#MyOrlandoStory of the Week
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Best Road Trip Ever
I realized just how much I missed hanging out with my son. We had so much fun at Universal Studios. Being a single mom makes it a bit more complicated to take trips, but after this road trip here we have made promises to do at least one a year. Thanks for bringing me and my baby boy closer again!
Stories shared on OrlandoStories.com and using #MyOrlandoStory on social media may be featured as the Story of the Week.
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Visit Orlando Events
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Sept. 10
Business Referral Group
Portobello Trattoria
1650 Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Cost: $25 inclusive
Click here to RSVP
Sept. 16
Visiting Ours
Club 39 at The Plaza (Rosen)
5-6:30 p.m.; Cost: $15 members, $25 non-members
Click here to register.
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.
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Member-to-Member Offers |
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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.
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Industry Events |
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Community Events |
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President & CEO's Message |
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September 4, 2015 |
AN A-380 KIND OF WEEK
I've been on almost every kind of plane ... but have never seen anything like the A-380, the world's largest passenger airplane and Emirates' flagship aircraft. The airline used it this week to inaugurate daily nonstop passenger service from its hub in Dubai to Orlando. The jet features 500 seats, a lounge for socializing over fine wines, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and delicacies prepared by five-star chefs, as well as two shower spas.
Following touch-down, a series of events fueled days' worth of worldwide attention focused on our destination and tourism community. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Airline & Group, exchanged ceremonial gifts with Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orlando International Airport's Authority Chairman, Frank Krupenbacher, before sharing with the audience that it was consumer demand for our destination that gave Emirates the confidence that a strong market exists for 16-hour flights to Orlando. In addition to hundreds of passengers from 29 countries, the first flight also included a group of top journalists from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka and Kuwait, which Visit Orlando is hosting for tours of our destination and city.
With a style that we're learning to expect from Emirates, the company continued to demonstrate how it is quickly embracing our community by also hosting hundreds of our travel industry and business leaders for a gala dinner at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
With a splash of its red and gold signature colors, Emirates showed in a big way this week how tourism drives our economy and strengthens our community. Literally overnight, the airline made Orlando immensely more accessible for the travelers it serves from the 145 cities worldwide - many of which are located in the fastest-growing populations on our planet. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority estimates that the new service will result in more than $100 million of economic impact and 1,400 jobs in Central Florida. While regular service to Orlando is scheduled to be offered on 777 aircraft seating 266 passengers, I won't be surprised after what I saw this week if by working together with our community and business leaders, Emirates decides to increase use of the A-380 on its route
to Orlando in the future.
- George Aguel
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From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando |
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Tax Collections Soar in July
Collections of Orange County's Tourist Development Tax (TDT) rose 18 percent in July versus the same month last year. The Tourist Development Tax is 6 percent of the nightly rate for short-term accommodations. Collections for the year through July are more than 11 percent ahead of last year's record-setting amount, thanks to a 6 percent increase in the number of occupied room nights, plus a 5 percent increase in the average room rate. Year-over-year growth in TDT
collections has exceeded 10 percent in ten out of the past 12 months.
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Visit Orlando Updates |
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Visit Orlando Hosts Media in Celebration of Emirates' New Orlando Service
In celebration of the inaugural Emirates direct flight between Dubai and Orlando, Visit Orlando hosted 11 media representatives from United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Sri Lanka. The five-day press trip showcased Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, shopping at Mall at Millenia, several dining experiences, and accommodations at Waldorf Astoria Orlando. In addition, the media received a tour of Lake Nona's Medical City with educational presentations from Orlando officials.
Orlando Stories Campaign Launches in the United Kingdom
The Never Ending Stories campaign continued its global roll-out this week in the United Kingdom. The seven-week campaign targets families with an integrated media plan including broadcast TV, digital advertising and a one-week mail online takeover. This heartwarming new creative also features a monthly sweepstakes to win a trip to Orlando, driving consumers to post a photo, video or testimonial on OrlandoStories.com.
Now Breaking: "Orlando Stories" Kicks Off in Canada
This week marked the launch of the Never Ending Story campaign in Ontario, Canada. The four-month-long campaign will use a variety of digital and OOH executions, including outdoor boards at Yonge & Dundas and Yonge & Gerrard, some of the most heavily trafficked areas in Canada. Visit Orlando has also partnered with TravelBrands and Air Canada Vacations to extend the "Share Your Stories" message and showcase the unique emotions experienced during an Orlando vacation.
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Visit Orlando Hosts Brazilian Magazine for 10-Day Photo Shoot
Visit Orlando is currently hosting Brazilian magazine Pais & Filhos for a 10-day photo shoot for its biannual Fashion Edition to be published in November. The 92-page issue will highlight I-Drive 360 attractions, Crayola Experience, Downtown Orlando, Winter Park, plus a variety of hotels and shopping, dining and entertainment venues in the area. The fashion edition will be complemented by three, eight-page feature stories about Orlando in its October, November and December editions that will also include coverage on the theme parks. The crew has been collecting video of all the locations they have visited to create eight segments for the magazine's YouTube channel, and have been busy posting photos and videos on Instagram and Facebook all week.
Destination Services Team Member Represents Orlando at APCO Expo
Visit Orlando Ambassador Robin Castellano was recently in Washington, D.C. showcasing Orlando at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO International) Annual Conference & Expo. The Florida Chapter of APCO shared Visit Orlando's booth, which had Florida-themed decorations, giveaways and photo opps to get attendees excited about the 2016 conference, which will be held in Orlando.
Convention Sales and Westgate Resorts Attend 6th Annual HB Cares Invitational
Ken Barnett, director of intermediary accounts for Visit Orlando, and Paul Williams, director of sales for Westgate Resorts, attended the 6th Annual HB Cares Invitational in Wisconsin last weekend. The three-day event brought together 100 of HelmsBriscoe's top planners, along with 100 suppliers, for a weekend of fundraising, networking and CSR activities. Some 3400 hygiene kits from Clean The World were put together for families in need in Wisconsin and surrounding areas. Orlando-based Clean The World was also presented with a check for $60,000, which was generated from the events that weekend. Above, from left: Bill Briscoe, cofounder of HelmsBriscoe; Ken Barnett, Visit Orlando; Roger Helms, cofounder and CEO of HelmsBriscoe; and Paul Williams of Westgate Resorts
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News About Orlando |
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Next Week at the Convention Center
Group |
Meeting |
Start |
End |
Estimate Attendees |
Estimate Economic Impact |
Imprinted Sportswear Show
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Annual Convention
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Sept. 10
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Sept. 12 |
2,000 |
$3,940,000 |
Surf Expo
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SURF EXPO - September
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Sept. 10
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Sept. 12
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26,000 |
$51,220,000 |
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Emirates' First OIA Flight Draws Water Salute
The first Emirates flight landed in Orlando on Tuesday, making a new connection between Florida and Dubai.
Rosen Planning Expansions at Three Hotels
Looks like the 1,500-room Rosen Shingle Creek and two other Rosen-owned hotels are about to undergo major expansions.
Universal Expanding Cabana Bay Beach Resort by 400 Rooms
Universal Orlando will add 400 rooms to its Cabana Bay Beach Resort, bringing the total number of units for the hotel to 2,200, the company announced Monday.
Could Uber Get Its Way in Orlando by Leaving?
You can't always get what you want, but Uber certainly found a way to
do so in Broward County - and its approach may work in Orlando
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Orlando's Retail Real Estate Market Thrives With Record Tourism
You may be tired of getting stuck in Orlando's tourist corridor traffic - but the visitors are a big reason that the region's retail real estate industry is booming.
Orange County's July Tourist Development Tax Outperforms Last Year by 18 Percent
Orange County's July tourist development tax collection rate was nearly 18 percent higher in year-over-year metrics.
Exclusive: New 365-Room Hotel Slated for I-Drive Area
A New York real estate development firm appears to be preparing plans to build a new high-rise hotel on Universal Boulevard just behind the Orange County Convention Center.
New Flights to Dubai Prompt Central Florida Sales Trip to Mideast
Central Florida businesses are pouncing on a new direct flight between Dubai and Orlando as a new sales opportunity.
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Industry News |
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TSA PreCheck Enrollment Tops 1.5 Million
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said Monday that 1.5
million people have signed up for its PreCheck known-traveler program.
Labor Day Travelers to Spend $13.5 Billion, up 2% From Last Year
Restaurants, gas stations, hotels and other tourism businesses should have a profitable Labor Day weekend, as U.S. travelers are expected to spend an estimated $13.5 billion during the end-of-summer holiday, a 2% increase over the previous Labor Day weekend.
Rapper Pitbull Teams With Visit Florida to Promote Tourism
Rapper Pitbull is partnering with Visit Florida to promote tourism. The Miami-based rapper will film his upcoming video for "Sexy Beaches" in Florida.
20 Charts Showing Surprising Trends in Global Last-Minute Travel
People's lives and schedules are often unpredictable and in many cases the days of planning travel several months in advance are long gone.
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Why Travel Needs to Embrace Cross-Device Marketing
The way we advertise to and engage with consumers has changed dramatically thanks to the explosion of mobile.
How Destinations Are Using the Personal Touch to Draw Visitors Online
A recent white paper supports the notion that travelers respond well to personalized messages from Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs).
2015 Q2 Data Reflects Continued Gains for Exhibition Industry
After a sharp increase in the first quarter, the performance of the business to business exhibition industry, as measured by the CEIR Total Index, remained relatively strong during the second quarter of 2015, posting a year-on-year gain of 3.8%.
Why Are More Hotels Heavily Promoting Direct Booking Today?
While more travelers are going online to book hotels these days, that hasn’t necessarily translated to a rise in direct bookings for hoteliers.
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