Greater Naples Chamber Addresses Workplace Culture and Aging Population in Wake Up Naples Series

The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce has recently hosted and will continue to host “Wake Up Naples” events addressing critical issues facing Southwest Florida, including workplace culture and the challenges and opportunities presented by a growing senior population. These events, held at the Hilton Naples, aim to foster discussion and provide insights for business leaders and community members.

Building Better Workplaces in Southwest Florida

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, the Greater Naples Chamber convened a Wake Up Naples event focused on building better workplaces in the region. Florida Weekly reported that the event, which began at 7:30 a.m., featured a panel discussion with Deanna Wallin, CEO and founder of Naples Soap Company; Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware; and Christa Harts, head of learning and development at DeAngelis Diamond. Lisa Gruenloh, founder and president of Purpose Journey, Inc., served as the moderator.

Kristina Park, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber, emphasized the importance of workplace culture as a competitive advantage for attracting and retaining talent. The discussion explored key factors in shaping strong organizational cultures, strategies for building engaged teams, emerging trends in employee experience and creating environments where both people and businesses can thrive.

Addressing the Needs of an Aging Population

On October 29, 2025, the Greater Naples Chamber’s Wake Up Naples event focused on Southwest Florida’s growing senior population. Gulfshore Business reported that the event featured experts from senior care organizations to discuss the realities of aging in Southwest Florida, key issues impacting seniors, innovative solutions, and trends in care and lifestyle.

The panel discussion was moderated by Susan “Sue” Ryan, Co-Founder of The Caregiver’s Journey® and Founder & Inspirationalist of Sue Ryan Solutions. Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President & CEO of Baker Senior Center, also participated as an expert.

Event Details and Logistics

Both events began with networking at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program promptly at 8:00 a.m. And concluded at 9:15 a.m. They were held at the Hilton Naples, located at 5111 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34103. The Greater Naples Chamber advises attendees that photographs and video may be taken at the events for use in marketing materials and publications.