Super Bowl XLIV Wrap Up
Preliminary statistics show an increase in hotel occupancies and revenues along with a spike in consumer interest. More than 3,000 media from around the world at the Broward Convention Center gave Greater Fort Lauderdale high marks. Coverage of Fort Lauderdale in the media resulted in more than 2,000 printed articles, 900 radio, television and broadcast clips, as well as nearly 19,000 online stories. CVB resources enjoyed a spike in usage, including a record number of visits to the official sunny.org website for the period 1/30-2/8, totaling 79,417, an 8% increase over last year at the same period, and pageviews totaling 233,094 for a 15% increase. In the week leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl, there were more than 1,600 downloads of the new iVisitLauderdale i-phone app and 4,400 entries to the online Pro Bowl contest.
Learn to Dive Month
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is creating a special "Learn to Dive" promotion in June to brand Greater Fort Lauderdale as the "Dive Instruction Capital of America" with the goal of stimulating more dive tourism. The "Learn to Dive" will include a partnership with PADI promoting their online dive instruction program, local dive operators, and hotels for "dive and stay" packages. There is no cost to participate. If you are in the dive industry in Broward, you just need to meet the following requirements: create a dedicated URL landing page that specifically identifies your Learn to Dive offer; create a prominent link to PADI for the option of taking their online dive instruction program; provide incentive of one free graduation dive upon completion of the certification; and if you have a partnership with a hotel for a "Dive and Stay" package, we recommend a link to the property for hotel reservations. The CVB will create a microsite on sunny.org with a link to all "Learn to Dive" participants. We will be advertising in Dive Training and Sport Diver online and in print as well as e-newsletters and using public relations to promote the program. Please contact Jessica Taylor jtaylor@broward.org by Thurs, Mar 4 if you are interested and can meet the criteria for participation.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Showcasing Irish culture through live performance and entertainment, the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Parade and Festival takes place Sat, Mar 13, 11:30am-9pm at the Huizenga Plaza and the Riverwalk/Riverfront area. The parade starts at 2pm and runs along Las Olas Blvd. www.ftlaudirishfest.com
Media Visits
The Greater Convention & Visitors Bureau communications team has been busy hosting two International media groups. Eight journalists from top newspapers, magazine and trade publications in China took a tour of the “Venice of America” aboard a sightseeing tour of the Intracoastal Waterway followed by a brief shopping spree on Las Olas Blvd. and lunch on Fort Lauderdale Beach. In addition, SOLO Magazine, a top fashion and lifestyle magazine in Sweden, visited Greater Fort Lauderdale for a four-page, Spring 2010 fashion photo shoot. The magazine’s editor-in-chief and bloggers toured Greater Fort Lauderdale from the seagrass to the sawgrass with visits to the beach, Everglades, shopping, dining and gaming for editorial features slated to run this summer.
Convention Sales Team Update
The convention sales team recently participated in: Meeting Professionals International Meet Different in Cancun, Association for Convention Marketing Executives – Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, and DMAI Foundation Dinner and Destinations Showcase in Washington, DC.
Catch the sales team soon at these upcoming events and tradeshows:
Mar 2: Professional Convention Management Association – New England Chapter , Boston, MA
Mar 2–4: North Central Florida Meeting Planners Expo
Mar 7–10: ASAE Great Ideas Conference and Sales Calls, Denver, CO
Mar 9–12: Experient EnVision and Sales Calls, Fort Worth, TX
Mar 15–19: GFLCVB Carolina Sales Mission, Charlotte, NC
Mar 18–21: GFLCVB Destination Preview and Florida Derby
Mar 22–25: GFLCVB Chicago Sales Mission, Chicago, IL
Upcoming Convention Sales Missions: Want to join us? Contact the group sales team leader listed.
Carolina Sales Mission (Michele Bemis): Mar 15-18
Chicago Sales Mission (Nora Gorman): Mar 22–25
Houston, TX (Angella Lopez): May 10–13
Mid-Atlantic Region (Christine Tascione/ Dion James): May 11–13
Toronto (Stacy Copeland): May 17-20
Philadelphia, PA (Christine Tascione/ Dion James): June 8–10
Michigan (Stacy Copeland): June 14-18
Chicago and Cubs Event (Nora Gorman): July 19-21
Minneapolis (Stacy Copeland): Aug 9-13
St. Louis (Stacy Copeland): Sept 27-30
Site Florida seeks new members
Membership incentives are being offered for new members through March 31. Once confirmation has been received for your membership with Site Global, listing Florida as your chapter of choice, you will be eligible for a $100 credit on two events you attend through 2010. For questions contact Millie Evans, Membership Chair mevans@allianceincentives.com. For a list of upcoming events check out their newly designed website www.siteflorida.org and the new quarterly newsletter.
March Group Sales Update
Groups meeting in March will generate more than $20 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
Mar 1-7 Investment Centers of America (230 attendees)
Mar 6-14: National Comprehensive Cancer Network 2010 (800 attendees)
Mar 12-19: Money Laundering Alert’s 15th annual Int’l Conference 2010 (785 attendees)
Mar 14-19: 27th Annual Int’l Seminar on Primary & Secondary Batteries (200 attendees)
Mar 17-21: Mary Kay Cosmetics Career Conference (2000 attendees)
Mar 18-21: Top Ladies of Distinction 27th Area IV Conference (400 attendees)
Mar 25-Apr 8: Majestic Tours 2010 (500 attendees)
Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in March, with more than 21,000 competitors plus family and friends:
Feb 28-Mar 3: Major League Soccer Broadcast Meetings (120 attendees)
Mar 5-7: American Twisters Tim Rand Invitational (350 attendees)
March 6-8: USTA Girls 12 Spring Sectional Championships (800 attendees)
Mar 9-13: Women's Pro Combine (400 attendees)
Mar 11-15: Cloverleaf Volleyball Tournament (400 attendees)
Mar 12-14: Super Slam Basketball Tournament (1650 attendees)
Mar 12-15: USA Hockey Adult Hockey Tournament (2600 attendees)
Mar 13-14: Fort Lauderdale Open Beach Volleyball (1000 attendees)
Mar 14-21: BMW Tennis Championship (2500 attendees)
Mar 15-20: Hofball Sunshine Classic (1800 attendees)
Mar 17-21: USA Swim Sectionals Championships (1200 attendees)
Mar 17-21: American College Cricket Spring Break Champs (1300 attendees)
Mar 18-21: Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament - Fisheries Conference (1000 attendees)
Mar 19-21: South FL Challenge Figure Skating Competition (1000 attendees)
Mar 20-22: Sunshine Unlimited Cheer Championship (2200 attendees)
Mar 22-27: Hofball Spring Classic (950 attendees)
Mar 26-28: FDCA State Cheer & Dance Championship (2000 attendees)
Hotel News
Congratulations to Carlos Molinet, GM at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, for being selected as the recipient of the 2009 State Leadership Award from the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association. Carlos will be presented with an award in Washington D.C. on Mar 15
Award-Winning HSMAI Chapter
Congratulations to our own HSMAI South Florida, who received three awards at the HSMAI National Convention in Feb, for best website, best partnerships and best educational programming among other large chapters in the US. The CVB is proud of its long-standing participation with HSMAI, as a sponsor and as members.
Photo Caption: Board members Fernando Harb, Gabriele Gannaway, David Atkins, Stacie Faulds, Judy James
Gaming News
Six poker rooms throughout the state are working together to offer a unique tournament that will feature the largest overall player pool and the largest prize pool in Florida history. The Big Easy Poker Room at the Mardi Gras Casino is the only Broward/Miami-Dade location for “Day One” events (150 players each) set for Sun, Mar 7 & Sun, Mar 14 at 12pm. Mardi Gras Casino is also the site of the taping of the pilot episode of Senior Prom, the country’s first television dating game and senior exhibition for adults 50+ on Wed, Mar 3 from 10:30am-3pm. Gulfstream Park celebrates Florida Derby Month with weekly Mercedes Giveaways. Every Sunday this month, at 9pm, the casino will select five members of the Good Luck Player’s Club for a chance to win a Mercedes Benz. For racing fans, on March 6 stakes races feature the Palm Beach Stakes.
Tourism Sales
In February, Alfredo Gonzalez and Fernando Harb participated in two Colombia sales missionsl. Josh Winston attended the Lehigh Valley International Airport regional sales meeting in Allentown, PA and met with local OSSN Travel Agents to showcase new AirTran service to Greater Fort Lauderdale. Justin Flippen hosted a tour operator from ATI on site visits to Superior Small Lodging properties in Hollywood, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale.
Port Everglades
Port Everglades and SeaFreight Line celebrated the 100th voyage of the MV Stadt Rendsburg from the South Florida seaport on Feb 5. Built in 2004, the 1,100 20-foot-equivalent-unit (TEU) containerized cargo vessel has spent its entire working career homeported at Port Everglades and sailing every three weeks to Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Venezuela, Panama, Trinidad and Jacksonville, FL. Port Everglades is one of the nation's leading container ports and a trade gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean and serves as an ideal point of entry for products shipped around the world.
Good Eats
CHIMA Brazilian Steakhouse wants to help you. Fire up your business with incredible deals for Monday Night Professional gatherings. Utilize their VIP room (5:30pm or 8:30pm) for no exclusivity fee, including av equipment: projector, screen and microphone. Promotion valid for meetings ranging from 25-75 associates, clients, seminar or a networking clubs. Offer good Monday nights only for $37.50pp includes one free glass of Sangria or Fountain Drink, Rodizio, Gourmet Salad Bar, and Dessert choice of Tiramisu, Cheesecake or Keylime pie. Price does not include tax or gratuity. Call 954.867.7200 for availability and more details.
Congratulations to "Team Sidelines," the group of 17 cyclists sponsored by Sidelines Sports Bar, who rode in the recent SMART Ride 6. They were named the Top Fundraising Team for the Ride.
Arthur Stone will be missed
Arthur Stone, founder of the Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, passed away in February. Arthur and his wife Shirley began collecting Packard memorabilia for their museum in the mid-1940's. At the time, Packard was the Rolls Royce of American automobiles. Today the collection represents Mr. Stone's continued love for this unique motorcar and the museum serves as a unique venue for special events.
Congratulations to the 2009 SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards Nominees
For more than 20 years, the GFLCVB has been recognizing outstanding service in the tourism industry with the Courtesy Awards program which encourages hospitality and courtesy among those who directly serve Broward visitors. In December, The Class of 2009, with a 157 nominees, were recognized for their SUNsational Service at a special luncheon held at the Broward County Convention Center. Congratulations to the 12 winners: Robert Bastien, Hotel Driver, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; Angela Catalfamo, Airport Operations Supervisor, Broward County Aviation Department; Jimy Duroscar, Taxi Driver / Inspector, Yellow Cab; Jackie Girardi, Restaurant Server, Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach; George Khoueiri, Banquet Server, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa; Mary Kilroy, Bus Operator, Broward County Transit; Goitom Mengs, Van Driver, Days Inn Hollywood; Patrick Rhone, Executive Concierge, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; William Rivera, Engineer, Holiday Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport; Otto Rizvani, Head Concierge, Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale; Pamela Tyther, Station Agent, Pompano Beach Tri-Rail Station; and Sharon Wildman, Housekeeping Manager, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.
Happenings Around Town
Through Mar 14: Florida Renaissance Festival, Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield Beach
Mar 3: Florida Panthers vs Philadelphia Flyer, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 4: Riverwalk Tribute, River House
Mar 4-6: Barber of Seville, Florida Grand Opera, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 6: Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 6-7: Las Olas Art Fair, Las Olas Boulevard
Mar 6: MIASF’S 33rd Annual Waterway Cleanup, Broward County.
Mar 6-May 8: National Week of the Ocean Sea-son, Fort Lauderdale
Mar 6-7: Off Las Olas Art Show, Stranahan House
Mar 6-7: Quantum Life’s 1st Annual Body-Mind-Spirit & Business Celebration and Expo, Embassy Suites
Mar 6: The Irish Tenors, Parker Playhouse
Mar 6-8: USTA Girls 12 Spring Sectional Championships, Jimmy Evert Tennis Center
Mar 7: SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, Riverwalk, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Mar 7: Taylor Swift, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 9: Kiri Te Kanawa, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 10-14: Cirque Dreams Illumination, Hard Rock Live
Mar 11: Eric Clapton with Roger Daltrey, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 12: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Parker Playhouse
Mar 12-14: Miami City Ballet Program IV, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 12: Michael Buble’ BankAtlantic Center
Mar 13-14: Chipollino – Arts Ballet Theatre, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 13: Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival 2010, Huizenga Plaza
Mar 13: Hillsboro Lighthouse Tour, Sands Harbor Hotel
Mar 13: Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 13-14: Lauderdale by the Sea Craft Festival, A1A & Commercial Boulevard
Mar 13-14: Pridefest 2010, Jaco Pastorius Park, Oakland Park
Mar 13-14: SUDS (Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba) Flea Market, Divers Discount Florida
Mar 14: Disney Live! Rockin’ Road Show, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 14: Diving into Spring, International Swimming Hall of Fame
Mar 16: Aretha Franklin, Hard Rock Live
Mar 16: Florida Panthers vs Washington Capitals, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 16-28: In the Heights, Broadway, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 17-21: Food Fight!, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 18-21: 45th Annual Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament, Fort Lauderdale
Mar 18-21: Dania Beach Marine Flea Market, Dania Jai Alai
Mar 18: Florida Panthers vs Phoenix Coyotes, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 19-21: City Doubles Tennis Championships, Jimmy Evert Tennis Court
Mar 19-21: Quilt Show by the Sea, War Memorial Auditorium
Mar 20-21: 1th Annual Spring Garden Event at Flaming Gardens
Mar 20: A Night of Literary Feasts, Hyatt Regency Pier 66
Mar 20-21: Coral Springs Festival of the Arts
Mar 20: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Mar 20: Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 20: Lit Live! Nova Southeastern University
Mar 21: Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 21: The Chosen Ones, First United Methodist Church of Coral Springs
Mar 23: Carmen – Gold Coast Opera, Miramar Cultural Center / ArtsPark
Mar 23: Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 – Symphony of the Americas, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 24: Southeast Florida Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, War Memorial Auditorium
Mar 25: Lewis Black, Hard Rock Live
Mar 25-28: Disney on Ice, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 26: Second City, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 27: Sandra Bernhard, Parker Playhouse
Mar 28: Jason Bishop, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 29: Florida Panthers vs Nashville Predators, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 31: Gilberto Gil, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
With all best wishes,
Nicki E. Grossman
President
