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Visit Orlando Events
 

Aug. 27
Business Referral Group
Tin Roof

8371 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Cost: $15, inclusive
Click here to RSVP

Sept. 3
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 Meeting Services. Click here to schedule a session.

 
Featured Corporate Ambassador
 

Join The Mall at Millenia as it rolls out the red carpet for its 10th Annual Fashion Week, taking place Sept.17-24. The renowned event features six runway shows filled with the must-have trends and colors of the season.

New for the 10th anniversary, The Mall at Millenia brings a fashionable flair with nationally celebrated fashion expert and executive editor of Harper's BAZAAR magazine, Laura Brown, for presentations featuring unique fall in-store trends from the Mall's world-class designers. If you would like a sneak peek at the celebrity host, be sure to follow The Mall at Millenia on Facebook and Twitter @milleniatweets.

 
Congratulations Members
 

SeaWorld® Orlando is proud to announce the grand opening of Mama's Pretzel Kitchen.

 
Member-to-Member Offers
 

Inspire your employees and staff this summer with Marc Mero's Dream Big Presentation, described as life-changing! Through Aug. 28, Champion of Choices - Marc Mero is offering a 30 percent discount. Click here for more information or call 407-448-9956.

LTC Language Solutions is excited to invite new clients to try its language services! Learn a new language, utilize an interpreter, have a document translated, or just learn more about other cultures. Through Oct. 1, receive 10 percent off of your first-time purchase. Questions? Please click here.

LTC

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.

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.

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.

LTC

 
Industry Events
 

Sept. 9-11
VRM Xtravaganza
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate

VRM Xtravaganza

Sept. 17
Building Business Expo
West Oaks Mall

Oct. 17
The Pineapple Ball
Rosen Shingle Creek

Nov. 7
2015 VRM Awards Gala
Westgate Town Center Resort & Spa

 
Community Events
 

Through Sept. 30
School Supply Drive
Osceola County Welcome Center,
History Museum and Pioneer Village

Through Nov. 29
Mummies of the World: The Exhibition
Orlando Science Center

Aug. 22
Rioja Wine and Tapas Escape
Mitchell's Fish Market

Aug. 24–Sept. 30
Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month, presented by American Express
Select Restaurants

Magical Dining

Aug. 25
Central Florida Disability Chamber of Commerce's
Veterans Business Initiative
National Entrepreneur Center

Aug. 29
Diamonds are Forever Casino Night

benefiting Central Florida Commission on Homelessness
The Citrus Club

Aug. 30
Music at the Casa
Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum

Sept. 4–6
Disney on Ice: 100 Years of Magic
Amway Center

Sept. 10
Winter Park Sip, Shop & Stroll — Fall-Themed Edition
Park Avenue, in Winter Park

Sept. 12
O-Town MacDown, Benefiting Give Kids the World
Osceola Heritage Park

Sept. 15–Nov. 1
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Magic Kingdom Park

Sept. 17–20
Art in Odd Places
Downtown Orlando

Art in Odd Places

Sept. 18–20
Bobcat Goldthwait
Improv Comedy Club

Sept. 18–Nov. 1
Halloween Horror Nights 25
Universal Orlando Resort

Sept. 23
21st Annual “Salute to COMPACT” Awards Banquet
Rosen Centre Hotel

Sept. 28–Oct. 4
Global Peace Film Festival
Orlando and Winter Park

Global Peace Film Fest

Oct. 2–6
Orlando ix
Orange County Convention Center

Oct. 3–18
Brick or Treat
Legoland Resort Florida

Oct. 3–31, weekends
SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular
SeaWorld Orlando

Oct. 10–11
42nd Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival
Central Park, Downtown Winter Park

Oct. 17
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando's
Savor the Night
City Hall Rotunda & City Commons Plaza

Oct. 17
Music of the Americas
Bach Festival Society of Winter Park

Oct. 18
Latin Food & Wine Festival
Dr. Phillips Center for the performing Arts, Seneff Arts Plaza

Oct. 24
2015 Wyndham Vacation Ownership Charity Championship Golf Tournament

to benefit Give Kids the World Village
Metrowest Golf Club

Oct. 30–31
6th Annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Food and Wine Classic

Nov. 7
Eighth Annual 5K Run for The Gift
Southwest Aquatics

Nov. 13
American Lung Association's
LUNG FORCE Expo
SeaWorld Orlando - Sea Harbor Pavilion,
and Ports of Call

Nov. 14
5K Gingerbread Run
Give Kids The World Village

Dec. 19
Inaugural AutoNation Cure Bowl
presented by Florida Hospital

 
President & CEO's Message
 
August 28, 2015

TRAVEL LIKE NEVER BEFORE

George AguelAfter weeks of anticipation, the first-ever Visit Orlando's Business Insights Summit was held yesterday at the Orange County Convention Center. Nearly 800 of Orlando's tourism and community leaders had the opportunity to hear our special guest, Steve Forbes, chairman & editor-in-chief of Forbes Media and one of the leading minds on economic and political matters.

While interesting and insightful, Steve's straightforward talk didn't come without some jarring commentary on the critical issues that face our world. He talked about everything from troubled economies around the globe to our nation's recent deal with Iran. There were lighter moments as well, with most of them coming at the expense of presidential candidates and, in some cases, Steve himself.

Overall, however, our Central Florida tourism community should feel very good about what Steve had to say. He credited Orlando as a destination that's done phenomenally well in the face of a 10-year period of relative stagnation and painted an optimistic picture of an improved economy in the years ahead. Although Steve has a favorite party to win the White House in 2016, it's hard not to get excited about his forecast. Bottom line, Steve said, is that next year's election and then policy reforms in the next couple of years after that will bring "real boom times" to our destination, as people around the world will have the means to travel like never before.

-George Aguel

 
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From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando
 

Lodging Industry Sets Records in July

Orlando's occupancy rate averaged 84.0 percent in July, 8.4 percent higher than July 2014 and the highest July average since July 1997 (86.0 percent). Orlando posted the biggest year-over-year increase in occupancy among STR's top 25 lodging markets, and also the biggest increase in RevPAR (+19.4 percent). Occupied room nights set a record for the month of July, and the 9.2 percent increase over last year was the fastest growth rate of any month this year. The average daily rate (ADR) also set a July record at $111.02, up 10.2 percent from last year. Orlando's ADR has exceeded the prior year level for 27 consecutive months, and July's increase was the biggest year-over-year increase during that span.

 
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Visit Orlando Updates
 

Stories

OrlandoStories.com Launches First Global Call to Action

Our lives are collections of stories and we are the storytellers. Of all the tales we collect, some of our most treasure-the ones that we relive again and again-are born out of vacations. And no place is able to give life to incredible stories quite like Orlando.

Beginning in the United States, Visit Orlando will launch its global search for Orlando stories with an advertising campaign in New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami and Tampa. The search for Orlando stories will continue to rollout around the world in Brazil, Canada, the United Kingdom and Colombia. Each market has its own unique twist, whether it is out-of-home in Times Square or Toronto's Dundas Square, major media promotions in Brazil or a one-week online takeover in the United Kingdom.

Consumers worldwide will be driven to OrlandoStories.com where they can share their favorite Orlando photo, video or testimonial. The Visit Orlando team will seek out the best Orlando stories and engage with consumers through social sharing.

Has one of your guests shared their Orlando Story with you? We encourage you to have them also share it on OrlandoStories.com and use #myorlandostory.

US Open

Visit Orlando Takes Center Court at US Open

The eyes of the tennis world will be focused on the US Open Tennis Championships Aug. 2-Sept. 13 and Visit Orlando will be a focal point of that attention. As an official sponsor of this famed sporting event, Visit Orlando will be prominently featured on courtside signage within the global broadcast, web, radio as well as within special activities and a dedicated activation booth at the event itself, targeting the 750,000 plus attendees. The booth and all messaging will support the global marketing efforts rolling out this week in search of Orlando stories.

Radio

Visit Orlando to Host Radio Broadcast Event

Starting next weekend, Visit Orlando will be hosting DJs from 11 radio stations, including both English and Spanish language, for a broadcast event live from the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The on-air talent, from the markets of New York, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Tampa, West Palm and the United Kingdom, will be broadcasting their morning shows live, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, after experiencing all that is new and exciting in the destination. The group will have a chance to visit the theme parks and countless other venues in a jam packed itinerary and then talk about their adventures in Orlando live on the radio.

Dining

Media Preview Dinners Offer Tasty Preview of Magical Dining Month

To kick off the start of Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month presented by American Express, the communications team hosted three media preview dinner experiences at Txokos Basque Kitchen, Soco in Thornton Park and Ravello at the Four Seasons Orlando Resort at Walt Disney World Resort. Altogether, more than 25 local media and bloggers enjoyed a sneak peek of Magical Dining menu items to be offered Aug. 24-Sept. 30. For the program's 10th anniversary, more than 75 restaurants will offer prix fix menus for $33, with $1 from each meal benefitting Elevate Orlando.

Registration Now Open for World Tourism Day Job Shadow

In celebration of World Tourism Day, we want to invite you, members of Orlando's tourism industry, to host students from the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management in your workplace on Friday, Sept. 25. The goal is to give students a full day of educational, hands-on experience, paired with the employer that best suits their career interests. Students will be pre-screened by the college and matched to employers. Click here for more information and to register.

 

O mundo

Brazilian TV Show Tapes Orlando Segments to Air in November

From Aug. 10-20, Visit Orlando's Public Relations department hosted "O Mundo Segundo Os Brasileiros" (The World According to Brazilians), a Brazilian TV show that airs every Friday on Rede Band and has an audience of approximately 1.2 million viewers. The show taped several segments across Orlando by talking to Brazilians living in the city and will feature different areas, venues and attractions, including the Crayola Experience, downtown Orlando, East End Market, I-Drive 360, Lake Eola, Orlando Balloon Rides, Walt Disney World Resort, Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, WonderWorks and much more. The segment is expected to air this November.

Meeting

Hotelbeds Group Updated on Visit Orlando Activities

The Travel Industry Sales team made a visit to the local office of Hotelbeds Group to update its staff on recent initiatives at Visit Orlando. The presentation included information on the new Orlando brand launch and fall advertising campaigns; Orlando Travel Academy; and the potential impact of new international air service on the destination. Part of the TUI Group, Hotelbeds provides accommodations, transfers, tours and activities for clients in 120 source markets, with Orlando leading the way as one of its key leisure destinations.

Star Wars

Social Media Team Gets Preview of New Lands Coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios

If you're a fan of The Force or want to go "to infinity and beyond" then hold on tight for the major makeover coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort. Our social media team offers a sneak peek of two all-new themed lands that are in the works in Visit Orlando's leisure blog.

Citywide

Convention Sales Team and Convention Center Host Citywide Clients

The Orange County Convention Center and Visit Orlando recently hosted more than 28 of our top citywide clients at our Client Advisory Board (CAB) meeting at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. Attendees participated in various discussions in regards to the Campus Master Plan, International Drive Business Improvement, Green Meetings & Social Responsibility, and Visit Orlando's "Destination Update." In addition, clients experienced some of the area's newer restaurants and attractions first hand.

Booth

Destination Services Promotes Orlando to Prominent Fraternity

Visit Orlando Ambassador Ann White was in New Orleans Aug. 12-15 to pre-promote Orlando to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., which will hold its next conclave in Orlando in August 2017. White received much positive feedback, including attendees' plans to bring family members with them when they come.

The New MyVisitOrlando.com Set to Launch Soon!

The Member Relations & Development team is excited to announce that the new member website will launch soon! On the new site, members can respond to their E-LEADS and marketing opportunities, manage their account profile, publication and web listings and images, access Market Research & Insights' reports, register for member events, submit member news/offers, and more. (Please note that there will be a brief period of time that members will not be able to access the website during the transition and all members will receive a new username and password when the site is launched.) Check your inbox and future editions of Tourism Matters for additional details on the launch date for the new website.

 
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News About Orlando
 

Next Week at the Convention Center

Group Meeting Start End Estimate Attendees Estimate Economic Impact
Arctic Cat ATV Business Meeting Aug. 23 Aug. 25 1,400 $2,758,000
 

airport

Orlando International Airport OKs Architect for $1.8B South Terminal

Orlando International Airport has found the architecture firm that will provide consultation and help design its future $1.8 billion south terminal: Denver-based Fentress Architects.

Read More

Visit Orlando Launches New Marketing Campaign

Visit Orlando is looking to tug on the world's collective heartstrings with a new marketing campaign focused on the emotional connections made when tourists visit.

Read More

Disney Magic Kingdoms Coming Soon for Smartphones

While everyone in the U.S. was following the news from the D32 EXPO 2015 last weekend related to the addition of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land here at Disney's Hollywood Studios, another interesting tidbit came out as well: Development of the Disney Magic Kingdoms game.

Read More

 

Chefs

3 Food Network Chefs Coming to Orlando

Three of America's favorite celebrity chefs will take the stage at Orlando's downtown arts center to share stories and recipes.

Read More

Chef Norman Van Aken to Receive Inaugural Industry Award

A local chef and restaurant owner known as "the founding father of new world cuisine" will receive an inaugural award at an upcoming restaurant and hospitality industry show.

Read More

Wine, More Wine and Irish Craft Beer: 3 Upcoming Foodie Events in C. Fla.

Everything is a little more fun if you're drinking wine—at least that's the case at a few of the upcoming foodie events in Orlando. These events highlight local restaurants to the region's thousands of visitors, as well as entice local residents to support the area's culinary scene.

Read More

 
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Industry News
 

Welcome

Florida Sets Tourism Record for First Six Months of 2015

Florida welcomed the highest amount of visitors of any six months in the state's history this year with 54.1 million visitors, according to Visit Florida.

Read More

Florida's Growth Ahead of National Average, New Report Shows

The Sunshine State's growth rate continues to stay ahead of the national average, with real GDP expected to grow 3.2 percent this year, according to the bi-annual U.S. State Monitor Report from BMO Economics.

Read More

The Hotel Industry: Life Is Suite

Hotel chains are thriving, for now, thanks to innovation and a bit of luck.

Read More

Travel Industry Continues to Impact Economy

July turned out to be a big month for the travel industry, according to David Huether, senior vice president for research and economics at the U.S. Travel Association. Based on the recent Labor Department employment report and the Commerce Department export report, the travel industry continues to impact the economy with the addition of 13,400 jobs in July.

Read More

 

smart phone

Mobile Apps Can Offer Guests Personalized Hotel Experiences in Exchange for Personal Info

Research conducted by Drs. Cristian Morosan and Agnes DeFranco at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management indicates that more than one-third of guests are willing to disclose personal information on hotel apps—if they meet certain criteria.

Read More

The New Shopping Experiences Tourists Expect From Iconic Destinations

Bringing home beautiful souvenirs, unique foreign designer handbags and other fashions, isn't just a line item on a to-do list for some foreign tourists visiting the U.S.—for many it's the chief reason they travel in the first place.

Read More

Why Hoteliers Are Twisting Traditional Design

Hotel guests are traveling lighter and smarter. What are they looking for in hotel brands? How are architects and designers adjusting their designs to meet the needs of today's busy, efficient and connected travelers?

Read More

Younger Travelers an Emerging Force in Luxury Spending

Travelers who use agents to book their trips continue to be the biggest spenders, according to Travel Weekly's annual Consumer Trends survey. But the latest report and other recent research show a surprising shift in who it is that's doing the luxury spending.

Read More

 
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Corporate Ambassadors
 
ARDA Bags BB&T British Airways Clear Channel Outdoor
Darden Fairwinds Credit Union Florida Distributing Company Florida Hospital The Florida Mall
Lufthansa The Mall at Millenia Orlando Economic Development Commission Orlando Health Orlando International Airport
Orlando Magic Orlando Premium Outlets O'Town Television OUC Smart City
Tupperware Brands United Service Companies
 
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