Featured Event
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Join the Conversation
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The Visit Orlando Social Media team, joined forces with MegaCon and hosted a Twitter giveaway to give out a pair of 4-day deluxe passes to MegaCon 2016!
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Visit Orlando Events
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June 2
Business Referral Group
Benihana
12690 International Drive South
407-239-7400 (directions only)
Cost: TBD
Click here to RSVP.
July 14
Member Orientation
Click here to register.
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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Congratulations Members
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The DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld broke ground on their new meeting space, which will result in an additional 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space - adding to the already 60,000 sq. ft. of meeting space!
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Member-to-Member Offers |
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Putting for Patriots is an annual fundraising event at Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf over Memorial Day weekend. They proudly support three pre-screened charities that as a group efficiently serve our wounded, their families and the survivors of fallen military members. Participating courses: golf courses and miniature golf courses.
Masterful Wine Events is offering Visit Orlando members 10 percent off the regular prices of wine, beer and spirit tastings. The venue located in the Church Street Historic District hosts up to 40 people while larger groups can be accommodated in the venue located across the street. Tastings and classes can be designed as spouse entertainment, team building (structured as a competition) or as an enhancement to a dinner or cocktail reception. Tastings can also be held at trade show booths, which has doubled traffic for past clients. To reserve your tasting, call 407-906-8622 and mention Visit Orlando.
Florida HIA (Hospitality Industry Association) is offering a $5 discount off membership to Visit Orlando members and their employees ($30 regular). Florida HIA is the only tourism benefits provider for Visit Florida and many other DMOs. With more than 400 hospitality discounts around the state, it's time for your own Florida getaway. Valid till May 31, 2016. Click here to apply.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations® At Orange Lake Resort is more than a stay — it's a place to play. Enjoy seven swimming pools (including a lazy river-style pool and waterslides), mini golf courses, arcades, four golf courses, tennis courts, an 80-acre lake with plenty of watersports, fun zone and more. Visit Orlando members save up to 10% off your stay. Call 407-477-7029 to reserve your stay. Offer expires June 30, 2016.
Hard Rock Café Orlando is offering Visit Orlando Members Free Delivery on all Offsite Corporate Catering. This could include Breakfast or Lunch Meetings, Customer Appreciation Events, Employee Appreciation Events, Holiday Parties, etc. Customizable menus and options are available to fit the event's budget and vision. To claim this offer, email Jaclyn Eiler and reference the Visit Orlando website. Expiration date: August 31, 2016.
Orlando City Soccer Club would like to extend discounted group tickets to Visit Orlando members through Oct. 24, 2016. Click here to download information on group pricing discounts. Contact Christopher Benavides at cbenavides@orlandocitysc.com or call 407-480-4762 for more information.
Sammy Duvall Watersports, located behind Disney's Contemporary Resort, is proud to offer Visit Orlando members 10 percent off all water activities (parasailing, personal watercrafts, wake boarding, water skiing and more) now through Dec. 31, 2016. To claim this offer, call 407-939-0754 or email reservations@sammyduvall.com, and mention the offer code "visitorlando10" when booking.
ALL4 ONE SPORTS would like Visit Orlando members to experience Bubble Soccer. Enjoy a one-hour party rental at Soccer XL Indoor Soccer Complex for 10 players. Bump the competition and blow off some steam. To redeem this $400 offer, call 386-624-4084 or email all41sports41@gmail.com, and mention the offer code BUMP when booking.
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Industry Events
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Community Events |
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Connect With Visit Orlando |
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Be sure to follow us at @VisitOrlando on Instagram and Twitter, fan us at facebook.com/VisitOrlando or watch us at YouTube.com/VisitOrlando for more insider information about the world's most famous destination!
To sign up for our e-newsletter, click here.
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President & CEO's Message |
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May 26, 2016
Memorial Day Kicks Off Banner Summer Travel Season
An estimated 38 million Americans are expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend according to AAA. And of all the places they can chose to spend this long holiday weekend, more are planning to come to Orlando than any other U.S. destination. Warm weather tops the national list of what travelers are searching for this year, making Orlando a natural choice. These robust travel predictions point to the second-highest Memorial Day volume on record, and the largest
since 2005.
It seems Americans are more eager than ever for the start of summer and are ready to travel in numbers we haven't seen in over a decade. Thanks to strong employment, a rise in personal income and the lowest gas prices in 11 years, the Memorial Day getaway looks to be one of the best our destination has seen.
Nearly 34 million, or 89 percent, of these vacationers will travel by car thanks to a drop in gas prices. In fact, in Orlando our guests can expect to pay an average price of $2.14 per gallon, down 39 cents over 2015. Nearly 2.6 million travelers will take to the skies across the nation which is 1.6 percent more than we saw last year.
As guests arrive in Orlando this summer they'll be welcomed by a host of new must-see attractions which include Universal Orlando Resort's Skull Island: Reign of Kong, Epcot's Frozen Ever After and SeaWorld Orlando's Mako hypercoaster. Without a doubt, these attractions will drive new visitation and provide reasons for travelers to return again and again.
-George Aguel
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From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando |
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Gas Prices Lowest for the Memorial Day Holiday Since 2005
AAA reported on Monday that gas prices had risen 12 days in a row, reaching their highest point for the year as the Memorial Day holiday approaches. Nevertheless, drivers remain on target to pay the lowest prices for the Memorial Day holiday since 2005. Gas prices are rising in part due to increased demand as the summer travel season approaches, and also due to planned and unplanned refinery maintenance. The national average price for a gallon of gas was $2.304 on May 25, up 6 cents (2.9%) from the prior week and 17 cents (7.9%) from the prior month. Compared to the same date in 2015, a gallon of gas was 44 cents (16%) cheaper.
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Visit Orlando Updates |
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"Angry Splash Mountain Lady" Re-Do Generates Nearly 30 Million Media Impressions
More than 23 million media impressions (67 articles/news stories) and 6 million social media impressions were generated as a result of Visit Orlando hosting "Angry Splash Mountain Lady" for a re-do. News and photos are still being picked up by news and social media outlets around the country including top outlets: Today.com, Orlando Sentinel/Sun Sentinel and this great CNY Central interview
. Check out all the publicity this story garnered
here.
Trademark Association Hits Record Numbers
The 138th Annual Meeting of the International Trademark Association this week confirmed record attendance of more than 10,000 in Orlando, the first time the organization met at the Orange County Convention Center. Estimated economic impact is close to $20 million. "This meeting grows every year but this is the biggest annual meeting ever," said Sarah O'Connell, Director of Education for the International Trademark Association. "The location of Orlando has a lot to do with it. About 60 percent of attendees are from outside the United States, which is another reason why we like Orlando--great lift." From left: Dionne Downs, planner, Sarah O'Connell and Sasha Colquhoun, associate planner.
Mexico's Vogue Magazine Explores Orlando
Vogue Magazine Mexico, with a circulation of 212,400, visited Orlando during a four-day press trip earlier this month. Photographer Cesar Durione and Editor Bárbara Terán experienced the Mills 50 district, College Park and Audubon Park, culture and arts at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Morse Museum. They also tasted some Asian fare at Disney Springs' Morimoto Asia, Restaurant Row's Urbain 40, Winter Park's Prato and more. The journalists were hosted by Visit Orlando's PR team.
Out-A-Sight Site for MVERGE
Travis Binkley, of Visit Orlando, conducted site tours with MVERGE for a Joint Conference (Miller Pipeline and Minnesota Limited that have just merged) taking place in January 2017. This key short-term group consists of: 425 rooms peak, 500 attendees and 1,300-plus total room nights for Visit Orlando member hotels. On Friday, May 13th, MVERGE chose Orlando as their 2017 destination and is currently in discussions with one of our member hotels. Pictured from left: Kelly Newlon, ConferenceDirect, Travis Binkley, Melissa Leslie, MVERGE and Laura Morrow, MVERGE.
Association Planners Tour Orlando
Visit Orlando's Business Development team hosted corporate and association meeting planners on a FAM May 19-22 and toured nine hotels, Universal Studios, Mango's Tropical Café, I-Drive 360 and Disney Springs. Participants included: Ntal Alimasi, National Association of African Catholics in the US; David Dirks, National Alliance to End Homelessness; Courtney Jacobs, Cardno USA; Olga McGee, National Association of Lease and Title Analysts; Georgette Mercado, Voya Financial and Chris Ullmer, Professional Association of Innkeepers. From Visit Orlando: Beatriz Alvarez, Deb Melnick and Aitza Diaz.
HIMSS Here to Prep for 2017 Exhibit
Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) was here for a planning site May 18-19 in preparation for their Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition 2017. The conference will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in February next year bringing an anticipated 42,000 delegates - and an estimated $83 million to the destination.
Endocrine Society Plans for 2017 Annual Meeting
Nine thousand delegates are set to converge on Orlando in 2017 for The Endocrine Society's Annual Meeting & Exposition 2017. The conference will be held for the first time in Orlando at the Orange County Convention Center next April, bringing an estimated $18 million in economic impact to the destination. Planners were in for a site May 23-24 in preparation for the annual show.
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MegaCon Orlando 2016 Opens Today!
MegaCon Orlando, the Southeast's largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming event, opens today and runs through Sunday, May 29 at the Orange County Convention Center. Here, Chris Kernstock from the social media team interviews MegaCon's show director Andrew Moyes. "We're delighted to be here in Orlando and plan to be here for many years to come," he said.
The four-day convention showcases over 1,000 exhibits and will attract more than 100,000 fans from all over the world. Celebrities William Shatner, Adam West and comic book legend Stan Lee, among others, will be on hand for meet-and-greets and autograph signing. For more information go to megaconorlando.com.
Golf Tournament Raises $13,800 for Charity
Visit Orlando's 20th Annual Golf Tournament raised $13,800 for The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, which provides household furnishings and clothing to those who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy. Thanks to all the sponsors, players and volunteers. From left: Mustard Seed Board Member Gary Rall, VP of Resort Renovation & Design at Wyndham Vacation Ownership; Mustard Seed Executive Director Kathy Baldwin; and Visit Orlando President & CEO George Aguel.
Orlando's Booming Dining Scene Highlighted in Tampa Bay Times
The Tampa Bay Times print and online editions (combined circ. 2.7 million) ran an 8-page weekend edition focused on what's new at the theme parks this summer, which included an article praising Orlando's dining scene, saying we are the "It Spot" for celebrity chefs. Visit Orlando's public relations team worked with the reporter on the story, which showcases developments at Disney Springs, Universal's CityWalk and Downtown Orlando.
Guatemalan Tour Operators Visit Destination
Visit Orlando hosted a breakfast seminar presentation for the Guatemala FAM of Vacation USA Tours Inc. on May 18th. Vacations USA Tours Inc. is a wholesaler receptive tour operator with vast experience in the international market, located in Miami. The Guatemala FAM consisted of their top 12 travel agencies.
Orlando Message Reinforced to China Travel Trade
Visit Orlando joined 12 representatives of Florida destination marketing organizations, theme parks, attractions and transportation companies during the annual Visit Florida China sales mission held May 10-18. The Visit Orlando China team reached a total of 400 travel trade representatives during events in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and Hangzhou.
A number of client events were designed to educate the China-based tour operators and travel agents on Florida tourism offerings through seminars, one-on-one meetings, and sales calls.
Brazilian Tour Operator Offers Summer Soccer Camp in Orlando
CVC, Visit Orlando's No. 1 producing tour operator, in partnership with Academy Soccer Ronaldo (the Brazilian soccer school created by the five-time world champion player) launched a special Summer Soccer Camp for Brazilian students ages 12-17. The program is being sold in 7,500 CVC stores in Brazil. Other than supervised visits to the area theme parks, the two-week program includes English language classes, soccer camps, and room and board at Fountains condominiums. Pictured Renata Bueno, manager, CVC.
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News About Orlando |
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Next Week at the Convention Center
Group |
Meeting |
Start |
End |
Estimated Attendees |
Estimated Economic Impact |
MegaCon |
MegaCon |
May 26 |
May 29 |
40,000 |
$9,097,066 |
USA Volleyball |
USA Volleyball Open National Championships & Corporate Annual Meetings |
May 27 |
June 1
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6,500 |
$12,805,000 |
Premiere Shows, Inc. |
Premiere Beauty Show |
June 5 |
June 6 |
50,000 |
$98,500,000 |
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Orlando Among Top Five Family Vacation Spots
According to U.S. News and World Report. "There's no other city in the United States — the world, even — that celebrates childhood quite like Orlando." Orlando has been named one of the top five Best Family Vacations in the world, based on votes from thousands of travelers. U.S. News gathered a list of destinations that are highly praised by experts for offering reasonable rates and activities the whole family can enjoy. Readers voted to help pick the top places in the country to visit as a family.
School Leaders Tout District Successes
OCPS Chairman Bill Sublette and Superintendent Barbara Jenkins and School Board members spoke to a group of employees, businesses and community leaders at an event held in conjunction with the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association. Orange County school leaders touted the district's successes – including a 90 percent graduation rate at its 19 traditional high schools. Photography by Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel
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Nemours and Andrews Institute Team Up as Medical Provider to USTA
Nemours Children's Health System and the internationally recognized Dr. James Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine have announced they will partner to be the official medical services provider for the United States Tennis Association's National Campus here. The two facilities will provide physicians, sports nutritionists, and athletic trainers for USTA's campus in Orlando. Several Orlando TV news stations – local NBC (preview segment; full report); ABC;
FOX and
CW – covered the announcement.
STK Opens at Disney Springs
STK Orlando steakhouse opened at Disney Springs with a red carpet event. The restaurant has two floors of seating and an incredible view from the outdoor patio overlooking Disney Springs.
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Industry News |
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Travelers Expected to Spend 12 Billion this Memorial Day Weekend Travelers hitting the roads, rails and skies this Memorial Day weekend are expected to spend a total of $12 billion during their trips, an increase of 1.2 percent from last year, according to research from the U.S. Travel Association.
Hoteliers Optimistic About the Remainder of 2016
Despite investor and Wall Street doubts, executives of publicly traded hotel companies anticipate strong growth for the remainder of 2016. "What we're sensing is a very strong summer and then strong end of the year," says Steve Joyce, CEO, Choice Hotels International, despite pessimism outside the industry.
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American Airlines Pays to Hire Help for TSA American Airlines is spending millions to hire workers to help manage airport security lines, reports USA Today. In the meantime, the TSA unveiled a 10-point plan for reducing wait times, including hiring 768 more officers, paying more overtime and shifting canine teams to busier airports.
CDC Zika Information
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available (May 25, 2016) indicate that zero (0) locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 591 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.
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