Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA and 14 of our Industry Partners recently participated in the 2016 New York Times Travel Show, the largest and longest-running trade and consumer travel show in North America.  The three-day event featured the Travel Industry Conference, consumer seminars and an interactive exhibition including more than 500 exhibitors from 150 countries.  This year’s attendance of more than 29,000, including 900 domestic and international media, was the highest in nine years and the second most ever, providing VISIT FLORIDA and our Partners with a tremendous platform to share the message about Florida’s unique and diverse destinations to a global travel audience.

As a Silver Sponsor, VISIT FLORIDA and our Partners were showcased on the tradeshow floor in a Florida-branded aisle front and center in the USA pavilion.  We also had the opportunity to host a branded area on Consumer Seminar Day with the theme “Think You Know Florida, Think Again.”  Karen Epstein, the manager of our I-10 Welcome Center, spoke with consumers in the “Meet the Experts” area and Chef Justin Timineri, the culinary ambassador and Executive Chef for the state of Florida, hosted daily demonstrations in our booth and on the main stage “Taste of the World” culinary travel area.

To ensure all show attendees knew we were there, copies of the VISIT FLORIDA Magazine and Official Florida Transportation Map were placed in each of the registration bags.  We also conducted instant prize giveaways ranging from sunglasses to vacation packages.  This was a huge hit with attendees.

To learn more about our domestic programs and opportunities, please check out the VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Planner or contact me at gtyndall@VISITFLORIDA.org.