Sunshine Matters

To leverage international trade and media already visiting the Sunshine State to attend Florida Huddle, VISIT FLORIDA organized two highly successful pre- and post-event familiarization tours of several Florida destinations.  Co-hosting these FAMs with local CVBs and other tourism businesses allowed key international media and trade representatives to experience for themselves all that Florida has to offer. Continue reading »

Florida Huddle 2014, held Jan. 14-16 in Palm Beach County, was a resounding success in its first year of being owned and operated by VISIT FLORIDA.  Three high scores for this travel trade show tell the story: more buyers, more time for appointments, more Florida travel business transactions.  Hosted by Discover Palm Beach County, the show was sold out, filling four local hotels and reflecting the tourism industry’s revitalized interest in the re-engineered show. Continue reading »

I am pleased to share that three VISIT FLORIDA Partners – Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum and Westgate Resorts – received the first-ever Governor’s Innovators in Business Award in the newly created Tourism & Hospitality category.  The winners were recognized by Governor Scott, as well as Secretary of Commerce and President & CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI) Gray Swoope, during a special event held at the Governor’s Mansion last night.  The awards, which are announced each year in association with Florida Business Innovators Week, recognize Florida companies in select industries that have influenced the state’s economic growth and diversification over the last year. Continue reading »

Following a preview during today’s Board of Directors meeting in Palm Beach, VISIT FLORIDA announced the launch of our winter brand campaign inviting visitors to head to “the warmer side of winter.”  Every major destination competes for visitation this time of year as cold consumers look for a change of pace and environment.  VISIT FLORIDA’s new campaign reminds potential travelers that Florida is the place to be this time of year, with a television spot featuring visitors literally flying over a host of the Sunshine State’s warm weather settings. Continue reading »

This year’s Florida Tourism Day is being held on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in Tallahassee.  Each year the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism hosts this special event to educate the legislature, media, and Floridians on the significant role tourism plays in the success of our state’s economy. As the state’s No. 1 industry, it is important to let our lawmakers know just how vital tourism is to the Sunshine State. Continue reading »