From residents and business owners, to Realtors and building industry

professionals, everyone will find something to talk about Tuesday.

From 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the first-ever Catch the Vision will be held at

Cape Coral First Baptist Church. Hosted by Raso Realty and others, the event

will take a look at the city’s future through a list of presenters and

vendors.

“It’s important for the residents of the city of Cape Coral to understand

what’s next, where Cape Coral’s going in 2013,” Gloria Tate, one organizer

of the event, said. “What’s going to happen specifically in their

neighborhood.”

“It’s important for them to know what’s happening in their city,” she said.

The night will open with an iMovie about “Cape Coral’s Future Is So Bright

You’ll Need Shades.” Tate explained that there is a choreographed number,

and everyone in the film dons a pair of sunglasses as part of the theme.

The first 500 attendees will get free sunglasses from Opti Express.

From 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., a trade show will take place that features about

30 local businesses. The owners will be present to meet and talk to people.

“The vendors are all local business owners that will have free coupons or

discounts,” she said, adding that there will also be goodie bags on hand.

People can register for door prizes to be awarded at the night’s end.

The presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. and go beyond simple PowerPoints.

“We sent a plane up to do aerial photos of how much new single-family

construction is going on in the city, so it will be a mini iMovie,” Tate

said.

Speakers will touch on topics including the residential and commercial real

estate markets, foreign investments, residential development and more.

“All presenters will be around afterward for questions,” she said.

The city of Cape Coral is one of the presenters. Staff will have display

boards and handouts on hand. One topic will be the utilities project.

“The presentations are short to keep everyone’s attention,” Tate said.

“We’ll focus on where we’ve been, but we’ll focus on where we’re going,” she

added. “Just a very informative meeting about what’s really happening.”

Similar events were held annually in the Cape prior to the downturn.

“We did this up until the recession because we didn’t have anything to say,”

Tate said. “Right now, we’re on the cusp of many new projects.”

Plans are in the works to host Catch the Vision next year.

“We’ll be doing it again because our future is only going to get brighter,”

she said.

Tickets cost $5 per person, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the

Cape Coral Caring Center. According to Tate, at least half of the ticket

price will go toward the center, and whatever is leftover after expenses

will too.

Attendees are also asked to bring a canned food item for the center.

As of Friday, more than 200 tickets had been sold.

Organizers expect to sell at least 500. The church can hold 3,000.

Tickets will be available at the door, but advance purchase is preferred.

Cape Coral First Baptist Church is at 4117 Coronado Parkway.

For additional information on tickets or vendor space, call Tate or Linda

Biondi at 542-2254. People can also contact Tate at 851-6324 or

gloria@rasorealty.com, or Biondi at 246-1157 or linda@rasorealty.com.