Alliance for the Arts' Lydia Black to discuss local arts, culture at Fort Myers Chamber event

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Feb. 22, 2018 - PRLog -- The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce invites the community to join in an insightful discussion on the impact of local arts and culture with Lydia Black, executive director of Lee County Alliance for the Arts, during the Chamber's March General Membership Meeting on Thursday, March 15. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Fort Myers, 13051 Bell Tower Drive next to the Bell Tower Shops in Fort Myers.

The nonprofit arts and culture industry generates $140.1 million in annual economic activity in Lee County, supporting 3,875 full-time equivalent jobs, and generating $18.8 million in local and state government revenues, according to the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 (AEP5) study. The study was spearheaded locally by the Alliance for the Arts, Lee County's local arts agency whose mission is to transform lives and improve community through the arts.

During the Chamber event, Black will lead the discussion on how local arts and cultural organizations impact the Southwest Florida community, highlighting key takeaways from the AEP5's comprehensive economic impact study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry.

A self-described "nonprofit junkie," Black believes the arts are essential to the quality of life and economic prosperity. Black earned a master's degree in Nonprofit Management and undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Communications. She is an active community volunteer, serves on the Community Concerts Board of Directors and is a proud member of Rotary Club of Fort Myers. She has been recognized as Gulfshore Life's 2016 Woman of the Year, The News-Press' 2008 Trailblazer of the Year and a Gulfshore Business 40 under 40 recipient in 2010.

The March luncheon is sponsored by Priority Marketing, the region's largest full-service marketing, advertising, public relations and digital marketing agency serving a diverse array of businesses, nonprofits and government agencies throughout the United States. The event's gold member spotlight is HBKS Wealth Advisors, a financial planning and investment advisory firm. Other sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Stephanie Davis at stephanie@fortmyers.org.

Admission to this informative luncheon event is $25 for prepaid Chamber members and $35 for future members and members who pay at the door. To learn more or to register for the event, visit www.FortMyers.org.

About the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce:
Serving Lee County and surrounding areas since 1989, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is a business organization of professionals who support and promote a progressive, sustainable community. The Chamber represents nearly 800 businesses, professionals, and individuals throughout Lee County, providing opportunities for members to participate in a variety of meaningful networking, educational and community- and business-focused programs and events. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce is located at 2310 Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers. For additional information regarding membership opportunities or events please call 239-332-3624 or visit www.fortmyers.org. For the latest news and updates, follow the Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gfmcc or Twitter at @FtMyersChamber.