Sunshine Matters

Today the Florida tourism industry mourns the passing of one of our Founding Fathers.  Tom Staed served as VISIT FLORIDA’s chairman of the board of directors in 1997-1998 and was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame Founders Club in 2001 and the Florida Council of Tourism Leaders in 2012.  Tom, a longtime Daytona Beach hotel operator, was a vital figure in the establishment of Florida’s Tourist Development Tax, as well as the assignment of the state’s tourism marketing responsibility to the Florida Commission on Tourism and the creation of VISIT FLORIDA as its operating company. Continue reading »

It was my distinct priviledge, during the 43rd Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, to announce the 2010 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductee and the winners of the 2010 Flagler Awards.  Annually, leaders in Florida tourism are chosen by a selection committee to receive these prestigious honors and awards.  Continue reading »