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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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FAA Leadership Academy 2027 Applications Now Being Accepted

September 16, 2026 11:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Developing the Next Generation of Attraction Industry Leaders

Applications are now open for the 2027 FAA Leadership Academy, an exclusive leadership development opportunity offered at no cost to employees of Florida Attractions Association Attraction and DMO members.

Following a successful inaugural cohort, the FAA Leadership Academy returns for its second year, bringing together emerging and advancing leaders from attractions, museums, zoos, aquariums, cultural institutions, destination organizations, and related sectors across Florida.

Participants will take part in a six-month virtual learning experience featuring industry experts, thought leaders, and experienced executives who will share practical insights, perspectives, and leadership skills relevant to the future of Florida’s attractions industry.

Just as important, participants will build meaningful relationships with peers from organizations across the state, expand their professional networks, and gain ideas and perspectives they can immediately apply within their own organizations.

As a complimentary benefit of FAA membership, the Leadership Academy represents an investment not only in individual professional growth, but also in developing the next generation of leaders who will help shape the future of our industry.

Take the next step in your leadership journey. Apply for the 2027 FAA Leadership Academy today.

Application deadline: October 16, 2026

Apply Today

District Days Starts Sept. 1 | Invite Your Legislators to Your Attraction

August 31, 2026 10:28 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Starts Sept. 1 -- Invite Your Legislators to Your Attraction

Join your fellow FAA Attraction members and be a part of Florida Attractions District Days! It’s easy and the resources you need to plan and execute a successful visit from your county’s Legislative Delegation are online and available for you to access now.

Florida Attractions District Days Resources include:

A database of your county legislative delegation with contact information for elected officials and key staff members
Suggested topics to cover with your Legislator
Guide to Best practices for hosting your Legislator
Sample Invitation
Florida Attractions District Days logos
FAQs to answers common questions regarding legislative visits
Florida Attractions Day social media tips (Compliments of NetWeave Social Networking)

Sign Up to Participate

Once you sign up to participate, you’ll receive more details and we’ll help you schedule visits based on your Legislator’s availability and schedule.

Please register as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact the FAA office (850) 222-2885 or info@FloridaAttractions.org

Registration Now Open for Expedition FAA Orlando

August 13, 2026 5:27 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Registration Now Open!

Thursday, October 1
11:30am - 6:00pm

SeaWorld Orlando

Accessibility is far more than compliance—it’s a catalyst for growth. Expedition FAA Orlando will reveal how staff training and thoughtful programming can transform guest experiences and open new markets. Learn how attractions reduce barriers, enhance guest satisfaction, and build loyal audiences by embracing accessibility as a strategic advantage. From mobility and sensory inclusion to communication and marketing, discover proven approaches that elevate your operations and reputation. Every guest matters—and every effort toward inclusion strengthens your attraction’s success, community connection, and bottom line.

Details & Registration

August is "Back the PAC" Month - $25 to Back the PAC

July 29, 2026 11:14 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

August is "Back the PAC" Month

Dear Fellow FAA Member,

On November 3, 2026, Floridians will go to the polls to elect a U.S. senator, representatives from all 28 congressional districts, a governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, chief financial officer, commissioner of agriculture, 21 state senators and all 120 members of the Florida House of Representatives.

While the Florida Attractions Association works diligently to advocate on behalf of our industry, the nonpartisan Florida Attractions Political Action Committee—FAPAC—is focused on helping elect pro-tourism, pro-business candidates to the Florida Legislature.

Our success in Tallahassee depends on electing men and women who understand the unique opportunities and challenges facing Florida’s attractions industry and who will give thoughtful consideration to the interests of our member businesses when deliberating legislative proposals.

FAPAC is asking individual attractions industry leaders to contribute $25 and member businesses to contribute $100. It is a relatively modest investment that can produce significant returns by helping elect responsible leaders who understand the importance of tourism, economic growth, employment and a healthy business climate.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed and helped strengthen our industry’s voice. Please join me and the FAPAC Committee in our annual Back the PAC campaign as we work to elect conscientious, pro-tourism leaders who will support the interests of Florida’s attractions industry.

Sincerely,

Bill Lupfer

Secretary

Florida Attractions Political Action Committee

Florida law requires that candidates and committees must report all contributions, loans, expenditures, distributions, and transfers, regardless of the amount. They must report the full name and address of each person making the contribution or receiving the expenditure and, for contributions over $100, the occupation.

Associate Member Spotlight | Integrated Insight, Inc.

July 13, 2026 3:07 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Data tells a story—and few organizations help Florida's attractions understand that story better than Integrated Insight. As a valued FAA Associate Member, Integrated Insight has become a trusted resource for attractions seeking meaningful research, strategic planning, consumer insights, and market intelligence that support informed decision-making.

Beyond their professional expertise, the Integrated Insight team has generously shared their knowledge with FAA members through conference presentations, educational sessions, and industry research that help our members better understand changing consumer behaviors and emerging trends. Their willingness to invest in our industry by sharing both data and practical insights has made them an invaluable partner to the Association.

The Florida Attractions Association is proud to recognize Integrated Insight for their continued support, thought leadership, and commitment to helping Florida's attractions thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace.

Read more
Attraction Member Spotlight | St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

July 10, 2026 4:06 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

For more than 150 years, the St. Augustine Lighthouse has stood as a beacon for mariners navigating Florida's First Coast. Today, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum continues that legacy by preserving our state's rich maritime history while inspiring guests through immersive exhibits, educational programs, archaeological research, and unforgettable experiences—including climbing the iconic 219-step lighthouse for breathtaking views of the nation's oldest city.

As a longtime member of the Florida Attractions Association, the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum exemplifies the diversity and quality of Florida's attractions. Their commitment to historic preservation, education, and exceptional guest experiences reminds us that Florida's tourism story extends well beyond our beaches and theme parks. We're grateful for their leadership, active participation in the FAA, and their ongoing commitment to preserving one of Florida's most treasured landmarks for future generations.

Read more
IAAPA Promotes Zach Stokes to Director of Public Affairs for North America

July 03, 2026 9:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Congratulations to our friend and industry partner, Zach Stokes, on his promotion to Director of Public Affairs for IAAPA North America.

During his four years with IAAPA, Zach has played an increasingly important role in advancing advocacy efforts on behalf of the attractions industry. He has helped lead state and federal policy initiatives, developed advocacy strategies, and worked closely with industry leaders to ensure the voice of attractions is heard by policymakers.

Before joining IAAPA, Zach spent more than a decade on Capitol Hill, where he helped shape public policy in Congress. That experience, combined with his passion for the attractions industry, makes him exceptionally well suited for this leadership role.

FAA members have had the opportunity to hear from Zach at our Annual Conference and have benefited from his insight into legislative and regulatory issues affecting attractions across North America. We value our strong partnership with IAAPA and look forward to continuing to work with Zach as he leads IAAPA's public affairs efforts.

Please join us in congratulating Zach on this well-deserved promotion and wishing him continued success in his new role.

Read more
FAA Leadership Academy: A Strong Beginning

June 29, 2026 3:00 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

One year ago, the Florida Attractions Association Board of Directors set out to create something that would invest in our industry's future. Today, I'm proud to say we've successfully graduated the inaugural class of the FAA Leadership Academy.

This first cohort embraced every opportunity to learn, challenge themselves, and build relationships with fellow professionals from across Florida's attractions industry. Through six months of discussions on leadership, strategic planning, advocacy, financial stewardship, innovation, networking, and change management, these emerging leaders demonstrated a genuine commitment to both their own growth and the future of our industry.

Launching a new program is never without its challenges, and as with any inaugural effort, we've learned valuable lessons that will help us strengthen the Leadership Academy for future classes. That's exactly what this first group helped us accomplish—they didn't simply participate in a program; they helped shape it.

On behalf of the FAA Board of Directors, congratulations to each member of our inaugural Leadership Academy class. Thank you for your willingness to invest in yourselves, your organizations, and Florida's attractions industry. We look forward to watching your careers continue to grow and to seeing the impact you'll have as the next generation of industry leaders.

Dan Donovan, Universal Orlando Resort
Immediate Past Chairman, FAA
Dean, FAA Leadership Academy

Read more
Registration Open for Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism

June 27, 2026 1:20 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

The annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism (GC) is the premier educational conference for the Florida tourism industry. The conference brings together close to 1,000 tourism industry professionals, advertising agencies, travel experts and state leaders to network and to explore the latest trends and opportunities for the tourism industry.

GC26 will be held September 9 - 11, 2026 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, FL and will give attendees the opportunity to continue both professional and personal development by featuring dozens of specialized speakers both on the main stage as well as in many breakout sessions. With nine+ hours of dedicated networking opportunities for attendees, GC is sure to provide ample time for new connections and potential business opportunities!

Information and Registration Available HERE

Read more

Please Review Your Preparedness Plans for Potential Teen Takeovers

June 25, 2026 10:57 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Dear FAA Members,

Recent incidents across Florida and the country serve as an important reminder that attractions, entertainment venues, beaches, and shopping districts can become the target of organized "teen takeover" events coordinated through social media. A small number of our members have experienced such an incident and all our members should prepare now.

I encourage you to take a few moments to review your contingency plans with your leadership and security teams. Consider the following:

Monitor public social media platforms for posts encouraging large, unplanned gatherings at your attraction.
Review crowd management, guest communication, and emergency response procedures.
Confirm that your security staffing and operational plans can be adjusted quickly if needed.
Meet proactively with your local law enforcement agency to discuss response protocols and ensure they are familiar with your property, access points, and emergency procedures.
If your attraction is located near other entertainment venues or public gathering spaces, coordinate communications with neighboring businesses whenever practical.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier recently announced a statewide initiative to address organized "teen takeover" events by working closely with local law enforcement agencies. Rather than focusing solely on individuals who commit crimes during these gatherings, the initiative seeks to identify and prosecute those who organize and promote these events online. The FAA supports AG Uthmeier’s tough stance on these takeovers.

The Attorney General has directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to provide investigative resources, legal guidance, subpoena authority, and prosecutorial support to local police departments and sheriffs' offices. Local agencies will continue to lead on-the-ground operations while the state assists in building cases against organizers of coordinated criminal activity. Authorities have emphasized a zero-tolerance approach toward violence, vandalism, and other criminal acts associated with these events.

Most importantly, this is not intended to create concern but to encourage preparedness. Florida's attractions have long been recognized as among the safest and best-managed destinations in the world. A few minutes spent reviewing plans today can help protect your guests, your team members, and your reputation should an organized event ever be directed toward your property.

As always, if the Florida Attractions Association can assist your organization by sharing information or connecting you with industry colleagues, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,

Bill