Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Terry RoenSeptember 20, 2017

Visit Florida has launched an aggressive month-long marketing campaign to entice tourists back to the Sunshine State. Gov. Rick Scott announced that the multi-phased campaign will be paid for with existing Visit Florida funding and include digital, social, broadcast and traditional marketing methods in both domestic and international markets. The marketing push starts this week […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 19, 2017

On Tuesday, House Speaker Richard Corcoran announced a “Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness” to “gather information, solicit ideas for improvement, and make recommendations” regarding how the state can deal with storms going forward. In Orange Park Tuesday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott discussed the committee, yet didn’t seem sold on it beyond just one of many sources […]

Terry RoenSeptember 7, 2017

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Orlando hotels are filling up fast as thousands heed mandatory and voluntary evacuation notices to stay clear of Hurricane Irma. Many local hotels are sold out but creating waiting lists since the storm’s path is still uncertain. Kevin Craig, director of public policy for the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, said most of the area’s […]

Jim RosicaAugust 29, 2017

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The Tallahassee-based First Amendment Foundation, the state’s public records and open meetings watchdog, says it is supporting House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s “efforts on (tourism money) transparency and accountability.” In a letter to Corcoran sent Tuesday by foundation President Barbara Petersen, the group responded to Corcoran’s recent “comments in the Orlando Sentinel regarding the need for […]

Associated PressAugust 24, 2017

Florida’s tourism marketing agency paid nearly $441,000 in employee bonuses this summer despite months of scrutiny from legislators over spending. A VISIT FLORIDA spokesman said the use of bonuses was approved in May 2016. Stephen Lawson added that VISIT FLORIDA wouldn’t use employee bonuses in the future. VISIT FLORIDA paid the bonuses in July to […]

Jim RosicaAugust 2, 2017

VISIT FLORIDA CEO Ken Lawson is telling tourism industry leaders he “want(s) to earn (their) trust” in a Wednesday post on the public-private tourism marketing agency’s blog. “As you know, I have been traveling the state, engaging with our partners, board members, legislators and other stakeholders to listen, learn, and offer VISIT FLORIDA’s support at […]

Scott PowersJuly 11, 2017

Kissimmee may be part of the heart of Florida’s tourism district, but three local lawmakers told the Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce Tuesday why they did not openly support VISIT FLORIDA during the political wars of this year’s Legislative Session. Republican state Reps. Mike La Rosa and Neil Combee and Democratic state Rep. John Cortes described […]

Scott PowersJuly 4, 2017

Tourism officials are keeping a cautious eye on the horizon, beyond the coast, beyond the sea, to see if the harsh isolationist international rhetoric and tough policies of President Donald Trump could sour foreign tourists on Florida. University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith and Visit Orlando President George Aguel both warned Orange County officials […]

Guest AuthorJune 30, 2017

This Legislative Session was a tumultuous one, with several lawmakers holding to their convictions, refusing to negotiate, but in the end, compromise prevailed. Thankfully, in the final hours of the Special Session, legislative leaders realized the unparalleled value of tourism to our state’s overall economy. By allocating $76 million of funding for VISIT FLORIDA, Florida […]

Staff ReportsJune 27, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday appointed Jonathan Zachem as the new Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Matilde Miller, who had been serving as interim secretary since January, has accepted the job of Vice President of Compliance for VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s public-private tourism marketing agency. “DBPR is often on […]

Tag: Visit Florida
Gabrielle Russon

Visit Florida unveils campaign to bring tourists back

Rick Scott non-committal on Florida House hurricane committee

Hurricane evacuees fill Orlando hotels

First Amendment Foundation backing Richard Corcoran on transparency

Despite scrutiny Florida’s tourism agency paid out bonuses

Ken Lawson to tourism industry: ‘I want to earn your trust’

Mike La Rosa, Neil Combee and John Cortes defend attacks on VISIT FLORIDA

Tourism officials cautious about what federal rhetoric might do to international visitors’ interests

Carol Dover: Thank you, Florida leaders, for your hospitality

Personnel note: Jonathan Zachem appointed DBPR secretary