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.

As a proud member of the Florida Attractions Association, Conch Tour Train in Key West offers visitors a unique and engaging way to explore the stunning island. With over 50 years of experience in providing informative and entertaining tours, Conch Tour Train takes guests on a journey through Key West's colorful history and vibrant culture aboard their iconic red and yellow trains. Visitors can sit back and relax as knowledgeable guides share fascinating facts about the area's landmarks, architecture, and famous residents.

From historic sites like the Hemingway House and Mallory Square to picturesque streets lined with pastel-colored homes, passengers will be immersed in the charm and beauty of Key West. Whether visitors are first-time guests or seasoned travelers, Conch Tour Train promises an unforgettable experience that showcases the best of this beloved destination. So hop on board, sit back, and let Conch Tour Trains show you the magic of Key West from a whole new perspective.

1. How long have you been in the attractions industry? Over 25 years

2. What is your favorite job you’ve had in the industry and why? A campaign with Zoo Miami for membership. The graphics and execution were great and the Zoo membership increased win/win .

3. What is the most rewarding aspect of working in/for the attraction industry? Making a vision come to life through signage/décor or immersive content . We love the WOW and OOH moments

4. What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time? Spending time with family and friends

5. Aside from Florida, what is your dream vacation destination and why? A Cruise around the World . Why not, I want to see it all .

Our PAC fundraising campaign, running through the month of September 2024 raised additional funds to assist our Florida Attractions PAC with making a difference electing tourism proponents into the Florida Legislature on November 5.

Thank you to those who contributed to this year’s PAC fundraising campaign:

Kurt Allen

Lee Capitano

Eric Eimstad

Anita Lupfer

William Lupfer

Rhett Robbins

Laura Sherman

Zachary Stokes

Melissa Vogt

Living in the Sunshine State presents its own set of challenges, and last week's display of Mother Nature's fury undoubtedly ranks high on that list. While most of us have returned to our daily routines, some of our members have suffered damage that will require extensive repairs. The FAA recently provided an update on our members' operating status and that report is included below in this newsletter.  We are proud of the mutual assistance our members have offered each other during this time of crisis.

Our inaugural Expedition FAA was unfortunately postponed due to Helene, but we are pleased to announce that it has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 7 at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Registrants have been notified of the new date.

In August, your Board of Directors convened in Tampa to further our strategic plan and develop programs tailored to meet the needs of our members. Part of this work was refreshing our mission statement and core values. One of our values is building a strong and supportive community, fostering collaboration. To spotlight this value, we introduced a new networking initiative, Mystery Connect.   This new program  was scheduled to launch last week, but due to the intervening storm, we'll delay that until November.  While Mystery Connect is currently available to our attraction members, we anticipate extending this program to our associate members next year.

We extend our gratitude to the members who participated in September's Florida Attractions District Days. Showcasing our attractions to members of the Florida Legislature is an excellent way to establish connections with our elected officials. As the General Election approaches on November 5, I urge our members to exercise their right to vote.

I appreciate the trust you have placed in the Florida Attractions Association. Your membership serves as a source of inspiration for the Board as we strive to continuously refine and enhance our association to better serve your needs. It is a shared responsibility that we all bear for the strength and resilience of our industry.

Warm regards,

Dan Donovan

Sr. Director, Marketing & Sales Talent Orchestration

Universal Destinations & Experiences

A long-time, supportive and engaged member of the Florida Attractions Association, PGAV Destinations is a renowned leader in the creation of innovative and immersive visitor experiences. With an impressive portfolio that includes projects such as theme parks, museums, aquariums, zoos, and resorts, PGAV Destinations consistently delivers exceptional design solutions that captivate and engage visitors of all ages.

The company's team of talented architects, designers, and storytellers work collaboratively to bring each project to life with a focus on storytelling, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology. By combining creativity with strategic planning and unparalleled attention to detail, PGAV Destinations has earned a reputation for creating unforgettable destinations that both entertain and educate guests. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing the boundaries of traditional design, PGAV Destinations continues to set the standard for world-class attractions in Florida and beyond.

Emily Howard, Vice President of PGAV Destinations was the FAA’s Outstanding Associate Member of the Year in 2016.

Inviting our elected officials to visit and tour our member attractions is the most effective way we build relationships with members of the Florida Legislature. Thank you and kudos to our FAA members who participated in our 2024 Florida Attractions District Days.

Our FAA members’ participation in this annual advocacy outreach not only helps them with connecting with their state representative and senator, but also helps the FAA in our unified efforts to advocate on behalf of Florida’s attractions industry during Florida’s Legislative Session.

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)

Flamingo Gardens

Hemingway Home and Museum

Loggerhead Marinelife Center

Marineland Dolphin Adventure

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

Ponce de León's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Pure Florida

Ripley's Believe it or Not! Orlando

St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum

The Wekiva Island

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Though Florida Attractions District Days officially ran August 20 – September 30, 2024, our members advocacy efforts can occur at any time, and we always encourage our members to connect with policy makers who are affecting Florida’s business climate. All the resources you need are available online and the FAA staff and our government affairs lobby team at Liberty Partners of Tallahassee are available to assist you.

Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on much of the southeastern US and Florida was not spared.  During the storm, the FAA maintained a database of our member attractions operating status, based on reports we received directly from our members or from their websites or social media posts.  This information was shared with the public on FloridaAttractions.com, with VISIT FLORIDA for their tourism status website and visitors to Florida’s Welcome Centers.

Today, four of our attraction members remain closed as the continue repairs and cleanup from Helene.

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater)
• Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) (Sanibel)
• Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (Sarasota)
• Peace River Wildlife Center (Punta Gorda)

If you’re able to provide resources to assist your fellow FAA members, please contact them.  Below is a report on specific needs of Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Thank you,

Bill

Clearwater Marine Aquarium will remain closed until further notice. 

Dear valued partners, Clearwater Marine Aquarium was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene on Sept. 26 as it hit our waterfront facility with high storm surge and strengthened to become a category 4 storm causing widespread damage across Clearwater Beach, Tampa Bay, Florida and the Southeast U.S.    During Hurricane Helene, CMA was flooded with over 4 feet of water, lost power for an extended period, and vital equipment was damaged by the salt water, including some of our life support systems (LSS). Lab equipment, laundry machines, air compressors, and other essential tools were also lost or damaged. Elevators were flooded and many lower areas sustained water damage. Our team is working diligently to make repairs and get everything operational as quickly as possible. CMA staff volunteers have been assessing damage, cleaning, drying equipment, transporting animal food and supplies, and continuing to provide daily animal care.   Due to these impacts and the damage to our surrounding community in Clearwater Beach, we remain closed until further notice.  Best regards, Team Tourism   Courtney McCane - cmccane@cmaquarium.org, 352-442-2563 Taylor Super - tsuper@cmaquarium.org, 516-960-8623  We have a need for washers, dryers, chillers and other aquatic life support systems. If you are able to donate any equipment or supplies, please email donate@cmaquarium.org. A message from VSPC If you are a partner needing accommodations for displaced residents please visit: (This information is being updated several times per day) Hurricane Helene Updates and Hotel Availability | Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida (visitstpeteclearwater.com)   Visit St. Pete Clearwater is currently seeking accommodation partners with available rooms for displaced guests and residents. Could you please let Visit St. Pete Clearwater know the status of your properties availability at PR@visitspc.com

On behalf of the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation (FASF), thank you, fellow FAA members for your generous financial support that allows us to invest in the development of the current and future leaders of Florida’s attractions industry. We’ve provided over $100,000 so far, and continue to grow our program every year, thanks to YOU!

Fall is (almost) in the air and the holiday season will soon be upon us. Your Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation is asking for your help in our preparation for our 2024 FASF Holiday Silent Auction. This year, the auction will open on Monday, November 18 and end at 5:00pm ET on Friday, December 6.

You can help your Foundation in 3 ways!

First - Donate a unique item, gift basket or other highly desirable item from your business. Suggestions and details on how to donate are available here. Deadline for donations is Friday, November 1.

Second - You can register to participate in the auction. If you’re already familiar with our silent auction platform, Silent Auction Pro from last year’s FASF Holiday Silent Auction or our Annual Conference Silent Auction– you’re already registered, and you simply need to update your payment information. If you’re not already registered, its quick and easy. Simply click here to create your account or update your Silent Auction Pro account.

Third – When the auction opens on November 18, check out the amazing items you and your fellow FAA members have donated to the auction and enjoy bidding on auction items from the comfort of your mobile device.

You can bid with confidence knowing that proceeds on the auction will provide post-secondary school scholarships exclusively for employees of FAA member businesses and their dependents and fund grant for the internal professional development programs of our FAA members.

Sincerely,

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