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Visit Florida Budget Saga Gets a Disney Ending

After a rollercoaster ride, Visit Florida and the saga of its budget allocation may in the final reel be getting a fairytale ending. Governor Rick Scott and Florida legislators have hammered out an agreement to continue with the current funding of $76m. If there are any further shocks before the credits roll we’ll let you know. Photo: Dancorona21. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Brand USA Federal Funding Ditched in Trump Budget Proposal

Brand USA – the organisation promoting the US as a welcome destination for visitors – is to lose its federal funding under a proposed new budget from President Trump. The move has been attacked by US Travel association President Roger Dow as throwing away an $8.9 billion contribution to the economy and 28-to-1 return on investment. From Meetings & Conventions…

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ICCA 2016 Country and City Rankings Released

The International Congress and Convention Association – a partner of The Iceberg – has published its 2016 country and city rankings. Paris – last leading in 2014 – has reclaimed the top city spot. The USA is the country holding the most meetings. International association meetings continue to double every ten years. Fuller data will be released in June. From ICCA…

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Governor Tours to Save Visit Florida Funding

The fortunes of Visit Florida have reversed again and the agency looks like it will after all lose 67% of its funding. In a last ditch attempt to change the Legislature’s course – its Speaker sees Visit Florida as extravagant and wasteful – Governor Rick Scott is on tour to persuade Floridians to invest in destination marketing. From Orlando Rising…

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Sector Sceptical About Saudi Arabia’s Meetings Launch

Saudi Arabia is to launch itself on the global meetings, conferences and exhibitions market. It has hired a UK PR firm to oversee a marketing campaign, and will also exhibit at the forthcoming IMEX in Frankfurt. But both professional conference organisers and association executives are sceptical about the country’s suitability as a destination. From Association Meetings International…

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Visit Florida’s Proposed Budget a “Game Changer”

Visit Florida’s fortunes could be on rise. After its very future was left in doubt, then a House of Representatives bill passed to cut its budget by two thirds to $25m, then Governor Rick Scott called for $76m… now he has proposed raising funding to $100m. Visit Florida CEO Ken Lawson calls the possibility a “game changer”. From Meetings & Conventions…

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$76m Budget for Visit Florida Backed by Senate Subcommittee

Shortly after the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill cutting Visit Florida’s budget by two thirds to $25m – also capping salaries and increasingly accountability – now a Senate subcommittee has proposed backing Governor Rick Scott’s request for a $76m budget. Visit Florida says the state attracted 112.8m visitors in 2016, after just 87.3m in 2011. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Florida House Proposes 67 Percent Cut to Visit Florida Budget

Following on from the earlier news of Visit Florida’s battle for survival, the Florida House Speaker has now suggested making the organisation part of the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity. Richard Corcoran also wants its budget slashed by just over two thirds. Visit Florida CEO Ken Lawson has called the proposal “misinformed”. From Meetings & Conventions…

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Visit Florida in Jeopardy Following Government Showdown

Visit Florida is in a fight for its survival as the state introduces legislation calling for its abolition. New CEO Ken Lawson has been championing the role the DMO plays in generating employment and tax revenue. But an ill-fated marketing deal with rapper Pitbull has already damaged the DMO’s standing among politicians. From Meetings & Conventions…

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