Priority Marketing’s May 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 May 2026.
BOOKMARK IT: Client News Feed
Restauranteur sets the Vybe in Fort Myers
Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Harold Balink debuted his newest concept, Vybe, a whiskey and wine bar that marks the celebrated chef’s sixth establishment in Southwest Florida. The concept features an elevated cocktail program alongside a curated wine and whiskey list, complemented by chef-driven small plates and shareable dishes. In addition to traditional public relations services, Priority Marketing also coordinated an exclusive tasting opportunity for social media influencers. Below are a few highlights.
Social media:
News media:
Gulfshore Business: Vybe opens at Bell Tower with shareable plates concept
Business Observer: Wine, whiskey bar opens in Fort Myers
Gulf Coast News: Vybe opens at Bell Tower in Fort Myers
Florida Weekly: With all the right vibes, Harold Balink creates a magical Vybe!
Organizations strive to make housing affordable
Affordability is still a challenge for thousands of Southwest Florida families who have yet to achieve their dream of homeownership. May happens to be Affordable Housing Month, and several of Priority Marketing’s nonprofit and not-for-profit partners recently tell stories of Southwest Floridians
Lee BIA Builders Care and Pulte Homes partnered to build a new, accessible home for a 71-year-old Marine Corps veteran whose rental was unexpectedly sold. The entire construction project took just 44 days from start to finish.
WINK News: Community builds free home for 71-year-old veteran
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties wrapped up another successful Women Build campaign, then celebrated the completion of the 36-home McNeill Village through partnerships between Habitat, homeowners, Lee County and Edison National Bank. One Habitat homeowner shared her emotional journey to homeownership in a recent news story.
Gulf Coast News: From housing crisis to hope: How one Lee County mom beat the odds to find a home
The Housing Authority for the City of Fort Myers recently opened waitlists for all six of its Project-Based Voucher Program properties in Lee County. Meanwhile, the organization’s executive director explains who is impacted by high housing prices… all of us.
The News-Press: A place to call home: Recognizing Affordable Housing Month
Local airport soars into the headlines
Naples Airport once referred to itself as “the best little airport in the country,” and the airport proved that in May by making local, national and even international news… twice.
First, Naples Airport announced a new resiliency initiative to protect against future storm surge. It will become the first coastal airport in the South to elevate runway and taxiway lighting, which will minimize potential water damage and allow the airfield to quickly reopen after a hurricane.
Gulf Coast News: Naples Airport to raise runway lights to fight future hurricane flooding
WINK News: Naples Airport will elevate airport lighting to protect against future storms
WGCU: Naples Airport raises taxiway lighting to protect against storm surge flooding
Business Observer: Naples Airport begins $25 million resiliency project
Naples Press: Naples Airport to install 1,080 new LED lights on runways
Gulfshore Business: Naples Airport launches elevated lighting project
Shortly thereafter, American Airlines submitted a “letter of intent” announcing plans to offer three flights daily between Naples and Charlotte, North Carolina. The Naples Airport Authority’s Board of Commissioners gave consensus to begin negotiating an agreement that would bring commercial flights to the city for the first time since 2017.
Travel and Tour World: American Airlines announces return to Naples Airport (APF) with new 2026 flights
Aviation A2Z: American Airlines Plans to Restart Flights Between These Cities After 25 Years
View from the Wing: American Airlines wants commercial flights back to Naples, Florida
Naples Daily News: American Airlines plans to start flights between Naples, Charlotte
WINK: Naples Airport considers American Airlines proposal for passenger flights
Gulfshore Business: American Airlines eyes Naples–Charlotte flights
Gulf Coast News: Naples Airport board agrees to continue discussions on possible American Airlines commercial flights
SWFL unites in prayer
Internationally recognized evangelist, author and motivational speaker Nick Vujicic delivered a powerful message of faith, perseverance and purpose during his keynote address at the 2026 Southwest Florida Community Prayer Breakfast, which is held annually on the National Day of Prayer. More than 1,200 guests convened for morning of unified prayer at Caloosa Sound Convention Center, where they heard messages centered on faith, hope and service.
WINK News: 1,200 gather in Fort Myers for National Day of Prayer breakfast featuring Nick Vujicic
Florida Weekly: Community Prayer Breakfast brings hope to Southwest Florida
Anglers, golfers gather for a cause
During its third annual Memorial Day weekend Tarpon Tournament on Captiva, South Seas Resort raised more than $250,000 to benefit Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to families of fallen and disabled military members and first responders. This year’s event was expanded with an inaugural Golf Scramble at The Clutch, South Seas’ Beau Welling-designed golf course, as well as a Helicopter Golf Ball Drop presented in partnership with Str8 Up Aviation and Certified Healing and Cooling. Proceeds from the event will provide approximately 50 scholarships for local families.
Gulf Coast News: Gulf Coast anglers and golfers raise $250,000 for scholarships
Cape Coral Breeze: South Seas grows Tarpon Tournament into two-day Memorial weekend fundraiser
Gulf Coast News: South Seas kicks off Tarpon Tournament and Golf Scramble, supporting Folds of Honor
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:
- Gulfshore Business’ Women in Business awards program spotlighted 10 women who made a difference in Southwest Florida, in both their careers and communities. Among the 2026 honorees were Denise Carlin, Superintendent of The School District of Lee County, and Stefanie Ink-Edwards, Chief Executive Officer at Community Cooperative. Additionally, the publication’s May edition highlighted three female doctors redefining health care in Southwest Florida, including Dr. Shannon MacDonald, Senior Medical Director at Southwest Florida Proton, and Dr. Cherrie Morris, Vice President and Chief Physician Executive for Women’s Services at Lee Health.
- Naples Aviation, the fixed-base operator (FBO) at Naples Airport, ranked No. 8 in the U.S. in Professional Pilot’s 2026 “Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment” (PRASE) Survey.
- Crisis Prevention & Empowerment was named a Sapphire Awards honoree by Florida Blue.
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:
- Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties named Everett McElveen as its new CEO.
- United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades announced Hannah Pelle as interim president and CEO.
- The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers appointed Kim Grabert as chief operating officer.
- Premier Mobile Health Services named Jim Zache as its new chief operating officer.
- Warrior Homes of Collier announced U.S. Air Force veteran Max Barber as its new operations manager.
- Wonder Gardens promoted Jessica White to director of business operations and Kaitlyn Henry to director of living collections and conservations.
- Florida State Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, founding partner at Strayhorn & Persons-Mulicka, was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as the Lee County Supervisor of Elections.
Do you need an experienced team of industry leaders to help tell your story? Please give us a call today at 239-267-2638 or send an email to Info@PriorityMarketing.com.
