August 2017 Southwest Florida Business Today by Southwest Florida Business Today

Celebrating 10 Years

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S B2B MARKETPLACE • 239-573-9732 Vol. 10 No. 10 / AUGUST 2017 www.swﬂoridabusinesstoday.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples

A monthly pullout section exploring the Southwest Florida commercial real estate marketplace. Pages 5-8

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Selling real property from virtual oﬃce By Jacob Ogles SWFBT Print Editor

Commercial Real Estate

TAKE ONE

Thanks to changes in how consumers scout real estate purchases, the real estate office no longer draws the same level of foot traffic and workplace interaction as it once did. But through the creation of a virtual office space, eXp Realty seeks to

preserve water cooler banter in an industry where listings gravitated to cyberspace. Jason Gesing, CEO of eXp Realty, may not be able to visit with most of the company’s 3,100-plus agents and brokers each day in the break room, but might run into any one of them on the company’s cloud office, a digital workplace that looks

like a World of Warcraft expansion but works like an office and professional development center. “Now we can learn from, share information with, get to know and develop referral relationships with people who aren’t just in the cubicle next to us or in the same market area but may be thousands of miles away,” he says. VIRTUAL See page 11

Focus on Business Services

Our Trade Show in Print provides information to make your business more successful.

IN THE NEWS

Collier tourism shows visitor spending increase

Visitors to Collier County in May increased slightly over May 2016 with 137,200 staying in paid lodging. At the same time, the occupancy rate for the month was slightly down. That’s attributed to a softening in the group meetings market and more families and groups of friends visiting with higher numbers of people per room. May visitors also spent more this year than last, bringing a total economic impact of over $166 million, nearly 7 percent above May 2016. TOURISM See page 4

Area ranked among top for young entrepreneurs

Florida is sunshine and retirees, theme parks and vacationing families. And perhaps surprisingly, it is home to the hottest, most dynamic cities ripe for young entrepreneurs and their new business start-ups. A new study by MoneyRates.com shows both the Fort Myers-Cape area and Punta Gorda among America’s Top Cities for Young Entrepreneurs. The study shows six of the top 10 are cities in Florida and labeled them “potential boom towns.” “Sometimes reputation hasn’t caught up with reality, and looking STUDY See page 4

Bonita Chamber members watched as Chamber staff revealed an award at the 2017 Member Appreciation Lunch.

Bonita chamber salutes members at luncheon The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce held its 2017 Member Appreciation Lunch, hosted on June 20 at Artichoke & Company, and thanked members with fun awards and door prizes. Members voted for winners in five categories. DaVinci Cabinetry was voted the Most PawFriendly Office, Sally Ricciardelli of Encore Bank won the Network-

ing Wizard award, YMCA of Bonita Springs won the Social Media Superhero award, FineMark National Bank & Trust was voted Customer Service Rockstar and The Print Shop won the Best Workplace Vibes award. The Five-Star Nationally Accredited Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce strives to serve members, promote a region where business can

grow and prosper, and enhance the quality of life of the Bonita Springs area. With the support of annual partners including Lee Health, Naples Daily News / The Banner, NCH Healthcare System, Physicians Regional Healthcare System and The News-Press Media Group, the Chamber is able to focus on its mission of community development.

Pyure Brands opens its headquarters in Naples

Pyure Brands, the fastest-growing independent organic stevia company in the United States, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters location in Naples. Members of the local business community along with members of the Collier County Commissioners office were also in attendance. Since Pyure was founded in 2008, the brand has continuously experienced success with its innovative, betterfor-you line of organic stevia products. Along with success has come growth, which led to the need for Pyure to expand to larger offices. PYURE See page 9

Photo by Bob Szanto Michael Dalby, Garrett Richter, Benjamin Fleischer and Andy Solis at the grand opening of Pyure Brands’ new headquarters location in Naples.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

AUGUST 2017

BUSINESS SERVICES

Moving from managers to entrepreneurs

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DOING IT RIGHT, FROM THE START

After several years of working long hours and in the interim unconsciously gaining experience of how to operate a company from the ground up, Lisa Caron, quality manager-turned-entrepreneur, and Derek Bell, senior account and entrepreneur, made the decision to start a cleaning company of their own. Although they are a fairly new commercial and residential cleaning company based out of Naples, they provide day and nighttime service to seven areas throughout Southwest Florida. Their environmentally friendly, non-abrasive cleaning products and equipment are provided and their service is customized to suit the individual cleaning needs of each of their client’s properties. As partners, Bell and Caron work well together personally and professionally. They have a plan for their company and their mission is to provide their clients with flexible, trustworthy, reasonably priced, worry-free quality service. “When I first began cleaning,” says Caron. “I had this burning desire deep inside that can be only be described as a strong need to provide the best quality service as humanly possible to the customers I cleaned for. I could not, in good conscience, leave a jobsite without finishing what needed to be done, and without it being done right. I still carry this desire, but I now carry it as a business owner that is still not afraid to dig deep and get her hands dirty. I can honestly say that I genuinely enjoy my profession, believe in quality service, and appreciate every one of our clients. We believe that a job done right IS a job

well done and a job worth doing. These are not only words that we put in a training manual because they sound good, but they are words we put into action through the service we are providing. Our goal BY DEREK BELL AND LISA CARON for this company, of course, is to Guest Columnists grow and add services to what we currently offer, but to grow while maintaining the view of providing and maintaining quality service. This is being achieved by doing the right thing for our customers, which in turn makes it beneficial to customers, owners, and employees. Derek and I started this company because it is a service that we believe in, and we want it to constructively produce results that will contribute to the future of our family. We want our company name to be well known, but we also want it known that it stands for providing the kind of quality of service that our clients expect to receive. Although Derek and I wear many hats with owning, operating, and cleaning for our business, we are proud of what we are seeking to accomplish.”

Lisa Caron and Derek Bell started G&C Universal Cleaning. Learn more at www.gandccleaning.com or call 863-662-6639.

WORKSHOP LEADERS Dr. George Alexakis Associate Professor FGCU

8:50 to 9:45

Customer Care: The 3-Legged Stool of Listening, Empathy, and Service Delivery Dr. Marilyn Marousek Interim Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Barry University

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Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce

Carol Conway

Jenelle Montague

CEO Childcare of SWFL

Director of Customer Success Testimonial Tree

Mark Wilke

District Human Resources Manager The Home Depot

Managing Customer Reviews

Profits for Nonprofits Matt Keller

Lead Pastor Next Level Church

Jacob Ackerman

CTO SkyLink Data Centers

Arpad Solti President HyperTeam

Culture Starts at the Top

Collect & Protect Customer Data for Business Intelligence Moderator: Kevin Barnhill, SWFRTP

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AUGUST 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 3

How to communicate for success in today’s business world Over the last two years, one of the workshops I’ve been teaching (with New York State Broadcast Hall of Fame Inductee Arnold Klinsky) is Public Speaking Excellence. Through training the top leaders in Southwest Florida, I’ve recognized an expansive need to improve communications at all levels of business. I’d like to offer a helpful look at communication dynamics and what to keep in mind when presenting, networking, “selling” or even internally interacting with your team. Here are seven steps toward better communication. 1. Crush Your Fears Many people have a dreaded fear of getting up in front of a group, whether it’s to deliver a speech to a large audience, present a quarterly report to the organization’s board of directors or face a job interview. In fact, many people rank public speaking as one of their greatest fears—even higher than fear of death. Yet speaking is a necessary ability to climb the ladder of success. Performing with confidence is an essential skill to master. People fear what they don’t understand. Honing your speaking skills is also an opportunity for personal development, and this fear can be approached from another perspective. Ask yourself: When you step in front of an audience, how do you feel? If the answer is anxious and insecure, ask yourself what may be behind this? You can train yourself to switch out of discomfort by focusing on your key points. Recognize that the talk is not about you but about your message. 2. Build Self-Confidence

BY PEGGY SEALFON Guest Columnist

Once you understand your fear, you can explore techniques to acknowledge and address it. Practicing stressreducing techniques can help erase anxiety and gain selftrust to activate your personal power. The simplest method is to take a few slow, steady, deep breaths and release with a sigh on each exhalation. If you do this before a presentation, you’ll immediately signal your nervous system to calm down and you’ll be more relaxed and perform better.

3. Develop Clarity The greatest result from any communication comes when you are in your true voice. As you build self-confidence, you will naturally develop clarity in understanding what you authentically have to say to the world and how you can command yourself, your presence and your voice to deliver it. Once you have the intuitive knowledge that your message is worthy of being heard, your passion will allow you to speak it with courage. Be distinct about your message as to whether you’re selling a product or service, informing, inspiring or motivating through a call to action. 4. Know Your Audience Communication is about connecting and building relationships. If you’re not speaking in a language your audience understands (such as using too much

jargon), they will become disinterested. Whether at a networking event or speaking to a ballroom full of CEOs, you need to know what will resonate to engage your audience. Carefully consider your words, expressions or messages so you convey respect for and understanding of your listeners and what’s important to them. Your talk should offer content that benefits your audience, so advance research about them can be helpful. At a networking experience, your awareness will be about the type or industry sector of people who are in attendance. 5. Focus on Team Interconnectivity In business today, we’ve hopefully entered the paradigm of collaboration, cooperation and transparency. To function at a higher level and ensure team building within your business, recognize that you and your associates need to work together. Too often dysfunction occurs within teams and communication breaks down. When that happens, you must learn to let go of the negative—blaming others, etc.—and instead place attention on pooling resources and cooperating to find solutions. To better motivate one another, it’s important to know and understand your associates and speak to their strengths. 6. Understand Networking Dynamics You’re at an event and you’re meeting someone new who is a potential customer or sponsor. How do you handle the interaction? Do you have an interesting way to present yourself, what you do or why you’re at the meeting? Develop a brief message ahead of the event so you’re prepared. When you first meet, make eye contact and keep your attention COMMUNICATE See page 4

BUSINESS SERVICES

Atilus evolves from college classroom to boardroom Zach Katkin remembers doodling in class when his future business partner, Harry Casimir, tapped him on the shoulder. Both were students at Florida Gulf Coast University and trying to stay awake during a particularly tedious evening technology lecture. “Do you design websites?” Casimir whispered to Katkin. From this inauspicious beginning flourished Atilus, a Bonita Springs-based web marketing company that has quickly become the go-to firm for web marketing that drives customers to such well-regarded organizations as Babcock Ranch and Florida Gulf Coast University. The company provides digital consulting, web design, web applications, internet marketing and web hosting. Atilus’ sophisticated approach to web marketing has delivered significant and measurable results for customers in industries ranging from construction to retail, tourism, real estate and nonprofit organizations. “The process we’ve developed over the years combines methodology, relationships and dedication to client success while being on time and on budget,” says Zach Katkin, president and CEO of Atilus. Joe Pavich, Jr., the top agent at Realty World in Estero, says he’s been impressed by the care with which Atilus handles his firm’s digital marketing. “They sit down with you and identify your needs and goals and lay them out for you in different stages to give you a schedule,” Pavich says. “They were on time throughout every phase of the project and extremely easy to work with.” It helps that Katkin started his career early in the web’s development, before even iPhones existed. In 2003, then 18-year-old Katkin was designing websites and going to school at FGCU full-time. Casimir, director of operations at Atilus, started the company in 2005 and launched the venture with Katkin with just $500 between them. But they kept their overhead low, working out of Casimir’s apartment and winning new clients. Success was immediate and they hired their first employee.

Today, Atilus has nine employees who work out of the company’s headquarters in Bonita Springs. But their mission remains the same today as it was when they started Atilus: “We’ve always stayed true to digital marketBY ZACH KATKIN ing,” Katkin says. Guest Columnist Staying focused on digital marketing has been a key to Atilus’ ability to remain at the vanguard of new technology. For example, the firm was an early adopter of mobile marketing in 2007 as the iPhone appeared on the market. Atilus’ comprehensive approach combines an understanding of a customer’s

business and their needs along the entire spectrum of digital marketing. The tools they use might include mobile applications, website redesigns, Facebook advertising and a broad range of digital strategies to ensure client success. That kind of vision keeps customers coming back, breeding the kind of loyalty that is uncommon at other technology companies. Travis Fricke, vice president of operations for boat dealer Fish Tale Boats in Fort Myers, says Atilus digital marketing has been a key to the company’s successful expansion and rapidly growing sales. “Fish Tale has been working with Atilus for about five years,” says Fricke. “We’re on the second major overhaul of our website and use them every day for their digital marketing services.” Zach Katkin is president and CEO of Atilus. Contact him at 888-928-4587 or zach@atilus.com

Anticipating what’s next...

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P.O. Box 152299 Cape Coral, FL 33915-2299 News: 239-573-9731 All other: 239-573-9732 News email: editor@swfloridabusinesstoday.com All other information requests: publisher@ swfloridabusinesstoday.com The contents of Southwest Florida Business Today are copyright 2013 by Southwest Florida Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be reproduced without the express written consent of Southwest Florida Newspapers, Inc. The publication of any advertisement or article does not necessarily reflect the view of the publisher of Southwest Florida Business Today. For more information about any article or column appearing in Southwest Florida Business Today, for advertising rates or subscription information please call 239-573-9732 or email: publisher@ swfloridabusinesstoday.com

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

AUGUST 2017

Nominate a business for 2017 Family Friendly Business Awards

Nominations are now being accepted from area businesses for the Family Friendly Business Awards, which acknowledges those employers who have workplace policies and programs that assist employees and their families. The deadline for applications is Sept. 4. For the past 18 years, the event has been conducted by the Naples Alliance For Children. However, starting this year it will be directed by Collier Child Care Resources. Winners will be awarded and all applicants with family-friendly business practices will be recognized at the breakfast slated for Tuesday, October 17, from 8–10 a.m. at the Hilton Naples. Three levels of event sponsorships are available. Cost is $35 per person. To purchase tickets visit eventbrite.com. For more information about the Family Friendly Business Awards or sponsorships, call CCCR at 239-643-3908. Any individual can nominate a business for the award by visiting www.collierchildcare.org

or by contacting Tiffany Cawley at tiffanyc@collierchildcare.org. Those businesses which have been nominated will be notified and provided an application. The categories include awards for small to medium-sized businesses (1-49 employees) and large (50+ employees). Executive Director Niccole Howard, of CCCR, said: “Companies in our community, regardless of size, that demonstrate a family-friendly environment, are encouraged to apply. The purpose of the event is to shine the spotlight on those companies that recognize the importance of balancing work and home life. Trying to maintain that balance can be very challenging and stressful when you have family demands and workplace obligations. Many companies today desire a win-win situation in which they help people generate their best work, attract and retain top talent, while allowing employees greater flexibility and support.” Kathy Sparrow, senior vice president of Human Resources of Arthrex, winner of the 2016

COMMUNICATE PAGE 3

portunity for a lasting relationship and that speaks volumes about integrity, authenticity and reliability. The most memorable communicators operate from a place of calmness and openness. So before any major presentation or event, take time to quiet your nerves. Relax and you will find yourself more easily in a zero stress zone where you are far more capable of being influential and making successful connections.

on the other person (instead of gazing around the room to see who else looks interesting). You usually have less than a minute to make a first impression, so be totally engaged and interactive. Consider that every person is a potential client or referral. 7. Listen Most important of all is to listen. Be totally present in the moment and respond appropriately so that if you’re in the middle of a Q&A at the end of your talk or you’re involved in a one-on-one sales presentation or networking event, be mindfully engrossed in the conversation. A good listener sets up an op-

Peggy Sealfon is a life coach, productivity strategist and author who trains individuals and business groups in supercharging productivity and performance. Learn more at PeggySealfon.com or contact her at peggy@peggysealfon.com.

TOURISM PAGE 1

STUDY PAGE 1

Visitation has been up every month so far this year except January, when an El Nino weather pattern brought unusually heavy winter rains and temperatures up north were higher than usual. “The best news from our May research was the positive forward-looking report we heard from lodging managers who report their three-month forward reservation levels as up or the same over last year,” said Jack Wert, executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This indicates that our summer vacation business should stay in the positive range.” More Floridians and residents of the Southeast and Midwest visited this May than last, but the biggest increase came from visitors west of the Mississippi. There were drops in May visits from the Northeast, Canada and Europe. From January through May, the county welcomed 887,700 visitors, resulting in a total economic impact from tourism of $1.14 billion.

at the data can reveal newly emerging trends,” says Richard Barrington, senior financial analyst for MoneyRates.com. The top ten includes: 1. North Port/Bradenton/Sarasota 2. (tie) Provo/Orem, Utah 2. (tie) Raleigh, North Carolina 4. The Villages 5. Cape Coral/Ft. Myers 6. Bend/Redmond, Oregon 7. (tie) Austin/Round Rock, Texas 7. (tie) Punta Gorda 9. Sebastian/Vero Beach 10. Orlando/Kissimmee/Sanford MoneyRates.com ranked the best cities for young entrepreneurs based on: growth, business tax climate, educational level and young adult aﬄuence. America’s Top Cities for Young Entrepreneurs combined high marks on these criteria to help young business owners rethink location when looking for a competitive edge.

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Family Friendly Business Employer of the Year Award, said: “As one of the largest private employers in Collier County, Arthrex is proud of its family business culture and believes that maintaining a healthy work life balance is essential. We continually develop programs and options to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities and priorities. We also facilitate opportunities for employees to enjoy the time they have with their families. This creates an extraordinary, family-friendly work environment and high employee satisfaction.” The Naples Alliance for Children, whose mission was to plug gaps in services to children and to provide networking opportunities and educational programs to improve the well-being of local children, was dissolved last year after 30 years of advocacy for the children in the community. CCCR is honored to carry on NAFC’s legacy in honoring those businesses that support family friendly business practices.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Beneﬁts of using VoIP for your business By Andreas Dolleschal Guest Columnist

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that has been around since the mid ’90s. Since then, it has gone through many changes and upgrades. One of the first business environments to use VoIP was the “Call Center” type. Now you will find it readily available for any type of business because it is scalable. This means each system can be tailored to fit your business needs, from doctors’ practices to real estate offices to auto dealerships and even homebased offices. The possibilities are endless. The following are just a few of the many benefits of using VoIP Technology for your business. • Portability: You can literally take your business with you. Because VoIP uses the internet for connection, you can plug in anywhere in the world, sign in to your company and immediately be connected. • Money Saver: The cost of both the equipment and the service is much less than that of conventional phone systems. Long distance and international calls are also much less expensive. • Accessibility: While being abroad, VoIP gives you the ability for videoconferencing; virtually attending meetings in the home office all while you are away attending to other business affairs. Thus, making you multi-functional. • Flexible Conversion: You can still use your analog phones with VoIP, all you have to do is get a converter or adapter. This piece of equipment that is about the size of a USB thumb drive converts your phones analog signals in to a digital one. Allowing you the flexibility to plug it in to any computer using a high-speed connection. • Mobility: VoIP allows you to assign virtual extensions (users). They can use their current smart phone and utilize an app that will connect them into your network. This will allow them to work freely outside the office but still be accessible for clients and co-workers. So let us review. VoIP is a scale-able technology for your business and can be custom fit for it. You have the ability to literally take your business with you wherever you go. VoIP is a money saver that will help you keep that overhead lower. This will allow you the capability to pass those savings on to your clients. You can keep your current analog system if you choose and still be able to take advantage of the digital technology offered. Smartphones can be used as a virtual extension for those employees that work outside the office. As you can see there are many possibilities available by using VoIP. Andreas “Andy” Dolleschal is president and CEO of Smargasy. You can reach him at 239-214-8592 or a.dolleschal@smargasy.com.

AUGUST 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

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COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

SWFL Commercial Real Estate continues slow, steady climb

By Karen Moore SWFBT Publisher

A few weeks ago, local commercial real estate professionals gathered to share the latest trends in commercial real estate. Here’s what the panel of experts had to say: Office Space Adam Palmer of Landqwest Commercial shared, “In the last three years, office space vacancy in Southwest Florida (SWFL) has been reduced by 30 percent, as rents have remained stable, especially in Charlotte and Lee counties.” He added, “We’re getting a little closer to normalcy in Southwest Florida; however, most of this space absorption has been created by existing business expansion versus new business openings.” Medical Office Space Palmer shared that, clearly, medical office space absorption is driven by the healthcare industry. He notes, “A lot of medical investment in SWFL is still coming from outside the country while local commercial real estate expertise is currently driving the growth in this segment.” However, he points out, more domestic investors are looking at SWFL for the first time because this investor segment can achieve value in smaller (tertiary) markets like SWFL. Industrial Markets Jerry Messonnier of Lee & Associates spoke to

the group about industrial market trends. He told the audience, “There’s currently virtually no vacancy in SWFL in industrial/flex space.” Of the total square footage available in this segment, 65 percent of it is located in Lee County; 10 percent in Charlotte County and 25 percent in Collier County. However, he notes, “What’s being built is generally much greater square footage per project versus looking at the ‘average’ square footage of what is being developed.” Because residential development feeds commercial development, he notes that housing starts have been robust in Collier County and Charlotte County has been steady. “An interesting trend,” Messonnier points out,” is that a lot of renovations are taking place.” He indicated that the recent Robb & Stucky purchase is a good example of this trend. So, Messonnier stated, where Southwest Florida goes from here in this segment depends on trends in the residential segment—which, he stated, has experienced an 80 percent rebound since 2008. “We’re experiencing a ‘typical’ push-pull situation where property owners aren’t quite ready to sell yet because they want to get a better price, while developers are still pushing to pay less.” At the same time, Messonnier notes, construction costs have continued to increase—but lease rates have not. During the Q&A portion of this segment, local commercial realtor Debra Johnson Shuey pointed out, “We’ve got to see the rents go up so that it makes sense to build again--because building costs from 2006 have still not been recovered yet.”

Retail Space Dan O’Berski of Trinity Commercial Group told the audience, “On average, the retail segment has seen good growth but some parts of the whole have been exploding while some parts are dying—so looking at averages is a little deceptive.“ He shared that the retail segment is shifting to entertainment with storage and/ or multi-family options now required in both new development as well as re-development projects. He revealed, “One thousand indoor malls will close out of 5,600 in the country, but the conversions will be really cool.” For example, he noted that mall design strategy now includes much less space for parking due to the coming of driverless cars. Also worth noting are examples of the kinds of retail expansion taking place, O’Berski pointed out, like Publix grocery stores. Publix has been the largest purchaser of its own real estate over the past year. Since the cash-rich company bought this land years ago, it can now continue to expand while keeping rents lower in today’s market. Another example of aggressive retail expansion is demonstrated by the convenience store/gas station chain, Wawa. Knowing that the population will continue to grow in its Florida markets, Wawa has doubled its expansion plan. So while it looks like the local commercial real estate market will continue to both rebound and grow in the coming years, this growth will certainly include ways in which it has never experienced growth before, especially as technology continues to impact all parts of the economy on both a national and local level.

Owen-Ames-Kimball finishes Edgewater Drive improvement

Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, a construction contracting and management company, completed construction services on a $25.2-million improvement project for the Charlotte County-owned Edgewater Drive in Port Charlotte, announced company president Dave Dale. The project included the expansion of two miles of Edgewater Drive from two lanes to four lanes beginning at Harbor Boulevard and ending at Midway Boulevard, replacement of bridges at Sunrise Waterway, East Spring Lake and West Spring Lake, addition of roundabouts at Port Charlotte Boulevard, West Tarpon Boulevard, Lakeview Boulevard and Midway Boulevard, replacement of the traffic signal at Harbor Boulevard, and ad-

dition of a grass median, landscaping, decorative lighting and sidewalks. Engineers on the project included Southwest Engineering & Design for the roadways and American Consulting Professionals for the bridges. Owen-Ames-Kimball Company has provided premier general contracting, design-build, and construction management services in Southwest Florida since 1982. O-A-K’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Florida operation has offices in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers. Learn more about O-A-K at www.owen-ames-kimball.com.

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

AUGUST 2017

COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

NABOR: Legislative Session marks great triumph

The 2017 Legislative Session was a great triumph for homeowners across Florida as every item on the Florida Realtors agenda passed, according to leaders of the Naples Area Board of Realtors. As noted by Danielle Scoggins, senior public policy representative with Florida Realtors, the strength of Naples Area Board of Realtors’ contributions to Realtors Political Action Committee, as well as its advocacy and outreach efforts helped the state agency gain the support it needed on many issues that impact homeownership in Florida. Scoggins spoke to REALTORS at the annual NABOR “Meet Your Legislators” panel discussion at Quail Creek Country Club on June 22. “Two of these guests are the sponsors of the Estoppel Bill that passed,” said Scoggins as she motioned to the three politicians seated at the front of the room. A loud applause broke out as Scoggins personally thanked state Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, who is serving her first term after serving six years in the house, and freshmen state Reps. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, and Bob Rommel, R-Naples.

“When the first budgets came out, the house had zero set aside for Southwest Florida, while the senate had quite a bit,” said Passidomo. This financial imbalance prompted Reps. Donalds and Rommel to band together and create a list of potential bills that directly addressed issues affecting Southwest Florida that were on the senate’s list. One of those items was Senate Bill 398, which went into effect July 1. As proposed by Rep. Donalds, the bill limits the amount sellers have to pay for an estoppel certificate (a document that informs a buyer if the seller is current with their dues and assessments). With Passidomo’s sponsorship of the bill at the senate level, it passed and effectively “caps estoppel certificate fees at $250 for unit owners who are current in their assessments. Associations may charge an additional $100 for expedited estoppel certificates (delivered within three business days) and another $150 to owners who are delinquent in their assessments.” Another achievement during the session will benefit business owners in Florida greatly. While not the first-time it has been argued during ses-

sion, this year marked the first-ever reduction of the business rent tax. Effective January 1, the new state tax rate businesses will pay on their commercial leases will be 5.8 percent. Far from being eliminated, which is ultimately the goal, it is estimated that businesses throughout Florida will save more than $60 million each year with this first-ever reduction. “This was the best year for Realtors in my six years in Tallahassee,” said Passidomo. “Your priorities became our priorities and it’s great how everyone came together.” Never one to take the easy road, Passidomo had a heavy load to carry in her first year as State Senator. She personally drafted and passed the Estoppel bill, an important consumer protection bill that affects all real estate transactions, and culminates more than three years of pressing this issue before the legislature. While new to the process, Reps. Donalds and Rommel quickly learned the importance of building relationships and both admitted “getting an idea through several committees doesn’t mean SESSION See page 8

BUSINESS SERVICES

TDM Consulting finishes inspections at Cypress Point TDM Consulting just finished the final inspections for Cypress Point, Fort Myers’ newest assisted living, memory support and short-term respite care community. The 140-bed facility is located at 6870 Alister Way, at the corner of Daniels Parkway and Six Mile Cypress. TDM Consulting is a local firm providing Civil Engineering and Planning services throughout Southwest Florida. The team at TDM Consulting works hard to provide cost-effective and timely services to its clients, whether it’s a small commercial redevelopment or a 420-unit residential development. TDM believes that creating relationships through trust, communication, and accountability is the key to success. This belief is at the core of the business and has sustained the small, local firm through the recession to the strong and successful business it is today.

TDM Consulting just finished the final inspections for Cypress Point, Fort Myers’ newest assisted living, memory support and short-term respite care community. The 140-bed facility, shown in the aerial view on the left, is located at 6870 Alister Way, at the corner of Daniels Parkway and Six Mile Cypress.

TDM Consulting can be reached at www.tdmcivilengineering.com or 239-433-4231.

We Care About SWFL Commercial Realtors With dedicated space for informa�on: • On our website with a Commercial Real Estate sec�on & directory • In our quarterly Commercial RE Market pullout in both the print & digital versions of SWFBT • With zoned and full-run inserts • With guest column opportuni�es • With digital marke�ng op�ons

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AUGUST 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 7

COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

Market Trends: Where are we now?

Florida’s housing market reported more closed sales, higher median prices, more new listings and more pending sales in May.

Home sales, prices up in May Florida’s housing market reported more closed sales, higher median prices, more new listings and more pending sales in May, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors. Sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 27,850 last month, up 7.6 percent compared to May 2016. “Buyer demand continues to fuel Florida’s housing market this month,” said 2017 Florida Realtors President Maria Wells, broker-owner with Lifestyle Realty Group in Stuart. “As forsale inventory continues to be tight, prospective buyers are responding by being prepared, pre-qualified and ready to make an offer when they find the right home. Realtors across the state report that many newly listed homes are selling quickly. In May, sellers of existing single-family homes received 96.4 percent (median percentage) of their original listing price, while those selling townhouse-condo properties received 94.7 percent—a signal that the listed price is extremely close to market value. “In this competitive and complex market, it is vital for consumers to work with a Realtor who will provide them expert guidance in the homebuying or selling process.” The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $239,000, up 7.7 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors research department in partnership with local Realtor boards/ associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in May was $178,000, up 8.1 percent over the year-ago figure. May was the 66th consecutive month that statewide median prices for both sectors rose year-over-year. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. According to the National Association of Realtors, the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in April 2017 was $246,100,

up 6.1 percent from the previous year; the national median existing condo price was $234,600. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in April was $536,750; in Massachusetts, it was $362,500; in Maryland, it was $285,023; and in New York, it was $235,000. Looking at Florida’s townhousecondo market, statewide closed sales totaled 11,538 last month, up 8 percent compared to May 2016. Closed sales data reflected fewer short sales and last month: Short sales for townhousecondo properties declined 44.8 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 30.8 percent. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written. “Closed sales of existing homes in the Sunshine State not only rebounded from a relatively flat April, they positively surged to record highs in May of 2017,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. “To be more specific, May’s sale totals of 27,850 existing single family homes and 11,538 existing condos and townhomes were the most ever recorded (by Florida Realtors) for a single month in either property type category. In both cases, these totals were also markedly higher than the very strong number of sales racked up in May of 2016.” Inventory remained tight in May with a 4-months’ supply for single-family homes and a 6-months’ supply for townhouse-condo properties, according to Florida Realtors. According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.01 percent in May 2017; it averaged 3.60 percent during the same month a year earlier.

We are almost half way through 2017 and the question is: How are the Lee County office, industrial and apartment markets performing? The Lee County Property Appraiser is projecting a 6-percent (increase in values for all properties in Lee County. The following is a comparison of the office, industrial and apartment markets in Lee County for the first half of 2017 versus the first half of 2016. Office Market Data I collected indicates an average sales price per square foot of building area for office buildings increased 5 percent, with the highest per square foot prices associated with medical office buildings.

Industrial Market The industrial market took off like a rocket in 2017, with a 14-percent increase in the average sales price per square foot of building area. Rental rates have also jumped, and guess what? New industrial space is being built for the first time since the recession. Apartment Market The apartment market has of-

ficially gone where no market has gone before. The average price per apartment unit was 52 percent higher than last year. Last year’s record price of $169,000 per unit, was just BY MIKE DOYLE eclipsed by the Guest Columnist sale of University Highlands apartments at $213,000 per unit. In summary, these three markets are doing well, all showing strong sales at record prices. We are fortunate to be in a market that continues to grow, with population growth and low unemployment. This is all positive news for the commercial real estate market. Call me at 239-851-3164 if I can provide advice on the commercial real estate market.

Mike Doyle is a senior associate with LandQwest Commercial Real Estate Services. Email him at mdoyle@lqwest.com..

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Page 8

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

AUGUST 2017

COMMERCIAL RE MARKET A look at commercial real estate trends and topics in Southwest Florida

GATES Construction to build Clearwater retail plaza GATES Construction has broken ground on Clearwater Retail Plaza located on Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Clearwater. The project will feature a brand new 6,380 square foot retail plaza, which will accommodate three new store fronts with high visibility on Gulf to Bay Boulevard. GATES will oversee the project from its Sarasota office located on North Tamiami Trail, in One Sarasota Tower. The project is scheduled for completion by late fall 2017. Ai Collabora-

tive is providing architectural design services. As Florida’s premiere builder, GATES Construction serves its clients from offices in Bonita Springs and Sarasota as a full service general contracting firm providing construction management and design-build services with a diversified project portfolio in all types of commercial, institutional, industrial, healthcare, and multi-family construction projects. GATES also operates in North Carolina and the Republic of Panama. GATES Construction has broken ground on Clearwater Retail Plaza located on Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Clearwater.

SESSION PAGE 6 you have to make enemies.” A hot topic of discussion during the evening was the issue of Assignment of Benefits. Donalds responded by saying, “It will be tough, but we can’t have these type of abuses in insurances. There’s no protection to consumers.” Passidomo commented that trail lawyers consider killing AOB reformation as their biggest accomplishment. “There’s so much abuse going on with this provision and insurers, like Citizens Property Insurance, which points to ‘out-of-control’ water damage claims where homeowners have signed over their assignment of benefits to contractors, are responding with rate hikes. Others will follow.” But progress was made in other areas including the passage of HJR 21, which affects Naples’ seasonal homeowners. Currently, there is a 10-percent cap on the annual increase of property taxes for all non-homestead properties, but it sunsets on January 1, 2019. With the passing of HJR 21, voters will see a new amendment on the November 2018 ballot that permanently puts a

10 percent cap on the annual increase of property taxes for all non-homestead properties. Taking the lead, Rommel mentioned an additional three bills that passed the session to control property taxes. These bills, as outlined by Florida Realtors, are: • HJR 7105: An amendment on the November 2018 ballot that would allow homeowners to shield an additional $25,000 of the value of their home from non-school property taxes. This additional $25,000 would apply the exemption to the portion of values between $100,000 and $125,000. • HB 455: If approved by 60 percent of voters in November 2018, this would provide a 100 percent homestead tax exemption to first responders who become totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty. • SB 90: An amendment to exempt renewable energy devices, such as rooftop solar, installed by businesses and commercial entities from the tangible personal property tax. Another win for homeowners is a legislative move to inject an additional $600 million from general revenue into the K-12 education budget. This infusion of funds effectively shields prop-

erty owners from an increase in local taxes that occurs when property values increase. It also protects homeowners from higher property taxes resulting from increased education funding. Several attendees asked the panel about its thoughts on regulating vacation rentals. Rommel responded by saying, “There are no grey areas for protecting property owners. If we want tourists here and the revenue they bring, we need options beyond hotels. The proposed bill would have allowed municipalities to impose new ordinances, possibly making it even more difficult to operate vacation rentals.” The “Meet Your Legislators” event was presented by the Governmental Issues Committee, under the direction of Chair Bobbie Dusek, and sponsored by the 2017 Realtors Political Action Committee (RPAC). To explore these bills further or to discover what issues will be pursued next session, go to the Legislative Center page on floridarealtors.org. The Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) is an established organization (Chartered in 1949) whose members have a positive and progressive impact on the Naples Community.

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AUGUST 2017

Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

Page 9

BUSINESS SERVICES

Business line of credit vs. credit card vs. loan - what’s best? As a small business owner you’ll inevitably need capital to start, build or grow your business. How to acquire that funding is up to you. While there are multiple options available to secure funding, business lines of credit, business credit cards and business loans are some of the most common. Each of these tools serve a unique purpose to help you run your business. Knowing the differences between them will help you make an informed decision about what is best for your company when you need capital.

Business lines of credit By and large, lines of credit are used to finance ongoing operating expenses and short-term financing needs, such as payroll, short-term cash flow shortages or seasonal expenses. It is something you obtain before you need it. Lines of credit are often referred to as “revolving,” which means you can tap into them again and again. For example, if you have a $75,000 line of credit for your business and use $30,000, you still have access to the remaining $45,000. If you pay back the $30,000, you will have access to the full $75,000 without having to reapply. Borrowers are required to make monthly, sometimes quarterly, interest payments on the line of credit. Principal payments do not follow a set sched-

ule and usually borrowers use their excess cash flows to pay down the outstanding balance on the line of credit. Don’t tie up your line of credit paying for long-term investments because this will limit your flexibility and prevent access to funds in an emergency.

Business credit cards Business credit cards, BY THOMAS which function just like perDIBERNARDO sonal credit cards, are very Guest Columnist similar to lines of credit in that they are used for short-term funding needs such as operating expenses. The biggest difference is that more often than not they are unsecured and therefore carry higher interest rates. As a result, the larger the amount you need, the more sense it typically makes to apply for a line of credit. That’s because it’s cheaper for you and is typically less risky for the bank. Business loans Small business loans are ideal for long-term investments like buying equipment or making improvements to your plant or office. When you apply,

you’ll need to show exactly what your plan for the money is and how it will help your business. When you use a small business term loan to access capital, you borrow a lump sum of money, get it all at once and pay it back over a specific period of time, also known as the “term.” Most banks prefer loans to be backed by collateral, but sometimes there are options for unsecured term notes—just check with your banker. Closing costs and interest rates for term loans are typically higher than those on a business line of credit. And as opposed to a revolving line of credit, once you use up all the loan funds, you’ll need to reapply for a new loan. Selecting one of these financing options over another will ultimately depend on your specific needs and goals. Your banker will help you determine the best source of capital. If you have further questions about your options, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local MidWestOne business banker. Thomas DiBernardo is Vice President of Commercial Banking at MidWestOne Bank. He works with businesses in both Naples and Fort Myers to help them manage their ﬁnances and identify eﬀective money management solutions. You can reach Thomas at 4099 Tamiami Trail N. #100 Naples FL 34103, 239-213-6785.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Insurance can bring peace of mind to businesses

Insurance. I used to say how boring, but those are not the words I would use any longer. Frightening, confusing or worrisome? Maybe, but the best words I think to describe insurance in my world is peace of mind. Insurance has many different facets to it. Business insurance comes into play in many different ways as well. In business or commercial insurance, you should be concerned with liability and your property coverage to start.

Liability General liability is thought of as slip and fall coverage. For instance, you rent a space or own a space and someone comes to see you and he or she trips and falls, you are liable. You go to a client put your bag down and they trip over your bag, you are liable. You could be there building something and something sharp is sticking out and they are hurt somehow, you are liable. How about a house cleaner leaving a rag in the laundry tub, runs a load of laundry and the tub over flows, they are liable. Anything, anywhere can happen and if you are responsible that means you

are liable. Even if you think you were not at fault, you still have to defend yourself in a court of law, and if you have if no insurance that cost is out of your pocket. If you have general liability, as long as there is no crimiBY MARGIE TANN nal act and your Guest Columnist policy covers what is in question, then the legal cost is covered. Professional liability is also called E&O or malpractice etc. Professional liability is often overlooked in many careers as people don’t realize that they need it. Professional liability is needed when you give professional advice. Some professions this may include are: insurance, inspectors, doctors, accountants, lawyers and marketing representatives, to name a few. Any career that gives any sort of

advice must have this coverage.

Property Property insurance covers your property and is more cut and dry. For instance, office equipment, stock in your warehouse, equipment you use on the job or a building/space that you own falls under property insurance. If you have a legal interest in the property, you can and should be insuring it. When you have your liability and property insured, then you can pick and choose coverage options that are available and might pertain to your business to broaden your coverage. Once you have been educated on your options and have secured the proper coverage with the proper limits, you will have that peace of mind. Margie Tann, president of Florida Insurance & Financial Services, has been an insurance agent for over 31 years and writes personal and commercial lines insurance. Contact her at 239-317-1040 or mtann@agentsnet.com.

PYURE PAGE 1 “This has been a really exciting time for the brand,” stated Ben Fleischer, founder and CEO of Pyure. “We are forever thankful to have the opportunity to call Naples, labeled the healthiest city in the U.S., our home, and look forward to what is to come for Pyure and this community.” Pyure Brands is committed to providing customers with natural alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners. All Pyure Brands products are organic, containing no GMOs, no calories, no sugars and no artificial chemicals. Trusted for producing superior taste and quality, Pyure is the first-to-market introducing USDA Certified Organic and nonGMO Project Verified Stevia. Pyure serves global food, beverage, cosmetic and nutraceutical markets through retail, commercial, and food service channels and is one of the largest suppliers of stevia in the country.

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Breaking Business News B2B Events Calendar Photo Galleries Commercial Real Estate Directory • Professionals who are “Going Places” ... and much more at www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

AUGUST 2017

Hiring new talent focus of technology partnership seminar

Hiring technology talent in Southwest Florida can be tricky, and organizations must get creative with how they source and develop talent. The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership recently produced an event featuring a panel of higher education and technology professionals who discussed how local technology companies such as Gartner’s Research Analyst Lab handle hiring, as well as what it looks like from the perspective of two Florida Gulf Coast University software engineering professors, who prepare new technology talent for the workforce. The moderator of the panel was Kevin Price, vice president of Gartner’s Research Analyst Lab. Panelists included: Dr. Anna Koufakou, associate professor in FGCU’s Software Engineering department; Dr. Fernando Gonzalez, assistant professor in FGCU’s Software Engineering department; Carsyn Crane, Gartner talent sourcer; Carol Duncan senior corporate recruiter at Gartner; and

Noah Rosenstein, Gartner research analyst. The discussion included sharing from where companies source candidates. Panelists said it remains hard to get people from career website services both because the volume of resumes is great while the quality is lacking. The panel and audience agreed the best places to get good jobs include seminars and professional networking events, like ones produced by the Technology Partnership where hiring managers attend. This gives an opportunity to talk to people as opposed to just reading resumes. The panelists also shared that because technology evolves so rapidly, hiring managers should not focus only on a set of hard skills from candidates. Rather, they should hire for personal traits indicating the candidate shows both an aptitude and appetite for continuously training and acquisition of new skills.

James Sampel, CIO for Alico Inc., also advised candidates not to focus on acquiring every certification under the sun. It is more important to be able to speak intelligently about applying those certifications in the workplace, he said. Koufakou cited FGCU’s innovaton lab and internship partnership with Hertz as a model for how businesses can train students before graduation. The success of this program has FGCU looking for more corporate partners for internship placements to give students real world experience. In lieu of cultivating from local sources, representatives from the private sector admitted they rely upon outsourcing to technology companies. Those companies can focus on maintaining teams of talent representing a diverse set of skills and can keep up with advances in technology. Visit www.swfrtp.org to register for upcoming technology events.

BUSINESS SERVICES

Tips on how to get your business started with Facebook The most popular and widely used social platform, Facebook, can be the beginning of your successful social media campaign. Learn how to create your profile and understand its various features to engage your customers and reach new ones. Facebook is where people connect and share their lives with family and friends. It is also a place where people look for events, news, jobs and their favorite company products and services, like your company. Based on a website “WordStream,” the percentages of internet users on Facebook are 75 percent male and 83 percent female. And with its new purchase of Instagram, your access to a wider range of internet users is possible. Now let’s talk about your Facebook profile and its features. It is important that you spend time on building your profile. First, choose the type of template that best represents your organization, from standard, nonprofit, business, venues, politicians, services, shopping, and restaurant and cafes. Second, choose the tabs you want to have in your profile. You definitely want posts, videos and photos about your company, and as an extra, you can choose jobs, services, offers, shop and events, among many others. Third, consider adding your logo as your profile

picture, a great way for your customers to recognize and follow your page. Fourth, use a powerful cover picture or short video that represents your company. In our organization, we use pictures of various occupations to let our customers know we assist job seekers and employers find each other. Fifth, consider adding an introduction video that talks BY JANETH P. about what your organization RAMIREZ stands for: its mission and viGuest Columnist sion, to give your followers an insight look at your company. Lastly, use page roles to add admins and editors who can add content keeping your followers engaged and informed. A great tool to be active on Facebook is its Business Page Manager application, which is both PC and mobile friendly and has all capabilities of creating posts with videos, pictures and links; you can create events, boost your post for advertisement and post jobs, among other things. The event tab allows you to add all details about the event with pictures and links, it tracks who is at-

tending and allows you to respond to questions from your interested followers. I like using it for our hiring events. It has useful features like the “boost post” button to advertise a particular successful post with few dollars. For example, you can boost a post with a picture for $3 to reach up to 1,400 people; not bad right? Do you have job openings? You can post your jobs on Facebook. You can add all pertinent information about the position along with asking candidates ‘why they would be a good candidate?’ for your company, and give them instructions on how to apply. One last feature I like to add is the insights tab, which gives you analytics about your Facebook activity and engagement with your followers. Facebook and Instagram are great tools to build your company social media presence and now you know how to build your profile and the features that you should use to keep your followers engaged. Janeth P. Ramirez is social media coordinator for CareerSource Southwest Florida. Ramirez manages all Social Media platforms for CSSWFL, blogs on CSSWFL and is an incessant social media learner due to its ever-changing platforms. Reach her at jramirez@careersourcesouthwestﬂorida.com.

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Gov. Scott: $85 million fund will invest in new jobs Gov. Rick Scott announced Enterprise Florida and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity are accepting economic development project proposals for the new $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Economic development projects that enhance community infrastructure or develop workforce training programs are eligible to receive funding. Governor Scott said, “With more than 1.37 million jobs created across our state since December 2010 and the lowest unemployment rate in nearly 10 years, it is clear that Florida’s economy has experienced incredible growth. However, we are competing against other states and countries for new jobs, and we must aggressively fight to make Florida the best destination for business. That is why I worked with the Legislature to establish the new $85-mil-

lion Florida Job Growth Fund, which will invest in infrastructure and workforce training needs across the state—two major factors that job creators consider when choosing an ideal location. I am proud to announce that DEO and EFI are now accepting proposals for the fund and I encourage Florida communities to apply today.” Governor Scott worked with the Legislature to establish the fund during the recent special session. This economic development program is the first of its kind and will be used to promote public infrastructure and individual job training, which will encourage more businesses to choose Florida as a destination for business. DEO will work with Enterprise Florida, the state’s premier economic development agency, and other state and local partners to iden-

tify projects that may be considered for funding. Senate President Joe Negron said: “I am pleased to see the application process launch so quickly. Key investments in infrastructure and job training provided through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund will help keep Florida businesses and employees on the cutting edge of their industries. With new transparency measures, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund strikes the right balance between accountability to the taxpayers who fund our government and the flexibility needed to remain nationally competitive in our economic development efforts. My colleagues and I appreciate Gov. Scott’s leadership in this important endeavor.” House Speaker Richard Corcoran said: “This fund will free up the governor to cut through unnecessary bu-

reaucracy, regulation, and red tape to improve infrastructure and education leading to greater job growth and opportunity for all Floridians.” Cissy Proctor, executive director of DEO, said, “Communities across Florida have so many opportunities for economic development and job growth. The Florida Job Growth Fund allows DEO to provide needed flexible funding to enhance infrastructure and develop a strong workforce across the state.” Mike Grissom, interim president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said: “Florida is already a top business destination. The new Florida Job Growth Grant Fund provides another valuable tool to Florida communities as they compete on a global stage for economic development projects that transform communities and invest into our state.”

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It’s been useful to Fort Myers agent David Nitsche, who shows on his laptop how he can walk into an auditorium and attend a seminar or meet up with an agent in a different market to get information from their MLS database. He walks an avatar designed to look like himself out from the classroom-like lecture space into an area that looks almost like a bar. While you can’t get real refreshments here, you can hear people more clearly the closer you get, allowing conversations with groups Fort Myers agent David Nitsche explores the naof agents or more intimate meetings with individu- tional real estate company’s virtual cloud office als. In one space, you can even go to tables with with Jason Gesing, CEO of eXp Realty. sound proof cones so only those in that space will course, it’s not just the Sims-like office that attracts be heard over the online communication. Nitsche “walks” to a sign inside the lobby to agents. The company doesn’t do franchise agreethe campus to inspect a calendar of today’s events. ments, and instead encourages agents to become He clicks a button and suddenly the calendar fills shareholders. “Some come in who have been payhis own computer screen. The same sort of thing ing a 4 to 7 percent royalty to a franchiser, somecan be done during presentations or if other agents times not certain what value they get in return but want to share specific information with others in paying it long enough they forget they are paying the cloud office. “If someone is presenting some- it.” Instead, agents can buy shares in eXp World thing on a screen, you can blow it up on your own Holdings, the realty company’s umbrella parent, at a discount price. screen. Once in, Gesing says the cloud technology alUsing the same underlying technology today lows real estate professionals a water-cooler workthat drives the online game Pokémon Go, eXp Replace environment that’s been slowly disappearing alty creates an immersive campus where any agent in an age of online listings. With agents in some in the country can go for a variety of reasons. 170 MLS markets in 48 states and two Canadian Gesing said the popularity of the firm with provinces, there’s also tremendous opportunity for agents around the country has grown rapidly; the cross-market sharing of hard information and local company boasted around 864 agents in January knowledge. 2016 and nearly four times that number now. Of

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Southwest Florida BUSINESS TODAY

AUGUST 2017

BUSINESS SERVICES

3D Interspace Solutions now offering 4K technology Fort Myers-based 3D Interspace Solutions announced it now offers all-in-one 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) digital scanning services. With this next generation technology, the company brings enhanced 4K quality UHD, 3D virtual tours and print-ready photos, using a single piece of equipment, to the region. Since 2015, 3D Interspace Solutions has provided 3D Virtual Tours using advanced digital scanning services, allowing on-demand viewing of properties online, wherever viewers may be. The new 4K product creates an alternative to the basic package for those with higher end projects. The company will continue to offer the traFort Myers-based 3D Interspace Solutions announced it now offers all-in-one ditional, basic 3-D packages for those 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) digital scanning services. who have found the visual marketing tool to be invaluable. next generation of immersive, 3D vi- continue to offer the most advanced Bryce Clerk, founder and director sualization technology, now in 4K visualization technology available to of Engineering at 3D Interspace Solu- resolution. realtors and builders alike as it betions, said: “We are excited to simul“3D Interspace Solutions takes comes available. We will leave it up taneously announce a price reduction great pride in providing superior com- to our clients to decide which option for our basic Matterport offering while munication and personalized service works best for them based on the new introducing to Southwest Florida the to its clients across the map. We will construction or resale property they

are marketing.” An Ultra High Definition 4K display has at least 8 million active pixels, more than four times the resolution of a standard 3D virtual tour. The new Matterport Pro2 3D Camera for interactive 3D Showcase tours for web and mobile features GPS, Virtual Reality (VR) experiences, stunning magazine DSL quality print-ready photos, highly accurate 3-D measurements used to create 2-D floor plans, and 360 degree panoramic walkthroughs. The turnaround time for all services is 24 to 48 hours. A comparison of Basic and 4K resolution packages is available on www.3dswfl.com along with a pricing schedule. 3D Interspace Solution provides its state-of-the-art services throughout Southwest Florida. For more information, contact Bryce Clerk at 941-4046122 or Sean Radigan at 239-8410260. Visit 3D Interspace Solutions at www.3dswfl.com.

Punta Forda Airport, Chamber celebrate Allegiant’s successes Punta Gorda Airport recently held an Allegiant Appreciation Celebration in conjunction with the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce in the departure area of the Bailey Terminal. Punta Gorda Airport noted continued growth due to Allegiant, as well as Cheney Brothers, Western

Michigan University and all other airport tenants and the local community. Allegiant representatives in attendance announced they are hiring for more than 30 new flight attendant positions based at Punta Gorda Airport. Interested applicants can

apply at www.allegiant.com. Allegiant recently announced an additional five cities to Punta Gorda Airport’s nonstop flight service roster: Rochester, New York; Newburgh, New York; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Flint, Michigan; and St. Cloud, Minnesota. These new routes bring the

total number of Allegiant destinations from Punta Gorda to 39. During the event, attendees Adam Cummins and Nancy Kirk both won $250 Allegiant travel vouchers as part of Allegiant’s “Get Away Your Way Every Day” summer program.

APPLY NOW! Win the recognition your company deserves, raise visibility of your company in Southwest Florida and network with other successful business people. Independent judges will select a Blue Chip Community Business Award winner from Lee, Collier or Charlotte County to be announced during a luncheon on Nov. 2, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs.

The BLue ChiP AWArd is OPeN TO ANY fOr-PrOfiT COmPANY ThAT: Has been in continuous operation under the same ownership for at least 3 years with principal office in Lee, Collier or Charlotte counties; Employs 5 to 400 payroll employees; and Has overcome adversity to achieve success. There is NO eNTrY fee Applications due Sept. 5, 2017 Call Stacey Mercado at 239-433-7189 for an application.