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Save the Date!
 

Annual Meeting and Luncheon

PRESENTED BY
Emirates

 
Visit Orlando Events
 

Dec. 3
Business Referral Group

Buca di Beppo - Maitland
1351 South Orlando Avenue
Cost: TBD
Click here to RSVP.

Dec. 8
32nd Annual Visit Orlando Meeting & Luncheon
Presented by Emirates
Rosen Shingle Creek
Click here to register.
Click here for sponsorship benefits

Feb. 4
Member Orientation
Click here to register.
Please note: Member Orientation will not be held in December or January due to the holiday season. The next session will be held February 4, 2016.

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

 
Congratulations Members
 

Stefano's Grill won best steak restaurant in the 2015 Orlando Business Journal reader's choice awards.

 
Member-to-Member Offers
 

The Spa at Hyatt Regency Orlando is offering Visit Orlando members 20 percent off of spa and salon services, through Nov. 30. For more information and reservations, call 407-345-4431 or contact Carol Cox.

It's that time of year again. With fall in the air and Thanksgiving just around the corner, now is the time to take advantage of special rates at The Palms Hotel & Villas. Visit Orlando members and their families and friends will receive a rate of $55 plus tax and $10 resort fee. Offer expires Dec. 15.

Regal Oaks - A CLC World Resort is offering an exclusive rate for Visit Orlando members of $99 per night for a two-bedroom townhouse, Sunday through Thursday, and $119 per night, Friday through Saturday; based on availability. The offer is good through Dec. 15. For more information, call 407-997-9478 or click here. Reference offer code: VIOR15.

Book your next staycation at Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, located in the Downtown Disney® Resort area, and receive 30 percent off of the best available rate. Relax poolside with a refreshing beverage from the Oasis Bar & Grill while the kids have fun at the aquatic playground. Then, enjoy a great night's sleep in one of the spacious guest rooms. For reservations, call 800-624-4109 and mention this offer. Seven-day advance booking required. Subject to availability. Rate code: DISVOMD. Offer valid through Dec. 24.

The Church of Life has expanded its preschool by 1,000 feet! Through Dec. 31, Visit Orlando members can enjoy 50 percent off of the registration fee, as well as 15 percent off of the weekly fee. For registration information, please click here.

America's Escape Game revolutionizes a rising industry by creating an immersive experience that takes the escape room attraction to a new level. Through Dec. 31 receive 20% off as a Visit Orlando member. Please use the code VOMember15 in the coupon code section of the website or mention this offer.

Lovespoon Candles offers locally produced soy candles that make unique, special gifts. Visit Orlando members are invited to enjoy a special price of $17 each, tin or jar (regular price $27.95 and $23.95, respectively), through Dec. 31. Click here for more information.

Lovespoon

OrlandoConventionPhotographers.com, which provides creative, experienced and professional photography services, is offering Visit Orlando members a great deal for the holiday season. Through Dec. 31, receive 25 percent off of photography for your holiday party. For more information, click here.

 
Industry Events
 

Dec. 15–19
3rd World Research Summit for Tourism and Hospitality and 1st USA-China Tourism Research Summit: Transforming Partnerships
UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management

International travel to the United States generated $220.8 billion in 2014, supporting 1.1 million jobs. China is an important contributor to those numbers as the No. 2 country for visitor spending to and within the United States in 2014, with an estimated $23.8 billion spent on travel and tourism. With this backdrop, the 1st USA-China Tourism Research Summit is being designed by UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management and Elsevier to support and promote the dynamic hospitality/tourism business growth and exchanges between USA and China. Industry experts, leading scholars, and government officials from both countries will offer cutting-edge insights through keynote speeches, panel discussions, open forum discussions and more.

 
Community Events
 

Through Nov. 29
Mummies of the World: The Exhibition
Orlando Science Center

Through Jan. 3, 2016
Light Up UCF
CFE Arena

Through Jan. 8, 2016
Connecting to Cuba
Osceola County Welcome Center and History Museum

Nov. 24–Jan. 3
Christmas at Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

Nov. 27–Jan. 3
Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens Holiday Home Tour
Bok Tower Gardens

Nov. 26–29
Central Florida International Auto Show
Orange County Convention Center

 
President & CEO's Message
 
November 25, 2015

GIVE THANKS

George AguelThe lowest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008 is expected to drive an estimated 46.9 million Americans 50 miles or more from home during the next week. On Monday, the national average price for gasoline was $2.06, 75 cents less than the average price one year ago and an early holiday bonus to the more than 89 percent of holiday travelers who will drive to their destinations.

This represents the most Thanksgiving holiday travelers since 2007 and the seventh consecutive year of growth for Thanksgiving travel. Here in Orlando, we look forward to welcoming our fair share of those using lower gas prices and a boost in disposable income as reasons to visit our destination.

As we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives this week, all of us in Orlando should carve out a helping of gratitude for the millions of visitors who choose Orlando for their leisure trip, convention or meeting. Tourism generates $60 billion annually to our community and is the reason why one out of every three of us have a job in Orlando.

Let me also take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels to those of you whose plans may take you away from Orlando this holiday weekend!

-George Aguel

 
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From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando
 
Thanksgiving Travelers to Feast on Low Gas Prices

AAA Travel forecasts 46.9 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday, a 0.6 percent increase over 2014 and the most since 2007. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 29. Most travelers (89 percent) will drive to their destinations, and they will enjoy the lowest Thanksgiving gas prices since 2008. On Monday the national average price for a gallon of gasoline was $2.06, 75 cents less than the average price one year ago ($2.81). Click here to read more from AAA.

 
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Visit Orlando Updates
 

China FAM

Visit Orlando Welcomes Emirates China FAM

Visit Orlando partnered with Emirates to host a familiarization tour for a group from China, Nov. 20-24. Participants included representatives from leading travel companies based in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, including CTrip, China Travel Service, Shanghai JinJiang Tours, Dista Group and Galaxy Tour. During its first-ever tour of Orlando, the group experienced the theme parks, I-Drive 360 and shopping at Orlando Premium Outlets.

dining article

Orlando Dining in the Spotlight for Canadian Media

Visit Orlando's recent international dining press trip has already led to coverage in two top Canadian publications, Huffington Post and Vitamin Daily, earning more than 3 million impressions combined. The articles each explore how Orlando's dining scene has grown and diversified. More coverage is expected soon from the three other press trip attendees.

DERTOUR

Visit Orlando Hosts German Travel Agents

Last week, Visit Orlando hosted the second pre-academy DERTOUR FAM group from Germany. The 25 travel agents stayed at the Ramada Plaza Resort & Suites and at Disney's Beach Club Resort, had a welcome breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, visited Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, and enjoyed shopping at the Orlando International Premium Outlets. The group continued its adventure in Busch Gardens Tampa and St. Pete/Clearwater before departing to Las Vegas for DERTOUR Academy.

 

NCBMP

Convention Sales Attends NCBMP Conference (NCBMP)

Visit Orlando recently attended the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP) Conference, held Nov. 18-21 in Newport Beach, CA. This year the inaugural "State of Black Tourism" was initiated during the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C. The event was so successful that it was part of the conference agenda. In addition to the business sessions done daily, the Business Exchange trade show was also incorporated into the conference as a state-of-the-art educational program focusing on leadership. Above, from left: Ron Keith, Visit Orlando; Stella Beene-Venson, past president, NCBMP; Cynthia Graddy, meeting planner, National Dental Association; and Frank Seales, Jr, JD-National Bar Institute

ESA

Destination Services Promotes Orlando to ESA

Visit Orlando pre-promoted at Entomological Society of America's (ESA) Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 15-18. Next year, its XXV International Congress of Entomology (ICE) will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in September. With an anticipated 6,000 delegates, ICE 2016 is expected to be the largest gathering of scientists and experts in the history of entomological sciences. Orlando is excited to welcome ESA as it explores Entomology Without Borders at next year's Congress.

 
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News About Orlando
 

Next Week at the Convention Center

Group Meeting Start End Estimate Attendees Estimate Economic Impact
National Training and Simulation Association Interservice/Industry Training Nov. 30 Dec. 3 20,000 $39,400,000
 

Cask-N-Larder

Cask & Larder Names Designer, Releases Rendering of Airport Eatery

Chefs James and Julie Petrakis have hired a familiar face to help them bring the essence of Cask & Larder to the gateway of Orlando's tourism industry.

Read More

Unicorp's Chuck Whittall Plans Convention Hotel, More on I-Drive

Unicorp National Developments Inc.'s master plan for International Drive calls for the possibility for up to 13 new hotels, but don't expect all to be the same size.

Read More

 

OCCC

MegaCon Sequel Brings Fans to Orange County Convention Center

A smaller version of MegaCon, MegaCon Fan Days was expecting an estimated 7,000 fans with the emphasis on a more personal experience.

Read More

I-Drive CoCo Key Water Resort Sells for $15.1 M

The CoCo Key Water Resort on International Drive now belongs to Weston-based InSite Orlando One LLC.

Read More

 
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Industry News
 

hotel

Is a 30-Brand Marriott/Starwood Viable?

More bottom-line dollars. Bigger leverage against OTAs. Fewer brands. Those were the advantages that analysts last week said they saw in Marriott International's acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts for $12.2 billion, creating by far the world's largest hotel company.

Read More

New Lodging Industry Study Reveals Solid Growth in Job Creation, Economic Activity, Travel Revenue

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) released a new Lodging Industry Trends report that underscores the industry's steady pace of job creation, community development and increased tourism and travel across the United States.

Read More

 

business traveller

Survey: Business Travel Industry Booming Once Again

The age of online meetings and instant connections has changed the way people travel for business, but many companies still believe there is nothing that can replace a handshake and a smile.

Read More

Americas: Financial Rule Could Threaten Incentive Travel

What does the Department of Labor have to do with incentive travel? Potentially quite a lot, as the chief executives, sales heads, and compliance officers of insurance and financial services companies are certainly discussing right now.

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 Orlando Economic Development Commission Orlando Health Orlando International Airport
Orlando Magic Orlando Premium Outlets OUC Smart City Tupperware Brands
 
United Service Companies
 
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