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On the up

Re-tooled business strategies in the face of a gloomy current economy suggests that Marco Island businesses are holding their own.

In addition, seasonal tourism plays a more and more important role in the island’s business health. That’s the overriding message from the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

For the third year in a row, a Chamber survey of how local businesses fared in season has confirmed that most of them are heavily or at least somewhat dependent on tourism.

Man at the helm of the surveys has been Gary Elliott, now the 2008 Chamber president.

He reiterates that the survey is non-scientific, but believes it has great value.

“The first season we ran the survey, following (hurricane) Wilma, a majority of businesses reported their businesses down,” Elliott reported after the latest survey. “The second season, due to the economy, a number of businesses reported their revenues down ... and this past season saw an improving cycle with most businesses reporting their businesses the same as last year or up.”

All this, he added, is despite the non-spectacular condition of the economy as a whole over the past few months.

Many businesses, he said, have adjusted by becoming more efficient, managing expenses, thinking outside the box, being more creative and better at marketing, and offering their products or services in a value pricing format, he said.

In addition, he said, most respondents want the Chamber to support advertising and marketing campaigns to attract more visitors and residents to the island, especially during the off season.

Suggestions to improve the island business climate include new and different sporting, cultural and community events, more night life and entertainment and more parks.

Elliott provided the following summary of some of the respondents’ views:

Jim Prange, Premiere Properties: “... a very good year with $30 million in sales in the last few months. I think the island has turned the corner.”

Joey Oliverio, president of the Marco Island Chapter of the Florida Restaurant Association: “Most of our members had a strong first three months, but we noticed a sharp fall off at the end of season. Clients were looking for value with early bird specials, take outs and were careful when ordering from the menus.”

Bill Baumler, Island Café Restaurant: “We had the best season ever.”

Mac Chaudhry at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort: “The first three months were good, but April was softer”.

Scott Hopkins, Cedar Bay Yacht Club: “We had our best ever boat rental month in March, and our service department revenues improved dramatically during the season.”

Jack Wert, Convention and Visitors Bureau: “Every indicator appears to be up. We had more tourist tax revenues in the first quarter than last year.”

Nancy Carrington, Marco Island Florist: “Retail sales and our special events like weddings and conventions were up, so we had a good season.”

Joyce McFarland, Marco Island Clothing Co.: “Certainly it was a better season than we planned for. We actually had to reorder merchandise in the middle of the season.”

Elliott’s overall take: “From the results of the survey and the comments from the people above, it appears that this season marked the beginning of an upturn for many island businesses.”

Extra miles

A clutch of Marco Island tourism-related employees have been honored at the latest 2008 Paradise Coast Tourism Star Awards.

They are Amanda Morris, Cathy Profaca, Carlos Ramirez-Roldan and former Marco Island City councilman E. Glenn Tucker.

The awards are presented every year during national tourism week, and are under the auspices of the Naples Marco Island Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Morris, of the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, was named outstanding hotel sales employee in her position as director of destination sales.

Profaca, from the same resort, was honored for achieving hospitality above and beyond, while Carlos Ramirez-Roldan of the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort, was proclaimed the “rising star.”

The award is given to an employee who has been with an organization or resort for less than a year, but who has already distinguished him- or herself.

He is food and beverage division server at the resort.

Also honored was former Marco city councilman E. Glenn Tucker. He received a tourism leadership award for service to the TDC for the years 2002 through 2008.