Sunshine Matters

I am pleased to share that three VISIT FLORIDA Partners – Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum and Westgate Resorts – received the first-ever Governor’s Innovators in Business Award in the newly created Tourism & Hospitality category.  The winners were recognized by Governor Scott, as well as Secretary of Commerce and President & CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI) Gray Swoope, during a special event held at the Governor’s Mansion last night.  The awards, which are announced each year in association with Florida Business Innovators Week, recognize Florida companies in select industries that have influenced the state’s economic growth and diversification over the last year.

Governor Scott said, “Florida’s economy has made a huge upturn thanks to businesses like the ones being recognized today.  These outstanding companies have worked hard to create jobs and improve our economy.  Florida families are able to live the American Dream with the help of the successful, innovative companies that call Florida home.  I am thankful to these companies for their help in making Florida a great state for business and congratulate them on their achievements.”

EFI has hosted the annual program for 30 years.  The winners are chosen by a panel of judges that includes business leaders, past winners and EFI staff.  The event is sponsored by Bank of America and Florida Trend magazine.

Secretary Swoope said, “Florida and its companies continue to be the model for economic recovery and growth in the nation.  Companies from every industry around the state have helped produce jobs and provide opportunities that companies in other states just haven’t been able to match.  They truly deserve to be recognized for their resilience, innovation and achievements.  On behalf of EFI, congratulations to each of these worthy companies and we look forward to their continued success.”

Awards were given in six categories, with three winners in each category representing a different county population. This is the first year that awards were presented in the new Tourism & Hospitality category, designed to recognize Florida companies that best exemplify innovation developed through product or process in the last three years.

• The winner in the Mid Market, county population up to 150,000, was Omni Amelia Island Plantation of Nassau County.  Omni Amelia Island Plantation has had a positive job impact on Nassau County, adding 160 permanent jobs and 200 additional seasonal associates.  With more than 1,000 employees during season, they are the largest employer in the county.
• The winner in the Major Market, county population 150,001 to 800,000, was Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum of Escambia County.  As part of Florida’s tourism market, in particular the cultural heritage sector, Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum has grown from a volunteer organization to a booming business in a few short years.  From 2009 to 2013, the business amounted to an increase of 277 percent in revenue and 600 percent in visitation.
• The winner in the Mega Market, county population 800,001 and higher, was Westgate Resorts of Orange County. Westgate Resorts plans to expand its marketing operation to fund two to three additional resorts in world-class locations, thus expanding their corporate structure in Orlando.  The expansion will add jobs in their call centers, marketing, and other aspects of the business’s corporate culture.

On behalf of the nearly 1.1 million Floridians employed in the state’s No. 1 industry, I applaud Governor Scott for creating this new Tourism and Hospitality category in his Innovators in Business Awards.  Congratulations to this year’s deserving inaugural honorees who exemplify the innovative spirit and diverse range of visitor experiences that Florida’s tourism industry has to offer.

For more information on the Governor’s Innovators in Business Awards, please visit eflorida.com/govawards.