Happy Birthday Fort Lauderdale!
This month, Fort Lauderdale celebrates 100 years of sandy beaches, turquoise waters and warm hospitality. To commemorate Fort Lauderdale's Centennial, celebrate with a weekend of upcoming events: Saturday, March 26, Centennial BeachFest, from Las Olas Boulevard to The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, takes place from 8pm-midnight with free music, street performers, and fireworks at midnight. And on Sunday, March 27, there will be a free, family-friendly event with live entertainment on the Riverwalk from 12-8pm. Click here for more info.
January Numbers
Greater Fort Lauderdale experienced the highest hotel occupancy rate (75%) in the state of Florida in January. The Florida average was 59%, and the US average was 47.7%.
Year-End Stats
Outpacing the rest of Florida, Greater Fort Lauderdale recorded a 2.6% increase in total visitors in 2010, according to year-end estimates. Statewide, Florida saw a 2.1% increase in visitors in 2010. Spending in the local economy by the 10.84 million visitors also rose from $8.47 billion to $8.69 billion. Traffic at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport jumped 6.4% in 2010. Canada is still the top international market. Brazil numbers doubled making it the 2nd largest international origin market.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
It’s the Luck of the Irish with two St. Patrick’s Day Parades & Festivals. Showcasing Irish culture through live performance and entertainment, the Fort Lauderdale St. Patrick's Parade and Festival takes place Sat, Mar 12 at 11:30am- 9pm at Huizenga Plaza and the Riverwalk/Riverfront area, parade starts at 2pm and runs along Las Olas Blvd. http://www.ftlaudirishfest.com. And Hollywood’s Parade & Festival takes place Sun, Mar 13 from 12-7pm, with the parade starting at 1pm in downtown Hollywood. http://www.stpatricksparade.com.
Super Summer Savings
Attractions, cultural activities, spas, golf courses, and dive operators are invited to participate in this year’s summer program, Super Summer Savings, by offering 2-for-1 offers to increase summer business (May 1 through September 30, 2011) in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The CVB has created an online program promoting these values reaching millions of in-state and out-of-area consumers. Click here for the participation form and return by the deadline date of March 15, 2011. Any questions, contact Kim Canter at (954) 765-4466 or email kcanter@broward.org.
Learn to Dive Month
June is "Learn to Dive Month." Branding Greater Fort Lauderdale as the "Dive Instruction Capital of America." The Learn to Dive program includes a partnership with PADI/SDI promoting their online dive instruction program, local dive operators, and hotels for "dive and stay" packages. There is no cost to participate. Your Broward dive campaign needs 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/SDI 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 www.sunny.org/learntodive with links to all "Learn to Dive" participants, and use public relations to promote the program, as well as targeted search engine marketing / pay per click program. Click here for the sign up form, due back by Fri, Mar 11. Contact Justin Flippen jflippen@broward.org for more info.
Tourism Sales
In February, Alfredo Gonzalez attended the LATAM Marketing Research meeting in Miami. He and Fernando Harb represented the CVB at Hampton Inn’s Day at the Races at Gulfstream Park & Village in Hallandale Beach. Fernando attended the HSMAI Leadership Conference in Palm Beach. Justin Flippen represented the CVB at the Vatican Splendors media preview event at the Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale. Alfredo and Fernando finished up the month attending ANATO and conducting a sales mission to Colombia.
Airline Employee Program for Greater Fort Lauderdale
The CVB is launching a campaign to fill unsold hotel rooms to industry partners with easy access to air travel. The Airline Employee Program is ongoing. We are seeking rates from properties wishing to participate. The rates and content are loaded on http://sunny.org/airlineemployees, created exclusively for airline employees. Click here for more information and to sign up. Contact Justin Flippen jflippen@broward.org with questions.
Lauderdale Spa Chic
Get ready for the third annual LAUDERDALE SPA CHIC, from September 1-30, with spa treatments for $99 (up to 50% savings). If you are a spa interested in participating in Lauderdale Spa Chic, please contact kcanter@broward.org. For more information go to http://sunny.org/spachic
Multiculturally Speaking
Greater Fort Lauderdale will host the Wheaton College Gospel Choir as they bring more than 75 musicians/artists to perform at a variety of churches and civic events March 3–12. The Southern Florida Minority Supplier Diversity Council will be at the Broward County Convention Center March 17–18. Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes Jazz in the Gardens March 19-20 at Sun Life Stadium. The Celebrity Golf, Mayor’s Empowerment Luncheon, Media Launch, and VIP Red Carpet Celebrity Party for the event will take place at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa on March 18, hosted by the CVB.
Convention Sales Team Update
The convention sales team recently participated in the following: MPI Northern California Chapter Annual Tradeshow & Sales Calls in San Francisco, Association Management Center Annual Institute in Uncasville, CT, ACME Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, DMAI Travel Foundation Annual Dinner & Showcase in Washington, DC, North Central Florida Meeting Planners Expo in Gainesville, and Lauderdale Convention Collection in Washington, DC.
Catch the sales team at these upcoming events and tradeshows:
Mar 7–10: GFLCVB Carolina Sales Mission
Mar 12–15: ASAE Great Ideas Conference in Colorado Springs
Mar 15–17: Colorado Sales Calls in Denver
Mar 17–20: Multi-Cultural/Religious Destination Preview
Mar 27–29: Pharmaceutical Forum
Upcoming Sales Missions Want to join us? Contact the group sales team leader listed.
Mar 14-18 Carolina Sales Mission (Michele Bemis)
Apr 5-7: Mid-Atlantic Sales Mission (Sally Slater, Dion James)
Apr 17-19: Milwaukee Sales Mission (Nora Gorman)
Apr 18-21: Minneapolis/St. Paul (Stacy Copeland)
Apr 28: ASAE & The Center’s Springtime in The Park (Sally Slater)
May 3-5: Boston Sales Mission (Christine Tascione)
May 9-13: Dallas Sales Mission (Angella Lopez)
June 6-10: Philadelphia Area Sales Mission (Steve Aird, Dion James)
June 6-10: Omaha/ Iowa/ Kansas City Sales Mission (Stacy Copeland)
June 14-17: Seattle & Portland Sales Mission (Elena Gladstone)
July 11-13: Fort Lauderdale Mini-Tradeshow at Chicago Yacht Club & Sales Calls (Nora Gorman)
July 23-26: MPI World Education Congress Tradeshow and Meeting, Orlando (Christine Tascione, Sally Slater)
Aug 7: St. Louis & ASAE Client Event (Stacy Copeland, Nora Gorman, Sally Slater)
Sept 7-8: HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National, DC (Dion James)
Sept 19-21: St. Louis Sales Mission
Oct 10-14: New York Sales Mission (Steve Aird)
Oct 11-13: IMEX America (Christine Tascione)
Oct TBA: Atlanta Sales Mission (Michele Bemis)
Dec 13: Association Forum’s Holiday Showcase, Chicago (Nora Gorman)
Mark Your Calendar for these 2011 Group Sales Missions/Destination Previews: Mar 17-20; May 19-22*; July 14-17*; Sept 15-18*, Nov 3-6*. *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.
March Group Sales Update
Groups meeting in March will generate more than $11 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
Mar 2-5: Community Financial Services Association (600 attendees)
Mar 7-13: American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons (840 attendees)
Mar 9-13: NCCN 2011 Annual Conference Clinical Practice Guidelines & Quality Cancer Care (800 attendees)
Mar 11-18: Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants (450 attendees)
Mar 18-25: Money Laundering Alert 16th Annual International Conference (785 attendees)
Mar 19-25: Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Programs meeting (550 attendees)
Mar 22-27: Anthony Robbins “Unleash the Power Within” (353 attendees)
Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in March, with more than 8,000 competitors plus family and friends:
Mar 3-6: American Twisters Tim Rand Invitational (350 attendees)
Mar 5-7: USTA Girls 12 Sectional Championships (900 attendees)
Mar 11-13: Dig the Beach Volleyball (300 attendees)
Mar 14-18: Hofball Sunshine Classic (1100 attendees)
Mar 15-20: American College Cricket Championships (450 attendees)
Mar 16-18: FIU Felsberg Track Invitational (300 attendees)
Mar 17-20: NHSAA Spring Showcase (900 attendees)
Mar 17-21: Speedo Championships (400 attendees)
Mar 18-20: FL USAG Level 7/Prep Optional State Championships (350 attendees)
Mar 18-20: Sunshine Limited Cheer Competition (800 attendees)
Mar 22-Apr 3: NASCA Coaches Training (300 attendees)
Mar 29-Apr 1: Hofball Spring Classic (500 attendees)
Mar 29-Apr 2: USSC Southern Invite (900 attendees)
Award Winning CVB
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau was recognized by Coastal Communications Corporation for outstanding service from the respective subscribers of Corporate & Incentive Travel, Insurance & Financial Meetings Management and Association Conventions & Facilities.
Congrats!
The Village at Gulfstream Park was honored by the prestigious Shop America Alliance at its ONE Travel Conference in January with a SASI-ONE (Shop America Salutes Innovation) 2011 Merit Award for their Gulfstream Park Visitor Outreach Program, the only shopping destination in Florida to receive an award. Special kudos to the president and CEO of the Winterfest Boat Parade, Lisa Scott-Founds, who was named Fort Lauderdale’s Citizen of the Year by Fort Lauderdale city commissioners. And congrats to the Renaissance Plantation Hotel for scoring #1 out of 82 Renaissance in Marriott’s Event Service Satisfaction Surveys.
Film & Entertainment
Current productions in the works include: TV Series: Police Women of Broward County; Quiero Mi Boda; VH1’s Tough Love Season 3; truTV’s All Worked Up; HGTV’s My First Sale; Archeology Show; TTMAR; Better World Books; Bump! The Ultimate Gay Travel Series; Four Weddings. TV Movies: Florida Travel + Life Affordable Luxury; A Mission to Heal; Bessie’s Back in Town. Telenovelas: Aurora; Alguien Te Mira. TV Commercials: Gatorade; Winn Dixie – Shell; NBC 6 – I am Miami; Raptor Straps; Bun & Thigh Wave; Myachi; Annex Films; C & A Bikini; Gunther Kia; Operation Flashpoint; Grill Daddy. Still Photography: Walmart; Target; Kohl’s; Moving Nationwide; Bose Whitman Sound Systems; Target; Shop Direct; C & A; Gulf Stream 4; Challenger 400; Lear Jet 45; Champion. Documentaries: VISIT Florida Family Expert; The Opener (Season 2); Deadly Women; Razorfish. Video Game: Operations Flashpoint.
Attraction News
Alley-Oop, located in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, offers skimboarding lessons, day camps, and free Saturday clinics in Fort Lauderdale. Schedule a private lesson any day of the week or go on Saturdays to try a board and get some tips. Day camps start in March and run through July. Visit http://alleyoopskim.com to learn more, and see selection of boards, equipment, and apparel. To read the coverage in this past Sunday's Sun Sentinel, click here. Village at Gulfstream Park launched a Green Market Series every Wednesday evening 4-9pm, an eclectic mix of vendors selling locally grown produce, baked goods, herbs and spices, baskets, and much more. For a list of other green markets in the area, visit http://sunny.org/shopping. Perry Ellis, the marquee men’s fashion brand known for its American contemporary style, opened a retail store in Seminole Paradise last month. Hugo Boss Connection and Kilwin’s confectionary also recently opened. Feeding South Florida March 4 Hunger 5K Run/Walk will take place Sat, Mar 12 on Hollywood Beach at 7:30am. Visit http://feedingsouthflorida.org for more details.
Comic Retreat
B Ocean Fort Lauderdale Hotel will be the host hotel for Comic Retreat, a showcase for emerging comics focusing on their careers at workshops, parties, showcases, and skill building conferences along with outdoor activities comes to Fort Lauderdale January 9-11, 2012. The annual retreat allows attendees to gain priceless insights and more industry relationships. “We had three major cities competing to become our new home. After meeting with the staff of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, we believed that Fort Lauderdale was the perfect new home for Comic Retreat,” said Victoria Jackson, retreat director. http://www.ComicRetreat.com
Good Eats
As B Ocean Fort Lauderdale prepares to open SAIA, their new Asian cuisine restaurant, they are offering industry friends and family a special preview and 50% off your dining purchase on March 3 & 4, before the grand opening of March 10. Reservations (954-302-5252) are being accepted on a first come basis. Click here for more info. The Estefans recently opened Bongos Cuban Cafe at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Cuban-inspired venue located across from Hard Rock Live with two outside dining areas. David Manero’s BurgerFi recently opened in Lauderdale by the Sea, featuring only Angus beef, along with a unique quinoa burger. An old-fashioned frozen custard machine will introduce a new generation to the delicious treat. Naturally sweetened sodas, a small selection of craft beers and organic and sustainable wines will also be served. It’s Vegalicious! Sublime Restaurant announced the 2011 Vegalicious Vegan Recipe Scholarship Contest opened to high school seniors enrolled in South Florida schools for creating a vegan recipe and a chance to win $5,000. Visit http://itsvegalicious.com for more info. Watch Tarks of Dania Beach on TV WPBT2 Channel 2's Check, Please! on Wed, Mar 2 at 7:30pm or click here to view.
W Fort Lauderdale Hosts Renowned NOH8 Campaign
On Sunday, March 13, and in honor of Pridefest South Florida, W Fort Lauderdale will host the NOH8 Campaign, a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest. Adam Bouska will photograph 5-10 frames for each person that participates. The final selection he chooses will be retouched and made available through the website: http://www.NOH8Campaign.com. Solo NOH8 photos are $40/person while any group or couple photos are $25/person in the photo.
HSMAI South Florida luncheon to focus on customer service
Roberta Nedry, of Hospitality Excellence, presents “Don't take second chances when making first impressions,” at Renaissance Plantation on Wed, March 16 at 11:30am. Register at www.hsmaisouthflorida.org.
Florida’s Turnpike and Sun Pass
Guests driving to Miami or the Florida Keys? Tolls on Florida's Turnpike in Miami-Dade County will only be collected electronically with SunPass or with TOLL-BY-PLATE, a system that takes a photo of a vehicle's license plate and mails a bill to the vehicle's registered owner. Cash toll collections are eliminated on this segment of the Turnpike. With SunPass or TOLL-BY-PLATE, drivers DO NOT STOP to pay tolls. Drivers in rental cars should ask about charging tolls to the credit card used to rent the vehicle. (Coming to Broward soon). Visit www.floridasturnpike.com or www.sunPass.com for details.
Happenings Around Town
Through March 13: Florida Renaissance Festival, Deerfield Beach, weekends
Through-Apr 24: Vatican Splendors: Art and Faith, Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale
Mar 2, 16, 30: Winter Concert Series, Emma Lou Olson Center, Pompano Beach
Mar 3: Florida Panthers vs. Montreal Canadiens, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 3: Frank Sinatra, Jr., Hard Rock Live
Mar 3: John Mellencamp, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 4: The Fab Four, Parker Playhouse
Mar 4: Kenny G, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 4: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hard Rock Live
Mar 5: Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 5: Concert on the Green, Nyberg Swanson House, Dania Beach
Mar 5: Tony Bennett, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 5-6: Las Olas Art Fair, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Mar 6: SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, downtown Fort Lauderdale
Mar 6: Florida Panthers vs. Washington Capitals, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 6: Julio Iglesias, Hard Rock Live
Mar 8: Florida Panthers vs. Chicago Blackhawks, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 8: Kid Rock, Hard Rock Live
Mar 8-11: Subtropical Cities 2011, FAU, downtown Fort Lauderdale
Mar 10: Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 10-13: SWonderful - Off Broadway, Parker Playhouse
Mar 11-12: AIDA, African American Research Library and Cultural Center
Mar 11-13: Miami City Ballet, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 12: Fort Lauderdale’s St Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival, downtown
Mar 12: Feeding South Florida March for Hunger, Hollywood Beach Broadwalk
Mar 12: Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 12-13: Lauderdale by the Sea, Craft Festival
Mar 12-27: Clocks & Watches of the World, Flamingo Gardens
Mar 13: Foreigner with Eddie Money, Hard Rock Live
Mar 13: Hollywood’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival, downtown
Mar 15: Florida Panthers vs. Philadelphia Flyers, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 15: A Tribute to Frankie Valli - Florida Sunshine Pops, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 16: In The Mood...Live 2011, Parker Playhouse
Mar 17: Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 17: KISS, Hard Rock Live
Mar 18: Smucker’s Stars on Ice, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 18: Heavyweight Factory presents Friday Night Fights, Hard Rock Live
Mar 18-20: Broward Quilt Expo, War Memorial Auditorium
Mar 19: Free Concert in the Park, Weston Regional Park
Mar 19: Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 19-20: Spring Garden Festival, Flamingo Gardens
Mar 19-20: Jazz in the Gardens, Sun Life Stadium
Mar 19-21: Coral Springs Festival of the Arts
Mar 20: Cathy Dooley Presents, "The Original Florida Follies," Parker Playhouse
Mar 20: New Shanghai Circus, Miramar Cultural Center
Mar 20: Glamour in the Garden, Gilda's Club South Florida
Mar 20: Michael McDonald, Hard Rock Live
Mar 20: New Shanghai Circus, Miramar Cultural Center
Mar 20: Rod Stewart & Stevie Nicks, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 22: Madama Butterfly, Miramar Cultural Center
Mar 24: Cirque Dreams Broadway, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 24-27: Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 24-27: Unleash the Power Within: Tony Robbins, Broward County Convention Center
Mar 25: Second City 2011, Off Broadway in Broward, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 16: Video Games Live, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 26: Church Mess, War Memorial Auditorium
Mar 27: Fort Lauderdale Centennial Celebration, Fort Lauderdale
Mar 30: Rush, BankAtlantic Center
Mar 30-Apr 24: Wicked, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Mar 31: Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators, BankAtlantic Center
All best wishes,
Nicki E. Grossman
President
