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Visit Orlando Events
 

July 9
Member Orientation
Click here to register.

July 9
Business Referral Group
Crowne Plaza Orlando Downtown

304 West Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32801
Cost: $17 inclusive
Click here to RSVP.

July 15
Visiting Ours
King's Bowl

5-6:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 members; $25 non-members;
$20 walk-in (space permitting)
Click here to register.

July 24
Hot Topics! Educational Session - Emirates Routes & Markets
Rosen College of Hospitality Managenent
9-10:30 a.m.
Stay tuned for registration details!

Member Presents
Members interested in targeting the meetings and convention market can present their products or services during monthly, 30-minute sessions with Destination Meeting Services. Click here to schedule a session.

 
Member-to-Member Offers
 

Wild Florida is rolling out Rockin' Ranch Buggy tours! Five-foot-tall tires, 12 feet of elevation and more than 60 minutes of happy trails! Boldly go back in time and see the 'real' Florida while exploring one of the oldest working cattle ranches on Wild Florida's new all-terrain Ranch Buggy tour. Buy one at the regular price of $30, get one free, includes admission to the Wildlife Park. Offer expires June 30. For more information and reservations, call 407-957-3135.

Through July 15, receive 35 percent off of GLO-Get Leads Online (regular cost is $150 per month). Turn anonymous website visitors into qualified sales leads. This software will identify various components of the website visitor such as company, products and services of interest, contact information and length of time on site. Click here for a free 14-day trial. For more information, call 407-909-9036 x1037.

Barnie's CoffeeKitchen has launched a new website! Built to meet the needs of small- and mid-sized businesses that appreciate Barnie's high-quality specialty coffee, the site is tailored for offices seeking quick, easy, cost-efficient solutions. Through July 31, businesses will receive 15 percent off of their first order. Use code: OfficeCoffee15. For more information, click here.

barnies coffekitchen

Inspire your employees and staff this summer with Marc Mero's Dream Big Presentation, described as life-changing! Through August 28, Champion of Choices - Marc Mero is offering a 30 percent discount. Click here for more information or call 407-448-9956.

 
Industry Events
 

July 24
Orlando Site Florida & Caribbean Socializer
The Orlando Eye

September 9-11
CFVRMA Xtravaganza
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

October 17
The Pineapple Ball
Rosen Shingle Creek

November 7
2015 VRM Awards Gala
Westgate Town Center Resort & Spa

 
Community Events
 

Through August 8
Summer Nights & Island Nights
SeaWorld® Orlando & Aquatica, SeaWorld's Waterpark

June 27
Blindsided by the Walking Dead

Orange County Convention Center

June 28
Music at the Casa

Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum

July 1
Maná-Cama Incendiada Tour

The Amway Center

July 3
Baldwin Park Independence Day Bash 2015

Village Center and Harbor Park Baldwin Park

July 3
Red, Hot & Boom

Crane's Roost Park

July 3-5
Red, Brick and Boom

LEGOLAND® Florida

July 4
Fourth of July at SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld® Orlando

Saturdays in July - 4, 11, 18, 25
Summer Music Series

Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards

July 8
National Federation of the Blind

Guinness World Record Attempt
Rosen Centre Hotel

October 24
2015 Wyndham Vacation Ownership Charity Championship Golf Tournament

Metrowest Golf Club

Oct. 30-31
6th Annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

November 7
Eighth Annual 5K Run for The Gift

Southwest Aquatics

Through Nov. 29
Mummies of the World: The Exhibition

Orlando Science Center

 
President & CEO's Message
 
June 26, 2015

FACILITATING TRAVEL TO ORLANDO

George Aguel

As the official tourism association for our area, Visit Orlando is actively engaged in the U.S. Travel Association. This allows us to represent the local voice of our $60-billion tourism economy and support the important, national priorities of our industry.

With the United States House of Representatives scheduled to mark up its version of the FAA reauthorization bill in the next two weeks, our industry is focused on urging Congress to accelerate airport modernization, stabilize funding for future air traffic control projects, and expand airline competition.

Specifically, the FAA bill can accelerate airport modernization by giving airport authorities the option to increase their Passenger Facility Charge cap in order to fund critical infrastructure projects. It can stabilize funding for air traffic control operations by cutting passenger ticket taxes and funding air traffic control operations through user fees on commercial airlines. And it can enhance airline competition by ensuring that the U.S. continues to prioritize the expansion of Open Skies agreements to more countries. 

There is a likelihood that these issues will be covered in the media in the coming weeks. For this reason, we want you to know that Visit Orlando and our partners at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority continue to lead our destination's position on this important matter in order to further facilitate travel to Orlando in the future.

-George Aguel

 
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From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando
 

Highest May Occupancy Since 2000

The occupancy rate for Orlando-area hotels averaged 74.9 percent in May, up 4.8 percent from last year and the highest May rate since 2000 (75.8 percent). Occupied room nights increased 6.2 percent versus last year. The average daily rate (ADR) rose 3.7 percent to $105.93, an all-time high for May. For the year-to-date through May, the occupancy rate rose 4.0 percent, occupied room nights increased 5.7 percent and ADR was up 4.9 percent.

 
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Visit Orlando Updates
 

tam-fam

Visit Orlando Hosts FAM Tour for Brazilian Agents

Visit Orlando recently hosted an Ancoradouro TAM familiarization tour for 14 top travel agents from the Bauru region in the mid-western state of São Paulo, Brazil. The majority of the participants were first-time visitors to Orlando and the United States. They were graciously accommodated by Avanti Resort and staySky Suites I-Drive Orlando and their itinerary included visits to area theme parks and hotels, I-Drive attractions, shopping destinations, downtown venues, and iconic Winter Park sites.

Maitland Rotary

Maitland Rotary Hears Value of Tourism

Visit Orlando's Vice President of Member Business Development Sheryl Taylor and Bob Ohrablo, executive director of strategic partnerships, spoke to more than 30 business leaders at the Maitland Rotary Club this week. Sheryl highlighted the importance of the tourism industry in Central Florida, ways we market the most-visited destination in the U.S., and how their businesses can benefit.

Orlando a Featured Destination in Brasil Travel News

Brasil Travel News published a 14-page story on the destination, featuring Orlando's major theme parks, dining and shopping options, as well as all the new and upcoming attractions in 2015. The magazine also included a two-page section on why Brazilians love Orlando, with visitor's comments.

 

Association Week in Chicago

Association Week in Chicago Offered Great Networking

Association Forum recently marked Association Week in Chicago with several key events. Members of Visit Orlando's Convention Sales team attended the Forum Forward at McCormick Place on June 16 and held a red-carpet event prior to the Association Forum's Honor Gala. Six partners joined us and there were 19 clients in attendance. Visit Orlando also hosted a table during the Honor Gala. Our Convention Sales team attended, along with three of our citywide clients, True Value, Emergency Nurses Association and Smith Bucklin. It was a great event with several hundred association executives in attendance.

Lake Eola

Leading Colombian Travel Magazine Covers Orlando

Colombian leading luxury travel magazine, Diners (circ. 60,000), published a four-page article entitled "10 Reasons To Visit Orlando." The article states that there is much more to discover in Orlando beyond the theme parks, including entertainment, dining and shopping options in Downtown Orlando, Winter Park, I-Drive 360 and Sand Lake Road.

Orlando Dining Hot Spots Highlighted in Tampa Bay Times

The publicity team worked with food critic, Laura Reiley, on an article appearing in the Tampa Bay Times  highlighting dining hot spots to check out when visiting Orlando's newest attractions this summer.

 
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News About Orlando
 

Next Week at the Convention Center

Group Meeting Start End Estimate Attendees Estimate Economic Impact
Christian Booksellers Association International Christian Retail Show June 28 July 1 1,300 $2,561,000
National Education Association Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly July 1 July 6 15,000 $29,550,000
 

jet

Non-Stop Flights to Northern Ireland Coming to Orlando International

Seasonal, non-stop flights to Northern Ireland will begin from Orlando International Airport this week.

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science kids

Orlando Science Center Marks 500,000th Visitor of Year

Orlando Science Center celebrated its 500,000th visitor of the fiscal year by surprising a family in the admissions line with gifts, including a free annual membership to the museum.  Photo by Roberto Gonzalez.

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Huge Gaming Tournament to Bring Thousands to Orlando this Weekend

A major video gaming tournament that will bring in more than 3,000 gamers from all over the world is coming to Orlando from June 26-28 at Wyndham Orlando Resort.

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 Volleyball

Orlando Hosts Girls Junior National Volleyball Championships

The best girls' volleyball teams from across the country recently attended the 42nd Annual AAU Girls' Junior National Volleyball Championships here in Orlando. ESPN Wide World of Sports and the Orange County Convention Center hosted 11 days of volleyball in what has quickly become the crown jewel of the sport's season. Approximately 27,000 players and 5,600 coaches competed on 183 courts. Approximately 100,000 spectators and more than 400 college coaches from across the U.S. were in attendance to watch the over 12,000 matches that were played over the course of the tournament. The economic impact to the area is expected to be more than $52 million.

AutoNation Cure Bowl Names Presenting Sponsor for Orlando Game

At the Florida Hospital gate at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Tuesday, Mayor Buddy Dyer and other community influencers announced Florida Hospital as the presenting sponsor for the AutoNation Cure Bowl.

Read More

 
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Industry News
 

norwegian

USTA Study Shows Open Skies is Crucial to US Airlines, Economy

Nearly one week after sending a letter to the Obama Administration in support of the Open Skies Agreements, which U.S. carriers American, United and Delta would like to see changed, the U.S. Travel Association has released the results of an Oxford Economics study that further solidifies its position.

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Reserved Occupancy at North American Hotels for the Second Quarter of 2015 is up 1.3 Percent

Reserved occupancy at North American hotels for the second quarter of 2015 is up 1.3 percent from the same period last year, according to the June TravelClick North American Hospitality Review.

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Luxury Hotel Chains are Adding Special Perks for Kids

More hotels are aiming to attract traveling families with kids clubs, stuffed animals, cooking classes, and craft workshops.

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travel

Travel Leaders Hail Neffenger's TSA Chief Confirmation

Travel leaders are hailing the choice of Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Neffenger, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Monday to serve as the next Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Above: New TSA chief Peter Neffenger via Military.com

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New TAP Air Portugal Owners Vow Expansion in U.S., Brazil

TAP Air Portugal's new owners said Wednesday they intend to expand operations to 10 more U.S. destinations and eight more in Brazil, while bringing more passengers from those countries into Europe.

Read More

 
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Corporate Ambassadors
 
ARDA Bags BB&T British Airways Clear Channel Outdoor
Darden Fairwinds Credit Union Florida Distributing Company Florida Hospital The Florida Mall
Lufthansa The Mall at Millenia Nemours Children's Hospital Orlando Economic Development Commission Orlando Health
Orlando International Airport Orlando Magic Orlando Premium Outlets O'Town Television OUC
Smart City Stay Sky Hotels & Resorts Tupperware Brands United Service Companies
 
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