Save The Date for this diverse business and community summit
coming to Fort Myers April 9^th – 11^th
 FORT MYERS, FL (March 3, 2021) – Edison Mall, in partnership with the Dunbar Festival Committee, De’ Marshawn’s Salon & Makeup Studio, and SWFL Impact Partners, will host the inaugural SWFL Black Expo, a free to the public event, highlighting minority businesses of all types in the SWFL area April 9^th, 10^th and 11^th, 2021. A portion of the proceeds from this signature event will go to fund and expand local black owned 501c3 nonprofits in the area.  Edison Mall, as a goodwill ambassador is focusing on providing a safe, diverse, family-oriented center that is culturally and economically impactful for our SWFL community.
The SWFL Black Expo include a designated kid zone with crafts and activities, seminars, workshops and speakers for the brand-new entrepreneur to the seasoned business professional. There will be vendors, food trucks, and more.  An opening reception is scheduled for April 9^th with Lee Pitts Live hosting in the Food Court of the Edison Mall.
“At Edison Mall, we believe in the importance of embracing the diversity and multicultural backgrounds of our guests,” said Brad Lunn, General Manager. “We are looking forward to creating a truly community wide event, in partnership with the Dunbar Festival Committee, De’ Marshawn’s Salon & Makeup Studio, and SWFL Impact Partners. We need to celebrate the rich diversity our southwest Florida community holds.”
Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are available.  As April is Diversity Month, Edison Mall and its partners are inviting all businesses of color to become a vendor.  If you are a black owned 501c3, there will be a space reserved for you for free. A portion of the proceeds from this signature event will go to fund and expand local black owned 501c3 nonprofits in the area.  For more information on vendor and sponsorship opportunities please contact Angeli Chin at [email protected] or call 239-939-1933 x 2725.
The SWFL Expo is just one example of Edison Mall’s continued efforts to bring diverse communities together through unique events and programs, while allowing guests the opportunity to experience new cultures and learn about their traditions. For more information on the SWFL Black Expo, visit shopedisonmall.com.
Edison Mall remains focused on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. In the continued need to address COVID-19, the town center has proactively implemented additions to the Code of Conduct, effective immediately and until further notice.
These additions include the following guidelines:

• Practice social distancing and stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people.
• Covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover is recommended.
• Do not gather in groups.
• Adhere to each individual tenant’s COVID-19 policies.
• Adhere to all federal, state and local regulations, recommendations and mandates regarding COVID-19.

The Code of Conduct is posted at the town center and available online.
Edison Mall’s already rigorous disinfectant and cleaning practices will also continue many times per day, including periodically disinfecting areas most susceptible to the spread of germs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers are located in highly-trafficked areas and walkways for public use.
The SWFL Black Expo embraces Edison Mall’s role as a community partner to offer guests one-of-a-kind, local products, while encouraging genuine connections with those who provide them. This is just one example of Edison Mall’s efforts to provide guests with safe, memorable experiences while supporting their community.
For additional information on Edison Mall’s please visit shopedisonmall.com
About Edison Mall
Edison Mall is Southwest Florida’s only enclosed and climate-controlled shopping destination serving the Greater Fort Myers and Naples area. The community center is home to more than 160 national and local retail, dining and entertainment options, as well as numerous events and activities throughout the year. A dynamic offering of things to do along with things to buy keeps guests engaged and returning often.
 

PPP Forgiveness Webinar

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, published a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness application implementing the PPP Flexibility Act. 

Join the South Florida District Office as we explore the next steps in the PPP process.

Thursday, March 4
1pm – 2pm EST
Click here register on Eventbrite.

Friday, March 5
1pm – 2pm EST
Click here register on Eventbrite.

Updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources are available at www.sba.gov/ppp and www.treasury.gov/cares.

FWC celebrates 12 years of out-of-season largemouth bass spawning
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management has successfully spawned Florida largemouth bass out of season for the twelfth year in a row at Richloam Fish Hatchery in Webster. This practice allows biologists to produce twice as many largemouth bass per year than other state’s hatchery systems whose hatcheries produce spawn only once a year. The benefit to the FWC is the efficiency of producing more fish without the added expense of collecting additional broodstock.
Freshwater fisheries biologists collected a total of 41 individual spawns during October 2020 that yielded over 250,000 fry, which were stocked in hatchery ponds to grow. Spawning Florida largemouth bass out of season provides other advantages for fisheries managers because south Florida warms up sooner than central and north Florida. Because south Florida is warmer earlier in the year, spawning fish out of season at Richloam Hatchery provides game fish to this region at a time when the fry’s natural forage is available, thus increasing the chances the fish stocked from the hatchery will survive. The 2020 out-of-season year class will be stocked in Lake Trafford in the spring and in Orlando community fishing ponds in the summer of this year.
For more information about the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, contact Laura Rambo Walthall at 850-488-0520 or [email protected].

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 2, 2021) – The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) is set to present a webinar with award-winning industry leader Heather Kernahan, North America CEO of Hotwire Global.
The chapter invites business leaders and PR/marketing professionals to attend the upcoming Zoom event, “Busting Silos Across Marketing & PR,” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, March 9.
Attendees will learn about the convergence of marketing and communications and how it continues to rank highly in industry trends. While this notion may have been running in the background for some time, a surge in modern-day technology and data has revealed a new set of shared disciplines between the two professions.
Kernahan is a Global tech expert and business leader featured in Fast Company, Fortune, Thrive Global, BizWomen, PR Week, AdWeek 2020 and SF Business Times 100 Most Influential Women. She is also chair of the board of the PR Council, a global professional organization that represents professionals who work in agencies. Kernahan has also been recognized for her many accomplishments including being awarded a Bronze Stevie in the Woman of the Year – Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations category and top B2B Influencer in B2B News Network.
Registration for the webinar is $5 for students, $15 for members and $20 for future members. Please go to https://www.fpraswfl.org/event-registration/fpra-events/march-webinar/ to register.
About Hotwire Global
Hotwire Global is a PR and communications consultancy agency that helps businesses better engage and connect with their customers. From Sydney to San Francisco, they operate with a borderless mind-set across 12 wholly owned locations covering the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Australia, together with a partner network spanning 29 cities around the world.
 
About the Florida Public Relations Association
Established in 1938, FPRA is the oldest public relations organization in the country. FPRA is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners, who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. For additional information, please visit the Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA website at http://www.fpraswfl.org.

Mariand Torres as Eva Perón
Mariand Torres grew up in Miami, Florida and has called NYC home for 15 years. She is best known for playing the role of Elphaba on Broadway and the National Tour of Wicked, and most recently collaborated with Stephen Schwartz on the film version of his musical Snapshots, which was produced in collaboration with ACT of Connecticut. Other credits include: Broadway: Wicked, and the original cast of Broadway’s first Acapella musical, In Transit. National/International Tours: Wicked, and the world premiere of Prince of Broadway, directed by Harold Prince/Susan Stroman, which played in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. Off-Broadway: Natasha, Pierre and the the Great Comet of 1812 (Original Off B’way Cast), School of Rock (Gramercy Theater World Premiere). Regional: Eva Peron in Evita (Kansas City Rep), Helen Bechdel in Fun Home (KC Rep) Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Connecticut Rep), world premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s Giant (Signature Theatre), and Murder Ballad (Actors Playhouse). TV: Madam Secretary.
Mariand has participated in the development of new musicals with New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theater, LAByrinth Theatre Company, New York Stage and Film, Sundance Theatre Lab, The Old Globe and Yale Rep, among others. She has performed in concerts throughout NYC (Lincoln Center, Birdland Jazz, Joe’s Pub and others), with the American Pops of Washington, DC and as far as Beijing, China. Education: Bachelor of Music, Musical Theater, University of Miami.

Industry’s best recognized with the ADDY^® award for creative excellence in advertising.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 2, 2021) — The region’s advertising industry shined bright at the American Advertising Awards ADDY^® Night Live gala on Saturday, February 20^th, hosted by the American Advertising Federation-Southwest Florida (AAF-SWFL). The evening’s festivities were emceed by comedian Sheena Reagan with musical guest The Rosada Project. What was judged to be Southwest Florida’s best advertising of the past year was showcased at the gala from among 150 advertising executions and campaigns entered into the competition. Entrants included advertising agencies, advertiser creative teams, and freelance professionals.
Also at the event, AAF-SWFL named Mr. Bob Beville, Vice President of Sales at Waterman Broadcasting, as its 2021 AAF Silver Medal honoree. The Silver Medal award program recognizes business community leadership and contributions to advertising by actively furthering industry standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern.
AAF-SWFL American Advertising Award winners include:
Myra Janco Daniels Best of Show Award
Ø  Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Best of Category Awards
Best of Print
Ø  Wilson Creative Group for client Collins DuPont Design Group
Best of Sales & Marketing
Ø  Priority Marketing for client Southwest Florida Children’s Charities, Inc.
Best of Out-of-Home and Ambient Media
Ø  Shell Point Retirement Community
Best of Online Interactive
Ø  Wells Marketing for client Fords, LLC
Best of Film, Video and Sound
Ø  Celsius Marketing | Interactive for client Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design
Best of Cross Platform
Shell Point Retirement Community
Best of Elements of Advertising
Ø  Caryn Clark…The Hip Chick Voice! for client Your CBD Store
Best of Public Service
Ø  Quenzel & Associates for client Player’s Circle Theatre
Judge’s Choice Awards
Ø  Celsius Marketing | Interactive for client Wicked Dolphin Rum
Ø  Sun Broadcasting for client Just One of Those Dayz
Ø  Priority Marketing for client TwinCutz Barbershop
People’s Choice Award
Ø  Priority Marketing for client Guadalupe Center
Gold ADDY
Ø  AAF-Southwest Florida
Ø  Caryn Clark…The Hip Chick Voice!
Ø  Celsius Marketing | Interactive
Ø  CONRIC pr + marketing
Ø  Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Ø  NOISE INC.
Ø  Priority Marketing
Ø  Quenzel & Associates
Ø  Shell Point Retirement Community
Ø  Sun Broadcasting
Ø  Waterman Broadcasting
Ø  Wells Marketing
Ø  Wilson Creative Group
Silver ADDY
Ø  AAF-Southwest Florida
Ø  Absher Design Group, Inc.
Ø  Celsius Marketing | Interactive
Ø  CONRIC pr + marketing
Ø  Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Ø  Hodges University
Ø  Naples Zoo
Ø  NOISE Inc.
Ø  Payton Brands
Ø  Priority Marketing
Ø  Quenzel & Associates
Ø  Shell Point Retirement Community
Ø  Wells Marketing
Ø  Wilson Creative Group
 ABOUT THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING AWARDS
Conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF), more than 30,000 entries are submitted each year into the nationwide American Advertising Awards. The local chapter phase is the first of the three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the country, local entrants vie to win ADDY^® Award recognition as the very best in their markets.
At the second tier, local ADDY^® winners compete against winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District ADDY^® winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards. Entry in your local ad club competition is the first step toward winning a national ADDY^®.
Entering the American Advertising Awards supports the advertising industry. AAF uses the proceeds to enhance advertising through programs such as public service, student scholarships, legislative advocacy, advertising education, and consumer awareness.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION-Southwest Florida
AAF-SWFL is the unifying voice for advertising in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. The 501(c)(6) nonprofit business organization provides industry advocacy and knowledge sharing. It hosts a number of programs and initiatives that support its membership through government relations, professional development, advertising education, mentorships, networking, diversity and inclusion, and recognition of excellence. AAF-SWFL is a local chapter of the American Advertising Federation, the nation’s oldest and largest advertising industry trade organization of its kind. Learn more at aafswfl.com

FWC: You can help Florida’s nesting waterbirds.
As nesting season begins for waterbird species across the state, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing five easy ways that members of the public can help conserve these vulnerable bird species.
Many shorebird and seabird species, such as the least tern, nest directly on beaches across the state where their eggs and chicks are well camouflaged in the sand. Colonies of wading birds, such as herons, will typically nest on mangrove islands off the coast. Biologists stress that the most important thing for waterbirds during nesting season is space. When these birds are disturbed and forced to leave their nests, their eggs and chicks are left vulnerable to heat and predators.
“Small actions can make a big difference for wildlife,” said FWC Florida Shorebird Alliance Coordinator, Shea Armstrong. “By taking a few steps to limit disturbance to nesting waterbirds, we can help ensure they have a successful nesting season and that they will be around for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.”
Here are five ways you can limit disturbance and make a difference for nesting waterbirds:

1. Keep your distance from birds, on the beach or on the water. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. As a general rule, it is best to stay at least 300 feet from a nest and to avoid walking through flocks of birds whenever possible. Birds flushing, calling out loudly and dive-bombing are signals for you to give them space.
2. Respect posted areas, including Critical Wildlife Areas, which are established to protect congregations of one or more species of wildlife from human disturbance during critical life activities including nesting, feeding or migration. Avoid entering any area marked with signs for nesting birds and use designated walkways when possible.
3. Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators, such as raccoons and crows, that can prey on shorebird eggs and chicks. Litter on beaches can entangle birds and other wildlife.
4. It is best to not take pets to the beach but, if you do, keep them leashed and avoid shorebird and seabird nesting areas. Always take your pet to pet-friendly beaches and be respectful of the rules.
5. Know what to do if you hook a bird while fishing. Remember, don’t cut the line: reel, remove, release. Visit MyFWC.com/Unhook to watch an educational video that shows step by step how to safely unhook a bird. It could save a life!

For more information, go to MyFWC.com/Shorebirds and download the “Share the Beach with Beach-Nesting Birds” brochure. Or go to the Florida Shorebird Alliance website at FLShorebirdAlliance.org to learn more about how to participate in shorebird and seabird conservation efforts.
Report illegal activity and any unposted nests to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone or by texting [email protected].
For more information about Florida’s CWAs, visit MyFWC.com/CWA.
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 2, 2021) – The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) is set to present a webinar with award-winning industry leader Heather Kernahan, North America CEO of Hotwire Global.
The chapter invites business leaders and PR/marketing professionals to attend the upcoming Zoom event, “Busting Silos Across Marketing & PR,” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, March 9.
Attendees will learn about the convergence of marketing and communications and how it continues to rank highly in industry trends. While this notion may have been running in the background for some time, a surge in modern-day technology and data has revealed a new set of shared disciplines between the two professions.
Kernahan is a Global tech expert and business leader featured in Fast Company, Fortune, Thrive Global, BizWomen, PR Week, AdWeek 2020 and SF Business Times 100 Most Influential Women. She is also chair of the board of the PR Council, a global professional organization that represents professionals who work in agencies. Kernahan has also been recognized for her many accomplishments including being awarded a Bronze Stevie in the Woman of the Year – Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations category and top B2B Influencer in B2B News Network.
Registration for the webinar is $5 for students, $15 for members and $20 for future members. Please go to https://www.fpraswfl.org/event-registration/fpra-events/march-webinar/ to register.
About Hotwire Global
Hotwire Global is a PR and communications consultancy agency that helps businesses better engage and connect with their customers. From Sydney to San Francisco, they operate with a borderless mind-set across 12 wholly owned locations covering the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Australia, together with a partner network spanning 29 cities around the world.
About the Florida Public Relations Association
Established in 1938, FPRA is the oldest public relations organization in the country. FPRA is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners, who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. For additional information, please visit the Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA website at http://www.fpraswfl.org.