GFLCVB vacation store debuts in NYC
Coast(954) at 20 Union Square East created quite a buzz during the first cold front in NY. Bringing the retail concept to destination marketing for the first time ever, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Coast(954) pop up store opened January 9-16 in a landmark bank building in Union Square. Snow flurries greeted the launch of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Vacation Store at 15th Street. Exterior lighted palm trees and a giant beach towel orange sign were designed to generate interest from pedestrian and drive traffic. Live in 212, play in 954 was the theme. Inside the bank building space, New Yorkers were able to enter to win hotel stays each day plus win a grand prize four-night Super Bowl XLI stay with air from Spirit Airlines. With a 15-foot video backdrop of sunny beaches, a selection of warm weather activities were available to winter weary New Yorkers visiting the store including virtual fishing courtesy of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, a five-ton sandsculpture, golf putting green, bikini clad models, beach volleyball, hand massages at the Relaxation Station, plus bookings at the Vacation Station with travel partner Travelocity. Metro area radio advertising, free NY Times newspapers wrapped with Coast (954) details distributed at Grand Central and Penn Station, plus street teams distributing handwarmers all added to the buzz. M Silver generated a slew of publicity in the NY Daily News, Time Out NY, Fox News, My 9 TV, Today Show, CBS This Morning, Modern Agent TV, the NY Observer and lots more. For more photos, visit our Coast(954) page at www.sunny.org/coast954. Or check out the youtube videoclip on http://youtube.com/watch?v=xl5JV-6qVOE

Warm destination welcome installed at Cruise Terminal 2
Ahoy all Princess Cruise passengers!
The GFLCVB has designed welcoming displays for all passengers with bright iconic images and destination information rack brochures. The installation of branded hanging banners in the cruise terminal’s waiting areas and escalators, plus colorful partitions is scheduled for completion this week. The initiative to provide a welcoming sense of place, as the first port of call for the two million annual cruise passengers, is a pilot program. The welcome concept will be repeated throughout the terminals at Port Everglades to generate business for Broward's hotels, attractions, dining and shops.

Beach on Wheels hits the streets
The attention-getting Greater Fort Lauderdale Beachmobile is at it again, cruising the streets in the Northeast and Midwest. And this year, we have a wrapped truck joining the outdoor campaign with our signature beach and yachting images filling each side. Here's a look at the Beachmobile schedule –where it has been, and where it's headed next:
Chicago (Dec 10-16), Toronto (Jan 4-9), New York City (Jan 9-16, Jan 23-25), Punxsutawney, PA for Groundhog's Day (Feb 1-3), Washington, D.C. (Feb 25-Mar 3), and Philadelphia (Mar 25-30).

New on the Books
We are proud to report that the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB has secured the Governor's Hurricane Conference at the Broward Convention Center through 2012.

PCMA Presence
The GFLCVB enjoyed a major presence at PCMA in Toronto this year. In addition to hosting a Leadership Luncheon with 250 attendees, the Beachmobile was cleverly parked outside the convention center during daily arrivals and departures. The popular segways with new Greater Fort Lauderdale images made an encore appearance, this time with built-in TVs that displayed our Meetings Made Easy video. "Bellybands" with colorful, eye-catching Greater Fort Lauderdale images wrapped around the Daily newspapers delivered to each attendee's hotel room with ads inside the programs. USAE also featured our bellyband on the final day and banners throughout the convention center showcased the GFLCVB as a Premier PCMA Partner.

Taste of the NFL
Taste of the NFL XVI is the premier strolling food and wine event of Super Bowl weekend. Join in on food, fun and football Saturday, February 3, 2007 at the Broward County Convention Center, with musical guests STYX. Meet and greet chefs and current or alumni NFL players from each NFL city, bid on Super Bowl XLI tickets in the silent auction, and stay and enjoy live entertainment at the Super Bowl “Party with a Purpose.” Call (952) 835-7621 or visit www.tasteofthenfl.com

Openings
January 17, 2007: GalleryOne Fort Lauderdale, a Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, “artistry in hospitality”
January 18, 2007: Sheraton Yankee Trader, new 6,500 sq ft Pavilion
January 20, 2007: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, “the spirit of elegance…personalized”
Renovated and fresh out of the gate: Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino, and Mardi Gras Race Track & Gaming Center, both in Hallandale Beach, are open with Vegas-style slot machines, new dining and event space.

We look forward to an exciting year ahead while we continue to keep you informed of GFLCVB activities and ways to participate in our tourism marketing efforts.

With all best wishes for a super Super Bowl week,

Nicki E. Grossman
President