Register Now for
Florida Tourism Day
Join hundreds of your tourism colleagues on January 20, 2016 in Tallahassee to educate the legislature, media and all Floridians about the importance of Florida’s tourism industry. Florida Tourism Day is the perfect time to let your lawmakers know how vital tourism is to our state and how crucial it is for them to support Florida’s No. 1 industry. Register here. Interested in being a vendor at the Florida Tourism Day Street Party? Please contact Emily MacRae.
FRLA Celebrates Florida’s Hospitality Industry Stars at Shades of Pink
FRLA celebrated the stars of Florida’s hospitality industry at our Shades of Pink Installation and Awards Gala last week. During the ceremony, held at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, we installed 2016 Chairman of the Board, Lino Maldonado, announced our 2016 Executive Committee, and unveiled our 2015 Hall of Fame along with other industry award winners. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Susan G. Komen Central Florida to help fund breast cancer research. Congratulations to the following all-stars:
2015 HALL OF FAME
2015 Restaurateur of the Year: Chris Christini, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, Orlando
2015 Hotelier of the Year: Russ Kimball, Sheraton Sand Key, Clearwater
2015 Supplier of the Year: Greg Ohlemacher, Ecolab
Discover What’s New,
Next & Trending at
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show
In the restaurant and foodservice industry, professionals are constantly looking for new ideas, new products, new solutions and new trends — and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show is their source. From insightful education to palate-pleasing food and drink trends, don’t miss this opportunity to fine-tune your business. The trade show and conference, produced by Urban Expositions and sponsored by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association will be held Tuesday, October 6 through Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando and will offer educational programs, special events, new food products, and equipment and services from over 450+ leading industry suppliers. Learn more.
FRLA Partners with Fresh From Florida: On the Menu
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is proud to partner with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on its “Fresh From Florida: On the Menu” program. The marketing program is designed to give restaurants an opportunity to showcase their fresh, locally grown products.
You can participate in the program by filling out an application online here.
2015 Florida Tourism Industry Awards Announced at Governor’s Conference
This week, during the 48th Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Tampa Convention Center, VISIT FLORIDA announced the 2015 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductee, as well as the winners of the Flagler Awards, Iris Larson Awards and Film Florida Legends Tourism Ambassador Award. Annually, leaders in Florida tourism are chosen by a selection committee to receive these prestigious honors and awards. View the winners here.
Florida Hits All-Time Record For Tourism
This week, Governor Rick Scott announced Florida set another record in tourism by welcoming the highest amount of visitors of any six months in the state’s history with 54.1 million visitors, according to VISIT FLORIDA.
“Florida is continuing to break the mold by setting record breaking trends that prove our state leads the way in hospitality and tourism. These numbers prove that Governor Scott’s leadership, along with support from Florida’s Legislature, ensures a business friendly environment that allows hoteliers, restaurateurs, suppliers and attractions to thrive.
FRLA Hosts Successful Marketing + Operations Summit: We are grateful for our wonderful speakers who shared incredible insights at FRLA’s Marketing + Operations Summit last week in Tampa. Thank you to ALL of our attendees for an amazing time! Click here to view event photos. Click here to watch the event recap video.
This week, 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.
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, teamed up with FRLA and local tourism officials on Tuesday to warn travelers against scammers running fake hotel websites.
The group gathered at Grandview Gardens Bed and Breakfast in West Palm Beach to raise awareness about consumer warnings issued by the Federal Trade Commission last week. Read more.
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.
FRLA Partners With FBBI
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. Read more.
