Florida Attractions News

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

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  • March 17, 2020 10:11 AM | Anonymous
    Bridge Loans | Economic Injury Disaster Loans | 
    Small Business and Non-profit Organizations
    As a service to our members, the FAA is providing information on 2 small business loan programs now available.

     
    1. Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans 
    (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)

    Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The application period runs through May 8, 2020. Non-profits are not eligible to apply for this program.

    The DEO will administer the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation to provide cash flow to businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. The short-term, interest-free loans help bridge the gap between the time the economic impact occurred and when a business secures other financial resources, including payment of insurance claims or longer-term Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Up to $50 million has been allocated for the program.

    The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program information is available here.
     


    2. Economic Injury Disaster Loans 
    (US Small Business Administration)

    Congress has passed, and the President has signed an aid package (Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    A component of this package will be low interest loans administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to businesses impacted by the virus. An Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

    To begin, a county needs to be approved by the SBA for an Economic Loss Declaration, through a request submitted by the governor.

    Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida's local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.
     


    For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at ESF18@em.myflorida.com

    For additional information on SBA programs, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

    Florida Attractions Association, 1114 North Gadsden Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
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  • March 16, 2020 12:57 PM | Anonymous

    COVID-19 and Our Industry
    We know this virus is disrupting your normal business operations and we want to remain sensitive to our member's business needs over the next few weeks as COVID-19 runs its course.  In an effort to keep you and the traveling public informed on the status of other FAA member attractions, we have launched www.floridaattractions.org/virus .

    I encourage you to stay in touch with your industry colleagues, follow the advice of health officials, and protect your most valuable asset - your team members - the heart of Florida's attractions industry.  They'll need your encouragement and support as we move through these uncertain days.

    We're a resilient industry and as in the past, the tourism industry will lead Florida out of this economic downturn.  Your leadership will be essential to guiding us beyond this pandemic.

    Wishing you and your team safety and good health as we weather this storm and emerge stronger and united.

    Sincerely,

    Matt Johnson
    Chairman of the Board
    Florida Attractions Association
    Executive Director
    IMAG History & Science Center

    Florida Attractions Association, 1114 North Gadsden Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
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  • March 10, 2020 1:19 PM | Anonymous
    Every Wednesday
    10:00 AM to 10:30 AM

    Call-In Information

    Call-In Number: 888-585-9008
    Participant Code: 872-128-152


    Description
    This is a weekly conference call hosted by the Florida Department of Health to disseminate the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 to private sector and tourism partners in Florida. All private sector and tourism partners are invited to participate on the call. There will be an opportunity for questions as time permits.


    Standing Agenda
    • Situation Updates from the Florida Department of Health
    • Briefing from the Department of Economic Opportunity
    • Updates from other State Agencies
    • Questions from Partners

    Intended Audience

    This call is intended solely for the tourism and private sector partners in Florida. Other partners should relay any questions or concerns to their local county health department.


    Contact the Joint Information Center at JIC-Reports@em.myflorida.com for help with any technical issues with the Conference Call.

  • March 02, 2020 10:03 AM | Anonymous

    Click on the link below to view:

    Executive Order 20 51.pdf

  • February 18, 2020 9:30 AM | Anonymous
    Accepting Applicants for the 2020 Scholarship
    --- Apply by February 29 --- 
    Scholarships awarded by the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation are exclusively for employees or immediate family members of FAA member businesses! Eligible recipients must be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in Florida in Hospitality Management or other related field.


    For full criteria and to apply for consideration, visit:
     

    You can also print this 8.5 x 11 flyer to display for your employees at your business!

    The Foundation anticipates it will award a minimum of five, $2,000 scholarships in Spring 2020. Recipients will be invited to attend the 2020 Annual Conference in 
    St. Petersburg, June 14-17, to receive their scholarship. 

    Deadline for submissions is February 29, 2020.

     
    Copyright 2020 Florida Attractions Association
    Florida Attractions Association, 1114 North Gadsden Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
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  • January 30, 2020 12:34 PM | Anonymous
     Accepting Applications for the 2020 Scholarship
    During the Month of February
    Scholarships awarded by the Florida Attractions Scholarship Foundation are exclusively for employees or immediate family members of FAA member businesses! Eligible recipients must be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in Florida in Hospitality Management or other related field.


    For full criteria and to apply for consideration, visit:

    Application will open February 1!
     

    You can also print this 8.5 x 11 flyer to display for your employees at your business!

    The Foundation anticipates it will award a minimum of five, $2,000 scholarships in Spring 2020. Recipients will be invited to attend the 2020 Annual Conference in 
    St. Petersburg, June 14-17, to receive their scholarship. 

    Deadline for submissions is February 29, 2020.

     
    Copyright 2020 Florida Attractions Association
    Florida Attractions Association, 1114 North Gadsden Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303
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  • October 08, 2019 10:40 AM | Anonymous

    Dear FAA Members:

    We would like to take this opportunity to share with you some recent developments regarding burdensome and unnecessary state agency rules relating to amusement rides in Florida.

    As you know, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is the state agency responsible for conducting safety inspections for all amusement rides in Florida except for those parks with more than 1,000 employees. After first working to ensure legislation (SB 1788/HB 1267) introduced in the 2019 Legislative Session did not include additional regulations for our amusement ride owners and operators, rules have been recently developed by FDACS that could have potentially resulted in increased safety regulations and inspections, as well as requiring rides to post signs with verbiage on "loose hair and clothing".

    We are relieved that after several months of discussion and communication with the Bureau of Fair Rides staff at FDACS regarding the clear differentiation between permanent fixed rides and temporary rides that are frequently relocated, we were successful in avoiding these stronger and burdensome safety inspections regulations that should be non-applicable to fixed site amusement rides.

    The final proposed rule can be viewed here. Strikethrough is for language being removed and underline is for language being added.

    The final rule will be filed for adoption on October 9th and will then become effective on October 29th.

    Thank you again for your support of our advocacy to promote and protect tourism in Florida.


    Warm Regards,

    Bill Lupfer



  • September 06, 2019 2:13 PM | Anonymous

    Manage your attraction listing or purchase an ad for the upcoming 2020 Official Guide Map to Florida Attractions and the 2020 South Florida Attractions Guide Map. Updates to FREE Listing due October 25Submissions for paid ads due November 15.

    Click for Details

  • June 26, 2019 2:00 PM | Anonymous

    Dear FAA Member,

    A new, streamlined process of securing, documenting and disposing of abandoned personal property (lost and found items) affecting most of our attraction members will become effective next Monday, July 1 with Governor DeSantis’ signing of SB180 which created s. 705.185

    Sections 705.1015-705.106 do not apply to any personal property lost or abandoned on premises located within a theme park or entertainment complex, as defined in s. 509.013(9), or operated as a zoo, a museum, or an aquarium, or on the premises of a public food service establishment or a public lodging establishment licensed under part I of chapter 509, if the owner or operator of such premises elects to comply with s. 705.185.

    ALSO (only for FAA members under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Fair Rides BFR)

    The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Consumer Services has noticed their intent to develop new rules by the Bureau of Fair Rides.  The first Rules Development Workshop will be held next Tuesday, July 2 in Tallahassee but available to be accessed through teleconference.

    According to DOACS:  “The purpose of this rulemaking is to update ASTM standards; modernize forms; increase requirements for the review of operations manuals, maintenance and training records; strengthen rules for oversite of qualified inspectors and professional engineers; increase department monitoring and requirements for non-destructive testing; strengthen scheduling requirements; remove the option for weekend inspections for late requests; increase training for industry employees involved in maintenance, set-up and inspections of rides; increase record keeping to assist in monitoring of repairs, maintenance and inspections; increase fees to cover costs of inspection program; update penalties to address new requirements; and incorporate new rules pertaining to the regulation of high speed go-kart tracks open for rental concession operations.”

    The FAA has been involved in a previous workshop on these proposed rules and these proposed rules have been amended as a result of industry input.

    It is important that you carefully read these proposed rules and consider the consequences of their adoption on your attraction.

    Please contact me with any concerns you have regarding these proposed rules changes.

    Participate in the BFR Rule Development Workshop.

    If appropriate, seek legal counsel.

    From the FAA team to you and your team, wishing you a safe and happy Independence Day celebration.

    Sincerely,

    Bill Lupfer


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