Nicki E. Grossman named Tourism Diva
The Rainbow Alliance, the 56+ member gay and gay friendly lodging and hospitality organization, presented a gift of appreciation to Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, for her role in promoting Greater Fort Lauderdale as a gay friendly destination and new brand image of a sophisticated, cosmopolitan vacation destination offering world-class cultural events, year-round recreation, fine dining, and first-rate entertainment.

Good as Gold Among Gay Readers: Fort Lauderdale and Royal Palms Resort Take Top Spots in 2007 OutTraveler Reader's Choice Awards
Bolstering its reputation as a top destination for gay travelers, Fort Lauderdale has been named "Favorite Gay Resort Town" in the 2007 OutTraveler Readers' Choice Awards. In addition, Royal Palms Resort was chosen as the "Favorite Gay Resort/Guesthouse."

September bed tax numbers are in
Broward County unaudited bed tax collections for September 2007 were $1,999,094, an increase of 4.1% over 2006.

SAVE THE DATE: SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards
Join us on Thursday, Dec 6 for the annual holiday-themed Courtesy Awards luncheon at the Broward Convention Center, as frontline hospitality employees are recognized for going above and beyond and providing superior guest service. Nominate someone now by clicking here.

Fort Lauderdale's A1A Marathon Voted Best Race
Citylink Magazine has named the A1A Marathon best race in South Florida. The 2008 race takes place on Feb 18 and begins at SW 2nd Street in Fort Lauderdale, heading east to the beach, then up to Pompano Beach.

Florida Mandates Use of "Green" Hotels
Florida Governor Charlie Crist has mandated that state-sponsored meetings and conferences be held at state-certified green hotels whenever possible, beginning January 1. Crist's order has sparked a race among hotel operators to become certified by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's green lodging program. More than 45 Florida hotels and resorts have become certified under the program. The program, which was created in 2004 as a pollution-prevention measure, is charged with helping the state's lodging facilities implement ways to conserve water, reduce waste, improve air quality and save energy. Interested in becoming a Green Property? For details on how to join the Florida Green Lodging Program: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/ Or email jtaylor@broward.org for assistance.

DINE OUT LAUDERDALE
There are two more weeks left to experience the culinary greatness in Greater "Fork" Lauderdale. Through November 15, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with American Express, presents Broward's top 35 restaurants offering three-course dinner menus for $35. Visit www.sunny.org/dineout for participating restaurants and their Dine Out menus. If you would like to print out copies of the Dine Out flyer for your guests, click here to download a PDF.

In other restaurant news
Pazzo's Cucina Italiana and Lounge celebrates its grand opening on SE 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Sidelines Sports Bar in Wilton Manors was selected as Best Happy Hour and Most Friendly Bar by the readers of Express Gay News.

Central Broward Regional Park Opens November 9
The long-awaited Central Regional Park, in Lauderhill, will open on Friday, Nov 9. The 110-acre multi-purpose includes a circular, lighted multi-purpose main event field with 5,000 covered seats and additional seating for 15,000 spectators; four lighted soccer/football fields that can also be used as two cricket fields; tennis and basketball courts; an aquatics complex (opening in 2008), a boat rental facility, pavilions, a nature trail and two large, covered playgrounds. The main field is expected to host sporting competitions, concerts and other special events.

Kid-Friendly Greater Fort Lauderdale
The GFLCVB is partnering with KidFriendlyOnline.net on Visit America's Visit Fort Lauderdale, a program of descriptions written by students from another state who will be interviewing local hospitality businesses. They will describe Greater Fort Lauderdale as a Kid-Friendly Florida destination and the program is a learning exercise for students and an opportunity for family travel. The writing program is followed up by the "GrandKid Travel" program where students and their grandparents will actually visit Greater Fort Lauderdale to explore the places they've written about. The organization expects 25-50 grandparent/grandkid teams (approx. 100-200 new visitors) to visit Fort Lauderdale during "GrandKid Travel," April 18-20, 2008. The weekend will incorporate a treasure hunt of sorts that will get the participants physically into your business to retrieve clues, plus, other opportunities to explore the area. Any discounts offered will be passed along to the participants and their grandparents. Expect an e-mail or a call from the folks at KidFriendlyOnline.Net

Tourism Sales Update
The Tourism Sales department will participate in the following November shows: NTS Road show, New Jersey/New York/Connecticut, Nov 5-9; HX Media, Washington, DC, Nov 5-7; Incentives & Meetings International Leadership Summit, Dublin, Ireland, Nov 7-11; World Travel Market, London, Nov 12-15; South Florida Travel Expo, Fort Lauderdale, Nov 16-18; FIT Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov 17-20; EIBTM, Barcelona, Spain, Nov 27-29; Leisure Travel Conference (Formerly Cruise-A-Thon), Fort Lauderdale, Nov 29-Dec 1

Upcoming Media Visits
This month, the PR department welcomes media from "Fernweh" German TV, Nov 6-9 to shoot a feature about Greater Fort Lauderdale; press fam trip at Ocean Sands Resort, Nov 2-5, including Peggy Sijswerda, Tidewater Women, Juan Dunlap, Global Woman Magazine, Nick Sveslosky, Fido Friendly; Ed Salvato, Out Traveler; and Delta Skys Fam, Nov 29-Dec 1. Jessica Taylor heads to London for World Travel Market media as well.

November Convention Sales Update
Groups meeting in November generate more than $30 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
Nov 1-4: Veterinary Cancer Society Annual Conference
Nov 2-9: International Bullying Prevention Association
Nov 4-9: Transamerica Reinsurance Latin America
Nov 5-9: ADC Telecommunications Global Sales Forum
Nov 6-8: Digital Technology Show
Nov 6-12: American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management Workshop
Nov 11-16: ABA 2007 Conference
Nov 13-16: Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers
Nov 13-19: MLM Meeting
Nov 15-17: National Money Transmitters Convention
Nov 18-22: International Gospel Industry Retreat
Nov 26-30: Farm Credit Association
Nov 26-Dec 3: Travel Trade Productions' Leisure Travel Conference

Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in November, with 27,650 competitors plus family and friends, for $23.9 million in economic impact.
Nov 2-5: Body Building Championships (950 attendees)
Nov 10-11: FITA Archery Field Championships (800 attendees)
Nov 11-13: Orange Bowl Cheer Competition (7,000 attendees)
Nov 16-24: FLA Youth Soccer Qualifier (3,000 attendees)
Nov 17-24: U.S. National Soccer Seminar (3,600 attendees)
Nov 19-24: Jr. Panthers Thanksgiving Tournament (1,400 attendees)
Nov 21-26: Plantation Eagles Classic (3,400 attendees)
Nov 23-25: 2007 Women's Softball Showdown (5,000 attendees)
Nov 23-25: Hofball Thanksgiving Classic (2,500 attendees)

Hotel News
The Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach opened its doors last week, adding 261 rooms and expanded guest amenities. The Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach is also now open, with 311 rooms and meeting space along the Intracoastal Waterway. Extended through November 15, a group of Superior Small Lodging properties and gay-owned guesthouses will offer a special promotion for 4th night free. Visit www.sunny.org/ssl and www.sunny.org/rainbow for participating hotels.

Pelican Grand Beach Resort granted child's wish
On October 18, the Pelican Grand Beach Resort, in partnership with Kids Wish Network, granted a wish for Cody, a 12-year old boy with spina bifida, whose wish was to meet Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Cody received VIP treatment at the Pelican, which hosted this special and heartfelt dream-come-true.

More ways to win at The Isle Casino & Racing
The Isle Casino & Racing at Pompano Park offers more ways to win cash and a luxury car in November. Every Sunday in Nov, drawings will be held at the top of every hour from 2pm-6pm, with a total of 52 winners every week taking home between $250 and $5,000 in cash. On Weds, IsleOne cardholders can play slots and earn gifts. On Fri, Nov 23, one lucky IsleOne cardmember will win a MBW 328i convertible. Renowned band Bruce in the USA will perform a Bruce Springsteen tribute on Sat, Nov 10. On Sat, Nov 24, Led Zeppelin tribute band Zoso performs.

Classic Car Show Expands
The South Andrews Business Association presents the 6th Annual Holiday Classic Car Show & Street Fair on Sat, Dec 1 on South Andrews Ave, between Davie Blvd and SW 17th St in downtown Fort Lauderdale. New this year are boats and marine flea market, with antiques, classics, vintage, customs, hot rods, trucks and more on display. For information, visit www.cruisinsouthflorida.com

South Florida Hospitality Industry Holiday Party
Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 6 for the "Denim & Diamonds" South Florida Hospitality Industry Party, 6pm at Revolution in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Major associations, including HSMAI, SITE, MPI and ISES will be participating. Save $15 by registering before Nov 16 at www.southfloridaindustryholidayparty.com

The Plane Facts: FLL News
Business travelers have ranked Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport in the top 10, according to the latest Conde Nast Traveler's annual business travel awards. September 2007 total traffic was up 13.0% as 1,402,914 passengers traveled through the facility. Domestic traffic was up 9.8%, and International traffic was up 44.5%. Spirit adds service to Aruba and Freeport in November and American begins service to Port Au Prince, Santo Domingo, and San Jose in December. Domestic traffic will also continue to grow. JetBlue will begin service to Buffalo, Syracuse and Ponce, PR in November. Spirit will also begin Ponce in November, and Skybus Airlines begins new service to Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point area of North Carolina in Jan.

Allegiant Air New Service
FLL welcomes Allegiant Air to the family of low-cost carriers with direct services to regional markets. New, nonstop service to FLL includes:
Allentown, PA, begins Nov 14; Greensboro, NC, begins Nov 14; Greenville, SC, begins Nov 15; Knoxville, TN, begins Nov 15; Huntington, WV, begins Nov 16; Plattsburgh, NY, begins Nov 16; Triad (Tri Cities, TN), begins Dec 12; Chattanooga, TN, begins Dec 13; Peoria, IL, begins Dec 13; Rockford, IL, begins Dec 14; Fort Wayne, IN, begins Dec 14. Visit www.allegiantair.com

Happenings Around Town
Through Nov 15: Dine Out Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale
Nov 2-3: Rum Zacapa Golf, Diplomat Country Club, Hallandale Beach
Nov 2: The Village People, Gulfstream Park
Nov 2-4: The Australian Festival, C.B. Smith Park
Nov 3: Southern State Bull Riders Finals, Davie Pro Rodeo
Nov 4: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise
Nov 4: SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, Riverwalk Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Nov 5: Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 6-11: Judy Gold in 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, Broadway, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Nov 8-Dec 2: Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 8-11: American Indian Arts Celebration, Big Cypress Seminole Reservation
Nov 9: Blue October with Yellowcard, Shiny Toy Guns & Lovedrug, Pompano Beach Amphitheater
Nov 9: Florida Panthers vs. Atlanta Thrashers, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 9: Riverwalk Get Downtown!, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Nov 9-12: Fall Home Design & Remodeling Show, Broward County Convention Center
Nov 10: FAU Football vs. Arkansas St., Lockhart Stadium
Nov 12: Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 13: Nestor Torres, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 14: Bonnie Raitt, Hard Rock Live
Nov 14: Marvin Hamlisch, Parker Playhouse
Nov 15: 3rd Annual Comedy Kickoff, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 15-18: Fiestas Patronales, Pembroke Pines Recreational Center
Nov 15: Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 17: Melissa Etheridge, Hard Rock Live
Nov 23: Florida Panthers vs. NY Rangers, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 26: Wynonna - A Classic Christmas, Hard Rock Live
Nov 27: Christmas on Las Olas
Nov 29: Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 29-Jan 27: Native Art Now, Art & Culture Center of Hollywood
Nov 29-Dec 23: Talk Radio, Mosaic Theatre
Dec 1: 6th Annual Holiday Classic Car Show & Street Fair, Fort Lauderdale

With all best wishes,

Nicki E. Grossman
President