Sunshine Matters

Last week, I had the opportunity to represent VISIT FLORIDA as we joined the team from the Florida Attractions Association (FAA) for the 2015 Attraction Regional Forums.  These forums brought together more than 100 FAA members and stakeholders at four locations around the state.  Our hosts included the River District – City Pier Building in Fort Myers, Jungle Island in Miami, Medieval Times in Orlando and Flagler College in St. Augustine.

At each stop on the tour, the groups engaged in lively discussions – facilitated by Kurt Allen, Chairman of the Board of FAA – about timely industry topics such as pricing, staffing and current states of business.  Bill Lupfer, President and CEO of FAA, shared the latest happenings, including Florida Tourism Day in March, a legislative update for the coming Florida Legislative Session, and enhancements to the FAA website – floridaattractions.com.  At the end of each day, the group conducted an interactive SWOT analysis session to brainstorm how best to advance as an industry and a state to accommodate 123 million visitors by the year 2020.

As part of my presentation on behalf of VISIT FLORIDA, I spoke about Florida’s three consecutive years of record visitation and visitor spending, with the expectation of a fourth consecutive record year once numbers are released this month.  I also shared highlights of VISIT FLORIDA’s current Winter ad campaign and Bragging Season efforts, as well as ways FAA members can work with VISIT FLORIDA to promote their attractions, from working with Insider bloggers to participating in Official Florida Welcome Center programs.

VISIT FLORIDA was pleased to partner again with the FAA as an annual sponsor and presenter for the Regional Forums.  This opportunity to share knowledge and learn more about the issues impacting the attractions industry is invaluable to us as we strive to create programs that provide added value to tourism businesses around the state.