provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Jesse Lavender, director of Lee County Parks & Recreation, will be the guest speaker at the Aug. 10 business luncheon meeting of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce at the Captiva Island Yacht Club starting at 11:30 a.m. He will inform chamber members about the ongoing beautification, erosion-control, and enhancement projects that began at the Sanibel Causeway in July 2021 and are scheduled to continue through June 2024. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is sponsoring the luncheon.
“We have been watching the progress on this project for a year, already seeing its significant impact on island businesses,” said John Lai, chamber president and chief executive officer. “At the time of Lavender’s last couple of reports to the chamber, some details were still up in the air. We’re all keen to learn where plans currently lead.”
Lavender, a Fort Myers native, has served with Lee County Parks & Recreation for the past 17 years at almost every level. Prior to that, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a bachelor’s degree in travel, tourism, and commercial recreation; and worked as a fishing guide in Pine Island Sound and Everglades National Park.
The chamber business lunch is a monthly networking opportunity held at various member locations. The chamber strives to provide speakers to discuss relevant business topics for the membership. Sanibel-Captiva chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for luncheon attendance is $30 for chamber members only. Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, at sanibel-captiva.org or by calling 239-472-8255. Payment is due at time of registration.