We’re All Business
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA’S BUSINESS VOICE • 239-573-9732 Vol. 9 No. 4 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.swfloridabusinesstoday.com
Distributed in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs and Naples
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Biz expo celebrates five years in Charlotte Put your “out of office” message in Outlook on Feb. 4 so you can be part of the Fifth Annual “Hottest Business Day in Paradise” Business Expo 2016. If you attend the Expo you can make more than 100 sales calls in one day and in one place just by talking with Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce members who have a booth at the Expo. You can also: visit various companies and compare prices and services and hear and compare points of view; meet prospects and customers face to face to build rapport and confidence and familiarize yourself with products and services available in our community. Accomplish all this in just one day at the biggest business event of the year. For more information call Joanne Reid at (941) 627-2222, or email jreid@charlottecountychamber.org.
Fiddler’s Creek in Naples has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Emerald Club designation.
Midland IRA, AdvantaIRA Trust, merge offices
Fiddler’s Creek recognized as top club
AdvantaIRA Trust, LLC is proud to announce that it has merged with Midland IRA Inc. of Chicago, Illinois. Over the last eight years, the owners of Midland IRA have been operating two self-directed IRA companies: AdvantaIRA Trust in Fort Myers and Midland IRA in downtown Chicago. They have decided to merge the companies. Effective January 1, the two companies have merged and began operating under the name Midland IRA, Inc. Midland IRA specializes in self-directed IRA administration, specifically alternative investments including real estate, private notes, and LLCs, as well as 1031 exchanges. MERGE See page 5
Premier Sotheby’s Realty named business of month The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Collier County Commissioners selected Premier Sotheby’s International Realty as the Business of the Month for January 2016. Each month, the award is presented to an organization that has enhanced the community through financial, volunteer and active involvement in organizations and programs that assist in creating a better quality of life for all citizens in Collier County. The county commissioners, Opportunity Naples VP Kristi Bartlett and Andrea Sturzenegger, VP of Marketing SOTHEBY See page 9
Fiddler’s Creek in Naples has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Emerald Club designation, an honor attained by only the top 5 percent of private clubs in the world. Fiddler’s Creek earned top scores following an October 2015 onsite visit evaluating the member experience in 10 categories, including golf, dining, fitness and clubhouse. Distinguished Achievement in Leadership awards also were presented to nine club employees. The annual Distinguished Clubs of the World awards program is conducted by BoardRoom magazine, one of the most respected trade publications serving private clubs, and is designed to recognize and preserve the private club tradition. COURSE See page 10
Fiddler’s Creek’s signature 18-hole Creek Course has been named among Golfweek Magazine’s Top 100 Best Residential Golf Courses in the country.
Black Salt Culinary opens in Cape French Chefs Fabrice Deletrain and Benjamin Voisin have taken their engaging personalities, creative synergy and unique artistry on the road with the launch of Black Salt Culinary in Cape Coral. Named after the Hawaiian lava salt that is revered for its elegant color and depth of flavor, the company seeks to set a new standard in the Southwest Florida catering industry. From casual company parties to elaborate weddings to family gatherings, Black Salt orchestrates an experience tailored to the preferences of its discerning clients. Whether at a private residence, on a boat, at a business or any other venue, the team at Black Salt Culinary is dedicated to elevating every occasion with unparalleled quality, excellent service and beautiful, in-
Black Salt Culinary orchestrates an experience tailored to the preferences of its clients. spired food that serves as visual art. Masters of classical French techniques, Deletrain and Voisin have garnered acclaim as the chefs at Fathoms Restaurant & Bar for their playful modern aesthetic and creative use of novel ingredients. Fans of The French
Press, also at the waterfront shopping and dining destination of Cape Harbour Marina, will be delighted to find that European-style bakery café’s pastry among the dessert and appetizer menu choices for any affair catered by Black Salt. “We want to set a high standard, and we start with the visual presentation first,” Deletrain said. “With our background in France, we have been exposed to a variety of interesting ingredients that we can introduce to people in a fun way.” “Being creative in the kitchen means we always challenge ourselves, and Fabrice and I are excited to bring our energy and skills out of the kitchen to make every event memorable,” Voisin added.
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