Sunshine Matters

Educational Forums in Chicago and Philadelphia

Travel trade, including travel agents, tour operators and other buyers and sellers of travel trade products, are a vital distribution network for Florida’s tourism industry. Research shows that nearly three percent of domestic visitors to Florida use a travel agent to book accommodations and five percent use a travel agent to reserve their air transportation. To stay top of mind with travel trade representatives in some of our key domestic markets, VISIT FLORIDA and our Industry Partners recently hosted several educational events for travel agents in Chicago and Philadelphia.

In Chicago, which ranks ninth among domestic metropolitan areas in visitor volume to Florida, travel agents heard from each of our participating Florida destinations about what’s new and exciting in their area during a dinner and reception.

In Philadelphia, which ranks third in top air states to Florida and fifth among domestic metropolitan areas in visitor volume to Florida, travel agents enjoyed a luncheon event that included destination presentations.  Zane Kirby, President and CEO of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), was the guest speaker for the event.

While in both Chicago and Philadelphia, the team also visited eight local travel agencies, sharing brochures and promotional items from our Partners and bringing their staff up to date on the latest openings and popular activities in each destination.

Many thanks to our Partners who helped make these events a success: Discover the Palm Beaches, Emerald Coast VCB, Greater Miami CVB, Magic Village Resort, Panama City Beach CVB, St. Augustine and Ponta Vedra VCB, Sunstream Hotels & Resorts, Visit Central Florida, Visit South Walton, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater and Visit Tampa Bay.

ASTA TravelFest Shows in Cleveland and Cincinnati

VISIT FLORIDA and our Industry Partners recently participated in the American Society of Travel Agents TravelFest Shows in Cleveland and Cincinnati, as well as several travel agency sales calls in the area. These events provided great opportunities for our Partners to speak one-on-one with agents in Ohio, which ranks third in top states to Florida and seventh in air states to Florida, about their destinations and properties. Many thanks to our participating Partners: Emerald Coast CVB, Greater Miami CVB, Red Lion Hotel Orlando-Kissimmee Maingate, St. Augustine and Ponta Vedra Beach VCB and Visit Tampa Bay.

Cruise360 Conference and Trade Show in Ft. Lauderdale

To stay top of mind with travel trade representatives who book pre- and post-stays to our cruise destinations, VISIT FLORIDA recently hosted a Florida Lounge at Cruise360. This is the industry’s largest and only official cruise-focused conference and trade show. The event, held this year in Ft. Lauderdale, had nearly 1,100 travel agents from 34 states, 7 Canadian provinces and 13 different countries including China, India, Malaysia and Australia.

Part of the six-day event included the Cruise360 Marketplace, where VISIT FLORIDA and our Industry Partners invited the agents to “Cruise on over to the Florida Lounge and Take a Break.” Many thanks to our participating Partners – Aventura Mall, Courtyard by Marriott Miami, Greater Miami CVB, Little Harbor Resort and Renaissance Hotel Orlando Airport – who spoke with agents in the Lounge about the offerings from their destinations and properties.  

TPOC Annual Conference and Trade Show in Kissimmee

Travel Professionals of Color (TPOC) recently held their 15th Anniversary Conference and Trade Show in Kissimmee, marking the third time that a Florida destination has hosted the event. TPOC is a national organization that promotes training, networking and support of minority travel professionals with membership from North America, Trinidad and Tabago, the Bahamas and Jamaica.

More than 175 travel professionals gathered at this year’s conference, which featured three full days of education and keynote sessions. Florida tourism took center stage with a welcome address from Ken Lawson, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA and several of our Florida suppliers presenting in the “Working Collaboratively with our Industry Partners” breakout session. Special thanks to the Reunion Golf and Spa Resort, Discover the Palm Beaches and Westgate Resort for their support of the conference.

To learn more about any of our upcoming travel trade events, check out the VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Planner or contact Brenda L. Bryant at bbryant@VISITFLORIDA.org.