Happy 2010
A special thank you to our hospitality community as we say bid farewell to 2009 and focus on 2010. It's an absolute pleasure to work with each of you, and absorb your friendly warmth and energy. We look forward to working together, united, as we make a splash in the year ahead.

There’s An App For That!
Visitors can now enhance their stay by downloading the iVisitLauderdale free iPhone app to search deals, explore restaurants and activities. Download the app now and check your free listing. If you have any questions, please contact Francine at fmason@broward.org

Bringing the Beach to the Big Apple
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau’s "Sunny in the City" tour is scheduled in January throughout the Big Apple to attract winter-weary New Yorkers to our sunny shores. The new giant 5,000 sq ft wrap-around billboard is now up in Times Square. Giant sunny.org pink flip flops on taxi tops are visible around town. "Win a Week of Warm and Comfy Car Service in Manhattan" contest provides a work-week of commutes within Manhattan via a warm and comfy branded SUV (compliments of the GFLCVB). New Yorkers can enter at www.sunny.org/freeride Jan 4-11. A parade of vehicles including the Greater Fort Lauderdale Beach Mobile and a fleet of SUVs wrapped in beach scenes is touring the city visiting popular tourist attractions and landmarks, as well as major events such as the New York Boat Show. Street teams will hand out free prizes and collateral with scan tags so consumers can register for contests instantly on the spot. All promotions and activities will be supported by media exposure, including television and radio advertising, an online campaign on nytimes.com, TimeOut New York, print ads in the New York Times Travel section, email blasts in conjunction with Condé Nast Traveler and other media partners, plus public relations activities. A Beach Chic getaway with JetBlue and the Atlantic will be promoted on NYC television and online.  Another JetBlue Vacation to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach is being promoted at www.sunny.org/win as well as in print.

Countdown to The Big Games
Greater Fort Lauderdale is gearing up for the Pro Bowl on Jan 31 and Super Bowl XLIV on Feb 7 at Dolphin Stadium. Super Bowl is back in South Florida for a triumphant tenth time in its 44 year history. For a list of upcoming events throughout Broward related to the games visit www.sunny.org/superbowl.

Taste of the NFL
Greater Fort Lauderdale is proud to host the Taste of the NFL, a Super Bowl Party with a Purpose (hunger relief) on Feb 6.  We would like to showcase our area with a strong presence by providing compelling auction items from the community: hotel stays, dinners, spa treatments, and more. Please forward your auction item information by Jan 21 directly to Taste of the NFL, 5100 Eden Avenue #103, Edina, MN  55436. For details, please contact Sue Bostrom with Taste of the NFL at suebostrom@aol.com.

Deerfield Beach
Congratulations to Deerfield Beach, known for its cove-like beach that’s perfect for families, where you can build sandcastles and play in the subdued waters, for being chosen by Bora Bora Travel as one of the “Top Ten Beaches in The World.” Click here to read about the Top Ten Beaches in the World.

Valentine’s Day promotion
To attract out-of-market visitors looking for romance, we invite you to create special romantic packages or special romantic offers like spa treatments for two, wine pairings or other creative ideas. We will promote your offer to national travel and lifestyle media. The offers will be featured on sunny.org as well. Please send your special offer to Jessica Taylor jtaylor@broward.org by Jan 15.

Broward County Creates New Artificial Reef
The 92nd artificial reef constructed by Broward County, was created using 900 tons of limestone boulders and is located approximately three-quarters of a mile off the north end of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in 40 feet of water on sand bottom. The reef is configured into 12 randomly positioned small patches between 15 and 20 feet across with a minimum spacing of 100 feet.

World Class Thoroughbred Returns
World class thoroughbred racing returned to South Florida Jan 3 with the beginning of Gulfstream Park's premier winter racing season. Live racing will run Wed through Sun until April 24. Post time is 1:15pm. On Jan 9, Gulfstream will present the Gulfstream Park Sprint Showcase, a blockbuster day of five stakes races for the fastest sprinters. In addition to world-class winter thoroughbred racing, Gulfstream Park also boasts year-round simulcasting, genuine Las Vegas-style slots, Royal Match 21 Electronic Blackjack, Electronic Roulette, no-limit poker, live entertainment, and a wide array of dining options at Ten Palms and Christine Lee’s.

Hotel News
The Diplomat properties have now been merged into one destination, the official new name is The Westin Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa. Last month The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale had their grand opening and ribbon cutting. Along with the Westin, The Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel welcomes back David Wahba as the Complex Director of Sales and Marketing. The Hampton Inn & Suites in Miramar also had their grand opening in December. The Sun Tower Hotel & Suites recently opened their oceanfront terrace restaurant, Sand Bar & Grill, located directly on the sand of Fort Lauderdale Beach. Happy times 2 for 1 each night between 5-7pm. Bring in your business card or mention "In the Biz" and receive a special discount. www.suntowersuites.com.

Convention Sales Team Update
The convention sales team recently participated in: EIBTM in Barcelona, Spain, National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners in Daytona Beach, International Association of Exhibitions and Events Expo!Expo! in Atlanta, Association Forum’s Holiday Showcase in Chicago, and CVB Reps Annual Holiday Event in Washington, DC.
Catch the sales team soon at these upcoming events and tradeshows:
Jan 9–13:Professional Convention Management Association Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX
Jan 13–14: Visit Florida Marketing Council Meeting, Ponte Vedra, FL
Jan 12–15: Health Care Exhibitors Association Summit, Philadelphia
Jan 19: AMPS Annual Meeting, DC
Jan 19–22: Northern California Meeting Professionals International Annual Meeting/Tradeshow, San Francisco
Jan 26–28: GFLCVB New York Sales Mission
Jan 26–29: Religious Conference Management Association, Fort Worth, TX
Upcoming Convention Sales Missions: Want to join us? Contact the group sales team leader listed.
Tallahassee (Michele Bemis): Jan 19–21
New York Sales Mission (Christine Tascione): Jan 26–28
Carolina Sales Mission (Michele Bemis): Mar 15-19
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
Minneapolis (Stacy Copeland): Aug 9-13
St. Louis (Stacy Copeland): Sept 27-30

January Group Sales Update
Groups meeting in January will generate more than $15 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
Jan 11-18:         Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition 2010 (2,200 attendees)
Jan 14-23:         2010 ISET International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (1,500 attendees)
Jan 18-28:         Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting & Exhibition (2,500 attendees)

Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in January, with more than 31,500 competitors plus family and friends:
Through Jan 12:74th Annual College Swim Forum (1500 attendees)
Jan 1-6:             FedEx Orange Bowl (8000 attendees)
Jan 3-12:           National Soccer Coaches Recertification (1100 attendees)
Jan 8-10:           Women's Hockey Tournament (1500 attendees)
Jan 8-11:           Jr Winter Championships - Rising Stars (3800 attendees)
Jan 8-13:           Major League Soccer Combine (2000 attendees)
Jan 11-18:         International Sportsfest (500 attendees)
Jan 14-16:         High School Wrestling Championships (1100 attendees)
Jan 15-17:         FL Jr. Panthers Martin Luther King day Tournament (1000 attendees)
Jan 18-23:         Mapleleaf Soccer Classic (350 attendees)
Jan 22-24:         FL Lacrosse Classic (500 attendees)
Jan 23-30:         USA Football Classic (300 attendees)
Jan 24-31:         Pro Bowl (8000 attendees)
Jan 24-Feb 1:    NFL/USA Football (USA vs International) (800 attendees)

2010 Sports Appreciation Reception
Join the Greater Fort Lauderdale Sports Department in celebrating the success and business that sports bring to our destination at a special reception at 6:30pm followed by the Florida Panthers vs Washington Capitals game at 7:30pm on Jan 13. RSVP by Jan 6 to Saskia Fisher sfisher@broward.org.

Tourism Sales
In December, Alfredo Gonzalez and Fernando Harb along with our “immersadome” attended the Luxury Travel Expo in Las Vegas. Josh Winston met with revenue managers from ten Broward properties to review HSMAI University’s “Economic Recovery and the Role of Revenue Management” webinar to discuss industry trends.   

The Plane Facts: FLL News
Total passenger traffic for November 1 was 727,556 (up 3.6% over November 2008). FLL to New York is the busiest air route in terms of passenger traffic in the U.S. with more than 8,260 daily passengers from NYC according to the US Department of Transportation date. Representing 18.3% of FLL’s domestic passengers. Traffic in and out of FLL to New York tops routes in and out of Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago O'Hare, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Las Vegas, Tampa, and Boston to the three major airports in the NY area, in that order.

Port Everglades
A new electronic sign program at Port Everglades is helping guests better find their way to their cruise ships. New custom-designed Variable Message Signs have been installed at the Port's 11 full-time cruise terminals and two parking garages. Larger signs greet guests at Port Everglades' three main entrances, providing ship names and cruise terminal locations in a rotating format. Static, color-coded way-finding signs are also being installed throughout the Port to supplement the electronic signs.

It’s Official:  A1A Receives Florida Scenic Highway Designation
The 23-mile corridor that runs from Deerfield Beach to Hallandale Beach is now a Florida Scenic Highway. Criteria to qualify for the Florida Scenic Highway designation includes that the highway corridor "must tell a story" of the region and that the corridor must exhibit "significant, exceptional and distinctive features.” Designated scenic highways are identified on local, state and federal maps.

Tourism Crisis Management Leadership Workshop
Hear what leaders have to say about being prepared and what happens when you are not! Learn the four phases of tourism crisis management planning: Reduction, Readiness, Response and Recovery. Get a template to build your Tourism Crisis Management Plan. Jan 24–26, 2010 at the UF Hilton Hotel and Conference Center in Gainesville, FL. Register at www.tourismcrisis.com.

Florida Renaissance Festival
Seen by more than one million people in South Florida, the 16th Century production features more than 100 costumed performers, 12 stages with continuous entertainment and more than 20 stage acts from around the world. Celebrating its 18th year, the world-renowned festival now features five themed weekends starting Feb 13 through Mar 14. www.ren-fest.com.

Happenings Around Town
Through Jan 10: Light Up Lauderdale, downtown Fort Lauderdale
Through Jan 17: Phantom of the Opera, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Through Feb 7: American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale
Through Mar 22: With You I Want To Live, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale
Jan 5: 76th Annual FedEx Orange Bowl National Championship, Dolphin Stadium
Jan 9: Glenn Miller Orchestra, Parker Playhouse
Jan 9: Jazz Concert Series, Miniaci Performing Arts Center
Jan 9: The “World Famous’ Lipizzaner Stallions, BankAtlantic Center
Jan 13: Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals, BankAtlantic Center
Jan 13: Jazzin’ Elvis – Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Gold Coast Jazz, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Jan 13: HSMAI luncheon aboard Celebration Cruise Line in Port Everglades
Jan 14: Foreigner, Hard Rock Live
Jan 16: Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightening, BankAtlantic Center
Jan 16: Groovaloo, Parker Playhouse
Jan 16: Hillsboro Lighthouse Tour, Sands Harbor Hotel
Jan 16-17: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, Hollywood
Jan 18: Florida Panthers vs. Atlanta Thrashers, BankAtlantic Center
Jan 20: Paul Anka, Hard Rock Live
Jan 20-24: Capitol Steps, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Jan 21: Mariah Carey, Hard Rock Live
Jan 22-24: Miami City Ballet, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Jan 23: Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, BankAtlantic Center
Jan 23-24: 2010 Broward Shell Show, Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, Pompano Beach
Jan 23-24: CanadaFest 2010, Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
Jan 25: 16th Annual Conine All-Star Golf Classic
Jan 26: Die Fledermaus, Gold Coast Opera, Miramar Cultural Center / ArtsPark
Jan 26: Florida Panthers vs. Montreal Canadiens, BankAtlantic Center
Jan 27-31: Girls Night: The Musical, Parker Playhouse
Jan 29: Celebrity Pros vs Joes, Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood
Jan 30: Elon Gold: Half Jewish, Half Very Jewish, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Jan 30: Legends of Baseball Game, Fort Lauderdale Stadium
Jan 30: Omega XL® Caring for Kids Day, Esplanade Park, Fort Lauderdale
Jan 30: Super Saturday in the Street, Hollywood
Jan 30: Strikeforce MMA, BankAtlantic Center
Jan 31: 2010 Pro Bowl, Dolphin Stadium
Jan 31: Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders, BankAtlantic Center
Jan 31: Houston Symphony – The Planets – An HD Odyssey, Broward Center for the Performing Arts

With all best wishes,

Nicki E. Grossman
President