In Memoriam
|
|
We are deeply saddened by the recent loss of one of our Visit Orlando team members. For the past 12 years, Dottie Healy won the love and respect of many of Visit Orlando's 1,200 member companies. Dottie's vibrant spirit and unwavering enthusiasm were valued by all of us who knew and worked with her. The thoughts and prayers of our Visit Orlando team go out to Dottie's family and dearest friends. For information on the visitation and service or to send flowers, please click here.
|
|
|
#MyOrlandoStory of the Week
|
|
Magical Harry Potter Engagement
We decided to take a vacation to Orlando because what better place is there for theme parks! While on vacation, my boyfriend proposed to me in Harry Potter world at Ollivander's Wand Shop. It was the best day of my life. Filled with all the things I love most! I will never forget my Orlando vacation.
Stories shared on OrlandoStories.com and using #MyOrlandoStory on social media may be featured as the Story of the Week.
|
|
|
Visit Orlando Events
|
|
Sept. 16
Visiting Ours
Club 39 at The Plaza (Rosen)
5-6:30 p.m.; Cost: $15 members, $25 nonmembers
Click here to register.
Sept. 17
Business Referral Group
Graffiti Junktion
7625 Turkey Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
Cost: $15 inclusive
Click here to RSVP
Oct. 1
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 Services. Click here to schedule a session.
|
|
|
Congratulations Members |
|
Destination MCO (DestinationMCO.com), Orlando's choice transportation logistics and management company, has been ranked No. 3035 on Inc. magazine's 34th annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.
In the September issue of Successful Meetings magazine, Senior Editor Andrea Doyle included the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek and Hyatt Regency Orlando in a story entitled "Diverse Palate: Changing Tastes Are Driving Changes in Event Food & Beverage Trends." Both hotels were mentioned for their innovative cuisine.
|
|
|
Member-to-Member Offers |
|
Visit Orlando members who book a Gator Shine Holiday Party before Sept. 30 will receive 10 percent off of the rental fee, which includes access to a conference room and the park after hours. Call Jennifer at 407-856-3249.
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.
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.
|
|
|
Industry Events |
|
|
|
Community Events |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President & CEO's Message |
|
September 11, 2015 |
SCORING POINTS ON TENNIS' GRANDEST STAGE
From an epic match between sisters earlier this week to a lovable squirrel and today's stunning upset, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships have captured the attention of people around the world this week. It's been perfect timing as Visit Orlando continues to roll out its all-new, "Never Ending Story" campaign by leveraging our second year of an exclusive global tourism partnership at the US Open to bring unprecedented exposure to our destination.
Already, the US Open is the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world that's broadcast extensively in 185 countries. In addition to receiving incredible on-court exposure, Visit Orlando is reaching a high-affinity audience of potential travelers in our destination's No. 1 domestic market through prominent placement of an activation booth located in the center of this year's tournament action.
Plus, millions of viewers are tuning into America's biggest tennis event via ESPN, which has taken over as the exclusive domestic broadcast partner of the US Open, covering the entire tournament on its family of networks. In this first full year of the US Open's partnership with ESPN, television audiences will be able to follow the action on ESPN and ESPN2, as well as via daylong live streaming on ESPN3 and through the Watch ESPN app. In all, ESPN and ESPN2 will broadcast 130 hours of live coverage during the 2015 US Open, with 1,100 hours of live match coverage on ESPN3.
Fitting for a destination that knows a thing or two about characters, one of the more memorable moments of this year's tournament took place directly in front of the Visit Orlando logo during a doubles match on Court 5, when a squirrel found its way onto the court, ran right in front of our destination branding before escaping over the wall and into the stands. In tennis, love refers to zero points won, but I'll tell you I love that little character. He sure scored a lot of points with me this week.
—George Aguel
|
|
|
|
|
back to top |
|
From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando |
|
Seat Capacity 11 Percent Higher in Q4
Direct, nonstop seats to Orlando International Airport and Orlando-Sanford International Airport in the final quarter of 2015 are scheduled to rise 11 percent over last year's fourth quarter. Domestic seat capacity is up 9 percent, while international seats are up 25 percent. Seat capacity is higher from most major markets, including Brazil (101 percent), Canada (7 percent) and the United Kingdom (19 percent). For the year as a whole, total seat capacity is up 10 percent, compared to 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
back to top |
|
Visit Orlando Updates |
|
US Open Hosts Visit Orlando Day
Last Friday marked Visit Orlando Day at the US Open with the distribution of 12,000 themed Orlando fans to extremely appreciative visitors on a day that saw temperatures soar to 91°F. Between afternoon matches, a total of seven tennis balls were hit into the audience, with one lucky guest catching the designated winning Orlando Vacation ball. Marva Brown of Jacksonville, Florida, could barely control her excitement at simply catching a souvenir tennis ball, not realizing until hours later what the giant word "WIN" on it meant.
Brazil's Sony TV Films National Vignettes About Orlando
This week, Visit Orlando partnered with Sony TV from Brazil to film a series of three-minute vignettes that will showcase the destination. The segments will air repeatedly through the end of 2015 and highlight the breadth and depth of the destination, as well as cover Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and, of course, one of Brazil's favorite activities-shopping.
Emeril's Florida Completes Pre-Production Work for New TV Episodes
Visit Orlando just conducted a pre-production walk-through for a television show dedicated to Orlando that will be filmed in the coming weeks. The show marks Orlando's sixth TV partnership with Emeril's Florida. Each episode has continued to elevate the incredible culinary offerings of the destination with famed cooking host Emeril Lagasse. The episode will air on both the Food Network and the Cooking Channel in early 2016.
NY Live Films in Orlando
This week, Visit Orlando filmed a series of segments that will air in Atlanta as well as on the popular NBC TV show, NY Live. While in Orlando, segments filmed a range of locations, including The Orlando Eye and Discovery Cove, as well as various restaurants, eco adventures, shopping, spas, golfing and much more. The episodes will begin airing at the end of September.
Visit Orlando Hosts Live Radio Broadcast Event
Last week, Visit Orlando wrapped up a successful radio broadcast effort in support of the Orlando Stories campaign launch. The event included nine domestic radio stations from markets such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, West Palm Beach and Tampa, and two from the United Kingdom. The radio hosts broadcasted live from the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, where they told listeners about their Orlando adventures, including theme parks, new attractions and various dining experiences. Following the broadcasts, a three-week promotional extension offered listeners a chance to win one of several family trips to Orlando.
The New MyVisitOrlando.com Set to Launch Monday, September 21!
The Member Relations & Development team is excited to announce that the new member website will launch on Monday, September 21! 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 MyVisitOrlando.com will be unavailable from Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 21 at noon. Members will be provided with their new login and password for MyVisitOrlando.com via e-mail on Monday, Sept. 21, once the site is up and running.
|
|
|
|
|
Visit Orlando and Partners Promote 2016 SYTA Conference
Visit Orlando, in partnership with Disney Youth Programs, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Universal Orlando Resort Youth Programs, and Rosen Hotels and Resorts, sponsored the closing event at the recent Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA) Annual Conference in Branson, MO. SYTA is dedicated to the student and youth travel market in North America, and its 20th anniversary conference will be held in Orlando in 2016 from Aug. 19-23 at Rosen Shingle Creek.
Travel Agents Are Wowed by Visit Orlando During the Visit USA Central America Mission
Visit Orlando, together with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Universal Orlando Resort, recently attended the Visit USA Central America Mission, which covered the regions of Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala. The group held educational seminars for travel agents and participated in the Visit USA Workshops at each destination. Throughout the mission, Visit Orlando trained 524 agents and met with more than 600 tour operators, airline partners and travel agents, sharing what is new in the destination and offering the opportunity to continue our education program through our Orlando Travel Academy. According to the National Travel and Tourism Office, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States welcomed more than 933,000 visitors from Central America
last year.
Orlando Training Conducted in Colombia
With more than 290 travel agents and ten key Colombian partners in attendance, Orlando held an innovative seminar at Titan Plaza Mall, one of the best-known shopping centers in Bogotá, Colombia. In addition to Visit Orlando, other presenters included SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Universal Orlando Resort, The Florida Mall and Avianca Airlines. A workshop was also held in which Visit Orlando key partners presented their end-of-the-year plans. Attendees were surprised with gifts and raffles, including two trips to Orlando with service on Avianca Airlines. This was a great opportunity to reinforce the Orlando Travel Academy, with 89 travel agents becoming certified.
Convention Sales Team Attends ConferenceDirect CDX in Toronto
Visit Orlando's Intermediary Accounts team attended ConferenceDirect CDX in Toronto, Canada, from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3. The three-day event brought together ConferenceDirect's's top 50 planners, end-user clients and official partners to network, exchange business ideas and explore industry trends. Orlando remains the No. 1 destination for all ConferenceDirect group bookings. Above, from left: Travis Binkley, Visit Orlando; Christine Rose, Informatica Director of Corporate Events; Jonathan Young, Vice President of Global Accounts for ConferenceDirect; and Alex Carvalho, Kaiser Permanente Senior Event Consultant
Midwest Citywide Team and Participating Members Show Clients That Orlando Is the Right Fit
On Sept. 2, our Midwest Citywide team-together with representatives from the Orange County Convention Center; Universal Orlando Resort; SeaWorld Parks & Resorts; and hotel partners Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel and Convention Center and DoubleTree by Hilton at SeaWorld-hosted several of our Chicago-based citywide clients, including W.W. Grainger's Julie Hirsh and Cristina Santoro, at a reception featuring a customized running-shoe fitting session. Our customers definitely found that Orlando is the "Right fit"!
|
|
|
|
|
back to top |
|
News About Orlando |
|
Next Week at the Convention Center
Group |
Meeting |
Start |
End |
Estimate Attendees |
Estimate Economic Impact |
Hay House, Inc. |
I Can Do It Conference |
Sept. 18 |
Sept. 20 |
4,000 |
$7,880,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Frontier Adds Three New Nonstop Routes from Orlando
Frontier Airlines is launching three new nonstop routes from Orlando International Airport beginning this fall.
Surf Expo, Home & Garden Show Headline Sept. Conventions
Lovers of surf boards, gardening and beauty supplies will have a ball this month as three major events are coming to the Orange County Convention Center.
Disney Adds Ferryboat Event with Desserts, Drinks
Walt Disney World is introducing a ferryboat event that includes the Magic Kingdom's "Wishes" fireworks, desserts and alcoholic beverages. Ferrytale Wishes: A Fireworks Dessert Cruise kicks off Oct. 5, according to Disney World's website.
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Phillips Center Pulls Back Curtain on Second Phase Details
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is inching closer to its second phase of construction that includes the 1,700-seat Steinmetz Hall.
NBC Sports Grill & Brew Takes Shape at CityWalk
Universal Orlando CityWalk's newest happy place is nearing completion as NBC Sports Grill & Brew is rising from the demolition of the former NASCAR Cafe.
Central Florida Resort Details Major Upgrade
Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, one of Orlando's iconic condominium-style resorts, is expanding its meeting offerings with the development of 20,000 square feet of new meeting and banquet space.
|
|
|
|
|
back to top |
|
Industry News |
|
Infographic: Business Travel Soaring, Highly Profitable
Aries Residence Suites recently released an infographic that details business travel in 2015.
Left Out Of Visa Waiver Program, Polish Visitors Ask: 'Why Not Us?'
Poland is a staunch U.S. ally, but it's not included in a program that waives visa requirements for visitors. Some argue this presents an expensive hurdle that keeps many from traveling to America.
Millennial Travel Habits Force Tourism Bureaus to Shift Strategy
Millennials at destination marketing organizations are pushing senior leadership to develop more innovative digital communications and more experiential sales efforts targeting both the leisure travel and meetings sectors.
|
|
|
|
|
Robust Passenger Demand Continues
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced global passenger traffic results for July showing robust demand growth compared to July 2014 for both domestic and international traffic.
DMAI's President and CEO Mike Gehrisch Departs Association
According to Destination Marketing International, president and CEO Michael Gehrisch has announced he will end his 15-year tenure as president and CEO of the global association representing the destination marketing industry.
Expedia Investing Millions to Better Sell Airline Tickets
Many online travel agencies such as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity over the years scurried to wean themselves away from their previous dependence on selling airline tickets in favor of a higher-margin hotel business but now Expedia wants to lean back a bit to reemphasize the sale of flights.
|
|
|
|
|
back to top |
|
|