Sunsational Service Courtesy Awards
We hope to see you Thursday, December 2 for the annual holiday-themed Courtesy Awards luncheon at the Broward County Convention Center, as frontline hospitality employees are recognized for going above and beyond and providing sunsational guest service.
36 Hours in Fort Lauderdale
This past Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Nov 28, the Sunday NY Times featured this full page travel article on the new Fort Lauderdale. Click here to read "36 Hours in Fort Lauderdale."
Light Up Lauderdale
Enjoy the holiday themed promenade of lights along the Riverwalk Park and through Fort Lauderdale’s business, cultural, entertainment and historical districts now through Jan 14. Click here for more info. We invite you to submit your holiday events, offers or packages to kcanter@broward.org. Holiday offers are highlighted at http://sunny.org/holidays.
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
This year's boat parade on Sat, Dec 11 sets sail from the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The staging area starts the parade route west of Broward Center for the Performing Arts, past Esplanade Park stretching to Las Olas Riverfront, then traveling east from Sailboat Bend to connect along the Intracoastal Waterway and continue north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. On board the Grand Marshal Showboat, the
Floridian Princess, 400 passengers along with this year's Grand Marshal, Brooke Burke. Receive $2 off adult grandstand admission with Visit Lauderdale promo code: WFT10SUNNY. www.winterfestparade.com
World’s Largest Cruise Ship Has Arrived!
Royal Caribbean’s The Allure of the Seas sailed into Port Everglades last month. Click here to watch the video. Port Everglades, the cruise ship capital of the world, welcomes 15 cruise
lines and more than 50 cruise ships. With the second of Royal Caribbean’s
5,400-passenger Oasis-class ship, Allure of the Seas, offering year-round
weekly sailings, and a new long-term agreement with Carnival Corporation,
Port Everglades is poised to continue to be a top port of call for cruisers.
Four other newly built cruise ships debuted at Port Everglades this season:
Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam, Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn
Sojourn; and Cunard Line’s new Queen Elizabeth, arrives January 2011. And,
P&O Cruises has three cruise ships calling at Port Everglades for the first
time, the new Azura, Aurora, and Ventura (January 2011).
Cruise Port of the Year
Seatrade Insider, one of the world's foremost cruise industry trade publications, named Port Everglades "Port of the Year" during the 2010 Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards ceremony at the historic l' Opera House in Nice, France. The accolade is awarded to a port authority or port management company that has made significant improvements to its handling facilities and cruise-tourism infrastructure over the past 12 months. Port Everglades competed for the award against the ports of ABP Southampton and Le Havre, France.
Flying High at FLL
FLL offers new or increased nonstop service to 46 domestic and international destinations for the winter of 2010-11.
Allegiant celebrated their 1st flight between Savannah, GA (SAV) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) this past month. American Airlines went back to New York with two daily flights to JFK and Southwest started Phoenix and Hartford service in November. Continental will begin daily nonstop flights to Chicago O'Hare and Denver International in February 2011. Condor offers three flights per week from Frankfurt, Germany beginning April 2011. JetBlue has added nonstop service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) as well as service from Hartford, CT. And Spirit Airlines starts service from Dallas, TX; Charleston, WV; Latrobe, PA; Niagara Falls and Plattsburgh, NY.
Media Central
The GFLCVB communications department hosted more than 45 journalists for pre- and post-cruise stay experiences, including media attended the Allure of the Seas inaugural cruises. We hosted writers from the West Coast, UK and Ireland, plus domestic and international journalists for the Seabourn Sojourn press trip. Along with Alfredo Gonzalez, Jessica Taylor attended World Travel Market in London and met with several dozen writers based in the UK, Ireland and Europe. She also co-hosted a group of Russian-based A-list writers for a yacht tour and dinner in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Upcoming press trips in December include a Canadian Press Trip to showcase Greater Fort Lauderdale, as well as several individual press visits from pre-post-cruise media.
Greater Fort Lauderdale Film Commission
Current productions in the works include: Feature Films: Jack and Jill, Columbia Pictures; TV Series: True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, Discovery Studios; HGTV’s My First Sale (Pompano Beach, Pembroke Pines, and Sunrise); Designing Spaces, O2 Media; Four Weddings, Kirkstall Road Enterprises; The Balancing Act, O2 Media; Reality TV Series: MADE – Emma Pagano, New Remote Productions, Inc. / MTV Networks; Telenovela: Alquien Te Mira, Telemundo; El Fantasma de Elena, Telemundo; TV Commercials: The Magic Mat, O2 Media; Hydroxicut, Iovate Health Science, Inc.; The American Eagle Kids, LEW Productions; Winn Dixie, Blue Bridge Productions Documentaries: Allure of the Seas Arrival at Port Everglades new pool feed, Outthink, LLC; Allure of the Seas, RTL-TVI, Belgium; Allure of the Seas, Striscia la Notizia; and Music Video: Soldier in Blue, Yeoville Productions.
Multiculturally Speaking
Greater Fort Lauderdale will host the 2011 National Association of African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) in October 2011 and the 2015 Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) annual conference June 6-9, 2015.
Tourism Sales
In November, Alfredo Gonzalez, along with Stacy Copeland, attended the Santa Claus Parade Event in Toronto, Canada, where the Beachmobile traveled through the streets. Alfredo also attended FIT in Buenos Aires and World Travel Market in London. Fernando Harb and Josh Winston attended the DEMA Tradeshow in Las Vegas. Josh also attended NACTA in San Diego and conducted the AVC FAM at the Seminole Hard Rock. Justin Flippen showcased the destination to a Visit Florida Chinese travel industry representatives.
Convention Sales Team Update
The convention sales team recently participated in the following: Chicago Area Sales Mini-Blitz, ASAE Educational Program in DC, Florida Encounter in Miami Beach, GFLCVB Post-Florida Encounter FAM, ASAE Healthcare Conference in Chicago, and Meeting Masters in LaQuinta, CA.
Catch the sales team at these upcoming events and tradeshows:
Dec 5–7: SFMPI Annual Board Meeting, Naples
Dec 7–9: IAEE- Expo! Expo! New Orleans
Dec 14: Assn Forum’s Holiday Showcase, Chicago
Upcoming Sales Missions Want to join us? Contact the group sales team leader listed.
Tallahassee Sales Mission (Michele Bemis): Jan 10-14
MPI Northern California Chapter Annual and Sales Calls (Elena Gladstone): Feb 9-11
Minneapolis/St. Paul (Stacy Copeland): Feb 14-17
North Central FL Meeting Planners Expo, Gainesville (Michele Bemis): Feb 28-Mar 2
Carolina Sales Mission (Michele Bemis): Mar 28-Apr 1
Mid-Atlantic Sales Mission (Sally Slater, Dion James): Apr 5-7
Milwaukee Sales Mission (Nora Gorman): Apr 17-19
ASAE & The Center’s Springtime in The Park (Sally Slater): Apr 28
Dallas Sales Mission (Angella Lopez): May 9-13
Philadelphia Area Sales Mission (Steve Aird, Dion James): June 6-10
Omaha/ Iowa/ Kansas City Sales Mission (Stacy Copeland): June 6-10
Seattle & Portland Sales Mission (Elena Gladstone): June 14-17
Fort Lauderdale Mini-Tradeshow at Chicago Yacht Club & Sales Calls (Nora Gorman): July 11-13
MPI World Education Congress Tradeshow and Meeting, Orlando (Christine Tascione, Sally Slater): July 23-26
St. Louis & ASAE Client Event (Stacy Copeland, Nora Gorman, Sally Slater): Aug 7
HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National, DC (Dion James): Sept 7-8
St. Louis Sales Mission: Sept 19-21
New York Sales Mission (Steve Aird): Oct 10-14
IMEX America (Christine Tascione): Oct 11-13
Atlanta Sales Mission (Michele Bemis): Oct 17-21
Association Forum’s Holiday Showcase, Chicago (Nora Gorman): Dec 13
Mark Your Calendar for these 2011 Group Sales Missions/Destination Previews: Mar 17-20; May 19-22*; July 14-17*; Oct 20-23. *These dates are currently tentative. Hotels and specific arrangements for the itinerary are currently in progress for all of these previews for next year. Details of our 2011 calendar of tradeshows, sales missions and previews were sent out in early November to hotel Directors of Sales (and Marketing). If you need another copy of the documents, visit www.sunny.org/partners.
December Group Sales Update
Groups meeting in December will generate more than $2.5 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
Dec 2-5: Larry Legends Golf Classic (200 attendees)
Dec 2-15: Consumer Specialty Products Association Annual Meeting (600 attendees)
Dec 3-6: Financial Centre Manager Meeting (120 attendees)
Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in December, with more than 32,500 competitors plus family and friends:
Dec 1-7: Master Swim Meet (800 attendees)
Dec 2-4: Larry Little Legends Golf Classic (200 attendees)
Dec 2-4: FL Panthers Squirt Showdown (300 attendees)
Dec 3-5: FL USAG Level 5/6 State Championships (350 attendees)
Dec 3-5: US Cricket Open (2400 attendees)
Dec 9-12: Dixie Amateur, Senior Division (300 attendees)
Dec 9-12: National Soccer Fest (800 attendees)
Dec 11-13: CSSC County Swim Championships (100 attendees)
Dec 12-19: Guad-Training Camp (USA/Chile/Can/Ireland) (400 attendees)
Dec 13-Jan 18: Winter Training - Coral Springs Aquatics (2500 attendees)
Dec 16-22: Kreul Classic (1000 attendees)
Dec 17-21: Dixie Amateur (500 attendees)
Dec 17-20: MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic (1000 attendees)
Dec 19-23: 3rd Annual South FL Holiday Shootout (350 attendees)
Dec 20-24: Holiday Soccer Fest (800 attendees)
Dec 25-Jan 5: Discover Orange Bowl (10,000 attendees)
Dec 26-31: Sunshine Wrestling (500 attendees)
Dec 26-30: Orange Classic Girls Soccer Tournament (6000 attendees)
Dec 26-Jan 1: College Swim Forum (2500 attendees)
Dec 27-30: Hofball Christmas Classic (800 attendees)
Dec 28-31: Citrus Wrestling (650 attendees)
Dec 29-Jan 3: Dixie Amateur, Women's Division (400 attendees)
Industry News
Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi is launching a new route to Hollywood this winter, connecting Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. Sawgrass Mills announced the addition of a 140,000 square foot retail expansion of popular name brands opening mid-2012. Prada will open its first Florida luxury outlet store during Dec 2010 at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills. Sun Trolley has a new route for Las Olas and A1A routes, currently running Fri-Sun. Click here for more info. Blue Moon Outdoor Center takes over as concessionaire at John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, specializing in events and guided tours for groups. www.bluemoonmiami.com. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites is now offering a brand new golf package with Inverrary Country Club. For more info click here. To get "Inn Sider" information to the Fort Lauderdale History Center, click here. PRA Southeast Florida presents a new venue location in Fort Lauderdale to hold your events. Click here to find out about the The Pirate Republic Bar's package.
Congrats
Congratulations to the AutoNation® IMAX® Theater, located at the Museum of Discovery and Science, for becoming one of the world’s first official “Certified Giant Screen” cinemas based on specifications developed by the Giant Screen Cinema Association. www.mods.org
South Florida Hospitality Holiday Party
December 14 marks the annual hospitality industry party, hosted by The Village at Gulfstream Park, at The Walking Ring at Gulfstream Park. This industry-wide charity event will feature food and drink, entertainment, raffle prizes and more from 6-9pm. http://www.southfloridaindustryholidayparty.com.
New Online Hospitality Service Training
Hospitality Excellence is now offering a 3D online service course with a GFLCVB exclusive member offer rate. Click here to view the demo.
Happenings Around Town
Through Dec 5: Broward County Fair, Pembroke Pines
Through Dec 26: Holiday Carriage Rides, complimentary, Village at Gulfstream Park
Through Dec 31: Symphony in Lights, Village at Gulfstream Park
Through Dec 31: Garden of Lights, Flamingo Gardens
Through Jan 2: Holiday Fantasy of Lights, Tradeswind Park
Through Jan 14: Light Up Lauderdale, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Dec 2-4: Turandot, Florida Grand Opera, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 2-Jan 8: Winter Wonderland, Plantation Historical Museum
Dec 3: Red Bull Wake of Fame, Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex
Dec 4: The Chocolate Nutcracker, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 4: Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade, Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
Dec 4: Winterfest Black Tie Ball, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Dec 4: The Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus - "Home is Where the Heart Is," Parker Playhouse
Dec 5: An Enchanted Christmas - present by Ballet Ouvert, Miramar Cultural Center
Dec 5: SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, Riverwalk, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Dec 5: Leslie Jordan, Deck Them Halls Y'all, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 7: Florida Panthers vs. Colorado Avalanche, BankAtlantic Center
Dec 8: South Florida Chassidic Chanukah Festival, Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino
Dec 8: Christmas by the Sea, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Dec 9: Yuletide on Atlantic Parade and Celebrations, Pompano Beach
Dec 9: Andre Rieu, BankAtlantic Center
Dec 9-12: Dixie Amateur Championship Seniors, Heron Bay
Dec 10: Hallandale Beach Holiday Carnival, Village at Gulfstream Park
Dec 10: Joe Bonamassa, Hard Rock Live
Dec 10-11: Free Family Fun Day, Chronicles of Narnia, Regal Sawgrass Stadium 23
Dec 10-12: The Nutcracker, Miami City Ballet, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 11: Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Dec 11: Y100’S Jingle Ball 2010, BankAtlantic Center
Dec 12: Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade
Dec 14: Behind the Mast, Florida Sunshine Pops, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 15: Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes, BankAtlantic Center
Dec 15: Huey Lewis and The News, Hard Rock Live
Dec 17: Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres, BankAtlantic Center
Dec 17-19: Cats, Broadway, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 17-19: Steve Solomon - My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish - And I'm Home for the Holidays, Broward Center
Dec 17-19: The Nutcracker, presented by Ballet Etudes, Miramar Cultural Center
Dec 17-22: Hawk Kreul Classic, Coral Springs Gymnasium
Dec 18: MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, BankAtlantic Center
Dec 18-19: The Nutcracker, Parker Playhouse
Dec 19: Parkland 5 Mile Holiday Run, Pine Trails Park
Dec 26-30: Orange Classic Int’l Girls Soccer
Dec 27: Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins, BankAtlantic Center
Dec 28-Jan 9: Rock of Ages, Broadway, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 30: Lewis Black, Hard Rock Live
Dec 31: Florida Panthers vs. Montreal Canadiens, BankAtlantic Center
Dec 31: The Beach Boys, New Year's Eve Concert, Hard Rock Live
Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Downtown Celebration, Fort Lauderdale
With all best wishes,
Nicki E. Grossman
President
