Priority Marketing’s April 2026 Client Headlines Report recaps news stories you should read, watch or hear before the month ends.
Each month, the firm’s award-winning Public Relations Team combs through hundreds of local, national and international news headlines featuring stories about clients. This includes newspapers, magazines, television, radio, blogs, social media and websites.
Our Client Headlines Report summarizes some of the many important stories that were published or aired in April 2026.
BOOKMARK IT: Client News Feed
Captiva resort acquires artist’s beachfront property
South Seas announced the acquisition of a 22-acre property formerly owned by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. The property, which spans from beach to bay on Captiva Island and includes 10 buildings, is another joint venture between Timbers Company, Wheelock Street Capital and The Ronto Group. A reimagined South Seas reopened in May 2025 with all new amenities, including a new water adventure, dining options and newly renovated marinas, docks, pools and more.
Business Observer: South Seas buys 22-acre artist retreat on Captiva
Santiva Chronicle: South Seas Purchases Rauschenberg Property on Captiva
Florida Weekly: South Seas purchases Rauschenberg’s Captiva property
WGCU: South Seas joint venture acquires 22-acre Rauschenberg property on Captiva
SWFL hailed as ‘global hub for innovation’
The 2026 Edison Awards, sponsored by The Horizon Foundation and City of Fort Myers, brought hundreds of tech CEOs, engineers and entrepreneurs to town for a global celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. Five local companies were among this year’s honorees. Priority Marketing helped promote the event in Southwest Florida through a strategic public relations campaign that focused on storytelling in local media.
Suite Life Magazine: Five SWFL companies being honored as global innovators at 2026 Edison Awards
Cape Coral Breeze: Beyond beaches and sunshine: Southwest Florida emerges as hotspot for innovation
SWFL Business Today: Edison Awards extends ‘day pass’ for SWFL businesses, entrepreneurs
Gulfshore Business: Edison Awards return to Fort Myers April 15-16
The News-Press: Rihanna receiving Fort Myers award for Fenty, music, other innovations
Gulf Coast News: Flying cars and humanoid robots showcased at Edison Awards in Fort Myers
WINK News: Fort Myers Edison Awards spotlight innovation driving Southwest Florida’s future
Florida Weekly: Southwest Florida highlighted as ‘global hub for innovation’ at 2026 Edison Awards
WGCU: Edison Awards celebrate innovation
New medical center opens in Collier’s ‘Health care desert’
Nearly two years after breaking ground, Healthcare Network welcomed the first patients to its new Van Domelen Community Health Center near the Orangetree community between North Naples and Immokalee. The $15 million facility offers an array of services, including obstetrics and gynecology, primary medical, dental and integrated behavioral health services for children and adults, and a drive-thru pharmacy, basic lab and X-ray services.
Naples Press: Access enhancement: fresh health center in Orangetree
Gulfshore Business: Healthcare Network opens Orangetree health center
Earth Day celebration marks start of something big
Dignitaries, wildlife advocates, environmental supporters and families gathering for an Earth Day Festival also lent their support as the Conservancy of Southwest Florida broke ground on the John & Carol Walter Nature Experience. Made possible by a transformative $25 million grant from the John & Carol Walter Family Foundation, the experience will feature a new welcome center with interactive exhibits, expanded outdoor deck, new educational amphitheater and other amenities. Stevens Construction is providing construction management services for the 18-month project. Based in Fort Myers, Stevens Construction also constructed the Jeannie Meg & Christopher Bryon Smith Environmental Dormitory Studies building on the Conservancy campus which houses up to 30 interns and includes administrative offices.
Coastal Breeze: Groundbreaking Kicks Off Major Gift to Conservancy
Gulfshore Business: Conservancy breaks ground on $25M nature experience
Above Board Chamber of Florida: Conservancy of Southwest Florida breaks ground on John & Carol Walter Nature Experience
Educating SWFL to better health and wellness
Healthy Humans Hendry-Glades, a collaboration of partners across the two inland counties, is expanding its reach to provide additional resources and tips to help residents care for their physical, financial, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health. Priority Marketing partners with the not-for-profit organization to help educate the broader community about issues impacting overall health and wellness.
Lake Okeechobee News: Should my child be screened for autism?
Florida Weekly: Healthy sleep: why it matters and how to get more of it
Lake Okeechobee News: Stress and kids: what parents and caregivers need to know
Florida Weekly: Recognizing brain injuries in children and adults
Hands-on reporting emphasizes volunteerism
April is National Volunteer Month, and WINK News elevated its approach to storytelling by having its anchors roll up their sleeves to work volunteer shifts in partnership with Harry Chapin Food Bank. Journalists sorted, packed and distributed food at points across Southwest Florida for four days. Live and recorded news segments through the “WINK Serves” campaign resulted in the nonprofit registering 208 new volunteers that week.
WINK: ‘WINK Serves’ encourages Southwest Florida residents to volunteer
WINK: Fort Myers food bank volunteers pack thousands of meals for families
WINK: Cape Coral food bank volunteer relies on same service he provides
WINK: Fort Myers volunteers pack thousands of meals at Harry Chapin Food Bank
Awards and honors: Client recognitions
Priority Marketing helps clients share the good news when they win awards, accolades or have other exciting updates to share. Below are recent items that caught our PR team’s attention:
- Business Observer announced its annual Top 50 Contractors along the Gulf coast, and the 2026 list includes Curran Young Construction (No. 17) and Lloyd Roofing (No. 34).
- The Naples Airport Authority, in partnership with the FAA, honored Norman Coffman II with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County named 14-year-old Telicia Carter as its 2026 Youth of the Year.
- The School District of Lee County saw teams from Dunbar High School and Island Coast High School sweep the top three awards at this year’s AI + HI Innovation Challenge, a competition in partnership with the Edison Awards.
New faces in new places: Promotions and appointments
Priority Marketing congratulates individuals who were recently hired, promoted or awarded additional responsibilities by its client partners, including:
- Wonder Gardens appointed Sally Mulvena as its next president and CEO starting July 1
- Dr. Chetan Vedvyas joined Precision Healthcare Specialists in Fort Myers to provide cutting-edge dermatology and Mohs surgery care to patients.
Do you need a Public Relations Team to help tell your story? Please give us a call today at 239-267-2638 or send an email to Info@PriorityMarketing.com.
