Sunshine Matters

Me and Ed Schroeder at Mile Marker 25 in Pensacola Beach

I am delighted to announce that more than 3,700 Florida volunteers in 34 coastal counties covered the Sunshine State’s 825 miles of beaches Saturday in a celebratory event documenting – in more than five thousand real-time photos – the great conditions of Florida’s sandy shores.

The Great VISIT FLORIDA Beach Walk may well have been the world’s biggest beach rally and photo fest. Volunteers from elementary school students to realtors and from dog-walkers to kayakers spent Saturday morning walking at least one beach mile and uploading real-time photos of what they saw. The 5,200+ images show beautiful beaches, glorious sunrises, healthy wildlife, and beach-lovers having a great time. Continue reading »

In response to continuous media reports from this past summer’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill, VISIT FLORIDA is working to inform travelers that Florida is open for business and our seafood is delicious.  Seafood is one of the state’s great treasures and, unfortunately, misinformation in the marketplace has had a negative impact on Florida’s seafood industry.

VISIT FLORIDA has established a partnership with the Florida House on Capitol Hill, Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida Department of Citrus to celebrate Florida’s seafood in our nation’s capital.  Taking place November 17, the Florida Seafood Celebration is designed to celebrate and promote Florida’s famously diverse and delicious range of seafood.  This evening event will be held at Florida House in Washington, D.C. and attended by members of Florida’s congressional delegation, state leaders and other dignitaries.   Continue reading »