Here you can find the latest stories and announcements from the Florida Attractions Association.
Join Us for Dinner IAAPA Week!
The Florida Attractions Association Board of Directors invites our attraction and associate members to a special Florida Attractions Networking Dinner
during the week of the 2023 IAAPA Expo in Orlando.
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
6:30 p.m. Reception | 7:00 p.m. Dinner
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
8761 Vineland Avenue
Orlando, FL 32821
The Dinner will be a buffet and the cost is $50 per person.
Deadline to register is Friday, November 10 (by 5:00pm)
or until space is filled.
October 23 - November 3, 2023
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:
To participate in this advocacy event, please complete this brief form and you’ll receive more details and we’ll begin to schedule visits based on your Legislator’s availability and schedule.
Please register no later than Friday, October 20, 2023.
If you have any questions, please contact the FAA office (850) 222-2885 or info@FloridaAttractions.org
The FAA is excited to offer four webinars this Fall for you and your teams. Please make plans to join us for any or all of the following presentations that cover topics including your FAA member benefits, Attraction Industry Advocacy, A.I. and serving guests with disabilities. Registration for all webinars is now open, and the first webinar kicks off next Thursday, October 12:
Your FAA is Celebrating 75 Years at the
Florida Attractions 2024 Annual Conference...
This will be the 75th time attractions industry professionals convene for the Florida Tourism industry’s premier, must-do, event of the year! Actionable and relevant - dozens of speakers, sessions, topics and trends to refresh and refocus your business.
What You Can Expect...
• 30+ Hours of Content • 3 Days of Networking • World-class Speakers • Engaging Educational Sessions • Industry Exhibitors •
6 Meals + 2 Receptions
...Make Plans to be there June 9-12! Registration will open Spring 2024.
J-1 BridgeUSA Program At Risk!
Tell Your Members of Congress to VOTE NO on Amendment #133
As you know, IAAPA continues to support the State Department’s public diplomacy efforts through the J-1 BridgeUSA program (formerly Summer Work Travel Program). In addition to fostering valuable cultural exchange opportunities for international university students, this program provides IAAPA members a critical seasonal workforce option.
Last Friday, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) filed an amendment (Amendment #133) to the FY2024 State Department funding bill that would eliminate all funding for Education and Cultural Exchange programs, which includes the J-1 BridgeUSA program.
If the J-1 program is important to your organization, please contact your members of Congress now using the link below and urge them to oppose Amendment #133. The bill will likely be voted on Thursday, September 28, so it is critical that you reach out to your members of Congress now!
We encourage you to forward this campaign to your colleagues, partners, and fellow exchange supporters.
Florida Attractions Association Members Honored with 2023 Flagler Awards
At last week’s Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism (#GC23) presented by VISIT FLORIDA, tourism entities were honored for their distinctive and passionate marketing of their respective attractions and destinations.
Congratulations to our FAA members who were recognized for their ardent marketing flair and thanks to all Florida’s marketing professionals who keep the visitors coming to enjoy our state’s coveted, world-class attractions and destinations.
Best of Show
Annual marketing budget less than $500,000: Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures for “VR Takes Boggy Creek to Travel Partners Worldwide.”
Annual marketing budget greater than $2 million: Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Amelia Island Weather Trigger.
Creativity in Public Relations
Henry: The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County and Discover The Palm Beaches for the “Palm Beaches in Bloom” New York Media Event
Print Advertising
Silver: The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau for “Formula One”
Bronze: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for “It’s an Island thing”
Direct Marketing
Henry: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods for “Hearts and Engagements Soar with Lee County” Direct Mail Piece
Bronze: Visit Sarasota County for the “Sarasota: The Only Place to Pull Ahead” Carousel Card
Tourism Advocacy
Henry: Visit Tampa Bay for “Measure the Treasure in Tampa Bay”
Social Media Marketing
Henry: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for their Social Media Travel Guides
Out-of-Home
Silver: The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium for the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Times Square Billboard
Radio Advertising
Bronze: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for Amelia Island Podcast Advertising
Television Advertising
Bronze: Experience Kissimmee for their Shoulder Season Campaign
Mobile Marketing
Henry: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Amelia Island Weather Trigger
Silver: Visit Tampa Bay for the Tampa Riverwalk Attraction Pass
Resource/Promotional Material-Consumer
Henry: Visit Tampa Bay for the Visit Tampa Gay Guide
Resource/Promotional Material-Trade
Bronze: Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures for “VR Takes Boggy Creek to Travel Partners Worldwide”
Sustainable Tourism Marketing
Bronze: The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center for “Help us do our small part”
Mixed Media Campaign
Silver: Discover The Palm Beaches for “The Golden Age of Travel” Mixed Media Campaign
Bronze: ZooTampa at Lowry Park for ZOO Tampa’s Creatures of the Night Campaign
This webinar is offered to all FAA members, irrespective of their IAAPA membership status.
Potentially Game-Changing ADA Decision!
Stay ADA compliant and alert to litigation risks! Hear from legal, safety, and disability experts on Sept. 14, 2023, from 1-2 p.m. EDT as they discuss the crucial lessons and potential ramifications of the July 7, 2023, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals opinion in Campbell v. Universal on ride and waterslide access for individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This Opinion Opens the Door to Significant Impacts On the Industry:
This live chat is provided for educational purposes, and our panelists will not be providing legal advice to any participant.
Tropical Storm / Hurricane
Idalia Update
Dear FAA Members,
Today we face our state's latest challenge as Tropical Storm / Hurricane Idalia threatens Florida. If your attraction operation is altered by this storm, please contact the FAA Office and allow us to update our Attraction Status Page with your information.
This page is used by VISIT FLORIDA Official Welcome Centers to serve the traveling public and other state and local government agencies.
You should also report your operating status and any special needs and circumstances to your County Emergency Management.
The FAA is monitoring calls and emails. Please contact us if we can be of service.
Stay safe,
Bill
Bill Lupfer
President/CEO
info@floridaattractions.org
FAA Office - (850) 222-2885
FAA Emergency Resources
In response to the drop tower incident in Orlando last year, the Florida Legislature has enacted several amendments to Florida Statute 616.242 - Safety standards for amusement rides. This Industry Correspondence dated June 27, 2023, from Michelle Faulk, Bureau Chief, FDACS – Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection outlines these changes, many of which went into affect on July 1, 2023. The corresponding Bill passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, can be viewed here.
Michelle Faulk has been particularly responsive to our industry and is available to work with you as you adopt these adjustments. The FAA will continue to work with the FDACS – Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection as they conduct a Rule-Making process to further define Legislative intent.
If you have any questions, please contact Michele Faulk at the FDACS-BFR or Bill Lupfer at the FAA.
1. How Florida’s economy will be affected by increased inflation, labor scarcity, and political influences.
"Overall, the environment lends itself to incredible efficiency & productivity for industry professionals/stakeholders, given the quality of the audience in attendance." --- 2023 Attendee
2. How to tap into a new state program providing up to $1 million in grants for hurricane repair of your business’s infrastructure.
3. How major changes in tort reform will immediately impact your business.
"You never know how it will go when you attend a conference for the first time but the Florida Attractions Association Conference in Fort Myers was incredible and I’m sad I’ve waited so long to join this organization. New friends, tons of industry support and we closed out with a story on resilience from one of our military Veterans. Leaving full and inspired." --- 2023 Attendee
4. How to increase your attraction’s revenue by making the most of every guest.
"This side of the Florida tourism industry is one that I do not know much about, but after a few short days, I feel like I am a part of the family. I've met so many new people and learned so many new things. Truly a great conference and those who put it on did a spectacular job." --- 2023 Attendee
5. How to work with the Florida Department of Transportation in developing road and highway projects in your city.
"Great energy, great strategizing, great discussion. THANK YOU!" --- 2023 Attendee
6. How you can be a part of the solution to Florida’s human trafficking crisis.
"One of our strongest conferences. Wonderful content and well attended. First timers were mingling nicely. " --- 2023 Attendee
7. How VISIT FLORIDA will leverage their $80 million annual budget.
"Every session had great quality information." --- 2023 Attendee
8. How to maintain safety, security and address guest conduct issues at your attraction.
"Lots of great breakout sessions, and speakers. It was a very energetic and fun conference while learning. Some conferences can be very boring and this one is not, so thank you." --- 2023 Attendee
9. Lessons in resilience learned through a Category 5 hurricane.
"I just wanted to send you a note of gratitude for all your efforts working on the FAA Conference last week. It was our first time and we felt so welcomed by attendees and board members. I appreciate the staff taking great care of us throughout the process, and it was clear to see how much of a family FAA really is." --- 2023 Attendee
10. How to develop strategies for successful community partnerships and sponsorships.
Watch for details and plan to participate in the FAA’s 75th Annual Conference – full of relatable and applicable information for your business. June 2024. Details coming soon.
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