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May 2023 client headlines: 10 news stories to read, watch

Priority Marketing’s May 2023 Client Headlines Report recaps 10 news stories that you should read, watch or hear.  

The firm’s award-winning Public Relations Team helps clients and partners earn media coverage in newspapers and magazines, on television and radio, and on blogs, social media and websites. At the end of each month, the PR Team combs through hundreds of local, national and international news headlines to create its informative Client Headlines Report. 

Below are just 10 of the many important stories that were published or aired in May 2023. 

SWFL nonprofit partners with federal government to provide housing 

Client Headlines in May 2023 - Habitat for HumanityHabitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties announced a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on a land-lease agreement that will provide property for temporary housing in the Heritage Heights neighborhood of Fort Myers for families displaced due to Hurricane Ian. 

SalusCare steps up after insurance companies deny reimbursement 

SalusCare reopened its Crisis Stabilization Unit following a prolonged closure after Hurricane Ian and a subsequent insurance battle that dragged on for months. The nonprofit was forced to acquire a line of credit so it could reopen a center where some of the area’s most urgent and severe mental health crises are treated. 

Coffee lovers find a new home in Naples 

Foxtail Coffee Co. opened its first café in the Southwest Florida market with a Naples location that offers a cozy, rustic setting. In addition to a full coffee menu, Foxtail offers breakfast products, light lunch offerings and merchandise. It is led by franchise owners Scott and Diana Willis, a husband-and-wife duo that are longtime owners of Jason’s Deli of Southwest Florida. Stay tuned for more Foxtail locations in the coming months. 

Hot pizza and cold beer return to Fort Myers Beach 

Matanzas on the Bay, a favorite restaurant on Fort Myers Beach, completed the first phase of its recovery from Hurricane Ian with the reopening of its upstairs bar, Petey’s Upper Deck. The open-air venue’s menu includes a range of appetizers, salads and Dave’s Dockside Pizzas, as well as a full bar featuring cocktails, beer and wine. 

Tebow delivers message of faith, humanity and hope to SWFL 

Approximately 2,000 Southwest Floridians gathered before sunrise at JetBlue Park to hear from local spiritual leaders and Tim Tebow at the Community Prayer Breakfast. The two-time national champion, first-round NFL draft pick and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow delivered a riveting keynote address that stretched nearly 45 minutes. This was another all-hands-on-deck event for Priority Marketing as our team handled all aspects of event planning and management, public relations, social media, website management and more. 

Power couple honored 5 times in 17 days 

There is the competitive saying, “Anything you can do, I can do better.” Jen and Rob Whyte, co-founders of Fort Myers Brewing, are having quite the back and forth this month on the stage at awards programs. 

On May 1, Gulfshore Life unveiled its 2023 Best of the Gulfshore Awards. Fort Myers Brewing won Best Beer List and Best Outdoor Festival, and was a finalist for Best Craft Brewery, Best Live Music and Best Place to Hang with Locals. 

On May 2, the Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at Florida Gulf Coast University honored Rob as its 2023 Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida. 

Two days later, on May 4, Business Observer recognized Jen as a 2023 Top Entrepreneur. 

Then on May 10, Fort Myers Brewing won silver at the 2023 World Beer Cup for its Chocolate Stout. 

Finally, on May 17, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Conference’s Women in Business Committee named Jen as one of five finalists for the prestigious APEX Award. 

Islanders celebrate resiliency, fighting spirit 

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels have hosted Islands Night for 30 years, but this year’s event took on additional meaning following Hurricane Ian. More than three dozen community and civic groups participated in an on-field parade before the game, and the Sanibel Captiva Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards ceremony before the first pitch. Islanders turned out in droves as 4,082 fans – the largest crowd of the season – strolled through the turnstiles. 

United Way celebrates a 30-year streak of fundraising success 

United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades concluded its 2022-2023 Campaign with a monumental announcement – the nonprofit had met or exceeded its annual campaign goal for the 30th consecutive year. In announcing that $11.2 million had been raised, United Way also noted that an additional $7 million had been collected for Hurricane Ian relief and recovery on top of the regular campaign. 

Three-hole stretch catapults Fort Myers golfer into PGA Championship 

Jeremy Wells, director of player development at Cypress Lake Golf Club in Fort Myers, earned a spot at the prestigious PGA Championship thanks to a solid weekend of golf capped by a blazing three-hole stretch of a birdie, birdie and eagle at a qualifying event for club pros. “I have been playing golf since I was 5 years old, always dreaming about the chance to play in a major and compete with the world’s best golfers,” Wells said. Although he ultimately fell a few shots short of making the cut, his two days at Oak Hill were a dream come true. 

Global conference spotlights Southwest Florida, FGCU 

Florida Gulf Coast University hosted a three-day global Hanseatic League of Universities conference that drew presidents, chancellors and academic officers from leading universities around the world. One highlight was the unveiling of the 2023 World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI) rankings, which highlight institutions that contribute to society by creating innovative approaches to research and educational programs. FGCU landed at No. 33 on the Global Top 100 Innovative Universities list.  

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 LetsTalk@PriorityMarketing.com. 

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