Ben Siegel, executive director of the Lee County Port Authority, will speak at the Wednesday, Jan. 12, luncheon meeting of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, to be held at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel Island starting at 11:30 a.m. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association co-hosts and Adventures in Paradise sponsors the meeting.
Siegel will be discussing the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Terminal Expansion Project, the second-largest public works project in Lee County history, surpassed only by the airport’s Midfield Terminal Complex construction completed in 2005.
Plans for the three-year project include consolidating the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints into a new 16-lane configuration and providing additional seating, concession spaces, and a business lounge. In total, the project will remodel more than 164,000 square feet of space and add 117,000 square feet of new walkways and concession space to the terminal.
“You won’t want to miss this meeting,” said John Lai, chamber president and chief executive officer. “Ben will let us in on the impact the new expansion will have on tourism and other business in our area.”
Siegel is responsible for the administration, operations, and development of RSW and Page Field (FMY). He holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of South Florida and is a certified public accountant. A certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives, Siegel is also a member of the Florida Airports Council, Airports Council International-North America, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is an executive committee member of the Horizon Council, a local board that advises on Lee County economic development issues, and a member of the executive committee for Healthy Lee, an organization that promotes corporate wellness and healthier lifestyles in Lee County.
The chamber business lunch is a monthly networking opportunity held at various member locations. The chamber strives to provide speakers to discuss relevant business topics for the membership.
Sanibel-Captiva chamber members receive meeting invitations by email. Cost for luncheon attendance is $30 for chamber members only. Advanced registration is required to attend; walk-ins are not accepted. Register by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, at sanibel-captiva.org or by calling 239-472-8255. Payment is due at time of registration.
ABOUT SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting the prosperity of its members and preserving the quality of life of our community. With more than 460 active Chamber members from both islands and businesses from Lee and Collier counties, the Chamber plays a key role in facilitating communication and cooperation between business, residents, and government to enhance the economic health of the islands. The Francis P. Bailey, Jr., Chamber Visitor Center is located at the entrance to Sanibel Island and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year. VISIT FLORIDA named the visitor center one of 13 official Florida Certified Tourism Information Centers in the state. It is open 365 days a year and provides comprehensive information about things to do, places to visit, and where to stay, shop, and dine. The chamber website sanibel-captiva.org receives more than 1.3 million website visits per year.
For more information about the chamber, visit sanibel-captiva.org or contact Landen Collins, communications and marketing manager, at 239-472-8255 or [email protected].
