Illustration by Sinelab
Gulfshore Business magazine’s eighth annual Best of Business readers’ poll attracted thousands of participants who cast votes for hundreds of businesses in Southwest Florida. The online polling at SurveyMonkey.com required each voter to provide their name and email address so they could cast only one ballot. Thank you, readers, for your participation and continued interest.
Winners are listed in this issue for more than 40 types of businesses in six overall categories, followed by the two runners-up finalists, listed in alphabetical order, for each business type. Congratulations to the local businesses chosen as this year’s winners and finalists for the Best of Business.
BROWN & BROWN INSURANCE Best Health Insurance Brokerage. [PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Kellar]
BUSINESS FINANCE & INSURANCE
BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM
Stroemer & Company
With more than 40 professionals dedicated to serving clients in nine Florida locations, Stroemer & Company is a full-service accounting firm that provides audit, tax services, bookkeeping and management consulting to a variety of industries.
Finalists
HBK
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A.
BEST COMMERCIAL BANK
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank
Chartered on Sanibel Island in 2003 as a locally owned and operated community bank, SanCap Bank has rapidly grown in the last few years, with locations serving residents and businesses throughout Lee County.
Finalists
Edison National Bank
Florida First Integrity Bank
BEST TRUST COMPANY
FineMark National Bank & Trust
Founded in 2007, FineMark has a dozen locations establishing long-term client relationships with a comprehensive array of banking, trust and investment services. The bank is committed to making a positive impact on the communities it serves.
Finalists
Barbara M. Pizzolato, P.A.
Sanibel Captiva Trust Co.
BEST FINANCIAL ADVISORY FIRM
Advanced Wealth Advisors
This Southwest Florida comprehensive financial planning and wealth management firm creates custom plans at offices in Naples and Fort Myers with expertise in investment, retirement, insurance and tax and estate planning.
Finalists
Morgan Stanley
UBS
BEST HEALTH INSURANCE BROKERAGE
Brown & Brown Insurance
The sixth-largest independent insurance brokerage in the nation with 300 locations and more than 80 years of proven success, Brown & Brown’s risk management solutions make it one of the industry’s most powerful and influential leaders.
Finalists
BKS Partners
Gulfshore Insurance
BEST COMMERCIAL INSURANCE BROKERAGE
Gulfshore Insurance
Gulfshore Insurance has four area locations with services that include commercial insurance and risk management, personal insurance, private risk services and employee benefits and wellness.
Finalists
Brown & Brown Insurance
McGriff Insurance Services
BEST LIFE INSURANCE AGENT
Javed Kapadia, State Farm
The award-winning Javed Kapadia Agency in Naples, one of the most successful State Farm agencies in the country, provides auto, home, property, business, life and health insurance as well as mutual funds, annuities and banking products.
Finalists
Brown & Brown Insurance
Rosier Insurance
BEST PAYROLL COMPANY
Paychex Inc.
Founded in 1971 by Tom Golisano, Paychex makes payroll outsourcing easy and affordable for half a million small- to medium-sized businesses nationwide. Services include payroll processing, retirement services, insurance and a fully outsourced human resource solution.
Finalists
ADP
Paylocity
ALOIA, ROLAND, LUBELL & MORGAN, PLLC Best Corporate & Business Law Firm + Best Commercial Real Estate Law Firm + Best Litigation Law Firm [PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Kellar]
LEGAL
BEST CORPORATE & BUSINESS LAW FIRM
Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC
Headquartered in downtown Fort Myers, the full-service law office is led by an expert team of trial attorneys for business and real estate law to personal injury and family law to wills, trusts and estates.
Finalists
Henderson Franklin
Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A.
BEST COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LAW FIRM
Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC
Part of a tight-knit community of legal professionals, Aloia Roland’s roots run deep within Southwest Florida. Community is the centerpiece of the firm’s team culture and its service to organizations and individuals.
Finalists
Woods, Weidenmiller, Michetti & Rudnick
Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A.
BEST INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW FIRM
Henderson Franklin
Founded in 1924, Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. is one of the largest and most experienced full-service law firms between Tampa and Miami, with more than 50 attorneys who live, work and have deep roots in Southwest Florida.
Finalists
Hahn Loeser & Parks
Quarles & Brady
Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A.
BEST LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW FIRM
Boy, Agnew, Potanovic
Suzanne Boy, John Agnew and John Potanovic have more
than 55 years of combined legal experience. Their collaborative, service-oriented firm aligns itself with its clients’ interests on everything from fee structures to business goals.
Finalists
Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC
Henderson Franklin
BEST LAND USE & ZONING LAW FIRM
Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A.
With law offices in Naples and Marco Island, WPL’s knowledgeable attorneys have lived and worked in Southwest Florida for decades, and possess a firsthand understanding of how the law intersects with the lives of those in the community.
Finalists
Henderson Franklin
Pavese Law Firm
BEST LITIGATION LAW FIRM
Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC
Established in 2004, the full-service law firm’s 10 attorneys and more than 20 support staff specialize in business and real estate law, commercial litigation, personal injury and wrongful death, class action litigation, family law, wills, trusts, estates and probate.
Finalists
Woods, Weidenmiller, Michetti & Rudnick, LLP
Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A.
BEST TAX LAW FIRM
Florida Rural Legal Services
Founded in 1966, the nonprofit organization has 70 staff mem- bers and seven offices in 13 counties to help clients with legal problems involving civil rights, consumer, employment, public benefits, economic stability, housing, elder, farmworker and other areas of law.
Finalists
Henderson Franklin
Pavese Law Firm
BEST TRUST & ESTATE LAW FIRM
Barbara M. Pizzolato, P.A.
Established in Florida in 2002, the firm provides clients with
litigation, business law, probate, trust administration and estate planning. The firm’s main office is in Fort Myers; it also maintains offices in Naples, New York and New Jersey.
Finalists
Aloia, Roland, Lubell & Morgan, PLLC
Dorcey Law Firm
CONRIC PR & MARKETING Best Advertising Agency [PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Kellar]
MARKETING
BEST PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM
Pushing the Envelope
Based in Fort Myers, Pushing the Envelope partners with clients in a variety of industries to create results-oriented, award-winning marketing communication strategies, including community relations, media planning, advertising design, web development, digital marketing, brand development and speaking events.
Finalists
CONRIC PR & Marketing
E. Sue Huff
BEST ADVERTISING AGENCY
CONRIC PR & Marketing
CONRIC provides effective customized plans for creative branding, public relations, marketing, graphic design, advertising, writing and publishing services to individuals and businesses of all sizes in Lee, Collier and Charlotte communities.
Finalists
Priority Marketing
Wilson Creative Group
STUDIO+ Best Commercial Architecture Firm + Best Commercial Interior Design Firm [PHOTO CREDIT: Erik Kellar]
COMMERCIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE
BEST COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION
DeAngelis Diamond
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Naples, DeAngelis Diamond has become an innovative award-winning construction management firm and a nationally recognized leader in the industry with a highly diverse portfolio of more than $3.5 billion in construction projects.
Finalists
B&I Contractors
Stevens Construction
BEST COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE FIRM
Studio+
Studio+ is an architecture and interior design firm with offices in Fort Myers, Tampa and Newport Beach, California. Their staffs are focused on transforming the lives of those they touch, specializing in health care, senior living, commercial, municipal and educational markets.
Finalists
BSSW Architects
MHK Architecture
BEST ENGINEERING FIRM
Velocity Engineering Services
Based in the Fort Myers area, Velocity provides personalized concierge attention to each client and project. The local firm specializes in geotechnical and environmental engineering, condition assessments, building inspections and roofing, pavement and waterproofing consulting.
Finalists
GFA International
Johnson Engineering
BEST COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING FIRM
Greenscapes
Family owned and operated for more than 50 years in Naples and Fort Myers, Greenscapes of Southwest Florida serves commercial properties and residential communities in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties with services that include lawn and landscape management and enhancement.
Finalists
Juniper Landscaping
O’Donnell Landscaping
BEST COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM
Studio+
Studio+ believes designs should not just transform spaces, but lives, as well. The local architecture and interior design firm transforms lives with commercial projects and plans for health care, senior living, education and worship.
Finalists
Design West
Wegman Design
BEST COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AGENCY (LEASING)
LandQwest Commercial
LandQwest Commercial Real Estate Services is a nationally recognized commercial real estate brokerage organization that provides business partners with property management, tenant representation, leasing, sales and consulting services to uniquely shape the commercial landscapes in local communities it serves.
Finalists
CRE Consultants
RE/MAX Realty Group
BEST COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AGENCY (PURCHASE)
LandQwest Commercial
Established in 2005, Land- Qwest’s corporate structure is founded on local roots with results-driven commercial real estate professionals crafting individual strategies to provide personalized brokerage and full-service management services to clients across Florida.
Finalists
Premiere Plus Realty
RE/MAX Realty Group
BEST COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
B&I Contractors
Employee-owned for 60 years, the company specializes in construction and building maintenance services for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, refrigeration, sheet metal and CAD engineering for clients in commercial, industrial and institutional industries.
Finalists
Elite Electrical
Kirkwood Electric
BEST COMMERCIAL HVAC CONTRACTOR
B&I Contractors
This HVAC, electric and plumbing contractor has tackled some of Southwest Florida’s biggest jobs for commercial and industrial buildings. Established in 1960, B&I has offices in Fort Myers, Tamarac, Sarasota and Tampa.
Finalists
Conditioned Air
Kobie Kooling
BEST IT SERVICES CONTRACTOR
Entech
Entech provides custom IT services in Southwest Florida and Tampa Bay, with offices in Fort Myers and Bradenton. The company shows how technology can help businesses do more things in better ways, giving them the support needed to do what really matters.
Finalists
ITVantage
Stickboy
BUSINESS SERVICES
BEST BUSINESS HOTEL
Hilton Naples
The Hilton Naples, a luxury hotel centrally located in Naples, provides memorable experiences at an unexpected value with complimentary amenities that include internet access, garage parking, a fitness center, bicycles and a 24-hour business kiosk.
Finalists
Crowne Plaza Ft. Myers at Bell Tower Shops
Hyatt Coconut Point
BEST CONFERENCE / MEETING CENTER
Hilton Naples
Hilton Naples features more than 12,000 square feet of event space with 16 meeting rooms, from an intimate wine room to a banquet-ready, 4,600-square-foot ballroom. The hotel offers in-house A/V support, a range of catering options and a dedicated planner for events.
Finalists
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Venue Naples
BEST CORPORATE RECRUITING AGENCY
Spherion Fort Myers
Founded in 1946, Spherion is part of a leading U.S. recruiting and staffing company with local roots and experience connecting job seekers to employers for mutually successful matches. Each office is individually owned and operated with owners invested in their communities.
Finalists
Express Personnel
Robert Half
BEST FLEET VEHICLE DEALER
Tamiami Ford
This local family-owned dealership in Naples takes care of all automotive needs under one roof with more than 1,000 new Ford and pre-owned vehicles available. Its F-150 fleet center is equipped with knowledgeable technicians and cutting-edge technology for speedy service.
Finalists
Enterprise
Galloway Ford
BEST FLEET MAINTENANCE COMPANY
Enterprise Fleet Management
Hands-on management, award-winning technology, expertise and infrastructure make Enterprise the world’s largest fleet operator. Its day-to-day analytic tools and experience for managing and improving fleets pinpoint opportunities for saving money and optimizing operations.
Finalists
Tamiami Ford
Voight’s Service Center
BEST OFFICE SUPPLY COMPANY
Marco Office Supply
With a showroom in Naples and a store on Marco Island, Marco Office Supply can be a one-stop-shop for office supplies, furniture and printing needs. The business also delivers ink, toner and other supplies in Lee and Collier counties.
Finalists
Genco
Staples
BEST STAFFING AGENCY
Spherion Fort Myers
A longtime leader in the recruiting and staffing industry, Spher- ion is a pioneering brand that operates more than 200 offices to service the workforce needs of more than 4,000 businesses nationwide.
Finalists
Kelly Services
People Ready
BEST VENDING / COFFEE COMPANY
Stan’s Coffee & Food Service
Family-owned Stan’s Coffee has been serving companies, restaurants and clubs throughout the Gulf Coast of Florida for more than 60 years. Earlier this year, the local business became one of the Hoffmann Family of Companies.
Finalists
Bailey’s Coffee Bar
Grumpy Goat Coffee
SHULA’S STEAK HOUSE Best Business Lunch [PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Shula’s Steak House]
BUSINESS DINING & DRINKS
BEST BUSINESS LUNCH
Shula’s Steak House
Established in 2000, Shula’s steakhouse celebrates classic American fine dining with separate private dining spaces to comfortably accommodate groups of varying sizes. The menu features steaks, fresh seafood and inspired sides served in an atmosphere of warmth and sophistication.
Finalists
The Capital Grille
The Veranda
BEST PRIVATE DINING ROOM
Naples Lakes Country Club
The clubhouse of this Naples-based country club can accommodate small groups in intimate private dining rooms or up to 200 guests in a formal dining ballroom for corporate events. Customized menus and private terrace dining are available.
Finalists
Angelina’s Ristorante
Shula’s Steak House
BEST CATERER
Crave Culinaire
North Naples-based Crave Culinaire is a local personal chef concierge and event company founded by Chef Brian Roland. His team specializes in creating exclusive culinary experiences with customized event catering, high-quality food and detail-oriented service.
Finalists
Artichoke and Company
Tastebuds Custom Catering
BEST NETWORKING RESTAURANT / BAR
Bar Tulia
Chef Vincenzo Betulia opened Bar Tulia in 2014 next to his namesake restaurant, Osteria Tulia, in downtown Naples. He plans a second location this year at Mercato in North Naples with a unique drink menu that complements Italian-influenced pub fare.
Finalists
Shula’s Steak House
The Veranda
