New Year, New Magazine
Official 2012 VISIT FLORIDA Magazine

The new 2012 Official VISIT FLORIDA Magazine is hot off the press and ready to be distributed. You can order a single copy of the magazine, or place a bulk order of up to two cases (58 copies per case). These magazines are a great resource for you to provide to travelers visiting your place of business.

Share Your Social Side
Have you shared your social media profiles with VISIT FLORIDA? Link your Facebook, Twitter and YouTube business pages to your web listing on VISITFLORIDA.com. If you need a refresher on how to add your social media links, download this easy-to-follow web guide for assistance.

Florida Vacation Auction
The Florida Vacation Auction program is a great opportunity for Partners to advertise their business without having to spend any marketing dollars. To participate in the program, Partners need to donate either (1) a two-night stay or (2) four attraction tickets, which will be used as promotional giveaway auctioned off to potential travelers. In return for your donation, you will receive four weeks of online advertising exposure on VISITFLORIDA.com and FloridaVacationAuction.com, as well as auction pages on both websites. Partners also receive statistical reports of impressions gained and number of clicks received on buy direct, more info and email to a friend. For details on participation, click here. 

Connect with Florida Insiders
Are you sharing your news with the Florida Insiders? Our panel of nine Florida Insiders offer their first-hand experiences, truthful advice and honest opinions to potential travelers via engaging articles, videos and blogs. Florida Insider content focuses on what’s new, exciting, interesting and of value to travelers. Get the word out about your events, deals and hot happenings. Send your news releases and updates to the Florida Insiders for consideration at insiders@VISITFLORIDA.org. Explore the Florida Insiders.

Marketing to Meeting Planners at AIBTM
June 19-21; Baltimore, MD
VISIT FLORIDA is coordinating a Florida Pavilion at AIBTM, where Partners may purchase a custom-designed Florida Work Station. Both group and individual appointments can be conducted. AIBTM is the leading global exhibition for the U.S. meetings and events industry, reaching more than 3,000 meeting professionals. AIBTM offers a platform for you to interact, network and educate planners about your destination, products and services. For more info, view the Online Marketing Planner or contact Lauren Shoaf at (850) 205-3836 or at lshoaf@VISITFLORIDA.org. Deadline: April 3

 

Sales Mission to Brazil
March 26-30; Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Join VISIT FLORIDA in Brazil to promote your products, services or destination. This sales mission will target 1,500 travel agents and tour operators from Sao Paulo and the interior cities, as well as 120 travel professionals in  Rio de Janeiro. Brazil is currently holding its place as the No. 1 overseas market in visitor volume and in spending. For more info, view the Online Marketing Planner or contact Denise at (850) 205-3866 or at darencibia@VISITFLORIDA.org. Deadline: Feb. 9

The Florida Show: Rise & SUNshine
April 20; Toronto, Ontario
Participate with VISIT FLORIDA for this Morning Show-formatted media event. Hosted during breakfast, Partners will be "interviewed" by a "reporter" for this fun and interactive event. The location at ONE Restaurant in the Hazelton Hotel will be a draw for trade and consumer media, as well as for bloggers in our top Canadian market. For more info, view the Online Marketing Planner, email Lily Etemadi or call (850) 205-3838. Or, email Maureen Wright with LMA Communications in the Toronto office or call (800) 268-3791. Deadline: Feb. 14

Are You Ready to Join a VISIT FLORIDA Committee?
Make 2012 the year you get involved! Join a committee and provide valuable input for VISIT FLORIDA's future. To learn more about each committee, click here. Deadline: April 13

National Travel and Tourism Week
May 5-13, 2012

First observed in 1984, NTTW is celebrated through localized events in cities, states and travel businesses nationwide in an effort to champion the impact that travel has on communities throughout the country. Wondering how best to observe NTTW? We encourage you to explore U.S. Travel Association's website. Ideas include staging local rallies, conducting media outreach, and securing local proclamations and resolutions from local legislative bodies. The Power of Travel Coalition will release a toolkit in February to help you plan for NTTW. In the meantime, it's a good idea to start requesting proclamations and resolutions from your local and state legislatures. Download a sample proclamation to get started. To locate your Florida Senator, click here. To locate your Florida Representative, click here. If you're planning to have a NTTW event, please keep VISIT FLORIDA informed by emailing us at news@VISITFLORIDA.org. Our Industry Relations team can also help secure a VISIT FLORIDA speaker for your NTTW event. Please send your requests to news@VISITFLORIDA.org or call (877) 435-2872. Deadline: April 1

VISIT FLORIDA Commends White House Travel Initiatives
Recently, President Obama gave tremendous visibility to the Florida tourism industry when he called for the development of a national travel and tourism strategy while speaking at Walt Disney World in Orlando. In addition to the creation of an intra-agency task force on travel promotion strategies, the President called for improvements to the visa process, expanded the Global Entry Program and announced the appointment of new members to the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. VISIT FLORIDA’s President and CEO, Chris Thompson, was in attendance at the event and was later sworn-in as one of the 32 private-sector CEOs to the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board tasked with advising the Secretary of Commerce on policies affecting the travel and tourism industry. Read more...

2012 Florida Tourism Day Draws Record Participation

The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism and six other statewide organizations hosted the 2012 Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol. Nearly 300 industry representatives from 35 counties traveled to Tallahassee and met with more than 75 legislators and government leaders. The street party drew more than 500 attendees and showcased food, prizes, mascots and exhibits from members of the tourism industry and supporting organizations. The purpose of Tourism Day is to educate the legislature, media and Floridians about the importance of Florida’s tourism industry and the rationale for public funding. It serves as a platform to let our lawmakers know just how crucial it is for them to support Florida’s No. 1 industry. Read more...

Reach Key Travel Writers in Atlanta & Birmingham
In February, a VISIT FLORIDA team will meet with top-flight media, including Southern Living, Coastal Living, Cooking With Paula Deen, Atlanta Journal Constitution and Atlanta magazine. There is a limited opportunity for Partners to provide a press release for the media kit that will be distributed in the two markets. The fee is $150 for a two-page press release. To be considered, send press releases to Laura Cassels at lcassels@VISITFLORIDA.org. Partners who are selected will be notified and invoiced by email. Deadline: Feb. 3

Stunning Private Dining for Romance
ABCNews.com seeks info about and photos of “stunning private dining rooms and/or locations” around the world that are all about  romance. Email Genevieve Brown with photos and info. In the subject, write “Stunning FL dining rooms” and the name of your destination. Deadline: Feb. 1

Springtime Festivals
VISIT FLORIDA’s PR team seeks info on outdoor festivals occurring between March and May 2012. Events may include food festivals, outdoor farmers markets, concert series and more. Send event descriptions and contact info to pr@VISITFLORIDA.org. In the subject, write "Spring Festivals” and the name of your destination. Deadline: Feb. 29

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