Around Town – February/March 2011

(Editor’s Note: Here’s a collection of newsworthy items from our industry members and the South Florida community. HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick)

Southeast Florida:

Congratulations to Anna Russo, who became Director of Sales and Marketing at the Ocean Skye Hotel and Resort (Fort Lauderdale) in December 2010

Welcome to Valerie Burgess, Business Development Manager, Embassy Suites (Fort Lauderdale – 17th Street) who is “new” in town from the Northeast. Valerie started working for Embassy Suites late December prior to the New Year. Before that, she worked for GWL Resorts a full-service franchise resort located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, servicing the tri-state area NY/NJ and PA as Sr. Sales Manager.

Congrats to Joe Van Eron and Jack Zimmerman. For the fourth year in a row, their property, Liberty Suites, was the recipient of a “Pink Choice Award”. They are one of 22 gay and lesbian hotels worldwide chosen as the 2010 winners by reviews from the group’s 9000 members. Just announced, the awards also included from South Florida for the first time, the Alcazar Resort in Fort Lauderdale, as well as Pineapple Point and the Villa Venice.

Congrats to the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Golf Club who ranked #10 out of 329 Marriott hotels on their Event Satisfaction Survey.

Congrats to the Village at Gulfstream Park for being honored by the prestigious Shop America Alliance at its ONE Travel Conference last month with a SASI-ONE (Shop America Salutes Innovation) 2011 Merit Award for their Gulfstream Park Visitor Outreach Program. The Village at Gulfstream Park was the sole shopping destination in Florida to receive a SASI-ONE Award which recognizes prominent leaders and destinations in the tourism industry for their vision and commitment to developing shopping and cultural tourism.

John U. Lloyd Beach Park at Dania Beach was named one of the “Top 25 Most Popular Florida Parks in 2010” by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Biz Bash listed their “South Florida’s 10 Most Anticipated New Venues”. Number 3 on the list was the “new” B Ocean Hotel (Fort Lauderdale).

Speaking of events, during their Florida Expo, Biz Bash is holding their “Event Style Awards” on April 12th at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. The Awards recognize talent in 16 categories ranging from event concepts, designs, sets, marketing to technology, etc.

The Village at Gulfstream Park has introduced “Wine Walk Wednesdays” on the first Wednesday of every month from 7 to 10 pm. The next two dates are: March 2nd and April 6th. Cost is $10 and includes a commemorative wine glass and chance to sample wines and cheeses at 15 different shops throughout the Village. A different charity will benefit from the fee each month. There’s more info at thevillageatgulfstreampark.com

The Betsy Hotel in South Beach (1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach) is hosting a new industry night in B Bar beginning on Wednesdays. No cover at 10 pm; plus “complimentary spirits” between 10 and 11 pm. Call for more info.

Urgo Hotels, based in Maryland, recently purchased the Ocean Point Hotel (Pompano Beach). Plans are to renovate the property and reopen under a new “flag” (full service or select service) in the late fall of 2011.

Vision Airlines, based in Atlanta (but with an office in Miami) announced that it was launching service between Fort Lauderdale and Louisville, Ky., starting March 25, with rates starting at $99 one way. They will operate nonstop flights four days a week from Fort Lauderdale to Louisville International Airport.

Amazon ranked Miami number 4 out of its top 20th “Most Romantic Cities in America” based on book orders; and it’s “Sexiest” City in America for the second year in a row.

Port Everglades reported that cruise traffic in the last quarter of 2010 was up 25 percent, to 1.17 million passengers. In other cruise news, the Port of Miami reported a 20 percent increase, to 1.14 million passengers.

The Water Taxi celebrated the grand opening of their new service in Hollywood. They have 16 stops in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, and service 5 days per week to South Beach.

Sun Trolley expanded their current A1A and Las Olas service on Fort Lauderdale Beach. They operate 9:30am–6:30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and (now) Monday. Sun Trolley’s A1A route is from 17th Street Causeway/Cordova Road to The Galleria Mall. Their Las Olas route runs from Marriott’s Beach Place to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Southwest Florida:

Congrats! WeddingWire announced the Hilton Naples Florida Hotel was selected to receive the annual WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2011 for Best Ceremony and Reception Venue in Naples.

The Lee County Port Authority announced that nonstop service between Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Denmark will begin on June 14, 2011. The flights will be operated twice weekly by the Scandinavian tour operator, Comefly, between Fort Myers and Copenhagen (CPH) and Aalborg (AAL), Denmark. This will be the first time RSW has offered nonstop service to Scandinavia.

The Paradise Coast recently announced its 2011 “Paradise Priced Perfectly” campaign. The campaign offers the best hotel deals along with extra savings on dining, shopping, spas, golf, attractions, etc., to visitors of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades. Throughout the year, visitors can take advantage of deals and savings to plan the perfect Paradise Coast vacation. An extension of the former Values in Paradise (VIP) card, the Preferred Pass offers the best hotel deals along with extra savings.

The Paradise Coast has (once again) been recognized for communication excellence by the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA), this time with one silver and one bronze award. Destination Video - Marketing Budget Greater than $400,000
Silver: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, Paradise Coast Destination Video; Visitors' Guide - Marketing Budget Greater than $400,000
Bronze: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau, Paradise Coast Visitors' Guide

The LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort has brought back its "Frostbite Relief," where guests earn valuable credits the longer they stay, and can use those credits towards spa treatments, dining or golf at the resort's luxurious course. Packages start at $409 per night.

The Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa is offering its “Escape! Golf Package”, beginning at $419 per person per night. Included is a deluxe tropical view room, two rounds of golf including cart at The Rookery at Marco, bag storage, bag tags, range balls, a golf gift item and 10 percent off at the Golf Pro Shop.

Statewide:

Florida Tourism Day 2011 will be held on Tuesday, March 22. 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 the public funding request to increase tourism marketing efforts. It’s the perfect day to let your lawmakers know just how vital tourism is to our state and how crucial it is for them to support Florida’s No. 1 industry.
To reserve your spot on this important day, you will need to register by March 7th. For more information, please contact dia@visitflorida.org

An estimated 82.6 million visitors came to the Sunshine State last year, up 2.1 percent from 2009, according to Visit Florida. Domestic visits increased by 0.5 percent, year-over-year, while Canadian travel to Florida increased by 16.2 percent and overseas travel to Florida increased by 13.6 percent.
(NOTE: Outpacing the rest of Florida, Greater Fort Lauderdale recorded a 2.6 percent increase in total visitors in 2010, according to year-end estimates. Spending in the local economy by the 10.84 million visitors also rose from $8.47 billion to $8.69 billion.)
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To submit items for future blog editions, send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider