VISIT FLORIDA’s Government Relations Committee monitors legislation, works to protect tourism and shall advise the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors about pertinent issues. We have a great Committee this year and look forward to engaging them during the 2010-2011 fiscal year. See whose the committee Governmental Relations Committee 2010-2011.
Darren Soto
State Representative Darren Soto will give the residents of BVL a Legislative update along with Osceola County Commissioner John Quinones who will discuss concerns with the residents of BVL about their community.
Robert Guevara Community Center
501 Florida Parkway
Kissimmee, FL 34743
In an effort to inform the community about recent changes to Florida’s laws, Representative Soto is hosting a community forum where he plans to give a legislative update. He will also hear from Buena Ventura Lakes residents about their concerns and suggestions regarding ways to improve the community. Residents who wish to speak at the meeting may call the Office of Representative Darren Soto at 407-846-5187 to be added to the agenda.
Contact: Cecilia Figueroa
Senior District Executive Secretary, Representative Darren Soto
407-846-5187 or Cecilia.Figueroa@myfloridahouse.gov
Special Session Update: The Special Session called by Governor Charlie Crist to address a ban on oil drilling off the coast of Florida was short and not so sweet. Legislators convened on Tuesday, July 20 at noon, and were on the road home by 3:00 that same afternoon, without considering any legislation. Talk of another special session sometime in September is circulating, but nothing is set at this time.
As our state faced a budget shortfall this session, lawmakers had the opportunity to view VISIT FLORIDA as part of the budget solution so we can continue to bring visitors and tourism-related sales taxes to the Sunshine State. Without adequate funding for VISIT FLORIDA this session, local companies, communities and our state economy could have suffered the consequences. VISIT FLORIDA was granted $26.4 million in funding in order to continue to assist Florida’s travel industry and protect the vital state tax revenue generated by tourists.
Next week is Safety Week and the five official Welcome Centers in Florida are participating. Learn more about Safety Week here.
Sen. Ted Deutch won the race to replace Robert Wexler in Congressional District 19. He was sworn into office this week to complete the unfinished term. He will run for full term on his own in November.
On April 13, the Senate Commerce Committee confirmed the following members of the Florida Commission on Tourism:
Harvey F. Campbell, (Lake City) 06/30/2013
Ty Christian, (Orlando) 06/30/2010
Julian E. Fouche’, (Lake Buena Vista) 06/30/2012
Richard B. Goldman, (Ponte Vedra Beach) 06/30/2012
Tammy S. Gustafson, (Orlando) 06/30/2012
Andrew P. Hertz, (Miami) 06/30/2010
Antonino R. Lapi, (Captiva Island) 06/30/2012
Charles “Sonny” F. Mares, (Santa Rosa Beach) 06/30/2010
Carol J. McQueen, (Bronson) 06/30/2010
John J. Perez, (Punta Gorda) 06/30/2013
Scott Rose, (Orlando) 06/30/2012
Thom Stork, (Tampa) 06/30/2010
Jack W. Wert, (Naples) 07/30/2010
Harold D. Wheeler, (Key West) 06/30/2012
The Florida Commission on Tourism is the public/private partnership responsible for the vitality and growth of Florida’s tourism industry. Promoting Florida as the premier travel destination, both domestically and internationally, is the major focus of the Commission’s direct support organization, VISIT FLORIDA.
VISIT FLORIDA creates and implements advertising, sales, promotional, and public relations activities to increase vacation, business, conference, and incentive travel to Florida. It also assists in the development of nature-based, historical, and cultural tourism. Leveraging funds appropriated by the state with private sector contributions, VISIT FLORIDA is enabled to greatly enhance promotion of the state’s tourism assets and prospects.
Among its activities, VISIT FLORIDA:
Update: The members were confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 39-0 on April 27, 2010.
Republican Matt Gaetz was elected this week to represent Northwest Florida in the House. Gaetz is now representing the seat once held by Ray Sansom. Matt’s father, Senator Don Gaetz, has served in the Senate since 2006.
This year’s National Travel and Tourism Week is May 8-16, and the Partnership for Florida’s Tourism is asking you to “Stand Up and Be Counted” as one of more than 10 million American workers whose job depends on travel.
In recent months the we have successfully organized ourselves to appeal for passage of the Travel Promotion Act, defend meeting, event and incentive travel, identify a face of travel, communicate the value of travel to businesses’ bottom lines, and much more. Incredible things happen when we unite and speak out together.
National Travel and Tourism Week presents us with a terrific opportunity to inform lawmakers, media and local residents just how meaningful this vast industry is.
Today, the US Travel Association provided a toolkit to help you plan National Travel and Tourism Week, including details on staging Travel Rally Day on Tuesday, May 11. Last year, more than 40 cities stepped up to say that “Travel Matters” in their communities. Let’s create even more rallies in Florida this year and shine a spotlight on the benefits of travel.
Thank you for standing up for travel, and we wish you success in your outreach during not just during National Travel and Tourism Week, but every week.
A partnership with VISIT FLORIDA has helped many small businesses gain valuable market share. Whether it is participating in advertising co-ops, sharing booth space at trade shows or attending media missions, many counties have seen visitation increase at their area.
Check out what a few participants at Tourism Day had to say about the importance of funding tourism marketing, here.
