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Staff ReportsApril 2, 2018

R. Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, has been selected to join the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors effective immediately, the group announced Monday. “I’m honored to join the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, and I want to thank Chair Maryann Frenec and the rest of the board members for this opportunity,” Shalley […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 6, 2018

The Florida Senate proposes cutting the Visit Florida budget to $50 million, which is $26 million below the current level. Gov. Rick Scott wants $100 million. He addressed this discrepancy in a gaggle Tuesday in Jacksonville. “Visit Florida’s very important to the state,” Scott said in a gaggle that covered similar lines. “1.4 million jobs are tied […]

Ana CeballosNovember 20, 2017

Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday a state tourism record, attributing it in part to the “aggressive marketing efforts” of VISIT FLORIDA, which has been entangled in a political fight for its existence, largely funded by taxpayers. Scott said the state welcomed 88.2 million tourists in the first nine months of the year, which is a […]

Terry RoenOctober 12, 2017

Visit Florida announced Thursday it is doubling down on its efforts to show visitors across the world that Florida is open for business. The state’s marketing agency will start the second phase of its post-Irma marketing campaign to ensure visitors see for themselves that the state’s destinations are ready to welcome back visitors. The second […]

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 […]

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 PowersJune 27, 2017

With its full state funding finally secured, VISIT FLORIDA’s board of directors approved a $76 million marketing plan for 2017-’18 that pours far more of the state money into core marketing programs than before, all but eliminates sponsorships, and pares down administrative costs backed by the state money. In a conference call meeting Tuesday, the […]

Jim RosicaJune 7, 2017

Stephen Lawson has left the post of communications director for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to become Vice President of Government Relations for VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency. He announced the job change in an email Wednesday. Lawson has been making the rounds of Gov. Rick Scott’s administration, previously serving as communications director […]

Guest AuthorJune 6, 2017

Under the leadership of Gov. Rick Scott, the revival of the Florida economy has been marked by annual job growth and tourism rates that outpace the national average. The inextricable link between Florida’s investment in its tourism industry and this economic recovery is affirmed by the statistics. Visitor spending in Florida has increased by an […]

Associated PressMay 12, 2017

Florida’s tourism marketing agency was forced to sign a new contract after a newspaper pointed out it hired a firm to advertise to potential Syrian tourists. VISIT FLORIDA officials said Friday a “clerical error” caused them to include Syria on a list of countries the agency planned to advertise in. VISIT FLORIDA CEO Ken Lawson signed […]

"Visit Florida"
Image via Florida Sheriffs Association.

Personnel note: Scott Shalley joins VISIT FLORIDA board

Rick Scott hammers proposed Visit Florida budget cuts

Visit Florida reports record nine-month tourism numbers

Visit Florida steps up efforts to woo visitors back

Visit Florida unveils campaign to bring tourists back

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

VISIT FLORIDA board approves $76 million marketing plan, but questions overall goal

Personnel note: Stephen Lawson moves to VISIT FLORIDA

Pat Neal: Look to Colorado — cutting VISIT Florida funding would be disastrous

Leave Syria, visit Florida? Tourism agency makes error