BUSINESS BRIEFS

FGCU hosts investment forum

The Florida Gulf Coast University Lutgert College of Business is hosting the second annual Southwest Florida Investment Forum, sponsored by The Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Naples, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Friday, March 20, in the Student Union ballroom. There is no charge to attend, and it is open to the public.

The event features chief executive officers from major local, publicly traded companies who will speak on a variety of topics relating to the economic outlook for their respective industries and firms.

Featured this year are TIB Financial and Chico's. Associate Dean of the Lutgert College of Business Howard Finch will moderate the lecture.

Space is limited. To reserve a place, go to www.fgcu.edu/cob/events/.

Jewish Business Network meets

On Friday, March 13, and then on the second Friday of every month, The Jewish Business Network will meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. There will be a breakfast nosh of fresh bagels and lox, gourmet coffee and juice, and of course, schmoozing. Members will each have a minute to introduce themselves and tell how their business will benefit the other members, and then there will be a short presentation by members of one industry group. There will be a round table at the end with respected business people who will share current topics and challenges, technology and innovations, and how all of can become more profitable.

The topic for this meeting is "How to Grow your Business in a Down Market"

The meetings will be held in the Robb & Stucky Community Room, located at 13170 S. Cleveland Ave.

Gulf Coast Venture Forum meets

The Gulf Coast Venture Forum's next monthly membership meeting is Thursday, March 12, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Tiburon Golf Course Clubhouse, 2620 Tiburon Drive in Naples.

The meeting will feature two presenting companies, both from the medical industry. The first company is Medical Devices and Equipment (dental composites and applications), and company number two is Health Care Services (access to doctors via phone and secure e-mail).

The purpose of the Gulf Coast Venture Forum is to promote the success of Southwest Florida's new and emerging businesses by bringing together the best entrepreneurs, early stage venture capital firms and Angel Investors.

The Forum is open to new members. Interested parties must qualify as accredited investors as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and are encouraged to view www.gcvf.com or call 262-6300 for more information.

ULI holds redevelopment program

The Urban Land Institute Southwest Florida District Council will host a breakfast program on the redevelopment of local cities and towns titled "Viewing Yesterday's Vision in Today's Crystal Ball," on Thursday, March 26. The program will be presented at the Spanish Wells Golf and Country Club, 9801 Treasure Cay Lane in Bonita Springs.

The keynote speaker and moderator will be Kim Briesemeister, representing City Place in West Palm Beach. Panel members and their redevelopment projects of discussion include David Jackson, Gateway/Bayshore in Naples; Russ Adams, Four Corners and 41-10 in Naples; Debrah Forester, Murdock Village in Charlotte County; Gary Price, Naples City Council member and CRA Director; and Don Paight, downtown Fort Myers waterfront.

Registration and networking begin at 8 a.m., with the program from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The cost of the program is $35 for ULI members, $50 for non-members, $25 for young leaders, $25 for government members, and $25 for students. For more information or to register, please call the ULI Southwest Florida District Council at (800) 321-5011.

Market Pulse forecasts economy

The fourth annual Bonita-Estero Market Pulse event will take place March 24, from 7:30 to 10 a.m., at the Three Oaks Banquet & Conference Center in Estero.

Market Pulse provides local business leaders and business owners with an understanding of the current economic forecast so that they can plan and adapt to changing economic times.

Three distinguished experts will be presenting: Michael Timmermann, a senior manager at Fishkind and Associates; Jim Garinger, principal and managing director at Colliers Arnold; and Brad Hunter, director of Metrostudy's South Florida division. The speakers will discuss current trends and forecasts for the local residential and commercial real estate markets.

Registration prices are $45 per person before March 17, and $50 thereafter. Tables of 10 can also be purchased for $405 before March 17. Admission includes breakfast, parking and an economic trend booklet.

Market Pulse is organized by the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bonita Springs-Estero Association of Realtors, Inc.

For information, call the Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, at 992-2943.

Nationally acclaimed author speaks at leadership seminar

Nationally acclaimed speaker, author and leadership coach Dr. Dave Fleming will be presenting at The LEAD Foundation's Live and LEAD Well seminar on March 18, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Fort Myers Airport Holiday Inn.

The Live and LEAD Well seminar will explore life and leadership practices that allow for the maximum use of potential. Some topics to be covered include:

•Learning to think like successful people do

•Refresh the common view of vision

•Activate your best energies no matter what the situation

•Discover what obstacles block you from seeing and seizing opportunities

•Find out why "ignorant" is better than "arrogant"

•Evaluate your friend quotient and be reminded why it is important

Registration is $60 for the full day and includes lunch. Participants can register for the event by calling 332-LEAD or by faxing a registration form to 225- 6948. Registration must be completed by March 13. The Fort Myers Airport Holiday Inn is located at 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive in Fort Myers.

FPRA offers unique opportunity to local businesses

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is seeking local businesses to sponsor the upcoming "Super-Powered PR" — the 2009 Image Awards Program on April 16. Sponsorship offers businesses the opportunity to network with Southwest Florida's top public relations professionals, present products and services and get a first-hand look at the area's best public relations programs as members gather at the North Star Yacht Club for a super-hero themed Awards Gala. Sponsor levels of $250 and $500 are available, with the latter also including one luncheon sponsorship (a $250 value added benefit). For more information, contact Ginny Cooper at 297-3638 or Kathleen Taylor at 656-2380.

Small Business Network hosts event March 19

The Southwest Florida Small Business Resource Network holds its monthly "Network After Five" event, Thursday, March 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Estero Embassy Suites Hotel, 10450 Corkscrew Commons Drive, Estero. The event is a monthly meeting for the Southwest Florida SBRN sponsored by Florida Gulf Coast's Small Business Development Center.

The meeting theme is "Why My Business is Important for Small Businesses in These Current Economic Times." Eight consultant members of the SBRN chapter will share how their organizations help owners of small businesses.

Deadline for registration is noon, Tuesday, March 17. Cost for members is $15 per person. Guest fee is $20.

For more information, to register for the event, or to get directions, contact Lorna Kibbey, coordinator at the Small Business Development Center at 745-3700 or go online at https://midas.fgcu.edu/cob/cli/ events/sbdc.asp.