The public is welcome to attend! The Sanibel Captiva Island's Chamber of Commerce to host a comprehensive "State of the Islands" Economic Outlook at Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa in Fort Myers on January 29th, 2024 from 8am - noon. Doors open at 8am and breakfast begins at 8:30. Cost is $50 and reservations can be made by emailing or calling the Chamber of Commerce: Aaron Walton at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759. Advanced registration is required and "walk-ins" will not be accepted.

Following any major disaster like Hurricane Ian, the economic impacts ripple through a community for years afterwards creating shifts and trends that change dramatically overtime. To better understand these challenges, the SanCap Chamber and the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) hired Dr. Amir Neto, Florida Gulf Coast University's Regional Economic Research Institute Director to survey Sanibel & Captiva Island Business owners and managers over Q4 2023. Ultimately this survey was designed better understand the challenges for businesses that are currently open, and the plans for those who have not yet opened.

The summit will present the results of the Economic Outlook business survey specifically highlighting when different businesses and services can be expected to return. Understanding this is the results of only one survey, the Chamber Commerce will be updating the economic outlook on a monthly basis moving forward. It's vital to understand how interwoven our services offered by businesses depend on each sector to thrive. Because the islands are a vacation destination with a fluctuating seasonal population many services such as shops and restaurants depend on vacationers. While the rental properties are becoming available over time, it's still a long rebuild process leaving some businesses no choice but to remain closed until the population warrants more dining and shopping options.

Summit Topics & Presenters Include:

• Business Survey Results - Dr. Amir Neto, FGCU Economic Research Institute Director
• State of the City of Sanibel & Outlook - Dana Sousa City Manager, Steve Chaipel Deputy City Manager, Craig Mole' Director of Building
• State of the Real Estate Market - Eric Pfeifer Broker-Owner Pfeifer Realty Group, Kasey Albright Realtor Pfeifer Realty Group, Jeff Burns Realtor Sothebys, Mike McMurray Realtor & Bill Robinson Sanibel Captiva MLS Director
• Island Non-profit Representatives in Attendance - Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Community Housing and Resources (CHR), “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, FISH of SanCap, and SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation)