Sunshine Matters

The Meetings and Events Team recently hosted the first in a series of webinars aimed at showcasing short- and long-term future Florida Meetings Initiatives for FY 2013-14.  Over 100 attendees tuned in to hear about the strategies and plans for exposure and partner participation.

Meetings, conventions and business travel account for 12% of the more than 90 million visitors Florida welcomes each year.  These business travelers, on average, spend $244 per day, which has increased 35% over the last four years.

The webinar focused on the emphasis, approach and strategies involved in developing the annual Meetings Platform.  The eight core goals are to:

1. Maintain and expand brand awareness among key decision makers
2. Protect share among the most important feeder markets
3. Expand Florida’s digital footprint specific to the meetings industry
4. Create opportunities for Partners to interact with key decision makers
5. Increase Florida’s brand awareness
6. Increase Industry alignment and partner engagement
7. Strengthen marketing partnerships
8. Develop an in-house sales operation to create value for Partners and additional revenue opportunities

The new marketing initiatives – both current and future – were showcased, including the creative approach, website and social media, and future e-marketing to meeting professionals.  All initiatives will have Partner engagement, as well as exposure and reach to the meeting professional audience.  Also highlighted was the extensive event and trade show schedule, and partnerships VISIT FLORIDA participates in with meetings organizations, media outlets and associations.

To view a copy of the presentation, check out the link to the “Overview of Florida Meetings Program” on our Learning Library.  For more information, please contact me at 850-205-3831 or chatcher@VISITFLORIDA.org.