Follow Us

Menu
Log in

Florida Attractions News

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

<< First  < Prev   1   2   3   4   5   ...   Next >  Last >> 
  • January 07, 2025 5:41 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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.

     


  • January 06, 2025 9:15 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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.


  • January 03, 2025 8:57 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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.


  • January 02, 2025 4:07 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Canyons Zip Line & Adventure Park, an Affiliate Attraction member of the FAA since 2014, provides memorable outdoor experiences for tourists in one of the most spectacular settings in north central Florida.  Located just north of Ocala and conveniently near I-75, the actual zip line complex is built atop of an old limestone quarry, originally used back in the 1910s and 1920s for mining purposes.  Today, when guests arrive on property, they are awestruck when they get their first glimpse of the enormity and beauty of these canyons, truly unique for the state of Florida.

    The attraction features so much for visitors and families alike; and multiple zip line experiences over two different canyons, Sky High Canyon and Big Sky Canyon.  In addition to their adventures by air, The Canyon Zip Line & Adventure Park offers several types of land tours by horseback, as well as kayak exploration tours, and gem mining at their historic Zuber Mine.  Each experience is offered with different packages to choose from.  The Canyon Zip Line & Adventure Park is a family owned and operated attraction, led by Traci and Dave Walker.


  • December 30, 2024 1:10 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Florida’s highways are traveled by millions of tourists and commuters every day, offering a unique opportunity for attractions to gain exposure. By partnering with the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida’s Turnpike, Florida attractions can connect with these audiences through targeted and impactful advertising programs. Options like vibrant SunPass Wallscapes—seen by over 80% of electronic tolling motorists—deliver broad visibility, while Sponsor-A-Highway signs create thousands of daily impressions and align your brand with community-focused initiatives like keeping Florida clean.

    Other programs offer tailored opportunities to engage travelers. “Safe Phone Zones” at Safety Rest Areas promote safe driving while displaying your brand in high-traffic locations. The Truck Parking Availability System’s large, prominent signs provide visibility for businesses while enhancing roadway safety, and Turnpike Service Plaza sponsorships—ranging from Tire Check Stops to Pet Parks—offer a direct way to interact with visitors during their journey. These programs have helped local businesses increase brand awareness, attract new customers, and drive foot traffic in ways that traditional advertising often can’t match.

    To find out how your attraction can benefit from these unique and cost-effective advertising opportunities, contact Travelers Marketing at info@travelersmarketing.com or visit www.travelersmarketing.com. With tailored options to fit your needs and an established partnership with Florida DOT and the Turnpike, this is your chance to reach your audience in an impactful way.


  • December 27, 2024 4:10 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    As a member of the Florida Attractions Association, Reach is an inbound marketing agency that uses a holistic, data-driven approach to marketing. Their talented team of strategists and creators craft brands that people love by transforming how your business attracts, engages, and delights customers. 

    Led by CEO Kelly Trace, Reach was founded in 2014 in Kissimmee.  The agency quickly went from a team of one to a team full of multi-talent designers, web developers, content creators, as well as social media and SEO professionals.  A large component of Reach’s work is in the hospitality and tourism industry, with the agency working with small and medium-sized attractions on their digital marketing strategy to align with their business goals, increase followers on social media, visitors, and ultimately revenue via a solid website user journey and strong SEO.

    Reach joined the Florida Attractions Association as a Supplier Associate member in 2022, and since that time has been a very active and supportive member of the FAA through sponsorships and attendance at many FAA events.  



  • December 10, 2024 3:36 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Thank You to Our Donors & Bidders!

    $6,385 raised!


    Your Foundation awards scholarships exclusively to employees of FAA member businesses and their dependents and provides grants for FAA member’s internal professional development programs.


    Thank you to or generous donors – investing in our industry’s future leaders…

    A3 Visual

    Aerospace Center for Excellence

    Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures

    Captiva Cruises

    Cason Studio

    Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

    Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife - CROW

    Colonial Quarter

    Dinosaur World

    Flamingo Gardens

    Fun Spot

    Global Sourcing International

    Guest Services

    IMAG History & Science Center

    Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum

    Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

    Kenney Communications

    Lion Country Safari

    Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Kissimmee

    Merlin Entertainments

    Miami Seaquarium

    Mixon Fruit Farms

    MOSI

    Naples Princess Cruises

    Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society

    Pure Florida

    Sawgrass Recreation Park

    St. Augustine Scenic Cruise

    St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

    Theater of The Sea

    Universal Orlando Resort

    Walt Disney World

    Wekiva Island

    Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park 

    Thanks to the generosity of Florida Attractions Association members the Foundation has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships and grants to 93 recipients. 2025 Scholarship and Grant Applications will be accepted during the month of February.



  • 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!


<< First  < Prev   1   2   3   4   5   ...   Next >  Last >> 

Strategic Partners


1114 N Gadsden Street
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(850) 222-2885
info@floridaattractions.org

© 2024 All Rights Reserved | Florida Attractions Association

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software