Sunshine Matters

With the new Meetings and Events team in place, VISIT FLORIDA hosted a highly successful Florida Encounter 2015 last week at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort.  Florida Encounter is VISIT FLORIDA’s premier meetings and conventions trade show and conference that showcases the vast array of Florida’s meetings destinations, hotels and resorts, and services to meeting professionals.  This VISIT FLORIDA signature event is one of the first appointment-based trade shows where the Florida tourism industry meets one-on-one with meeting planners to experience the endless opportunities available for selecting the perfect location and backdrop for their meetings, conventions and incentive travel.

This year, VISIT FLORIDA hosted more than 85 meeting professionals from across the U.S., Canada and Latin America.  Our Florida tourism industry was well represented, with 95 suppliers attending from destinations, hotels and resorts, and other meeting services.  In total, over the three days of the conference, more than 5,000 one-on-one appointments took place.

In addition, 10 major meetings media attended, with several posting, tweeting, blogging and publishing stories while the conference was taking place.  VISIT FLORIDA’s PR Team hosted a VIP Media Reception where the media were able to meet with nine Partners to learn more about the destinations’ meetings venues. VISIT FLORIDA’s VP of International Sales & Market Development, Alfredo Gonzalez, also gave a presentation during the reception.

As always, the keynote sessions were fun and entertaining.  This year’s standout keynote speaker was Cheryl Cecchetto.  As owner and president of Sequoia Productions in Los Angeles, she oversees the Emmy’s and Oscar’s Governor’s Balls, and corporate functions for brands like Dove, Hallmark, LG and Revlon.  During Florida Encounter, Cheryl connected with all attendees, giving a presentation titled “26 Years and Going Strong: Keeping Events Fresh, Innovative and Unique,” where she spoke about the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball and the Emmy Awards Governor’s Ball, as well as her most favorite and funniest moments.

This year’s conference kicked off with a “White Beach Party” opening event hosted by the Omni Amelia Island, PRI Productions and the Amelia Island CVB.  Attendees were invited to enjoy live music and local cuisine.  Each day began with yoga on the beach.  Closing out the conference, attendees were invited to the “Southern Charm on the Marsh” event hosted by 360 Destination Group, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort and the Amelia Island CVB.

I would like to thank everyone who attended, from the meeting professionals to our Florida industry Partners and the media.  And a special thank you to the new VISIT FLORIDA Meetings team!  Please mark your calendars now for Florida Encounter 2016 being held Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.  For more information on meetings in Florida, please visit our website at FloridaMeetings.com or follow us on Facebook and @FLMeetings.