ABWA Imperial River Chapter
2020 Monthly Meetings, Events & Professional Development Programs
MONTHLY EVENTS:
When: 2nd Wednesday of every month
WE ARE CURRENTLY HOLDING OUR MONTHLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS ON ZOOM. Theres is no charge, but we are grateful for your donations via Eventbrite
Find out about our meetings by following us EVERYWHERE:
WHEN IN-PERSON MEETINGS RESUME:
When: 2nd Wednesday of every monthWhere: Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, 9931 Interstate Commerce Dr, Fort Myers, FL
Time: Networking starts at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner and speaker/activity.
Tickets: Visit our Eventbrite page to reserve your seat and dinner ($35). All meals include a pre-set salad and dressing w/ rolls and butter and Chef’s Choice Dessert, water/iced tea, coffee/tea. Cash bar in the lobby.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS:
In addition to professional development programs, ABWA Imperial River Chapter presents several social gatherings each year, some of which help to raise funds to send local businesswomen to professional conferences and seminars throughout the year. Sponsorship opportunities are typically available; for more information, contact us at Info@ABWAImperialRiver.org
GOT A SUGGESTION for speakers, events or topics?
Email us at Info@ABWAImperialRiver.org.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS and EVENTS:
JULY 8th, 2020 – Alicia Miller Executive Director of the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center.
Alicia will talk about how deaf or hard of hearing people make great employees. Also on hand – staff member Lisa Myhand and her interpreter Deb McClain.
AUGUST 12TH, 2020 – Imperial River Awards and Recognition Night
This is the meeting everyone looks forward to all year long! August is the beginning of the new fiscal year in the American Business Women’s Association. Our new Board will take the oath of office and begin planning for the upcoming year.
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the women who have made invaluable contributions to our chapter and to the cause of women’s professional development.
RESCHEDULED to August 22nd, 2020: BINGOPALOOZA – Your favorite brunch is BACK!
Saturday, March 21st, 2020, RESCHEDULED to August 22nd, 2020 – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Corkscrew Shores Community Center. BINGOPALOOZA has quickly become one of our favorite events – and we bet it will be a favorite of yours, too! BINGOPALOOZA features a delicious brunch (new chef at Corkscrew Shores!), a cash wine and mimosa bar, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, Mystery Wine Raffle, and of course, BINGO! $45 includes brunch and 6 bingo sheets; additional sheet packets will be available for purchase at the event.
Last year, we sold out – get your tickets now at ABWAImperialRiver.Eventbrite.com
Funds raised are used for the professional development of local businesswomen.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 – Heather Turco, Crime Prevention, LCSO
A former NBC broadcaster, Heather is now a crime prevention specialist with the Lee County Sheriff’s office. She will be talking about what to do if there is an active shooter situation and other crime prevention tips.
OCTOBER 14, 2020 – Pamela Johnson, Deputy Director of the Lee County Economic Development Office
Pamela Johnson has worked in the Lee County’s Visitor & Convention Bureau for 22 years. As deputy director since 2014, she was responsible for domestic and international travel trade sales and marketing, air service development, and the Guests First program. Pamela will talk about Lee County Sports Development and the Visitor and Convention Bureau
NOVEMBER 11, 2020 – Susan McManus, Champions for Learning
Susan McManus is a former fourth-grade teacher. Champions for learning is an Education Foundation of Collier County. It was founded by community and business leaders 30 years ago. Susan McManus spent the first three years on the Board of Directors, followed by 27 years as Executive Director and President, pursuing the non-profit’s goal of creating life-changing learning experiences for Collier County students.
DECEMBER 9, 2020 – Imperial River Holiday Party
Eat, drink and be merry! As we reflect on our year, both personally and professionally, we gather to take comfort and joy in the sisterhood provided by the ABWA organization. Join us for cocktails, networking, dinner, good conversation, and maybe a little bit of “Secret Santa” action, too…
Previous Programs in 2020:
January 8, 2020: Lois Margolin from the Coral Springs Chapter of ABWA on self-esteem.
Lois Margolin is a CPA who recently sold her international reservation software company, Chelsea Information Systems. She now offers concierge accounting services through Lois Margolin LLC. Her roles in the ABWA organization have included the past president of the Coral Springs FL Chapter, past chair of the Tri-County Council in South Florida, as well as a past District I Vice President of the ABWA national organization.
February 12, 2020: Barbara Evans – Chief Development Officer for the Harry Chapin Food Bank
Barbara Evans was appointed Chief Development Officer with Harry Chapin Food Bank in September 2019. In her role, Barbara is responsible for building the philanthropic strategy for the Annual Fund and Endowment and execute this strategy through cultivating relationships with major philanthropic individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations to help the Food Bank achieve its mission to lead the community in the fight to end hunger.
MARCH 11, 2020 – Kevin Brady, International trade specialist
Kevin Brady is a certified global business professional for the Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University (SBDC at FGCU). Together, America’s SBDCs comprise the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories. Kevin strategically assists SWFL companies to expand internationally and diversify revenues. He’ll discuss how to understand and simplify importing processes and responsibilities.
This event is CANCELED due to restrictions related to COVID-19. We hope to reschedule it sometime in the future.
April 15th – BEER for a CAUSE – Come Party With Us on TAX DAY!
It’s Tax Day and you are STRESSED OUT! Knock off work and come on down to Palm City Brewery to party with us.
You buy a beer, we get a dollar to help fund professional development opportunities for local businesswomen.
We’ll also be holding a 50/50 raffle, and there should be a food truck on-site as well. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, support a local brewery, and maybe win some $$$ to go with that tax refund 🍻 😄 🍺
APRIL 8, 2020 – Meeting and Speaker POSTPONED until July.
MAY 13, 2020 – K.C. Schulberg, Executive Director of the Calusa Waterkeeper (CWK).
K.C.’s background merges film, television, marketing, and fundraising with hands-on civic engagement and community organization will bring a new global set of tools to the Calusa Waterkeeper’s mission: to protect and preserve the Caloosahatchee River from Lake Okeechobee to the coastal waters
JUNE 10, 2020 – Tracy Connelly winner of the 2020 Fundraising Executive of the Year award.
Tracy Connelly is Vice President of Development at the Guadalupe Center, an Immokalee organization whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty through education for the children of Immokalee. Since 1984, Guadalupe Center has been achieving this mission and making a significant difference for students and families of Immokalee through three extraordinarily successful programs: Early Childhood Education, After-school Tutoring and Summer Enrichment, and Tutor Corps.