Chamber connection: Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Southwest Florida business professionals attended the Hispanic Chamber of Southwest Florida Business After Hours event on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Cantina Laredo. From left: Edye Button of Transworld Systems, Scott Zehner of Zehner and Peluso, Shelly Osterhout of Computer Solutions of America, Diane Perchall of Progressive Employer Services, Peter Kartunnen of RDP Construction. / Special to news-press.com

 

About 80 members and guests turned out for the Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce business after hours event at Cantina Laredo on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

 

The event is a monthly networking social hosted in Lee County. The chamber also hosts business after hours in Collier County and are starting a quarterly social in Punta Gorda in October, said Veronica Culbertson, president and CEO of the chamber.

 

Susan Vaccarino with Jewels by Park Lane raffled a decorative bracelet valued at around $300.

 

In other news, the chamber hosted a social media lecture at Mastello’s Ristorante in Fort Myers.

 

Free appetizers and soft drinks were served at the event and 15 people attended.

 

Shelly Osterhout from Computer Solutions of America discussed the importance of social media and search engine optimization in business and how the two functions go hand in hand.

 

The lecture is one in a series on social media functions.

The next social media lecture will offer an overlook of Facebook and how to use it as a business tool.

The chamber, in partnership with Edison State College, will host a free community seminar at the college’s Lee County campus on Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the new nursing building, room AA-177 located near the intersection at College Parkway and Summerlin Road.

David Essel, an adjunct professor at the college, will lead the lecture on public speaking. He’ll touch on becoming an effective presenter, whether speaking to 2 or 2,000 people and explain why most people fail at giving effective presentations. He’ll also show how to overcome the fear of public speaking and how to utilize public speaking skills to enhance business success.

David is the author of 6 books, a radio and TV host, addiction recovery coach and all faiths minister. He has offered training in the art of public speaking since 1996.

The seminar is part of a free series designed to educate the community on different topics that are of interest to local businesses and the public in general. Reservations are required. For more information, call the chamber at 418-1441.