Sunshine Matters

Congratulations to Carol Dover, member of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors and President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, for winning the first-ever Dick Pope Legacy Award at the 2013 Grand Tour Gala.  The Grand Tour Gala Foundation created the new Dick Pope Legacy Awards to recognize leaders that have strengthened the sustainability of Florida’s hospitality and tourism industries.  In addition to being presented each year at the Grand Tour Gala, the award recipients will be immortalized on the walls of the Orange County Convention Center.

In a letter congratulating Carol, Governor Rick Scott said “Under your leadership, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association has been a steadfast partner in local and state initiatives which enable the industry to thrive, not only in job creation, but also in attracting over 91 million visitors to our state last year.”  He also pointed out that “Florida’s tourism industry is critical to Florida families as it serves as a vital source of revenue to the state and a key driver of employment.”

Two other Florida tourism industry leaders were also awarded the Dick Pope Legacy Award – Louis Robbins, Managing Director of the Nickelodeon Suites Resort and Tom Ackert, Past Executive Director of the Orange County Convention Center.  Additionally, David A. Siegel, President & CEO of Westgate Resorts and Richard Maladecki, President & CEO of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association were both inducted into the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame presented by the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Congratulations to all the award recipients for these much-deserved honors and thank you for your unwavering commitment to the Florida tourism and hospitality industry.