July 14, 2017

Our Next Can't-Miss Event: Aug. 23 Luncheon with Noted Tech Entrepreneur

All this adds up to a must-attend event you won't want to miss. Space always fills up fast, so register today. I look forward to seeing you there!

-George Aguel

Get Ready for Magical Dining!

OrlandoMagicalDining.com, the website for Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month sponsored by American Express, is now live, featuring the menu options of more than 100 participating restaurants. Sample the three-course menus from some of the area's finest and most talked-about restaurants for just $35, from Aug. 25 to Oct. 1. With so many great options and the increasing popularity of the program, make your reservations now. One dollar from each meal benefits a local charity. This year, due to the immense growth of the program, Magical Dining Month will benefit two Orlando nonprofit organizations: Freedom Ride Inc. and BASE Camp Children's Foundation. Last year, Magical Dining raised a record $195,125 for the Russell Home for Atypical Children.

Sold-Out Power Hour Lunch I-Drive Update a Hit

Guest speaker Luann Brooks, executive director of the I-Drive Business Improvement District, provided an in-depth presentation to a sold-out Visit Orlando Power Hour lunch at Tapa Toro, with nearly 60 members in attendance. She discussed the economic impact of the I-Drive area, highlighted development updates and was available to answer questions. This update was one of a series. Previous regional updates have included Thomas Chatmon, executive director of the Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency, and Darcy Clark, marketing manager at Disney Springs.

Visit Orlando Presents 2017 Inspiring Leader Award

Visit Orlando attended Association Forum's 101^st Honors Gala, along with with nearly 800 association professionals and suppliers, to celebrate and honor the achievements of industry colleagues and partners at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Visit Orlando presented the non-profit association executive and supplier-partner organization's 2017 Inspiring Leader award to Greg Fine, CAE. Fine was honored for establishing a culture leading to employee satisfaction, motivation, engagement and achievement. 

Pictured left to right: Chirag Patel, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics; Barbara Balaguras, Visit Orlando; Christine Melendes, Association for Corporate Growth; Cate Hunter, SmithBucklin; Robert Naylor, Hilton LVB/BVP; Hayat Pronovost, Visit Orlando; Cassie Palacios, SmithBucklin/ASUG; Nancy Henkel, Water Quality Association; and Fred Shea, Visit Orlando.

UK's Telegraph Story Results in 35.5M Impressions

Visit Orlando's Public Relations Team assisted with a story in The Telegraph online that named Orlando the top holiday destination for October half-term. The story also got picked up by Yahoo Style UK, for a combined 35.5 million impressions.

Brazil Campaign Generates 200M Impressions

Visit Orlando's spring media campaign in Brazil successfully wrapped up at the end of June, generating more than 200 million impressions, unprecedented awareness and intent to travel, as well as forward airline bookings. The campaign reached the target audience through paid TV, print, online videos, digital display, social media advertising and search engine marketing. Additionally, in-language, culturally curated content on the destination provided in-depth planning tips and information.

Mexico's Reforma Features Orlando

Visit Orlando's public relations team worked with widely-read Mexican newspaper Reforma, on a feature about Orlando for its weekly travel supplement, De Viaje. The two-page article (including the cover) highlighted some of Orlando's newest attractions, including Universal Orlando Resort's Volcano Bay and Walt Disney World Resort's Pandora - The World of AVATAR at Disney's Animal Kingdom, as well as LEGOLAND's NinjaGo World and iFLY Orlando's new facility. The article was generated in print and web formats, and promoted on Reforma's social media.

America's Best City for Recreation

For the second year in a row, Orlando ranks as WalletHub's "Best City for Recreation." Across 100 major U.S. cities, the personal finance website examined 44 key metrics that include basic living costs, weather, quality of parks, and accessibility of entertainment and recreational facilities.

Influencer's Orlando Father's Day Reaches 3M+

Visit Orlando's public relations team worked with influencer and photographer Tim Landis as part of a "Father's Day - 30 Days of Dad" promotion, that included social media posts reaching more than 3.2 million. Along with posting to his numerous social media channels, Tim took over Visit Orlando's Instagram to showcase photos of his family's experience in Orlando.

At the Center

SeaWorld Adds New Killer Whale Tour

SeaWorld Orlando announced on Tuesday its new "Killer Whale Up-Close Tour." The 45-minute tour gives guests the opportunity to meet the park's killer whales in ways never before offered at the park, including learning from the park's killer whale trainers, meeting the whales and even taking part in a whale interaction.

Orlando Top 'Half-Term' Family Vacation Spot

UK's The Telegraph named Orlando its No. 1 "Best Last-Minute Family Holiday for October Half-Term."

Edelweiss to Offer Service Between Zurich & MCO

Swiss International Air Lines has announced that its sister airline, Edelweiss, is expanding its route network to North America in January, with year-round flights between Zurich and Orlando.

Discounted ICC Tickets Available

Don't miss your chance to see two of the world's biggest soccer clubs when Paris Saint-Germain faces English super club Tottenham Hotspur during the July 22 International Champions Cup at Camping World Stadium. The ICC is offering a 30 percent ticket discount here (use offer code VISITORLANDO).

New Disney Springs Restaurant to Open in Fall

Terralina Crafted Italian is scheduled to open this fall at Disney Springs in the space of the former Portobello Country Italian Trattoria. James Beard Award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano is returning to curate the new menu, and Chef Justin Plank will run the kitchen.

DHS Reviewing Laptop Ban

The United States Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday that it will be reviewing the laptop ban still in place for three Middle Eastern airlines. The DHS lifted the travel ban on six of the airlines originally on the list including Emirates Airlines.

Theme Parks Accommodating Autistic Guests

With the prevalence of autism on the rise (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 68 children have the condition), parks are making special accommodations available. The article mentions LEGOLAND Florida and Disney World among them.

Airlines Try Biometric ID for Boarding, Bags

Two United States air carriers, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue, recently began passenger trials in biometric identification, a technology that verifies a person's identity through fingerprints, facial features or other physical characteristics.

Biz Travelers Favor Tech for Managing Travel

According to Egencia's just-released annual Business Travel and Technology Survey, there is increasing desire by business travelers for technology access and cross-device integration while on the road.