Merged GFM, SanCap Chamber Expands Presence with FRLA

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

The newly combined Greater Fort Myers and Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce recently signed a management agreement with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) effective July 1 to serve as operational manager and regional director for the FRLA Southwest Florida Region.

The chamber will provide governance and board administration, event planning and management, sales and membership development, member services, accounting and financial administration, and communications for the FRLA. The Southwest Florida Region encompasses Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties.

“This consolidation of resources marks yet another way we will continue to hold firm to our promise to continue to add value to our members and combine similar local business interests in the most efficient, sustainable way,” said chamber president and chief executive officer John Lai, who has long sat on the FRLA board of directors and from 2023-2024 served as interim executive director of the organization following Hurricane Ian. “The chamber and FRLA have always enjoyed a symbiotic relationship, so this bond comes organically and with best intent. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that once again broadens scope for chamber members.”

Chamber members will benefit from valuable FRLA-chamber discounted membership packages and collaborative statewide events, including the 14th annual FRLA Operations Summit Aug. 18-20 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

“FRLA is proud to partner with the Greater Fort Myers and SanCap Chamber of Commerce to strengthen our support for hospitality businesses across Southwest Florida,” said Carol Dover, FRLA president and chief executive officer. “John Lai and his team have been valued FRLA partners for many years, and their regional expertise and commitment to the hospitality industry make them well-positioned to serve our current and future members in Lee, Charlotte, and Collier counties. This partnership strengthens our local presence and advances our shared mission of supporting and advocating for Florida’s restaurant, lodging, and supplier communities. We look forward to working together to deliver greater value, stronger advocacy, and expanded opportunities for our members throughout the region.”

ABOUT SANCAP CHAMBER
The SanCap Chamber is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. The Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. Its website, sanibel-captiva.org, receives over 1.3 million visits per year. For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact John Lai, president and CEO, at 239-472-2348 or John@sanibel-captiva.org.

ABOUT FRLA
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier nonprofit hospitality trade association and the leading voice for the state’s restaurant, lodging, and tourism industries. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association and expanded through its 2006 merger with the Florida Hotel & Motel Association, FRLA represents more than 10,000 members, including independent restaurants and hotels, national brands, theme parks, suppliers, and other hospitality businesses. Through advocacy, education, workforce development, and regulatory compliance resources, FRLA protects, educates, and promotes Florida’s nearly $112 billion hospitality industry, which supports two million jobs statewide. In addition to leading legislative advocacy on behalf of its members, FRLA provides industry-leading food-safety and alcohol compliance training through SafeStaff® and RCS Training, while the FRLA Educational Foundation helps build Florida’s future hospitality workforce through its career- focused high school programs – ProStart and HTM (Hospitality & Tourism Management).