Charlotte County Business Card Exchange: Highlights Business Visibility Needs

June 25th, 2026

Charlotte County Business Card Exchange Highlights Business Visibility Needs

The June 16 Charlotte County Business Card Exchange brought local businesses together for an evening of networking, introductions and community connection. More importantly, the event gave us useful feedback about what businesses need most right now.

The event drew 106 counted RSVPs, including 91 through Eventbrite and 15 through Facebook. LinkedIn also showed strong activity with 80 RSVPs, although those overlapped with Eventbrite and were not counted separately. In addition, Facebook showed 88 interested responses, which signals broader awareness beyond confirmed registration.

In the room, 60 people attended, and 34 completed the post-event survey. That equals a 56.7% survey response rate from attendees, which gives us a strong snapshot of business needs, concerns and opportunities.

At the Charlotte County Economic Development Office, we use this kind of feedback to better understand how local businesses are connecting, where they need more support and what themes should guide future communication.

Visibility Stood Out as the Top Business Need

The clearest message from the survey was simple: businesses want more visibility.

Out of 34 survey respondents, 27 selected marketing and visibility as a business need. That represents 79.4% of responses, making it the top need by a wide margin.

That finding matters because visibility affects more than advertising. For many businesses, visibility means being known in the community. It means getting in front of potential customers, partners, referral sources and other business owners. It also means knowing where to show up, how to connect and how to stay active in the local business network.

Other needs also appeared in the survey:

14 respondents selected hiring and workforce development.
11 respondents selected business planning or mentorship.
7 respondents selected site selection or expansion support.
5 respondents selected access to funding or capital.
5 respondents selected permitting and regulatory guidance.

Together, these responses show that local businesses are not all looking for the same kind of help. However, visibility was the common thread. Many businesses are already operating, serving customers and building momentum. Still, they want more ways to be seen and connected.

Businesses Want Clearer Access to Local Resources

The survey also showed a resource awareness gap.

When asked about awareness of local programs and partnerships, 13 respondents said they were aware. However, 17 said they would like to learn more, and 4 said they were not aware.

That means 21 of 34 respondents are either not fully aware of available resources or want more information.

This is an important takeaway. Charlotte County has business support partners, workforce resources, mentorship opportunities and community organizations that can help. However, businesses still need a clear way to understand what is available and where to start.

For example, a small business owner may know that support exists, but may not know which organization handles workforce questions, planning guidance, funding preparation, permitting questions or local visibility opportunities. As a result, communication matters.

The survey points to a simple need: make resources easier to find, easier to understand and easier to connect with real business questions.

Continued Engagement Remains Strong

The survey also asked whether respondents were interested in continued engagement.

The response was strong:

21 respondents said yes.
12 respondents said maybe later.
1 respondent said no.

In other words, 33 of 34 respondents were open to continued engagement in some form.

That does not mean every business needs the same next step. Some may want information. Others may want connections. Some may simply want to stay informed about future opportunities. Still, the finding shows that the Business Card Exchange created more than a one-time networking moment.

It created interest.

That is valuable because economic development is built through consistent connection. Events like this help businesses meet each other, but they also help identify broader trends. In this case, the trend is clear: local businesses want to stay connected, stay visible and better understand the resources around them.

Many Businesses Are Planning or Considering Growth

The survey also asked whether respondents were planning to expand, relocate or hire in the next 12 months.

The responses were mixed, but useful:

12 respondents said yes.
10 respondents said they were not sure yet.
10 respondents said no.
2 responses were blank.

That means 22 of 34 respondents were either planning growth or still deciding.

This does not suggest that every business is preparing for immediate expansion. However, it does show that many are thinking about what comes next. Some may be considering hiring. Others may be weighing space needs, customer growth, operational changes or market opportunities.

For Economic Development in Charlotte County, that matters. Businesses in a decision stage often need clear information before they act. They may need to better understand available resources, local contacts, workforce options or visibility opportunities.

Therefore, the survey gives us a useful planning signal. Many businesses are not standing still. They are evaluating, adjusting and looking ahead.

What We Learned

The June 16 Charlotte County Business Card Exchange confirmed several important themes.

First, the event attracted engaged local businesses. With 60 attendees and 34 survey responses, participants were willing to share useful feedback.

Second, visibility is the top shared need. Nearly 8 in 10 respondents selected marketing and visibility, which shows that businesses want more ways to be seen and connected.

Third, resource awareness needs to improve. Many respondents want to learn more about local programs, partnerships and support options.

Finally, many businesses are thinking about growth. Some are actively planning, while others are still deciding. Either way, clear communication can help businesses understand what support may be available.

The Business Card Exchange continues to provide a valuable opportunity to listen to local businesses, identify common needs and strengthen connections across Charlotte County’s business community.

As we review the results, we will use this feedback to guide post-event communication, future content and ongoing conversations about how to better support local business visibility and connection.

To see the complete presentation, CLICK HERE