Save the Date!
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#MyOrlandoStory of the Week
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Walking Hand-in-Hand Together
Six years ago, we were starting a new life story together blending two families. We wanted to do a destination wedding and thought there could be no greater experience than Orlando for us as a family. After getting married at Leu Gardens, we spent a week exploring Disney, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios. We feel like we took in so much of Orlando and yet there is so much more to see and experience. We all have favourite memories and would love to go back to make new ones.
Stories shared on OrlandoStories.com and using #MyOrlandoStory on social media may be featured as the Story of the Week.
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Visit Orlando Events
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Nov. 5
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.
Nov. 5
Business Referral Group
I-Drive NASCAR Indoor Kart Racing
5228 Vanguard Street
Orlando, FL 32819
407-354-3939 (directions only)
Cost: $20 inclusive
Click here to RSVP.
Dec. 8
Save the Date!
32nd Annual Visit Orlando Meeting & Luncheon
Rosen Shingle Creek
Stay tuned for more 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 Services. Click here to schedule a session.
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Member-to-Member Offers |
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The Florida Association of DMOs is seeking brief news items of 75 words or less for the "Quick Trip0s" section of its newsletter, Tourism Marketing Today. Please send submissions with a photo (if available) and a caption to editor.trainor@gmail.com. The deadline is Nov. 13 for the December edition.
Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Janet Evanovich on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Osceola Heritage Park for Plum Palooza and celebrate the release of the new Stephanie Plum novel, Tricky Twenty-Two.
Get a signed copy and enjoy food and entertainment. Visit Orlando
members will receive 10 percent off of the general admission price. Use
code ORLANDO. Purchase tickets here.
Through Nov. 15, Florida HIA (Hospitality Industry Association) is offering discounted rates on membership for Visit Orlando members and their employees of $25 per membership ($5 off regular price) and up to 50 percent off of company memberships. Florida HIA provides members with more than 50 free attractions and hundreds of exclusive discounts around the state. Be a tourism advocate for your employees and encourage them to experience Florida. Click here for more information.
Visit Orlando members are invited to attend the RTO Summit Orlando Symposium and Luncheon, Monday, Nov. 16 at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek for a special price of $395. Panel sessions will feature the latest on the growing Middle East and India markets to Orlando, perspective on the evolving Brazil market, and more. Click here to register.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Industry Events |
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Community Events |
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President & CEO's Message |
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October 30, 2015 |
SPEAKER ACCEPTS INVITATION TO ANNUAL MEETING
An uncertain political landscape and a volatile world stage will certainly impact our future business. These are the influences for which we have no real control. So how can we be better informed about the status of important issues such as these?
To answer that question, we extended an invitation to a keynote speaker for the upcoming Annual Meeting luncheon who is a recognized key player on the world stage. A visionary leader with a historic record of accomplishments in economics, policy and world affairs. I am pleased to announce that our keynote speaker is a man who brings vast knowledge, experience, and inspiration to our event. You know him as former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich. Speaker Gingrich is unparalleled as an author, politician, historian, teacher, pundit, and geo-political strategist. The Visit Orlando Annual meeting and luncheon is your special opportunity to hear his insights about these critical issues.
As we end 2015 and look ahead to a Presidential election year in 2016, I strongly encourage you to attend this year's Annual Meeting, Dec. 8, 2015. Register now, and watch your inbox for details.
-George Aguel
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From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando |
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Orlando MSA Employment for September
The Leisure and Hospitality sector added more than 14,000 jobs in September compared to the same month last year. The 6.3 percent year-over-year increase in industry employment outpaced the 3.7 percent increase in total nonagricultural employment across the Orlando MSA. Job growth in the leisure and hospitality industry accounted for 14,700 of the 41,400 total increase in nonagricultural employment, nearly 36 percent of job growth.
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Orlando MSA
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Sept. 14 |
Sept. 15 |
Change |
Total Nonagricultural Employment
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1,114,200 |
1,155,600 |
41,400 |
3.7% |
Leisure and Hospitality
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232,600 |
247,300 |
14,700 |
6.3% |
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
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78,100 |
82,700 |
4,600 |
5.9% |
Accommodation and Food Services
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154,500 |
164,600 |
10,100 |
6.5% |
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Visit Orlando Updates |
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Key Client Event Held at the Orlando Magic Game in Brazil
Visit Orlando's Travel Industry team led by Danielle Courtney, chief marketing officer, and Jay Santos, VP of Travel Industry Sales and Trade Relations, hosted 30 of our key tour operators, airline and trade media clients from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to experience the Orlando Magic versus Flamengo game on Oct. 17 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The invitees began their evening with a welcome reception at the Hilton Barra da Tijuca and proceeded to a great Orlando themed evening at the game. The event ended with a photo taken center court.
Visit Orlando Attends Canadian Media Reception
Visit Orlando attended VISIT FLORIDA's annual Toronto media reception to promote the destination ahead of the winter travel season. More than 60 media attended the reception, including various travel and lifestyle outlets, such as Toronto Star, Porter Escapes, Dreamscapes, Huffington Post and others.
Visit Orlando Hosts FAM for Mexican Tour Operator
Visit Orlando's Travel Industry Sales Team hosted a familiarization tour Oct. 19-24 from one of our key tour operators, Ofertur, from Mexico. Fifteen travel agents, tour operator staff and an Aeromexico representative stayed at Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista and visited local venues and attractions, including Downtown Orlando, I-Drive 360, Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, shopping and an Orlando Magic game. We wish to thank all of our supporting members that contributed to this FAM's success.
FTI Touristik USA Roadshow 2015
Visit Orlando was represented at the FTI Touristik USA Roadshow promoting summer 2016 products in seven German-speaking cities from Oct. 8-16. The roadshow travelled to Zurich in Switzerland; Salzburg in Austria, as well as Munich, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin in Germany. During the seven days, we were able to train 586 travel agents. Evening events involved a one-hour travel market followed by an on-stage interview presenting Orlando's news and the Orlando Travel Academy. At the end of each evening an Orlando vacation was presented as a grand prize.
Top Brazilian Media Outlets Feature Multiple Stories on Orlando
As a result of a group press trip held Oct. 4-8, the Visit Orlando team was able to secure multiple articles in top newspapers in Brazil, both in print and online. Orlando's top theme parks, restaurants, hotels, shopping venues, Winter Park and attractions such as the Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, were featured, as well as tips on how to overcome Brazil's economic situation. Also, this week, after a 10-day photoshoot in September, a multiple-page, fashion editorial was published in
Revista Pais&Filhos that included local attractions, dining, shopping, entertainment venues, hotels, and much more. Two more editions on Orlando's top theme parks and upcoming holiday events are in the works. To read the articles online, please visit: Destak, O Globo, Folha de S. Paulo, Portal R7. |
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Chinese Travel Companies Learn the Latest on Orlando
Visit Orlando China representative Frances Wang conducted sales calls and destination training at the offices of key tour operator clients in Beijing, including China Travel Service; China Youth Travel Service; UTour; All America; Alpha Way and Caissa. More than 100 travel professionals were updated on the destination to encourage travel to Orlando during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday.
Visit Orlando Receives Reader's Choice Award from Convention South
Visit Orlando has been named a recipient of ConventionSouth's Annual Reader's Choice Awards as voted on by readers of the magazine. This elite list of the top meeting sites and destinations in the South will be published in the magazine's December issue.
Visit Orlando and Members Host Clients at Virginia International Gold Cup Races
The Convention Sales team, along with 15 members, sponsored a fun-filled day at the 78th Annual International Gold Cup Races at Great Meadows in The Plains, Virginia. More than 100 clients attended the prestigious steeplechase race that is a time-honored tradition in Virginia horse country. Mid-Atlantic clients dined in a private tent on Members Hill, where activities included a "Who Wore it Best?" hat contest and a terrier race. Clients also enjoyed watching the Visit Orlando-sponsored race in a private viewing area in the grandstand. Participating members included the Orange County Convention Center, Caribe Royale Orlando, Christie's Photographic Solutions, Doubletree Orlando at SeaWorld, Hilton Orlando, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Orchid Event Solutions, Orlando
World Center Marriott, Rosen Hotels & Resorts, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Meetings and Events, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and Westgate Resorts.
Destination Represented at Ensemble Travel Group International Conference
The Ensemble Travel Group International Conference was held Oct. 24-28 at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate. Approximately 500 retail travel agents from the U.S. and Canada attended the conference, which was themed "Beyond Boundaries." Visit Orlando exhibited at the trade show and also provided airport meet and greets, and dine-arounds to I-Drive 360 and Pointe Orlando. Above, from left: Shannon Graves, Voyageur Trave.ca; Audrey Proulx, Orion Travelinx; Martina Allen, Visit Orlando Travel Industry Sales team; and Welsonne Renior, UCF student and Visit Orlando intern
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News About Orlando |
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Next Week at the Convention Center
Group |
Meeting |
Start |
End |
Estimate Attendees |
Estimate Economic Impact |
The International Surfaces Event - East |
The International Surfaces Event - East |
Nov. 3
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Nov. 5
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1,500 |
$2,950,000 |
Diving Equipment And Marketing Association
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Annual National Trade Show
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Nov. 4
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Nov. 7
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13,000 |
$25,610,000 |
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Federal Government Endorses SunRail Link to Orlando International Airport
SunRail has won the endorsement of the federal government for a spur that would link the commuter train to Orlando International Airport.
Universal Theme Parks Report Highest Summer Attendance Ever
Comcast Corp.'s theme parks division reported a strong third quarter Tuesday morning, with record attendance driving both revenue and operating cash flow growth of more than 14 percent.
Starwood Hotels' $1.5B Timeshare Business Sold to Miami Firm
South Miami-based Interval Leisure Group has agreed to buy Orlando-based Vistana Signature Experiences, the $1.5 billion vacation ownership spinoff of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Chris Christini of Orlando's Christini's Named FRLA Restaurateur of the Year
The veteran proponent of fine dining and customer service received his award at Wednesday evening's Shades of Pink Installation and Awards Gala held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.
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Frozen Ever After Water Ride Coming to Epcot in 2016
The new Frozen Ever After water ride coming to Epcot in early 2016 will whisk fans away to the kingdom of Arendelle as part of a blizzard of new attractions planned by Disney based on the highest-grossing animated film of all time.
Skyplex Orlando Will Feature SurfStream Wave Machines
The proposed Skyplex Orlando's Sky Surf Park will feature machinery from American Wave Machines.
Orlando Magic Finds Partner with I-Drive Nascar
I-Drive Nascar, an indoor, high performance kart racing facility and
theme park complex, has joined forces with the Orlando Magic to start a
new partnership.
Tonight Show's Jimmy Fallon lands ride at Universal Orlando Resort
Jimmy Fallon and his Tonight Show crew are coming to Universal Orlando Resort in a new attraction, set to open in 2017.
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Industry News |
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Upstart Chinese Carrier Plans Flights to the US and Canada
Yet another Chinese carrier is expanding its international presence. Upstart Xiamen Airlines (also known as XiamenAir) has announced that it will be flying its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners across the Pacific starting in 2016.
HelmsBriscoe's Richard Harper Appointed Meetings Mean Business Co-Chair
Richard Harper, executive vice president at HelmsBriscoe, has been named co-chair of the Meetings Mean Business (MMB) coalition, a consortium of travel industry leaders dedicated to promoting the value of meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows, and exhibitions.
More Wineries Opening in Florida as Citrus Industry Wanes
Florida's wine industry may not be large enough to compete with California's, but it is gaining momentum quickly.
Delta, Expedia Team Up to Make Airline Fees More Transparent
The move signifies the latest step in Delta's effort to consistently give customers the information they need to make educated choices about the kind of onboard experience they want, whether buying through delta.com, traditional or online travel agencies.
Chinese Firms Vie to Buy Starwood Hotels
At least three big Chinese companies are competing to win Beijing’s approval to bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., according to people with knowledge of the discussions, setting the stage for what could be the largest-ever Chinese takeover of a U.S. company.
Open Skies
As the administration reviews demands from the big three airlines to freeze competitors' air service, there are reports that the Justice Department shares the travel industry’s concern about the potential negative impact on travel and travelers. According to a recent Reuters news report, there are voices within the federal government speaking against opening existing Open Skies agreements. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the strategy for airlines to be profitable should be to grow the pie rather than hoard pieces of it.
Jolt Act
The JOLT Act topped 100 cosponsors last week, with three more
legislators signing on: Reps. Danny Davis (D-IL), Frederica Wilson
(D-FL) and Peter Roskam (R-IL). That brings running total to 101
cosponsors of H.R. 1401. The Senate bill, S. 2091, current has 15 cosponsors.
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The Future of Food Tourism Goes Beyond the Restaurant Experience
Experiential travelers engrossed with food want to learn more about how their meals are prepared and where they come from.
IPW Early-Registration Deadline Is Around the Corner
U.S. suppliers can save time and money, earn priority appointment scheduling and more by taking advantage of early registration.
Travel Community Backs New Surface Transportation Bill
On Tuesday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015, marking a huge first step in the renewed focus on updating the federal highway programs.
Expedia Adds Data on Airline Bag Fees
One of the nation's largest online travel search companies has added a feature to make it easier for you to see the true cost of flying.
TripAdvisor Has Created a Video About the Power of Reviews
TripAdvisor has created a short animated video revealing how travellers
use the site to make plans, compare options and book travel. The video
showcases key findings from a recent Phocuswright study, commissioned by
TripAdvisor.
Taiwan Global Entry
Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), supported by 20 Senate colleagues, recently urged inclusion of Taiwan in Global Entry, a CBP program which expedites clearance into the U.S. for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Including Taiwan would not only ease reciprocal travel, but also enhance law enforcement precautions resulting from Taiwan's participation in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Currently, citizens of Canada, South Korea, Panama, Germany, New Zealand and Canada can participate in Global Entry.
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