Florida Attractions News

Among FAA’s earliest Associate members is FPIS, Inc. Brochure Distribution and Travel Marketing, based in Ocoee, Florida. FPIS was founded by President Betty Pratt in 1967, and the company is unique as it is three generations strong.

FPIS has been a leading distributor of brochures of our Florida-based attractions not only in the Sunshine State but in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. FPIS designs, builds and installs custom brochure displays and prides itself on beautiful product displays for your location. If you live in Central Florida, you have most likely seen an FPIS service truck on the roadway.

FPIS, Inc. is very much a family owned and operated business with Betty Pratt, President; her daughter Linda Higgins as co-owner, and Linda’s daughter Lauren Murphy as Vice President. Lauren’s father Michael Middleton is also Vice President and has worked in the company since 1980. Attendees of previous FAA Annual Conferences have become well acquainted with the entire FPIS family who attend each Conference.

The Florida Attractions Association has awarded the prestigious Associate Member of the Year to recipients Betty Pratt in 1989, Linda Higgins in 2009, and Lauren Murphy in 2010. Additionally, Linda and Lauren chaired the FAA’s Silent Auction Committee for many years.

FPIS is a prime example of a longtime Supplier Associate member of the FAA that has been firmly established in Florida tourism from their earliest days in the late 1960s.

We say thank you to the FPIS Brochure Distribution and Travel Marketing for their longtime support and service to members of the Florida Attractions Association.

Getting to know the volunteer leaders who serve you on the FAA Board of Directors.  This month, meet Cameron O'Connell, Senior Director, Sales & Partnerships, ZooTampa answering 5 Questions...

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

I have been in the Attractions Industry for the past 5 and a half years.

2. What is your favorite job you’ve had in the industry and why?

The only job I have had in the Attractions Industry is with ZooTampa, so that would be my favorite.

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of working in/for the attraction industry?

The ability to create impact & memories for members & guests thru experiential activities, experiences & tours.

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

Visiting & supporting my fellow attraction properties throughout the state of Florida.

5. Aside from Florida, what is your dream vacation destination and why?

I have always wanted to stay in an overwater villa in the French Polynesia, thanks to the commercials airing on television.

FAA Members are invited to share their FAA story with their fellow members - how the association we share, colleagues we meet and experiences we live benefit one another.

In the dynamic world of attraction ownership, where every twist and turn brings new challenges and opportunities, I found solace and inspiration in the embrace of a community that became my second family – an association of friends and like-minded leaders who shared my passion for excellence and innovation- the Florida Attractions Association.

My journey with this extraordinary association began as a tentative step into uncharted territory. As one of the owners and CEO of Sawgrass Recreation Park, I often found myself immersed in the day-to-day demands of running a successful business. However, there was a longing for connection, a desire to share experiences and insights with those who understood the unique challenges of our industry.

The first time I attended an Annual Conference almost 14 years ago, I was met with warmth and enthusiasm. It was not merely a gathering of professionals; it was a reunion of kindred spirits. As attraction owners and tourism industry support businesses, we shared a language that went beyond business jargon – a language of passion, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the magic we create within our attractions. I came back to my office and had notebooks full of ideas and so much work to do!

The camaraderie that blossomed within this association went far beyond the confines of conference rooms and seminars. Late-night conversations over shared experiences and laughter forged bonds that transcended professional titles. We became friends, confidantes, and a support system for one another in a way that only those walking similar paths could understand. Here I found individuals who became my mentors, friends and even business partners in other endeavors.

Professionally, the impact of this association on my journey as an attraction owner has been nothing short of transformative. The wealth of knowledge shared during roundtables, conferences and networking nights opened my eyes to innovative strategies and industry trends that I might have overlooked. Every conference became a chance to be with our "family" again. I loved how everyone was willing to open up and share successes and sometimes failures so that their knowledge would benefit others. I quickly found myself doing the same. I was so ready to take a call at my office and spend time helping others who were facing challenges or needed advice. It is so rare in my other professional avenues to be able to share a coffee with another airboat park owner who knows the responsibility of caring for alligators and reptiles, truly unique to my time spent with FAA.

The positive ripple effect of this association reached our operational support and supply chains. We have found brochure distribution, print solutions, store merchandise, signage, marketing tools and more with the help of our associate members who are so closely tied to our industry. We now look to FAA associates first for our business solutions in whatever we need.

I am so proud of FAA for taking strides in Tallahassee with advocacy for our industry and for our attractions. Over the past decade we have become a collective voice, advocating for policies that support the growth and sustainability of attractions from every corner of our state. I have attended Tourism Day 10 times and have traveled separately to Tallahassee and DC on many occasions to meet with legislators. Thanks to FAA our park gained the confidence to host State Representatives and Senators to our park so they could meet our staff. I am so grateful to Jennifer Green and her team at Liberty Partners of Tallahassee for their guidance and advice as our attraction has had to navigate several legislative issues and hurdles. I am proud to say we were successful- and we have continued our commitment to advocacy to ensure we are always working hard to protect the interests of attractions and small business owners alike.

As I reflect on the time spent with this association, I am filled with gratitude for the personal and professional growth it has facilitated. It is not just a means to professionally network; it is a family that celebrates our victories, supports us through challenges, and inspires us to reach new heights. The lessons learned, friendships forged, and the sense of community nurtured within this association have become an integral part of my journey as an attraction owner. I am serving on the board for a second term and my time spent with our leadership has been transformative. I see their passion and drive to work hard to help our association grow and evolve as our industry is ever changing. There are so many more fun changes on the way and I can't wait to see what we will achieve beyond our 75 years.

In the tapestry of my life, the threads of this association are woven with vibrant hues of camaraderie, shared passion, and mutual growth. I am not just an attraction owner; I am a member of a community that continues to shape and enrich my narrative in ways I could have never imagined.

Christina Soverns Schwartzman
Chief Executive Officer
Sawgrass Recreation Park

The FAA isn’t the only one celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. Gatorland opened its door in 1949 and has welcomed millions of visitors since then. Like many of our more seasoned FAA members, Gatorland’s humble beginnings blossomed over the years. It’s founder, Owen Godwin and his wife Pearl bought a parcel of land on the Orange Blossom Trail near Kissimmee and opened the Florida Wildlife Institute. The park was later named Gatorland and that brand has grown to international recognition over the decades.

The privately-owned park is unique as four generations of the Godwin/McHugh family have poured their lives into making Gatorland stand up in the competitive central Florida tourism marketplace. Over the years, as Florida tourism boomed, the attraction has added to the numerous attractions and exhibits guest can enjoy including the historic Gatorland Railroad, Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, Stompin’ Gator Swamp buggy rides, swamp walks, Gator Jumparoo show and more.

Guests experience a folksy, downhome vibe when visiting Gatorland, reminiscent of a bygone era of Florida culture. The attraction is led by President and CEO Mark McHugh who served as Chairman of the FAA from 2008 until 2010. Gatorland’s Senior Director of Sales, Jennifer Gallagher currently serves on the FAA Board.

Gatorland is a testament to the timeless appeal of Florida’s original roadside attractions. Through the determination and vision of family, the spirit of Owen Godwin lives on in this venerable FAA member attraction.

Congratulations to our friends and FAA member Gatorland – the Alligator Capitol of the World!

As the new year begins, we are finalizing plans for our 2024 scholarship and grant application period happening in February. Our scholarships are available exclusively to FAA member business employees and their dependents. In our first decade as a Foundation, we have awarded $80,000 to our industry’s future superstars.

In 2023, the Foundation introduced a new grant program to aid our FAA member businesses with their internal human resources development programs. At annual conference, we awarded over $17,000 in scholarships and grants– a record for a single year. Last month the Foundation held its first online Holiday Silent Auction and raised over $6,600 in funds for our scholarship and grant programs.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our FAA members!

Keep an eye on FloridaAttractions.org and your email inbox for details on our 2024 Scholarship and Grant application period which runs the month of February.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Berthiaume
Chairman, Florida Attraction Scholarship Foundation
Vice President, Lion Country Safari

Happy New Year and welcome to 2024! It seems impossible we’re already almost a quarter of the way through the century! 2024 will be a momentous year. The Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris, we’ll endure our Presidential election, and perhaps most significant, the 75th Anniversary of the Florida Attractions Association!

This newsletter is the result of last August’s FAA Board Retreat and is one of many initiatives underway by our Board and our members. Your Board is divided into five workgroups, each tasked with refinement of an aspect of the FAA: Membership Development, Engagement & Retention; Government Relations; FAA Brand ID & Value Proposition; FAA Programming (Events); and Board Development, Utilization, and Engagement.

2024 marks the 75^th anniversary of the Florida Attractions Association, which was formally chartered as a corporation on October 14, 1949.  This year, we’ll pause to look back on our founding and the people and events which shaped our industry.  Folks like our founding members:

Their vision for the FAA:

To foster and cultivate the social, educational and business relations of its members; to broaden their interests in the pursuit of their operations and to improve their standards of efficiency; to promote cooperation in all matters of interest to their business of operating and maintaining tourist attractions in Florida; to create and maintain higher standards in business dealings; to correct trade abuses; to compile and distribute information to its members for their benefit; to aid and protect its members and do all things as are properly within the scope of such an association for the welfare of its members.

Looking back can be instructional, but moving forward is the only path to achieving future success.  This year, we’ll do both.