A new study by industry leader Cvent found that companies are planning more meetings and larger meetings, while spending more in the process. This adds up to great news for us on two fronts:
Nationally, growth in the corporate events industry indicates a strong economy. And in Orlando, where the convention industry positively contributes to tourism's overall economic impact of more than $70 billion, we're well-positioned to continue reaping the benefits of being one of America's top meetings and convention destinations.
Speaking of travel-related benefits, June was another record month for Orange County’s Tourist Development Tax. As you’ll read below, TDT collections were 16.4 percent higher than in June 2017 — yet another sign that tourism in Orlando keeps growing by leaps and bounds … and strengthening our economy in the process.
George Aguel
President & CEO
RESEARCH & INSIGHTS
TDT Collections Up 16.4% in June, 9.6% YTD
Collections of the Orange County Tourist Development Tax were 16.4 percent higher in June versus the same month last year, driven by strong growth in hotel occupancy (+6.1 percent) and average daily rate (+10.2 percent). TDT collections, which have set a record every month in 2018 except April, are up 9.6 percent year to date.
VISIT ORLANDO ACTIVITIES
PUBLICITY
USA Today Celebrates
Waterpark Day Locally
USA Today had the scoop on the nation’s best waterparks open year-round in Orlando, from Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach to Universal's Volcano Bay and SeaWorld's Aquatica. The article, a result of our publicity team’s efforts, earned 26.5 million potential impressions. National Waterpark Day was July 28.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Buddying Up with Our
Magical Dining Partners
To gear up for Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month sponsored by American Express (Aug. 24-Sept. 30), Visit Orlando has been spending time with this year’s charity partners, Best Buddies and the
Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida
. The nonprofits, which will split one dollar from each meal served, will be officially introduced at Visit Orlando’s Business Insights Luncheon Aug. 23.
M&C
OCCC Hosts Global
Zumba Convention
The Zumba Fitness annual convention, July 26-28 at the Orange County Convention Center, featured more than 8,000 instructors from over 85 countries. Since 2008, Zumba enthusiasts from around the globe have gathered in Orlando for action-packed days of education, networking and fun. The convention is set to return through 2023.
COMMUNICATIONS
i4 Business Highlights
the Impact of Tourism
Visit Orlando’s corporate communications team worked with i4 Business magazine to highlight the value of tourism to our community. The cover story in August’s edition, Tourism Today: Central Florida’s Evolving Image, touts Orlando’s record-breaking visitation and the $70 billion in annual economic impact tourism generates.
PUBLICITY
Canada Trade Outlet:
“All Eyes on Orlando”
The publicity team generated an extensive destination feature in Canadian trade publication Travel Industry Today, highlighting reasons to travel now and in the fall. The story mentions Orlando as one of the few destinations in the world that is constantly evolving.
M&C
Critical-Care Nurses
Prep for ’19 Convention
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ planning team was recently in Orlando conducting site visits for the organization’s 2019 convention. Known as the National Training Institute, the event will be held at the Orange County Convention Center, with an expected attendance of 10,800.
The city’s newest initiative aims to elevate the downtown experience as Orlando’s urban core continues to attract new businesses, residents and visitors. Read More
Animatronics Builder to Open Orlando Office
Michigan-based Roush, whose entertainment division focuses on ride-seat systems, plans to open its first Orlando office in November. Read More
Wheelchair Games Brings Adaptive Sports to Orlando
Competing in 21 sports, more than 650 disabled military veterans converged last week on the Orange County Convention Center. Read More
VISIT ORLANDO EVENTS
Trendhunter.com CEO Jeremy Gutsche — an award-winning innovator, management consultant and New York Times bestselling author — will be the keynote speaker at one of our most popular annual events. Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, and Daryl Cronk, Visit Orlando’s director of research and insights, will discuss economic trends.
