April 15, 2016

Let's Celebrate!

Tourism is a significant driver of our nation's economy and a leading source of jobs right here in Orlando. We'll celebrate all that our industry brings to this destination at Visit Orlando's Travel & Tourism Luncheon on May 2 at Hilton Orlando. In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week, it's a celebration you won't want to miss that will feature the insightful perspectives of Keynote Speaker Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor of CBS News.
 
Not only is Mr. Greenberg a multiple Emmy Award Winning-reporter, best-selling author and an accomplished editor, he is also one of the most influential people in travel. As a consummate insider when it comes to reporting the news of travel, his guidebooks and broadcast specials have become go-to sources for consumers and industry leaders alike.
 
At our May luncheon, Mr. Greenberg will give us a glimpse into the trends that are emerging in travel and his global perspective on what we can expect for the future. In addition, we'll take a look at what all this means for our destination and the impact tourism will continue to have here in Orlando.
 
To hear Mr. Greenberg's unique insights, network with your friends and colleagues and celebrate another great year of tourism in Orlando, register today to attend.

-George Aguel

Citywide Attendance up 22% in Q1

The Orange County Convention Center started 2016 in strong fashion. The Center hosted 41 citywide events in Q1 welcoming more than 405,000 attendees. Citywide attendance was 22 percent higher than Q1 2015. Overall 2016 looks like a good year at the Center, which is currently scheduled to host 112 citywide events, up from 98 in 2015. Citywide attendance is expected to increase for the third year in a row.

"Only in Orlando" Video & Blog Series Premieres

Visit Orlando's Content & Social Media Team premiered its new video and blog series, "Only in Orlando" this week featuring Gatorland. The series features experiences that can only be found in Orlando. Our viewers will learn about our one-of-a-kind adventures and see unique things to do for those seeking unforgettable memories that can only happen in Orlando. Watch it now.

Visit Orlando & Walt Disney World Partner on
First-Ever Live Stream From Epcot Festival

Last week, Visit Orlando partnered with Walt Disney World for a LIVE video stream on Facebook and Periscope featuring insider tips from the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival experts. Walt Disney World's Horticulture Manager Eric Darden and Festival Content Manager Marianne Hunnel shared their tips about things to do at the festival as well as performed live food and beverage demonstrations for Visit Orlando's social media audience. Watch here and read more in our VistOrlando.com blog.

Visit Orlando to Host Global Radio Broadcast Event

Beginning this weekend, Visit Orlando will host radio broadcasters from 16 radio stations from around the world at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek for a week-long live broadcast. The on-air talent, from the markets of New York, Chicago, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada, Miami, West Palm and Jacksonville, will be broadcasting their shows live from Orlando starting Monday, April 18, after experiencing all that is new and exciting in the destination. The group will be visiting the theme parks as well as numerous other venues in a jam-packed itinerary and will then talk about all their adventures in Orlando live on the radio.

Orlando Featured in Largest French-Canadian Newspaper

As a result of hosting a journalist from Le Journal de Montreal, Quebec's largest-circulating newspaper and the largest French-circulating newspaper in North America, and Le Journal de Quebec March 2-6, Orlando was featured both in print and online articles for a combined reach of more than 3.6 million. The article highlights the "other side of Orlando," focusing on Winter Park and Orlando's lesser-known attractions.

NSHMBA Considering Orlando for 2018 Conference

Visit Orlando's Convention Sales Team recently hosted Jorge Rivas, senior manager, Events & Logistics with The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) on March 29 at Mango's Tropical Café Orlando. NSHMBA is considering Orlando for its 2018 Annual Conference and Career Expo. Shown above, from left: Casey Sofka, Visit Orlando; Jorge Rivas and Brandie Steadham, National Society of Hispanics MBAs; Collette Johnson, Visit Orlando; and Richard Lewis, Freeman Company, and John Zoller, Orange County Convention Center.

Visit Orlando Hosts HelmsBriscoe

Visit Orlando's Ken Barnett along with the Business Development Team hosted the HelmsBriscoe New Associate FAM last weekend. The 13 planners that attended are not new to our industry but must be employed by HelmsBriscoe less than a year to qualify to attend. During their three-day visit, the group received an extensive education on the destination while touring many of the area's hotels and venues.

Orlando Contingent Attends SISO CEO Summit

Visit Orlando and Orange County Convention Center representatives attended the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) CEO Summit held in San Diego, California, April 3-6. SISO members include companies, corporations and other for-profit entities that own, produce or provide full-service management of "face-to-face" trade shows, consumer shows, expositions, conferences and /or similar events as a substantial part of their business. The annual Summit is considered the gold standard for the industry's who's who and is attended by company owners, CEOs and presidents who network with peers and are involved in creating the strategies that will map out the short- and long-term future for the industry.

Next Week at the Convention Center

McDonald's Announces New CEO, Rolls Out
Self-Serve Kiosks at Worldwide Convention

McDonald's Corporation welcomed 14,000 franchisees and exhibitors from 100 different countries to their Worldwide Convention 2016 at the Orange County Convention Center this week. During the event, McDonalds announced 13 new executive management team members, including new CEO Steve Easterbrook, who comes from McDonalds U.K. This year's show also featured a rollout of McDonald's new self-serve order kiosks for attendees to test on the show floor. Shown above, from left: Kelley Butler, director, Meetings & Events, McDonalds Corp.; and Carolyn Martin, CMP, senior manager, Destination Services, Visit Orlando, during McDonald's Corporation Worldwide Convention 2016.

Orlando Style Magazine Readers Name
SFB No. 1 for Family Friendly Airport

Orlando Style Magazine names Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) as No. 1 Readers' Choice for Family Friendly Airport.

Disney Springs to Debut Town Center in May

According to a recent DisneyParks Blog, Disney Springs is set to debut its Town Center, with new locations opening beginning May 15 and the majority of new venues open to guests by July 1.

Most Biz Travelers Wouldn't "Self Connect"

U.S. travelers are open to "self-connection" - booking connecting flights through separate tickets - to save money, but business travelers are more wary of the practice, according to an OAG survey of 2,968 travelers.

ASTA Helps Biz Travelers Navigate New
Airline Pricing Structure

Several U.S.-based airlines, including American, Delta and United, recently made subtle changes to their domestic pricing structure resulting in not-so-subtle changes to the cost of some airfares, especially impacting the business traveler. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) learned of this issue from its agent members who detected this change early, and quickly began helping customers navigate the complexities of the fares and pricing.

Incentive Travel Survey Shows Budget Come Back

According to the latest MeetingsNet and Incentive Research Foundation survey, incentive travel budgets and programs are on the rise.

DOT: February 2016 On-Time Arrivals Up

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Air Travel Consumer Report released Wednesday, April 13, 2016, reporting carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 83.6 percent in February 2016, up from both the 72.8 percent on-time rate in February 2015 and the 81.3 percent mark in January 2016,

GBTA Discourages EU Suspension of Visa Waiver

The GBTA releases statement on the European Commission's discussion of a potential one-year suspension of its visa waiver agreement with the United States and Canada, which would require all travelers to obtain a visa for travel to Europe.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available (April 13, 2016) indicate that zero (0) locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 358 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.