DOWNTOWN NAPLES ASSOCIATION MEMBER MESSENGER APRIL 2007 Downtown Information Center Opened March 17 March 17 was more than a celebration honoring the Irish this year in Naples. The date also marked the opening of the new Downtown Naples Information Center, which is an important promotional and marketing tool for all merchants in the downtown district. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by Mayor Bill Barnett, was attended by many Association members, local businesses and downtown supporters. We are off to a good start as more than 350 people went through the Information Center that day. Special thanks to Orion Bank and Bellasera for providing a complimentary breakfast. The Information Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It is located at 800 5th Avenue South, suite 103, across from Cambier Park. The telephone number is 435-3742. Jim Goehler Named Acting Executive Director DNA President Scot Congress announced the appointment of Jim Goehler as Acting Executive Director of the Downtown Naples Association, effective April 2. Goehler will assist with the DNA’s organizational development. A well-known banker in Southwest Florida, Goehler has served as Senior Vice President of First National Bank of Florida, Fifth Third Bank and most recently, as President of Bank of Florida. A Leadership Collier Graduate (Class of 1997), Goehler has been active in civic affairs, including the Economic Development Council, Boys & Girls Club, United Way of Collier County, YMCA, American Heart Association, and is presently a board member of The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. “Jim Goehler is among Southwest Florida’s most respected executives,” states Mike Reagan, Chamber CEO. “It is terrific that he is willing to help jump start the DNA and work with everyone to take it to the next level.” New Member Services Representative Hired Please welcome Lisa Swirda as the DNA’s new Member Services Representative. She will work directly with Association members and play a vital role in insuring quality customer service. Swirda brings more than 20 years of sales and office management experience to the DNA and was most recently Director of Membership Sales at Fiddler’s Creek. She is an active volunteer for the Parkinson Association of Southwest Florida. New Downtown Naples Directory Available The 2007 Downtown Naples Association Directory is now available and being distributed at the Information Center. All members are encouraged to display and distribute the directory to their customers. Boxes are available for pickup at the Information Center. Please contact Member Services with any questions. April Showers Bring…Singing and Dancing! Final “Evening on Fifth” of the Season is April 12 The final “Evening on Fifth” of the season will be held Thursday, April 12, with the theme “Shower the Avenue with Dancing and Singing!” Don’t miss this opportunity to market and sell to visitors in the downtown area – be sure to tell them you look forward to seeing them next year! Of course, “Evening on Fifth” will continue throughout the summer as we welcome our locals back to downtown. Special thanks to the event sponsors: Beasley Broadcasting, DeVoe Automotive, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Naples Harbour Yacht Club, and WordPlay, Inc. 2007 World Wine Tour To Be Held April 26 Tour select downtown restaurants and sample wine at each destination during the annual Downtown Naples Wine Tour. Tickets can be purchased from the Downtown Naples Association for $35 per individual or $65 per couple. Participating restaurants include: Trulucks, Vergina, Bramble Tea Room, The Café, McCabes, Café Lurcat, Bella Maria, Bice, ZiZi, Roy’s and many more! Call 435-3742 to purchase tickets. Taste of Collier Moves to Bayfront The 24th annual Taste of Collier, the area’s popular food festival, has found a new home this year at Bayfront. The event will be held Sunday, May 6, from noon to 4:00 p.m. All of the event’s favorite activities and traditions, including the waiter/waitress race and ice carving competition, will continue. Live entertainment and a children’s play area ensures a fun day for the entire family. Participation is limited to the first 30 restaurants – applications are available at www.tasteofcollier.org. City Council Issues RFQ for Parking Garage The Naples City Council has approved moving forward with an RFQ (Request for Quote) for a downtown parking garage. The construction will include ground floor commercial flex-space 22 feet deep on the 8th Street South side only. 800 5th Avenue South, Suite #103 | Naples, Florida 34102 | Phone: 239.435.3742 | Fax: 239.435.0994 - http://www.fifthavenuesouth.com/