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Florida Attractions News

Here you can find the latest stories and announcements from the Florida Attractions Association.

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  • December 04, 2024 10:55 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Reserve Your Seat ASAP -- Space is Limited

    Continuing the FAA’s newest professional development program, our next Expedition FAA is set and taking place in the historic city of St. Augustine!


    This engaging event will be focused on innovative strategies to enhance attendance and revenue at attractions, especially during low-attendance periods. We will cover a variety of exciting topics, including how to create or leverage seasonal and off-season events as well as strategies for collaborating with community partners. We will also be highlighting the Success of St. Augustine’s award-winning Nights of Lights - celebrating 30 years!

    Thursday, January 16, 2025

    12:30 – 8:30pm


    DoubleTree St. Augustine Historic District

    116 San Marco Ave.

    St. Augustine, FL 32084


    $95/each for Attraction & DMO Representatives

    Friends and Family Welcome to Evening Event ($25/each)


    ACT NOW --- Space is limited! Registration Closes when capacity is reached, and the FAA Group Rate for Hotel Accommodations expires Tuesday, December 17.

    Full Details
    Register Now
    View the Agenda


    Your Registration Includes:


    • Topical Roundtables with seasoned industry professionals
    • Q&A with a panel of proven event experts
    • Group Dinner
    • 30-minute Nights of Lights Tour
    • Evening Networking and Dessert reception at St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum (Registered Guests Welcome)

    Thank You to Our Sponsors!


  • November 21, 2024 11:17 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Join Us in St. Augustine for Our Next Expedition FAA!

    Continuing the FAA’s newest professional development program, our next Expedition FAA will be taking place Thursday, January 16 in the historic city of St. Augustine! This engaging event will be focused on innovative strategies to enhance attendance at attractions, especially during low-attendance periods. We will cover a variety of exciting topics, including how to create or leverage seasonal and off-season events as well as strategies for collaborating with community partners.  

     

    We will explore ways to align with existing community events to maximize attendance, identify funding and grant opportunities to support new events or expand current programming, and discuss how to develop wellness-focused activities like fun runs and yoga events to attract broader audiences and increase revenue. Additionally, we will include insights on best practices for event management and operations, as well as strategies to secure corporate sponsorships to support and elevate events. With keynote speakers, interactive roundtables, and practical takeaways, this is a must-attend event for anyone looking to boost their attraction’s appeal and profitability. 

     

    After the day of learning, we invite you to join us for a delightful evening as we hop on a trolley to experience St. Augustine’s award-winning spectacular holiday event. The 30th Annual Nights of Lights dazzles with more than three million lights adorning every corner of the historic district. 

     

    Following this enchanting ride, we’ll gather at the iconic St. Augustine Lighthouse to network and enjoy the wonderful Lighthouse Illuminations. The evening will be capped off with delicious desserts and libations, providing the perfect setting to relax and connect with fellow attendees.  

     

    Friends & family members welcome! 

     

    Your family members and friends* are welcome to join us for the Nights of Lights tour trolley and the evening reception at the St. Augustine Lighthouse.   

     

    *The evening add-on is not available to employees of your attraction. 


    Registration will open December 2!


  • November 18, 2024 3:56 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Time to Bid!

    Help support your Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation in raising money this holiday season to help provide financial support to post-secondary students studying hospitality-related fields!

    Don't Miss these Great Items Including:

    Vacation Package to Walt Disney World • Dining Experiences •

    Hotel Stays • Gift Baskets • Attraction Tickets & Unique Experiences and much more!



    Bidding will close: FRIDAY, DEC. 6 @ 5pm ET

    Start Bidding

    If you still need to set up your account to participate and join in on the fun to support your Foundation, please follow these easy steps below.

    Directions on Setting Up Your Account to Bid:


    1. Go to https://www.silentauctionpro.com
    2. Click the Getting Started / Log In button in the upper right corner and then the Click Here to Get Started link.
    3. In the Create an Account form, choose a Username and Password and click the Create Login button.
    4. Complete your user information and click Create Account.
    5. From the Groups drop-down list, select Group 1193 and click Submit.


    *If you have participated in our silent auction at the Annual Conference, you already have an account. All you have to do is log in and update the credit card on file.

    In addition to scholarships, FASF provides professional development programs for Florida attractions industry leaders and offers grants to attraction businesses to develop and present internal professional development programming. Our goal is to nurture, prepare and equip the current and future leaders of Florida’s attractions industry.


    Thanks to the generosity of Florida Attractions Association members, the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 since its inception in 2014.This includes 84 student scholarship recipients and 8 FAA Members receiving professional development grants.    


    Scholarships are awarded exclusively to employees of FAA members businesses and their dependents. 

    Thank You for Supporting Your Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation!


  • November 13, 2024 3:55 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Inaugural Expedition FAA was an enormous success, premiering on Thursday, November 8 at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. The event drew capacity attendance and featured a day filled with informative presentations, engaging discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. FAA members were encouraged to arrive early to explore the award-winning zoo before the start of Expedition FAA.

    The event took place in the zoo's Africa realm in Riley's Reserve and kicked off with an informal lunch where Chairman Dan Donovan (Universal Orlando Resort) provided an update on the FAA's strategic plan rollout and the ongoing efforts of the Board of Directors. Bill Lupfer shared insights on the election night results, the contributions made by the Florida Attractions Political Action Committee, and the potential impact of the 2025 Florida Legislature on the industry. Mike Donaldson, Members Services Manager, highlighted upcoming FAA events, including the 2025 Annual Conference scheduled for June 8-11 in Ponte Vedra. Jennifer Berthiaume (Lion Country Safari), Chairman of the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation, announced the opening of the 2025 Scholarship and Grant application period in February. Then Melissa Vogt (Broadway Palm Dinner Theater), Chair of the FAA Board Events Committee, revealed that the next Expedition FAA will take place in St. Augustine in January 2025.

    The highlight of the event was a presentation on the rebranding and transformation of ZooTampa. Scott Rose, the COO of ZooTampa, and Kristi Chase Tozer, President of RumbleBuzz Marketing and former CMO of the zoo during its 4-year rebranding process, shared the inspiring story of the zoo's journey from its previous downtown Tampa location to its current home in Lowry Park. Scott discussed how the zoo evolved alongside the city and its residents, while Kristi detailed the rebranding process from start to finish, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement, long-term planning, and effective internal and external brand communication strategies.

    During the recent Expedition FAA event, Scott shared exciting news about the zoo's rebranding efforts, which have sparked a renewed sense of optimism for the future. The zoo has ambitious plans to renovate and update older areas, as well as create new sections that represent different geographic regions and the wildlife they house.

    Attendees of the event were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of ZooTampa, where they got a glimpse of the support areas that play a crucial role in caring for the animals. The zoo's dedicated animal team works tirelessly to maintain, rehabilitate, enrich, feed, and curate the wildlife collection with professionalism care.

    Following the tour, attendees participated in roundtable discussions on opportunities and considerations of branding. Included were discussions about the creative journey behind FAA’s logo rebrand, effective branding strategies for celebrating business anniversaries and special events, Utilizing mission and vision statements to drive company culture, strengthen your business and encourage customer loyalty, and maximizing brand impact through strategic public relations and community engagement.

    A workshop on the Clifton Strengths Survey was also presented, with FAA Chair Dan Donovan presenting each attendee with their personalized survey results. The survey results were discussed in terms of how they can be used to build strong teams and ensure that team members' strengths are effectively utilized in the workplace. The FAA plans to offer more opportunities for members to experience this valuable human resources tool in the coming year.

    The event concluded with a gathering at the Boomerang Bar in the Australia realm, where attendees had the chance to unwind and network with fellow FAA friends and colleagues.

    The FAA expresses its sincere gratitude to the ZooTampa team for their exceptional hospitality and generous support in hosting Expedition FAA. We also extend our appreciation to the FAA leaders who served as RoundTable hosts, facilitating engaging discussions throughout the event. Kristy Chase Tozer, RumbleBuzz Marketing; Cameron O’Connell, ZooTampa at Lowry Park; Retta Logan, A3 Visual; Nick Romeo, Guest Services; John Dent, Walt Disney World; Christina Schwartzman, Sawgrass Recreation Park; and Melissa Vogt, Broadway Palm Dinner Theater.

    Lastly, we would like to thank our Expedition FAA Sponsors for their invaluable investment in our industry, without which these professional development programs would not be possible.



  • November 13, 2024 3:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Please click here for the complete report from our lobby team at Liberty Partners of Tallahassee

    The 2024 General Election in Florida delivered big wins for Republicans across the state, as the GOP maintained a supermajority in the Florida Legislature with 28 Republicans in the Senate, while picking up a seat in the House and extending their supermajority to 85-35. Voter turnout played a key role in Republican success, as 78.76% of all registered voters made their voices heard in the General Election – the highest voter turnout since 1992.

    While Democrats edged Republicans in vote-by-mail ballots by approximately 200,000, Republicans had over than one million more early voters than Democrats. This was key to Republicans maintaining their supermajority in the Legislature.

    One United States Senate race appeared on the ballot, as incumbent U.S. Senator Rick Scott handily defeated former U.S. Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell by more than 12%. Of the 28 U.S. House seats that appeared on the General Election ballot, Republicans won 20 seats compared to eight seats won by Democrats.

    General Election surprises in the Legislature included the defeat of three House members: Representative Carolina Amesty (R-Orlando), Representative Tom Keen (D-Orlando), and Representative Katherine Waldron (D-Wellington).

    With Florida Attractions Political Action Committee (FAPAC) supported candidates winning each of their 22 respective races in the General Election and the House and Senate retaining supermajorities, the attractions industry and the Florida Attractions Association (FAA) governmental affairs team will maintain positive relationships with incumbent legislators and create new relationships with newly-elected legislators.

    During our meetings with newly-elected officials and incumbents, we reminded them of the value that tourism brings to our state and the unique experience that FAA member attractions offer. By making connections with legislators prior to the beginning of the 2025 Legislative Session and encouraging them to visit their local attractions, we are ensuring that FAA and its members will have a seat at the table when decisions are made in Tallahassee that would affect the tourism industry.


  • November 12, 2024 1:12 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The 2024 General Election in Florida delivered big wins for Republicans across the state, as the GOP maintained a supermajority in the Florida Legislature with 28 Republicans in the Senate, while picking up a seat in the House and extending their supermajority to 85-35. Voter turnout played a key role in Republican success, as 78.76% of all registered voters made their voices heard in the General Election – the highest voter turnout since 1992.

    While Democrats edged Republicans in vote-by-mail ballots by approximately 200,000, Republicans had over than one million more early voters than Democrats. This was key to Republicans maintaining their supermajority in the Legislature.

    18 Senate seats were contested in the General Election, while one seat was unopposed in both the Primary and General Election, and one was unopposed following the Primary Election in August. In the General Election, Republicans won 14 out of 18 contested seats. The Senate will welcome eight new members on November 19, including five Republicans and three Democrats.

    105 seats in the Florida House were up for grabs in the General Election. Republicans won 85 of these seats, including flipping a seat, to maintain their supermajority in the House. Of the remaining 35 seats, eight were unopposed in the Primary and General Election and six were unopposed following the August Primary Election. There will be many new faces in the Florida House, as 30 Republicans and 10 Democrats will serve in the chamber for the first time.

    The Florida Attractions Political Action Committee (FAPAC) supported 22 candidates during the 2024 General Election, including 15 candidates in House races and seven candidates in Senate races. Candidates supported by the FAPAC won all 22 races for a win percentage of 100%.

    Click here to view Liberty Partners of Tallahassee's complete report.

  • October 21, 2024 2:30 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Join Us for Dinner IAAPA Week!

    The Florida Attractions Association Board of Directors invites our attraction and associate members to a special Florida Attractions Networking Dinner 

    during the week of the 2024 IAAPA Expo in Orlando.


    Wednesday, November 20, 2024

    6:30 p.m. Reception | 7:00 p.m. Dinner

    BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

    8761 Vineland Avenue

    Orlando, FL 32821


    The Dinner will be a buffet and the cost is $50 per person.

    Details and Registration

    Deadline to register is Friday, November 15 (by 5:00pm)

    or until space is filled. 


  • October 18, 2024 10:44 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Now Accepting Donations!

    The Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation (FASF) Board is hosting the 2nd Annual FASF Holiday Silent Auction   November 18 – December 6.

    This fundraiser allows us to maintain a scholarship fund to support employees of FAA member businesses and their dependents enrolled in a hospitality-related major, as well as provide the educational program and speakers we offer to our members. Please consider making a donation to this year's Holiday Silent Auction on behalf of your attraction or business.


    Unique and high-end donations always get the most attention and bids during this Holiday Silent Auction including the following:


    • Unique items from your attraction’s gift shop
    • Behind-the-scenes encounters at your attraction
    • Sports-related collectibles and tickets
    • Autographed memorabilia and books
    • One-of-a-kind gift items (be creative)
    • Specialty food baskets
    • Signed artwork
    • Golf-related items
    • Themed gift baskets
    • Hotel / resort getaway packages
    • Handcrafted items
    • Consulting services
    • Business services


    Donation Form

    Please complete and submit the donation form above electronically ahead of time OR print and include the completed donation form with your Silent Auction donation that you bring with you to Expedition FAA on November 7 or ship to the FAA office. This is crucial so that we know the full description and value of your item.  

    Thank You for Supporting Your Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation!

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  • October 14, 2024 5:07 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Hurricane Milton Post-Storm Update

    Dear FAA Member,

     

    I hope this message finds you safe and secure. Our state recently faced the challenge of Hurricane Milton, following closely behind Hurricane Helene. The impact of these storms has been significant, with many Floridians experiencing devastating losses in terms of lives, property, and businesses.

     

    During the peak of Hurricane Milton, 87 FAA member attractions were forced to close their doors. While most have since reopened, there are still 12 members who remain closed, including Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota, both of which had already endured an extended closure due to Hurricane Helene.

     

    In response to the challenges we face, the state of Florida is offering no-interest bridge loans through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

     

    I urge you to visit this webpage to view the report detailing the FAA Attraction Members that are still closed. If you have any updated information or specific needs that the FAA can assist with, please do not hesitate to contact our Tallahassee office via phone or email.

     

    Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for your continued support of the FAA and your fellow members during this challenging time.

     

    Warm regards,


    Bill


    Bill Lupfer

    President/CEO

    Florida Attractions Association

    lupfer@floridaattractions.org

    (850) 222-2885

  • October 07, 2024 7:32 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    There are many things to look forward to in the coming year – and among them will be the Florida Attractions 2025 Annual Conference taking place Sunday, June 8 – Wednesday, June 11 at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.  This 3-day event is the “must attend” educational and networking event for the attractions industry of Florida, whether you are employed at an attraction, a supplier to attractions, or a DMO.


    The FAA Annual Conference draws attendees that are eager to exchange knowledge, share best practices and learn from their industry peers on topics such as changing guest expectations, new and emerging markets, security, technology advancing attractions, operations, food services, social media, public relations, sales & marketing and much more…..  The Conference is like no other in the tourism industry, attendees are engaged with each other from the start, and many have remarked that the event is similar to a family reunion due to the unique culture of our Florida attractions members as they are steadfast in helping each other succeed.


    What can you expect at the FAA 2025 Annual Conference?  As an attendee, you’ll be busy all 3 days with our educational sessions including General Sessions with keynote speakers, participatory breakout sessions, and roundtables but there is more.  You’ll experience the Networking Center which not only showcases our industry suppliers and their newest products and services, but our exciting Silent Auction with merchandise that ranges from sports-related memorabilia, the most unique items from our attractions’ gift shops, and hotel stays from all over Florida.  Throughout the Conference, there are many prize giveaways, as well as awards presentations, and we’ll have an off-site Networking event too.


    We look forward to seeing you in Ponte Vedra Beach in June.


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info@floridaattractions.org

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