ARE YOU WITH US?
See you next Thursday, October 8: Greater Fort Lauderdale 2010 Marketing Plan Presentation
Join us at the Broward County Convention Center to see what's on the horizon as we work together towards a successful year ahead with special presentation by international bestseller, Jon Gordon, author of The Shark and the Goldfish: Positive Ways to Thrive During Waves of Change. Don’t miss the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Tradeshow before the luncheon at 10am. Discover what’s new with Broward’s top cultural groups, co-op advertising opportunities and hospitality service providers.
DINE OUT LAUDERDALE kicks off October 1
We invite you to dine out. Often. Experience the culinary greatness in Greater "Fork" Lauderdale during the third annual Dine Out Lauderdale through November 12 with special $35 three-course dinner menus at more than 35 top Broward restaurants: 15th Street Fisheries, 3030 Ocean at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Beach Watch, Blue Moon Fish Co., Bin 595 at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale – Plantation Hotel, Bova Prime, By Word of Mouth, Cafe Maxx, Café Vico, The Capital Grille, Cero Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, Charley's Crab, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, China Grill at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, Coco Asian Bistro & Bar, da Campo Osteria at the il Lugano, East City Grill, E-Spot Restaurant & Bar at Embassy Suites Fort Lauderdale, Galanga Thai Kitchen & Sushi Bar, Grille 66 & Bar Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Hi-Life Café, Himmarshee Bar & Grille, ilios at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, Ireland's Steakhouse at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Johnny V, Le Bistro, Lola's on Harrison, Mai-Kai Restaurant, The Melting Pot, Morton's The Steakhouse, North Ocean Grille at the Pelican Grand, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Shula's on the Beach, Sublime, Sunfish Grill, Trina at The Atlantic Hotel, Truluck's Seafood Steak and Crab House. Visit www.sunny.org/dineout for details and menus.
Lauderdale Spa Chic extended through Oct 30
Lauderdale Spa Chic $99 spa treatments have been extended through Oct 31 at 13 spas. Book your spa treatments today at: The Atlantic Resort & Spa, Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa, Contour Day Spas, Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach Resort, Grand Resort & Spa (gay), Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, Ocean Sands Resort & Spa, Palm Aire Spa at the Wyndham Resort, Planet Massage on Las Olas Blvd., The Ritz Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, the W Fort Lauderdale and The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale. For details visit www.sunny.org/spachic
Celebrate The 50th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
The world's largest boat show, set over six locations in Fort Lauderdale, will take place Thurs, Oct 29 through Mon, Nov 2. The show features more than 3 billion dollars worth of boats, yachts, superyachts, electronics, engines and thousands of accessories from every major marine manufacturer and builder worldwide on 3 million square feet of space, both on land and in water, all connected by the Show’s Transportation Network of water taxis, riverboats and bus shuttles. www.showmanagement.com.
SAVE THE DATE: Hospitality Update Meeting on Advertising Co-ops
The CVB’s Communication Dept, along with Starmark, the CVB’s advertising agency, will review the coop advertising for 2010 on Thursday, Oct 15 at 3pm at the Broward County Convention Center. Bring your questions about sunny.org and social media too. RSVP to Kim Canter kcanter@broward.org if you plan to join us.
Get OUT the Vote for Fort Lauderdale
We are pleased to announce that Fort Lauderdale recently has been named as a finalist in the TripOut Gay Travel Awards for “Sexiest Place on Earth.” We need your vote to shine above the competition including Mykonos, Buenos Aires, Paris and Madrid. With your support, we just might become the “Sexiest Place on Earth.” Click here to cast your vote and make sure your voice is heard loud and proud for Fort Lauderdale. The winners will be announced in early November, so vote early and vote often, before Oct 12.
Tourism Sales
This month Alfredo Gonzalez attended the Canadian Sales Mission in Toronto and the Routes China 2009 Sales Mission in Beijing. Alfredo along with Fernando Harb attended La Cumbre in Puerto Rico. Fernando was also in Montreal at the Total Vacations Product Launch. Alfredo finished up the month in Europe by attending Top Resa in France, the German Sales Mission in Munich, and the joint Florida Panthers/CVB mission to Finland. September domestic sales missions focused on New Jersey and Long Island, NY to educate travel industry professionals on new and existing products available in GFL including ‘Dine Out Lauderdale.’
LauderDeals
The CVB is launching a special fall advertising initiative in print media using snaptags and on television in the northeast. In response to these ads, the CVB has partnered with over 40 hotels by creating LauderDeals – a program designed to highlight the best deals from October through December 20. As you know value is king right now. Visitors can find LauderDeals by visiting www.sunny.org/save.
We Love Cruisers
With passenger volume expected to exceed 3.3 million at Port Everglades in 2010, Greater Fort Lauderdale announces We Love Cruisers. Designed to provide extra incentives for agents booking pre- or post-cruise stays, We Love Cruisers debuts in October 2009, during the Cruise Line International Association's annual National Cruise Vacation Month. As part of the new program, domestic travel professionals who book pre- or post-cruise stays in Greater Fort Lauderdale hotels for two or more nights and international travel professionals who book for three or more nights will receive a $25 American Express gift card from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB), on top of their earned hotel commission. Guests must be sailing on Royal Caribbean International or Celebrity Cruises. Agents need only submit the hotel confirmation number to the GFLCVB, and their clients will receive a beach starter kit containing a welcome beach towel and flip flops upon arrival in their hotel room, along with two Cruise and Play VIP cards good for complimentary admission to one of Fort Lauderdale's many leisure amenities. We Love Cruisers travel agent incentive program is valid for the first 1000 bookings made in October 2009, for travel from October 1, 2009, to September 30, 2010, and gift cards will be awarded to the agent upon completion of the booked stay. We Love Cruisers debuted at Funjet Vacations in St. Louis and Milwaukee with Josh Winston and again at ASTA’s “The Trade Show” in Las Vegas in early September. Tourism Sales is touting this program at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s International Airport, featuring Air Tran’s new non-stop service to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International. Agents can visit www.sunny.org/WeLoveCruisers.
2010 Meeting Planners Guide
Advertising sales will soon come to a close for the 2010 edition of the official Meeting Planners Guide, a lure piece which will be distributed to planners through direct mail, sales missions and industry shows. A virtual planner on sunny.org will accompany the printed piece. Contact: Marcia Bayer, Miles Media marcia.bayer@milesmedia.com.
TravelHost Pocketsaver
TravelHost is finalizing the 2010 Greater Fort Lauderdale Pocketsaver. If you would like to advertise, please contact Ina Lee InaLee2020@aol.com.
Convention Sales Team Update
The convention sales team recently participated in HSMAI Affordable Meetings National in DC, Society of Incentive Travel Executives Classic in Fort Worth, GFLCVB Sales Mission in Atlanta, PCMA New England Monthly Program and Client Event in Boston, Visit Florida Marketing Council in Daytona and The Motivation Show in Chicago.
Catch the sales team soon at these upcoming events and tradeshows:
Oct 19-22: GFLCVB Sales Mission – Ohio (Stacy Copeland)
Oct 20-22: Tallahassee – SGMP, TSAE and Sales Calls (Michele Bemis)
Oct 21-23: PCMA Chapter Leadership Conference – Chicago, IL (Christine Tascione)
Oct 25-28: Meetings Industry Ladies Invitational – Sonoma, CA (Christine Tascione)
Oct 30-Nov 2: SITE International – Aruba (Stacy Copeland)
Mark Your Calendar for these Upcoming Sales Missions:
Ohio (Stacy Copeland): October 19 - 22
Tallahassee (Michele Bemis): January 19 – 21
New York Sales Mission (Christine Tascione): January 26 – 28 (rescheduled from Oct 27-29)
Carolina Sales Mission (Michele Bemis): March TBD
Chicago Sales Mission (Nora Gorman): March TBD
Contact the group sales team leader listed for more information or to let us know that you’d like to participate!
Meeting Value Dates and Offers
Featured on sunny.org/meetingdeals are special group value dates and offers. An email is sent out to group and meeting hotel sales leaders periodically requesting updates prior to deployment of special promotions or group e-newsletters. These can be updated with new offers at any time! Make sure you keep it current. Simply email the group offer and any attachments to Christine Tascione at ctascione@broward.org and we will update the website. The next group e-newsletters (sent to 25,000+ planners) are slated to launch October 15 and November 17 with different features.
Superior Small Lodging White Glove Awards
Congratulations to the 78 properties in the 2010 Superior Small Lodgings program from Deerfield Beach to Hallandale Beach. Recipients of the White Glove Award for best housekeeping practices, properties that score 100% during the annual inspection from the independent Property Review Program, include: Deerfield Beach: Berkshire Beach Club Fort Lauderdale: Birch Patio, By-Eddy Motel, Estoril Paradise Inn, The Flamingo Inn Amongst the Flowers, Fort Lauderdale Manhattan Tower Apartment Hotel, Kira Mar, Napoli Belmar Resort, The Pillars at New River Sound, Pineapple Point Guest House, Royal Palms Resort, Sun Tower Hotel & Suites, Tropi Rock Resort, Villa Venezia Hollywood: Atlantic Sands, Curtis Inn, DeSoto Oceanview Inn, Grenier’s on the Beach, Hollywood Beach Golf and Country Club, Manta Ray Inn, Ocean Drive Villas, Ocean Inn, Quality Inn & Suites Lauderdale by the Sea: Best Florida Resort Motel, High Noon Resort, Sea Lord Oceanfront Hotel, Sea Spray Inn, Windjammer Resort & Beach Club Pompano Beach: Bahama Beach Club, Cottages by the Ocean, Dolphin Apartments & Motel, Pelican Place, Pineapple Place.
News from Pompano Park
Every day in Oct, there are lots of ways to win at the Isle Casino Pompano Park. Win cash, big game tickets, a Corvette and more. The $1,000,000 Football Frenzy is underway. Every Sun until Jan 3, 2010 win a share of $15,000 in prizes including two tickets to the big game in Miami. Enjoy special events on Oct 4-Marlins Mermaids appearance and Oct 11, 18 & 25-Harley Davidson display with merchandise for sale. Go to www.theislepompanopark.com to find out about promotions and more.
Port News for 2010
This coming year guests will enjoy new easy-to-read directional signs, wider roadways, faster taxi and limo service, more on-site parking, an informative new website, and, for some guests, a new mega cruise terminal. Port Everglades will also host the naming ceremonies for the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas, and one of the world’s most luxurious cruise ships, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Spirit. In addition, three brand new cruise ships will make their U.S. debuts at Port Everglades this winter cruise season including, MSC Cruises’ 2,550-passenger MSC Poesia; Seabourn Cruise Line’s 450-passenger luxury cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey, which is the smallest cruise ship launched this year worldwide; and Celebrity Cruises’ 2,850-passenger Celebrity Equinox, sister ship to the Celebrity Solstice. Port Everglades will also welcome another of Seabourn Cruise Line’s luxury ships, Seabourn Spirit, for the first time. And, Royal Caribbean International’s 1,958-passenger Grandeur of the Seas will replace Enchantment of the Seas for year-round sailings beginning in April 2010.
FLL Airport News
Beginning Nov 18, Virgin America will serve Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Int’l Airport with two daily non-stop flights from San Francisco Int’l Airport and two daily non-stop flights from Los Angeles Int’l Airport. The airline will also offer convenient connecting flights from Seattle, Orange County, San Diego and Las Vegas. JetBlue starts daily non-stop service from San Francisco International Airport Nov 17. Starting Nov 13, Allegiant Air will add a third low-cost nonstop flight from Grand Rapids to Fort Lauderdale with introductory rates as low as $79.99 each way. Midwest Airlines will offer nonstop daily seasonal service between Milwaukee and Fort Lauderdale from Dec 17 through Apr 19, 2010. One-way ticket prices start at $81.
Courtesy Vehicle Operator Aviation Permit for FLL
Courtesy Vehicles Operating at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport will require a permit starting Oct 1. Vehicles operating without a permit may be subject to fines. Apply in person or by mail, click here for the application.
Advertising Opportunities
Florida Travel and Lifestyles has developed an attractive advertising offer for CVB partners for their Nov/Dec issue. Contact Keith Magnuson Keith@floridatravelusa.com or (941) 366-7987. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is offering a unique opportunity in their upcoming Membership Directory. CLIA’s membership includes 24 major passenger Cruise Lines in North America. On average, a 2,500 passenger ship represents $330,000 in crew and passenger on shore spending per ship. The publication has a deadline of Dec 9, 2009. Contact Mark Colwell mcolwell@naylor.com or (800) 796-2638, ext. 2634 for more info.
October Group Sales Update
Groups meeting in October will generate more than $8 million to Broward County. Sample groups include:
Oct 2-6: Sysco Food Services of South Florida (1,075 attendees)
Oct 5-11: 2009 Annual Convention Worldwide Express (425 attendees)
Oct 15-18: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. District Convention (300 attendees)
Oct 16-18: United Synagogue Youth (USY) (220 attendees)
Oct 19-22: Solution Tree State Summit (750 attendees)
Oct 27-30: Focus 2009, TriMega National Convention and Tradeshow (520 attendees)
Sport Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes the following sports groups in October, with more than 31,000 competitors plus family and friends:
Oct 1-4: Senior Games - Pickle Ball/Hockey (1250 attendees)
Oct 1-4: ESPN High School Football Classic (7500 attendees)
Oct 1-4: College Soccer Classic (500 attendees)
Oct 2-11: Interline Softball Pilots Association (1500 attendees)
Oct 4-9: NFL Production Meetings (150 attendees)
Oct 6-11: College Soccer Finals (500 attendees)
Oct 9-11: NFL Flag Football Regional Tournament (150 attendees)
Oct 9-11: BCAA Championships (250 attendees)
Oct 11-18: Vintage Cricket Tournament (1250 attendees)
Oct 12-16: International Soccer Salvador Training (JRs/SRs) (275 attendees)
Oct 14-17: October Madness at NOVA (190 attendees)
Oct 15-17: ProWrestling (100 attendees)
Oct 23-25: South Florida Fright Invite (250 attendees)
Oct 23-25: Rising Stars Fall Showcase (5000 attendees)
Oct 23-25: High School Hockey Tournament (500 attendees)
Oct 23-27: Masters National Synchro Swimming (1000 attendees)
Sports Hall of Fame Auction Donation
Save the date for the 2009 Broward County Sports Hall of Fame honoring Broward's sports legends, Tuesday, November 17 at the Broward County Convention Center. The festivities kick off with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Help us make the auction a success by donating a certificate or prize package. Contact Saskia Fisher, sfisher@broward.org, to donate an item.
Countdown to Super Bowl
HSMAI South Florida welcomes South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee president Mike Zimmer, and David Silverstein, director of communications, at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale-Plantation on Wed, Oct 21 at 11:30am. Learn about economic impact, Super Bowl events, volunteer opportunities and how the hospitality industry can participate. RSVP at www.hsmaisouthflorida.org
Super Bowl Packages
With Super Bowl XLIV quickly approaching, the CVB is requesting that partners send us information on any packages, deals, promotions or specials you are planning to run in celebration of the Big Game. The CVB plans to issue press materials to key North American media featuring the top ways to celebrate the Super Bowl in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The more creative the package or promotion, the better! Ideas include information on Super Bowl travel packages at hotels, special Super Bowl menus in restaurants, pre-game or game-time drink specials or promotions at bars, etc. Please send before Oct 28, the details on what you are offering, including dates of availability, price and booking/reservation information (if applicable) to Jessica Taylor jtaylor@broward.org.
Good Treats & Eats
A 62-year-old tradition of premium handmade chocolates, fudge and ice cream will soon be introduced in historic Downtown Hollywood with the October 1 opening of a Kilwin's confectionery shop at 1907 Hollywood Boulevard. The Pelican Grand Beach Resort & Southern Wine and Spirits presents a Moonlit Wine Tasting on the Oceanfront Verandah at the Pelican Grand on Oct 15 at 6pm, $18pp. RSVP to Amanda at (954) 556-7560 by Oct 12. Vue for Two: Vue on the Water, at the Gallery One, is now offering two meals for $35. Call (954) 335-4512.
The Great Escape 2009 Tourism & Travel Expo
The Travel Expo will take place Tue, Oct 27 at the Miramar Cultural Center / ArtsPark from 5:30-9pm. Network with over 450 South Florida business people. Click here for more information.
MPI Dreams on Wheels
SFMPI is holding a charity event on Oct 27 at Revolution Live. Partnering with Wheels of Excellence Program, SFMPI is building bicycles for children at Olsen Middle School and the D.A.R.E. program. Click here for more information or register at www.sfmpi.org.
Attraction News
Billie Swamp Safari on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in the Florida Everglades is offering a discount of 50% off the regular ticket price of a Swamp Buggy Eco-Tour if you come dressed in a Halloween costume the entire month of October. Congratulations to the SIDELINES CYCLONES who won the NAGAAA Gay Softball World Series in Milwaukee. They are the C-Division National Champions and won all seven games going undefeated.
Happenings Around Town
Oct 1-Nov 12: Dine Out Lauderdale, http://sunny.org/dineout
Oct 1: Alan Jackson, Hard Rock Live
Oct 1: Metallica, BankAtlantic Center
Oct 2-4: Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Green Thumb, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 3: Paula Cole, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 4: SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch, Riverwalk, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Oct 4: Firebird - Arts Ballet Theatre, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 4-6: International Gem & Jewelry Show, War Memorial Auditorium
Oct 6-18: Fiddler on the Roof, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 8-9: David Garrett, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 8: Patti LaBelle, Hard Rock Live
Oct 10: Florida Panthers vs New Jersey Devils, BankAtlantic Center
Oct 10: Glam-A-Thon, Las Olas Boulevard
Oct 10: Hollywood West Concerts, Boulevard Heights Amphitheatre, Hollywood
Oct 10: U Got Me Bent and Twisted, Miramar Cultural Center / ArtsPark
Oct 14: Laura Pausini, Hard Rock Live
Oct 14: Old Fashion Fish Fry, Anglin's Fishing Pier, LBTS
Oct 15-June 27: Laffing Matterz at the Broward Center
Oct 16: Florida Panthers vs. Philadelphia Flyers, BankAtlantic Center
Oct 16-18: Hollywood Beach Clambake, Hollywood Beach Boardwalk
Oct 16: Rocktoberfest, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Oct 17-18: Cats Exclusive Cat Show, War Memorial Auditorium
Oct 17-18: VIVA BROWARD! Pompano Citi Centre Mall
Oct 17: Brazilian Voices present Funky Jazz, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 17: Leonard Cohen, BankAtlantic Center
Oct 18: Reptile Expo, Flamingo Gardens
Oct 20: Hispanic Heritage Month - Symphony of the Americas, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 20: The Allman Brothers Band, Hard Rock Live
Oct 21: Florida Panthers vs Buffalo Sabres, BankAtlantic Center
Oct 21-22: Robin Williams, Hard Rock Live
Oct 21-25: Tanguera - The Tango Musical, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 22: KISS: Alive 35, BankAtlantic Center
Oct 23-24: 35th Annual Craft Fair, First Methodist Church of Coral Springs
Oct 23-25: Masters National Synchronized Swimming, Coral Springs Aquatic Complex
Oct 23-Nov 8: Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Cinema Paradiso
Oct 23-25: Rising Stars Winter Showcase Softball, Davie
Oct 23-24: State of Florida Unclaimed Property Auction, Embassy Suites, Fort Lauderdale
Oct 24-25: Dominque Wilkins Elite 100 Boys & Girls Basketball Camp, Fort Lauderdale
Oct 24: Jo Dee Messina, Parker Playhouse
Oct 24-25: Fort Lauderdale Antique & Collector Faire, War Memorial Auditorium
Oct 24-25: Las Olas Art Fair with Oktoberfest Beer Garden, Las Olas Boulevard
Oct 28: Florida Panthers vs Ottawa Senators, BankAtlantic Center
Oct 29-Nov 2: 50th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
Oct 30: Star Wars in Concert, BankAtlantic Center
Oct 31-Nov 1: Art/Craft Show, Lauderdale by the Sea
Oct 30-31: Benise, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 31: Halloween Bash, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Oct 31: Room on the Broom, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Oct 31: Wicked Manors, Wilton Manors
With all best wishes,
Nicki E. Grossman
President
