Sunshine Matters

Last week, VISIT FLORIDA and four of our industry Partners participated in the Ignite Business Event (iBE) Expo in Toronto as part of Canada Meet Week.   iBE Expo is an experiential, interactive and informative marketplace for buyers of meetings, incentive travel services and business events in Canada. This one-day event, which drew more than 840 Canadian meeting planners, is specifically tailored to connect planners with suppliers, while offering continuing education and keynote speakers from various industries.

iBE Expo is the star attraction of Canada Meet Week, a planner-focused week that includes industry events and activities in conjunction with SITE Canada, MPI Toronto, CanSPEP and more.  New this year, iBE partnered with Canadian Special Events to give meeting planners a one-stop-shop experience as they engaged in pre-scheduled appointments with suppliers, as well as connecting with vendors ranging from décor and design to entertainment and catering.

As part of our contingent at this year’s iBE Expo, VISIT FLORIDA secured the participation of four industry Partners: Visit Sarasota County, The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Advantage Destinations and Oceanside Inn Oceanfront Hotel. We all shared with the planners that Florida welcomed more than 3.8 million Canadian visitors in 2014, of which over 244,000 visitors came for conventions, conferences and trade shows.  We also emphasized that the ease of accessibility, affordability and value makes Florida an ideal destination for Canadian professionals planning their incentive travel, meetings and events.  

For more information about our Canadian Meetings & Conventions programs, please contact me at aabney@VISITFLORIDA.org.