Gulfshore Business magazine’s Best of Business readers’ poll is now in its seventh year. And once again, enthusiastic participation turned out more than 6,000 unique votes cast for hundreds of businesses. Online polling was conducted at SurveyMonkey.com, where respondents were required to provide a name and an email address so that people could cast only one vote. The winners in each category are listed as well as the immediate runners-up (in alphabetical order).
— Compiled by Phil Borchmann and Justin Paprocki
ILLUSTRATION BY SINELAB
FINANCE/INSURANCE
Best Accounting Firm
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co.
With offices in Fort Myers and Naples, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A., offers a range of services including individual and business tax planning and preparation, litigation support, forensic accounting and human resources consulting.
Finalists
Stroemer and Co.
Wiltshire Whitley
Javed Kapadia—State Farm Insurance [PHOTO: Brian Tietz]
Best Insurance Brokerage Company
Javed Kapadia—State Farm Insurance
The Javed Kapadia Agency in Naples has received numerous company awards, including the Silver Club, Bronze Tablet, Honor Club and the Ambassador Club. In 2007, the office was ranked as among the top new agencies in the country. Kapadia’s career at State Farm started in 1997 as a summer intern in Bloomington, Illinois. Finalists Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners, LLC Private Client Insurance
Finalists
Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners, LLC
Private Client Insurance
Best Regional Bank
IBERIABANK
IBERIABANK’s Southwest Florida locations are among 191 branch offices in several states. The banking operation is a subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corp. based in Louisiana.
Finalists
BB&T Bank
Fifth Third Bank
Best Community Bank
First Florida Integrity Bank
First Florida Integrity Bank has seven full-service offices, with $1.5 billion in assets as of Dec. 31. Headquartered in Naples, it was founded in 2009 by banking veterans Gary Tice and Garrett Richter.
Finalists
Edison National Bank
FineMark National Bank & Trust
Best Financial Advisory Firm
Investors Security Trust
The independent wealth management company based in Fort Myers includes legal, investment, financial planning, and trust and estate planning professionals.
Finalists
Advanced Wealth Advisors
Touchstone Wealth Partners
FOOD/HOSPITALITY/ ENTERTAINMENT
Best Caterer
Crave Culinaire
Crave Culinaire specializes in creating an exclusive culinary experience through in-home dining, private and public events, cooking classes, customized catering, food and wine pairings. The Naples-based business is also paired with the customizable space of Venue Naples.
Finalists
Artichoke & Co.
Black Salt Culinary
Best Independently Owned Restaurant
Artisan Eatery
The Fort Myers restaurant features a made-from-scratch menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Think flatbreads, paninis, salads and the like.
Finalists
El Gaucho Inca
Matanzas on the Bay
Best Power Lunch
El Gaucho Inca
This Fort Myers restaurant specializes in traditional Argentinian and Peruvian delicacies—and some Italian favorites.
Finalists
Artisan Eatery
Gather
Scott Saxon, general manager—Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall [PHOTO: Brian Tietz]
Best Entertainment Venue
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW
The 1,874-seat theater on the campus of Florida SouthWestern State University features year-round performances, including nationally touring Broadway musicals.
Finalists
Artis—Naples
Dave & Buster’s
Kyle Cebull, founder—Millennial Brewing Co. [PHOTO: Brian Tietz]
Best After-Work Gathering Spot
Millennial Brewing
Millennial Brewing is a microbrewery located in Downtown Fort Myers and established in 2016 by two millennials hoping to escape the regular 9-5. Millennial Brewing seeks to provide a comfortable environment where both the novice and beer enthusiast can have a great time, while learning more about craft beer.
Finalists
Bell Tower Shops
Gather
CREATIVE
Best Jeweler
Bigham Jewelers
The Naples-based jeweler is one of the largest independent jewelry stores in the country. Fun fact: The Bigham Galleria is shaped like a diamond.
Finalists
Diamond District
Mark Loren Designs
Best Florist
Fort Myers Florist
The family-owned shop can provide for everything from wedding and corporate events to simple Valentine’s Day gifts.
Finalists
Forget Me Not Flower Market
Naples Picasso Flowers
LEGAL
Best Large Law Firm
Pavese Law Firm
Pavese Law Firm, established in 1949, is a full-service law firm with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and West Palm Beach. The firm provides a broad range of legal services for individuals, families, small businesses and large corporations.
Finalists
Becker & Poliakoff
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt
Best Small Law Firm
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz
Since 1962, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz attorneys have provided representation to a wide variety of both commercial and private clients. Offices are located in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.
Finalists
Kagan Law Firm
Woods, Weidenmiller, Michetti & Rudnick
HEALTH/EDUCATION/ CHARITY
Best Medical Center
NCH Baker Hospital Downtown
The downtown NCH location offers advanced heart, cancer, obstetric, orthopedic and other services. The facility is part of a two-hospital healthcare system provides care for more than 40,500 patients annually.
Finalists
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida
HealthPark Medical Center
Best Veterinarian
Angel Animal Hospital and Boarding
Started by Dr. Pegah and Gavin Gillette about a decade ago, the North Naples facility offers veterinary care, grooming and boarding.
Finalists
Gulf Coast Humane Society
VCA Miracle Mile Animal Hospital
Best Retirement Community
Vi at Bentley Village
The senior living community on 156 acres in Naples features two clubhouses, an 18-hole golf course, a care center and walking trails.
Finalists
Gulf Coast Village
Shell Point Retirement Community
Dawn Montecalvo, president—Guadalupe Center [PHOTO: Brian Tietz]
Best Charitable Organization
Guadalupe Center
The nonprofit strives to break “the cycle of poverty through education” by providing academic and support programs to children in Immokalee. About 1,300 students take part in its core programs.
Finalists
Blessings in a Backpack
Captains for Clean Water
BUILDING/REAL ESTATE
Best Commercial Builder
DeAngelis Diamond Construction
The company, which was founded in 1996, is headquartered in Naples and works with a variety of public and private building types, from health care and educational centers to corporate and public spaces. The company also specializes in green building.
Finalists
Creighton Construction & Development
Stevens Construction
Best Residential Builder
D.R. Horton
Founded in 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas, D.R. Horton has operations in 84 markets in 29 states in the East, Midwest, Southeast, South Central, Southwest and West regions of the United States—including Southwest Florida.
Finalists
Metro Home Builders Inc.
PBS Contractors Pulte Homes
(a tie for finalists)
Best Remodeling Company
GCG Construction Inc.
Since 2000, Fort Myers-based GCG Construction Inc. has been delivering comprehensive design-build, general contracting and construction management services for the health care, commercial, hospitality retail and marine industries.
Finalists
PBS Contractors
Sunrise Remodeling
Best Architecture Firm
BSSW Architects Inc.
With offices in Fort Myers and Naples, BSSW Architects Inc. has completed more than 120 projects in the last 30 years, including the design and management of educational systems, government facilities, public libraries, major hotels and resorts and private communities.
Finalists
MHK Architecture
Planning Studio+
Best Engineering Firm
GFA International Inc.
This Fort Myers engineering and geological consulting firm offers a host of services, including construction materials testing, code compliance, health and safety training, and geotechnical engineering.
Finalists
Johnson Engineering
Velocity Inc.
Best Landscape Company
Greenscapes Florida
Greenscapes Florida is a Naples-based, family-owned company that has been landscaping residential and commercial properties for more than 50 years in Southwest Florida.
Finalists
Green Leaf Lawn Services
Juniper Landscaping
Best Interior Design Firm
Interiors by Design West
The full-service, Naples firm specializes in services for private residences, clubhouses, architectural detailing, model home merchandising, comprehensive custom home renovations and more.
Finalists
Dwayne Bergmann Interiors
Studio+
Best Commercial Real Estate Agency
CRE Consultants
CRE Consultants is a commercial real estate services firm— with offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Stuart—that has served Florida since 1998. CRE provides strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; property management; valuation, research and consulting.
Finalists
LandQwest Commercial
Premiere Plus Realty Co.
Best Residential Real Estate Agency
Premiere Plus Realty Co.
Premiere Plus Realty Co. is the largest independent real estate company in Southwest Florida with more than 1,100 agents. The company has offices in Naples, Old Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Cape Coral.
Finalists
Caine Premiere Properties
John R. Wood Properties
Best Engineering Firm
GFA International Inc.
GFA International Inc. is an engineering and geological consulting organization in Fort Myers that focuses on environmental, geotechnical, construction materials testing, inspections and code compliance services for a broad spectrum of industries.
Finalists
Johnson Engineering
Velocity Inc.
COMPANY
Best Large Company
B&I Contractors Inc. Fort Myers-based B&I was established in 1960 by Gordon Harbuck. In 1963, the original articles of incorporation were created, and B&I still operates under them. An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) was established in 1986, and ESOP now owns 100% of the corporate stock.
Finalists
First Florida Integrity Bank
Target Roofing & Sheet Metal
Best Small Company
Premier Plus Realty Co.
Premier Plus Realty Co. is a privately owned, debt-free real estate company headquartered in Southwest Florida.
Finalists
Javed Kapadia—State Farm Insurance
Priority Marketing
Best Family-Owned Business
Premiere Plus Realty Co.
The real estate business moved into the Naples area in 2003. Now, it covers all of Lee and Collier counties.
Finalists
Larson Educational Services
Sunshine Ace Hardware
MEETING/LODGING
Best Conference or Meeting Center (hotel)
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa in Bonita Springs has more than 82,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, including high-tech meeting rooms, ballrooms, courtyards and terraces.
Finalists
Hilton Naples
Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Best Conference or Meeting Center (non-hotel)
Hertz Arena
In addition to hosting Florida Everblades hockey, the Estero venue offers a wide variety of entertainment. Since opening in 1998, it has hosted Arena football, NHL, NBA and USBL games, and more than 300 different events, including Stars on Ice, pro wrestling and headline concerts. Naples Conference Center The center features 4,350 square feet of high-tech conference and training space, where groups can host business meetings, seminars, training sessions and special events. An onsite team will accommodate event requirements.
Finalists
Collaboratory
Venue Naples
(a tie for first place)
Best Business Hotel
Hyatt Place Coconut Point
The 108-room hotel sits within the Coconut Point mall in Estero and features an inhouse restaurant and bar, pool and 24-hour gym, as well as business services, free internet access and parking.
Finalists
Hilton Naples
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Best Private School
Fort Myers Christian School
Fort Myers Christian School was established in 1979 by First Assembly of God in Fort Myers. Since 1987, FMCS has been a fully accredited PreK3-8th-grade school through the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the Florida Kindergarten Council.
Finalists
Bishop Verot Catholic High School
Canterbury School
SERVICE
Best Moving Company
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
The nationwide hauler offers its services in Naples and Fort Myers. FYI, “Hunks” is actually an acronym for Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable Service.
Finalists
William C. Huff Moving
Storage McCann’s Moving & Delivery
Best Staffing Firm
Spherion
With offices in Fort Myers and Naples, the nationwide company provides recruiting and staffing services, specializing in temporary and direct hire placement of clerical, administrative, customer service, light industrial and professional job candidates.
Finalists
CareerSource Southwest Florida
Express Employment Professionals
Best Dry Cleaners
Tide Dry Cleaners
Tide Dry Cleaners, which has locations in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Naples, offers drive-thru valet and 24- hour services. Tide provides inspection of garments for stains, damage, missing or broken buttons, and caters to special instructions from its customers.
Finalists
Fashion Fresh Dry Cleaning
Alterations Platinum Dry Cleaners
Best HVAC Company
B&I Contractors Inc.
Fort Myers-based B&I provides installation, service and maintenance of HVAC, refrigeration, electrical and plumbing systems for commercial, industrial and institutional clients in Florida.
Finalists
Conditioned Air
Florida Comfort Systems
Best Information Technology Company
Entech
Entech, headquartered in Fort Myers and in business for 20 years, is a full-service technology solution provider specializing in managed IT services for businesses ranging from 20 users to enterprise organizations with hundreds of users.
Finalists
ITVantage
TeamLogic IT Naples
Best Travel Agency
Preferred Travel of Naples
Founded by President and CEO Wilma Boyd in 1984, Preferred Travel of Naples Inc. presents a team of domestic and international travel specialists and provides worldwide leisure and corporate travel services to individual clients and groups.
Finalists
AAA Gero Travel
GOLF/WELLNESS
Best Country Club
Naples Lakes Country Club
Located within a 490-acre gated community, the club features an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, along with tennis, a fitness facility, dining, spa and more.
Finalists
Bonita Bay Club
Cypress Lake County Club
Best Yoga Studio
Yoga Bird
Whether you’re looking for power yoga or something more relaxed, the Fort Myers studio hosts classes for all ages and skill levels.
Finalists
Gateway Yoga
Pilates, Fitness & Therapeutics
ADVERTISING/PR/WEB
Best Advertising Agency
Quenzel & Associates
The Fort Myers firm works with a host of clients—from hotels to airlines to real estate companies—to provide marketing, advertising, branding and digital services.
Finalists
B3 Marketing
Pushing the Envelope
Best PR Firm
B3 Marketing
The Naples firm—which also has locations in Jupiter and London—represents several of Southwest Florida’s most popular restaurants.
Finalists
Dragon Horse Agency
Pushing the Envelope
Best Web Design
Quenzel & Associates
The firm’s web services include design, search engine optimization, ROI tracking and more.
Finalists
B3 Marketing
Dragon Horse Agency
