Sunshine Matters

Last week, I had the opportunity to represent VISIT FLORIDA as we joined the team from the Florida Attractions Association for the 2014 Attraction Regional Forums.  These forums brought together over 100 FAA members and stakeholders at four locations around the state.  Our hosts included The Ringling in Sarasota, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Orlando Science Center, and Legacy Tours of Flagler College in St. Augustine.

At each stop on the tour, the groups participated in conversations about current trends and best practices facilitated by Matt Johnson, General Manager of Imaginarium Science Center in Fort Myers and Chairman of the Board of FAA.  Bill Lupfer, President and CEO of FAA, shared the latest happenings at the FAA including a legislative update for the coming Florida Legislative Session.

My presentation covered “Six Easy Ways to Engage with VISIT FLORIDA,” with the goal of giving attendees details on some of the keys ways they can get more involved and make the most of all that VISIT FLORIDA has to offer:

1. VISITFLORIDA.com – Recently named one of the 20 Best Designed Tourism Websites in the World, all of our advertising drives to VISITFLORIDA.com.  Page views and site visits are up from 2012. From keeping your web listing current to a variety of paid advertising opportunities, VISITFLORIDA.com is positioned to drive results for our Partners.
2. #LoveFL – This hashtag campaign is trending, so attractions should take advantage of the hype.  Tagging photos and posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, Vine, and YouTube with #LoveFL will get attractions additional exposure and could get you a featured spot on our #LoveFL feed on VISITFLORIDA.com/lovefl.
3. VISITFLORIDA.org – The go-to spot for all things VISIT FLORIDA.  Visit our industry-focused website to edit your web listing, apply to serve on a VISIT FLORIDA Committee (applications due April 11, 2014), learn about the Grants Program, download the VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Plan, search the Marketing Planner, and to find a wealth of other information and valuable resources.
4. Content – Our Content team and the Florida Insiders can help you tell your story through features on VISITFLORIDA.com and use of social networks.  Send story ideas to Insiders@VISITFLORIDA.org.
5. Public Relations – With the launch of a new Media Relations site and blog , it’s even easier to connect with the VISIT FLORIDA PR Department.  Send your news to PR@VISITFLORIDA.org.
6. Promotions – By offering Florida vacation packages to media outlets in our target markets and major brands, the Promotions team brings in millions of dollars of media exposure and millions of impressions for VISIT FLORIDA and our Partners.  The easiest way for attractions to get in on the action is by participating in our Promotions Ticket Bank.

VISIT FLORIDA was pleased to partner again with the FAA as an annual sponsor and presenter for the Regional Forums. This opportunity to share knowledge and learn more about the issues impacting the attractions industry is invaluable to us as we strive to create programs that provide added value to tourism businesses around the state.