OUR HISTORY ESTERO QUICK FACTS

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1 PRESS KIT

2 OUR HISTORY Estero was established and incorporated by the followers of Cyrus Teed, who proposed a theory that we live on the inside of the Earth s outer skin, and that celestial bodies are all contained inside the hollow Earth. This theory, which he called Koreshan Unity, drew followers to purchase and occupy a 320-acre (1.3 km2) tract in They were business-oriented and lived communally, prospering enough to found its own political party ( The Progressive Liberty Party ) and incorporate the town on September 1, 1904 as Estero. The 1908 death of Dr. Teed (who claimed to be immortal) was a critical blow to the group s faith, whose membership dwindled into the 1960s. The Foundation remains as The College of Life Foundation, which contributed (for example) at least $25,000 to the Gulf Shore Playhouse in or around The Koreshan s original tract is now owned by Florida as the Koreshan State Historic Site. Estero is now an unincorporated area of Lee County. Historically and culturally, the heart of Estero is the spring-fed Estero River, which flows to Estero Bay. Some of the earliest settlers of the area (notably the Alvarez, Fernandez, Johnson, and Soto families) were fishing families that lived on Mound Key, a mangrove-ringed island that dominates Estero Bay. During the early 20th century, these families moved upriver to the settlement which came to be known as Estero. As noted above, Estero is also the location of a utopian community called the Koreshan Unity, which is now preserved as the Koreshan State Historic Site. Until the 1970s, most settlement and development in Estero was near the river. ESTERO QUICK FACTS Area Total sq mi (67.72 km 2 ) Land sq mi (3.34 km 2 ) Water 0.92 sq mi (2.38 km 2 ) Elevation 13 ft (4 m) Population (2018) Total 33,048 Density 1352/sq mi (522/km2) ZIP code 33928, Area code(s) 239 Source: Wikipedia, Estero Historical Society, Zipcode.org, Census Bureau

3 OUR MISSION The Mission of the Estero Chamber of Commerce, through the unity and efforts of our membership, is to foster and achieve a healthy business and economic climate for all citizens of the Estero area. Our Values We base our mission on the belief that with a healthy economic climate the character and the unique history of the community will be maintained and enhanced. We believe educational opportunities, cultural enrichment and improved quality of life can best be achieved in areas where the free enterprise system is allowed to thrive. We understand that the unique character of our community must be preserved and this is best achieved when government, business and the general citizenry work together. Our Understanding We acknowledge that the mission of the Chamber cannot be achieved without support from a growing number of members. We understand, in order to attract and involve the business community, the Chamber must create value in the form of service to our members. Our Role We believe the role of the Estero Chamber is to: Promote, advocate, educate, assist and involve our members and the Estero community Represent Estero at the Local, State and National levels.

4 WHY JOIN THE ESTERO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE? You have a vested interest in Estero s continued growth and positive business climate. You aspire to maintain the excellent quality of life in Estero. You are doing business in Estero and sharing in its prosperity. You and your business prospers as Estero prospers. By helping build a thriving community, your investment is strengthened and your opportunities are broadened. The first Chamber of Commerce in this country was established in 1768, eight years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Our forefathers saw the importance of the work of a Chamber so many years ago. Please join your fellow business people in THE ESTERO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, an organization consistently engaged in promoting the civic and economic development of our fine community.

5 3 MONTHLY EVENTS Check out event calendar here for the next scheduled event! Rise & Shine Estero Start your day by joining us for networking with area professionals, door prizes and Continental breakfast. Scheduled on the 1st Thursday of the month from 8:00am-9:30am. Lunch & Learn A series of many great educational lunches take place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month (except June) from 11:30am-1:00pm. Learn while you lunch! The Estero Chamber offers an opportunity to any member to sponsor a Lunch & Learn event. A sponsorship entitles you to the following benefits: 1. Company logo on the web site as the sponsor for the Lunch & Learn Estero month of A table beside the registration table to welcome all attendees and the opportunity to meet everyone! 3. The privilege of placing your business card or a sell sheet at every place setting. 4. Five minutes to speak about your product or service. Fee of $75. To sponsor a Lunch & Learn event, please info@esterochamber.org. Business After Hours Join us for hors d oeuvres, refreshments, networking and after hours socializing on the 4th Thursday of every month from 5:30pm-7:30pm (November and December are discretionary, due to holidays observed and annual Christmas Party). An opportunity is available to any Estero Chamber Member to host one of our Business After Hours events. Requirements 1. Use of your business place or other approved venue where members can gather. 2. A table provided where members can register, and pay. 3. A basket or container for members to drop their business card. 4. Host member is expected to provide hors d oeuvres and refreshments (soft drinks, beer, and wine). 5. The chamber will arrange for the guest speaker. The benefit to being a Host Sponsor is: 1. Your business is designated as the Host Sponsor on our website. 2. The opportunity to speak for five minutes about your business. To sponsor a Business after Hours event, please info@esterochamber.org..

6 ESTERO QUICK FACTS Ribbon Cuttings Get your business recognized in the community with an Estero Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Event! These events can be scheduled at the members request. Date and time must be approved by board members for attendance before confirming. To request your ribbon cutting event, esterochamber.org. Annual Luncheon & Awards Recognition Our annual awards luncheon takes place every June. Annual Golf Tournament Our Annual Golf Tournament takes place every October.

7 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Judi Gietzen President Elite Realty SWFL Barbara Saxton Smart Choices Healthcare Nella DeCesare Vice President WBN Marketing LLC Dr. Darlene Andert Accounting for Profitability Al O Donnell Treasurer O Donnnell Landscapes, Inc. Pastor Nolen Rollins Legacy Church of Estero Brandy Minchew Secretary College of Life Foundation Sharon Van Rite Platinum Media Blake Chapman State Farm Insurance Jim Wilson District 7 Councilman

8 Estero Executive Center Chevrolet Way, Ste 101, Estero, FL Mail: P.O. Box 588, Estero, FL Phone: (239) Fax: (239) EsteroChamber.org