Global event management company analyzed booking data from 5,000-plus U.S. cities.
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Visit Orlando
Orange County Convention Center

FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Orlando: the Nation’s No. 1 Meetings Destination

Everyone recognizes Orlando as America’s most visited destination, Theme Park Capital of the World® and the perfect place for an unforgettable vacation experience

But did you know our success extends to business travel as well? 

For the seventh time in eight years, Orlando has been named America’s No. 1 meetings destination by Cvent, an industry-leading global event management company that analyzed booking data from more than 5,000 U.S. cities. 

We lead the pack for a variety of reasons. Affordability, accessibility, quality and variety of facilities, positive brand awareness about Orlando, and our culture of service and hospitality all come to mind. 

Of course, these things all contribute to making Orlando a popular destination for business and leisure travel alike. And even though, as you’ll read below, we have experienced some headwinds this summer in the lodging sector, it’s important to note that Orlando’s overall growth this year is very encouraging … and that we will continue to lead the way for all types of travel, no matter your itinerary.
George Aquel President & CEO George Aguel
President & CEO

RESEARCH & INSIGHTS

Hotel Performance Slides in Recent Weeks

Orlando’s hotel industry enjoyed a relatively strong performance in April, thanks in part to the later date for Easter and corresponding spring breaks. In recent weeks, however, key hotel indicators have trailed prior-year levels. The hotel occupancy rate is down for six consecutive weeks, as is occupied room nights (aka hotel demand), and the average daily rate is down five straight weeks. These results make it likely that collections of Orange County’s tourist development tax for June will fall below prior-year collections.

VISIT ORLANDO ACTIVITIES

Best in the U.S.

CORPORATE

Visit Orlando Voted 
Cvent’s ‘Best in the U.S.’ 

Visit Orlando won the “Best in the U.S.” award July 9 at the annual Cvent CONNECT event technology conference in Las Vegas. The award recognizes Visit Orlando’s “top performance in utilizing Cvent technology to drive positive business results” and our “integral role in positioning the city as a premier choice for corporate meetings and events.” Six member companies joined Visit Orlando at the four-day conference, which featured 4,000 meeting, event and hospitality professionals.
Aloft

CORPORATE

Visit Orlando Welcomes
Dual-Branded I-Drive Hotel

Visit Orlando Chief Marketing Officer Danielle Hollander joined Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Florida Sen. Victor Torres and industry leaders at a groundbreaking ceremony for the dual-branded Aloft and Element Orlando hotel June 27. Located near SeaWorld on International Drive, the hotel is scheduled to open in mid-2020. L to R: Hollander, Sen. Torres, Mayor Demings, and representatives from AD1 Global.
Magical Dining

COMMUNITY

Visit Orlando’s Magical
Dining Begins Aug. 23 

Start planning your dining adventures now! With more than 120 member restaurants offering three-course, prix-fixe meals dinner menus for just $35, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns Aug. 23 through Sept. 30. Go to OrlandoMagicalDining.com to view menus and explore Orlando’s diverse culinary scene.
Fantastic Orlando

SOCIAL MEDIA

#FantasticOrlando
Campaign Heats Up

Visit Orlando has launched a new way for people on social media to unite over their love of our destination. Our #FantasticOrlando 
campaign, which started May 27 and runs through Aug. 31, is based on fans’ photography and popular hashtags. Its goal is to showcase real and exciting experiences through the eyes of our visitors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Radio

PUBLICITY

Blanketing the UK with
Radio and Print Publicity 

Nearly 1.5 million listeners tuned in to radio interviews June 14 across 10 national and regional radio stations in the UK. The segments focused on how Brits love to revisit places where they have traveled, with an emphasis on Orlando. Our spokesperson was frequent Orlando visitor Laura Hamilton, a British TV personality and host of Channel 4’s “A Place in the Sun.” Visit Orlando’s publicity team also worked to secure UK coverage in Woman's Own magazine ahead of a key booking period. The story highlighted why Orlando is the perfect destination for families.
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

PUBLICITY

Magazines Feature Dining,
Culture in Winter Park

Visit Orlando’s publicity team secured coverage in both Palm Beach Illustrated and Naples Illustrated, for the July/August issues. The direct result of a February destination orientation, these articles will generate significant exposure in two important drive markets. Both articles covered dining and culture in the Winter Park area. Photo by The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Winter Park, Florida
Toronto networking

M&C

Visit Orlando Hits the
Road for Industry Events

Visit Orlando and member companies cohosted the MPI World Education Congress networking dinner (pictured) June 16 in Toronto. Attendees represented key groups that drive convention business to our destination. On June 20 in Chicago, more than 600 people joined Visit Orlando at the annual Association Forum Gala to celebrate the achievements of association professionals and industry partners. Visit Orlando presented the Inspiring Leaders Award to Karen Horting, executive director & CEO of the Society of Women Engineers.
Client dinner

M&C

Teaming Up with OCCC,
Universal at PCMA

Visit Orlando attended PCMA EduCon, a conference uniting event marketers, designers and business strategists from around the world, June 25-28 in Los Angeles. As part of the event, Visit Orlando cohosted a client dinner for key decision-makers with the Orange County Convention Center and Universal Orlando Resort. The conference helped Visit Orlando build relationships and drive potential business to our destination. 

IN THE NEWS

Disney Hires 1,700 Employees for Star Wars Land

About 60% are transfers from other positions, and 40% are new hires. Read More

Seasonal Air Service Links Tel Aviv with Orlando

The nonstop flight will operate once a week during July and August each year. Read More

Aerolineas Begins New Flight Schedule to Orlando

The Argentine airline’s three weekly flights start Dec. 9. Read More

Gondolas Take Flight Sept. 29 at Disney

Visitors will be transported to Epcot, Hollywood Studios and several resorts. Read More

VISIT ORLANDO EVENTS

Business Insights Luncheon & Economic Forum

Business Insights Luncheon
& Economic Forum 
Thursday, Aug. 22
 
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Join us for an economic forum followed by a luncheon at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Understand how to better prepare for budget season by learning about economic and travel trends. Register here.

EVENTS CALENDAR

AT THE CONVENTION CENTER

These upcoming events at the Orange County Convention Center will generate a combined economic impact of nearly $120 million.

July 18-20

Tiger-Rock Martial Arts World Championship
Estimated Attendance: 3,000

July 20–21

NYAA Cheer Nationals (National Youth Activities Association)
Estimated Attendance: 13,200

July 20–24

VFW & Auxiliary Annual National Convention 
Estimated Attendance: 10,000

July 22–28

Miss America's Outstanding Teen
Estimated Attendance: 2,500

July 25–27

Zumba Fitness Instructor Convention
Estimated Attendance: 6,500

July 29–Aug. 2

iCan Bike 
Estimated Attendance: 300

July 30–Aug. 4

General Council of the Assemblies of God
Estimated Attendance: 25,000

DID YOU KNOW?

Orlando International Airport

Orlando International ranks in the top 10 of the nation’s most affordable airports for international flights, according to research by travel deals website Scott’s Cheap Flights. “Thank that famous mouse for the airport’s robust service,” the website reports. “All those flights mean a lot of potential for deals, and Orlando sees 18-19 per month, on average.” Read More

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