Summer of Discovery: An Über Vacation
To kick off the Summer of Discovery 2-for-1 program (runs June 1-Sept 30), an eye-catching retro style film, created by MARC USA Advertising, was broadcast to more than 200,000 travel magazine subscribers, as well as the GFLCVB consumer database of 150,000. The short film can be viewed on YouTube or at www.sunny.org/uberemail.

Tourists, You Gotta' Love 'Em
On May 24, we celebrated the importance of tourism with our hospitality industry partners, all dressed in red. Nicki Grossman presented Mayor Eggelletion with a check for $8.74 Billion dollars to commemorate a record-breaking 2006 in visitor numbers. The Tourism Appreciation Day luncheon featured a heartfelt thank you to Linda Gill, who has served on the MAC and TDC for many years and has been instrumental in guiding Greater Fort Lauderdale through its transformation from college mecca to the beach chic destination it is today. Linda received the 2007 Tourism Trustee Award. And comedienne Kathleen Madigan provided the laughs.

New TDC and MAC Appointees
The CVB welcomes Richard Gray to the Tourist Development Council. Owner of The Royal Palms Resort in Fort Lauderdale, named top gay resort in Florida, Richard has served on the Marketing Advisory Committee for several years and is a White Glove winner in the Superior Small Lodging program. Congratulations to Jim Pancallo, General Manager of Lago Mar Resort, Shawn Farrell, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Pier 66, and Opal Gibson, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort Director of Sales, who were selected to join the Marketing Advisory Committee.

Upcoming Media Visits
The pr department is welcoming a luxury media fam in conjunction with the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in early June; hosting a German Media Fam, June 16-20; and hosting a Summer of Discovery Press Trip, June 21-24. Last week, Jessica Taylor attended the PRSA/SATW Travel & Tourism conference in LA where top media from around the U.S. provided insight on travel journalism. In addition, Frommer’s Guide UK, visited last week and Getaway Magazine from South Africa will visit mid-June. A group of TV stations from the Dominican Republic will visit Greater Fort Lauderdale for the inaugural Spirit Airlines flight and the Dolphins Cheerleaders will be shooting their 2008 Calendar in Greater Fort Lauderdale June 18-20.

GFL's First-Ever Incentive Fam
As a follow-up to the midwest incentive house tour in March, the CVB welcomed key incentive planners to see first-hand the transformation of GFL. Thank you to our industry partners for showcasing the best that GFL has to offer the incentive market. The feedback and tangible results already, are very positive:

"I was pleasantly surprised by all the new hotels. Having shopped most of the hotels, it was invaluable to actually see them in person and meet the hotel staff." Allyn, Carlson Wagonlit Travel

"I look forward to selling Fort Lauderdale, and my knowledge of Fort Lauderdale has been strengthened as a result of the FAM." Wanda, BCD Meetings & Incentives

"We had a fabulous time and I have a totally new perspective on Ft. Lauderdale!! I'm definitely going to suggest it over Miami as a South Florida location for my clients!" Jenny, Prestige Resorts & Destinations, Ltd

"The trip was so very insightful and educational. I didn't realize just how much there is to do in Fort Lauderdale! I would like to thank you for creating one of the best trips I have ever taken." Yoko, Prestige Resorts and Destinations

Shaq's Big Challenge
ABC's new reality series, "Shaq's Big Challenge," was filmed in Hollywood, FL and features Shaq's transformation of six obese middle school youngsters from Florida into healthy, fit kids. He is aided by six specialists including: Shaq's own physician and trainer Dr. Carlon "Doc" Colker, M.D.; personal trainer Tarik Tyler; nutritionist Joy Bauer; childhood obesity expert Dr. William Muinos, M.D. from Miami Children's Hospital; Food Network celebrity chef Tyler Florence and O'Neal's Louisiana State University coach Dale Brown. The show premiers on Tuesday, June 26 at 9pm.

2008 Vacation Planner
Advertising sales will soon come to a close for the 2008 edition of our award-winning official Vacation Planner. This primary consumer response piece is sent to inquiries generated by the CVB’s $5 million annual advertising campaign. A virtual guide on sunny.org will accompany the printed piece.
Contact: Marcia Bayer, Miles Media, (800) 683-0010.

June Convention Sales Update
Groups meeting in June generate more than $60 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
June 7-10: Women of Faith Amazing Freedom
June 8-14: AAA Automotive Services Conference
June 13-16: Edward Don & Company
June 14-17: Hukilau Polynesian Annual Conference
June 17-26: First Investors Group Meeting
June 20-24: Professional Convention Management Association 2007 Southeast Chapter Education Conference
June 21-24: Celebration of Friends 2007
June 22-25: Drake School of Irish Dance Ft. Lauderdale Beach Feis
June 26-30: National Association of Realtors Meeting
June 27-July 1: Primedia, Inc. Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention

Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in June:
June 1-3: Youth Fast Pitch Softball Championships
June 11-17: State Corporate Games
June 10-12: State Junior Olympic Qualifier Track and Field
June 10-15: SE Region USSSA Summer Basketball Championships
June 16-18: South Sectional Jr. Baseball Championships
June 22-25: AAU Beach Volleyball Championships
June 29-July 2: Florida SSG Figure Skating Championships

Tourism Sales Update
Save the date for the next Hospitality Industry Update, featuring the Tourism Sales team, July 10 at the St. Regis Resort at 3:30pm. Reception to follow, sponsored by Spirit Airlines.
Plans are underway for a UK sales mission, Bahamas sales mission and LaCumbre in September at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Stay tuned for details.

HSMAI Gala & Auction honoring John Webb
The CVB invites the hospitality industry to the HSMAI Gala & Auction, Thursday, June 14, 6pm at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale. John Webb is special guest of honor, as he receives the 2007 Hospitality Sales & Marketing Excellence Award. "Place your bets" on travel, experiences and unique items in the silent and live auctions. Then join us for the after-party at Gulfstream's Breezeway Bar. We hope to see you there. For details and to rsvp, visit www.hsmaisouthflorida.org.

New Sister City Announced
Fort Lauderdale is officially a “sister city” of Venice, Italy . . . just in time to host their summer conference in the “Venice of America.” From July 18-21, Fort Lauderdale will host the 51st annual Sister Cities International conference at the Broward Convention Center, with 1,000 in attendance from 22 countries. Fort Lauderdale's other sister cities include: Mar del Plata, Argentina; Gold Coast, Australia; Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Medellin, Colombia; Quepos, Costa Rica; La Romana, Dominican Republic; Sefton, England; Agogo, Ghana; Cap Haitien, Haiti; Haifa, Israel; Rimini and Venice, Italy; Panama City, Panama; Mugla, Turkey; Margarita Island, Venezuela. For conference info, contact (954) 462-7727 or www.gflsci.org.

Good Eats
Gold Pin Award: In partnership with the GFLCVB and TravelHost, American Express recognizes one restaurant per month for the value and quality of food and overall experience, outstanding customer service and their tenure, growth and commitment. Congratulations to Blue Martini on receiving this month's Gold Pin recognition. Gallery One in Fort Lauderdale has launched their lavish Sunday brunch buffet at Vue on the Water Restaurant. Aizia, with Asian cuisine and sake inspired martinis, opens on June 22 at The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Lola's on Harrison, Quesadilla Grill and Spoon are now open in downtown Hollywood.

GO SHOP
CTM, a premier distributor of brochures throughout the US and Canada, unveils its newest venture, the GO SHOP guide. Designed for the savvy, ready-for-a-bargain shopper with discriminating taste, this customized guide focuses on shopping and dining venues in Greater Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches. 100,000 copies of the GO SHOP guides will be printed quarterly and distributed to more than 1,100 travel and tourist locations throughout South Florida. The first issue debuts in August 2007. For information, contact Jennifer at CTM: (954) 625-5152.

Happenings Around Town
Florida Marlins Home Games: June 8-10, 12-14, 22-24, 26-30
June 7: Global Groove, Downtown Hollywood
June 9-10: Florida Beach Volleyball Tournament, Hollywood Beach
June 9: Market Pro Computer Show and Sale, War Memorial Auditorium
Through June 10: National Week of the Ocean Sea-son
June 12: Ultimate Fighting Championship, Hard Rock Live
June 12-24: Camelot, Broadway Series, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
June 15-18: Mango Festival, Deerfield Beach
June 16-17: Gay Men's Chorus, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
June 20: Chayanne, Hard Rock Live
June 21-23: The Gizmo Guys, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
June 23: Global Groove, Downtown Hollywood
June 27: Tony Orlando, Hard Rock Live
June 28-July 1: Cuetec Cues Florida Classic, Hard Rock Live
June 29-July1: Go Diego Go, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
June 29: South Florida International Table Tennis Championships, Coral Springs Gymnasium
June 30: Bank of America Fiesta Puerto Rico, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Through July 31: Turtle Walks, Museum of Discovery & Science
Through Aug 12: Got No Strings, Art & Culture Center of Hollywood
Through Aug 18: Art of Asia, Coral Springs Center for the Arts

With all best wishes,

Nicki E. Grossman
President