SUMMER PROGRAMS

Enjoy 2-for-1 deals during Summer Savings at more than 40 attractions now through September 30. Visit sunny.org/summer to view special summer deals. Special thanks to our many hospitality industry partners for their participation providing 2-for-1 offers for experiences from arts and entertainment to dining and spa treatments. 

Exclusive Greater Fort Lauderdale Vacation Like A VIP packages are now available through September 30 at participating Resort Collection properties offering a room upgrade, complimentary valet parking, $100 resort credit, access to The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills Luxury Lounge and a free power bank courtesy of the CVB. 

For details on the Vacation Like a VIP program (valid now through Sept 30 with a two-night minimum stay) and a list of participating properties, visit sunny.org/vip.

APRIL STATS

2019 SUNSATIONAL SERVICE 
COURTESY AWARD WINNERS

The GFLCVB commemorated National Travel & Tourism Week at the 30th Annual Tourism Day luncheon by celebrating the value of travel and tourism and honoring members of the local hospitality community for excellence. Congrats to the 2019 SUNsational Service Courtesy Award winners pictured above, from left to right: Sebastian Serna, Stacy Ritter (Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB President and CEO), Kelli Tretina, Kiley Lamey, Henry Munoz, Dieulila Joseph, Jorge Valencia, Joadis Boza, David Farr, Sue Peregrin, Anne Gourdet, and Jason Blacklock. Click here to read their stories and click here to see the video presentations.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

Hurricane season is here. As you know, the GFLCVB works closely with Broward County Emergency Management as they monitor weather activity in the tropics. As South Florida approaches the peak of hurricane season, which lasts through November 30, please know the GFLCVB holds the safety of its visitors to the same level of importance and same standards as the destination’s more than 1.7 million population. 

In order for the CVB to better prepare, we are asking our hotel partners to log in to the extranet and update their contacts and amenities, indicating if properties are pet-friendly, if hotels have onsite generators and more. Amenities are listed under the Account section of the extranet. Click here for directions on how to update. If you do not know your partner login, please contact Rita.

Broward County's Useful Tips for Planning Ahead:
Quick Links
10 Steps to Preparedness
Shopping List

PUBLIC RELATIONS CORNER

Ivonne MacMillan, along with Gabriel Martinez, organized a media FAM with Southwest Airlines for five journalists from Costa Rica. The group stayed at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and experienced our waterways, Everglades, shopping and dining. 

Ivonne, along with the CVB’s German PR representative, Roja Delarami, also organized an international media FAM for five journalists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The group stayed at The Atlantic Resort & Spa and enjoyed dining, kayaking, Hollywood's murals, shopping, snorkeling and casino nightlife. 

The UK PR team secured press coverage across publications in the UK market including Bella Magazine, What Wegan Did Next, The Bristol Magazine and Gay Times. 

TRENDING THIS MONTH: 

Travel Pulse Canada: Fort Lauderdale Launches Specials for Snowbirds in Summer

Florida News Line: Fort Lauderdale: Beyond Spring Break

Haute Time: The Second Annual Exotics on Las Olas Will Roar Through The Streets This Fall

SOCIAL BUZZ

Heidi Barfels hosted a social media influencer FAM in partnership with VISIT FLORIDA. The group stayed at B Ocean Resort and included @tiffpenguin, @jackharding, @karl_shakur and @christianschaffer. Combined, these professional photographers turned influencers have more than 1.1 million followers on Instagram!

The theme was adventure and the destination was showcased in the most exciting ways –  from Flyboarding and Sea Breacher rides to one-on-one animal encounters and breathtaking rooftop views. Pictured here is a collage of their stunning images. Coming soon: a FAM recap video filmed by travel website Matador Network.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION RECAP


Stacy Ritter took part in the IGLTA Foundation Leadership Think Tank
in NYC addressing key issues in LGBTQ+ Tourism.  

Richard is attending the Forum De Turismo LGBT Don in Brazil this week where he's a keynote speaker discussing diversity and inclusion. While in Brazil, Richard will conduct media interviews and meet with Sao Paulo Gay Pride, the largest LGBT Pride in the World, to discuss Pride of the Americas April 2020 in Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Check out Richard Gray's interview on CBS Miami Focus on South Florida discussing the 2019 Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival (June 15). Pictured here: Richard Gray with host Rudabeh Shahbazi and Vice Mayor of Wilton Manors, Tom Green. 

Richard will also be presenting at CMI's 12th Annual LGBTQ Marketing & Advertising Symposium @ Google NYC this month, as well as attend press and business meetings to promote Pride of the Americas April 2020.

TOURISM SALES UPDATE

What We've Been Doing:

Three successful FAM trips were conducted last month including: 

Visit Florida with eight travel agents from the provinces of Ontario and Alberta, Canada experiencing the destination for 3 days and hosted by the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Gimatur Receptive Tour Operator, a GFL-based RTO, hosted top clients from Mexico, Dominican Republic and Spain for a 6 day adventure, hosted at the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Agaxtur Turismo, Brazilian Powerhouse, invited 10 travel agents from Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Southern Brazil for a 5 day destination preview, hosted by the Ocean Sky Resort. 

Gonzalo Rubio attended GTM West in Tucson, an elite appointment-only event that connects influential travel advisors in North America with global travel suppliers in face-to-face meetings. He also conducted a 2 day sales missions in the Hartford area with four hotel partners, meeting more than 70 travel advisors to educate what GFL has to offer.

Snapshot from Brazil:
The team participated in Visit Florida “Upcountry” Road Show last month visiting four cities in Sao Paulo training more than 200 travel agents. They also conducted training in Rio de Janeiro with tour operator Nice Via Appia gathering with 40 top-producers, and conducted sales calls to Rio-based wholesalers ABC Turismo and Best Destinations. 

Snapshot from Germany, Austria, Switzerland:
The Sales & Marketing team partnered with Visit USA Germany and Brand USA Germany conducting workshops on what's new in GFL for more than 60 travel agents in Ludwigshafen and Stuttgart. They also conducted an Agent Training Event with TUI Germany, Visit Florida and Naples/Marco Island CVB.

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Sports Development will welcome more than 15,000 athletes, coaches and families in June including Venezuela vs Ecuador International Friendly Soccer Tournament at Hard Rock Stadium, Excel Series Figure Skating Championships at the ICEDEN in Coral Springs, Northwest International Track and Field Classic at Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, US Amateur State Boys/Girls Basketball Tournament and FABC Summer Certified Evaluation Basketball Camp in various gym locations throughout Broward, Davie Pro Rodeo at Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, Ballin’ on the Beach Basketball Tournament in Deerfield and Davie, and Sunshine State Games Water Polo in Coral Springs.

JOIN US for the Sports Update Meeting/Breakfast on June 25 at the War Memorial Auditorium from 9-11am. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Dawson. 

UNDERGROUND
FILM ~ MUSIC ~ FASHION ~ CREATE

DID YOU KNOW? Wheel of Fortune was on location in the destination preparing for South Florida segments, airing later this year. Read more. 

The new Underground brochure began production. Please make sure your info is up-to-date. Contact Kristen with any questions. 

Film Permits = 35 including Reefa, Bromma, Nutanix, Visit Florida, Zoom Skyways, Audi, Foster Grant Eyewear, Savage Apple, Betty in New York, City Furniture, Honey Nut Cherrios, Lotus Belle, Sleep Choices, Invicta Watch, Wheel of Fortune, I Am Jazz-Season 6, Teen Mom, The Dead Files, Southwest Airlines.

JUNE GROUP SALES & SERVICES UPDATE

Groups meeting in June will generate more than $15 million to Broward County. Groups include:
June 3-10: American Advertising Federation (400 attendees)
June 5-8: NASPA Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement (500 attendees)
June 6-12: Florida Government Finance Officers Association 2019 Annual Conference (1100 attendees)
June 13-21: Vraylar Meeting (1100 attendees)
June 16-24: Miracle Ear 2019 Convention (500 attendees)
June 17-22: Church of God in Christ FL Eastern Jurisdiction (700 attendees)
June 18-21: Solution Tree 2019 PLC Institute (1350 attendees)
June 21-26: Cheney Brothers – 2019 (2000 attendees)
June 22-28: Nat'l Rural Water Assn In-Service Training (600 attendees)
June 24-July 1: Jack & Jill of America - SE Teen Conference (1200 attendees)

HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN

Through June 16: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Lauderhill Performing Arts 
June 7: Slightly Stoopid, Pompano Beach Amphitheater
June 7: The Clairvoyants, Hard Rock Event Center
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Friday Night Sound Waves, Fort Lauderdale beach
June 8-Sept 22: ArtCade Exhibition, Young At Art Museum
June 11-23: A Bronx Tale, Broward Center for the Performing Arts
June 13: Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, Broward Center 
June 14: Gabriel Iglesias, Hard Rock Event Center
June 15: 2019 Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade & Festival
June 21: Chris Tucker, Hard Rock Event Center
June 21: Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida presents Up, Rise, SING! Lauderhill Performing Arts Center
June 22: Downtown Hollywood Artwalk, Market & Mural Tour
June 22: Freestyle Revolution, Hard Rock Event Center
June 22: Luis Miguel, The BB&T Center
June 25-30: The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
June 28: Romeo & Juliet, Pompano Beach Cultural Center
June 29: FATVillage Art Walk

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

SEPTEMBER IS RESTAURANT AND SPA MONTH

From savory, signature dishes created by top chefs to relaxing treatments at Greater Fort Lauderdale's most sublime resort spas, September will provide visitors with extraordinary culinary and pampered experiences at affordable prices. 

Spatember allows guests to indulge in luxury for less with $99 spa treatments (up to a 50% savings) during Spa Month in September. Click here to sign up. 

Crave GFL, Greater Fort Lauderdale's Restaurant Month, celebrates the area’s top dining experiences, offering specially-created menus during September. Click here to sign up. 

BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION

The project to expand the Broward County Convention Center and add a headquarters hotel in Fort Lauderdale has officially begun. This phased project began with a demolition event at the Portside Center last month.  Pictured below is Ed Simon, CVB; Amaury Piedra, Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina; Alan Cohen, Assistant County Administrator; Mayor Mark Bogen, Broward County; Commissioner Michael Udine, Broward County; Florida Representative Chip LaMarca; Bertha Henry, County Administrator and Monica Cepero, Deputy County Administrator. 

Upon completion of the $900M expansion, the new facility will offer 1.2M square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, an 800-room Headquarters Hotel managed by Omni Hotels & Resort and an iconic waterfront plaza. Read more. 

NEW ON THE SCENE

Sparrow, the newest rooftop bar located at The Dalmar, has a 60’s flair and soaks up the best of Fort Lauderdale’s views from a half inside and half outside setting.

Tuscan Prime Italian Chophouse recently opened on Las Olas Boulevard, offering an exquisite ambiance. Menu highlights Italian classics, the best cuts of steak and marries them to the perfect wine.

Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery, the newest concept at the Atlantic Hotel & Spa, offers a perfectly charming beachfront setting with panoramic views and an eclectic menu. 

HOLIDAY SPECIALS

We invite you to submit your celebrations, special offers, and events for Father’s Day and 4th of July to be featured on dedicated pages on sunny.org. You can easily submit your offers online under your partner login. If you do not know your partner login, contact Rita. When creating your new offer for these holidays, be sure to select the appropriate offer category. Contact Justin with questions. 

MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTS

Greater Fort Lauderdale celebrates Caribbean Heritage Month and welcomes the following groups to the destination in June: 13th Annual Sickle Cell Disease Research & Educational Symposium; Church of God in Christ Eastern Jurisdiction; COGIC Aim Conference and Jack & Jill of America, 2019 Teen Conference. These groups represent more than 4,000 room nights.

Albert Tucker travels to Atlanta this month to meet with the Board of the National African-American Insurance Association, securing the 2020 National Conference. He'll also travel to Birmingham, AL to meet with the Black Fire Chiefs Board of Directors to bid on 2020 National Conference.

CONVENTION SALES UPDATE

The convention sales team recently participated in MPI-CAC (Chicago Area Chapter) Golf Classic, sponsoring a reception with more than 150 attendees where Liz Kara spoke about the destination.

CONGRATS

Beach Vacation Rentals in Pompano Beach was named 2019 Small Business of the Year for Hospitality and Tourism by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Pictured here is Elaine Fitzgerald, president, receiving the honor at a recent awards ceremony.

Open Table has placed Louie Bossi Ristorante among the 100 Best Restaurants in America.

CVB TEAM
ON THE MOVE

June 1-6: IPW, (Ivonne MacMillan, Tracy Vaughn, Gabriel Martinez & UK & Germany office)
June 4-9: Forum De Turismo LGBT Don, Brazil (Richard Gray)
June 5-7: "A Salute to Atlanta's Leading Influencers" (Albert Tucker)
June 10–11: AAA Florida Sales Blitz (Caitlan Etchevers)
June 18-21: Baltimore Sales Mission (Gonzalo Rubio)
June 19-22: CMI's 12th Annual LGBTQ Marketing & Advertising Symposium @ Google NYC (Richard Gray)
 

GFLCVB TEAM
IN ACTION

The GFLCVB team participated in a fun outing creating special floral arrangements for Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc.  

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