Sunshine Matters

Florida Encounter, presented by VISIT FLORIDA, was held last week at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach County.  Now in its’ 32nd year, this Florida Encounter was recharged and re-energized with a variety of new or improved features that definitely added to the success. Continue reading »

VISIT FLORIDA’s Marketing & Events team is excited to announce we will be hosting a revamped edition of Florida Encounter on Dec. 4–6, 2013 at the recently renovated PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach County.  The revitalized 32nd Annual Florida Encounter will feature, among other changes, the addition of sports planners to the list of attendees and will offer a new series of educational sessions. Continue reading »

According to a study released in February 2011 by the Convention Industry Council – widely recognized by the tourism industry as the first, definitive, qualitative, research-based analysis of the economic significance of meetings in the U.S. – nearly 1.8 million meetings took place, attended by 205 million participants, generating over $263 billion in direct spending and creating 1.7 million jobs.  Last year in Florida, nearly 10.7 million visitors traveled to the state for business purposes, with more than 55 percent attending conventions, seminars and meetings. Continue reading »

The 2011 Florida Encounter will be held in Daytona Beach, Florida at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort and the Ocean Center from November 13 – 15.  Registration will open on June 8 and July 6 for suppliers and planners, respectively, wanting to participate in this important event. Continue reading »

Meetings mean business.  It’s a simple concept, but packs a powerful punch.  According to the U.S. Travel Association, U.S. business travel is responsible for $246 billion in spending and 2.3 million American jobs; $100 billion of this spending and nearly 1 million American jobs are linked directly to meetings and events.  For the past 28 years, we have recognized the importance of the meetings and conventions industry by hosting Florida Encounter, an annual tradeshow designed specifically to bring meetings business to Florida. Continue reading »