Jeanne Bigos of the Outrigger Beach Resort receives honor for community contributions from Lee County VCB

LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) presented its annual Junonia Award to Jeanne Bigos, general manager of the Outrigger Beach Resort and Charley’s Boathouse Grill & Wine Bar on Fort Myers Beach, at its virtual Tourism Outlook event today.

This year, due to COVID-19, the virtual Tourism Outlook replaces the VCB’s Annual Sales and Marketing Meeting.

Created in 2006, the VCB’s Junonia Award recognizes individuals who positively impact Lee County’s tourism community by demonstrating unique capabilities, leadership, commitment and dedication. The award is named for the junonia, a treasured shell known for its rarity and exceptional quality.

Bigos, and her husband, Joe, moved to Fort Myers 32 years ago to be near family on Captiva Island. She began her career at the Outrigger as an accountant and worked her way up to general manager. Her passion for Fort Myers Beach shows in her efforts to promote tourism and her dedication to superior customer service.

In the 1990s, Bigos was part of a VCB and local lodging effort to create an international committee devoted to the pursuit of global tourism. Their initiative created a strategy that continues to drive international visitors to Lee County.

“Jeanne’s game-changing efforts in the international arena helped Lee County develop into a desirable destination for visitors from Europe,” said Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County VCB. “It’s truly a pleasure to honor her with the Junonia Award for her dedication to growing visitation to Southwest Florida.”

Last year’s recipient was Billy Kirkland, owner of Billy’s Bike Shop & Segway of Sanibel.

A link to the virtual Tourism Outlook presentation will be available later today at https://www.leevcb.com/.

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Editor's note: Jeanne Bigos photo attached