Sunshine Matters

During last Thursday’s VISIT FLORIDA Boardof Directors meeting, held in Daytona Beach Shores, local legislators Senator Evelyn Lynn and Representative Pat Patterson addressed the group to thank the tourism industry for all they do for the great State of Florida and to expound on issues they expect to be taking up in the coming committee weeks and 2010 Session.  Representative Dean Cannon, incoming Speaker of the House, was also in attendance to advocate for his House bill regarding offshore drilling and to establish a dialogue going forward with tourism industry leaders on this controversial and important issue.

Another highlight of the Board meeting included a preliminary presentation on VISIT FLORIDA’s Winter ad campaign targeted for placement in the “Super 7” markets of Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC/Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia and Toronto.  The new campaign will focus on reaching repeat tourists who have visited Florida in the past by tapping into their own personal “Florida Side.”  The call to action in the ads will invite them to go to VISITFLORIDA.com to plan their next Florida vacation and to bring their family and friends who will “discover all sides of the Sunshine State.”   Visit our blog often in the coming months to see sneak peaks of the new ad campaign as it comes together.

In addition to two busy days of various Committee and Board meetings, we were able to visit and network in the evenings in grand style thanks to our meeting host The Shores Resort & Spa, and especially Joe Henry their General Manager, who sponsored a welcome reception for our attendees Tuesday evening.  I would also like to extend my deepest appreciation to The Convention & Visitors Bureau of Daytona Beach and the Hotel & Lodging Association of Volusia County, along with Daytona State College for hosting a reception for us all on Wednesday evening showcasing their new facilities housing the Mori Hosseini College of Hospitality Management.

This was the first Board meeting of the new fiscal year and I want to take this opportunity to thank all Committee and Board members who took time away from work and traveled to attend and participate.   Our past and continued success is so very dependant on engaged industry leadership, especially as we continue to overcome economic and other challenges in the months ahead.  To that end, we invite you to take part in expanded industry participation of our annual marketing retreat scheduled for November 30-December 2, 2009 at Saddlebrook Resort north of Tampa.   Follow our blog in the coming weeks for more information as VISIT FLORIDA’s staff and the statewide tourism industry engage in a constructive critique and discussion regarding program and project ideas that will provide invaluable input into our strategic planning process.

Together, we are VISIT FLORIDA!