Dear Industry Partners,

Welcome to the first day of Phase 1: Florida’s “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.” reopening plan in Broward County allowing restaurants, retail establishments, museums and other “non-essential” businesses to reopen with important social distancing rules in place.

Phase 1

You can now dine-in at your favorite restaurants, go shopping for more than groceries and finally get a haircut or have your nails done. And starting this Thursday, you’ll be able to hop back on the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi.

This has probably been the longest and most financially devastating few months in the history of our tourism industry. While today is an important first step toward financial recovery, we must remember that COVID-19 is still present and we must do everything possible to stop the spread in our community.

It’s important for everyone to review Broward County's Emergency Order 20-10 and its eight attachments covering specific businesses, and the State of Florida’s three phase recovery plan. These documents are provided for you here:

• Broward County Emergency Order 20-10
• “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.” Plan for Florida’s Recovery

It is critically important that we all remain focused on safety and cleanliness, not just for the duration of the state’s phased reopening process, but as an essential part of doing business going forward. You’ll find more resources and guidelines on our tourism industry update web page.

Delivering the message that our destination is a safe, clean and welcoming place to visit will be a key element of our recovery marketing plan.

Future in Focus II – Destination Recovery Summit

Join us online June 4 at 10:00 a.m. as we present “Future In Focus II,” our second Destination Recovery Summit, where we will present the destination recovery marketing plan to carry us through summer and into the fall. No registration is required, and a link will be available for viewing after the initial airing of the presentation.

Sign up for LauderDeals

LauderDeals is our destination-wide special savings program for visitors and residents on hotels, dining and things to do during the summer and beyond. Our paid, own and earned marketing efforts will drive customers to the LauderDeals web pages, where customers will find your free listing. Click on the links below for detailed information on each program and how to sign up. 

• Hotel Deals
• Things To Do: 2-for-1 Offers 
• Dine Out Lauderdale

Place of Interest Sponsorship: Deadline May 20

Attractions, museums and welcome centers have two more days to complete and submit an application for one of our Supplemental Place of Interest Sponsorships. For information and to apply, click here. The deadline to submit applications is May 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Beach and Hotel News

There is nothing official yet, but reopening of our beaches, likely with restrictions, could come soon after Memorial Day. Lifting of the order limiting our hotels to housing essential travelers only, will depend on how we adapt during the Phase 1 reopening and is dependent on the continued drop in new COVID-19 cases.

Be safe and best wishes to you.

Sincerely,

Stacy Ritter
President / CEO

Greater Fort Lauderdale
Convention & Visitors Bureau