Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA is continuing our successful strategic marketing partnership with Mazda in 2011.  One big way we are able to leverage that relationship is by returning to Dempsey Racing this season as title sponsor of the No. 40 VISIT FLORIDA/Dempsey Racing Mazda RX-8 GT and lead drivers Patrick Dempsey and Joe Foster.  The team will once again showcase both the VISITFLORIDA.com and Share a Little Sunshine paint schemes at respective races during the 2011 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season.

It was a thrill to see the VISITFLORIDA.com and Share a Little Sunshine paint schemes on track and on television throughout the 2010 season, so we’re excited to become the title sponsor of the No. 40 this year.  Our partnership with Mazda and Dempsey Racing has given us the opportunity to showcase Florida tourism to race fans around the world.

“Mazda first introduced us to VISIT FLORIDA last year and we were honored to promote both VISITFLORIDA.com and the Share a Little Sunshine program on our No. 40 Mazda RX-8 GT at selected races,” said team owner and driver Patrick Dempsey. “To have them back this year for our full-season campaign is a dream come true and all of us at Dempsey Racing look forward to helping boost awareness and tourism for the Sunshine State all year long.”

The No. 40 Mazda will display the bright yellow and orange paint scheme of VISIT FLORIDA’s Share a Little Sunshine campaign at both the Rolex 24 At Daytona January 30-31 and the Grand Prix of Miami March 4-5.  The unique program offers consumers a hands-on opportunity to reach out to friends and family with personal invitations to visit Florida through ShareaLittleSunshine.org in the hopes of boosting Florida’s economy through tourism.  Responsible for nearly a million Florida jobs and more than a fifth of the state’s economy, tourism is Florida’s No. 1 industry and it is estimated that every 85 visitors to the Sunshine State equals one job.

GRAND-AM Rolex Series races run outside of Florida will see the No. 40 carry the colors of VISITFLORIDA.com which is the No. 1 destination marketing website in the U.S.  As a trusted travel planning resource for millions of consumers, the award-winning site includes Insider tips, hot deals and features such as Florida Live providing visitors with real-time videos and photos of Florida’s top beach and coastal destinations.