Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to announce that VISIT FLORIDA was named the 2014 State Tourism Office of the Year during last night’s Southeast Tourism Society Shining Example Awards banquet.  The awards ceremony, held annually to salute achievements in tourism, was part of the Southeast Tourism Society Fall Forum in Charleston, SC. VISIT FLORIDA’s win marked the second time in the last three years that we received the top honor.

“These Shining Example Award winners have produced some of the best tourism promotion work in the nation.  They truly are shining examples for other tourism professionals,” said STS President and CEO Bill Hardman.

I was honored to have the opportunity to accept the award on behalf of the more than 130 dedicated employees in our Tallahassee headquarters and five Official Florida Welcome Centers who make up the VISIT FLORIDA team.   This award is a testament to the great work being done by our staff and agency partners, the leadership of the industry through our Board of Directors and committee members, and the exceptional support of Governor Scott and the Florida legislature.

This past year marked the launch of a host of strategic and innovative projects that expanded the reach and relevance of the Florida brand to new audiences, including our Google Maps/Florida Beach Finder project, first-ever Fall brand campaign, innovative out-of-home elements in our “Warmer Side of Winter” campaign and Big Break Florida golf partnership with NBC and The Golf Channel.   To learn more about the projects that led to VISIT FLORIDA being named the 2014 STS State Tourism Office of the Year, click here to read our Shining Example Award entry.