STRATEGIC ADVICE FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

Are you looking forward to hearing Steve Forbes speak on Aug. 20 at Visit Orlando's Business Insights Summit, presented by Emirates, but unsure if you can carve out a little extra time that morning for the General Session featuring economist Anirban Basu? I strongly recommend that you make time to do it.

I had the opportunity to sit through one of Anirban Basu's presentations at a U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors meeting, and I can tell you firsthand that he is as entertaining as he is informative. His "day job" is that of chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, a consulting firm in Baltimore, MD. He's one of the most recognizable economists in and around Washington, D.C., where he lectures at Johns Hopkins University and serves as chairman of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee and economic advisor to the Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to register and see the full agenda for the morning. I promise you won't be disappointed.

-George Aguel

Leisure & Hospitality Added 13,000 Jobs

The Orlando MSA's Leisure & Hospitality sector employed 247,400 in June, an increase of 13,000 jobs versus the same month last year. Employment in the Leisure and Hospitality sector rose 5.6 percent year-over-year, versus a 4.3% increase in the MSA's total nonagricultural employment. The 13,000 new Leisure and Hospitality jobs accounted for more than one-quarter (27.5 percent) of the 47,200 increase in total nonagricultural employment.

Visionary Summit Welcomes Top Meeting Professionals

Visit Orlando was a sponsor for Prevue magazine's Visionary Summit before the start of the Global Business Travel Association convention at the Orange County Convention Center this past week. This educational summit for 35 qualified meeting professionals was held at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Here, Lynda Garvey, director of The Consultants (left), and Visit Orlando's Stephanie Naegele enjoy the opening reception at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando.

Save the Date: World Tourism Day Job Shadow

Members of Orlando's tourism industry will be encouraged to host students from the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management in their workplace for the annual World Tourism Day Job Shadow this September. Sophomores and juniors focused on pursuing a degree in hospitality will be exposed to diverse careers offered in Orlando's tourism industry and serve as an aid for determining the academic path that best suits their interests. Stay tuned for more details and registration information in the coming weeks.

Networking Reception and Panel Discussion Address Hotel Industry

HelmsBriscoe hosted a networking reception along with a panel discussion on "Hotel Procurement in a Seller's Market" during Global Business Travel Association's meeting last week. The event was held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Club 39 at the Plaza and the panelists were Fred Shea, senior VP of convention sales; Jason Johnson, VP of business development for HelmsBriscoe; Leslie Menichini, VP of sales and marketing for Rosen Hotels & Resorts; Geri Horan, VP at HelmsBriscoe and Tim Heling, Director of Revenue Management for Hyatt Regency Orlando. HelsmBriscoe had some of its staff and clients in attendance who engaged in a lively Q&A at the end of the evening.

Visit Orlando Welcomes New National Accounts Director

Visit Orlando is pleased to announce that it has hired Barbara Herod, CMP, as National Accounts Director. She will be based in Washington, D.C. Herod comes to Visit Orlando with vast experience in sales, most recently with Experient, Inc. and the San Diego Tourism Authority. Throughout her career, Herod has hired and trained sales staff, spearheaded new business development and established relationships with corporate and association meeting professionals throughout the country. She is a member of American Society of Association Executives, Professional Convention Management Association and Meeting Professionals International.

Convention Center Team Hosts Top Clients in Tallahassee

The Convention Sales Business Development team, headed by Aitza Diaz, recently hosted a client event in Tallahassee. Eight members traveled along to co-host the event for more than 75 clients. A special wine-tasting reception with themed décor and entertainment was held at the Goodwood Museum and Gardens. Special thanks to our participating members! From left: Michael Townes, Aitza Diaz, Chris Schuh of A Plan to Meet, Inc., Arlene Roberts from the Florida Department of Education, and Stephanie Naegele.

Next Week at the Convention Center

The Beatles Come to I-Drive's Madame Tussauds

Proposed I-Drive Hotel Plans Revamped

Orlando Airport Gets Service to Indianapolis, L.A.

Orlando Among Best Cities for Future Job Growth

Darden Hires New LongHorn President

Residence Inn Hotel to Open in Downtown Orlando

Megabus.com Begins "Name the Bus" Campaign to Honor Florida

Megabus.com, the popular city-to-city, express bus company, announced a plan to name one of its buses after each state in which they operate. The bus names will be selected entirely by customer and resident votes in order to choose the moniker that best represents each state. All of the bus names on the ballot were chosen because they are heavily associated with Florida or commemorate a piece of the state's history. Voting is now open to residents of Florida, who can click here to vote for their favorite bus name by Aug. 17. Winning names will be announced via megabus.com's social media channels.

Save the Date: Global Meetings Industry Day Set for April 14

U.S. Travel to Induct Michael Leven, W. Stephen Maritz Into Hall of Leaders

GBTA Study Details Top Ground Transportation Methods Among Business Travelers