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Featured Event
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August 23
Visit Orlando's Business Insights Luncheon & Economic Forum: Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Pkwy.
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Join the Conversation
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Visit Orlando Events
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July 18
Power Hour Lunch
Terralina Crafted Italian
Be among the first to experience Disney Springs' newest restaurant, Terralina Crafted Italian. Share your 10-second elevator speech and connect with fellow members over lunch featuring entrees by James Beard award-winning chef Tony Mantuano.
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
Cost: Visit Orlando members, $30; non-members, $35
Click here to register.
Member Presents
Members interested in targeting the meetings and convention market can present their products or services during monthly, 30-minute sessions with Destination Services. Click here to schedule a session.
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| Member-to-Member Offers |
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The Escape Game Orlando is offering 10 percent off all games for Visit Orlando members. Book online by using offer code VisitORL_member10.
Crystal River Watersports is offering a special $50 manatee swim tour for Visit Orlando members and their immediate family. Use offer code VO-MEM.
Visit Orlando members receive $5 off at Breakout Escape Rooms. Book your game by calling 407-778-4562 and mention promo code VISITORL5.
Experience the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and save up to 25 percent on tickets. The Buccaneers are offering all-inclusive, round-trip transportation and ticket packages that start at $75 per person. For more information, call 813-998-3871 or email centralflorida@buccaneers.nfl.com. Use offer code: VISITORL.
Paddlefish, named the Best Seafood Restaurant by Orlando Magazine readers, is offering Visit Orlando members a complimentary seafood appetizer for group events of 20 or more guests. In addition, no food and beverage minimum for private parties now through the end of June. Email paddlefishevents@levyrestaurants.com to reserve your next event.
Luxury of Time by Diamonds International is offering Visit Orlando members 10 percent off watches and 20 percent off in-house jewelry collections. Offer excludes Chopard jewelry and Mont Blanc accessories. In-store only. Mention "Visit Orlando member offers" to receive the discount.
Renaissance Orlando Airport Hotel is offering a complimentary upgrade to club level for all Visit Orlando members through Dec. 31, 2019. Book a standard guest room at RenaissanceOrlandoAP.com and email jessica.sherbert@renaissancehotels.com for the complimentary upgrade. Offer subject to availability at time of request.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is offering Visit Orlando members a discount on rentals nationwide. Members will enjoy the benefits of convenient locations, faster reservations and special pricing on every rental. For offer redemption, click here.
Visit Orlando members receive 20 percent off a standard rate when staying two nights or more at Comfort Inn Orlando - Lake Buena Vista. Book online using code: LVORL. Offer expires Dec. 30.
Do you have an offer you would like to see posted? Submit an offer to Visit Orlando Member Relations here.
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| Community Events
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| Connect With Visit Orlando |
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Follow us for stories on Orlando!
Download the free Visit Orlando App for your personalized Orlando experience. The best way to navigate Orlando.
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| President & CEO's Message |
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July 12, 2018
Trendhunter.com CEO to Speak at
Visit Orlando Luncheon Aug. 23
Visit Orlando's annual Business Insights Luncheon & Economic Forum, always one of our most popular member events, is set for Aug. 23 at the Hilton Orlando - and I'm very pleased to announce that Jeremy Gutsche, CEO of Trendhunter.com, will deliver our keynote speech.
Described as "an intellectual can of Red Bull" and "on the forefront of cool," Gutsche is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning innovation expert and top-flight management consultant. He's also one of the most-requested speakers on the planet, and his website is changing the way the world's most powerful brands innovate.
Also joining us for a return engagement will be Sage Policy Group Chairman and CEO Anirban Basu, whose highly enjoyable and popular economic analysis has been a favorite of ours and audiences across the country, and Visit Orlando's own senior director of Market Research & Insights, Daryl Cronk. These two respected economists will explore the global, national and regional dynamics shaping visitation to our destination.
It all adds up to a must-attend event you won't want to miss. Tables fill up fast, so register today. I look forward to seeing you there!
-- George Aguel
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| From the Research & Insights Desk of Visit Orlando |
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| International Passenger Bookings Trending Up
Total international passenger bookings to Orlando for the next six months are 2.6 percent higher than the same time last year. Latin American markets including Argentina, Colombia and Mexico all show positive booking pace. Canada, Orlando's largest international origin market, is also a bright spot, with advance bookings up 4 percent over last year. The booking pace from Brazil has softened recently, as the Brazilian currency has fallen in value. The value of the British Pound, and uncertainty over the terms and timing of Brexit, are key reasons UK bookings are down about 4 percent compared to the same time last year.
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| Visit Orlando Updates |
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Menus Available for
Magical Dining Month
Start planning your dining adventures now! With more than 100 participating restaurants, Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month, sponsored by American Express, offers three-course, prix fixe meals for just $35. Go to OrlandoMagicalDining.com to view the menus and explore Orlando's incredible culinary scene. Magical Dining starts Aug. 24.
PCMA 'Catches Up'
with Visit Orlando CEO
Visit Orlando President & CEO George Aguel was featured in an executive profile for the July issue of PCMA Convene, a publication for the meetings and conventions industry. The article features a Q&A session with Aguel as he discusses his fifth anniversary at the helm of Visit Orlando, the destination's 2017 visitation milestone and what's on the horizon for Orlando.
Forbes Spends
'A weekend in Orlando'
Visit Orlando's public relations team secured an article in Forbes on "A Weekend in Orlando." Visit Orlando members featured in the story include the Waldorf Astoria, The Alfond Inn, Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi, The Edison, Wine Bar George, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.
UK Media Coverage
Tops 45M Impressions
The public relations team uncovered insights into British vacation planning habits by commissioning a survey and curating the results to generate coverage in major publications including The Sun, The Independent and the Mirror
, for a combined reach of 45 million. The team also conducted a radio day, where Orlando spokespeople discussed the findings, incorporating information about what's new in Orlando and tips for saving money when planning their vacation.
Promoting Orlando
in Mexico City
Visit Orlando -- alongside JetBlue, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Kennedy Space Center -- recently hosted a destination training session for 70 key travel agents from Mexico City. During the event's tradeshow component, travel trade partners including Travel Impressions, Euromundo, Travel Shop, Price Travel and Icon Travel Services promoted Orlando packages with JetBlue flights.
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Magical Dining Will
Benefit Two Charities
Visit Orlando is pleased to announce that two local nonprofits will receive $1 from each meal served during Magical Dining Month. The Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida offers hope, acceptance and empowerment for all individuals with Down syndrome and their families, and Best Buddies creates opportunities for inclusion and one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are honored to have these two organizations join us for Magical Dining Month.
Visit Orlando Attends
Premier Brazil Tradeshow
Visit Orlando, in partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Disney Destination Sales and Kennedy Space Center, participated in the highly attended Festival de Cataratas tradeshow in Foz do Iguaçu (southern Brazil) June 20-22. More than 8,000 industry professionals attended the two-day event, which enabled Visit Orlando to promote the destination and train 188 travel agents.
Aguel Included in
'50 Most Powerful'
Orlando Magazine recently unveiled its 50 Most Powerful People, and Visit Orlando President & CEO George Aguel was again named among those in the transportation and tourism industry. The annual list of influential individuals in our city has educators, public servants and ambassadors of good will and philanthropy, as well as leaders in business, the arts, tourism, sports, the LGBTQ community and more. Photo by Roberto Gonzales.
NBAA to Bring 26K
to OCCC in October
Last week, Visit Orlando hosted team members from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) for a convention planning meeting. The NBAA will hold its annual convention and exhibition at the Orange County Convention Center Oct. 16-18; more than 26,000 attendees are expected. 
Visit Orlando Presents
Inspiring Leader Award
Visit Orlando networked with hundreds of meeting professionals and presented an "Inspiring Leader Award" on stage at the Association Forum's annual awards ceremony. Association Forum has nearly 4,000 members that represent more than 44,000 association professionals.
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| News About Orlando |
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At the Center
| Group |
Meeting |
Start |
End |
Estimated Attendees |
Estimated Economic Impact |
| Federation of International Medical Equipment Suppliers |
FIME Medical Exhibition |
July 17 |
July 19 |
14,000 |
$27,580,000 |
| SHI International Corporation |
SHI Global Sales Conference 2018 |
July 26 |
July 26 |
1,600 |
$3,152,000 |
| Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Inc. |
Miss America's Outstanding Teen Competition 2018 |
July 24 |
July 28 |
2,600 |
$5,122,000 |
| Zumba Fitness |
ZIN Convention |
July 26 |
July 28 |
8,000 |
$15,760,000 |
| Premier Basketball LLC |
Premier Basketball |
July 23 |
July 29 |
6,000 |
$5,910,000 |
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Seymour Jr. Takes On
Expanded Role at UCF
Congratulations to former Visit Orlando board member Thad Seymour Jr., who was recently named UCF's vice president for partnerships and chief innovation officer. As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, Seymour will continue to oversee UCF's new downtown campus, which is set to open in August 2019, as well as the Center for Higher Education Innovation, economic development, community relations, corporate partnerships and the Florida High Tech Corridor.
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IAAPA Exec Shares
Goals for Association
The International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions will open its new 22,000-square-foot office space in southwest Orlando next year. And at the helm of the organization is Hal McEvoy, interim president and CEO of IAAPA, who sees a brighter future for the association now that it has set down roots in Orlando. Note: Subscription required.
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| Industry News |
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TripAdvisor Releases
2018 Travel Report
TripAdvisor released its 2018 Travel Report, which shows that not only do global travelers continue to book iconic landmarks more than any other attraction, but cultural activities are also growing in popularity. American travelers are seeking more cooking and dining experiences, and water sports rank among the most popular vacation activities.
Amazon Equips Voice-
Powered Hotel Rooms
A partnership with Marriott International and other supporters helped launch "Alexa for Hospitality," a dedicated portion of Amazon that equips hotel rooms and other hospitality settings with smart-home technology.
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Travelers Prefer Local
Offerings, Book Onsite
Travel Weekly reported that most travelers book activities while on location at their travel destination, while 1 in 4 book in advance. Local experiences are the more sought-after activities, with 1 in 3 travelers wanting to experience a destination as if they were from the area.
Southwest Airlines
Partners With Lyft
Using the Southwest mobile app, passengers are now able to request a ride to and from the airport within four hours of their flight. The app shows the estimated cost of the ride along with how long the ride to the airport will take.
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