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Florida Attractions News

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

  • Chairman Cindy Stavely – January 2024

    January 02, 2024 10:56 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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.

    We’re reevaluating every activity we’ve been involved in and making adjustments to best position your FAA for the future. For example, FAA member surveys indicated it was time for an event refresh so we retired fall’s Networking Nights and next month’s Attraction Regional Forums. We’re planning an all-new regional event that will combine the best aspects of Networking Nights and Attraction Regional Forums into one event.

    Our new Fall Webinar Series was a big hit and you’ll soon receive details on our Spring Webinar Series. The FAA brand refresh project is underway with Rumblebuzz Marketing leading that initiative. Our 2024 Annual Conference (June 9-12, World Equestrian Center, Ocala) will be a time of honoring our 75 years and launching into the future. I know you won’t want to miss this once-in-a lifetime conference.

    Enjoy the news and feel free to reach out to me or our FAA Team if there is anything we can do to serve you.

    Sincerely,

    Cindy

    Cindy Stavely
    Chairman, Florida Attractions Association
    Executive Director, St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum

  • 75 Years of FAA - Looking Back, Looking Ahead

    January 01, 2024 1:39 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    2024 marks the 75th 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:

    • Peter Schaal, Silver Springs
    • Richard D. Pope Sr., Cypress Gardens
    • Jack Bauder, Nikko Gray Line Sightseeing Boats
    • Newton Perry, Weeki Wachee Springs
    • Francis S. Scherr, Parrot Jungle
    • Mrs. Alfred B. Maclay, Killearn Gardens
    • George Stacey, Musa Isle Indian Village
    • Joseph Dumond, Monkey Jungle


    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.


  • Holiday Silent Auction a Jolly Success!

    December 19, 2023 12:45 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Thank You Donors & Bidders!

    Our first-ever Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation Silent Auction recently concluded and was a great success. The auction netted $6,610 for your Foundation and will fund three scholarships. Thank you to our 61 active bidders, and a special thank you to our generous silent auction donors:

    A3 Visual

    Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures

    Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre

    Colonial Quarter

    Dolphin Research Center

    Double T Multimedia

    Guest Services

    IMAG History & Science Center

    Kenney Communications

    LEGOLAND Florida

    Lion Country Safari

    Marineland Dolphin Adventure

    Mississippi Aquarium

    Sawgrass Recreation Park

    SeaWorld Parks & Resorts Orlando

    St. Augustine Lighthouse

    Universal Orlando Resort

    Walt Disney World

    ZooTampa at Lowry Park
     

    Stay tuned for details on our 2024 Scholarship and Grant application month – February 2024. Scholarships and Grants are an exclusive benefit of FAA memberships and are available to FAA member business’s employees and their dependents.
     
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  • Florida Tourism Day 2024 Registration is Now Open

    December 06, 2023 12:28 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Florida Tourism Day 2024

    Hi Florida Attractions,


    The Florida Attractions Association is proud to host the 2024 Florida Tourism Day, in partnership with Destinations Florida, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, and the Florida Association of Museums. 

     

    Registration for Florida Tourism Day is now open! Join tourism industry professionals, colleagues, and friends in Tallahassee on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 for this fantastic event. Florida's tourism industry drives our state’s economy, and your presence here in Tallahassee demonstrates the power and influence of our industry. You will be hearing from legislative leaders and meeting with policymakers to educate them about the issues that impact your business.


    The FAA has secured a special hotel room rate for all members who are making plans to join us in Tallahassee.
    Click for Details and Registration

    Schedule of Events


    January 30, 2024

    5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

    Florida Attractions Association Networking Dinner (Dutch treat - location TBA)


    January 31, 2024

    8:30 AM – 9:30 AM        

    Registration & Networking Breakfast | AC Hotel by Marriott Tallahassee 801 South Gadsden Street Tallahassee, FL 32301


    9:30 AM - 11:30 AM       

    Tourism Day Rally & Partner Briefing | AC Hotel by Marriott Tallahassee


    11:30 AM – 1:00 PM      

    Networking Luncheon | AC Hotel by Marriott Tallahassee


    1:00 PM – 5:00 PM         

    FAA Members & tourism colleagues from your county - Prearranged appointments with Legislators | The Capitol 400 S. Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399

    I look forward to seeing you in Tallahassee! Please reach out with questions.



    Thank you,


    Bill

    Bill Lupfer

    President/CEO

    Florida Attractions Association
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  • Ready...Set...Bid | Holiday Silent Auction is Now Open!

    December 01, 2023 11:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Let the Bidding Begin!

    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:


    Group Tickets to Walt Disney World • Dining Experiences •

    Hotel Stays • Florida Panthers Hockey Tickets • Airboat Rides • Attraction Tickets • and much more!



    Bidding will close next FRIDAY, DEC. 8 @ 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, as of 2023, the Foundation has awarded a total of $79,950 in scholarships and grants to 83 recipients.


    Scholarships are awarded exclusively to employees of FAA members businesses and their dependents. 
     
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  • FASF Holiday Silent Auction Begins Dec. 1

    November 16, 2023 10:07 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Bidding Begins Dec. 1 @ 10:00am ET

    Your Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation is raising money this holiday season to help provide financial support to post-secondary students studying in broadly defined hospitality-related fields, and we'll be having our first annual Holiday Silent Auction!


    Auction Items Include:


    Group Tickets to Walt Disney World • Dining Experiences •

    Hotel Stays • Florida Panthers Hockey Tickets • Airboat Rides • Attraction Tickets • and much more!



    Bidding will begin: FRIDAY, DEC. 1 @ 10am ET

    Bidding will close: FRIDAY, DEC. 8 @ 5pm ET

    To get started, you can go ahead and create an account in Silent Auction Pro and then join our group*. Here are the steps:


    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 scholarship, 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, as of 2023, the Foundation has awarded a total of $79,950 in scholarships and grants to 83 recipients.


    Scholarships are awarded exclusively to employees of FAA members businesses and their dependents. 
     
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  • FAA Associate Members Exhibiting at the 2023 IAAPA Expo

    November 13, 2023 9:44 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Attending the 2023 IAAPA Expo? -- Be sure to visit our outstanding Associate Members who are exhibiting:


    accesso..............................................................5131
    Amusement Advantage, Inc....................4219
    Avius...................................................................3400
    Dippin'​ Dots, LLC..........................................3800
    Froggy's Fog...................................................2690
    Give Kids The World Village....................6036
    Hownd...............................................................5426
    McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance...3021
    New Vue Solutions.......................................4445
    RocketRez.........................................................4247
    ROLLER..............................................................3052
    Satisfi Labs.......................................................5635
    Zigong Lantern Group................................684


  • 2024 Featured Attractions Ads are Now Available on FloridaAttractions.com

    November 09, 2023 10:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Official Guide to Florida Attractions

    FloridaAttractions.com

    Only Six Featured Attractions - Reserve Your Ad

    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.
    Complete Details
     

    If you have any questions, please contact the Florida Attractions Association office – (850) 222-2885 or info@FloridaAttractions.org.
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  • Your FAA Board Invites You to the 2023 Networking Dinner Nov. 15

    November 01, 2023 11:50 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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.
    Details and Registration

    Deadline to register is Friday, November 10 (by 5:00pm)

    or until space is filled. 
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  • Announcing 2023 Florida Attractions District Days

    October 12, 2023 8:54 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    District Day logo-01.png

    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:

     

    • A database of your county legislative delegation with contact information for elected officials and key staff members
    • Suggested topics to cover with your Legislator
    • Guide to Best practices for hosting your Legislator
    • Sample Invitation
    • Sample Press release
    • Florida Attractions District Days logos
    • FAQs to answers common questions regarding legislative visits
    • Florida Attractions Day social media tips  (Compliments of NetWeave Social Networking)
    • A database of the social media tags/handles of Florida Legislators

     

    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  
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Strategic Partners


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

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