Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA is gearing up to host Florida Encounter 2016, which will be held at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Kissimmee from Nov. 30-Dec. 2.  As one of VISIT FLORIDA’s signature events, Florida Encounter serves as the premier appointment-based trade show showcasing all the Sunshine State has to offer to meeting, convention and incentive travel professionals.  Attendees will learn about Florida meetings destinations, service companies and meetings properties at this exclusive appointment-only event.  Maintaining a one-to-one ratio between buyers and suppliers ensures that appointment books are as full as possible for all attendees.

Last year, Encounter hosted more than 85 meeting professionals and 95 suppliers from across the U.S., Canada and Latin America.  Over the course of three days, more than 5,000 one-on-one appointments were held between meeting and event planning professionals, and multiple speakers and events were hosted to educate and share with professionals the best of what Florida has to offer.  Building on the successes of last year, here’s what we can look forward to at Florida Encounter 2016.

This year features a host of keynote speakers who are both entertaining and educational.  The first is Alex Plaxen from Little Bird Media who will speak on how to use social media properly before, during and after a business conference.  The second is Business Improv, a presentation led by Bob Kulhan alongside Improvisational talent from Chicago who will share techniques to improve communication within a business.  The third is “Creating Your Sense of Place in Florida” with speaker Chad Crawford, who is the host of “How to Do Florida with Chad Crawford.”

In addition to the speakers, there will be various opportunities to network (outside of the one-on-one appointments, that is) through the sponsored breakfasts and luncheons, mixers and celebrations, and activities such as the after-hours networking event.  For registered attendees, there will also be plenty of fun things to do in Kissimmee, including complimentary transportation around the city to a host of restaurants.  On “Fun Friday,” attendees will have an opportunity to go on complimentary adventures in our host destination, including golfing, zip-lining over alligators and crocodiles, and riding in a hot air balloon.

Florida Encounter is an exciting and educational event that you won’t want to miss.  Supplier booths are all sold out, but there are still slots open for hosted buyers, as well as sponsorship slots still available.  For more details, visit FloridaEncounter.com, follow the Florida Meetings Facebook page to stay up-to-date or contact me at lilye@VISITFLORIDA.org with any questions.