Lauderdale Shop Chic
To kick off the season of giving, the first annual Lauderdale Shop Chic starts November 1 and will run through November 26. Special discounts are being offered at The Galleria in Fort Lauderdale and Neiman Marcus Last Call at the Colonnade Outlets in Sunrise. Open to visitors and residents, visit www.sunny.org/ShopChic to request your free re-shoppable bag and Shop Chic discount card. Guests who book a hotel stay during this time on sunny.org will also receive a "pamper pouch" with pink beach towel, flip flops, and Shop Chic card.

In other shopping news
For the first time-ever, Sawgrass Mills will open its doors at 12am on Fri, Nov 28 to give shoppers a real boost on their holiday shopping, with an emphasis on value.  Shop Sawgrass Mills during this premier 21 and a half-hour Black Friday shopping event from 12am to 9:30pm.

Post Election New York Times ad
To generate interest in travel south to Greater Fort Lauderdale and build brand awareness, look for a half-page color ad which will run in the main news section of the New York Times on Nov. 5. With a photo of a donkey and an elephant on the beach sitting under a red white and blue beach umbrella.  “There’s one thing all Americans can agree on, it’s time for a getaway.” Now that you've voted, exercise your right to relax.

SAVE THE DATE: SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards
Join us on Thursday, December 4 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 by clicking here. Please submit nomination forms no later than Friday, November 7.

SUNsational Service Training
This fast-paced interactive class is designed to help us reach our goal of outstanding service for every citizen and visitor in Broward County. Click here for the 2009 Training Schedule

Dine Out Lauderdale
Two more weeks remain to experience the culinary greatness in Greater "Fork" Lauderdale. Through November 14, 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. Special charity event at Lola's Harrison: on Thursday, November 13, from 5-7pm, Lola's will donate $10 from each Dine Out Lauderdale purchase to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Visit www.sunny.org/dineout for participating restaurants and their Dine Out menus.

Dinner and a Movie
After dining at any of the participating Dine Out Lauderdale restaurants, foodies can enjoy one of the scores of films at the 23rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival for only $5, when presenting a dinner receipt for that evening. As an added bonus, American Express card members can present their receipt from a Dine Out Lauderdale participating restaurant and receive buy one get one FREE glass of wine at Cinema Paradiso screenings. The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival runs through November 11.

Lauderdale Spa Chic extended through December 19
Book your $99 spa treatments today at five of Broward’s top spa resorts:  The Atlantic Resort & Spa, Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach Resort (excludes Sat), Grand Resort & Spa (gay), Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, and The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Visit www.sunny.org/spachic for details.

Tourism Sales Update
GFL tourism sales participated in ABAV (Brazilian Association of Travel Agents), considered the major event of the Latin American travel and tourism industry focused on the trade. This Fair of the Americas annually attracts more than 700 exhibitors from 40 countries and some 25,000 trade professionals, approximately 9,000 of whom are travel agents.

Upcoming Media Visits
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the weekly Canadian travel show “The Hospitality Guide,”  November 2-7.

Multiculturally Speaking
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes Michael Baisden and HOT 105 for a live national radio simulcast at Gulfstream Park November 4. Albert Tucker will also be hosting a kickoff party for the National Organization of Black State Legislators Conference December 12-13 in Washington DC.

Award-Winning Team
The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, along with M. Silver Associates public relations, proudly received the 2008 Society of American Travel Writers’ Award for Most Creative Special Event for the first-ever destination pop-up store in New York City in 2007.

Convention Sales Team Update
The convention sales team has showcased GFL to The Hyland Group, National PTA, Florida Airports Council, Duke Clinical Research Institute, American Society of Civil Engineers, Top Ladies of Distinction, United Methodist Church and Sunquest Meetings & Incentives. The sales team was recently in Williamsburg, VA for PCMA Chapter Leadership Event, Palm Beach Gardens for Hospitality Industry Golf Organization (HIGO) Ladies Classic – PGA National, Atlanta for Meeting Quest Tradeshow and Sales Calls, Tallahassee for Tallahassee Society of Association Executives (TSAE) Education Day, Birmingham, AL for Meetings Industry Ladies Invitational (MILI), Orlando for  World Religious Travel Expo, New York for the New York Sales Mission, DC for Hyland Group Bureaufest and they attended the LIMRA Conference at the Westin Diplomat in Hollywood.
Catch the sales team soon at these upcoming events and tradeshows:
Nov 9-11: Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) CDME, Providence, RI
Nov 12: American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Partnership and Leadership Summit, Weston
Nov 12: PCMA Midwest Chapter – Bowl-a-thon, Chicago, IL 
Nov 13: Association Forum’s CEO Roundtable, Chicago, IL
Nov 15-19: VISIT FLORIDA’s Florida Encounter, Ponte Vedra
Nov 17–19: Starwood Hotels & Resorts East Coast Rendezvous, Hollywood
Nov 19–22: Meeting Masters, Pinehurst, NC

Mini-Fams
In October, the CVB Group team conducted a “mini-fam” during which 16 planners and guests were invited to enjoy area activities, accommodations at the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel & Yacht Club, dinner at China Grill, the performance of Hairspray at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and a sumptuous breakfast. This successful format of hosting small groups of 15-30 group and convention planners will continue every few months.  We will partner with various properties in the area to showcase our accommodations and facilities.  If you are interested in partnering with the CVB on one of these already scheduled dates, please contact Christine Tascione at the CVB at (954) 767-2466 or ctascione@broward.org.

Future 2009 Mini-Fam dates currently scheduled:
Jan 22–25: In conjunction with events and performance of Mamma Mia
Mar 26–29: In conjunction with 58th running of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park
June 26–29: In conjunction with events and performance of Stomp, accommodations at Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale

November Group Sales Update
Groups meeting in November generate more than $50 million to Broward County. Sample groups include
Nov 4-10: Professional Opticians of Florida 2008 (210 attendees)
Nov 6-9: Infinite Grace 2008 (15,000 attendees)
Nov 6-16: Global Sales Forum – 2008 (500 attendees)
Nov 9-13: Ceridian (300 attendees)
Nov 10-20: NITL/AANA 2008 Annual Convention/Transcomp (2,500 attendees)
Nov 11-17: Yoga Journal 2008 Conference (200 attendees)
Nov 21-22: Olivia 2008 Western Caribbean Cruise (300 attendees)

Going Green
Congratulations to the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel and Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport for becoming Certified Green Lodging Hotels. The Florida Green Lodging Conference, "Being Green, Saving Green & Making Green," will be held at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, November 10-12. This conference will help hoteliers take the mystery out of going green and presents the business case of how helping save the environment will boost your bottom line. www.FloridaGreenLodgingConference.com

Plan.It.Green
As our local hotels become certified by the Florida Green Lodging program, the GFLCVB is turning those milestones into reforestation for Broward County Parks to reestablish native plantings and green buffers to help offset the carbon footprint that results from the many aspects of visitors in our area. The GFLCVB is requesting hotels a make a minimum $500 financial donation to Broward County Parks to help this Green Broward initiative at Markham Park and take a seed of an idea and grow into a flourishing success for all who live, work, play and visit here.

Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in November, with 15,000 competitors plus family and friends:
Nov 7-10: Orange Bowl Cheer and Dance (2500 attendees)
Nov 10-14: World Recreation Fishing Conference (700 attendees)
Nov 13-16: Women's Invite NOVA SE (300 attendees)
Nov 13-16: Youth Soccer Qualifier (2000 attendees)
Nov 14-16: 13.1 Marathon-Road Race Managers of America Meeting (1000 attendees)
Nov 14-16: Danone Soccer World Cup Event (250 attendees)
Nov 14-16: 200BTU - Bonefish Tarpon Unlimited (400 attendees)
Nov 20-Dec 1: ODP Youth Soccer Devt (2500 attendees)
Nov 23-26: Thanksgiving Classic NOVA SE (1000 attendees)
Nov 26-30: Thanksgiving Volleyball Invite (2500 attendees)
Nov 28-30: US T20 Cricket Tournament (250 attendees)
Nov 28-30: Hurricane Showdown (850 attendees)

Sports Hall of Fame Auction Donation
Save the date for the 2008 Broward County Sports Hall of Fame honoring Broward's sports legends, Tuesday, December 2 at the Broward County Convention Center. As always, we will kick off the festivities with a cocktail reception and silent auction. We hope you can help us make the auction a success by donating a certificate or prize package. Please contact Saskia Fisher, sfisher@broward.org, to donate an item.

Hotel News
This election day, November 4, partygoers wearing “I voted” stickers will receive drink specials and complimentary tapas at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. The Election Escape Soirée will be held on the resort’s Sunrise Terrace overlooking the ocean from 6-10pm. The Grand Resort and Spa (gay) is offering very special people a very special deal. Stay a minimum of 2 nights during selected dates and receive 30% off your room as well as 30% off any massage, body scrub, body wrap or facial. The Coral Springs Marriott Hotel, Golf Club & Convention Center welcomes Jenny McGuiness as their new Sales Manager. The Trump welcomes Sherry Serio as their new Director of Sales & Marketing. LXR properties welcomes new Area Director of Sales & Marketing, Mari Garcia. Il Lugano welcomes their new General Manager, Michael Weber. And the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is pleased to announce the appointment of Brittany Ecalono as their Resort Sales Manager. 

SAVE THE DATE: South Florida Industry Holiday Party
Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 4 at Xtreme Indoor Karting in Fort Lauderdale, for the annual industry-wide holiday party that benefits the Search Foundation and St. Jude's Children's Hospital. The "Industry in Wonderland" features open bar, foods and desserts, entertainment, raffle prizes and more. Register early for discounted admission: www.southfloridaindustryholidayparty.com  

Bet on it
This November, over $500,000 in giveaways are guaranteed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. November 13 is NASCAR Rocks Ford Racefest and is free to the public. The casino also has Classic Rockers Club exclusively for Player’s Club members age 55+ with free slot tournaments on Tuesdays in November. $50,000 King of the Rock Slot Tournament, on Monday, November 3 with up to $1,000 weekly cash prizes awarded each tournament day and grand finale on Monday, Nov 10. Crack the Code $1,000,000 Giveaway on Wednesdays in November, Thursdays, November 6, 13 and 20 and Fridays, November 7, 14 and 21 with cash prizes of up to $100,000. Four chances to win $100,000 each event day. Grand finale on Friday, November 28 to win up to $1,000,000. Win an Aston Martin DB9 Volante on Tuesdays and Saturdays this November. $6,000 in prizes at your favorite concerts in November. Redeem your Player’s Club points for free slot play on Wednesdays and Thursdays in November.

Airport Ground Transportation Project
A progress meeting has been scheduled in the Broward County Aviation Auditorium on Thursday November 6 at 10am. This briefing will preview the Request for Letters of Interest (RLI) from firms qualified to provide Management of the Ground Transportation Program and taxi dispatch services at the Airport.

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines knows the importance of not nickel and diming customers each time they fly.  That is why Southwest is committed to low fares with no hidden fees-what you see is what you pay.  When you book a ticket on Southwest, be prepared not to pay a fee for your first or second bag.  Additionally, you won’t pay a fee to sit in the window or aisle seat, to check your bags curbside, to make your reservation over the phone, to change your reservation or even a fuel surcharge fee.  As always, snack, sodas, and smiles are all complimentary.   The next time your travels take you to the skies, know that you can count on Southwest Airlines to provide high quality air travel at a low fare, without a lot of extra fees. For more details, please visit www.southwest.com/nohiddenfees.

Port Everglades News
The arrival of Holland America Line's ms Eurodam, the first of the new Signature Class vessels, marks the beginning of a busy inaugural cruise season for Port Everglades. Through November, Port Everglades will welcome five of the cruise industry's eight new-build cruise ships.  Other new cruise ships joining the Port Everglades fleet this season include: Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess, Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice, Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Splendor, and Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas. In addition, several cruise ships will be sailing for the first time from Port Everglades, including Princess Cruises' Tahitian Princess, MSC Cruises' Orchestra and Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Freedom, which will be sailing year-round from Port Everglades.

Good Eats
Todd English comes to Greater Fort Lauderdale! da Campo Osteria opens November 13 at the il Lugano Hotel & Residences on the Intracoastal. Chef Johnny Vinczencz of Johnny V Las Olas will add casual and less expensive to his repertoire when he opens Smith & Jones Bar and Grill on Las Olas Blvd. November 12. Sidelines Sports Bar was named “Best Casual Bar” and “Best Place to Go Out by Yourself” by South Florida Blade.  Sublime Restaurant offers a Thanksgiving prix-fixe menu on November 27. Mai-Kai Polynesian Restaurant announces Ladies Night on Fridays from 5-7pm, with 50% off appetizers and two-for-one drinks. The Isle Buffet at The Isle Casino and Racing at Pompano Park  presents new specialty buffets with daily themes including Tour of Italy, Good Home Cookin' and Local Flavors with a Latin Flair.

Visimap Publishing
The Fort Lauderdale Visitor’s Map & Guide is extending special discounts to businesses interested in reaching visitors during the 2009 winter season. Please contact Anina Venuti at (305) 491-7709 for details and please mention the CVBuzz.

Daytona Beach Travel Industry Days
If your travels take you to Daytona, go to www.daytonabeachcvb.org for more information. The Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau is offering industry-only specials on restaurants, attractions and accommodations -- as well as a free, downloadable coupon book with $500 in discounts for the Daytona Beach area. 

Billy Joel kicks off the new year with a new tour
Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino presents Billy Joel on Friday, January 2. The concert, part of a limited number of engagements in selected cities this winter, will be Joel’s first in North America since his record-breaking and critically-acclaimed “Last Play at Shea” at New York’s Shea Stadium this past July.

Happenings Around Town
Through Nov 3: 49th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Through Nov 11: Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Through Nov 14: Dine Out Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale
Through December 19: Lauderdale Spa Chic, Greater Fort Lauderdale
Nov 1-26: Lauderdale Shop Chic, Greater Fort Lauderdale
Nov 5: World Extreme Cagefighting: Faber v. Brown, Hard Rock Live
Nov 5: Michael W. Smith, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 6: Led Zeppelin – Zeppelin One, Paradise Live
Nov 6-Mar 23, 2009: Coming of Age: American Art 1850s to 1950s, Museum of Art / Fort Lauderdale
Nov 7: The Ant and The Elephant, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 7: Puddle of Mudd with Ashes Divided, Tempered and Red, Pompano Beach Amphitheater
Nov 7-8: Led Zeppelin – Zeppelin One, Paradise Live
Nov 7-9: American Indian Arts Celebration, Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation
Nov 7-9: Miami City Ballet, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 8: Broward Farm Bureau Day, Pompano Citi Centre
Nov 8: FAU Football vs University of North Texas, Lockhart Stadium
Nov 9: Coldplay, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 9: Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp, Hard Rock Live
Nov 11: Celtic Thunder, Sawgrass Live presented by BankAtlantic
Nov 11: Warrior’s Boxing Presents Boxing Live Hard Rock Live
Nov 11: Secondhand Serenade, Revolution Live
Nov 12: Fallin’ for Jazz, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 12: Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 12: Rachel Price, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 12-16: 2008 WPBA Championship, Hard Rock Live
Nov 13-16: Fiestas Patronales, Pines Recreational Center Park
Nov 12-23: The Soul of Gershwin: The Musical Journey of an American Klezmer, Parker Playhouse
Nov 13: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 14: Broadwalk Friday Fest, Hollywood Beach
Nov 14: Florida Panthers vs. Detroit Red Wings, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 14: Riverwalk Get Downtown!, Fort Lauderdale
Nov 14: FAU Football vs University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Lockhart Stadium
Nov 14-15: Comedy Club: Featuring Roz, Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Nov 15-16: Fort Lauderdale Marine Flea Market, War Memorial Auditorium
Nov 15: Hollywood's Battle of the Bands, ArtsPark at Young Circle, Hollywood
Nov 15: Sarah Brightman, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 15: Mannheim Steamroller, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 16: 13.1 Marathon™, Fort Lauderdale
Nov 18: The Doobie Brothers, Hard Rock Live
Nov 18-30: Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 20-30: Broward County Fair, Fort Lauderdale Stadium
Nov 21: Charlotte’s Web, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 21: My Trip Down the Pink Carpet, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 22-23: Lauderdale By The Sea Art and Craft Show
Nov 22-23: Cinderella, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 24: Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 25: Coming to America, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nov 26: 2K Sports Bounce Tour feat. Q-Tip & The Cool Kids, Revolution Live
Nov 26: Florida Panthers vs. New Jersey Devils, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 26: Madonna, Dolphin Stadium
Nov 28: Broadwalk Friday Fest, Hollywood Beach
Nov 28: Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers, BankAtlantic Center
Nov 28-30: The 14th Annual Hurricane Showdown (gay), Fort Lauderdale
Nov 28-30: US T20 International Cricket Tournament, Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill

With all best wishes,

Nicki E. Grossman
President