March 10, 2017

Groundbreaking Week in Orlando

From soccer to symphony - there is much to celebrate in Orlando!

More than 25,500 fans filled the new Orlando City Soccer Stadium Sunday to get their first look at the team's new home. Evidenced by all who were there, the energy at the event is a reflection of the innovation and excitement that come to be expected in Orlando. The win against New York City FC was a thrill for the destination, as was the experience in a state-of-the-art stadium that The Guardian is already calling "The Best in the MLS."
 
This week, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts broke ground on the much-anticipated Steinmetz Hall. Alongside business and community leaders, I joined our past Board Chair Peter Kacheris to celebrate the start of construction on the Broadway-caliber addition to our downtown. The second phase of the center includes a 1,700-seat acoustic theater where the Orlando Ballet, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera Orlando are set to perform in 2020 and can also host private events.
 
Both venues add to the destination's growing list of diverse experiences for our residents and visitors - ensuring Orlando maintains its place at the top of the list of unforgettable places to visit and continues to be a great place to call home!

-George Aguel

Convene's Annual Meetings Market Survey

Convene Magazine recently published results from the 26th edition of its annual Meetings Market Survey. According to survey respondents, the industry's progress during last year is best described as "slow growth". Growth in attendance was slower in 2016 than in 2015 (3.6 percent vs. 5.3 percent), but respondents predict attendance growth will pick up in 2017 (+4.9 percent). The planning window was slightly longer than last year for meetings both large (2.5 years) and small (11 months). Other findings include:

Read more here.

Anniversary of "Angry Splash Mountain Lady"

March 1 was the one-year anniversary of the grumpy photo taken by "Angry Splash Lady." In light of this, several mainstream media outlets published follow-up stories, which included the return trip Visit Orlando initiated for their family last May. Coverage included Today.com, Daily Mail UK and MSN.com for a combined 64 million impressions.

Blog Promotes Outdoor Dining Venues

Visit Orlando's recent blog features a sampling of outdoor dining venues throughout the destination for visitors to enjoy this spring, including Rocco's Tacos, Relax Grill and Bar, STK, Tasty Tuesdays food truck event, Prato, Cowfish Burger and Sushi Bar, and Nova.

Toronto Radio Show Features Family Travel & Tips

As a result of Visit Orlando's ongoing relationship with travel expert Angie Campanelli, the Public Relations Team secured Orlando coverage on "The Parenting Show" in Toronto. Airing March 5 on AM640 (180,900 broadcast impressions), the segment focused on family-friendly travel and tips. Listen here.

Brazilian TV Features Athletes Enjoying Orlando

Esporte Fantastico, a television program from Brazil's Rede TV with a weekly audience of 25.6 million viewers, filmed a series of episodes featuring Brazilian athletes playing, interacting and enjoying popular Orlando attractions. Six different episodes will broadcast in Brazil every Saturday for the next six weeks. The first episode aired on Saturday, March 4, showcasing Gatorland with Brazilian Olympic diver Juliana Veloso and her family.

Visit Orlando Participates in ASAE's Great Ideas

During the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Great Ideas Conference held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando March 5-7, Visit Orlando's Convention Sales Team networked with key association executives and directors.

Pictured, from left, are: Meghan Architect, Association of Public Safety Communications; Patricia Giannini Henry, Association of Public Safety Communications; Vickie Keliher, Visit Orlando; Jennifer Ahearn, American Association of Colleges of Nursing; Lemmietta McNeilly, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Susan Hohenhaus, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; Ronda Schoeneberg, Visit Orlando; Hellen Viksnins, American Academy of Optometry; and Betty Rodriguez, American Academy of Optometry.

Key Networking at Destination Showcase

Our Washington, D.C.-based Convention Sales Team attended the Destination Showcase in Washington, D.C., last week. During the event, planners have the unique opportunity to network with more than 150 destinations from around the world. Association, corporate, and government meeting professionals attend this event and learn the latest from participating Destination Marketing Organizations.

Pictured, from left, are: Ron Keith, Visit Orlando; Bethany Spencer, Advancing Science Serving Society; MeLisa Zackery, Unlimited Possibilities Co.; Faye Memoli, Visit Orlando; Kim Canino, Destinations Meeting and Incentives, Inc.; and Barb Herod, Visit Orlando.

Boston Globe Runs Second Dining Story

The Visit Orlando Public Relations Team secured a second Boston Globe feature (5.2 million combined impressions) following our dining press trip in the fall. The article tells a great story about the evolution of our dining scene from "Land of the Giant Turkey Leg" to a burgeoning culinary capital, which was reinforced by quotes from many local experts and chefs.

Influencer Blogs About Orlando Spring Break Deals

The Public Relations Team worked with Miami family value influencer, Cleverly Me (37,500 UMV), on a blog about spring break deals for Florida residents. The influencer will be visiting Orlando this summer to write a follow-up piece.

Top U.K. Women's Mag Touts Destination

Women's magazine, Hello! (3 million UMV) featured online coverage of the destination as the result of Visit Orlando's U.K. group press trip last fall. "Orlando: The Perfect Family Getaway" touts our "glorious weather, thrilling theme parks, scenic trails and never-ending list of entertaining things for parents and their children."

APWA Conducts Site Visits for Upcoming Show

The New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) was in Orlando this week to site various venues for three events the group is hosting during its upcoming PWX 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center in August. There is an expected attendance of 6,000 people. During the site visit, Visit Orlando's Destination Services Sr. Manager, Carolyn Martin, CMP, hosted lunch at Paddlefish at Disney Springs.

Pictured, from left, are: Walt Veselka, New England Chapter PWX Site Planning Committee chair; Gordon Daring, New England Chapter PWX Site Planning Committee member; Tony Garro, New England Chapter PWX Site Planning Committee member; Fred Marino, New England Chapter sponsor; and Jack Henebury, New England Chapter PWX Site Planning Committee member.

Day of Learning and More at NEXT 2017

Our Chicago-based Convention Sales Team attended MPI Chicago Area Chapter's Next 2017 last week. The one-day symposium brings together meeting planners, event producers, and design and experience gurus to learn from the leading authorities in areas from planning techniques and strategies to the latest in cutting-edge tech trends.

Pictured, from left, are: Autumn Mullins, Hilton Orlando; Barbara Balaguras, Visit Orlando; and Elizabeth Muth, The Pampered Chef.

Digital Pub Promotes Family-Friendly Orlando

As a result of Visit Orlando efforts, Qual Viagem, a Brazilian digital magazine with 587K followers on Facebook, published a series of articles highlighting activities for families in Orlando. The Cabana Day Beach Resort article focused on amenities like the large leisurely pool, bowling alley and Universal Studios-themed store. A second article highlighted the colorful world of the Crayola Experience found in the Florida Mall where children (as well as adults) can color in the variety of interactive activities. A third article raved about Winter Garden and its tranquil atmosphere and variety of food.

This Week at the Convention Center

Typhoon Lagoon's New Ride to Open Sunday

Walt Disney World Resort's Typhoon Lagoon will open a new family raft ride, Miss Adventure Falls, on March 12. The ride has one of the longest ride times in the Disney water parks and features four-person rafts that twist and turn.

SeaWorld's Dolphin Days to Debut in April

SeaWorld Orlando will launch a new show called Dolphin Days, immersing guests into the world of the ocean's most playful ambassadors. Debuting April 1, the show is replacing Blue Horizons® after an 11-year run at Dolphin Theater.

Omni to Open Wave Pool

Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate this year will open Orlando's first resort wave pool and another 100,000 square feet of outdoor space as part of its ongoing expansion.

MCO Begins 2017 on Positive Traffic Note

On the heels of its most successful year in history, Orlando International Airport (MCO) begins 2017 on a positive note with a 3.8 percent increase in overall passenger traffic over last year.

GKWV to Rename Ice Cream Palace After Founder

Give Kids the World Village's Ice Cream Palace is getting a new look and new name to honor the 90th birthday of Village Founder Henri Landwirth. The Ice Cream Palace will become "Henri's Starlite Scoops." Visit gktw.org/90for90 to donate.

Cirque to Host Final La Nouba Show in December

Cirque du Soleil has announced that the final performance of the La Nouba show at Disney Springs will be Dec. 31. Disney and Cirque have hinted that "exciting new entertainment" could be coming to Disney Springs in place of La Nouba soon.

Gaylord Palms Finishes Water Park Improvements

Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center finished a $4.2 million renovation at the Cypress Springs Water Park, adding three new waterslides and a double FlowRider.

Orlando Top Spring Break Driving Destination

Thousands of Southern Ontario residents will hit the road next week to spend March Break enjoying the southern sun and city centers. CAA SCO has found that the top driving destination of choice for members this March Break is Orlando.

Deals Mean More Student Travel This Spring Break

Spring breakers this year are benefiting from attractive airfares and deals that are driving healthy growth in spring-break business. StudentUniverse's 2017 spring break bookings are up 10 percent year over year with the most popular destinations, including Orlando.

TSA Ready for 10-year High Spring Break

The Transportation Security Administration is prepared for the start of the spring break travel period, which typically begins in late February and continues into April. TSA will screen approximately 62 million travelers at airports nationwide in March alone.

Singles & Buddy Travel Growing Market?

"Same gender travel" represents yet another growing and potentially lucrative niche. The increasing number of single Americans is partly responsible for the trend: Singles now make up the majority of the adult population.

5 Myths About Millennial Travelers

Myth No. 1: Millennials travelers are extremely budget-conscious. G Adventures' Steve Lima says, "We find that the typical millennial on a group tour spends, on average, $2,600 per person before flights, and chooses trips that are 8 to 10 days in length."

Global Passenger Demand Hits 5-Year High

The International Air Transport Association announced global passenger traffic results for January 2017 showing demand (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 9.6 percent compared to January 2016. This was the strongest increase in more than five years.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available at the time of this writing (for the period of Jan. 1, 2015-March 8, 2017) indicate that 221 locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 4,813 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.