Sunshine Matters

October marked “Florida Camping Month” in the Sunshine State.  To celebrate, the I-10, I-75, I-95 and US-231 Official Florida Welcome Centers all took a creative and interactive approach to making Camping Month a huge success.

Each October, the Official Florida Welcome Centers – managed and operated by VISIT FLORIDA – promote “Florida Camping Month” by setting up displays in their facilities and providing activities for visitors.  This year, each center set up a campsite display in their lobby area, where visitors could “camp out,” as well as gather information to help plan their next camping trip or outdoor adventure in the Sunshine State.  Throughout October, nearly 170,000 visitors to the four Interstate Welcome Centers had a chance to experience our Camping Month activities.

A host of other VISIT FLORIDA Partners and tourism businesses also took part in Camping Month by donating equipment and promotional materials for the Welcome Centers.  For example, several Jacksonville RV dealers provided the I-95 Welcome Center with RVs to display outside and promotional items for the staff to wear.  At the I-10 Welcome Center near Pensacola, local campgrounds helped promote camping by having staff live in RVs onsite, hosting tours and sharing camping tips with visitors.  By becoming involved with the Welcome Center programs, Partners and Florida tourism businesses are guaranteed added exposure to the thousands of visitors that stop in to the Welcome Centers each day.

Themed events and months are not uncommon in the Official Florida Welcome Centers.  Throughout the year, the Welcome Centers participate in monthly events that allow our Sunshine State visitors to learn more about all that Florida has to offer.  Some of the monthly themed events include:

• Speed Month (February)
• Golf Month (May)
• Fishing Month (June)
• State Park & Trails Month (July)

As an invaluable resource for visitors to the Sunshine State, the knowledgeable and helpful staff in Florida’s Official Welcome Centers provide a wealth of information to millions of Florida visitors each year.  In addition to offering detailed travel planning advice, the centers also provide maps, brochures and even a free glass of Florida citrus juice!

For more information on how to get involved with the Official Florida Welcome Center programs and gain more exposure for your local tourism businesses, contact Annette Larson, Visitor Services Coordinator, at alarson@VISITFLORIDA.org.  You can also click here for more information on camping in Florida, as well as check out VISIT FLORIDA’s Outdoors & Nature Insider page to see stories, photos and videos on Florida’s natural treasures.