Sunshine Matters

Happy Holidays!  As we wrap up what is likely to be a fourth consecutive record year for the Florida tourism industry, I would especially like to thank those who serve on VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors and our various committees for their passionate leadership.  The strength of our organization and the success of our marketing initiatives are directly correlated to the active and engaged participation of our industry Partners.  Nowhere was that more apparent than earlier this month when nearly 200 industry leaders participated in the VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Retreat to help set the course for 2015 and beyond. Continue reading »

Florida Encounter 2014, presented by VISIT FLORIDA, was held Dec. 3-5 at the Bonaventure Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale. Now in its’ 33rd year, this Florida Encounter showcased a variety of new or improved features that definitely added to the success, including the addition of “Bleisure” – the combination of business and leisure activities. Continue reading »

I am pleased to announce that the 2015-16 VISIT FLORIDA grant application period is now open.  Each year, VISIT FLORIDA administers a total of six grant programs to assist tourism industry businesses with their marketing efforts and in publicizing the tourism advantages of the state to attract in- and out-of-state visitors.  During the 2014-15 fiscal year, VISIT FLORIDA was able to award $550,048 in grants to 128 deserving businesses, an increase of 31 percent and 34 percent respectively over the previous year. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA and six of our Industry Partners recently coordinated a co-branded Florida stand at IBTM World (formerly EIBTM) in Barcelona, Spain.  The show, which is one of the leading global events for the meetings, incentive, conference, events and business travel industries, consists of one-on-one and group appointments, as well as networking opportunities, with buyers, event planners and others involved in the decision-making process for booking and buying global business travel.  This year’s event attracted more than 15,000 industry professionals and 3,000 global exhibitors. Continue reading »

I am pleased to share that Brand USA has been re-authorized through 2020 as part of the omnibus spending package that was passed by the U.S. House and Senate over the weekend.   This legislative victory follows months of intense lobbying by U.S. Travel and the exceptional leadership of Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont who were the bill’s lead sponsors. Continue reading »