Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Tourism Industry took center stage at the recent REJUVENATE Marketplace, held in Columbus, Ohio.  The Marketplace featured over 2,000 faith-based meeting professionals or organizations with the potential to host their meetings, conventions and events in the Sunshine State.

In partnership with Collinson Media and Events, which orchestrates the REJUVENATE Marketplace, I was able to share stage time with the Former First Lady Laura Bush during the second day’s luncheon.  This luncheon provided a unique opportunity to showcase the diverse collection of meeting opportunities in Florida through our stage and video presentation, and to recognize the 67 Florida tourism industry representatives in attendance.

In addition, VISIT FLORIDA sponsored the “Build-A-Buddy” CSR activity during the Marketplace, where all attendees had the opportunity to help build the more than 400 stuffed animals that were donated to a children’s charity in Haiti.  For  the meeting professionals attending, we also provided a “Relaxation Station” where they could get a quick shoulder or hand massage during their breaks from the hundreds of appointments.

The VISIT FLORIDA Meetings team and the 67 Florida tourism industry reps had face-to-face appointments with faith-based meeting professionals over two days highlighting the benefits of hosting their meetings in Florida.  The conference also offered high profile speakers and an array of networking opportunities to build relationships with faith-based planners and industry contacts.  In addition to Laura Bush, the speakers included Jon Acuff, blogger on social media, marketing and leadership; Chris Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of his autobiography The Pursuit of Happyness; Lopez Lomong, U.S. track and field Olympian and one of the Lost Boys of Sudan; and Steve Harvey, host of the television game show Family Feud.

If you would like to learn more about how Florida tourism businesses can benefit from participation in VISIT FLORIDA’s Meetings and Conventions programs, please contact me at chatcher@VISITFLORIDA.org.