SAVE THE DATE & NOMINATE: May 8, 2019

We need your nominations for the 2018/2019 SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards! We will recognize front line hospitality employees who go above and beyond during our National Tourism Appreciation Day luncheon & SUNsational Service Courtesy Awards, Wed, May 8 at the Broward County Convention Center. 

As we strive to provide SUNsational Service to Greater Fort Lauderdale visitors, we invite you to submit a nomination to recognize the most helpful and courteous hospitality industry employees - valet, lifeguard, bellman, housekeeper, taxi driver, server, baggage handler, reservationist, etc. CLICK HERE to nominate.
Nominations must be submitted by March 2. Contact Rita at rwells@broward.org
with questions.

Learn more about the SUNsational Service program. Click for the schedule.

DECEMBER STATS

NEW OPENINGS

AND Fish Kitchen + Bar, a fresh-catch culinary experience inspired by Pompano Beach’s casual coastal charm, world-class fishing and abundant diving, opens this month at the Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa. The 115-seat indoor restaurant will boast an exceptional wine list with hand-crafted cocktails and signature dishes served in a contemporary nautical setting. The patio, which used to be a part of McCoy’s, will now be its own entity called Patio 1200 and will serve lunch.

W Fort Lauderdale launched an AWAY Spa with full-service body and beauty treatments to help guests detox, retox, and repeat with a comprehensive new menu, refreshed space and a lineup of beauty products from Comfort Zone.

Vale Food Co., a bowl-based restaurant focusing on healthy eating, opened in Fort Lauderdale last month featuring bowls with freshly prepared meats and vegetables. A vibrant atmosphere, with ceiling ducts painted to resemble jungle plants and vines.

The Wreck Bar at B Ocean Fort Lauderdale will welcome “The Aquamen” performing an underwater burlesque show on Thursday nights. Complimentary prosecco will be served from 6-7pm and drink specials until 8pm with the show starting at 9pm. Reservations are recommended.

PUBLIC RELATIONS CORNER

The PR team hosted a group media FAM centered around Art Fort Lauderdale. Journalists experienced the burgeoning local arts scene, artwalks, artistic culinary experiences, as well as the “Art Fair on the Water.” Journalists included Maria Birger (Forbes), James Sloteck (Toronto Sun), Robin Tierney (Artsy) and Hilary Chan Latos (Resident Magazine). 

The CVB joined VISIT FLORIDA for the “Moments of Sunshine” takeover in Toronto, where a pop up activation in the Union Rail Station had commuters preview the destination experience with holograms. Ivonne MacMillan interacted with commuters showcasing Greater Fort Lauderdale. As part of the activation, Ivonne also met with 60 journalists and influencers at a separate media reception.

Snapshot from the UK:
The UK PR team assisted in booking the flights for Gay Times and Wegan who are attending Pride Fort Lauderdale on an international group press trip. Hills Balfour also secured Graham McKenzie with Travel Mole who visited the destination pre Florida Huddle 2019.

TOURISM SALES UPDATE

What We've Been Doing:
In January, Gabriel Martinez attended Florida Huddle in Daytona Beach (pictured here). Gonzalo Rubio was joined by CVB business partners Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Beach and Segway Fort Lauderdale at the Travel and Adventure Show in Chicago.

Snapshot from the UK:
The UK Sales & Marketing team attended Florida Huddle with Gabriel meeting with various key members of the UK trade. The team is preparing for the Florida’s Beaches Scandinavia Shows and the Aer Lingus Roadshow this month. 

FLL NEWS

2018 Total Traffic: 35,963,370, up 10.6%, Domestic traffic: 27,355,007, up 8.0%, International traffic: 8,608,363, up 19.8%, Double digit international growth for the last 5 years, positive growth in total traffic every year since 2010, 13 more scheduled daily domestic departures vs 2017 and 12 more scheduled daily international departures vs 2017. ACI Rankings for October YTD include FLL was the fastest growing large hub with traffic up 11.3%; ranked 18th in total traffic and ranked 10th in total international traffic.

New Service scheduled for 2019:

• January: Silver to Daytona Beach
• February: JetBlue to Phoenix, St. Maarten and Guayaquil; Spirit to Jacksonville and Austin; and Silver to Pensacola and The Bight (Bahamas)
• March: WestJet to St. Johns Newfoundland and Frontier to Denver
• May: Spirit to Raleigh Durham

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION MARKETING

Last month, Richard Gray hosted the LGBT+ Media reception at the New York Times Travel Show with a booth in the LGBT+ section promoting Pride Fort Lauderdale taking place Feb 21-24 and Pride of the Americas coming April 2020.

Richard also spoke at the Connect Sports Diversity Events Summit in Fort Lauderdale and will be hosting an international LGBT+ press trip during Pride Fort Lauderdale with media from Brazil, Canada, the UK and the U.S.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB made the short list for Spartacus Travel Awards. Vote now for Best LGBTQ Campaign.

UNDERGROUND
FILM ~ MUSIC ~ FASHION ~ CREATE

FILM PERMITS IN JANUARY = 44 

MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

The CVB hosted the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce for a destination preview which included a performance of Porgy & Bess at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. (Pictured here is Jacqueline Lorber with Symphony of the Americas, Lloyd Williams with the Greater Harlem Chamber, Pam Adams with Adams Consulting Group and Albert Tucker with the CVB). 

The CVB also hosted a reception for the Board of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators and welcomed groups: World Vision’s Pastors Gathering, Jewish Federations of North America and Ministers Institute Conference. Upcoming groups include: Native American Heritage Association and Hope Celebration.    

FEBRUARY GROUP SALES & SERVICES UPDATE

Groups meeting in February will generate more than $11 million to Broward County. Groups include:

Feb 2-8: Pfizer Inc. National Sales Meeting (650 attendees)
Feb 5-9: CRC Leadership 2019 (460 attendees)
Feb 6-10: PRI-MED South 2019 (4000 attendees)
Feb 12-19: Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating (450 attendees)
Feb 16-17: Florida Sunshine Cup 2019 (2000 attendees)
Feb 18-21: Ultimate Software Team Meeting (1650 attendees)
Feb 20-23: Florida Osteopathic Medical Association Convention (400 attendees)
Feb 27-Mar 3: PPGC 2019 Nicklaus Children's Hospital (450 attendees)

HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN

Through Feb 10: The Producers Lauderhill Performing Arts Center
Feb 5: St. Louis Blues vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 7: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 7-10: Fort Lauderdale Greek Festival, St. Demetrios Church
Feb 8: Joel And Victoria Osteen, BB&T Center
Feb 8: Nirvanna - A Tribute to Nirvana, Revolution Live
Feb 9: Adam Sandler, BB&T Center
Feb 9: School House Rock Live, Miramar Cultural Center
Feb 10: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 12: Dallas Stars vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 13: Dancing with the Stars: Live! Hard Rock Live
Feb 13: Svetlana & The Delancey Five, Broward Center
Feb 13-21: Alita: The IMAX 2D Experience, Museum of Discovery & Science
Feb 14: Calgary Flames vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 14-15: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Hard Rock Live
Feb 16: Downtown Hollywood Artwalk, Market & Mural Tour
Feb 16: Michael Bublé, BB&T Center
Feb 16: Taste of Oakland Park    
Feb 17: Montreal Canadiens vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 17: Sola Rum, Food & Wine Festival, Lauderhill Performing Arts Center
Feb 19: Buffalo Sabres vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 20: Fleetwood Mac, BB&T Center
Feb 20: Hymn: Sarah Brightman, Hard Rock Live
Feb 21: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 21-24: Pride Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale beach
Feb 21-28: How To Train Your Dragon, IMAX, Museum of Discovery & Science
Feb 22: Bad Company, Hard Rock Live
Feb 22: TobyMac, BB&T Center
Feb 23: FAT Village ARTWALK, Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Feb 23: 4th Annual Riverwalk Chili Cook-off, Esplanade Park
Feb 23: Los Angeles Kings vs. Florida Panthers, BB&T Center
Feb 23: Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience, Hard Rock Live
Feb 23-24: Orange Blossom Festival Rodeo, Bergeron Rodeo Grounds
Feb 27: The Beach Boys, Hard Rock Live
Feb 28: Ron White, Hard Rock Live

For more events visit sunny.org/events. If you would like to submit an event for approval, go to sunny.org/submit.

Best wishes,

Stacy Ritter, President

VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIALS

We invite you to create special offers including spa treatments for two, wine pairings or other creative ideas for our visitors looking for romance. We will promote your packages on sunny.org/valentines 
and social media. Submit your offers under your
partner login. If you need your login, contact Rita. When creating your coupons, be sure to select the Valentine coupon category. Questions? Contact Justin.

TRENDING

The Boston Globe: The under-the-radar, unsung beach towns of Florida

The Economic Times: Planning a trip to the USA? A playground on the water, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a must-visit

Times Union (Albany):
Greater Fort Lauderdale: Four Reasons to Visit this February

World Bride Magazine:
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Hidden Gem’s For Your Wedding Festivities

GET YOUR TICKETS

Journey back to the 16th century as you step through castle gates and into the days of yore at the
Renaissance Festival. Explore the artisans' village and view live demos of glassblowing, steel-fighting, archery, and more. Feast on hearty food fit for a king while enjoying live performances on stage and in the lanes, including thrice-daily jousting events. Feb 9-Mar 24, weekends only.

The 18th Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food (SOBEWFF®) festival returns, along with the Crave Greater Fort Lauderdale series, Feb 20-24. Click here for a list of the star-studded line-up of talent coming to Greater Fort Lauderdale.

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Sports Development welcomes more than 20,000 athletes, coaches and families in February including: Dig the Beach Volleyball Series and A1A Marathon and Half Marathon in Fort Lauderdale, International Water Polo Tournament in Coral Springs, Southern Collegiate College Hockey Showcase at the ICEDEN in Coral Springs, Orange Blossom Festival and Rodeo in Davie, Sunshine Cup Flag Football at Central Broward Park and Broward County Stadium, and Weston Cup Soccer Tournament.

KUDOS

Congrats to Kelly Tortoriello for 25 years of service to Broward County/GFLCVB and promoting the destination!  

CVB TEAM
ON THE MOVE

Feb 3-7: IITA Summit, Savannah, GA (Gabriel Martinez)
Feb 5: NYC HHRM Meeting, (Jennifer Sena)
Feb 7: MPI Golf Committee Dinner, NJ (Jennifer Sena)
Feb 7-11: AAA Great Vacations, Columbus, OH (Gonzalo Rubio)
Feb 12: NYC HHRM Meeting, (Jennifer Sena)
Feb 19-22: NJ/NYC Sales Mission (Jennifer Sena)
Feb 19-23: Connect Travel Marketplace, Orlando (Gabriel Martinez)
Feb 24-27: NY/NJ Sales Mission (Gonzalo Rubio)
Feb 24-27: MPI Mid-America Conf, Lexington & Louisville Sales Mission (Liz Kara)
Feb 26: PCMA, NYC (Jennifer Sena)
Feb 26-Mar 3: Vitrina Turistica ANATO, Bogota, Colombia (Gabriel Martinez)
Feb 27-Mar 1: LIMRA Distribution Conference (Jennifer Sena)
Feb 28-Mar 5: AAA Marketplace, Boston (Justin Flippen)

GFLCVB TEAM
IN ACTION

Dion James, Jennifer Sena and Liz Kara at PCMA in Pittsburgh with partners Claudio Lupo and Emily Orsini with Marriott Harbor Beach. 

Click here to check out more of our CVB team in action at various events and functions around the world.