Year-End
Numbers
In
2006, an estimated 10.35 million people visited Greater Fort Lauderdale - a
2% increase over 2005 - bringing with them a collective economic impact of $8.76
billion to a destination where tourism accounts more than 112,000 jobs. Bed
tax collections were at an all-time high, as the total of $39,343,847 represents
a 7.3% increase from 2005, the destination's previous best. In addition, Greater
Fort Lauderdale's 73.5% hotel occupancy outpaced the state-wide average of 65.8%.
Greater Fort Lauderdale posted an average daily rate of $114.26 for 2006, a
13.6% jump from then-record 2005 figures. January 2007 occupancy came in at
73.9% (- 9.9%) from 2006, while ADR is up 12.7% at $148.48. Bed
tax collections (unaudited through Feb 26, 2007) are reported at $4,296,154,
down 2.2% from 2006.
GFL
Goes Golden at HSMAI Adrian Awards
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and
its public relations agency, the New York-based M. Silver Associates, were awarded
three gold "Adrian Awards" by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing
Association International (HSMAI) at the 17th Annual Adrian Awards Gala. The
CVB received honors for its outstanding promotion of Broward County to consumer,
lifestyle and travel trade media. The next HSMAI Southeast Florida chapter event
takes place at La Paloma restaurant on March 21 at 6pm.
Superior
Small Lodging Update
Join the GFLCVB in welcoming Donna Boucher of the Manta Ray Inn, Hollywood Beach,
as 2007 president of the Superior Small Lodging program in Broward. The SSL
program was born in Greater Fort Lauderdale and has grown into a national collection
of properties with 50 rooms or less that are distinguished by their friendly
ambience and personalized service. This year, 70 Greater Fort Lauderdale hotels
are part of the SSL program. The next SSL meeting is March 28 at the GFLCVB
office at 8:30am. All properties with 50 rooms or less are invited. Annual inspections
will once again take place in May. For details, contact Kim Canter, kcanter@broward.org.
Forbes
Ranks GFL in Top Ten Best Cities for Jobs
Fort Lauderdale jumped from No. 25 to No. 9 this year in Forbes' list of best
cities for job seekers. "While the construction industry isn't generating
as many jobs as it was two years ago, tourism is still hot, especially with
the dollar weak compared to the euro."
New
Sports Venue Guide
The CVB has produced a new Sports Venue Guide featuring information on all major
facilities, parks and venues throughout Broward. In addition to the 20,000-seat
BankAtlantic Center, Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to three aquatic complexes,
more than 200 soccer fields, 180 softball fields, 65 golf courses, 364 bowling
lanes, five sheets of competitive ice, and more than 800 tennis courts.
Convention
Sales Update
Groups
meeting in March generate more than $20 million to Broward County, and include:
Mar 1-10: Association of the United States Army
Mar 10-17: National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Mar 13-18: Lumbermen’s Merchandising Corp
Mar 16-26: Money Laundering.com & Laundering Alert
Mar 22-28: Snack Food Association
Mar 24-28: B.J.'s Wholesale Club
Mar 26 - Apr 1: American Medical Directors Association
Mar 28 - Apr 2: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)
Sport
Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in March,
with $8 million in estimated economic impact:
Mar 2-May 1: Italian Soccer Federation, 300 participants
Mar 3-5: FITA Regional Indoor Archery Championships, 300 participants
Mar 3-11: Int'l Air Traffic Controllers Hockey Tournament, 500 participants
Mar 8-11: USA Speedo Sectional Swim Championships, 1200 participants
Mar 9-11: Coral Springs BMX State Qualifier, 1500 participants
Mar 9-11: FITA State Archery Championships, 480 participants
Mar 11-18: BMW Tennis Championships, 100 participants
Mar 11-14: Major League Soccer Meeting, 100 participants
Mar 17-19: Spring Super Series, 300 participants
Mar 22-25: Twisters Gymnastics, 750 participants
Mar 23-25: Florida State Cheer & Dance Championships, 2250 participants
Mar 26-30: Hofball Sunshine Classic, 1000 participants
Mar 30 -Apr 1: Jr Olympic Regional Diving Championships, 600 participants
Mar 30 -Apr 1: JAMfest Cheer and Dance, 1000 participants
The
Cure for the Summertime Blues
Swim with the fishes, flutter among butterflies and explore the real
Greater Fort Lauderdale with “Summer of Discovery” special offers.
Greater Fort Lauderdale
invites vacationers to go beyond the ordinary summer vacation, with unforgettable
experiences to delight, thrill, soothe. From June 1 through September 30, visitors
can experience the “Summer of Discovery” promotion filled with nearly
30 special two-for-one activities from boating and nature to arts and entertainment
throughout the destination. Visitors can learn to scuba dive, go deep-sea fishing,
golf or get pampered at a spa. More than one million dollars in advertising
and public relations supports the Summer of Discovery campaign---radio, billboard,
newspaper, online and magazine. A big thank you to our 28 partners for participating
in the program. www.sunny.org/summer
Catch
the Sun Trolley
Ride the trolley from the beach to downtown Fort Lauderdale for 50
cents. Trolleys run every 10 minutes Thursday and Friday evening and all day
Saturday and Sunday from Fort Lauderdale beach to the downtown Riverwalk Arts
& Entertainment District. There's also a downtown Fort Lauderdale loop and
Convention Center route. www.suntrolley.com
or call (954) 761-3543.
Preparing
Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
Visit http://www.oaha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html
to download a 25-page report.
Film
Festival Announces 2007 Season
The Fort Lauderdale Film Festival will run October 19-November 11, 2007, and
was recently recognized by MovieMaker magazine: "...it seems clear that
the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival will continue to top itself
each year and maintain its reputation as one of the most expansive fests around."
Hotel
News
Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa celebrated its
grand opening on Feb 22. All aspects of a $100 million renovation are now fully
complete, including 501 British Colonial-style guestrooms, extensive meeting
space, two elegant restaurants, two cafes, a chic lobby bar adn the addition
of a Red Door Lifestyle Spea by Elizabeth Arden (the only destination lifestyle
spa in the Red Door portfolio).
W Fort Lauderdale Hotel opens their showroom at The Gallery at BeachPlace.
Happenings
Around Town
Baltimore Orioles Spring Training, Fort Lauderdale Stadium: weekends
in March
Florida Panthers Hockey, BankAtlantic Center: Mar 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 28, 30
Through Mar 11: Florida Renaissance Festival, Quiet Waters Park
Mar 8-10: The Kinsley Sicks, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 9-11: Miami City Ballet, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 10: Bosnia Fest, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Mar 10: Get Back! Beatlemania, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Mar 10-11: Pridefest, War Memorial Auditorium
Mar 11: St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival, downtown Hollywood
Mar 13-25: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Broward Center
for the Performing Arts
Mar 16: Paul Anka, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 17-18: Arts Park in Hollywood grand opening
Mar 17-18: Coral Springs Festival of the Arts, The Walk on University Drive
Mar 19: Tony Danza, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Mar 21-25: Fort Lauderdale International Auto Show, Broward Convention Center
Mar 26: The Who, Hard Rock Live
Mar 30: Chuck Mangione, Parker Playhouse
Mar 31: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park
Mar 31-Apr 1: JamFest Nationals, Broward Convention Center
Through April 15: Cradle of Christianity: Jewish and Christian Treasures from
the Holy Land
Through May 1: Chicano Visions: American Painters on the Verge, Museum of Art
Fort Lauderdale
With all best wishes,
Nicki E. Grossman
President
