Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA manages the state’s five Florida Welcome Centers located at I-10, I-95, I-75, U.S. 231 and in the Florida Capitol.   As an invaluable resource for visitors to the Sunshine State, the knowledgeable and helpful staff in the Florida 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 a free cup of Florida citrus juice.

As a fun way to engage with visitors and showcase all there is to see and do in the Sunshine State, each of the four highway Welcome Centers host annual festivals throughout the year.  The festivals are designed to give tourism industry participants the opportunity to promote and showcase their destination to thousands of Florida’s visitors firsthand.

The first festival of 2014 was the annual Winter Festival hosted by the I-95 Florida Welcome Center.  The festival hosted more than 4,600 visitors and featured 23 local DMOs, attractions, hoteliers and others representing Amelia Island, Central  Florida, Columbia County, Daytona Beach, Florida’s Space Coast, Gulf County, Jacksonville and St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra.  As part of the event, the Florida Department of Citrus and the Florida Sports Foundation held promotional giveaways and shared information about their efforts to help promote tourism in Florida.

Upcoming festivals include the Spring Festival at the U.S. 231 Florida Welcome Center on April 4 and the Summer Festival hosted by the I-10 Florida Welcome Center on June 6.  Themed events and months are not uncommon in the Florida Welcome Centers.  Some of the monthly themed events include:

• Florida Motorsports Month (February)
• Golf Month (May)
• Fishing Month (June)
• Museums, State Parks & Trails Month (July)

We invite Florida tourism businesses of all sizes and types to become more involved.  By participating in the Welcome Center programs, you are guaranteed added exposure to the thousands of visitors that stop in to the Welcome Centers each day.  For more information, contact Annette Larson, Visitor Services Coordinator, at alarson@VISITFLORIDA.org. You can also view the VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Planner for a complete list of all the co-op marketing programs available throughout the year.