Daniel Spears is Vice President of Industry Relations at BMI, and worked with the VCB from day one of year one in helping create and successfully launch Island Hopper. “Songwriter festivals are about the folks who write the music and the stories behind their songs,” he says. “Island Hopper is really an intimate, acoustic environment we’ve created for both the artist and guest — the total opposite of arena concerts. If you want to get up close and personal with the person who’s written one of your favorite songs, here’s the chance. We’re helping create Southwest Florida as a vibrant music destination and it’s growing every year.” AsMacPhee explains, one of the keys to IslandHopper’s success is identifying Southwest Florida locations — like Captiva, Fort Myers Beach and downtown — that offer multiple live music venues within walking distance of each other, as well as accommodations. “You can literally enjoy a day and evening, going from one venue to another. The settings are intimate, the crowds are smaller and there’s more connection between artist and audience. Where else can you go to hear some great music by the original author, and then maybe have a beer with them afterward?” MacPhee estimates more than 13,000 attendees last year with, of course, the goal to exceed that total in 2017. “Our tourismpartners are very happy with Island Hopper,” she adds. “Most partnering businesses tell us they see a 45% to 65% increase in food and beverage revenue, with increased room bookings, and that’s our job at the VCB.” But just as importantly, another job at the Visitor & Convention Bureau is to entertain Lee County guests and provide an experience they enjoy enough to want to repeat — and Nancy MacPhee feels that’s mission accomplished with Island Hopper. “The chance to see one of these talented songwriters up close is an experience like no other,” she says. “Typically on any given night there are three or four shows within walking distance, so grab your walkin’ shoes and get ready to be entertained.”
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