May 16, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

CONTACTS: Nancy Hamilton, Lee Rose, Jessica Doyle (239) 338-3500
  
Proactive hurricane preparedness and response earn Lee County VCB distinguished statewide award 

LEE COUNTY, FL (May 16, 2005) Keen foresight to protect the Fort Myers/Sanibel Island tourism industry  the area's economic lifeline  has earned the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) the 2005 Distinguished Service Award at the Governor's Hurricane Conference held in Tampa recently.

The award commended the VCB's proactive approach to dealing with the potentially destructive results of the summer 2004 storms.  Refined over the past 15 years, the Lee County Hospitality Industry Hurricane Preparedness Manual was recognized for providing tourism members with a detailed resource to increase the safety of visitors and property. 

The VCB was also recognized for its program to assist accommodation owners and their guests in the event of a hurricane threat or strike.  This program includes the VCB serving as a central clearinghouse for locating safe hotel space for those evacuating  coastal areas, providing housing information to incoming emergency crews, furnishing toll-free telemarketing resources to support Lee County's emergency public information system, and development of marketing campaigns to reduce potential negative publicity associated with the impact of hurricanes. 

The award praised the VCB's initiative to assure that the local tourism industry is prepared to respond and recover from the impact of hurricanes.

The Lee County Sheriff's office and the City of Sanibel also received awards.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel & Captiva islands, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs & Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.  For more information, log onto www.FortMyersSanibel.com

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