creek Elementary School of Bonita Springs for its "Florida's Most Precious Gifts" project

• Sunshine Elementary School of Lehigh Acres for its "They Walk, They Crawl; We're Friends to All" project

• The Sanibel School for its "A Digital Guidebook to 'Ding' Darling" project

• Trafalgar Middle School of Cape Coral for its "Special Needs Students Saving Sanibel's Beaches" project.

"This is the fourth year the Society has awarded these conservation teacher grants," says Doris Hardy, education committee chair. "The student projects get more interesting and exciting each year, it seems. We are happy to be able to fulfill our education mission in such a meaningful, well-appreciated manner."
            The teacher grants are funded by DDWS funds received from the “Ding” Darling Foundation specifically for education. For more information on next year's grants, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org or contact Toni Westland at 239-472-1100, ext. 237 or Doris Hardy at hardydd@comcast.net.

VCB hosts Superior Small Lodging Association statewide meeting

From left to right, back row: John Ambrosio, Superior Small Lodging Association state chairman; Andrea Carriere, Silver Sands Villas; Cynthia Welch, Bokeelia Tarpon Inn; Ed Monroy, Fountain Motel; front row: Nancy MacPhee, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau; Tamara Pigott, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau; Cheryl Martin, Beach Shell Inn.

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) recently hosted the annual meeting of the Superior Small Lodging Association of Florida. The executive board met to review past accomplishments and set goals including an aggressive marketing plan for the upcoming year.

Eligibility for participation in the program is restricted to properties with 50 rooms or less. Unannounced inspections are conducted with a required passing grade for membership of 82 percent. The review is based on six different property attributes: registration/operations/public places, guest accommodations, bathrooms, bathroom supplies, kitchens and property exterior. In addition, properties that receive a perfect score in housekeeping receive the coveted Donal A. Dermody White Glove Award, named after the program’s founder.

      Lee County boasts 22 association members and the following received the prestigious white glove award this year: Beach Shell Inn, Fort Myers Beach; Blue Dolphin, Sanibel; Bokeelia Tarpon Inn, Bokeelia; Casa Loma, Cape Coral; Fountain Motel, Fort Myers; Gulf Breeze Cottages, Sanibel; Manatee Bay Bed & Breakfast, Fort Myers Beach; Palms of Sanibel, Sanibel; Sandpiper Inn, Sanibel; Silver Sands Villas, Fort Myers Beach; Sunshine Island Inn, Sanibel; and The Palm View, Sanibel.

Wall Street Journal recognizes Florida Rep’s production

            Wall Street Journal drama critic Terry Teachout recently included Florida Repertory Theatre’s production “Dancing at Lughnasa” on his “Best of 2009” list featuring a handful of productions on Broadway, across the country and in Canada.

"As I look back on the reviews I filed from every corner of America ... I have no trouble singling out the high spots," Teachout wrote. “I also got much pleasure out of a strong pair of revivals that I saw in Florida, Palm Beach Dramaworks’ production of ‘The Chairs’... and Florida Repertory Theatre's lovely version of Brian Friel’s ‘Dancing at Lughnasa.’” 

For more information on Florida Rep’s current productions, visit www.floridarep.org.

To share a kudos for awards, promotions or other accomplishments in the local tourism industry, e-mail lrose@leegov.com.

Home Page