The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce is committed to improving the local business climate, because we believe that, when your business succeeds, our community also prospers.
The true value of the Chamber is its diverse membership, which is made up of both large and small businesses. There’s a lot to discover about YOUR Chamber and the many opportunities available to enhance your own business. We invite you to come and join us and to learn about how the Chamber operates to assist you.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
John R. Wright
President
PG Chamber of Commerce
(941) 639-3720
Marjorie Benson
Chair Elect
Friendly Floors
(941) 624-0077
Tim Sandage
Vice Chair
Coastal Expressions & Wine / AWS
(941) 214-8599
Alexia Martin-Comber
Past Chair
WhitCo Insurance Agency
(941) 257-0692
Della Booth
Treasurer
Time Realty Services
(239) 699-4493
Cherie George
Chair
Gettel of Charlotte County
(941) 260-3669
Tim Sandage
Vice Chair
Coastal Expressions & Wine / AWS
(941) 214-8599
Alexia Martin-Comber
Past Chair
WhitCo Insurance Agency
(941) 257-0692
Catherine Perry
Secretary
Waterside Gifts and Decor
(941) 347-7322
Marjorie Benson
Chair Elect
Friendly Floors
(941) 624-0077
Della Booth
Treasurer
Time Realty Services
(239) 699-4493
Directors
June Amara
Creative Window Treatments
(941) 637-0015
Jacqueline Benjamin
Charlotte State Bank & Trust
(941) 235-4444
Eric Bretan
Rick’s Estate Jewelers & Buyers
(941) 347-7688
Carlton Hughes
Florida Premier Contractors
(941) 205-1400
Dennis Gill
Port Charlotte Florist
(941) 627-2236
Brett Hawker
Illusions Salon & Spa
(941) 505-5777
Patti Herndon
PG Wine & Chocolate, PG Coffee & Tea
(941) 505-0479
Wendy Tirado
Dream Salon & Spa
(941) 621-8311
Jim Sproul
Edward Jones Investments
(941) 743-4121
Kathy Robinson
Centennial Bank
(941) 347-3321
Teresa Desquin
Meals on Wheels
(941) 639-8810
Richard Lancette
AMS Floors
(941) 740-1555
Zarita Mattox
Kingdom Life – Center of H.O.P.E.
(732) 644-2691
Associate Directors
Justin Brand
Charlotte Community Foundation
(941) 637-0077
Kim Weger
Michael Saunders & CO
(941) 639-0000
Ed Wotitzky
The Wotitzky Law Firm
(941) 639-2171
Past Chairs
2021-2022 Alexia Martin
2020-2021 June Amara
2019-2020 Debra Trenholm
2018-2019 Melanie Markel
2017-2018 Sue Randall
2016-2017 Mike Martin
2015-2016 Brenda Lynch
2014-2015 Della Booth
2013-2014 Jose Morillo, Ron Monck, Della Booth
2012-2013 Ron Monck
2011-2012 Ed Wotitzky
2010-2011 Dorothy Strunk
2009-2010 Ron Olsen
2008-2009 Kathy Silverberg
2007-2008 Rick Wright
2006-2007 Patti Pierron
2005-2006 James Roland
2005-2004 Glenn Larson
Chair Emeritus Connie Kantor
Ex-Officio Appointees
- Chief Pamela Davis – Punta Gorda Police Dept.
- Dave Gammon – Director of Economic Development for Charlotte County
- Greg Murray – Punta Gorda City Manager
- Nancy Johnson – TEAM Punta Gorda
- James Parish – Charlotte County Airport Authority
- Kim Amontree – Charlotte County School Board
- Hector Flores – Charlotte County Administrator
- Sean Doherty – Tourism Director, Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau
- Tyler Canfield – Punta Gorda Fire Department
Our Staff
John R. Wright
President
JRWright@PuntaGorda-Chamber.com
Tara Zajas
Marketing & Recruitment Manager
tzajas@puntagorda-chamber.com
Hazel Klossner
Office Manager
reception@puntagorda-chamber.come
Chamber Committees
- Works with the Chamber staff to execute business seminars that benefit the wider PGCC membership.
- Proposes programs to increase membership. To attend and present to local and county groups, with a view to explaining the benefits of PGCC membership. To mentor new members. To act as introducer to new members at BAHs, BOBs and networking luncheons. To propose and assist in implementation of membership drives.
- Suggests relevant topics of interest that effect Chamber members which can be addressed by seminars or other similar programs.
- Provides guest speakers at BAHs , BOBs and seminars that can address members issues.
- Puts together a membership assistance pack – showing the expertise that the Chamber has already within its members.
- Provides referral assistance to new businesses looking at Punta Gorda as a destination.
- Prepares relevant information for the PGCC website.
Mission: To advance the revitalization of downtown by supporting and promoting existing businesses and new businesses. Working for development that is pedestrian friendly and presents an overall image of quality.
Where: The area of Punta Gorda covered by the Downtown Merchants Association is from the Peace River south to Charlotte Avenue, MLK Boulevard on the east to Harvey Street on the west.
Why: Our aim is to be pro-active with our City Fathers in helping them make the right choices in getting us moving more quickly and in the right direction.
Events
Third Thursday Wine Walk (currently on hiatus due to COVID)
It’s a downtown tradition! Third Thursday Wine Walk. To participate in the Wine Walk, purchase a $10 ticket prior to the event from the Punta Gorda Chamber. Tickets are also available in front of the Chamber on the night of the events. This “passport” is accompanied by a map of all participating merchants offering wine sampling. Also, visit non-profit groups attending the evening.
The fun runs 5pm – 8pm every Third Thursday, weather permitting! If you are a non-profit and want to participate in future Third Thursday Wine Walks, please contact us A.S.A.P at (941) 639-3720 to get an application.
Farmers Market
Award winning Farmers Market, over 25 vendors, held every Saturday in front of our Historic Courthouse. Click here for more info
Artisans Atelier
Opened Fall of 2010 in the Herald Court Centre. Different artisans are in-house, working right before your eyes. These artisans are available to answer your questions as well as sell their works. The Atelier operates from 11 am – 5 pm, Monday – Saturday, and is open on Third Thursdays until 8 pm.
- Works in conjunction with the Charlotte County Economic Development Office to provide assistance to prospective new businesses to Punta Gorda.
- Acts as leader in showing Punta Gorda off to new business investors by conducting market tours of Punta Gorda and offering these entities the opportunity to discuss current market information with those already doing business in Punta Gorda.
- Promotes Punta Gorda business opportunities, whenever possible at trade shows etc.
- Prepares information that can be entered onto the PGCC website that can assist prospective newcomers, such as an up-to-date demographic analysis. (See Area Quick Facts)
- Punta Gorda is a very low crime city. See you yourself! (Low Crime Report)
- Economic Profile for Punta Gorda
- The latest Regional Economic Indicators for our area:
Below is the latest Regional Economic Indicators and the numbers for our area:
- • PGD’s seasonally-adjusted passenger activity amounted to 152,542 in March 2023, a less than 1 percent improvement from February 2023 but 4 percent below March 2022
• Seasonally-adjusted real tourist tax revenues in Charlotte County slipped to $625.6 thousand in February 2023, a 6 percent decrease from the January 2023 measure and 10 percent below January 2023
• Seasonally-adjusted real taxable sales in Charlotte County totaled $367.8 million in January 2023, up 11 percent from January 2022 and 5 percent above December 2022
• Charlotte County’s unemployment rate was 3.2 percent in March 2023, unchanged from the prior month and 0.1 percentage points below March 2022
• Charlotte County recorded 232 permits issued in February 2023, down 42 percent from February 2022 and 17 percent below January 2023
• Charlotte County reported 464 existing single-family home sales for March 2023, down 18 percent from March 2022.
• The median price in Charlotte County was $390,300 in March 2023, up $1,300 (less than 1 percent) over the same month last year
• Charlotte County active listings increased to 1,598 units in March 2023, up 13 percent from the prior month and 184 percent above March 2022
- • PGD’s seasonally-adjusted passenger activity amounted to 152,542 in March 2023, a less than 1 percent improvement from February 2023 but 4 percent below March 2022
- Works with the Chamber Staff to invite political candidates to meet the PGCCmembership at BOBs and lunches.
- Recommends and organize profitable events that bring local, state and federal issues to the attention of our membership i.e. Hob Nob
- Encourages participation of local politicians in our Chamber.
- Writes Chamber policy on local and state issues for Board approval.
- Represents the Chamber in conjunction with the Chamber President at relevant Government affairs meetings i.e. City Council meetings
Chamber Guardians & Supporters
The following people have pledged in perpetuity their individual support to the Punta Gorda Chamber and its work and are forever recognized for their contribution. Thank you!
Hazel & Rev. Bill Klossner
Michael Haymans
Danny & Carla Nix
Elaine & Pat Martin
Cherie George