Southwest Florida businesses have an opportunity to garner free publicity and drive eco-tourists to their door this fall by joining the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival’s VIP Wristband Program.

Visitors and paddling enthusiasts who are planning a trip to the Calusa Blueway can consider coming during the VIP timeframe to enjoy the trail and all the business and attraction offerings as well.

The program involves businesses offering something to people who walk in their door between Oct. 23 and Nov. 1 – the dates of the annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival – wearing one of the festival’s recycled plastic blue wristbands. Festival goers will purchase the bands from Lee County Parks & Recreation facilities and other sites.

When kayakers arrive at a participating business wearing a band, the business provides its added-value offer, such as a free cup of coffee, a percentage off a purchase or a reduced admission price.

Businesses will have their logo and address in the local festival guide and on www.CalusaBluewayPaddlingFestival.com. They also will be given a blueway banner to hang prior to and during the festival. In return, businesses will tally the number of wrist-band wearers they serve during the 10-day festival and report it to blueway fest organizers.

If you’re a business owner who wants to get involved, call festival co-coordinator John Kiseda at (239) 432-2163 or e-mail kisedajb@leegov.com. The deadline is Aug. 31.

If you’re a prospective visitor who wants to know where to go and what value you can get at various businesses during the festival dates, check back weekly at www.CalusaBluewayPaddlingFestival.com. Also watch the site in coming months: We are working on way to sell the bands in advance. They’re waterproof and eco-friendly – and of course, they’re blue. We’re still working on how much they will cost. Proceeds will go toward the trail and also to the 2010 festival.

The fourth-annual festival celebrates the trail at various waterfront parks and sites, branding Southwest Florida as a national year-round paddling and eco-tourism destination. Activities include races, fishing tournament, eco-festivities, geocaching, hospitality events and guided kayak/canoe trips. Details are at www.CalusaBluewayPaddlingFestival.com or by calling (239) 433-3855.