Florida Attractions News

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

  • May 16, 2022 11:10 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation (FASF) Board of Directors have selected five Florida-based students as recipients of the 2022 Scholarship. Aaron Anleu, Katarina Blumenstein, Elliot Fuerst, Lauren Toma and Wing Tung Liu will each receive a check for $2,000 to aid them in their pursuit of their hospitality-related degrees. FASF will be highlighting the scholarship program and acknowledging this year’s recipients at the Florida Attractions 2022 Annual Conference June 12-15 at the West Palm Beach Hilton and Palm Beach Country Convention Center. 

    aaron-01.pngAaron Anleu is currently working at Walt Disney World as a Guest Services Supervisor while pursuing his Ph.D. in Human Capital Management from Bellevue University. His career goal is to continue to inspire and motivate individuals throughout the hospitality industry with his Ph.D. to create not only a better experience for the guests but to create a better working environment for the employees of the hospitality industry.
    katarina-01.pngKatarina Blumenstein is working toward a Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida (UCF). She is expecting to graduate in May 2023 and is an employee of Universal Orlando Resort where she works in Entertainment Costuming for marquee events at the park.  She is focused on a career as a scenic artist and set dresser and decorator.


    elliot-01.pngElliot Fuerst is also pursuing a degree in Entertainment Management from UCF. He currently works with the Universal Creative Team at Universal Orlando Resort as a Production Assistant Intern. As a rising senior, he hopes to dive deeper into industry topics by pursuing a leadership role in UCF’s Themed Entertainment Association so he can uplift other students interested in attraction-based careers. His career goal is to become a creative producer for theme park attractions.
    lauren.pngLauren Toma aspires to be part of the team at Universal Orlando Resort that puts on the attraction’s annual Halloween Horror Nights where she was a performer during the 2021 season. She is studying Hospitality Management at UCF where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. While pursuing her degree, she currently works as an event assistant for Whitney Carillon Events where she helps to coordinate events at Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria and Ritz-Carlton in Orlando.


    wing-01.png

    Wing Tung Liu is also working toward her degree in Hospitality Management from UCF while minoring in Studio Art. She is currently an employee of Universal Resort Orlando where she works as an attraction attendant. Her career goal is to continue working at Universal Orlando and ultimately become a manager in attractions operations or in the hotel industry to provide quality guest experiences. 




    Since 2013, FASF has awarded scholarships to students pursuing degrees in hospitality-related fields to secure the future of the workforce. Scholarship applicants must be an employee or dependent of an employee of a Florida Attractions Association (FAA) member business, be a Florida resident and a full-time student with a cumulative major GPA of 2.8 or higher.

    “With the current workforce challenge, it is more important than ever to make sure we are continuing to invest in the future of our industry by supporting those who are aspiring to make hospitality and tourism their career,” said Chairman of the FASF Board of Directors and Vice President of Double T Multimedia Nick Romeo. “Our goal every year is to find exceptional well-deserving students that will make a positive impact on Florida’s tourism industry and this year was no exception with the remarkable talent and credentials of the students selected.”

    As part of the scholarship application, candidates were to demonstrate their desire to pursue a career in hospitality management or related field including (but not limited to) attraction management, tourism marketing, museum studies, hospitality, sports management, entertainment management, event management, zoological/aquaria management, recreation/leisure management. They were also evaluated on their academic performance, personal development, leadership experience, internships and extracurricular activities.


  • April 19, 2022 2:30 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    AC22 site header-01.png

    Donate to the Silent Auction

    IMG_0134.JPG

    The Silent Auction is an exciting part of our Annual Conference every year, and our 2022 Florida Attractions Annual Conference June 12-15 in West Palm Beach will be no exception!


    This fundraiser presented by the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation allows us to maintain a scholarship fund to support employees of FAA member businesses and their dependents enrolled in a hospitality-related major, as well as provide the educational programs and speakers we offer to our members. Our wide range of items to bid on include resort getaways, one-of-a-kind gift items, attraction experiences, and much more!


    Please make a contribution by Friday, June 3 to our Silent Auction to help support the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation.

    Remember, the earlier you make your donation, the greater exposure your item will receive on our website. Unique donations draw a lot of attention, so get your items in early!


    Popular donations will include:

    • Unique Items from your attraction’s gift shop
    • Behind-the-scenes encounters at an attraction
    • Sports-related collectibles and tickets
    • Autographed memorabilia and books
    • One-of-a-kind gift items (be creative)
    • Specialty food baskets
    • Signed artwork
    • Golf-related items
    • Themed gift baskets
    • Hotel / resort getaway packages
    • Handcrafted items
    • Consulting services
    • Business services


    You may mail your items or bring your item with you when you come to the Conference. Either way, please fill out a donation form so we can properly plan for your item. This will ensure that we can include your donation & organization name in our program materials, as well as on our event websites.


    Thank you for your support of the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation!

    Don't forget Early Bird Registration for FAA Members

    ends May 13!

    REGISTER HERE

    Thank You to Our Sponsors!

    AC22 Sponsor graphic-01.png

    Interested in joining our outstanding Associate members as a Conference sponsor? Contact Mike Donaldson at Donaldson@FloridaAttractions.org or at (850) 222-2885. 


  • April 12, 2022 2:04 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    AC22 site header-01.png

    Registration for the Biggest Attractions Event of the Year is Now OPEN!

    71986535.jpg

    Now more than ever is the time to 

    Let the Sunshine In! 


    At our 2022 Annual Conference June 12-15 at the Hilton West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County Convention Center, conference attendees will hear first-hand how Florida has strategically positioned to remain available for visitation. Our members will share and learn new methods, technologies and tools to appeal to new markets and remain at the forefront of travelers plans. More than anything, participants will feel the warm glow as we again let the sunshine in! 

    Detail and Registration

    Register by May 13 to get the Early Bird Rate for FAA Members!

    Who Should Attend?

    We welcome employees and representatives and industry leaders from Florida’s finest family attractions, as well as industry suppliers from across the country that are eager to do business with Florida-based attractions. Professionals in sales, marketing, public relations, social media, operations, guest experience, safety, legal, communications, human resources, and retail will benefit from the vast array of educational content at the conference.

    Your Conference Experience will include:

    • 28 Hours of Education Content: through 4 General Sessions, 8 Breakouts, and 10 Topical Roundtables, industry experts - including your colleagues - will discuss topics that directly affect your operations such as Employee Hiring, Motivation and Retention; Serving Guests in a new Digital World; the latest Tourism trends and research; Sales and Marketing; Pricing Strategies, and much more!
    • 6 meals + 2 receptions: Breakfast, Lunches and Dinners are always included when you attend the Florida Attractions Annual Conference with the exception of the Monday night Taste of the Palm Beaches.
    • Celebration Breakfast featuring Outstanding FAA Member Recognition: this reception is all about YOUR FAA and recognizing the great attractions and businesses that keep Florida a world-ranked destination for families!
    • Silent Auction: Help support rising hospitality superstars and our Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation by participating in our exclusive Silent Auction! You can help secure the future of our industry while getting great deals on unique items, experiences and vacation packages.
    • Networking Center: Get to know your fellow FAA members while meeting some of Florida's most outstanding businesses who support the attractions industry with industry-specific goods and services.
    • OnStage at Lion Country Safari: We will top off three productive days moving our industry forward at one of South Florida's most popular attractions! FAA Chair Jennifer Berthiaume invites you to be her guest at Lion Country Safari for live music, food, fun and networking. 
    Detail and Registration

    Thank You to Our Sponsors!

    AC22 Sponsor graphic-01.png

    Interested in joining our outstanding Associate members as a Conference sponsor? Contact Mike Donaldson at Donaldson@FloridaAttractions.org or at (850) 222-2885. 

    Facebook  Twitter  LinkedIn
  • March 15, 2022 4:14 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Your Fellow Members Supporting
    Your Attraction
    Each year, the Florida Attractions Association prints a half-million Official Guide Maps to Florida Attractions. These maps include a complimentary listing of every FAA attraction member and are distributed in hundreds of hotel lobbies, transportation centers, AAA offices and official welcome centers at no cost to the FAA. Please thank these FAA Associate Members for their generous donation of rack pockets to help promote visitors to your attraction.
  • March 10, 2022 11:10 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    FAA Logo Color.png

    -- SAVE THE DATE --

    Florida Attractions 2022 Annual Conference

    WHEN:

    June 12-15


    WHERE:

    Hilton West Palm Beach & Palm Beach

    County Convention Center

    West Palm Beach, FL

    It's that time again to get Florida's Finest Family attractions back together for our Annual Conference! Please make plans to join your industry colleagues June 12-15 for 3 days of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, roundtables and professional networking at the beautiful Hilton West Palm Beach & Palm Beach County Convention Center!

    71986535.jpg

    Details and Registration Coming Soon!

    Explore the Hotel
    Facebook  Twitter
  • March 07, 2022 3:02 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    welcome new members_468 x 60.png

    Welcome to the FAA Family!


    The following Attraction and Associate Members have joined the Florida Attractions Association since September 1, 2021:

    Attraction Members

    Associate Members 

    You have joined a group of Florida's Finest Family Attractions and businesses who service our unique industry!


    Get the latest FAA news and updates about upcoming events at your FloridaAttractions.org membership site.

    Facebook  Twitter
  • February 24, 2022 7:22 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    FAA Logo Color.png

    Exclusive Offer for FAA Members

    Two tourism events are coming up in June in tandem with the U.S. Travel Association's IPW travel trade show in Orlando - the eTourism Summit and the Connect THRIVE Summit. FAA members can register for the exclusive rate of $995 (regular rate is $1495 for in-person marketer registration)*.


    Use Promo Code: FAA500

    eTS22-Social-1.png

    eTourism Summit

    June 6-8, 2022

    Orange County Convention Center

    eTourism Summit represents the intersection of fast-moving digital marketing and destination

    promotion where marketers, attractions, and vendors share the latest tools, trends and solutions

    in media, platforms, content, search, social media, mobile, and web design. Hear from your peers and be a part of stimulating conversations. Attendees include DMOs, state and regional travel associations, attractions, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, interactive marketing agencies, research and analytics data specialist agencies, and advertising, PR and marketing agencies with travel industry clients.

    Details and Registration
    THR22-Social-1.png

    Connect THRIVE SUMMIT

    June 4-5, 2022

    Orange County Convention Center

    Connect THRIVE Summit is focused on creating business opportunities, developing community and producing partnerships through LGBTQ travel, sports, and entertainment. This one-of-a-kind, business-to-business marketing summit features dynamic general sessions with today’s most successful LGBTQ and ally business leaders and networking events alongside a series of pre-scheduled, one-on-one connections between destinations, resorts, hotels, attractions, domestic and international tour operators and travel agents, sports rights holders, media, marketers and brands.

    Details and Registration

    *eTourism Summit and THRIVE attendees will be able to attend the IPW opening and closing parties, daily lunch presentations and will have access to the trade show floor. Registration does NOT include appointments. If you would like to take appointments with international operators, attendees must also be registered for IPW. Register for IPW here.

    Facebook  Twitter
  • January 20, 2022 12:16 PM | Anonymous

    In response to the critical staffing situation that many of our member businesses face, further complicated by the omicron variant surge, we have made the decision to present our 2022 Attraction Regional Forum as one virtual event on Thursday, February 10 at 10:00am ET. 

    If you wish to register for the virtual Attraction Regional Forum, please register here.  

    If you have already registered for the in-person Attraction Regional Forum, your registration will be cancelled, and you will receive a full refund.  You will be required to re-register for the virtual event.

    If you have any questions, please contact your FAA staff in Tallahassee.  


  • November 03, 2021 4:41 PM | Anonymous

    The Florida Attractions Association Board of Directors invites our attraction and associate members to a special FAA Networking Dinner during IAAPA week taking place at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse in Lake Buena Vista (Vineland & SR 535) on Wednesday, November 17, from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Register here!

  • November 03, 2021 1:15 PM | Anonymous


    Missed the Super Saver deadline for IAAPA Expo?

    No problem! We've extended the savings, just for Florida Attractions Association members. Register here!

    Don't miss connecting with more than 38,000+ of your peers from 100+ countries at the global attractions industry's premier event. 



© 2024 All Rights Reserved | Florida Attractions Association


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software