Staff ReportsJanuary 21, 2019
4min782
Tupps most recently was Rick Scott's communications director.
"Visit Florida"Renderings of the two to-be-produced Donald Trump bobbleheads. Image via National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.
Staff ReportsJanuary 21, 2019
Jacob OglesJanuary 13, 2019
4min349
Dana Young, VISIT FLORIDA’s new president and CEO, doesn’t expect a funding fight over the agency. “The new governor has said he realizes the vital role of tourism in our state budget, in our economic prosperity,” Young said. “When you realize tourism dollars make up roughly one-third of our state budget, then it’s an easy, […]
Drew WilsonJanuary 7, 20195min864
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” […]
Staff ReportsJanuary 4, 20195min421
Governor-elect Ron DeSantis on Friday said he is recommending former state Sen. Dana Young, a Tampa Republican, to become the next CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s public-private tourism marketing arm. Though the agency’s board of directors ultimately must decide to hire Young, it would be a surprise if they did not honor DeSantis’ wish. […]
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 […]
Michael MolineSeptember 4, 20184min303
A rules change to help Visit Florida comply with legislatively mandated reporting requirements for big contracts will be ready for the organization’s board of directors next week. State law requires Visit Florida to submit contracts in excess of $750,000 to the Joint Legislative Budget Commission. If the commission’s chair and vice chair — or the Senate […]
Michael MolineSeptember 4, 2018
2min335
VISIT FLORIDA has begun a search for a replacement for chief marketing officer Nelson Mongiovi, who has resigned effective Sept 11. Vice President for Brand Staci Mellman will serve as interim CMO. Members of the executive committee heard details of the search during a conference call Tuesday. Officials offered no details of Mongiovi’s plans. He did […]
Danny McAuliffeApril 23, 2018
4min388
State-backed tourism campaigns are producing a healthy return on investment. Numbers released Monday from VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s public-private marketing agency, indicate that more Canadians are choosing to retreat to the Sunshine State for vacation stays. The uptick follows increased marketing efforts in the United States’ neighbor to the north. Overall visitation saw an increase […]