Naples: How to Get Discovered by the Media is Back and Better than Ever!

Reporters and producers are always on the lookout for great stories, and positive media coverage comes from knowing what they’re looking for. Several prominent media figures will share their secrets during the Above Board Chamber of Florida’s upcoming “How to Get Discovered by the Media” events. Members and guests are welcome to attend one or both events in September. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Sep. 8, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Bell Tower, 13051 Bell Tower Dr, in Fort Myers, and Monday, Sep. 12, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail N in Naples.

This year attendees will have an unprecedented opportunity to ask questions directly to our SWFL media partners! Plus, there will be THOUSANDS of dollars worth of media prizes for our members to win at our September meetings from some of our media partners!

Not a member? Join today and save $25 on your application fee. Everyone is invited, but you must RSVP to reserve your seat below! Come ready to learn and have fun. And maybe you, too, will “Get Discovered by the Media!”

Meet our Emcee:

• Sue Huff, Owner of E.Sue Huff & Associates, Inc Marketing and Management Consulting.

Our Panelists:

• Alan Campbell, Anchor NBC2 News Today. Alan Campbell is an Emmy award-winning anchor who anchors NBC-2 News Today starting at 4:30 am Monday through Friday. Alan started his career in Charleston, South Carolina, covering stories from Tropical storms to American Idol Auditions. He then went to Texas and worked as a morning anchor at KRGV, the ABC affiliate in the Rio Grande Valley. While there, Alan won several AP awards for best newscast and covered stories about the cartels, drug, and human trafficking, immigration, and so much more! https://nbc-2.com/
• Paul Lodato, GM of Christian Television Network. Paul was hired July 2005 as the youngest general manager of the Christian Television Network, which was founded in Florida in 1979 and in Southwest Florida in 1995. CTN Southwest Florida (WRXY) is the only local full-power faith and family broadcast Television station with full-service video production capabilities in studio & on location. Paul is the host & executive producer of the weekly international broadcast Good News on Entertainment and Contending for the Faith reaching 55 million homes weekly across America. paul@ctntv.net
• Shari Armstrong, Weekend Anchor for FOX 4 News at 5 PM. Shari graduated from Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers and then the University of South Florida in 2011 with a degree in Mass Communications – Broadcast Journalism. After graduating, I fled to New York, D.C., Atlanta, and Los Angeles to pursue my dreams of ___ (Honestly, my dream changed seventy-five times, but all were production, tv, and communications-related). I was looking for fulfillment that you actually don’t find in a place – you find it in your heart. Luckily, God placed a better plan on my life. Five years ago, I came right back home and accepted the Lifestyle Journalist position at Hello SWFL. I’m a proud Gulfshore Life “40 under 40” winner, too. https://fox4.com/
• Eric Strachan, Editor of Florida Weekly’s Naples and Bonita Springs Editions. Eric Strachan, an award-winning journalist, Eric is the editor of Florida Weekly’s Naples and Bonita Springs editions. Previously, he had a 30-year career with the Naples Daily News in several newsroom roles and was its senior managing editor before leaving the newspaper in 2013. Prior to joining Florida Weekly in 2019, he was the director of research/private investigator with a boutique consulting firm that specializes in comprehensive, detailed investment research and due diligence. https://naples.floridaweekly.com/
• Reg Buxton, Publisher of Life In Naples Magazine, a lifestyle magazine that targets and serves high-net-worth residents in Naples. Buxton has published various publications and high-end promotional pieces and marketing services in Naples since the early 1990s. Besides his magazine, he is very involved in the community, serving on boards and committees; he also served on Naples City Council and currently serves on the North Collier Fire Control and Rescue District Board of Commissioners. And he has also been a consultant to various alphabet agencies. https://lifeinnaples.net/magazinewp/
• Mark Gordon has been an editor and reporter with the Business Observer since 2005. He’s written about hundreds of entrepreneurs, companies, business owners, and civic leaders, from Tampa to Naples. Mark also oversees the daily online and weekly print content for the award-winning Business Observer, which reaches 160,000 readers a month. He coordinates coverage with a team of 12 freelance journalists and photographers. Mark also writes a column on leadership, interviewing some of the region’s top business leaders and consultants. https://www.businessobserverfl.com/
• Gina Birch. The morning show on Sunny 106.3 Beasley Media Group, Gina is no stranger to radio or Fort Myers. She has spent time as a morning and midday personality from the early 90s through 2013. In addition to waking you up each morning, she also hosts a weekly infomercial and Grape Minds wine podcast on NPR. She is also a contributing writer for TOTI Media publications, Gulf Shore Life magazine, USA Today, 10Best, Naples Daily News, and Fort Myers News-Press in the Ft. Myers and Naples market. https://sunny1063.com/
• Andres Felipe Paz, Publisher at Todos Magazine. TODOS Magazine is a modern, updated, and refreshing publication aimed at the Hispanic reader who seeks to develop successfully and receive quality information in their own language. With its dual platform, print/digital, it aims to create a new editorial concept by uniting creators, advertisers, and readers with the common goal of excellence and success. TODOS Magazine offers a monthly distribution. AdVentureSWFL.com 
• Steve McQuilkin, Senior Manager for Content, Regional Business, and Environment Editor at The News-Press (Fort Myers and Cape Coral) and Naples Daily News. Over the past 12 months, Steve has led USA TODAY Network statewide coverage on issues ranging from Amazon’s rapid expansion in Florida to rising home prices and furniture delays. He has twice served as the business editor and has also led the education team. He has also been executive metro editor, data editor, and real estate editor. https://www.news-press.com/ https://www.naplesnews.com/

Thank you to our meeting sponsors:

• Brian Chapman CEO of Chapman Insurance Group. Brian Chapman, Jr. is a lifelong resident of Southwest Florida. Brian founded Chapman Insurance Group, a Southwest Florida Independent Insurance agency that provides insurance products for both commercial and residential insurance in Florida. Brian was appointed by Governor Rick Scott in 2011 to the Board of Trustees at Florida Southwestern State College and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees until 2018. Brian is active in his church and local little league and loves the “salt life” that Southwest Florida offers. Brian is a member of the Above Board Chamber of Florida, https://www.cigflorida.com/
• Jayne Malinowski, Lake Michigan Credit Union. Jayne is the Florida Mortgage Sales Manager at LMCU. She has a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. Lake Michigan Credit Union has grown into a full-service financial institution with over $3.7 billion in total assets and $7 billion in serviced mortgages. As the #1 purchase mortgage lender in Michigan, LMCU is now in Florida to offer superior lending expertise. LMCU Mortgage of Florida brings vast expertise and rock-solid stability. We are happy to service the Sunshine State! You can contact Jayne at 239-994-3565
• Connie Ramos-Williams is the Chief Marketing Officer, Founder, and President at CONRIC pr + marketing. CONRIC pr + marketing is recognized as one of the leading strategic branding, digital marketing, website development, advertising, and public relations agencies in Southwest Florida. It’s the agency the Above Board Chamber of Florida, and hundreds of local, regional, and national companies turn to and trust for comprehensive marketing support that exceeds expectations and garners awards. For a free consultation, contact Connie Ramos-Williams at 239-690-9840 or Connie@ConricPR.com, or visit https://www.conricpr.com/contact-us/
• Sue Huff is the owner of E. Sue Huff & Associates, Inc. – Marketing & Management Consulting. She provides strategic marketing and management consulting services to owners and managers of small and mid-size businesses, as well as non-profit organizations. Founded in 1994, the firm works to help clients reach their marketing and PR goals. Huff’s career began in the newspaper industry and has included TV, radio, and ownership of a chain of print shops. www.ESueHuff.com

For information on becoming a member, please go to the membership tab at the top of this page or call 239-910-7426 and ask for Jeanne Sweeney, CEO/ Founder of the Above Board Chamber of FL.

Thank you to CONRIC pr + marketing for helping us with our press releases and updating this website to get this important meeting out!