GLOBAL MARKETING EFFORTS IN FULL FORCE

With Brazilians facing a strong U.S. dollar that reduces the value of their money when traveling to our destination, Visit Orlando is applying strong marketing pressure against Brazil to ensure we maintain our fair share of this important source market for visitors. As these loyal fans of ours are making travel plans for next year, Visit Orlando's global marketing efforts are in full force.
 
Brazilian magazine Pais&Filhos , the Brazilian version of Parents Magazine, featured 58 pages of Orlando coverage in its biannual Fashion edition in October. Plus, six pages of Orlando editorial is appearing in each of the magazine's October, November and December issues, not to mention additional exposure for our destination on the magazine's YouTube Channel, Instagram and Facebook. Our consumer marketing efforts range from traditional advertising on television and print to breakthrough strategies with Instagram, a video series with popular Caras Magazine and the country's Masterchef Junior television program.
 
Of all Brazilians who travel to America, 40 percent of them come to Orlando. This makes Orlando the most visited destination in the U.S. for Brazilians. While 2015 has been another great year for tourism in our community, Visit Orlando is hard at work to ensure that visitors from around the world will choose to spend their vacation time with us in 2016.

-George Aguel

Visit Orlando Hosts International Dining Media

Visit Orlando hosted a dining press trip November 3-7 for five food and travel journalists from the UK and Canada writing for top publications: WestJet Magazine; Vitamin Daily; Huffington Post Canada; Sainsbury's Magazine and Foodepedia. The trip offered a culinary adventure across the destination, including new restaurants at Disney Springs and the Four Seasons Orlando Resort at Walt Disney World, along with hidden gems at Mills 50, Winter Park and East End Market.

Leading Morning TV Show in Toronto to Broadcast Live from Orlando

Starting next week, the CP24, the popular morning television show from Toronto, will be broadcasting live from Orlando, showcasing all of the new and exciting things happening in the destination. This year, CP24 conducted a search for an Orlando junior reporter to accompany the host, Bill Coulter, for the week-long live broadcast. Kids ages 9 to 13 submitted videos telling why they wanted the position. A winner has been selected and she will travel to Orlando with the host to experience the destination. Visit Orlando and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment partnered with CP24 to offer viewers a chance to win one of three family trips to Orlando. A three-week promotion and digital takeover will help to extend the week's efforts.

Visit Orlando Promotes The destination in NYC

Visit Orlando conducted more than a dozen desk side meetings with New York city-based media to promote destination stories for 2016. Outlets included Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Family Circle, Parents and Redbook, to name a few.

World Record Holder Visits Orlando

Apa Sherpa, the world record holder for the most Mt. Everest summits, stopped by Visit Orlando this week to share his powerful story of courage, servant leadership and success. Apa is the focus of a joint venture between Everest Media Productions and IDEAS, an Orlando-based media and experience design company. IDEAS is bringing his story to media outlets and educational venues across the world, with proceeds being returned to the continued rebuilding of Nepal after a massive earthquake in April killed over 9,000 people. Above: (left to right) George Aguel, Apa Sherpa and Phil Ruggieri, CEO of IDEAS

Visit Orlando Hosts FAM for Four

Last week, Visit Orlando hosted an individual familiarization trip for four lucky winners from the Orlando Travel Academy via Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines and AER travel agencies. The winners enjoyed accommodations at Sonesta ES Suites and Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, and were able to explore Orlando's theme parks, International Drive, shopping and a Magic game at Amway Arena.

Visit Orlando Holds Training Seminars in Atlanta

The Travel Industry Sales team conducted educational seminars at AAA Auto Group's Atlanta office, where they trained 30 agents on What's New in Orlando and the various resources offered to assist with sales. AAA is a key client, leading attraction ticket sales in the destination, and Atlanta is a focus market for our fall campaign. Above: Crystal Vickers and Sha Tonea Brewton

Visit Orlando Attends the American Express Supplier Showcase

Visit Orlando along with six members from Hello Florida, Universal Orlando, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Caribe Royale, Rosen Hotels and Swan Dolphin attended the American Express Supplier Showcase in Toronto on November 6-8. The conference grew this year to a total of 800 American Express employees from all over the world and growing. We were able to meet with Amex Leadership, engage in one on one appointments and have traffic through our booth.

AP Story on Orlando Focuses on Meetings

With input from Visit Orlando, Associated Press travel writer Beth Harpaz wrote a story on Orlando as a unique meetings destination, highlighting all that the destination has to offer. In one day the story garnered 5.9 impressions in 23 publications.

Visit Orlando Attends the XCL Annual Pharmaceutical Meeting Summit

Visit Orlando attended the XCL Annual Pharmaceutical Meeting Summit in Philadelphia November 3-4 This is an annual summit that attracts high level decision makers and department heads of major Pharmaceutical companies including Novartis, Boehringer Ingleheim, Millenium Pharmaceutical, Esai Pharmaceuticals, Daiichi Pharmaceuticals and Merck.

Next Week at the Convention Center

Disney Theme Parks End 2015 With Strong Attendance, Hotel Occupancy

The Walt Disney Co. can notch another victory in overall business, especially in its theme parks division.

Miami-Orlando Train Service Gets New Name, Bold Look

Brightline is the name of a new express train service that will connect South Florida to Orlando, a name that officials hope people will associate with a smart, new way of getting around Florida and an optimistic view of the future.

Breaking: SeaWorld Considering Hotel, Resort Expansion in Orlando

SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. will consider building new hotels and resorts at its theme parks, including Orlando.

Rosen Shingle Creek to Expand, Add 320 Rooms

Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen wants to expand Rosen Shingle Creek by adding a 320-unit condominium building off Destination Parkway.

World's Largest Modeling and Simulation Event Back in Orlando Nov. 30-Dec. 4

The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world's largest modeling and simulation event, will be back in Orlando Nov. 30 - Dec. 4 at the Orange County Convention Center.

Gas station, Convenience Store to be Built South of Orlando International Airport

Construction crews are busy assembling a billion dollars' worth of high-profile projects at Orlando International Airport, ranging from a multi-modal train station and adjacent parking garage to a mile-long people mover.

U.S. Airlines Expect 3% Increase in Passengers Over Thanksgiving Period

The leading trade association for U.S. airlines projects that 25.3 million passengers will travel globally on U.S. carriers over the 12-day Thanksgiving travel period, up 3% from last year and the highest number since the recession of 2007.

September Shows Continued Strong Traffic Demand Says IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for September showing solid demand growth compared to September 2014 for domestic and international traffic.

Millennials Embrace Business Travel, In-Person Meetings

New research from the Global Business Travel Association finds that younger employees are quicker to embrace business travel than their older counterparts - particularly if there's free WiFi.

5 Ways Science Says Travel Improves Your Health and Well-Being

How many vacation days do you have left this year? If it's more than you can take in the two months remaining before year's end, you're hardly alone. Should you happen to use that time off to travel, you'll likely boost your health and happiness even more.

U.S. Travel Association: Travel Priorities Abound in House Highway Bill

A massive surface transportation package passed the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday with numerous proposals backed by the travel community safely aboard.

Q&A with Roger Dow and Roger Rickard

Joan Eisenstodt sits down with Roger Dow and Roger Rickard to discuss industry advocacy.