Celebrating 60 Years at the 2009 Florida Attractions Association Annual Conference 

In 1949, the Florida Attractions Association was founded by only a handful of the Sunshine State’s tourist attractions. Fast forward 60 years, and the magnitude of Florida’s many diverse attractions were never more evident than last week at the 2009 Florida Attractions Association Annual Conference & Trade Show in Sarasota.  Over 160 tourism leaders, attraction members, and associate members converged at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota to attend this very special 60th year celebration of the FAA.

Themed, Celebrate 60: Reflections & Projections, the 2009 Conference & Trade Show featured a retrospect of significant historical images, period music and provided the location for tourism industry colleagues to network, learn, and understand how to remain profitable during the sagging economic climate.

Popular sessions for the opening day of the 2009 Annual Conference & Trade Show included Attraction Member and Associate Member Forums as well as the Conference Launch with special guests Donna H. Ross, Representative Keith Fitzgerald, and Senator Nancy Detert. The first ever Wednesday After Party and FUNdraising Event was held immediately following the Welcome Reception.  The Wednesday After Party featured dinner as well as an array of live entertainment by our very own Diamond Divas and Chairman Mark McHugh.

Attendees were able to grasp timely information of both the national & international tourism industry outlook as delivered by leading industry experts Dr. Suzanne Cook, United States Travel Association; and Will Seccombe, VISIT FLORIDA.

For the Arrival of the Historic Gavel event this year, Past-Chairs of the Florida Attractions Association each reflected on what exactly the Florida Attractions Association has meant to them both personally and professionally. There were many poignant moments including the pre-recorded comments from William B. Ray, Chairman of the Board of the Florida Attractions Association (1958-1959). This ceremony took place during the Thursday Anniversary Luncheon which also featured keynote speaker, Charlie Bray, President & CEO of the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions. 

With rapid changes to today’s social networking mediums, businesses have continued to benefit from this expanding network. Miles Media’s C.A. Clark provided a thorough demonstration of all of the ways to capitalize on this alternative approach to marketing.

After a full day of education and visits to the Trade Show and Silent Auction, conference attendees enjoyed a two hour sunset dinner cruise Thursday evening aboard the 96-foot Marina Jack II.  Cruising around Sarasota Bay, this luxury yacht hosted our FAA Conference attendees for an evening of delightful cuisine and a spectacular sunset.

Disney Institute’s Nicole Lauria, a leading program facilitator challenged the audience to think creatively when it comes to providing excellent customer service to all.  Recognition of outstanding service to the Florida Attractions Association was awarded to two deserving FAA members during the Friday Breakfast.

Throughout the 2009 Annual Conference & Trade Show, attendees were entertained by the crazy antics of Sonny and Sandy Trip, two of Florida’s most cherished and loyal tourists.

The Annual Conference ended on a very upbeat note Friday, May 29th with a slide show of conference photos combined with a specially written tune by Willie Travel to commemorate our special 60th anniversary .