How wonderful to have Nicki Grossman, President, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB recognize our outgoing 2008 Board of Directors and to install our new 2009 leaders. We so appreciate Nicki’s kind words and support of our goals and our organization. Alfredo Gonzalez’s presentation on international travel was exceptionally well received – it was a wealth of information regarding our past history v.v. this market segment and lots of areas to tap into for potential South Florida travelers. There was so much “good stuff” to absorb, that we will be posting the presentation on our website. It should be up and running, we hope, sometime next week.
We had over 100 people registered to attend our January lunch meeting with lots of walk-ins. Thank you’s to Alice Land and staff at the Renaissance Plantation for adapting to our larger than expected group and for their wonderful hospitality.
We think we’ll have a large crowd, as well, for our February 18th meeting (the speaker is Will Seccombe, Marketing Director, Visit Florida) so do get your reservations in early. The BEST way to guarantee attendance is via advanced pre-paid registration through our website. Just a reminder – our registration is sponsored by national HSMAI and you are directed to a secure paypal website. No problem giving your credit card information plus pre-paying makes the check-in process so much faster. Look for online registration details to come in a couple weeks.
In other news – Congratulations to Doug Carillo, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Tecton Hospitality and Desires Hotels who has been selected as one of the “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing” for 2008. The sixth annual list, given by The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), recognizes the “best of the best” in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries and the recipients will be honored at HSMAI’s annual Adrian Awards on Jan. 26, 2009. Doug is a member of our South Florida Chapter, by the way. Way to go Doug!
The gay travel website Pink Choice has awarded five Fort Lauderdale hotels with 2008 Pink Choice Awards. These gay-friendly hotels earned the highest travel ratings in their price range for 2008. Along with Provincetown (they received 7 of the total 15 awards), Fort Lauderdale was cited as standing out because of “their progressive views, wide range in lodging choices, and quality of service.” The local hotel winners are: La Casa del Mar, Fort Lauderdale; Liberty Suites, Dania; New Zealand House, Fort Lauderdale; Pineapple Point, Fort Lauderdale; and the Villa Venice Men’s Resort, Fort Lauderdale. Good job!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Local Roundup – January 2009
Taking advantage of the movie based on the novel Marley & Me by a former Sun-Sentinel writer, The GFLCVB has announced a special travel package featuring bringing your dog on vacation. Now through January 25th, those booking a trip at a participating property get a copy of the novel. There’s also a contest to win a “Marley & Me Doggy Vacay” including flights, 3-night stay at the Embassy Suites, and more.
Jungle Island is offering a special to Florida Residents during the month of January. Pay for a one-day park admission and get an annual pass free. For more info, go to www.jungleisland.com
Dania Beach is holding their Beach Blast on Saturday, January 10th. The event is free – food, car show, kids activities, music, etc. For more info, visit www.greaterdania.org
The Broward Convention Center is hosting the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition from January 15th to the 17th. This international trade show is returning for its 16th consecutive year. The group has contracted room blocks with about 10 hotel properties and is estimated to have an economic impact of about $7.1 for the County. (Their website is: www.tpie.org)
Riverwalk is also going to the dogs by promoting its “Mutts and Martinis Yappy Hour” on January 16th inviting all to come to an outdoor dog-friendly happy hour. Riverwalk is also encouraging participation in the 19th Annual Walk for the Animals on March 7th. For more info on the yappy hour and Riverwalk Trust, visit www.GoRiverwalk.com
At the same time that millions of people will be converging on Washington, D.C.
for the presidential inauguration (starting January 20th), the Greater Fort Lauderdale Beach on Wheels (the glass enclosed flatbed truck) will be inviting everyone there to experience another “change”. With the theme of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Sunshine”, the Beach on Wheels will be seen along Pennsylvania Ave., in Georgetown, around DuPont and Logan Circles and along Wisconsin Avenue. At night it will be along The Mall visible by those doing Monument night tours.
Jungle Island is offering a special to Florida Residents during the month of January. Pay for a one-day park admission and get an annual pass free. For more info, go to www.jungleisland.com
Dania Beach is holding their Beach Blast on Saturday, January 10th. The event is free – food, car show, kids activities, music, etc. For more info, visit www.greaterdania.org
The Broward Convention Center is hosting the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition from January 15th to the 17th. This international trade show is returning for its 16th consecutive year. The group has contracted room blocks with about 10 hotel properties and is estimated to have an economic impact of about $7.1 for the County. (Their website is: www.tpie.org)
Riverwalk is also going to the dogs by promoting its “Mutts and Martinis Yappy Hour” on January 16th inviting all to come to an outdoor dog-friendly happy hour. Riverwalk is also encouraging participation in the 19th Annual Walk for the Animals on March 7th. For more info on the yappy hour and Riverwalk Trust, visit www.GoRiverwalk.com
At the same time that millions of people will be converging on Washington, D.C.
for the presidential inauguration (starting January 20th), the Greater Fort Lauderdale Beach on Wheels (the glass enclosed flatbed truck) will be inviting everyone there to experience another “change”. With the theme of “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Sunshine”, the Beach on Wheels will be seen along Pennsylvania Ave., in Georgetown, around DuPont and Logan Circles and along Wisconsin Avenue. At night it will be along The Mall visible by those doing Monument night tours.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Sharpen Those Pencils for a Happy New Year!
Belated best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
Here's a few more items from various websites. Staying with the trends mentioned in a previous post, Conde Nast Traveler's concierge.com is (still) featuring escapes you can afford. A posting in their "Best Winter Travel Deals" included a fun-in-the-sun weekend getaway(The Ritz-Naples). Their article told travellers to consider midweek trips to get lower rates among the tips offered to get away inexpensively from the winter doldrums.
Fodor's "Top Travel Trends of 2008" list noted that even with the state of the economy as it is, families are still planning to go away. Good news for us is that the majority of family travelers stayed in the mainland U.S. this past year (and will do so in 2009). One of the "mommy bloggers" even suggested that parents should be sure to make travel memories with their children and introduce to them new places. She pointed out the lower gas prices, and the plethora of travel deals making travel more affordable than ever. Hey, South Florida, let's spread the word to all families about this!
So, you've been checking out the various websites. You're up on all the latest buzz words and phrases to reach the potential travelers. Now everyone should be sharpening their pencils and figuring out the BEST value-added travel deals you can offer. And don't keep your "deal" a secret -- get the word out.
PS Don't forget to RSVP by the Monday noon deadline on January 19th for our Wednesday lunch meeting (1/21) at the Renaissance in Plantation. Should be a sell-0ut crowd. See you there!
Here's a few more items from various websites. Staying with the trends mentioned in a previous post, Conde Nast Traveler's concierge.com is (still) featuring escapes you can afford. A posting in their "Best Winter Travel Deals" included a fun-in-the-sun weekend getaway(The Ritz-Naples). Their article told travellers to consider midweek trips to get lower rates among the tips offered to get away inexpensively from the winter doldrums.
Fodor's "Top Travel Trends of 2008" list noted that even with the state of the economy as it is, families are still planning to go away. Good news for us is that the majority of family travelers stayed in the mainland U.S. this past year (and will do so in 2009). One of the "mommy bloggers" even suggested that parents should be sure to make travel memories with their children and introduce to them new places. She pointed out the lower gas prices, and the plethora of travel deals making travel more affordable than ever. Hey, South Florida, let's spread the word to all families about this!
So, you've been checking out the various websites. You're up on all the latest buzz words and phrases to reach the potential travelers. Now everyone should be sharpening their pencils and figuring out the BEST value-added travel deals you can offer. And don't keep your "deal" a secret -- get the word out.
PS Don't forget to RSVP by the Monday noon deadline on January 19th for our Wednesday lunch meeting (1/21) at the Renaissance in Plantation. Should be a sell-0ut crowd. See you there!
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