Southwest Florida Workforce Summit Sponsored by Southwest Florida International Airport 

In Southwest Florida’s growing economy, employers need to get creative to attract top talent and consider looking further afield to discover a ready workforce. At the upcoming Southwest Florida Workforce Summit, presented by Above Board Chamber of Florida and Southwest Florida International Airport, recruiters will learn the strategies of major local employers, discover a ready workforce in the Caribbean and connect directly with jobseekers here at home.

Held from 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, the Southwest Florida Workforce Summit will feature a dynamic panel discussion featuring top recruiters from a variety of industries and public officials representing the concerns of business here and in Puerto Rico. During the same hours, employers and jobseekers will explore mutually beneficial opportunities at the Southwest Florida Workforce Summit Job Fair.

Recent press coverage has highlighted a shortage of qualified workers in industries like construction. Other important economic driver sectors also continue to recover following the economic crisis that began a decade ago. Still more are increasingly setting up shop in Southwest Florida, leading to competition for skilled, reliable help. The following panelists will share stories from the trenches  answer questions, and provide recruitment and retention strategies that work:

• Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki
• Brenda Thomas, Executive Director of the Building Industry Association;
• Peg Elmore from Career Source Southwest Florida;
• Kristy Rigot, System Director, Human Resources for Lee Memorial Health System
• Jazmin Nievez Alvarez, Executive and Staffing Director from IKON Group
• Kevin Brady, International Trade Specialist for the Small Business Development at Florida Gulf Coast University. 

Also taking part in the summit will be: Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson, Puerto Rico Senator Carmelo Rio, and Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce, Alberto Baco Bague.

Emcees: Connie Ramos-Williams, President and Chief Marketing Officer of CONRIC PR & Marketing, and Stephanie Becerra Anchor/Reporter at MundoMax of Southwest Florida.

The job fair is free for all jobseekers, and no registration is required.

Registration for panel discussion and luncheon is $30 for members and $35 for guests.

Employers who want to attract qualified talent at the job fair should contact Jeanne Sweeney at (239) 910-7426 or Jeanne@aboveboardchamber.com. Various levels of sponsorships with many benefits are also available.

Title Sponsor Southwest Florida International Airport has donated two round trip tickets to Puerto Rico to be raffled off at the event. In addition, The Above Board Chamber is grateful to the following sponsors and community partners for the Southwest Florida Workforce Summit:

Gulfshore Business, Lee Memorial Health Systems, Storm Smart Industries, Strategy Corp, CONRIC PR & Marketing, Telemundo, Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance, Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Builders Industry Association BIA, Fuller Online Solutions, Guatemala US-FL Chamber of Commerce, Puerto Rico Medical Tourism Corporation, Department of Economic Development and Commerce, the CALL Radio Station, Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, WINK/MundoMax, Economic Development of City of Cape Coral, Estero Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Catholic Chamber of Commerce.Ikon Group of Puerto Rico. Collier Builders Industry Association CBIA, Moody Radio Florida.

Please note there will be no refunds if you do not show up as this is a sit-down lunch and the food has to be pre-ordered.

Not a member of the Above Board Chamber of Florida Please go to this link  http://www.aboveboardchamber.com/benefits-of-membership/ and join us! You will be a member in two counties with lots of free benefits. Plus, our monthly meetings will help give you the tools to better yourself and your business in 2016. Questions call 239-910-7426. Make it a great years by being a part of the Above Board Chamber of Florida in 2016!

Register Now!