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After more twists and turns in the saga than on any of its legendary theme park rides, Florida’s legislature has in the end voted to restore Visit Florida’s current annual budget of $76 million. This leaves the agency and state once again able to continue breaking visitation records. We can all now retire to Miami! From Meetings & Conventions…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Key resorts and other infrastructure in Orlando have reopened relatively unscathed after Hurricane Irma’s pass. But other areas of Florida and the Caribbean have been more seriously affected with flooding and power outages. These destinations face much longer term issues repairing damaged properties. Luckily September is typically low season for the region. From Meetings and Conventions…
From PCMA: Everyone I know who has designed and delivered a successful event truly deserves a gold medal — it’s hard work that often goes largely unseen. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the making of NPE2024: The Plastics Show, that casts a light on the efforts and initiatives that contributed to the event being the…
From Conference & Meetings World: Destinations International (DI), the premier association representing destination organisations and convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), has recently unveiled several initiatives and recognised outstanding industry achievements at its 2024 Annual Convention in Tampa, Florida. These initiatives and recognitions underscore DI’s commitment to accessibility, advocacy, professional development and industry excellence within the…
From Destinations International, by Gretchen Hall: When we at Destinations International (DI) announced Tampa, FL as the location for our 2024 annual convention, it sparked a meaningful dialogue among our members. Given recent Florida legislation affecting key community groups, our choice raised important questions about our values and our strategies in the face of social…
A slew of new bills signed into law by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has draped the Sunshine State in controversy, spurring protests, lawsuits and travel advisories warning the state is ‘openly hostile’ toward people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ community members. From CNN…
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