Jan. 20, 2017

Celebrating Orlando As a Premier Sports Destination

Sporting fever in Orlando reaches an all-time high next week as athletes, experts and fans converge on the destination in both the leisure and convention arenas. Camping World Stadium is preparing for Sunday, Jan. 29 when the Pro Bowl culminates a weeklong celebration of football. In addition to the game, which features 88 of the NFL's best players and airs on ESPN, Pro Bowl Week will also feature interactive fan experiences, youth and high school football competitions, and a series of community events.

Our destination will be on full display throughout the event as fans participate in and watch a variety of events in our area - from youth football clinics to the NFL Flag Championships, accessible player practices and skill challenges. The league's efforts to shape the week into a celebration of youth, families and the love of the game quickly led them to Orlando where family and fun go hand in hand.

Across town, the Orange County Convention Center prepares to welcome more than 43,000 golf enthusiasts at the annual PGA Merchandise Show. Long hosted here, it is another example of how sports and Orlando are the perfect pairing. With more than 170 courses and many pros who call Orlando home, it's easy to see why golf fans think of our community among the best places in the world to tee off.

There is clearly much to cheer about as Orlando surges even further into the world of sports and continues to lead the nation as the premier meetings and conventions destination.

-George Aguel

Record-Setting Attendance at OCCC

Convention & Trade Show (aka citywide) attendance at the Orange County Convention Center totaled a record 1.25 million in 2016, an 11 percent increase over 2015. Citywide attendance was strong throughout the year with attendance exceeding 100,000 in seven months during 2016. Peak months for citywide attendance were January, May and June. The second half of 2016 experienced unusually strong attendance as, for the first time, citywide attendance exceeded 100,000 in two of the last four months of the year.

Visit Orlando, Community Partners Kick Off ZORA!

This morning the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community and community partners, including Visit Orlando, kicked off the annual ZORA! Festival. The multi-day event celebrates the life and work of 20th-century writer, Zora Neale Hurston, and her hometown of Eatonville - the nation's oldest, incorporated African-American municipality. Attracting thousands of locals and tourists, ZORA! features museum exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops and concerts beginning with a three-day street arts festival.

Video & Blog Capture Opening of NINGJAGO World

Visit Orlando's Social Media Team features LEGOLAND Florida's newest land in its latest blog and video. NINGJAGO World is an all-new martial arts themed land, designed as an interactive training ground for kids to hone their skills and "become the ninja". 

"Food Stands Out in Orlando"

As a result of a group press trip in fall 2016, the Public Relations Team generated coverage in the Toronto Star (print and online - 4.6 million impressions) about Orlando's dining scene. "Food Stands Out in Orlando" highlights what's new at Disney Springs - including Chef Art Smith's Homecoming Kitchen as well as Universal CityWalk's Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen.

Convention Sales Presents at MPI New Jersey

Visit Orlando sponsored MPI's New Jersey Chapter Education Program on Jan. 17 at the Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey. The program resembled a take on the game show "The Price Is Right," which gave sponsors the opportunity to present to 30 meeting planners and customers new exciting Orlando information in an interactive and high-energy way.

Pictured, from left to right, are: Kelly Albert, Susan Zeiri and Tim Lescoe, Grande Lakes Orlando.

Viagem Cultural TV Explores Orlando

As a result of a Visit Orlando press trip, Brazilian Viagem Cultural TV produced a retrospective video showcasing the best trips of 2016, including Orlando's hot air balloon rides. The segment aired twice last week and garnered a combined circulation of 1,600,000 impressions. Mixing information and entertainment, Viagem Cultural, one of the major travel TV shows in Brazil, explores sightseeing activities of each destination they visit while disclosing the local destinations' culture, history, music and cuisine.

ITV UK Morning Show to Film in Orlando

Visit Orlando is partnering with ITV's "This Morning" to create a series of destination vignettes that will air within the popular morning show. Host Ali Hammond travels to Orlando next week to experience and film Orlando's outdoor adventures and unique experiences at venues such as Wild Florida Airboats & Wildlife Park Buena Vista Watersports, Four Seasons Resort Orlando's Tranquilo Golf Club and more.

Toronto Star Highlights Budget-Friendly Orlando

The Visit Orlando Public Relations Team generated coverage on TorontoStar.com (4.6 million impressions) about "Top 5 Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Orlando," ranging from Harry P. Leu Gardens and the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour to East End Market and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.

Trade Sales Team Hosts China and India Fams

Visit Orlando hosted a pre-Florida Huddle China Fam and post Florida Huddle India Fam. The top 10 tour operators from China arrived to Orlando on Jan. 6 and visited Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort theme parks as well as enjoyed Orlando Premium Outlet shopping. The eight tour operators from India began their fam on Jan. 15. Their itinerary included Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, a presentation of Universal Orlando Resort, hotel site inspections as well as outlet shopping.

This Week at the Convention Center

Wildlife Festival Celebrates Ecotourism

Thousands of people will flock to Central Florida this weekend to attend the 5th Annual Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival and Birdapalooza. During the festival, visitors may tour the 20,000-acre Lake Apopka North Shore, where 360-plus bird species have been sighted. Keynote speaker Greg Miller is among the knowledgeable birding guides leading field trips. The festival also features a free family-oriented Birdapalooza event at Orange County's Magnolia Park.

New Festival of the Arts at Epcot

The first-ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts, a showcase of visual, culinary and performing arts from around the world, will be held Fridays through Mondays through Feb. 20. The event features new art each week, showcasing celebrated work by Disney historical artists.

Universal's "Tonight Show" to Open in April

Universal Orlando Resort's has announced the opening date for its newest ride, "The Race for New York Starring Jimmy Fallon," as April 6. The Tonight Show will be taping onsite April 3-6.

Record Holiday Traffic at MCO

November kicked off the start of the busy holiday travel season at Orlando International Airport (MCO). In November, on a rolling 12-month basis, MCO recorded its busiest time period in history with nearly 41.8 million passengers.

Volunteer for 2017 NFL Pro Bowl Week!

Orlando is pleased to host the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl this month. If you want to be a part of the action, the NFL is looking for volunteers to help with Pro Bowl Week activities at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports January 24-28. Register here.

SeaWorld to Soon Launch All-New Food Festival

SeaWorld Orlando will soon introduce its all-new Seven Seas Food Festival. On Saturdays, from Feb. 11 to May 13, guests can sip and sample their way around the world of international coastal cuisine and craft beers, paired wines and specialty entertainment, including live performances from top country, rock and Latin music artists.

Mango's to Host Pro Bowl Alumni Party

Mix and mingle with stars from football, basketball, boxing and more as Mango's Tropical Café Orlando welcomes numerous professional athletes, sports celebrities, models and cheerleaders at the NFL Alumni Bowl Party on Friday, Jan. 27, starting at 7 p.m. Various ticket options are available.

In-Person Meetings Priority in 2017

According to findings of a small business survey conducted by Meetings Mean Business, face-to-face meetings are a high priority for small business owners, who will continue to invest in travel for in-person meetings, industry conferences and trade shows in 2017.

U.S. Vacations Less, Retires Later Than Europeans

U.S. workers not only put in more hours than workers do almost anywhere else, putting 25 percent more hours in than Europeans. They're also increasingly retiring later and taking fewer vacation days.

DOT Proposes Bag-Fee Transparency Rule

The Department of Transportation (DOT) on Tuesday proposed a rule that would require airlines and ticket agents (including travel agents) to disclose fees for carry-on and checked bags from the beginning of a fare inquiry.

American to Offer Basic Economy Fares

American Airlines announces it will sell Basic Economy fares beginning February in 10 select markets, with the first flights occurring shortly thereafter and expansion to additional markets expected later this year.

Swiss Can Soon Apply for Global Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Embassy in Bern have announced the expansion of the Global Entry Trusted Travel Network to Swiss citizens. They can begin applying for the program on Feb. 1. Switzerland becomes the ninth country overall whose citizens will be eligible to enroll in Global Entry.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available at the time of this publishing (Jan. 18, 2017) indicate that 217 locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 4,682 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.