Sunshine Matters

During the 46^th Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, being held this week at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, VISIT FLORIDA announced the 2013 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductees, as well as the winners of the Flagler and Iris Larson Awards.  Annually, leaders in Florida tourism are chosen by a selection committee to receive these prestigious honors and awards.

Florida Tourism Hall of Fame

Since 2001, individuals have been chosen annually to be inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. This honor, presented by the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, recognizes 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.

The 2013 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductees are Bill and Anne France.  Formed by a family’s vision on the Daytona beaches more than 65 years ago, the NASCAR business model continues to be the envy of sports entities around the globe, attracting world-wide attention and a positive shining light on the state.  Driven largely by tourism, the economic impact of that vision numbers in the billions and creates tens of thousands of jobs, nearly a billion dollars annually in labor income and hundreds of millions in tax revenue.  According to a survey in 2012, 61% of the attendees of the Daytona 500 travel to the Florida event from out of state or out of country; and 40% of the attendees traveled more than 500 miles and stay in Florida for 5 nights or more.  In July 2013, new plans to invest in a massive facility and surrounding areas upgrade to the Daytona International Speedway resulted in more jobs, economic impact and construction-related state revenues, on the lead up to even more tourism for the state of Florida.

Flagler Awards

Named for Henry Flagler, the Flagler Awards were established in 2000 to recognize outstanding tourism marketing in Florida.  Annually, 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. The awards are open to all individuals, private businesses and not-for-profit organizations offering a product or service that promotes tourism to or within the state of Florida.

Working independently, a panel of five judges evaluated the creativity, innovation, production quality and effectiveness of each entry.  Based on the judges’ cumulative scores, awards were presented to the top three entries in each category: the Bronze Award for the third highest scoring entry, the Silver Award for the second highest scoring entry, and for the highest scoring entry in each category, the Henry Award. The 2013 Flagler Award winners in 17 categories, plus Best in Show at three budget levels, are listed below.

Creativity in Public Relations

Bronze Award: Visit Orlando – Orlando Makes the World Smile on World Smile Day

Silver Award: Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau – Shellabration – 75th Annual Shell Fair & Show

The Henry: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Goodbye Chilly, Hello Sunny

 

Direct Marketing

Bronze Award: Panama City Beach CVB – St. Louis to Panama City Beach Email Blast

Silver Award: Visit Orlando – 2012 Direct Marketing Brochure

The Henry: Sterling Resorts – Sterling Resorts Black Friday Sale

 

Internet Advertising

Bronze Award: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB – Paradise Refined and Redefined

Silver Award: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Hello Sunny Marketing App-like Ad

The Henry: Seminole County CVB – “Wild Side of Orlando”    

 

Mixed Media Campaign

Bronze Award: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater – Pow Wow 2012

Silver Award: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Hello Sunny  

The Henry: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – It’s So Miami

 

Mobile Marketing

Bronze Award: The Florida Keys & Key West – Mobile Swipe – The Florida Keys

Silver Award: Pasco County Office of Tourism Development – VisitPasco.net Mobi Website

The Henry: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Fork Lauderdale Dining App

 

Niche Marketing

Bronze Award: The Florida Keys & Key West – “Not a dinghy…”, “Size or ship”, “Harmonize”, “Get out and stay out”

Silver Award: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB – Paradise Golfing Refined and Redefined

The Henry: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Hello Sunny Campaign – LGBT

 

Out-of-Home

Bronze Award: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB – Peace & Tranquility

Silver Award: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – London Taxi Wrap

The Henry: The Florida Keys & Key West – Penn Station Domination

 

Print Advertising

Bronze Award: Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau – Real. Authentic. Florida. Print Brand Campaign

Silver Award: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Hello Sunny / Meet Sunny

The Henry: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB – Fresh Air Meets Fresh Thinking

 

Radio Advertising

Bronze Award: Visit Tallahassee – Winter Nights & Holiday Lights Radio Spot

Silver Award: Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau – “Real. Authentic. Florida.” Radio Campaign

The Henry: The Florida Aquarium – Take Your Breath Away    

 

Resource/Promotional Material – Consumer

Bronze Award: Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau – Bradenton Gulf Islands Domestic Visitor Magazine

Silver Award: Globelite Travel Marketing Inc. – The Travel Guide to Florida

The Henry: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Hello Sunny Vacation Playbook

 

Resource/Promotional Material – Trade

Bronze Award: TradeWinds Island Resorts – Meetings Market Margarita Mix Mailer

Silver Award: Seminole County CVB – “Thank You”

The Henry: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Greater Fort Lauderdale Office of Film & Entertainment Sizzle Reel

 

Rural County Marketing – New Category in 2013

Bronze Award: Franklin County Tourist Development Council – Salty Florida Visitor Guide

Silver Award: Visit Natural North Florida – Fish Natural North Florida

The Henry: Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau – “Buy One Get One”   

 

Social Media Marketing

Bronze Award: Visit Jacksonville – Visit Jacksonville Summer Facebook Contest

Silver Award: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – It’s So Miami    

The Henry: Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center – I Love Perdido Key Facebook Page   

 

Special Event

Bronze Award: The Florida Aquarium – Brews By The Bay

Silver Award: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau – It’s So Miami in Manhattan

The Henry: Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau – Rock the Vote in The Palm Beaches and Boca Raton

 

Television Advertising

Bronze Award: Visit Orlando – Mass Exodus

Silver Award: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB – Winter Gloves

The Henry: Greater Fort  Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – :30 Hello Sunny TV

 

Tourism Advocacy      

Bronze Award: Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau – Travel Rally Day

Silver Award: Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum – Tourism Cares for the Pensacola Lighthouse

The Henry: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Hello Sunny Marketing Plan

 

Web Sites

Bronze Award: Visit Jacksonville – Visit Jacksonville.com

Silver Award: St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau – Historic Coast Flavors.com

The Henry: Florida’s First Coast of Golf – Florida-Golf.org

 

Best of Show in three budget categories

Marketing Budgets under $100,000: Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum – Tourism Cares for the Pensacola Lighthouse

Marketing Budgets $100,000 to $1 million: Seminole County CVB – “Wild Side of Orlando”

Marketing Budgets Over $1 million: Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau – Hello Sunny

 

Iris D. Larson Awards

Created by Bob and Iris Larson, past owners of a small motel in Kissimmee, Florida, the Iris D. Larson Awards were created to recognize hospitality and tourism industry professionals and students who exemplify the qualities of selfless spirit of service and leadership in their work experience.

Hospitality Endowment’s Industry Service Award Winner – Rhonda Stokes

Ms. Stokes has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry for more than 20 years, beginning her career as a busgirl at the age of 13.  For the past 11 years, she has worked at ChampionsGate Golf Resort – first as a server, then bartender and most recently as a Food & Beverage Supervisor.  Rhonda dedicates herself to anticipating guest’s needs and doing everything possible to ensure their experience is pleasurable as well as memorable.  She believes that a little kindness goes a long way and that people respond in a positive way if you just smile, are kind and truly concerned with them being happy when they leave your establishment.  She was nominated for the award by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Scholarship Award Winners

Jacqueline Craft, Junior, Hospitality Management and Business Management, Florida State University

Ms. Craft’s philosophy for the hospitality industry comes in three distinct parts: always give your best; there’s a solution to every problem; and strive to bring joy to each person you come in contact with.  She feels that a solid work ethic can help achieve unimaginable progress in a career, as well as giving a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.

Vincent Bedard, Junior, Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida

Mr. Bedard strives to provide guests with a superior level of service excellence, resulting in the most authentic experience possible for them.  He feels that as a future leader in the hospitality industry he must “walk the walk” rather than only “talk the talk,” and that leading by example is the most effective way to inspire employees and encourage them to invest energy and time in their organization.

Athya Chowdhury, Senior, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Florida International University

Ms. Chowdhury has known since childhood that her passion was to become an owner and manager of a hotel, and as she grew up she realized the hospitality industry’s power to attract and retain customers for life comes from a common ground of genuine care and comfort for others.

Eileen Forrow
Vice President, Sales and Marketing