Sunshine Matters

It’s that time of year again! VISIT FLORIDA is seeking the best of the best in the tourism industry for our annual awards and honorees.  Each year, VISIT FLORIDA asks fellow tourism industry leaders to nominate peers for the following honors: the Flagler Awards, Florida Tourism Hall of Fame and Florida Tourism Honor Roll.

Named for the vision, perseverance, imagination and commitment of Henry Flagler, the Flagler Awards were established to recognize outstanding tourism marketing in Florida.  Every year, the Flagler Awards honor many of the countless individuals and organizations that help maintain and improve Florida’s position as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.  It is a small way to acknowledge the tireless efforts of those who use their skill, commitment, resourcefulness, creativity and innovative spirit in marketing Florida to the world, and in doing so help ensure the continued success of our tourism industry.

Begun in 2001, the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame acknowledges contemporary and historic figures whose vision, creativity and drive have had a positive and significant impact on the development of Florida as a desirable visitor destination.  One individual is chosen annually and announced during the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in September.  Selection is made by a panel representing the state’s various tourism industry associations and other key industry representatives.  The award is presented on behalf of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors.

Created in 2007, the Florida Tourism Honor Roll serves to acknowledge those historical visionaries whose achievements and extraordinary careers significantly impacted the growth of Florida tourism.  The Honor Roll is displayed alongside the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame in VISIT FLORIDA’s Tallahassee headquarters.

To view past inductees for the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame, Honor Roll and Flagler Awards or to download the 2012 entry forms, please click here.  The deadline to submit applications for the 2012 Flaglers is May 18, and the Hall of Fame and Honor Roll are both May 30.  Winners will be announced at the 45th Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism being held in Orlando on Sept. 5-7, 2012.  For more information, please contact Susan Gale at sgale@VISITFLORIDA.org or (850) 205-3857.