Events

Featured Speaker for January 7th Meeting: Ted Wioncek III Associate Artistic Director - Players Circle Theater Ted Wioncek III is an award-winning stage director who has dedicated his career to leading creative teams in experiential playgrounds across the invigorating world of live theater. His hands-on leadership has garnered him a reputation as “a master in storytelling” by Philly Review. Wioncek has been hailed as an “illusioneer of stagecraft” by IEN Engineering Europe for his unique use of medium advancing technology, including custom designed stage mechanics and sensory experiences. He has been featured in numerous publications regarding arts and business, including The Philadelphia Inquirer and SJ Magazine’s “Someone to Watch,” where he was deemed a leader in the Greater Philadelphia theatre movement for his success as one of the Tri-state’s up-and-coming business builders. As a member of Stage Director & Choreographers Society, his work has amassed a plethora of awards and nominations, including the New Jersey Theatre [...]

Featured Speaker for January 14th Meeting: Ted Sottong Get To Work Scholarship Program Join us this Wednesday for our Rotary meeting featuring guest speaker Ted Sottong, who will discuss the Get To Work Scholarship Program. Ted has been a Rotarian for over 25 years, and has been a member of the Fort Myers Sunrise Club since 2004. He is a local architect and founded Pickup the Ball, Inc. in 2012. Through that organization, he has connected with young men from stressed areas to help empower them to lead their communities with the goal of transformation. Ted enjoys sports photography in his spare time, along with adventurous travel and making pasta when time permits. Ted thinks black Air Forces are dress shoes and he gave all his ties away, so in his mind, he dressed up for this occasion. WEEKLY SUNRISE MEETING Join us on Wednesday at the [...]

Sunrise Rotary Club - January 21st Meeting: Join us this Wednesday for our Rotary meeting and connect with fellow members of the Rotary Club of Fort Myers – Sunrise. This meeting is a great opportunity to stay informed on club updates, upcoming initiatives, and ways we can continue making a positive impact in our community, while enjoying fellowship with friends. Your participation matters, and we hope to see you there! WEEKLY SUNRISE MEETING Join us on Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Bell Tower Shops 13051 Bell Tower Drive, FL, 33907 Can't Make it? Join our Zoom Meeting - 2 Ways to Join ONE Click on the link to our ZOOM ROOM below. With this method you can join via a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet or phone. If you use a desktop or laptop you can [...]

Featured Speaker for January 28th Meeting: Earl Quenzel 2026 Business Leaders Outlook Survey Results Join us this Wednesday for our Rotary meeting as Earl Quenzel shares and discusses the results of the 2026 Business Leaders Outlook Survey. The presentation will offer insight into current trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping our local business community and beyond, with timely takeaways for leaders across all industries. Earl has served as a past president of the Sunrise – Rotary Club of Fort Myers, president of the McGregor Woods Homeowners Association for 3 years, and currently serves as chairman of the Players Circle Theater board. In addition to his active community involvement, Earl is a partner at Quenzel Marketing Agency with his wife, Colleen. WEEKLY SUNRISE MEETING Join us on Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Bell Tower Shops 13051 Bell Tower Drive, FL, 33907 Can't [...]

Featured Speaker for February 4th Meeting: Tim Hardy Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Tim Hardy is currently Director of Marketing at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, a position he has held since August of 2024. Originally from Peoria, Illinois, Mr. Hardy is a 1988 Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Master's Program at the College of Advertising and Journalism at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. His career in the advertising industry began in August of 1988 in Fort Myers with his first position as Media Director at Firestone & Cimring Advertising; he was promoted to Vice President in 1990. Subsequent positions include General Sales Manager for the Interconnect of cable companies formerly known as "Southwest Florida Cable Advertising" (currently Comcast); General Sales Manager for Beasley Broadcasting, WFTX-TV FOX4, Media Director at Priority Marketing, and Vice President of Sales at iHeart Media. Mr. Hardy has been involved in the Southwest Florida [...]

Featured Event for February 11th Meeting: Valentine's Day Program Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the Rotary Club of Fort Myers – Sunrise! We are hosting a Valentine’s Day program on February 11th that will include gifts and a raffle. In addition, we are pleased to welcome Will Plegt, who will be our featured speaker and will present a 30-minute talk. Don’t forget to bring your spouse/significant other with you! Will Plegt Collier-Lee Honor Flight Will Plegt is a retired hospitality executive with a distinguished global career spanning more than four decades. Holding dual citizenship in the United States and The Netherlands, he has lived and worked in major international markets including New York, Miami, Houston, Puerto Rico, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Aruba. He built his career with InterContinental Hotels Group and Carlson Hospitality, where he held senior leadership roles across luxury and full-service properties. Now based in the City of Naples, Will [...]

Featured Speakers for February 18th Meeting: Annie Campbell & Read Sawczyn Heights Foundation Career Tech Institute Annie Campbell - Director of Development Annie Campbell currently serves as Rotary District 6960’s District Governor Nominee and is also the Director of Development at The Heights Foundation.  She began working at Heights in July 2022. Annie served as the 2022-2023 President of the Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva and is currently on the board of directors for the Harlem Heights Community Charter School and Eva’s Closet and Foundation. She is a graduate of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands 2022 Leadership Sanibel-Captiva class. Prior to her position at The Heights Foundation, Annie served as the Development Director for BIG ARTS on Sanibel, PACE Center for Girls in Immokalee, SWFL March of Dimes, and Disability Network Northern Michigan.  Annie has served on several nonprofit boards, including: the Board of Directors for Child and Family Services, Artists Creating [...]

Featured Speaker for February 25th Meeting: Earl Quenzel Important Lessons Small Businesses Can Learn from Super Bowl Advertisers Join us this week for an engaging Rotary meeting as marketing expert Earl Quenzel takes us on a journey through the history of Super Bowl advertising. From iconic classics to memorable campaigns, Earl will break down what makes these ads unforgettable and reveal the best Super Bowl commercials of all time. Don’t miss this insightful and entertaining look at advertising on the world’s biggest stage! Earl has served as a past president of the Sunrise – Rotary Club of Fort Myers, president of the McGregor Woods Homeowners Association for 3 years, and currently serves as chairman of the Players Circle Theater board. In addition to his active community involvement, Earl is a partner at Quenzel Marketing Agency with his wife, Colleen. Please Note: We will be meeting on the patio at Shoeless Joe's Sports Cafe, [...]

12th Annual Drive for Education Rotary Golf Tournament Join us on Friday, April 24th for the 12th Annual Drive for Education Golf Tournament! We will meet at the Old Corkscrew Golf Club located in Estero, FL for a fun-filled day of golfing, a raffle, a silent auction, and more! Four amateur golfers are paired with a PGA or LPGA professional golfer. 40 pros go head-to-head for a $3,000 cash purse. The amateur teams compete in a scramble, and the top Pro-Am team will also be recognized for the best round. 1oo% of the tournament's net earnings support our clubs local and international education programs. Click the link below to learn more about the tournament and register your team today! LEARN MORE OLD CORKSCREW GOLF CLUB Join us on Friday, April 24th, 2026 at the Old Corkscrew Golf Club 17320 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, FL 33928 [...]