Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA’s annual consumer media reception in New York City was held last week at the exclusive Lincoln Ristorante, complete with views of the reflecting pool and grass lawn roof in the heart of Lincoln Center. The format included a networking mixer followed by a sit-down luncheon designed to provide our Industry Partners an opportunity to network with travel journalists and present updates about Florida travel stories while raising awareness of Florida’s diverse offerings.

A record 16 VISIT FLORIDA Partners had the opportunity to meet with 32 consumer travel, lifestyle and trade media as part of this year’s event.  Of those 32 media guests, 17 were first-time attendees, offering our Partners tremendous exposure to media who may not have covered their destination in the past.  Some examples of the high caliber media in attendance included Good Morning America, Fodors, Skift, Travel Weekly and Travel + Leisure, as well as several representatives from meeting and wedding publications which have been a more recent focus of VISIT FLORIDA’s domestic travel trade efforts.

As one of Florida’s eight strongest domestic markets, in-person events like this held in New York City help strengthen relationships and offer one-on-one conversations resulting in the type of media coverage that truly makes a difference.  For more information about our PR programs, or to discuss story ideas that have a regional or statewide focus for pitching media, email me at kmorgan@VISITFLORIDA.org.