– The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism Holds Annual Tourism Day in Tallahassee –
(Tallahassee, FL) – The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism is proud to present the annual Florida Tourism Day being held Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at the State Capitol. Tourism and hospitality leaders will convene in Tallahassee for a daylong event designed to educate the legislature, media and Floridians about the importance of Florida’s tourism industry. Ten statewide associations are participating in the effort and will also be hosting a downtown celebration that evening.
The event will be held on Adams Street between College and Jefferson Streets where musical group Southern Satisfaction will perform live beginning at 5:00 p.m. Food vendors and downtown restaurants will provide refreshments for purchase until 8:00 p.m. Aside from the great music and delicious food, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association is hosting a whip popping demonstration where they have invited legislators to try their hand at cracking the whip.
The 2013 Florida Tourism Day hosts include the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, VISIT FLORIDA, Film Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, Florida Association of Museums, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, and the Florida Sports Foundation. Members from across the state will be meeting with legislators throughout the day to ensure tourism, hospitality, and marketing programs are fully funded.
“Now it is more important than ever for us to show how crucial tourism is and the $71.8 billion impact it has on Florida’s economy,” said Carol B. Dover, President /CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Tourism Day allows the opportunity for hundreds of industry leaders to come to Tallahassee and talk one-on-one with legislators about the pro-business and pro-job initiatives that keep Floridians employed and national and international visitors coming to the Sunshine State.”
“Florida tourism carries a tremendous amount of momentum into 2013,” said Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “With two consecutive years of record breaking visitation, spending and tourism-industry employment – as well as unprecedented support from Governor Scott, the Florida Legislature and VISIT FLORIDA’s tourism industry partners – the Sunshine State is well-positioned to become the No. 1 travel destination in the world.”
“The tourism industry appreciates the Governor and the Florida Legislature recognizing the impact tourism marketing can have in generating jobs for Floridians,” said Robert Skrob, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations. “Providing funding for VISIT FLORIDA’s efforts to attract out-of-state visitors creates jobs and generates sales tax dollars, funding many State of Florida initiatives.”
“Florida’s attractions industry is excited to join our partners in tourism to celebrate Florida’s unique position in the world, welcoming nearly 90 million visitors in 2012,” said Bill Lupfer, President/CEO of the Florida Attractions Association. “Tourism generates jobs for Floridians, and tourism will continue to add to the one-million sunshine state residents employed by our state’s tourism industry.”
“Through the last 10 years, the strength of Florida’s sports tourism is evident in the growth and expansion of the 22 Regional Sports Commissions throughout the state, attracting events and visitors to Florida,” said John Webb, President of the Florida Sports Foundation. “This process has proven to be an integral part of the overall successes of Florida’s tourism and job creation mission.”
“The Florida Association of Museums is excited to be a part of Tourism Day again this year and we continue to help build on the success of the past few years, with increased tourists and revenues for our state,” said Malinda Horton, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Museums.
For media inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Cate at 850.224.2250 ext. 255 or via email at ECate@frla.org. For the complete schedule of events on Florida Tourism Day, please go to http://www.frla.org/events/tourism-day
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The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA)
FRLA’s mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s hospitality industry – which represents a $71.8 billion industry, 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.3 billion in sales tax revenue, and over one million employees, making it Florida’s largest employer. It is Florida’s premier non-profit, hospitality industry trade association. FRLA safeguards the needs of the hospitality industry, improves the business climate, promotes the highest levels of quality and safety for our patrons, provides legislative advocacy, and eases navigation of government regulation. The Association represents and serves more than 10,000 independent and household name members, including theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org.