Sunshine Matters

Next Tuesday, Florida’s elected officials will return to Tallahassee to address redistricting, the budget and other key issues during the 2012 Legislative Session. The following week, on January 18, the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism – a grassroots coalition designed to raise awareness of the importance of tourism and to increase public funding of tourism marketing – will host Florida Tourism Day 2012. The purpose of this annual event is to educate the legislature, media and Floridians about the importance of Florida’s tourism industry and the rationale for the public funding request to increase tourism marketing efforts. It’s the perfect day to let your lawmakers know just how vital tourism is to our state and how crucial it is for them to support Florida’s No. 1 industry.

Be a tourism advocate and join fellow industry members in Tallahassee on Wednesday, January 18 as we speak with legislators about the pivotal role of tourism in the Sunshine State.  Space is limited, so be sure to register by January 10.

If you weren’t able to join us on December 8 for VISIT FLORIDA’s Log-In & Learn Webinar: 2012 Legislative Session Preview, you can see and hear it online to learn what’s on the horizon for the upcoming legislative session, information about the resources available in the advocacy toolkit and how to become involved with Florida Tourism Day 2012.

New tourism advocacy resources are available through the Advocacy Toolkit on the Florida’s Tourism Counts website, including talking points, leave behinds and sample legislative letters.  We invite you to access this information to better understand the political framework and get involved in the process.

Help get the word out about the importance of Florida’s tourism industry and its positive role in our state’s economy. The message to legislators is simple – invest in tourism marketing to bring visitors to Florida who generate nearly a quarter of the state’s total sales tax revenue and provide jobs for one million Floridians.