Florida Attractions News

We're excited about our first year of the new Official Guide to Florida Attractions at FloridaAttractions.com!

So far in our first 10 months:

• 78,461 unique site visits (7,800/month on average / 82% of site traffic is from people accessing on their mobile device.
• 142,186 page views
• 60% of visits are from Google ads and paid search (FAA's investment in SEM)
• FloridaAttractions.com has attracted visitors from every country in the world - except two.

Moving into 2024, we'll invest even more in search engine marketing.

Only six Featured Attractions with links to your website are featured on the homepage of FloridaAttractions.com and very limited display ad spots are now available for 2024. Ad space is contracted and invoiced quarterly for only $250/month and available on a first come-first served basis.

Click below for complete details and to secure your attraction's 2024 ad space now.

If you have any questions, please contact the Florida Attractions Association office – (850) 222-2885 or info@FloridaAttractions.org.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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:

1. Compliance Evolution: Following state law and manufacturer guidelines may not be sufficient to demonstrate ADA compliance by operators.
2. Assessing “Necessary” Rider Eligibility Rules: Understand the Eleventh Circuit’s focus on demonstration of “actual risks” to ADA-protected individuals and the proof burdens on operators and manufacturers who adopt rider eligibility guidelines.

This live chat is provided for educational purposes, and our panelists will not be providing legal advice to any participant.

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