Compass Rose Marina Case Study

Compass Rose Marina is a project 17 years in the making and will include a boat storage facility built to withstand 200 mph winds, alongside another marina, retail shops, condos and townhomes. Due to the uniqueness of the project, the fact that it is being built in the hurricane-ravaged area of Fort Myers Beach and contributing to the community’s comeback from Hurricane Ian, Spiro & Associates was presented with a tremendous opportunity. They aimed to take what could have been a traditional groundbreaking event to another, unique level for not only the developers but also the media and those interested in the project. Compass Rose means jobs for the area, a place where boat owners can have safe storage and marina access, as well as sales and service options from RYCO Marine. Boaters also can be assured the boat storage structure will not only withstand Category 5 winds but also will be floodproof. An appropriate concern as Hurricane Ian brought a storm surge of approximately 15 feet to the area. The project will also provide living and shopping areas to a community rebuilding much of its residential and commercial base.

the solution

Instead of holding a traditional groundbreaking, Spiro & Associates presented this event as an “Anchor Setting” in keeping with the nautical theme and symbolic of development, which will help anchor the community. The event featured golden anchors (with the Compass Rose logo on them and the words “Anchor Setting Event”).  The anchors replaced traditional gold shovels typically used for “groundbreakings”. The eight people designated to have the anchors when it came time for the ceremony then set the anchors onto a mound of dirt while holding onto the line. Those attending also received a smaller version of the golden anchor as a keepsake which doubled as the physical invitation delivered to dignitaries and community leaders. Spiro & Associates staff and  the developers also wore branded boating shirts with the Compass Rose logo embroidered on them. The construction area fences were lined with banners announcing the project and there were artist renderings of the project and the site for participants to view as well.

the result

Over 50 people attended the anchor setting event, including notable figures such as Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli, Florida State Senator Jonathan Martin, and Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers; as well as other sub-contractors involved in the project, staff members from the Lee County Economic Development Office and the executive director of the Horizon Foundation. The event garnered significant media attention, with Fox 4 interviewing Compass Rose owner Jack Mayher prior to the event and after the ceremony. NBC-2/ABC-7 also provided TV coverage. Spiro & Associates further enhanced the event’s impact through the distribution of press releases, resulting in several articles and an additional interview with NBC-2 in the days leading up to the event.

This event illustrates Spiro & Associates’ ability to transform a conventional groundbreaking into a truly memorable, “Not Normal” experience – headlined by the anchors. The continued commitment by Spiro & Associates to think differently and creatively for its clients created lasting and memorable moments for all those in atte