Sunshine Matters

Last week, VISIT FLORIDA and a contingent of our Florida tourism industry Partners attended World Travel Market at the ExCel Centre in London.  This four-day, business-to-business exhibition, which is the second largest tradeshow in the world, provides a unique opportunity for the worldwide travel and tourism industry to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business.  While total numbers are still being finalized, the show reported that through its first three days attendee numbers increased by 4% over the same time period last year.

At this year’s event, VISIT FLORIDA had over 150 Florida industry representatives conducting business on our redesigned and co-branded stand, which was positioned in a premium location in the USA Pavilion.  With a larger Florida presence, VISIT FLORIDA was able to increase our stand build to over 350 square meters and include an expanded lounge space as well as a large private meeting room for all exhibiting Partners to use.

Our enhanced lounge area provided VISIT FLORIDA with the opportunity to host a two-hour media event on the tradeshow floor.  The event, co-sponsored by two of VISIT FLORIDA’s strategic alliance partners Universal Orlando and Hertz, attracted more than 50 key consumer trade, online print media and industry. As part of the event, VISIT FLORIDA announced our Viva Florida campaign for 2013 and, in partnership with Hertz, announced the Hertz 30% off Viva Florida 500 exclusive promotion.  Universal made a memorable impression as they showcased their newest attraction by bringing the popular  Transformers characters to the stand.

For the second year, VISIT FLORIDA’s UK Office hosted the Annual World Travel Market Dinner at Quaglino’s.  This was a big ticket event, where volunteers from the Florida, UK and Irish travel industries came together to “sing for their supper.” The event included a reception, dinner and the “Florida’s Got the “F” Factor” competition.  VISIT FLORIDA would like to thank all those who participated in the competition and our four judges who had great advise for all the competitors.  A special thank you to our sponsors who made this event a huge success: Orlando Flex Ticket, Sky Hotels and Resorts, Virgin Atlantic Airways, the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB and the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB.  To view a YouTube video of the images taken at the event, click here.