Your Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce that this month is open application period for 2025 scholarships.

Since its inception in 2014, the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation has awarded $100,000 to 89 students studying tourism-related careers.

In 2025, your Foundation will award several additional $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing degrees in broadly defined hospitality and tourism fields.

The scholarship program is an exclusive benefit to FAA member businesses – their employees, employee family members, volunteers, and interns.

For Full Details and to Apply, visit: FASFapply.org

Please help spread the word in your business by posting this flyer on employee information boards.

Your Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 Professional Development and Employee Advancement Grant  application period has begun and will continue through February 2025.

Grant funds are envisioned to increase the ability of FAA member businesses to provide effective professional development programs to their staff. Grant funds are not intended to replace existing funding sources, but rather to expand them. Grant applications will be assessed based on their long-term impact internally and the consequential impact on the guest experience. Grant funds may not be used toward registration for the FAA’s Annual Conference.

This grant program will promote the Foundation’s mission to develop the Florida attraction industry’s workforce and prepare for future challenges.

Qualifying programs can include – individual or group programs for professional development, specific skills training, job-specific certifications, leadership development, and industry conferences.

For complete details and to apply: Click Here

The Florida Attractions Association (FAA) hosted its highly anticipated Expedition FAA last week at the DoubleTree St. Augustine Historic District, and by all accounts, the event was a resounding success. Attendees from across the state gathered to exchange ideas, forge connections, and explore the vibrant history and innovation that make St. Augustine a leader in Florida's attractions industry.

The agenda featured a dynamic mix of updates, expert panels, and interactive roundtables that provided attendees with valuable insights into event development, marketing, and operations.

Diving into Historic St. Augustine’s Event Success

A standout session was the Historic St. Augustine’s Success in Events panel. Moderated by a stellar group of local leaders—including St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell, former St. Augustine mayor Len Weeks, St. Augustine Amphitheater Director of Public Relations Dianya Markovits, and Ponte Vedra and the Beaches VCB CEO Susan Phillips—the discussion delved into the city's transformation through strategic events like the Nights of Lights and St. Augustine Songwriters Festival. The panel offered actionable insights on fostering community collaboration and elevating regional appeal.

Innovative Approaches to Event Planning

The roundtable discussions allowed attendees to explore specialized topics in event creation and execution, including:

• Building & Creating Events with Lee Capitano (St. Augustine Lighthouse) and Retta Logan (A3 Visual).
• Event Operations & Logistics led by Diana Vega (Zoo Miami) and Keith Clark (Flamingo Gardens).
• Corporate Sponsorships & Grants with Melissa Vogt (Broadway Palm Dinner Theater) and Will Wellons (Central Florida Zoo).
• Unique Event Marketing featuring Samantha Palmer (Flagler College) and Christina Schwartzman (Sawgrass Recreation Park).

Attendees praised the practical advice and opportunities to network with peers and industry experts during these sessions.

Spotlight on Health and Fitness

Cameron O’Connell of Zoo Tampa took the stage to discuss the rise of health and fitness-focused events and their power to attract diverse audiences. Their innovative approaches to incorporating wellness themes into events inspired attendees to think creatively about their programming.

Community Connection

Suzanne Neve, CEO of the Florida Festivals & Events Association, closed the educational sessions with a compelling presentation on creating community engagement through special events.

Nights of Lights

The day ended with a memorable Nights of Lights tour, showcasing St. Augustine’s enchanting light displays aboard Old Town Trolley Tours, followed by a dessert reception at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Networking and Collaboration

Attendees left with fresh ideas, new partnerships, and a renewed commitment to excellence in Florida’s tourism sector.

The FAA extends its heartfelt thanks to all speakers, sponsors, and participants who made this event unforgettable. We look forward to seeing you at our next gathering!  Also thanks to the FAA’s Board of Directors Events Committee for their work to develop this program.

For more information about upcoming FAA events and initiatives, visit FloridaAttractions.org.

The Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is excited to host the upcoming Florida Attractions 2025 Annual Conference, Sunday, June 8 – Wednesday, June 11.  Located in Ponte Vedra Beach, just outside of Jacksonville, the resort is right next to the famed TPC Sawgrass Golf Club.  The resort showcases four sparkling pools as well as the Sawgrass Spa, where you can experience any number of pampering treatments.

We encourage our conference attendees to arrive early, bring your family, and stay a few extra days to experience all that Ponte Vedra Beach and surrounding areas have to offer from shopping, restaurants, and the beautifulbeaches in the area.  You can even take a short complimentary shuttle ride from the Sawgrass Marriott Resort to their very own oceanfront Cabana Beach Club.

The 2025 Annual Conference marks a return to the Northeast region of Florida, as the Sawgrass Marriott hosted the FAA’s 2017 Annual Conference.  Attendees will be kept very busy during

 the 3-day Annual Conference from our education sessions to day and evening networking events.  We look forward to seeing many new tourism professionals and members at the 2025 Annual Conference representing our attraction and associate member businesses.

 

IAAPA has released its North America Economic Impact Study for calendar 2023 conducted by Oxford Economics.  Florida attractions-specific data is available on page 12 of the report.  Highlights of Florida attractions’ economic impact include a direct economic impact of $14.8 billion total economic impact of $29.8 billion.  The complete study may be viewed here.

1. How long have you been in the attractions industry? 16 years

2. What is your favorite job you’ve had in the industry and why? My current role as a Regional VP. I get to work with so many amazing leaders in SSA, allowing me to mentor and lead them while they teach me some new tricks.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of working in/for the attraction industry? Getting to mentor SSA’s future leaders.

4. What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Fly fishing

5. Aside from Florida, what is your dream vacation destination and why? Patagonia. I love mountains and fishing and Patagonia has the best of both worlds.