Drew WilsonJanuary 14, 2019
4min417
“Florida’s economy is not just numbers, it’s lives.”
Tag: Ken LawsonBottom line: Trevor Lawrence must step up his game.
Drew WilsonJanuary 14, 2019Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 2019
5min864
In a unanimous vote, VISIT FLORIDA’s board of directors on Monday approved former state Sen. Dana Young as its next CEO. The appointment, recommended by Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis, was met with praise by the board. Carol Dover, president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, said Young had a “100 percent voting record” […]
Ryan NicolDecember 13, 2018
4min705
Governor-elect Ron DeSantis has recommended Jamal Sowell to serve as the next President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI). Most recently, Sowell served as chief of staff for Port Tampa Bay. DeSantis praised him for his work in that role, in a statement. EFI’s Board of Directors officially must appoint Sowell, but DeSantis’ imprimatur all […]
Peter SchorschDecember 13, 20186min1195
Ken Lawson, a veteran of Gov. Rick Scott‘s administration, will next lead the Department of Economic Opportunity when Ron DeSantis becomes Governor. That’s according to sources inside the transition team who spoke with Florida Politics on Thursday. (The hire was confirmed later in the day by an official news release.) Lawson is now president and CEO of VISIT […]
A.G. GancarskiDecember 7, 2018
2min250
Gov. Rick Scott on Friday rolled out two VISIT FLORIDA Hurricane Michael assistance programs to offer “critical relief and support” to storm-ravaged Panhandle and Big Bend counties. Per a media release: “The Tourism Recovery Grant Program for Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Michael Recovery Marketing Program are available to Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, […]
Drew WilsonDecember 7, 2018
3min307
The state’s tourism marketing arm, VISIT FLORIDA, said Friday that it’s teaming up with JetBlue on a campaign to lure more visitors to Florida. The “JetBlue Sunshine State of Mind Fare Sale” is part of a $9 million effort to help tourism bounce back in the wake of Hurricane Michael, a Category 4 storm that […]
Jacob OglesNovember 27, 2018
6min369
It looks like 2018 will be another record year for tourism in Florida, which could be good news both for the hospitality industry and for agencies promoting the state in the nation and abroad. Gov. Rick Scott announced Florida welcomed 95.8 million visitors from January through September, nearly a 7 percent increase from the 89.8 […]
Staff ReportsSeptember 12, 2018
3min240
Some 65.5 million visitors came to Florida during the first six months of the year, setting a record for the state’s tourism industry. The numbers represent a 5.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year, Gov. Rick Scott said in a written statement released by his office. They included 58 million domestic visitors, […]
Staff ReportsSeptember 7, 2018
2min301
An appellate court has granted a request for oral argument in a dispute between the owners of a Tallahassee office complex and several state agencies who bolted on the master lease. Dockets reviewed Thursday show an argument date of Oct. 9 before the 1st District Court of Appeal in a lawsuit over Northwood Centre, a […]
Scott PowersAugust 10, 2018
2min302
A report published in POLITICO Florida Friday morning says U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, the front-runner in Florida’s Republican gubernatorial race, has narrowed a list to nine possible Lieutenant Governor running mates including former VISIT FLORIDA President Ken Lawson and several lawmakers, including state Sen. Debbie Mayfield. The report states that POLITICO received the list from […]