Above Board Chamber Event to Unite Skilled Workers with Quality Jobs

Fort Myers, FL, May 11, 2016 --(PR.com)-- The Above Board Chamber of Florida is proud to partner with Southwest Florida International Airport to present the Southwest Florida Workforce Summit on Thursday, May 12 at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers. This extraordinary two-part event will include a free job fair that is open to the public from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and a luncheon and panel discussion featuring top recruiters from a variety of industries and public officials representing the concerns of businesses here and in Puerto Rico from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. A limited number of tickets are still available at www.aboveboardchamber.com.

Southwest Florida and Puerto Rico represent two economies in a state of flux, but on opposite ends of the opportunity spectrum. Southwest Florida’s growing economy is experiencing a historic shortage of qualified workers in a wide range of industries. Therefore, employers need to get creative to attract top talent and consider looking further afield to discover a ready workforce. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s decade-long economic decline has reached a crisis point, which is forcing skilled professionals to leave home in search of greater stability.

Panelists will include: Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki; Brenda Thomas, executive director of the Building Industry Association; Peg Elmore from Career Source Southwest Florida; Kristy Rigot, system director, human resources for Lee Memorial Health System; Jazmin Nievez Alvarez, executive and staffing director from IKON Group; and Kevin Brady, international trade specialist for the Small Business Development at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Also taking part in the summit will be: Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson, Puerto Rico Senator Carmelo Rio, and Puerto Rico’s secretary of economic development and commerce, Alberto Baco Bague. Connie Ramos-Williams, president and chief marketing officer of CONRIC PR & Marketing, will emcee the event.

The job fair is free for all jobseekers, and no registration is required. Registration is $30 for members and $35 for guests. Employers who want to attract qualified talent at the job fair should contact Jeanne Sweeney at (239) 910-7426 or Jeanne@aboveboardchamber.com.

Title Sponsor Southwest Florida International Airport has donated two round trip tickets to Puerto Rico to be raffled off at the event. In addition, The Above Board Chamber is grateful to the following additional sponsors:

Gulfshore Business, Lee Memorial Health Systems, Storm Smart Industries, Strategy Corp, CONRIC PR & Marketing, Telemundo, Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Builders Industry Association, Fuller Online Solutions, Guatemala US-FL Chamber of Commerce, Puerto Rico Medical Tourism Corporation, Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce, The CALL Radio Station, Economic Development of City of Cape Coral, Collier Building Industry Association, WINK/MundoMax, IKON Group, Florida Gulf Coast University Small Business Development Center, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Florida Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance

The Above Board Chamber of Florida is dedicated to bringing people of all faiths together within the community, in the workplace and amongst one another. Their mission is to supply members with the tools that will allow them to take every aspect of their lives Above Board. For more information on the event or on how to become a member of the Above Board Chamber, contact Jeanne Sweeney at 239.910.7426 or visit www.aboveboardchamber.com.