Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA and seven of our industry Partners recently hosted the Boston VIP (Very Important Meeting Planner) Event at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox Opening Day.  The goals of the VIP Events are to make an impression on meeting professionals who have the potential to bring meetings or events to Florida, and to foster engagement and networking between our Partners and the meeting planners.  The Boston VIP included 50 qualified meeting planners who were thrilled to be invited to such an exclusive event.

After enduring such a long, harsh winter, the Boston area meeting planners were treated to 70 degree weather and abundant sunshine on the private Cumberland Farms Terrace, which was open only to VISIT FLORIDA’s Partners and invited planners.  The once-in-a-lifetime afternoon included a fly-over of two F-16 Air Force fighter jets after a children’s choir sang the national anthem, the Patriots carrying their Super Bowl trophies on the field just prior to the ceremonial first pitch, and then a win by the Red Sox over the Washington Nationals.  Freddy Flynn from Universal Orlando “stole home” when he arranged to have the home team’s World Series trophies brought to our private terrace for a photo op with the planners.

That day, many planners had tears in their eyes as they told VISIT FLORIDA staff and Partners they would “never forget Florida for giving them such a memorable day.”  Following the event, many thank-you emails and phone calls have come in from the planners.  Below are samples of what they had to say:

I wanted to thank you again for a banner day last week.  I called it a top ten day and it truly was.  Two days later, I was in a meeting in Maine with the CEO of the Red Sox – Dr. Charles Steinberg.  Part of his speech detailed the importance of ‘connecting emotionally’ to the work you do and he talked about Opening Day at Fenway.  After I shared my story about that day – that it was not only emotional, but very unifying for all – he patted his heart and said that’s what I like to hear!  Thank you for a lifelong memory – and the opportunity to work as partners! With sincere thanks! Kate Parker, Manager, Global Accounts, HelmsBriscoe

Meggan and I want to sincerely thank you for the event today!  We had a great time and really enjoyed your gracious hospitality.  We look forward to partnering with you and your colleagues from the Florida venues in the future.  Kind regards, Lorraine Ellis, CMP, Meeting Planner, US Communications EMD Serono, Inc.

Thanks again to VISIT FLORIDA and your Partners for a great event yesterday – it was a wonderful event.  And the weather cooperated! Regards, Marie Elliott, CMP, AVP, Events, Conferences & Sponsorship Manager, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Thank you so much for emailing the photo of me with the trophies!  It’s a great memory!!  I really appreciate all the work you all did for such a perfect event! Best regards, Joyce Annese, Program Director, American Meteorological Society

Many thanks to our Partners who helped co-sponsor the event with us:  Discover the Palm Beaches, Naples Marco Island Everglades CVB, Universal Orlando Resorts, Visit Tampa Bay, Saddlebrook Resort, Visit Jacksonville and Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB.  For more information about our VIP Events or VISIT FLORIDA’s Meetings Industry initiatives, please contact me at kmoore@VISITFLORIDA.org.