Every month, Priority Marketing’s clients and partners host a wide range of special events, seminars, workshops, activities and fundraising opportunities. Check out the list of client events in March 2025. Each of the events listed is open to the public; some are free events, while others require tickets or RSVPs.
Featured Event
BBQ, Bands & Brew
Date: March 30
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, Fort Myers
Lee BIA Builders Care’s popular BBQ, Bands & Brew fundraising event includes Southwest Florida’s top pit masters competing for the title of “Best BBQ in Town,” accompanied by a lineup of live performances including Soapy Tuna, Riverside and headliner Ben Allen Band. There also will be vendors and fun-filled activities for all ages, including a children’s play area with a bounce house, balloon artist, face painting, games and more.
LINK: BBQ, Bands & Brew
Additional Client Events in March 2025
March 1
Sponsored by Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, the Center for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, CROW’s, Taste of the Islands event will spotlight local restaurants offering an array of menu items for 6 “CROW Bucks” or less while competing for top honors in a variety of categories.
LINK: Taste of the Islands
March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is hosting five cinematic events in March through its Naples Jewish Film Festival: Running on Sand (March 2), The Glory of Life (March 9), Bad Shabbos (March 16), Pink Lady (March 23) and Soda (March 30).
LINK: Jewish Film Festival
March 5
The Women in Business Committee of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is hosting its monthly session, which focuses on the Pathway to APEX. The networking opportunity includes a raffle to provide scholarship funding that helps local students achieve their educational goals. Priority Marketing President and Chief Creative Officer Teri Hansen will be offering her insights during the event.
LINK: Women in Business
March 5
Lee Health Foundation’s Dinner on the Diamond at JetBlue Park includes a Boston Red Sox meet-and-greet, autograph signings, a sports memorabilia silent auction, dinner and entertainment. Proceeds will support the new Golisano Children’s Hospital Surgery Center.
LINK: Dinner on the Diamond
March 6
To celebrate National Oreo Day, dessert builders at 810 Billiards & Bowling’s Mean Mugs Milkshake Bar have been hiding “Golden Oreo” cookies in its signature milkshakes, a prize that comes with an indulgent treat – a free milkshake or sundae, or a $15 gift card for arcade games.
LINK: Golden Oreo
March 6
Community Cooperative’s Sam Galloway, Jr. & Friends’ Soup Kitchen Benefit includes fellowship, music and food to support the nonprofit. Local restaurants and chefs are providing an extensive menu featuring salads, appetizers, entrees, side dishes, desserts, drinks and more.
LINK: Soup Kitchen Benefit
March 6
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Magic Under the Mangroves event will feature an immersive event environment, live entertainment, dinner, and a thrilling live fund-a-need and auction. The gala has raised more than $22 million since its inception to support the Conservancy’s mission.
LINK: Magic Under the Mangroves
March 6, 11 & 27
Better Together’s virtual Better Families Volunteer Training showcases how volunteers can better serve families in the local community. Couples interested in hosting children are strongly encouraged to attend a session.
LINK: Better Families Training
March 8
Wonder Gardens is hosting Brews & Blues for the Birds, which includes tastings of locally brewed beers, seltzers, wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests also will enjoy live entertainment, food and dessert trucks, and local vendors along with opportunities to stroll the grounds.
March 10
The 2024-25 Jewish Book Festival, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, continues with three discussions in February: “The Boy with the Star Tattoo” by Talia Carner on March 10, “The Money Kings” by Daniel Schulman on March 21 and “We Must Not Think of Ourselves” by Lauren Grodstein on March 27. The series seeks to enrich, entertain and engage members of the community.
LINK: Jewish Book Festival
March 11
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s March luncheon features Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson’s State of the City address. The luncheon also highlights new members and offers networking opportunities with chamber members.
LINK: State of the City
March 11
The Lee Health Cancer Institute’s annual Fashion Show & Luncheon helps raise money through the Lee Health Foundation to support the cancer care program so no one has to fight cancer alone. The event includes a fashion show, silent auction and awards ceremony honoring cancer heroes in the community.
LINK: Fashion Show
March 12
Olympian Michael Phelps will headline the Kids’ Minds Matter Signature Gala. “The Ripple Effect: Creating Circles of Support for Children” will dive deeper into the impacts of supporting children’s mental health.
LINK: The Ripple Effect
March 13
Senior Choice at Home’s March seminar in Naples will outline residential and health care options for seniors interested in aging at home. The event will include an informative presentation covering the program’s asset protection, commitment to providing for future care needs and the importance of having a personal care coordinator.
LINK: Home Sweet Home
March 13
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s 2025 Evening at the Ballpark will feature a panel discussion with current members of the Boston Red Sox, as well as a memorabilia auction, dinner, games and a speech from this year’s Youth of the Year honoree.
LINK: Evening at the Ballpark
March 13
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties will showcase stories of lifechanging connections, impact and hope at its Women Build Kickoff Party, which includes drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a commemorative Women Build T-shirt.
LINK: Women Build Kickoff
March 14
Former NFL quarterback and sports commentator Joe Theismann will speak at NAMI Collier County’s “Hope Shines Event: Touchdown for Mental Wellness,” a fundraising event that includes the speaker presentation, dinner and live auction to support the Children’s Mental Health Program.
LINK: Hope Shines
March 15
The 2025 Madisen’s Match Gala & Auction includes a fine dining experience, live auction and silent auction to benefit Barbara’s Friends, the Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Center Fund, through the Lee Health Foundation.
LINK: Madisen’s Match
March 19
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce’s annual Nonprofit Expo provides attendees with opportunities to hear from local nonprofits about the work they do and the services they provide to the Southwest Florida community.
LINK: Nonprofit Expo
March 19
Gulf Coast Village is inviting antique enthusiasts from across Southwest Florida to its Vintage Roadshow Event. The event features Beth Meyer, managing partner of Paradise Vintage Market, along with a gold and silver specialist, a glass and collectibles expert, and two other professionals who will offer insights and randomly select items from the audience to evaluate and discuss on stage.
March 20
The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce welcomes business leaders and community members to Business Unplugged, a casual networking event for chamber members and guests to make connections to expand their business and professional outlook. This session will be held at Hammond Stadium with the Minnesota Twins.
LINK: Business Unplugged
March 20
The theme of Market Trends 2025, the region’s largest real estate summit, is “The Next Big Thing.” Experts will break down the big things that buyers, sellers and real estate professionals should focus on strategically to stay ahead of the curve. Three of the region’s leading voices in real estate will present the latest market data, research and fact-based analysis for a state-of-the-industry discussion.
LINK: Market Trends
March 21
Naples Center for Functional Medicine will host a free seminar intended to help participants optimize their health and wellness. Dr. George Moricz will present “How to Sleep Right Every Night and Feel Younger Every Day.”
LINK: Health Seminar
March 22
Sunshine Ace Hardware’s sixth annual Big Green EGGfest is a family-friendly event that celebrates the art of grilling while crowning Southwest Florida’s unofficial Grill Master of the Year. Attendees can enjoy all-you-can-eat food samplings, grilling demonstrations, live music, beer, wine and hard seltzer drinks, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits.
LINK: Big Green EGGfest
March 22
Africa 6000 International is hosting “Let’s Make a Splash and a Difference,” a life-changing event for those unable to get clean water in Africa’s thirstiest communities. Taking place on World Water Day, the cocktail reception and dinner will feature special guests Jesse Watters, co-host of “Fox News the Five” and host of “Jesse Watters Primetime,” and Doug Pitt, Goodwill Ambassador to Tanzania.
LINK: Let’s Make a Splash
March 26
Kids’ Minds Matter is touring Southwest Florida to enhance mental health awareness and end the stigma associated with talking about mental health issues. March’s session in Fort Myers is aimed at Lee County youth and will allow teens and adolescents to voice their concerns, struggles and successes.
March 27
Business Before Breakfast, a monthly networking session with light refreshments and hot coffee, has a theme of “What you do early today can improve all your tomorrows.” The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce program includes a brief presentation by event host Northwestern Mutual – Jesse Bouchard Financial Group. Early rising guests are encouraged to bring business cards.
LINK: Business Before Breakfast
March 28
The 25th annual SanCap Cares Island Celebration will include cocktails, a program, dinner and dancing to benefit Golisano Children’s Hospital Surgery Center through the Lee Health Foundation. Since its inception, SanCap Cares has raised more than $18 million to support the hospital. The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company is the Presenting Sponsor.
LINK: Island Celebration
March 29
The Lee County Bar Association’s annual Bench Bar-B-Q & Shrimp Boil, which will be held at IMAG History & Science Center, features barbecue, shrimp, crawdads, cold sweet treats and beer, as well as face painting.
LINK: Bar-B-Q & Shrimp Boil
Looking Ahead
Mark your calendar for these signature events:
April
- April 6: YogaCAN Naples (Cancer Alliance Network)
- April 8: Home Opener (Fort Myers Mighty Mussels)
- April 11: Playmakers Tailgate Party (Tommy Bohanon Foundation)
- April 24: Grande Dames Tea (Pace Center for Girls, Lee)
- April 25: Hope Shines Walk (NAMI Collier County)
- April 26: Head & Neck 10K and 5K Run/2-Mile Walk (Partners in Care)
- April 26: Swing into Spring (United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades)
May
- May 1: SWFL Community Prayer Breakfast
- May 2: Lee County Cornhole Tournament (United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades)
- May 3: Normal is Overrated (Kids’ Minds Matter)
Note: Event dates subject to change. Additional events will be added as dates are confirmed.
