Visit Orlando earns recognition for supporting new air service in key global markets.
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Visit Orlando
Loving Orlando

FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Airline Partnerships Help Fuel Our Destination’s Growth

As a destination that attracts upward of 72 million visitors a year (6.15 million of international origin) robust air service and partnerships are critical to our success. To this end, the Visit Orlando team has worked to support new routes, particularly from key markets in Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia — and we're happy the industry has taken notice. 

Each year, as part of the prestigious Routes Marketing Awards, airlines across the world vote for the destinations that provide them with the best marketing services. Visit Orlando recently won a “highly commended” award in the Americas division, earning recognition for several global campaigns conducted in 2018 alongside Orlando International Airport, multiple airlines and member companies.

Our joint initiatives helped educate travel professionals in Brazil and Argentina; conduct co-op marketing campaigns in the UK and Ireland; launch sales missions in emerging markets; showcase our destination to top-selling travel agents in China, and much more.

These efforts went a long way toward not just attracting more air passengers in 2018, but also setting the stage for even greater visitor volume in the years to come. The best part is, the spending of each visitor to Orlando makes an impact that can be felt throughout our community.
George Aquel President & CEO George Aguel
President & CEO

RESEARCH & INSIGHTS

Consumer Confidence Rises 8%

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had declined three consecutive months, rose 8 percent to 131.4 in February. Consumer perceptions of current economic conditions improved moderately, and expectations for economic conditions over the next six months rose sharply.

VISIT ORLANDO ACTIVITIES

I-Drive Chamber

CORPORATE

I-Drive Businesses Hear
State of Tourism Update 

Visit Orlando Chief Marketing Officer Danielle Hollander spoke to about 100 business leaders at February’s meeting of the International Drive Resort Area Chamber of Commerce. She highlighted the importance of the tourism industry, ways we market America's most-visited destination and how local businesses can benefit from partnering with Visit Orlando. Pictured: Mayra Uribe, Orange County commissioner; Maria Triscari, president, I-Drive Chamber, Danielle Hollander and Tammy Bateman, treasurer, I-Drive Chamber.
CP24

MARKETING

Live Broadcast Set to
Warm Up Canadians

Working on location with Canada's popular news morning show CP24, Visit Orlando filmed a two-day live broadcast that is expected to generate 3.4 million impressions over the course of three weeks. In addition to digital and social efforts, a special landing page on the station’s website will feature videos that promote our warm destination during Canada’s brutal winter.
HIMSS

M&C

45K Attend HIMSS
Convention at OCCC

The Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS) held its global conference and exhibition at the Orange County Convention Center Feb. 12-14. With more than 45,000 in attendance, HIMSS utilized 88 hotels throughout the destination and generated $78 million in economic impact. The conference will return to Orlando in 2020.
Ontario TV

PUBLICITY

Travel Expert Touts
Orlando's Family Appeal

Visit Orlando's PR team secured a four-minute editorial segment with top family travel expert Angie Campanelli on a popular TV station in Ontario, Canada. The segment highlighted flight accessibility and what's new in Orlando, encouraging travel ahead of March break.
airboat ride

PUBLICITY

Travel Channel Explores
'10 Amazing Attractions'

Our publicity team recently earned media coverage on TravelChannel.com in an article titled “10 Amazing Orlando Attractions That Aren't Theme Parks.” Reaching an audience of 832,000, the story covers a variety of attractions and activities, from airboat rides in iconic wetlands to cruising Winter Park’s chain of lakes to eating at Plant Street Market in Winter Garden. This is the fifth story Visit Orlando has secured on the Travel Channel.
Destination Showcase

M&C

Showcasing Orlando 
to Meeting Planners

Visit Orlando’s convention sales team attended Destination Showcase in Washington, D.C., connecting with meeting planners and emphasizing the importance of working with destination organizations such as Visit Orlando. Team members met with several key planners, including the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (pictured).
Mirror

PUBLICITY

UK Families Get ‘More
Bang for Their Buck’

The PR team generated coverage in the UK’s Mirror online, highlighting new research that shows Orlando as a value destination. The story says, “Thanks to some great holiday packages currently on the market, families traveling to Orlando could get more bang for their buck on a holiday.” The article provides a credible third-party insight, promoting our destination during a key booking period for spring travel.
member opportunities

MEMBERSHIP

Exclusive Member
Co-op Opportunities

Don’t miss out! Visit Orlando offers members the opportunity to participate in various strategic and cost-effective cooperative advertising campaigns throughout the year. Upcoming opportunities include working with popular platforms such as Facebook and Pandora to target high-demand Florida markets, as well as New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Atlanta. For additional information, please contact our member development team at advertising.coordinator@visitorlando.com.

DID YOU KNOW?

spring break

Orlando is CheapOair’s most popular domestic spring break destination this year for young adults. Expect crowds to be heaviest in early March, as 70 percent of 18- to 25-year-old spring breakers will be traveling before March 15. Read More

IN THE NEWS

OIA Seeks New Tech to Streamline Wait Times

Facial recognition system would speed up processing of international arrivals. Read More

Universal Reveals New Harry Potter Attraction

Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will open June 13. Read More

New Additions Headed to Disney’s Epcot

"Play Pavilion" will open in time for 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. Read More

Fun Spot Inks Partnership with Florida Citrus Sports

Attraction becomes one of four main Camping World Stadium partners. Read More

4 Orlando Restaurants, Chefs Named Semifinalists

Winners of the prestigious James Beard awards will be announced March 27. Read More

Rosen Donates $12M to Brain Cancer Research

Hotelier joins forces with UF-led research collaboration after losing son to disease. Read More

UPCOMING EVENTS

Party at the Pointe

Visit Orlando’s Annual
Party at the Pointe

Don't miss this chance to network with hundreds of fellow members! Enjoy appetizers, drinks, dessert and entertainment at Party at the Pointe. Register here.

EVENTS CALENDAR

AT THE CONVENTION CENTER

These upcoming events at the Orange County Convention Center will generate a combined economic impact of more than $108 million.

March 3-6

Grainger Show
Estimated Attendance: 13,000

March 6-7

AmCon 2019
Estimated Attendance: 1,500

March 8-10

Orlando Boat Show
Estimated Attendance: 4,000

March 11-13

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Estimated Attendance: 9,000

March 15-17

Sunshine Volleyball Classic
Estimated Attendance: 20,000

March 16-17

American Open Cheer & Dance
Estimated Attendance: 6,000

March 16-17

The Franchise Show
Estimated Attendance: 1,500

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