Fort Myers Shines Bright: Chamber Awards Honor Community Champions!

Caloosa Sound Convention Center, Downtown Fort Myers, Florida, USA - The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce rolled out the red carpet at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center on July 17, 2025, for its annual Chamber Awards. This celebrated event, held in downtown Fort Myers, pays tribute to local businesses and leaders who have made significant contributions to the community. With a blend of elegance and festivity, around 350 attendees gathered to watch as new board members were installed and accomplishments of the past year were recognized.

The ceremony served multiple purposes: it honored outgoing committee chairs, facilitated check presentations from the Chamber Foundation, and, most importantly, celebrated the commitment and achievements of numerous organizations that make Lee County a vibrant place to live and work.

Awards and Recognitions

This year’s awards spanned various categories, showcasing the diverse contributions from both small and large businesses in the region. According to Priority Marketing, the honored recipients were as follows:

• Small Business of the Year: CRS Technology Consultants, recognized for its standout managed cloud services and IT solutions. Finalists included Global Strategies and Stickboy.
• Large Business of the Year: Drake Ready Mix, notable for its concrete ready mix solutions, with finalists Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. and Park Royal Hospital.
• Community Impact Award: Jeannine Joy of United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, acknowledged for her exceptional leadership. Finalists were Darrel Lieze-Adams and Tamara Pigott.
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Reema Bhatia of Stickboy, lauded for transforming her 3D graphics company into a full-service tech enterprise. Finalists included Christopher Spiro and Janelle Miley.
• Nonprofit Excellence Award: LARC, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities, with finalists from Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida and Family Initiative, Inc.
• Young Professional of the Year: Ashley Price from Goodwill Industries, recognized for her efforts in securing funding and fostering community relations, with finalists Jessica McElwee and Kira Ayers.
• Volunteer of the Year: Virginia King, a dedicated volunteer for LARC, celebrated for her financial management support.
• APEX Award: Jen Whyte, co-founder of Fort Myers Brewing Company, acknowledged for her committed business and community engagement, alongside finalists Anjali Van Drie and Carolyn Johnson.

Fort Myers‘ Mayor, Kevin Anderson, was also honored as the Elected Official of the Year, a reflection of his strong leadership in the community.

Community Support & Sponsorships

During the event, significant contributions were made to education and community initiatives. The Chamber’s Women in Business and Level HER Up committees presented a check for $31,768 to the Florida SouthWestern State College Foundation, earmarked for healthcare scholarships. Moreover, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Foundation received $9,070, emphasizing the robust support for local education and community programs.

Verizon shone as the presenting sponsor for the 2025 Chamber Awards, complemented by sponsorships from the City of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University, and numerous other esteemed organizations. The vibrant spirit of community support was palpable throughout the night, with both camaraderie and commitment evident among attendees.

As we reflect on the extraordinary contributions of local talents and businesses, it’s clear that the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce continues to be the backbone of support and recognition for our community. This institution has been tirelessly serving Lee County since 1989, representing nearly 750 professionals and businesses as noted by Fort Myers Chamber.

It’s uplifting to see so many dedicated individuals making a difference. Here’s to another great year ahead for the Greater Fort Myers community!