March Luncheon Meeting

 Join us on March 11 as we hear from Sharon McAllister.  Sharon will share inside information on ArtFest and everything that goes into executing this hugely successful special event.  She will discuss how the event has evolved since inception, and quickly gained national recognition under her leadership.

Sharon McAllister, with business degrees from the University of Hawaii and the University of Chicago, became a part of the Lee County community upon her early retirement at the age of 39.  Her experience as a Divisional Vice President with H&R Block quickly transitioned into active local community service.

In 2000, at the request of Don Paight, City of Fort Myers Downtown Redevelopment Director, Sharon took over the existing “Lee Sidewalk Arts & Crafts Show”, with the understanding that she would form a not-for-profit organization and transform this annual event into ArtFest Fort Myers, a juried fine art festival.  Under her tutelage, this event has quickly gained national recognition, while bringing an unparalleled art experience to the community.

In her tireless campaign to nurture the arts in Fort Myers, Sharon has taken on a variety of leadership roles in the community. She is the immediate past Chairman of the Public Art Committee, where she still serves in the ongoing development of a public art program for the City of Fort Myers.  Sharon is also the current President of the Fort Myers Conference and Convention Center, the marketing arm of the downtown Harborside Event Center. Illustrating her commitment to creating a vibrant downtown Fort Myers, Sharon’s input regarding the arts and event management has been evidenced during the entire planning process of the downtown waterfront redevelopment.