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.