Agenda 09/08/2015 Item # 5A9/812015 5.A.
The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce-
leading Businesses, leading (ommunities.
Collier County Business of the Month
Nomination Form
Each month, The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Collier County
Commissioners recognize an organization that has enhanced the community through financial,
volunteer and active involvement in organizations and programs that assist in creating a better
quality of life for all citizens in Collier County.
The honoree is presented with a commemorative plaque at the Board of County
Commissioners meeting. A photo and news release is distributed to all Southwest Florida
media and Chamber members, as well as featured in Business Currents TM Magazine, the
Chamber's website, and promoted through social media.
Please email the completed nomination form below to Kristi Bartlett at
kristi napieschamber.org.
Business Name: Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Owner /Executive Name: Jim Gibson, Director of Marketing
Email: jim.gibson @stofgaming.com
Phone: 239- 253 -4649
Business Description (50 words or less): Open 24/7; 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Hotel
Immokalee is Southwest Florida's premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 51,000- square-
foot plus casino offers 1,300 slots, 38 live tables games, several dining options including Asian fusion
restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and a four -story 99 room hotel.
Year Founded: 1994
How has the organization enhanced the community through financial, volunteer and active
involvement in organizations and programs? (500 words or less):
Less than five years after it more than doubled in size, the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee expanded
yet again in March 2015, with the opening of the highly anticipated Seminole Casino Hotel. The newly
constructed hotel alongside many other new features including a new poker room, Asian - inspired
restaurant, Lucky Mi Noodle House, and the Seminole Center, a new event venue, positioned the
2390 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 210, Naples, FL 34103
239.262.6376 1239.262.8374
www.napieschamber.org
Packet Page -17-
9/8/2015 5.A.
property as the ultimate entertainment destination in Southwest Florida. The expansion means more
than 100 additional hotel jobs and a significant economic impact to Southwest Florida and specifically,
Immokalee. An editorial in the Naples Daily News recently lauded the Seminole Tribe for "helping to
direct the (Immokalee) community forward." The property hired 221 Southwest Florida residents in
2014 and 102 residents in 2015. The new Seminole Center, an 800 -seat indoor and 3,000 seat outdoor
entertainment venue with state -of -the -art sound and lighting systems, has drastically increased tourism
in Southwest Florida. The performance space and event venue played host to multiple sold -out shows
during the first quarter of 2015 including two Ron White shows, Asleep at the Wheel, Gary Spivey and
the NPC Naples Bonita Classic Body Building Show. Other shows this year that drew tourism into
Southwest Florida included Here Come The Mummies, Peking Acrobats, Bella Electric Strings and KC
& the Sunshine Band. In April 2015, the property drew 36,000 to Southwest Florida as it hosted its
fourth annual Balloons Over Paradise Festival. The annual event featured 60 hot air balloons, classic car
shows and polo exhibitions. Prior to the festival weekend, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee hosted
students from several local schools to provide an education on the science behind hot air balloons, the
rich culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the sport of polo. The property makes several
charitable donations totaling thousands of dollars to Southwest Florida organizations including Harry
Chapin Food Bank, American Cancer Society, C.A.R.E., Michael J. Fox Foundation, Make -a -Wish
Southern Florida, Lee County Library Development and more. The property is most proud of its
involvement with the Immokalee Childcare Foundation through the sponsored Mike Ditka/Jim Hart
Celebrity Golf Tournament. The property's involvement in 2015 yielded the largest single fundraising
event and contribution in the 16 year golf tournament history.
2390 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 210, Naples, FL 34103
239.262.6376 1239.262.8374
www.napleschamber.org
Packet Page -18-
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 5.5.A.
9/8/2015 5.A.
Item Summary: Presentation of the Collier County Business of the Month for September
2015 to the Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee. To be accepted by Tony Alves, General
Manager, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee; Jim Gibson, Director of Marketing, Seminole
Casino Hotel Immokalee; Cathy Baker, Advertising and PR Manager, Seminole Casino Hotel
Immokalee; Kristi Bartlett, Vice President, Opportunity Naples, The Greater Naples Chamber of
Commerce; and Andrea Sturzenegger, Vice President, Membership and Marketing, The Greater
Naples Chamber of Commerce.
Meeting Date: 9/8/2015
Prepared By
Name: FlanaganJim
Title: Executive Coordinator to Commissioner,
8/27/2015 9:05:32 AM
Submitted by
Title: Executive Coordinator to Commissioner,
Name: FlanaganJim
8/27/2015 9:05:33 AM
Approved By
Name: SheffieldMichael
Title: Manager- Communications & Cust. Relations, Communication & Customer Relations Division
Date: 8/27/2015 9:37:47 AM
Name: SheffieldMichael
Title: Manager- Communications & Cust. Relations, Communication & Customer Relations Division
Date: 8/27/2015 9:54:18 AM
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