Sunshine Matters

Having welcomed more than 3.6 million Canadian visitors in 2012, VISIT FLORIDA proudly exhibits at two events targeting decision-makers in the meetings, conventions and incentive markets in Toronto: Ignite Business Expo (iBE) and IncentiveWorks.

iBE is new on the scene, having just completed their second year.  For the inaugural year, VISIT FLORIDA shared a  booth with Visit Orlando in order to see if future involvement would be beneficial.  The first year blew us away.  This smart and innovative show captured our imagination and attention from the very beginning.  iBE offers cool ideas for planners (and, in our case, exhibitors) that help inspire future events.  Some examples include a “Good To Know” theater showcasing speakers in an intimate format, the “High/Low” display where style mavens transform a space on a large and small budget, and “Diva On A Dime” where contestants create tabletop displays and much, much more.

For the 2013 iBE show, VISIT FLORIDA’s space tripled twice over and we created a mega-booth in island formation for 11 participating Industry Partners.  This appointment trade show is hosted during “Canada Meet Week”; providing plenty of networking opportunities to maximize our Partners’ time in the market.  These events include (but are not limited to) MPI – Toronto Education Conference and the Site Canada Summer Social.  The keynote speaker was Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequioa Productions, who produces the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball and other high-profile events.  Other speakers included Frank Warren, creator of “The Post Secret Project” and George Kourounis, explorer and host of Angry Planet.

On August 21-22, VISIT FLORIDA will be creating another branded mega-booth for the 40th Annual IncentiveWorks, Canada’s premiere meetings and events show.  VISIT FLORIDA has participated in IncentiveWorks for years and has a strong tradition there.  In 2013, we will expand to a 10 x 60 branded booth for at least 11 participating Partners which will showcase our new Meetings & Conventions campaign.

Our overarching message at these shows is that the ease of accessibility, affordability and value makes Florida an ideal destination for Canadian professionals planning their incentives, meetings and events.   For more information about our international Meetings & Conventions programs, please contact me at letemadi@VISITFLORIDA.org.