Happy 4th of July!
End your weekend with a bang. Lots of options abound to celebrate Independence Day. A “Ford” of July Spectacular takes place on Fort Lauderdale beach 11am-9:30pm. Click here for info. Enjoy fireworks displays at: Coral Springs, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale by the Sea, Margate, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Tamarac and Weston. Wear an American flag on July 4 at Billie Swamp Safari on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation and receive a 50% discount. Buy one, get one free admission when you wear red, white and blue July 3-5 at Butterfly World. Visit http://www.sunny.org/july4 for more activities.
Governor Crist Awards Funds to GFL for Tourism Marketing
To help boost tourism business due to any possible negative impact of the BP northern Gulf oil spill, Governor Charlie Crist issued a Memorandum of Understanding awarding $850,000 to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau for Broward County tourism marketing initiatives to be implemented immediately. The plan includes $800,000 for TV spot advertising in key markets throughout the U.S. and Canada, and $50,000 for public relations strategies including satellite media tours, TV promotions, and other live TV broadcasts from Greater Fort Lauderdale beach locations.
Lauderdale Spa Chic
Need a rub? It's almost time for the third annual Lauderdale Spa Chic, September 1-30. Sneak previews begin August 15 at 15 top spas offering treatments for $99 (up to 50% savings). Spa Chic Stays, including spa treatments and overnight accommodations, start at $179. The Atlantic Hotel; Contour Day Spa; Diva’s Day Spa; Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach; Grand Resort & Spa (gay); Harbor Beach Marriott Resort; Hollywood Beach Marriott; Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six; Lago Mar Resort and Club; Residence Inn by Marriott Oceanfront; Planet Massage; The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale; The W Fort Lauderdale; The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale; and The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. For details visit www.sunny.org/spachic.
Calling all Greater Fort Lauderdale Fans
Share a Little Sunshine. Become a fan and post your pictures and captions of Greater Fort Lauderdale from the beaches to the Everglades here: http://facebook.com/floridasunshine and http://facebook.com/VisitLauderdale. The CVB is also looking for webcams to add to http://sunny.org/webcam. Send your webcam link to Stacie at sfaulds@broward.org
Vacation Like a VIP
Visit www.sunny.org/VIP for your "Vacation like a VIP" card and take advantage of dozens of unbeatable "two for one" offers from luxury spas and championship golf to Scuba diving, kayaking, and cultural events, to museums, unique attractions and natural wonders.
Flying High at FLL
Total passenger traffic for the month of May at the Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport was 1,824,674, up 8.8% over May 2009. International traffic was 246,616, up 14.6% over May last year. May marked the 8th consecutive month of positive growth in total passenger traffic and was the second consecutive month of double digit growth in international traffic. The outlook for the summer remains positive. Spirit will operate new and expanded service to Colombia as well as increased domestic service. Delta, JetBlue, and AirTran will also show growth on the domestic side.
Need a Beach-Cation?
For a vacation that breaks some waves without breaking the bank, become a tourist in your own hometown. The GFLCVB has five reasons why this summer is the ideal time for a Broward beach getaway. Click here to find out why. Check out summer billboards on I-595, I-95 and at the BankAtlantic Center.
Learn to Dive Month extended through August
Learn to Dive month has been extended through August with 11 dive operators. Learn to Dive today at: Brownies Yachtdiver Stores, Brownie’s Marine Group, Divers Discount Florida, Dixie Divers of Deerfield Beach, Gold Coast Scuba LLC, Lauderdale Diver, Pompano Dive Center, Private Scuba Lessons.com, Scuba Network, Sea Experience, and South Florida Diving Headquarters. Get a free graduation dive along with a free hotel night stay. Visit www.sunny.org/learntodive for more details.
Saturday Nite Alive
Free on Fort Lauderdale beach: 20 live bands, dozens of street vendors, special parking rates and trolley service. Experience the “Open House Feel” of the hotel resort properties and your favorite Fort Lauderdale beach spots along A1A. Every Saturday night in July from 7-11pm, A1A from The Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel (south) to The Atlantic Hotel (north). Dine at 25 restaurants and outdoor cafes, enjoy cocktails at patio and oceanfront lounges and stroll along the beach with indoor/outdoor entertainment July 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31. www.TheNewFortLauderdaleBeach.com
The Glades
Tune in for the new A&E drama series debut of "The Glades" on July 11 at 10pm. Thirteen episodes are being filmed throughout Broward. Check out the casting call sweepstakes promotion of ‘sunny with a chance of homicide’ now airing for the series launch. Register to meet the cast of The Glades, win a walk-on role and get a free hotel stay at http://www.sunny.org/theglades.
Greater Fort Lauderdale Film Commission
Noelle Stevenson, the new Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Film Commission Director, recently attended the Annual Film Legends Awards in Jacksonville. Noelle and Andrea Voss, Film Permit Assistant, are currently working with productions including: Feature Films: Mud Man, Moons LLC in association with Picture Perfect Productions;Telenovela: Evaluna, Venevision Production; El Fantasma de Elena, Telemundo; TV Commercials: Heineken, Directors Film Company; Polaroid Pop Camera and Sonic Minder, ADS Production Team; Dual Saw, Steve Procko Productions; Zendu Mat by Shakti and Blend Buddy, The Schwartz Group; Rest & Roll, Hutton Miller, Inc., U.S. Coast Guard Water/Boating Safety (psa), PCI Communications; Still Photography: Wal-Mart, KSC Studio; Mount Sinai Annual Report, WAX Communications; and Documentary: Searching For…, Global Content Productions.
Congrats!
Hollywood Beach Broadwalk was named one of America’s Best Beach Boardwalks by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Click here to watch on The Today Show. Thai Spice, in Fort Lauderdale, received the prestigious “5 Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, the only restaurant in Florida to do so. www.thaispicefla.com. Creative Focus Photography & Video was awarded the prestigious South Florida Meeting Professionals International (SFMPI) 2009-2010 “Supplier of the Year” Award. And congrats to Wayne Gales from the Embassy Suites Deerfield on the release of his new novel "Doorstop on a Houseboat in Key West." Click here to order your copy.
Florida Green Lodging
More than 35 properties throughout our destination have earned Florida Green Lodging certification from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, with others awaiting approval of their applications. If your property has been approved, please let us know by emailing kcanter@broward.org so we can update our green page: http://www.sunny.org/greenbroward.
Convention Sales Team Update
The convention sales team recently participated in the following: GFLCVB Philadelphia Sales Mission, PCMA Education Summit in Montreal, SFMPI Chapter Leadership Conference, International Gay & Lesbian Travel Assn Annual Meeting in Antwerp, Belgium, and Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association Annual in New Orleans. Catch the sales team at these upcoming events and tradeshows:
July 8–12: Greater Fort Lauderdale Destination Preview and SITE Summer Splash
July 20–22: Chicago Cubs Client Event and Sales Mission, Chicago
July 20–23: FSAE Annual Meeting, Naples
July 21–23: DMAI Annual Meeting, Hollywood, FL
July 24 – 28: MPI World Education Conference, Vancouver, Canada
Upcoming Convention Sales Missions: Want to join us? Contact the group sales team leader listed.
Fort Lauderdale Destination Preview/Site Summer Seminar: July 8-11
Chicago Cubs Event (Nora Gorman): July 19-21
Minneapolis (Stacy Copeland): Aug 9-13
Atlanta Sales Mission (Michele Bemis): Sept 20-24
DC Area Cirque du Soleil Client Event (Sally Slater/Dion James): Sept TBD
St. Louis (Stacy Copeland): Sept 27-30
IGLTA Annual Convention
Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl, along with Tourist Development Council Vice Chair Richard Gray attended the 2010 IGLTA Annual Convention in Antwerp last week. At the trade show, Keith Blackburn of Mary’s Resort joins Richard Gray and convention sales manager Stacy Copeland to promote Greater Fort Lauderdale’s hosting of the 2011 IGLTA International Conference themed “Lauderdale Unleashed" next May.
July Group Sales Update
Groups meeting in July will generate more than $15 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
July 6-11: Christian Life College 2010 Conference (300 attendees)
July 10-18: Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools & Colleges 2010 Annual Conference (229 attendees)
July 14-21: National Contract Management Association 2010 World Congress (725 attendees)
July 17-25: International Association of Convention & Visitor DMAI 2010 Annual Convention (700 attendees)
July 23-28: Florida Sheriff’s Association Annual Conference (300 attendees)
July 24-31: Youth on Mission Ministry 2010 Convention (800 attendees)
July 25-31: Electrical Engineering Society 2010 Symposium (2,000 attendees)
July 29-Aug 4: NATCO, The Organization for Transplant Professionals 2010 Annual Meeting (450 attendees)
July 30-Aug 6: National Funeral Directors & Morticians Annual Convention (600 attendees)
Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in July, with more than 27,000 competitors plus family and friends:
Through July 3: Summer Softball Classic (2000 attendees)
Through July 3: AAU Taekwondo Youth & Adult Championships (5800 attendees)
July 1-10: AABC 16U Age Division Qualifier - Mickey Mantle (500 attendees)
July 3-5: SF State Championships (Coral Springs) (2800 attendees)
July 7-24: Nations Florida Regional Championship (1100 attendees)
July 7-10: AABC 18U Age Division Connie Mack Qualifier (400 attendees)
July 8-11: AABC 12U Age Division Tournament - Pee Wee Reese (450 attendees)
July 9-11: AAU Gold Coast Classic Showcase (1050 attendees)
July 9-13: IAAF/USA Track & Field International Classic – NACAC (800 attendees)
July 10-12: Fort Lauderdale Publix Family Fitness Weekend (600 attendees)
July 15-19: AABC 18U Age Division Connie Mack Tournament (400 attendees)
July 15-22: Junior US Open Judo Championships (500 attendees)
July 15-20: Rising Stars Summer Showcase (4500 attendees)
July 16-20: Big League Baseball Regional Tournament (1200 attendees)
July 18-25: USTA National Boys 14 Clay Court Championships (975 attendees)
July 22-26: AABC 16U Age Division Tournament - Mickey Mantle (350 attendees)
July 24-26: Summer Recreation Swim Meet (550 attendees)
July 24-26: Fort Lauderdale Juniors Beach Volleyball Championship (1100 attendees)
July 26-31: Nations Florida High School State Championships (1000 attendees)
Super Bowl Economic Impact Study
According to the 2010 SB XLIV / Pro Bowl Market Analysis & Economic Impact Investigation Final Report, the direct, induced, indirect economic injection in the host community from the staging and execution of the 2010 Pro Bowl Game/Events was $99,318,023; Miami-Dade realized $20,751,712; Broward experienced a direct impact of $24,470,227 and Palm Beach, a direct impact of $13,374,659. The total economic injection in the host community from the 2010 Super Bowl Game/Events was $234,295,086; The direct economic impact on Miami Dade was $39,616,033, the direct impact on Broward was $57,584,734 and Palm Beach experienced a direct impact of $12,167,782. 39.5% of those who came by “air” arrived at FLL, with 34% flying into MIA, which is a change in the ranking for airport destination choice from 2007 where MIA was preferred over FLL. 40.7% stayed in Broward while attending SB XLIV Game and auxiliary Events, 28% in Miami Dade and 8.6% in Palm Beach.
Tourism Sales
In June, Alfredo Gonzalez represented GFL on a sales mission to Scandinavia/Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Fernando Harb began the month at the HSMAI retreat in Cape Coral and he also attended the Sister Cities Presentation in Medellin, Colombia, as well as Florida Select in Mexico. Josh Winston attended CLIA’s Cruise 3Sixty Trade Show and Conference in Vancouver, BC.
New at Sawgrass Mills
The Outlet Store-Bloomingdale’s is slated to open fall/winter 2010 at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills. This open-air promenade area at Sawgrass Mills recently expanded, adding more outlet stores such as Canali, Giorgio Armani General Store, Tag Heuer, Tommy Bahama’s Outlet, True Religion Brand Jeans and Tumi.
Gaming News
No-limit poker is now legal in all Florida poker rooms. Also, starting July 1 enjoy longer hours with higher stakes at the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park’s new poker room. Open Sun-Thurs, 9am-3am; and Fri-Sat, 24 hours. www.theislepompanopark.com
HSMAI Luncheon, July 21: How the marine industry impacts hospitality
Join HSMAI at Bahia Mar Beach Resort for a panel discussion with the board of the Marine Industry Association of South Florida, including John Stephens, President and Gordon Connell, Director of Association Services. Learn how the marine industry affects South Florida tourism, the Gulf oil spill, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and the Waldorf Astoria project. Raffles include Boat Show tickets: www.hsmaisouthflorida.org.
Happenings Around Town
Through-Sept 30: Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Vacation Like a VIP 2-for-1 Summer Deals, www.sunny.org/vip
Through July 3: AAU Taekwondo Youth & Adult Championship, Broward County Convention Center
Through July 14: Moonlight, Sea Turtles and You! Museum of Discovery & Science
Through July 25: The Drowsy Chaperone, Stage Door Theatre
Through Aug 20: Summer Theatre Camp, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
July 1: Disney's The Jungle Book Kids, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Saturday Nite Alive, Fort Lauderdale Beach A1A
July 4: 4th of July Extravaganza in Lauderdale by the Sea
July 4: Fireworks Spectacular, off A1A and Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale Beach
July 4: Hometown Fourth of July, Hollywood
July 4: SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, Riverwalk, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
July 6-7: Aventura, Hard Rock Live
July 7: Annie Jr., Broward Center for the Performing Arts
July 8-10: Disney’s Beauty and The Beast Junior, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
July 9-10: 2010 NPC Southern States Fitness, Figure & Bikini and Bodybuliding Championships, War Memorial Auditorium
July 9-11: NACAC 2010 – Under 23 Championships, Ansin Sports Complex, Miramar
July 14: Annie Jr., Miramar Cultural Center / ArtsPark
July 15: Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, Hard Rock Live
July 15-20: Rising Stars Summer, Davie
July 15-17: Disney’s Beauty and the Beach Junior, Miramar Cultural Center / ArtsPark
July 16: Wade's Groove Comedy Jam, Hard Rock Live
July 16-18: Florida Marlins vs Washington Nationals, Sun Life Stadium
July 17: Ron White, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
July 17-18: South Florida Bike Expo, War Memorial Auditorium
July 18-25: USTA Boys 14 National Clay Court Championships, Jimmy Evert Tennis Center
July 19-22: Florida Marlins vs Colorado Rockies, Sun Life Stadium
July 21: Summerfest 2010 - Symphony of the Americas, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
July 22: Shop, Dine, Win, Village at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach
July 23: Beres Hammond featuring Inner Circle, Hard Rock Live
July 23-25: Florida Marlins vs. Atlanta Braves, Sun Life Stadium
July 24: The Fab Faux – World’s Greatest Beatles Tribute Band, Parker Playhouse
July 24-25: Buckler Craft Fair, War Memorial Auditorium
July 29: Disney's Cinderella Kids, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
July 29: Happy Together Tour – 25th Anniversary, Hard Rock Live
July 31-Aug 1: Inspiracion Flamenca, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
With all best wishes,
Nicki E. Grossman
President
