Sunshine Matters

Yesterday, the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism and five other statewide organizations hosted the industry’s annual Florida Tourism Day.   This all-day event at the Florida Capitol provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the state’s No. 1 industry to the legislature and to educate them on the rationale for tourism marketing public funding.

The day’s activities included a briefing by the CEOs of the participating organizations, speeches from Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and other government officials, legislative appointments by industry representatives at the Capitol and concluded with a street festival in downtown Tallahassee.  The key message of the day shared by tourism industry representatives was to urge state lawmakers to support Governor Scott’s recommendation of $75 million for VISIT FLORIDA’s tourism marketing efforts in 2013-2014.

As part of Tourism Day, more than 300 industry representatives from 39 counties around the state traveled to Tallahassee and met with over 80 legislators and government leaders.  The street party Wednesday evening, which drew well over 500 attendees, featured the band Southern Satisfaction and showcased food, prizes and exhibits from numerous members of the tourism industry and supporting organizations.  In addition to the great music and delicious food, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association hosted a Florida whip popping demonstration and invited legislators to try their hand at cracking the whip.

Along with VISIT FLORIDA, the 2013 Florida Tourism Day hosts included the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Florida Attractions Association, the Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations and the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, as well as the Florida Association of Museums, Film Florida, Florida Sports, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

Florida tourism carries a tremendous amount of momentum into 2013.  With two consecutive years of record breaking visitation, spending and tourism-industry employment – as well as unprecedented support from Governor Scott, the Florida Legislature and VISIT FLORIDA’s tourism industry Partners – the Sunshine State is well-positioned to become the No. 1 travel destination in the world.  I want to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Florida Tourism Day such a successful opportunity to share that message with our elected officials.

While Florida Tourism Day was a great success, it’s important to remember that VISIT FLORIDA’s efforts to market the state to visitors from around the globe continue year-round.  We urge all Floridians to take pride in your tourism industry and to advocate for tourism marketing funding.  To learn how you can help, please visit FloridasTourismCounts.org.