February Numbers
February 2008 hotel occupancy rose .2% to 84.2% and Greater Fort Lauderdale hotel rates averaged at $165.07, down 8.3% from 2007 during Super Bowl month. The ADR, without Super Bowl, certainly shows us the value of bringing that event to South Florida.

Convention Sales Team Update
In an effort to generate group bookings, John Webb, senior vice president, who oversees all group sales efforts, is fine tuning the convention sales territories. Handling the Chicago group market, on an interim basis, is Director of Sales Christine Tascione. In the Alexandria office, Tom Durkin is the convention sales regional vice president, responsible for DC and the northeast region. Stacy Copeland is responsible for KS, MO, MN, IA, IN, MI, WI, OH.  Albert Tucker is the vice president of multicultural business development. Angella Lopez handles the religious and fraternal and midsouth group markets. Michele Bemis handles FL, GA, AL, NC and SC. Elena Gladstone is responsible for the west coast of the US. And Carol Hudson handles sports groups.

On the Road with Convention Sales
The convention sales team recently attended the North Central Florida Show in Gainesville; Pharmaceutical Meeting Planner Forum/CBI in Baltimore and Meetings Marketplace in Tampa. Upcoming travels include: PCMA Annual Foundation Dinner, Washington, DC; Springtime, Washington, DC; New England Meeting Industry Conference in Boston; Georgia Meeting Professionals International Annual Meeting & Tradeshow, Atlanta; Meeting Professionals International – Europe in London; IMEX, Frankfurt, Germany; Conference Direct’s Annual Partner Fair, New Orleans; Meeting Industry Ladies Open, Cancun, Mexico; American Express Corporate Meeting Solutions Annual Business Meeting, Fort Lauderdale. Future planning is underway for the following upcoming events -- look for more information to be distributed shortly: Atlanta Sales Mission; St. Louis Cardinals event in St. Louis, MO; Chicago Cubs event in Chicago.

Celebrity Watch
Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston and Eric Dane have been spotted across Greater Fort Lauderdale during the filming of Marley & Me, a movie based on a book by John Grogan, a former Sun-Sentinel journalist.

Domestic Tourism Sales Update
Josh Winston just returned from the National Trade Show Series across northern New Jersey from March 17-21. Separate events hosted in Jersey City, Edison, Tinton Falls, Saddle Brook, and Fairfield netted more than 500 travel agent contacts and helped to continue the re-education process with agents who need to become familiar with Greater Fort Lauderdale's new "Beach Chic" re-branding efforts. Additionally, info on our sunny destination was in high demand as New Jersey saw temperatures in the low 40's for highs all week, and was drenched by flooding rains and sleet.

Upcoming Media Visits
This month, the PR department welcomes Per Anders Ohrman, QX Magazine (Finland GLBT), Apr 2-6; Summer of Discovery press trip, Apr 4-6; Hollywood Beach Marriott press trip, Apr 10-13; Ed Walsh, Frontiers Magazine (GLBT), Apr 21-28; VISIT FLORIDA UK fam, Apr 25-27; Johan Öberg, Swedish freelance writer for Metro, newsagency TT, Ica Kuririen (biggest weekly magazine in Sweden) and several ladies magazines, Apr 20-28.

Help us help you
Please send us your current press kit with up-to-date releases, brochures, menus, bios, etc. so that we can continue to field media leads and provide the latest information about our industry partners. Mail to: Jessica Taylor, GFLCVB, 100 East Broward Blvd., Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, jtaylor@broward.org

Greater Fort Lauderdale goes green.
The Broward County Commission is committed to preserving our water resources and sensitive ecosystems in Greater Fort Lauderdale. As the county continues to grow, so do the demands on our water supply. The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB has created an environmentally-friendly in-room card for hotel guests. The cards read: To help us preserve water, our most precious resource, your linens will be changed only when this card is placed on the bed in the morning. Thank you for joining the Board of Broward County Commissioners in our quest to keep Greater Fort Lauderdale green. If you are interested in receiving a supply for your property, please contact Jessica Taylor, jtaylor@broward.org. Congratulations to the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale and Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach, who have been named official Green Lodgings by the State of Florida.

International Tourism Sales
The tourism sales department met with 175 of Belgium’s top travel agents and wholesalers at Visit USA Brussels. To kick things off, the US Ambassador to Belgium, the Honorable Mr. Fox cut the ribbon opening the event in the famed Hotel Metropole in the heart of Brussels. The CVB team with partner Hyatt Bonaventure Resort & Spa, then headed to ITB Berlin, the leading trade fair for the global tourism industry.

April Convention Sales Update
Groups meeting in April will generate more than $35 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
Apr 2: Sidley Austin Brown & Wood Partner Meeting (450 attendees)
Apr 2-11: Duty Free Show of the Americas (2,000 attendees)
Apr 13-18: McGraw Hill Aviation Week (2,000 attendees)
Apr 17-24: Kabbalah International Convention (1,500 attendees)
Apr 17-29: Lasko Group (1,200 attendees)
Apr 23-May 2: Assn. of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology/ARVO (9,800 attendees)
Apr 30-May 4: Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Summit (1,000 attendees)

Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in April, with more than 23,000 competitors plus family and friends:
Mar 30-Apr 4: YMCA National Short Course Swimming & Diving Championships (5,000 attendees)
Apr 1-May 6: National Team Training Camps (3,000 attendees)
Apr 1-4: 4th Annual Baseball Fever Classic (2,700 attendees)
Apr 5-7: President's Cup FL Youth Soccer Champs (450 attendees)
Apr 9-14: Sunshine Stampede Gay Rodeo (1,500 attendees)
Apr 10-13: Florida Sports Foundation Executive Board Meeting (35 attendees)
Apr 10-17: USA Girls 17's Soccer (550 attendees)
Apr 18-20: Oceanfest Expo and Dive Show (7,000 attendees)
Apr 18-20: FHSAA Lacrosse (1,000 attendees)
Apr 19-24: US Men's Soccer Camp (250 attendees)
Apr 21-May 15: University of Connecticut Spring Training/Collegiate Soccer (150 attendees)
Apr 23-30: BSC Commissioners' Meetings (800 attendees)
Apr 29-May 2: Football Bowl Association Meetings (500 attendees)

OceanFest
Celebrate diving and adventure sports at OceanFest, Apr 18-20, on Fort Lauderdale beach, just south of Las Olas Blvd. In addition to boasting the most comprehensive artificial reef system in the United States, Broward has one of the only living reefs in the continental United States that is accessible from shore. OceanFest will feature more than 150 exhibits under giant tents at the edge of the Atlantic, as well as food, music, treasure hunts, free seminars and thousands of dollars in prizes. In an effort to introduce the sport to new participants, there will be scuba introductory courses taught at the DEMA Pool. An underwater treasure hunt will be held on Saturday for dive boats, and again on Sunday for shore diving. The main prize will be a trip on an Aggressor Liveaboard. A portion of the proceeds from OceanFest will benefit numerous non-profit and environmental organizations. www.oceanfest.com

Hotel News
The 598-room Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club, formerly the Fort Lauderdale Marina Marriott, has just completed a comprehensive $70 million transformation to a vibrant and sophisticated coastal retreat. The complete redesign includes the hotel's public spaces, a new lobby, modernized guestrooms and suites, refurbished swimming pool and tropical deck area, as well as enhancements to the 21,000 sq. ft. of existing meeting space, delivering a chic, upscale experience. The hotel's new signature restaurant, the world-famous Jeffrey Chodorow's celebrated China Grill, offers innovative Asian-inspired cuisine served against the backdrop of the Intracoastal. The Diplomat Country Club is officially renamed as the Diplomat, A Luxury Collection Golf Resort & Spa. The W Fort Lauderdale is scheduled to open this fall. The CVB welcomes Monica Burgos to the Marketing Advisory Committee. Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach celebrated its grand reopening last month with $17 million in guest room and lobby renovations and brand new spa. Bolstering its reputation as a top destination for gay travelers, the Royal Palms Resort and The Flamingo Inn Amongst the Flowers have been named part of Attitude Hotels Premium collection. SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Dania announced the completion of their renovation. Congratulations to Vera Shapiro of the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure for being nominated as Hyatt Salesperson of the Year.

Good Eats
3030 Ocean welcomed the Food Network Challenge show last month, with the beach at Harbor Beach Marriott as a beautiful backdrop. Chef Dean Max judged the food stylist competition. The Chef's Table has just opened a new state-of-the-art full service banquet facility on State Rd 84, with outdoor patio, full service 150-room hotel, and sports bar. The Isle Casino & Racing at Pompano Park now offers dinner specials in two of its restaurants -- Farradday's Steakhouse offers a $35 dinner, Sun-Fri, 5:30-7pm with live jazz at 10pm and $5 martini specials. Bragozzo Osteria Wine Bar offers a Sunday family style dinner for $29. Fort Lauderdale Grande Resort welcomes China Grill, now open for business.

Fleet Week Returns to Port Everglades April 28
More than 4,000 sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate in South Florida's annual celebration of the maritime services, Fleet Week 2008 Port Everglades, April 28 through May 3. Fleet Week 2008 Port Everglades will include open-to-the-public parties, community service projects by the sailors, a celebrity chef luncheon, sports and other exciting competitions. Port Everglades will not be open to the general public without pre-arranged appointments to visit the ships.

Olympic Divers
Tickets are on sale now for an exclusive preview of Summer Olympics Diving at the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Aquatic Complex, May 8-11, with top Olympic divers of the world competing. The 38th Annual Diving Extravaganza, featuring the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix, also includes comedy diving exhibitions and a "Dreaming of Beijing" Asian Cultural Festival, with cooking demonstrations, martial arts, dancing and singing, and a special appearance by the Beijing 2008 Olympic mascots.

MPI First Annual Golf Classic
Meeting Professionals International South Florida Chapter’s 1st Annual Golf Classic will be held Monday, May 12, 2008 at the Diplomat Golf Resort and Spa in Hallandale Beach. A portion of  the proceeds from the golf classic will be going to Animal Aid Inc., a non-profit, animal adoption agency located on Oakland Park Blvd.  For more information and registration, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.sfmpi.org

The Plane Facts: FLL News
Total passenger traffic for February 2008 was 2,030,811, up 10.2% over February 2007. International traffic was 272,106, up 25.6% over last year. It was the second consecutive month of double digit growth.With the help of an extra day in February, the majority of our carriers saw positive growth for the month. The low fare carriers continue to do well – Spirit was up 30.9%, JetBlue was up 23.0%, and SW was up 9.8%. These three carriers combined for 27 additional departures over February 2007. Traffic will continue to increase. Southwest Airlines will add new nonstop service from Austin, TX and Manchester, NH on May 10, bringing the number of daily nonstop Southwest departures to 46, and connecting service to an additional 48 cities. The next few months will also see new service by Spirit to San Antonio, Boston, Columbia (SC), Islip, and Cartagena, as well as additional service to existing markets, and Zoom Airlines begins direct service from Gatwick London to FLL in May.

Port Everglades Update
The Broward County Commission recently adopted a comprehensive Master/Vision Plan – including a five-year Capital Improvement Plan, and 10- and 20-year Vision Plans – that is designed to guide the seaport’s growth efficiently. Improvements to cruise facilities in the next five years will enable Port Everglades to accommodate the new generation of mega cruise ships, including Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400-passenger Genesis-class ships. The first of RCI’s two Genesis ships is scheduled to debut at the cruise port in November 2009. The entire Port Everglades Master/Vision Plan document – 5-Year Plan and 10- and 20-Year Vision Plans – are available online, at www.portevergladesmasterplanupdate.com

Happenings Around Town
Through Apr 3: U2 3D, Museum of Discovery & Science and AutoNation® IMAX® Theater
Through Apr 4: YMCA National Short Course Swimming & Diving Championship, Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center
Through Apr 6: Wicked, Broadway, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Through Apr 20: Live racing (with the exception of Tues and Weds), Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Through Apr 27: Bodies, The Exhibition, Las Olas Riverfront
Through June 7: National Week of the Ocean Sea-Son
Through June 23: The Great Age of American Automobiles, Museum of Art
Through June 23: The High Style of Dorothy Draper, Museum of Art
Apr : Rolling Stones 3D Shine the Light, Museum of Discovery & Science and AutoNation® IMAX® Theater
Apr 3-6: Disney On Ice: Princess Wishes, BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise
Apr 4: Huey Lewis & The News, Pompano Beach Amphitheater
Apr 4: Riverwalk Get Downtown
Apr 4-6: 2008 Sunshine Stampede, Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, Davie
Apr 5: Global Groove: Green Around the Globe, ArtsPark at Young Circle
Apr 5: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center, Nova Southeastern University
Apr 5-13: Fome de Film, a retrospective of Brazilian film, Cinema Paradiso
Apr 6: American Girl – Addy, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Apr 6: SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, Riverwalk, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Apr 9: Jazz and the Harlem Renaissance, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 11: Broadwalk Friday Fest, Hollywood Beach
Apr 11: 13th Annual Wine & Culinary Celebration, Museum of Discovery & Science and AutoNation® IMAX® Theater
Apr 11: Do Jump!, Parker Playhouse
Apr 11-13: Square Dance, Miami City Ballet, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 11-13: Tharp/Costello Work, Miami City Ballet, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 12: 100 Years of Broadway, Parker Playhouse
Apr 12: NewTimes Original BeerFest’08, Esplanade Park, Downtown Himmarshee, Fort Lauderdale
Apr 13: Hot Days Cool Convertible Giveaway, Gulfstream Park
Apr 15: The Ugly Duckling, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 16: Mikhail Gorbachev, Hard Rock Live
Apr 16: HSMAI Interactive Marketing & Social Networking dinner, Mai Kai
Apr 17: Clueless on Las Olas, Las Olas Boulevard
Apr 17-Aug 31: Unbroken Ties, Museum of Art / Fort Lauderdale
Apr 17-19: Self Help, The Comedy, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 18: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise
Apr 18: Asha Bhosle, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 18-20: Ocean Fest Dive & Adventure Sports Expo, Fort Lauderdale beach
Apr 19: Come Back to Old Florida, Flamingo Gardens & Wildlife Sanctuary
Apr 19: Earth Day, Deerfield Beach
Apr 19: Jazz Impression, Miniaci Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 19-20: Pride Under the Sun PrideFest 2008, War Memorial Auditorium
Apr 19: Rent, Broadway, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Apr 20: Reba McEntire, Hard Rock Live
Apr 20: Jinny Beauty Trade Show, War Memorial Auditorium
Apr 22: Jobing.com, Broward Convention Center
Apr 22-May 4: 12 Angry Men, Broadway, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 24: Al Martino, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Apr 24-27: Maja, the Girl from the Nile, War Memorial Auditorium
Apr 25: Broadwalk Friday Fest, Hollywood Beach
Apr 25: Dallas Brass, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Apr 25-26: Hampton House, African American Research Library & Cultural Center
Apr 25-26: Jekyll & Hyde, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 25-27: Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, Pompano Beach
Apr 26: Bon Jovi, BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise
Apr 26: Broward County Deltas “Delta Read-In,” Lauderhill Towne Centre Library
Apr 26: Family Fun Day & Open House, Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex
Apr 27: In the Mood…Live!, Parker Playhouse
Apr 27: Andre Rieu, BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise
Apr 27: Hot Days Cool Convertible Giveaway, Gulfstream Park
Apr 27-28: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Apr 28: Raven Symone, BankAtlantic Center
Apr 28-May 3: Fleet Week USA, Port Everglades
Apr 30: Expo Alfresco, ArtsPark at YoungCircle
Apr 30: Carlos Santana, Hard Rock Live


With all best wishes,

Nicki E. Grossman
President