Member News

Fort Myers, FL (Dec. 17, 2018) – Public Relations University is the Southwest Florida chapter’s annual full-day conference, bringing together state and national experts in public relations. The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019 at the award-winning Holiday Inn Fort Myers Town Center.
This year’s theme ‘Hat Tricks’ addresses the functions of public relations and the many hats public relations, marketing and communications professionals wear every day. The conference is open to the public and will provide professionals in all business sectors real-world tools and best practices in public relations, marketing and communications. Attendees can expect current case studies, emerging strategies and tangible tactics to apply in the New Year.
Speakers represent a wide-range of industries and sectors. Opening the event is international lifestyle designer and owner of Jet. Set. State, Jason Teeters, with a high-energy, motivational message designed specifically for the professional managing the brands and communication goals of others. Attendees will then take a ‘ride’ with Alyson Lundell, APR, CPRC, Senior Director of PR for Universal Orlando Resort, into the opening of The Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon and Fast & Furious – Supercharged. Switching gears, April Salter of Salter Mitchell PR will share her crisis communications and media relations experience in the 2016 election regarding the Russian hacking attempt. More details and a full line up of speakers and topics featured at PRU will be available at FPRASWFL.org.
Early registration is $75 for FPRA and PRSA members and $100 for non-members by Dec. 28. Registration after Dec. 28 is $99 for FPRA and PRSA members, $129 for non-members, $60 for students (scholarship opportunities available).
Registration includes a pre-conference networking event the evening before, educational sessions, meals and refreshments. Registration closes Jan. 18, 2019. Professionals accredited with their APR earn two continuing education points toward maintenance requirements. Rooms at a discounted conference rate of $189 are available.
For more information and registration, go to https://www.fpraswfl.org/event-registration/fpra-events/pruniversity/.
For a downloadable image, please click here: http://bit.ly/2OSGkMT
 

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (Dec. 14, 2018) – Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment presents Lonestar live in concert at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee on Sunday, March 17  at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale now for $79 and are available by phone at 1-800-514-ETIX or online at www.moreinparadise.com or www.jaytv.com/florida.
Known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals, Lonestar – Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (lead guitar & backing vocals), Keech Rainwater (drums), and Dean Sams (keyboards & backing vocals) – has amassed RIAA-certified sales in excess of 10 million album units since their national launch in 1995. The group achieved 10 #1 country hits including “No News,” “Come Crying To Me,” and their crossover smash “Amazed.” The band’s awards include a 1999 ACM Single of The Year for “Amazed” (the song also won the Song of the Year award), and the 2001 CMA Vocal Group of the Year. With more than 100 dates worldwide per year, they are celebrating more than 20 years together. Lonestar’s most recent CD “Never Enders” features ten original Lonestar songs that bring the band’s trademark sound into the contemporary arena.
About Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Open 24/7; 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 51,000-square-foot plus casino offers 1,300 slots, and 38 live table games including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. Dining options include the award-winning 1^st Street Deli, Asian fusion restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and the recently renovated EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Seminole Casino Hotel’s nightlife is highlighted by the Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, “where the party never ends” featuring nightly live entertainment and no last call. Additional entertainment and events are held at the Seminole Center, an indoor/outdoor special event center featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. The new Seminole Casino Hotel is the first upscale hotel to open in or near Immokalee and offers suites and deluxe guestrooms with modern décor and features, plus amenities including a swimming pool with private cabanas, 24-hour fitness studio and free Wi-Fi.
Located at 506 South 1^st Street in Immokalee, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida via I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport is only a 45-minute drive from the casino. Located between Miami and Naples, north of Alligator Alley on Highway 846, it is five blocks south of Highway 29. Approximately 30 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers, the casino is a 90-minute drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Seminole Casino Hotel participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem comp dollars at all Seminole Casinos in Florida. For more information, call toll-free (800) 218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com  or facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

Cryoskin 3.0, infrared sauna pod therapies arrive in Southwest Florida 
CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Dec. 13, 2018) – Imagine Wellness Spa is furthering its investment in mind, body and soul with the acquisition of revolutionary new esthetic and wellness tools. The Cape Coral therapeutic day spa is hosting a special event to introduce the technology, available in Southwest Florida for the first time, and celebrate the second anniversary of its current location.
The public is invited to join Imagine Wellness Spa founder Carleen Murone and her team for an open house and happy hour from noon-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at the spa on 1404 Del Prado Blvd., Suite 100. Attendees can learn about the spa’s full range of wellness, body and esthetics services, including new, nationally trending Cryoskin 3.0 treatments and the world-renowned Cocoon Wellness Pro Infrared Sauna Pod.
“Cryoskin 3.0 destroys fat cells, reduces cellulite and provides non-surgical facelifts,” Murone said. “It can cut inches off waistlines and, along with toning, it improves the skin’s appearance.”
The treatments come with access to TLS Weight Loss Solution coaches who help clients maintain the slimmer, more youthful look that Cryoskin 3.0 gives them.
“Cryoskin utilizes the latest technology on the market and may one day replace cool sculpting because it’s more affordable and comfortable,” Murone said. “Best of all, clients are getting results.”
The Cocoon Wellness Pro Infrared Sauna Pod acts as a relaxing dry heat sauna, dual-wave massage vibration system, salt therapy chamber and aromatherapy device, all in one. It also includes dynamic resistance bands that accommodate high-intensity interval training exercises.
The multifaceted pod offers a hard-to-find total wellness system at just $45 for a 30-minute session.
“The closest Cocoon pods are in Tampa or Miami,” Murone said. “There are only a handful in the state of Florida and we will also be a showroom location for anyone looking to see one and try before they buy.”
The spa is also featuring other new wellness technologies, including the K85 Beierplasm Fibroblast Lift Plasma Pen, which helps tighten skin on the face and neck. To help introduce the innovative plasma pen to the market, Imagine Wellness Spa will hold a training session for estheticians, permanent makeup artists and medical esthetics workers on Jan. 20-21, with specifics available by calling 239-471-7029.
Specials and packages make it easy to try all the new services at the spa. Introductory packages are available for the infrared sauna pod, and Murone is giving 15 percent off a five-session Cryoskin 3.0 package to the first 20 clients who schedule an appointment by calling 239-471-7029. Visit imaginebycarleen.com to see other deals.
 
Imagine Wellness Spa
Imagine Wellness Spa is a therapeutic day spa focused on wellness and gentle clinical treatments targeting the root cause of clients’ concerns. Services include skin treatments, IV therapy, fitness resources, massage, body wrapping, makeup, oncology esthetics, health-wellness-life coaching, hypnosis, meditation workshops, yoga and more. Call 239-471-7029 or visit imaginebycarleen.com for information.

Note to Media: Seven of the nation’s top 25 high school boys basketball teams will be part of the star-studded field at 46th annual Culligan City of Palms Classic. The six-day, 26-team tournament gets underway Mon. Dec. 17 and continues through Sat. Dec. 22 at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College.
Fiercely recruited players and teams from a dozen states and the District of Columbia will test their mettle in this elite national showcase. IMG Academy (Bradenton) comes into the tournament at No. 2 in the nation, according to MaxPreps, with No. 3 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia) returning to the City of Palms after a 27-year absence. Defending tournament champion University School (Fort Lauderdale) returns, led by ESPN’s second-ranked senior and Duke commit Vernon Carey Jr.
WHAT: 46th Annual Culligan City of Palms Classic
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 17 to Saturday, Dec. 22, times vary each day
WHERE: Suncoast Credit Union Arena, Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919
WHY: To bring the top high school basketball talent from across the country to Southwest Florida
CONTACT: Josh Milton, CONRIC PR & Marketing, 239-690-9840, [email protected]
 

FORT MYERS, FLA., December 13, 2018– Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Stephen  Prendiville has been inducted into the RealSelf 100 and 500 Hall of Fame as an Elite Inductee, the highest honor awarded by RealSelf, the leading online service to learn about cosmetic treatments.
He is the only surgeon in Southwest Florida and among only 10 in the United states to have earned Elite Inductee status.
To be included in the RealSelf Hall of Fame, doctors must have received a RealSelf 100 or RealSelf 500 award in the past.  Dr. Prendiville has received the award for seven consecutive years.  To achieve Elite Inductee status, surgeons must be among the top 1% of more than 1,000 surgeons reviewed.
The program, which first launched in 2010, honors the top-rated and most engaged board-certified aesthetic doctors on RealSelf.  Doctors are ranked in three categories:earning patient reviews, answering consumer questions, and sharing before and after treatment photos.
“It has been a pleasure to educate patients trying to navigate the complexity of facial aging and how to achieve facial rejuvenation in a natural way.  I am very honored to be considered in this elite group and look forward to continuing this process in the next decade,” Dr. Prendiville said.
Dr. Prendiville, who also is the Medical Director of Assuage Luxury Spa in Naples and Fort Myers, was invited to join RealSelf.com as a reviewer in 2008 and has achieved Distinguished Member status for his responses to patients with questions about facial plastic surgery and skin rejuvenation techniques.  As an expert contributor to RealSelf, he has posted more than 3,000 answers to questions posted on the RealSelf website.
Dr. Prendiville is the only Fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon in Fort Myers who is certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
He is recognized nationally as a facelift expert and is named as a Top Doctor again this year by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. for the fourth consecutive year.  Dr. Prendiville also has authored more than 20 articles published in medical journals and he has served as guest editor for Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America.
Dr. Prendiville is the past president and secretary/treasurer of the Florida Society of Facial Plastic Surgery, an association consisting of 250 facial plastic surgeons in the state.
Dr. Prendiville graduated with his M.D. degree with high honors from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., and served his residency at Georgetown University.
He was awarded a Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at St. Louis University in Missouri, where he was a clinical instructor in the St. Louis University Department of Otolaryngology.
All surgeries are performed at Dr. Prendiville’s state-of-the-art Surgical Center adjacent to his office in South Fort Myers at 9407 Cypress Lake Drive, Suite A.  The Surgical Center is accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (AAAASF), which is the largest accrediting body for outpatient surgical facilities in the United States. For more information about Dr. Prendiville, please visit his website at www.drprendiville.com.
 
About RealSelf
RealSelf is the largest online marketplace for people to learn and share experiences about cosmetic procedures and connect with the right providers. Millions of  people from around the world visit RealSelf each month to browse patient reviews, before and after photos and medical expert answers to discover which treatments and providers live up to their promise of being “worth it.”  From simple skincare to emerging nonsurgical technologies to highly considered cosmetic surgeries, RealSelf makes it easy to get the insights needed to make smart, confident decisions and find the right doctor. www.realself.com.

Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment presents Air Supply in concert. The super duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock will perform their iconic music at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee on Saturday, January 12 at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $85 for reserved seating are available by phone at 1-800-514-ETIX or online at www.moreinparadise.com or www.jaytv.com/florida. A “Lost in Love” VIP ticket package also is available for $159 per person and will include one premium reserved seat in the first 12 rows, an invitation to soundcheck with a Meet & Greet to follow for photo opportunities with Air Supply, and an exclusive VIP swag bag.
 
Air Supply was already a hit in their native Australia when they burst onto the American music scene in 1980 with the chart-topping single “Lost in Love,” which was quickly followed by “All Out of Love.”  Seven top-five singles later, Air Supply at that time had equaled The Beatles’ run of consecutive top five singles. The albums “Lost in Love,” “The One That You Love,” “Now & Forever,” and “The Greatest Hits” sold in excess of 20 million copies. “Lost in Love” was named Song of the Year in 1980, and, with the other singles, sold more than 10 million copies. Singles “Lost in Love”, “All Out of Love”, “The One That You Love”, “Sweet Dreams”, and “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” have each achieved multi-million plays on the radio.
 
Don McLean to Perform at Seminole Casino Hotel
Thursday, January 31
Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment presents an evening with Don McLean live in concert at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee on Thursday, Jan. 31  at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale for $62.50 and are available by phone at 1-800-514-ETIX or online at www.moreinparadise.com or www.jaytv.com/florida. McLean’s transition to international stardom began in 1971 with the release of “American Pie.” Interest from the media and public sent the single to #1 in the USA and Don to international superstardom. Thirty years later, “American Pie” was voted number 5 in a poll of the 365 “Songs of the Century” compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. Concert attendees must be 21 years of age.
 
January 2019 Live Music Schedule
At Zig Zag Lounge
 
Performances are at the Zig Zag Lounge. No cover for live entertainment. TVs throughout the Zig Zag bar air sporting events and other entertainment. Zig Zag Lounge is Southwest Florida’s premier destination to catch your favorite teams during the NFL season. Entertainment is subject to change. For complete details, visit moreinparadise.com.
 

About Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Open 24/7; 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 51,000-square-foot plus casino offers 1,300 slots, and 38 live table games including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. Dining options include the award-winning 1^st Street Deli, Asian fusion restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and the recently renovated EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Seminole Casino Hotel’s nightlife is highlighted by the Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, “where the party never ends” featuring nightly live entertainment and no last call. Additional entertainment and events are held at the Seminole Center, an indoor/outdoor special event center featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. The new Seminole Casino Hotel is the first upscale hotel to open in or near Immokalee and offers suites and deluxe guestrooms with modern décor and features, plus amenities including a swimming pool with private cabanas, 24-hour fitness studio and free Wi-Fi.
 
Located at 506 South 1^st Street in Immokalee, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida via I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport is only a 45-minute drive from the casino. Located between Miami and Naples, north of Alligator Alley on Highway 846, it is five blocks south of Highway 29. Approximately 30 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers, the casino is a 90-minute drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Seminole Casino Hotel participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem comp dollars at all Seminole Casinos in Florida. For more information, call toll-free (800) 218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com  or facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Dec. 12, 2018) – Seven of Southwest Florida’s leading professional advisors will be recognized for continuously providing guidance society can trust. The Cape Coral Community Foundation is pleased to announce the second annual Power Players Professional Advisor Awards. This annual event will take place on Monday, Jan. 14 from 8-9:30 a.m. at the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village on 5951 Silver King Blvd. in Cape Coral.
Each of the distinguished Power Players strive to conduct business with integrity and make a substantial impact in the community. The following advisors have an established track record in their respective fields and have dedicated their time, talent and treasure to philanthropic endeavors to enrich Southwest Florida:

• Accountant – Joni Norton, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A.
• Attorney – Kevin Kyle, Green Schoenfeld & Kyle LLP
• Bank Executive – William Lange, Regions Private Wealth Management
• Estate Planner – Joan Henry, Lusk, Drasites, & Tolisano P.A.
• Financial Advisor – John Bobb, FineMark National Bank & Trust
• Insurance Broker – Brian Chapman, Chapman Insurance Group
• Real Estate Broker – Don Koogler, Koogler Homes

The event presents a golden opportunity for attendees to discuss the power of combining philanthropy and wealth management.
Limited seating is available for the event. Tickets cost $40. Sponsorships begin at $500 and include tickets to the event plus a variety of promotional opportunities. For tickets and more information, visit capecoralcf.org/events.
About the Cape Coral Community Foundation
The Cape Coral Community Foundation, also known as the Global Center for Generosity, is a nonprofit organization created to help generous civic-minded donors that make a positive impact on their community and beyond. It works to grow philanthropy and strengthen society by encouraging endowments, addressing public needs and providing community leadership. For more information, call 239-542-5594 or visit CapeCoralCF.org.
 
 
 

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Dec. 12, 2018) ­­­– Homebuyers have a golden opportunity to experience attractively priced, quality-built homes in an unbeatable location. Express Homes by D.R. Horton Southwest Florida is pleased to announce it’s now selling two brand new floor plans by appointment only in Gator Circle, an alluring neighborhood of single-family homes located in the northeast corner of Cape Coral.
 
The 1,389-square-foot Boardwalk boasts three bedrooms, two baths, a two-car garage and is available starting at $178,990. The master suite is comfortably tucked at the back of the home with a spacious walk-in closet and double-sink vanity. Starting at $183,990, the Freeport floor plan includes 1,499 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage. The kitchen looks out into the expansive great room, perfect for family gatherings.
 
Both floor plans will include the new D.R. Horton Home is Connected^SM package, an industry-leading suite of smart home products that keep residents connected with the people and place they value most. The technology allows homeowners to monitor and control their home from the couch or across the globe.  For more details on the Home is Connected^SM package, visit drhorton.com/smart-home.
 
An abundance of freshwater canals meander through the Gator Circle neighborhood, inviting residents to fish, kayak and boat in the peaceful waters. The area offers convenient access via Del Prado Boulevard to US-41 and Interstate 75. Downtown Fort Myers is just a short drive away offering homeowners a variety of retail shops, restaurants and entertainment options.
 
For more information, call sales agent David Bowers at 239-225-2693 or email [email protected].
 
Founded in 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas, D.R. Horton has operations in 83 markets in 28 states in the East, Midwest, Southeast, South Central, Southwest and West regions of the United States. D.R. Horton has been the largest builder in the United States by volume since 2002. For 40 years, D.R. Horton has consistently delivered top-quality new homes to homebuyers across the nation. The livable floor plans, energy-efficient features, and robust new home warranty demonstrate our commitment to excellence in construction. D.R. Horton exhibits leadership in residential development through design innovation, superior craftsmanship, and responsiveness to the needs of its customers. The simple vision that began 40 years ago represents years of value and security when you choose America’s Builder to make your dreams come true. For more information, visit our website at www.drhorton.com/swfla. Home and community information including pricing, included features, terms, availability, and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. Square footage dimensions are approximate. D.R. Horton and Express Homes are equal housing opportunity builders. Florida Registered Building Contractor License # CBC1258802
 
 

Fort Myers, FL (Dec. 11, 2018) nbc-2 anchor Kellie Burns will be the honoree at the 25th Annual Storybook Ball benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities® Southwest Florida on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point in Bonita Springs. The theme for the evening will be an interpretation of “Coco,” a celebration of family, music and Mexican culture.
“We are delighted to be honoring Kellie at our Storybook Ball,” said Laura Ragain, Executive Director. “Kellie has volunteered her time and talent hosting numerous events over the years and helping to raise millions of dollars for Southwest Florida charities. We want to recognize the positive impact her kindness and generosity have had on our community.”
In resort evening attire, guests will be entertained by a Mariachi band while enjoying cocktails and a silent auction at 6:00 p.m. Dinner and dancing to Karibbean Groove will follow, along with a live auction. All proceeds support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida in its mission to create, find and support programs that directly impact the health and well-being of children and their families.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southwest Florida
Since 1996, Ronald McDonald House has served thousands of families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties, and other states and countries. Here, families find a “home-away-from-home” while their children are undergoing medical treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Additional thousands are served by the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program, two mobile healthcare units providing medical and dental services to underserved children, and by the Ronald McDonald Family Room, located in Golisano Children’s Hospital. For more information about tickets and a variety of sponsorship opportunities, please contact Amy Blanco at 239-437-0202 or visit our website at www.rmhcswfl.org.