Governor Rick Scott Highlights $74 Million for VISIT FLORIDA to Continue Record Tourism in the Sunshine State

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott visited the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to highlight $74 million in the “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget to continue attracting record numbers of tourists to Florida. Last year, Florida welcomed a record 98.9 million visitors, who spent a total of $73 billion while in the Sunshine State.

Governor Scott said, “Florida is the best tourist destination for families. Every 85 visitors to our state support one job, and a growing tourism industry means more opportunities for our families and a stronger economy. With countless attractions like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium throughout our state, we are welcoming a record number of visitors to Florida each year. I look forward to our investments in VISIT FLORIDA continuing to grow jobs and promote Florida as the ultimate travel destination across the world.”

The number of travel-related jobs is up 4.8 percent over last year, employing 1.2 million Floridians. For every dollar that was invested in VISIT FLORIDA last year, the state saw a return of $3.20. This May, Governor Scott announced that according to VISIT FLORIDA, more than 28 million visitors came to Florida in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of 6.2 percent over last year and the largest first quarter for visitation in the state’s history.

Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said “Our thriving tourism industry employs 1.2 million Floridians and is essential to maintaining the growing economy in our state. VISIT FLORIDA is grateful to Governor Scott for his support as we continue our work of promoting everything the Sunshine State has to offer and attracting another record number of visitors.”

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium rescues and rehabilitates injured animals in order to release them back into their natural habitat. They also provide long term care when animals cannot be released. In 2014, the Aquarium welcomed approximately 600,000 visitors, and are on track to welcome 800,000 visitors this year. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium also hosted the filming of both Dolphin Tale movies, which had an economic impact of $1.3 billion for the state from 2012-2014.

David Yates, President and CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, said, “In the past four years, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has welcomed an incredible number of visitors from across the country, and we appreciate Governor Scott’s focus on growing the economy and investing in tourism. The animals at our facility, including the beloved Winter and Hope from the Dolphin Tale movies, serve as symbols of courage, perseverance and hope, and we are proud to share their stories with the thousands of individuals who visit our Aquarium each year.”

Senate President Andy Gardiner said, “Florida is a world-class travel destination, and our state’s record number of tourists last year helps us continue to build on that reputation. More visitors mean more jobs for Florida’s families, which is why Governor Scott and the Legislature continue to invest in our thriving tourism industry.”

Senator Jeff Brandes said, “Governor Scott’s work to improve the economic climate and make investments in VISIT FLORIDA helps make Florida a top tourist destination. With this investment, our great attractions and beautiful climate, we look forward to welcoming another record number of visitors to our great state.”

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said, “I am proud to join Governor Scott in recognizing our improved economic climate, our recent record tourism numbers, and the over 1 million Floridians that are employed by the tourism industry. By continuing to make strategic investments in tourism, we are working to build on this exciting success and create even more opportunities for families across the state.”

Majority Leader Dana Young said, “The $74 million for VISIT FLORIDA in the “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget is great news for our state. This money will help Florida recruit more tourists to enjoy our world renowned beaches, attractions, and climate. We have made impressive gains in tourism, and we are excited to welcome more people to Florida.”

Rep. Larry Ahern said, “As Florida’s tourism industry continues to boom, I want to thank Governor Scott on behalf of beach communities and tourist destinations around the state for being so supportive. The growth of our state and our state’s economy is tied to those who choose to visit us. I applaud the Governor for keeping his focus on making Florida the best place to work, play, retire and visit.”

Representative Kathleen Peters said, “I thank Governor Scott for his investments in VISIT FLORIDA. Every 85 visitors that come to Florida support one Florida job, and we look forward to reaching our goal of 100 million visitors in Florida this year.”

Representative Chris Sprowls said, “Every year, more and more visitors come to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and this year they are on track to welcome 800,000 visitors from across the country. Funding for VISIT FLORIDA will help highlight attractions that create jobs, like the aquarium, and show visitors that Florida is the best travel destination in the world.”

Representative James Grant said, “I am grateful to Governor Scott for his support as we work to continue welcoming record numbers of visitors to the Sunshine State. The tourism industry is directly tied to Florida’s economy and is essential to job growth. Last year, 99 million visitors came to Florida and spent $73 billion, and we know VISIT FLORIDA will continue to recruit even more visitors to the Sunshine State.”

Representative Chris Latvala said, “I am proud Florida is one of the top tourist destinations in the world and that we on our way to reaching our goal of 100 million visitors in Florida. I congratulate Governor Scott for making important investments in tourism, which will greatly pay off for Florida’s economy and families.”

FRLA Statement on FDA’s Menu-Labeling Mandate Delay

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has pushed the effective date for the federal menu-labeling regulation for chain restaurants and similar foodservice establishments to December 1, 2016. The FDA had originally set December 1, 2015, as the compliance date but said today that it is extending the compliance date in response to requests and in order to further clarify the rule’s requirements. Today, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) released the following statement in response to the FDA’s determination.

“We applaud today’s decision by the Food and Drug Administration to require a nationwide, uniform menu-labeling standard for chain restaurants. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, along with the National Restaurant Association, have long supported this universal approach, rather than inconsistent state-by-state guidelines which place undue burdens and restrictions on our restaurateurs. We look forward to our continued work with the FDA and the NRA in identifying best practices within many national establishments currently incorporating menu-labeling,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $82 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy and more than 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Hospitality Industry Leaders Headline FRLA’s Marketing + Operations Summit

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Tampa, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present its annual Marketing + Operations Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina. The two-day event is designed to spotlight hospitality industry leaders who have instituted best-practices in their own companies and introduce new business trends to increase sales and customer satisfaction. Featured world-class presenters from Coca-Cola, Firehouse Subs, Bloomin’ Brands, and Tijuana Flats will share marketing and operation tips and trends on how to manage your restaurant or hotel more effectively.

“This event is an opportunity to gain invaluable knowledge from some of the best in the business and this year, our line-up of speakers is truly stellar. We believe our Marketing + Operations Summit helps our colleagues in the hospitality and tourism industry boost their bottom lines and enhance their businesses. Here in the Sunshine State, we are incredibly proud of the exceptional guest experiences created every day and are excited to continue to cultivate our world-class service,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

For a full schedule of events, including speaker bios, please click here. Media is invited to attend portions of the two day event and asked to contact FRLA Communications Director, Elizabeth Ray at ERay@FRLA.org or 850.224.2250 x255 for confirmation.

WHAT:
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Marketing + Operations Summit

WHEN:
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
*Registration opens at 11:15 AM

12:15 – 1:15 PM Keynote: Ty Bennett, Founder of Leadership Inc.

1:35 – 5:00 PM Breakout Sessions

Thursday, July 30, 2015
8:00 – 8:45 AM Keynote: Don Fox, CEO Firehouse of America

James McManemon, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

9:00 AM – 12:45 PM Breakout Sessions

1:00 – 2:30 PM Keynote: Jim Knight, Founder/Owner of Knight Speaker

WHERE:
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina
700 South Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602

813-221-4900

COST:
Pre-Registration: $149
At The Door: $169
Hotel and dinner accommodations not included. Seating is limited.

For registration and additional information, please visit: http://frla.org/event/2015-marketing-operations-summit/. To see photos from last year’s event please click here or to view a video, click here. Additionally, be sure to follow this event live on social media by searching for #FRLASummit.

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FRLA’s Statement on BP Settlement

On Thursday, BP and five Gulf states impacted by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill announced an $18.7 billion settlement. As part of the agreement in principle, Florida will receive at least $3.25 billion. Immediately following the settlement, FRLA President and CEO, Carol Dover, issued the following statement:

“On behalf of our more than 10,000 Florida hoteliers, restaurateurs, and hospitality and tourism members, we applaud Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi for their steadfast leadership in fighting for the economic and environmental dollars owed to those who support Florida’s economic engine. Five years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we still do not know the extent of the damage done to the Gulf, however this is a first step in making our industry whole.”

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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association 
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $82 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy and more than 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. Find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

FRLA Warns Consumers to Watch Out for Hotel Booking Scams

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Tallahassee, FL) – As families book vacations this summer, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is continuing to warn consumers about fraudulent hotel booking practices. Nationally, it is estimated by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) that there are 2.5 million bookings a year that are deceptive, which amounts to $220 million. With one in three travelers booking online, FRLA and AH&LA want to ensure that consumers don’t suffer the consequences from lost rooms, bad bookings, cancellation fees and charges. Earlier this month, the Florida Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting an investigation into these practices.

“These fraudulent vendors are putting consumers at risk. They’re tricking guests by offering bad deals disguised as discounts, creating false identities and using questionable privacy practices. We commend the Florida Congressional Delegation for urging the FTC to open an investigation. We want visitors to experience the exceptional accommodations we have here in Florida and we aim to help protect them from these scammers,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

The following is a list of tips for consumers planning to book hotels online:

Beware of where you book: Make sure you know who you are dealing with. Third party vendors often make promises they cannot keep, and they likely cannot help if something goes wrong.

Book direct: Consumers should book directly with the hotel either via web or phone to avoid being scammed. This is always the safest bet and will ensure you are protected and get the best value.

Only use trusted sites: Although the hotel’s name may be part of the URL, double check the website address to ensure it’s not a third-party vendor.

Be sure you call the hotel directly and ask the right questions when booking to ensure you protect your information, your reservation, your points and your credit information.
What is the privacy policy? Make sure your personal information isn’t harvested.
What is the cancellation/trip change policy? Most of these third party booking sites don’t allow cancellations, changes, or any sort of refunds.
Is the site, in any way, affiliated with the hotel? If no, your points may not be honored.
Is it a secure payment site? The URL should have a small lock and should start with https:// as opposed to just http://.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission: If a vendor has misrepresented itself to you or if you’ve fallen victim to a hotel booking scam, contact the FTC to alert them to the issue. Visit ftc.gov/complaint to file your complaint.

FRLA Announces Partnership with Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns Association

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) and the Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns Association (FBBI) are thrilled to announce their new partnership cultivated to boost hospitality industry advocacy, education and promotion in the Sunshine State. This collaboration will bring together two non-profit organizations aimed at developing unique guest experiences, safeguarding the needs of the industry, and attracting visitors to Florida.

“We are proud to partner with the Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns Association because its members provide intimate atmospheres that give a firsthand glimpse of all that Florida has to offer. They showcase exceptional hospitality and understand the unnecessary burdens faced by many businesses in our industry. Through this partnership, we can help engage more industry leaders all working toward the same objective to ensure the success of Florida hospitality,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

“With support from the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, we will collectively boost our efforts across the state. FRLA has a proven track record of legislative successes, membership growth, and exciting promotional opportunities. With our unique properties and FRLA’s expansive reach, we believe we can help our industry continue to thrive,” said Patricia Detwiler, Managing Director of Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns.

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About Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns
The mission of the Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns Association is Marketing, Advocacy and Education for the Bed and Breakfast Industry in the State of Florida. FBBI is committed to fostering a knowledgeable, caring and conscientious community of professional innkeepers, networking throughout Florida to help member inns achieve their marketing goals and deliver the highest level of professionalism and experience. The vision of FBBI is to increase membership and to promote member inns, improve innkeeping through education and advocacy and enhance the value of membership to innkeepers. FBBI strives to aid the bed and breakfast industry through marketing, by initiating advocacy, providing programs, resources and services that enhance the professional skills of both member innkeepers and aspiring innkeepers and provide education, networking, and business opportunities relating to the bed and breakfast industry.

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Launches New Website

– FRLA Collaborates with Marketing Agency, Sparxoo, to Cultivate Updated Online Presence-

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to reveal its new website, the renovated FRLA.org. Created by Sparxoo, a digital marketing agency in Tampa, the updated online presence is designed to reflect the exceptional experiences cultivated by FRLA members. Its purpose is to give users an opportunity to easily access invaluable FRLA resources including membership tools, legislative advocacy insights, and exclusive hospitality education and training.

“We are thrilled to share the new FRLA.org because we feel it showcases a fresh look at our organization. FRLA is vibrant, thriving and creative and we believe this revitalized online identity highlights those attributes. We are thankful Sparxoo accurately captured what the FRLA is about and were able to make our website function and feel effective and efficient. It gives us the opportunity to continue to bolster our mission to protect, educate and promote Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

The refreshed website includes innovative features that are new to the user experience. The Member Directory is an interactive tool that allows users to search for FRLA restaurateurs and hoteliers across the state. The Government Relations tab offers legislative advocacy resources developed exclusively to safeguard Florida’s hospitality industry. The Newsroom provides the latest industry updates and showcases FRLA’s originally produced digital media. The Events section easily filters all FRLA occasions to give members a chance to attend all corporate, chapter and sponsored events. Plus, a revamped Educational Foundation site is now integrated with FRLA’s main page.

“We’re excited to reveal the new FRLA website,” said David Capece, CEO of Sparxoo. “Our goal was to breathe a breath of fresh air into the FRLA brand, while combining a branded storytelling experience with the utility necessary for FRLA members to use the website as a resource center. The challenge was to simplify the complex, while being bold in accentuating what makes FRLA different. Our hats are off to the FRLA team for being willing to make such a striking change.”

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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association 

FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $82 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy and more than 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

About Sparxoo

Sparxoo, with offices in Tampa and Miami, is an integrated digital agency that creates competitive advantage at the intersection of digital technology and brand storytelling. As an integrated digital marketing agency, we are wired to disrupt the status quo with award-winning brand strategy, web design and digital marketing. We are proud to champion our client brands. For more information, visit www.Sparxoo.com.

FRLA Applauds Governor Scott’s Efforts to Slash Cell Phone and TV Tax

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) applauds Governor Rick Scott’s “Keep Florida Working” budget and his efforts to slash the cell phone and TV tax. Currently, the communications services tax (CST), is an unnecessary financial burden on businesses and Floridians who are paying a rate of 9.17 percent on commercial landlines, cell phone and cable services, and 13.17 percent on satellite services. FRLA is hopeful that the Florida Legislature will approve Governor Scott’s tax cut proposal that will save Floridians an estimated $470 million annually.

“By working to cut the cell phone and TV tax, Governor Scott is once again giving Florida families a greater opportunity to succeed and the chance for businesses to thrive. His efforts will continue to make our great state a wonderful place for restaurants, hotels and attractions to set up shop, in turn building on our record success as a tourism destination. Not to mention, this will put money back in Floridians’ pockets and give them the opportunity to enjoy world-class hospitality service in their own backyard,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

To find out how much you could save, click here to use the tax cut calculator. For more information about Governor Scott’s “Keep Florida Working” budget please click here.

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FRLA and AAHOA Announce Partnership to Bolster Efforts in Florida

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) are proud to announce their new partnership designed to bolster hospitality industry advocacy efforts in Florida. This collaboration will bring together the more than 10,000 statewide members of the FRLA and the more than 14,000 nationwide members of AAHOA that represent 40 percent of all hotels in the United States.

“We are thrilled to partner with AAHOA because its members represent the best and brightest in the business. It is evident the organization is committed to ensuring small business owners are protected against burdensome regulations and that the Florida hospitality continues to thrive. This partnership fits perfectly with our mission to protect, educate and promote the state’s hospitality industry and we are excited about connecting with AAHOA members to bolster our efforts across Florida,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

“As the largest hotel owners association in the world, we understand that Florida is a state that sets the tone for the industry nationwide. We are proud to continue to build our relationship with the FRLA because the organization consistently showcases effective legislative advocacy, an engaged membership, and educational opportunities. We look forward to this new partnership and feel that together we can effectively navigate the issues faced by business owners around the state,” said Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.

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About AAHOA
Founded in 1989, AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the world, with over 14,000 small business owner-members. AAHOA members own more than 20,000 properties amounting to more than 40 percent of all hotels in the United States and employ nearly 600,000 workers, accounting for over $9.4 billion in payroll annually. For additional information, please go to www.AAHOA.com.

FRLA’s Miami-Dade Chapter Raises Funds for Hospitality Education Scholarships

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Miami, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA)’s Miami-Dade Chapter is proud to raise funds for hospitality education by hosting its 2nd Annual Golf Invitational. The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2015 at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Now in its second year, this event has brought in $100,000 which has helped provide scholarships, textbooks, curriculum and equipment for students participating in the Miami-Dade ProStart Culinary Programs and Hospitality Tourism Management Programs (HTMP).

“This is an incredible chance for local business leaders to enjoy a little friendly competition while supporting the future of Florida’s hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are thrilled to see so many people participate in such a great event that helps move high school students a step closer to their dreams of successful careers and educational opportunities.”

The event kicks off with a welcome from FRLA’s 2014 Hotelier of the Year and President of The Biltmore Hotel, Gene Prescott. Then shortly before the first swing, lunch will be provided by Smith & Wollensky. As golfers make their way around the course, they will have the opportunity to savor some of the best flavors in town including: Chef Allen Susser’s famous curried chicken sliders, Sergio’s Cuban Restaurant specialties, BJ’s Brewhouse’s craft beer and some of Sushi Maki’s healthy fare. Plus, players will have four possibilities for a hole-in-one, courtesy of Williamson Cadillac, which include the chance win a brand new Cadillac CTS.

In addition to the golf tournament and a silent auction, Miami Beach High School’s statewide champion HTMP team will be present to receive an award. The Miami Dade College Culinary Ninjas and Miami Hospitality Institute students will also be volunteering.

This event is sold out. Event details are as follows:

WHAT:
FRLA’s Miami-Dade Golf Invitational

WHEN:
Thursday, May 21, 2015
11:30 AM Lunch/Registration
12:30 PM: Shotgun

WHERE:
The Biltmore Hotel
1210 Anastasia Ave,
Coral Gables, FL 33134
*Media is invited to attend

For more information about attending this event contact Lynne Hernandez, FRLA Regional Director or click here to see the event flyer.

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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than one million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.