2018 Cabinet Elections Could Change Florida’s Political Landscape

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Your mailbox is overflowing with mailers, your inbox is exploding with exposés, and the political commercials are never-ending. From local commission seats to Florida’s Cabinet, candidates are working overtime to define themselves and their opponents in an effort to win your vote. It’s enough to make you want to hide your head under a pillow until the election is over. Resist the urge! Your vote is crucial, and it will play a pivotal role in the next chapter of Florida’s policy and politics.

We’ve told you about the many constitutional amendments and given you the information you need to cast your vote on those issues. While the amendments are each important, they are certainly not the only items on what’s positioned to be a very long ballot in November. All of the seats in the Florida House and half the seats in our Senate are up for grabs. And, for the first time in a very long time, every single seat on Florida’s Cabinet is open and competitive. It is no exaggeration to say that this election could significantly change the political trajectory of our state.

What is the Cabinet?

Florida’s Cabinet is comprised of the Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Chief Financial Officer.  Together, they make decisions on key issues such as the environment, land use, taxation, investment, and clemency.

Who’s running in these races?

While some of these races have several candidates, we’ve focused on the front-runners. For a complete list of candidates in all elections, check out this search page from the Florida Department of State.

Governor

While there are several candidates in the race for Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis (R) and Andrew Gillum (D) are presently leading the pack and running in a very tight race. DeSantis served as a Congressional representative for Florida’s sixth district, and Gillum currently serves as the mayor of Tallahassee.

Attorney General

For the position of Attorney General, Ashley Moody (R) and Shawn Shaw (D) have received their respective parties’ nomination. Moody is a former prosecutor and judge in Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which is in Hillsborough County. She holds degrees from the University of Florida and Stetson University. Shaw is the former Insurance Consumer Advocate for Florida and represents portions of Hillsborough County as the District 61 Representative in the Florida House.

Commissioner of Agriculture

In the Commissioner of Agriculture race, Matt Caldwell (R) is facing off against Nikki Fried (D). Caldwell and Fried are both life-long Floridians. Caldwell has worked as a real estate appraiser and has served in the Florida House of Representatives since 2018, representing the 73rd District from 2010 – 2012 and the 79th District since 2012. Fried is an attorney who served as the head of the Felony Division in the Alachua County Public Defender’s Office. In private practice, she defended homeowners against foreclosure in 2007-2008.

Chief Financial Officer

Florida’s current Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis (R), is running against Jeremy Ring (D). Patronis is a partner in Capt. Anderson’s, an historic seafood restaurant owned and operated by his family, and he served in the Florida House of Representatives until he was appointed CFO following the resignation of Jeff Atwater. Ring is a former tech start-up executive, having opened the first East Coast office of Yahoo! from his New York apartment. He has served in the Florida Senate from 2006 till 2016, first representing District 31 and then District 29.

What does this all mean for me?

It is likely (but certainly not guaranteed) that legislative control will remain in the hands of the Republicans, who have enjoyed control of the Cabinet for quite some time. However, the potential for Democratic presence in or even control of the Cabinet creates the possibility of a changing political landscape. Your vote helps decide Florida’s direction.

If you need to register to vote, look up your polling place, figure out who’s running for what, or track election results, the Florida Division of Elections can help you with that. Visit and take advantage of this one-stop-shop for all the information you need to participate in the democratic process during these mid-term elections.

Get out from under that pillow and vote. You can even vote early! Make sure you get to the very end of that very long ballot and ensure your voice is heard.

Bleisure: An Opportunity to Increase Overnight Visits and Incremental Spending

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Easy traveling, invigorating sunshine and an abundant array of activities make Florida the perfect state to hold a trade show, convention or business meeting. In 2017, Florida welcomed a record 116.5 million out-of-state visitors with more than 12.8 million of them traveling to the Sunshine State to attend business events, such as trade shows, meetings or conferences. According to the latest economic data, in 2016, business travelers spend $17.3 billion, representing 15.5 percent of all visitor spending in the state.

With travel combining business and leisure on the rise, Florida has been presented with an opportunity to increase overnight visits and incremental spend. This increase in bleisure travel is attributed to millennials who see the affordability and efficiency of tacking on to existing business trips. The millennial bleisure traveler spends 4-6x more than the average traveler, and is 65 percent more likely to add at least one day of leisure onto their business trip.

This fiscal year, to capitalize on this trend, VISIT FLORIDA will launch a bleisure marketing campaign targeting domestic and international business travelers. An important component of this campaign will be Florida’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market. VISIT FLORIDA understands the meetings industry is big business in the Sunshine State, and knows properly marketing to this segment will be crucial.

In addition to the bleisure campaign, VISIT FLORIDA has created a host of programs to help VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Partners reach this vital market.

Florida Encounter, VISIT FLORIDA’s signature event for the meetings, conventions and incentive travel industry, will take place November 28-30 in Bonita Springs. The three-day trade show will bring together meeting professionals and top Florida hotels and resorts, attractions, and event suppliers to showcase Florida as the premier meetings destination. This year, based on feedback from a diverse group of industry Partners, VISIT FLORIDA is refreshing the event. New this year, Cvent’s audience will be leveraged and new standards will be used to attract and vet meeting professionals. In addition to the traditional one-on-one appointments, this year’s event will feature more opportunities to network outside the trade show floor. To facilitate these opportunities, the floor will be redesigned to feature a small meetings village, designated networking lounge, and professional photo station. CEUs will also be offered for meeting professionals in attendance. To learn more and register, go to FloridaEncounter.com.

Through VISIT FLORIDA’s partnerships with key meetings industry organizations such as Meeting Professionals International, Professional Convention Management Association, IMEX America and Connect, VISIT FLORIDA is able to offer Partners participation and sponsorship opportunities at meetings industry shows and marketplaces across the country. These options include stand sharing, meal sponsorships, in-room gifts, registration bag inserts, e-marketing to planners and speaking opportunities. To learn more about these opportunities, go to VISITFLORIDA.com/planner.

For those planning or hosting an event in the Sunshine State, VISIT FLORIDA developed Cover Your Event insurance. This free program provides coverage that will reimburse a meeting in the unlikely event of a cancellation due to a named hurricane. The premium on this insurance is at no cost to the organization planning the meeting and helps ensure meetings professionals can take advantage of Florida’s venues any time of year. To learn more, go to FloridaMeetings.com.

To assist local governments and non-profit corporations/organizations as they attract national minority conferences and conventions to the state, VISIT FLORIDA administers the Minority Convention Grant program. Funds from this reimbursement grant program can be used for marketing purposes such as, advertising, direct mail, brochure production, sales videos, presentations and other related projects. Applications for FY19/20 Grant Program will open December 2018. For more information, go to www.visitflorida.org/resources/grants/minority-convention-grant-program.

To take full advantage of VISIT FLORIDA’s meetings professionals programs and engage visitors through VISIT FLORIDA’s multiple marketing channels, join as a Marketing Partner at VISITFLORIDA.org/join. If your property has designated meeting space, VISIT FLORIDA encourages you to submit a listing to be placed on FloridaMeetings.com, a resource for planners looking to book their next meeting in Florida. For more information, call the VISIT FLORIDA industry hotline at 877-435-2872 or email [email protected].

Lucky Number 13?

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A breakdown of the 13 proposed Constitutional amendments

on your November ballot

With 13 proposed amendments on the ballot for Floridians this November, there is a lot of change for voters to consider. To help you understand what your options are, FRLA’s Governmental Relations team researched the proposed amendments and broken them down into simpler terms. This guide is intended to help our members cast informed votes and thereby wield one of the most powerful tools in democracy. If you’d like to read the full text of any amendment, simply click on the title.

It is important to note that FRLA does not take a position on all amendments. However, for proposals that will have a significant impact on our industry, we did let you know what our recommendations are. As always, if you have questions about any legislation, please feel free to reach out to Governmental Relations team at 888-372-9119 ext. 228.

 

 

Amendment One

Title: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption

Summary: Homestead property is the property on which your permanent residence is located. If passed, Amendment One would increase the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed valuation of homestead property greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000 for all levies other than school district levies.

A YES vote supports the increase in homestead exemption.

A NO vote maintains the homestead exemption at its current level.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment One.

Amendment Two

Title: Limitations on Property Tax Assessment

Summary: Currently, property tax assessments on non-homestead real property are limited to no more than a 10% increase every year. ‘Non-homestead real property’ is any property that does not have a homestead exemption, including commercial property. This limitation of annual increases to property tax assessments on non-homestead real property is set to expire in 2019. The proposed amendment would make the limitation permanent.

A YES vote supports a permanent cap on the property tax assessments of non-homestead real property, limiting the assessments on non-homestead real property to an increase of no more than 10% every year.

A NO vote removes the cap on assessments on non-homestead real property. Starting January 1, 2019, the yearly increase on assessments would not be limited.

FRLA recommends voting YES on Amendment Two.

Amendment Three

Title: Voter Control of Gaming

Summary: The proposed amendment would establish that additional casino gambling may only be authorized under Florida law through a vote by citizens’ initiative. The amendment does not interfere with federal law regarding gaming compacts.

A YES vote would establish that casino gambling may only be authorized by a vote of Florida’s citizens, through the mechanisms established in the Constitution.

A NO vote would give the legislature the authority regarding casino gambling in Florida.

FRLA recommends voting YES on Amendment Three.

Amendment Four

Title: Voting Restoration Amendment

Summary: This proposed amendment would automatically restore the voting rights of felons once they have completed all terms of their sentence. This does not include felons convicted of murder or sexual offenses.

A YES vote supports the automatic restoration of voting rights for felons.

A NO vote maintains the current requirement that a felon’s civil rights must be restored before he or she can be allowed to vote.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Four.

Amendment Five

Title: Supermajority Vote Requried to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees

Summary: Currently, the legislature is authorized to raise taxes or fees by a majority vote. This amendment would require that any taxes or fees proposed by the state legislature must be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate. This amendment does not allow the state legislature to adopt a tax or fee that is otherwise prohibited by the Constitution. It does not apply to taxes and fees levied by local government entities.

A YES vote requires the state legislature pass taxes and fees by a two-thirds majority of both the House and Senate.

A NO vote allows for taxes and fees to be adopted by a majority vote of both the House and Senate.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Five.

Amendment Six

Title: Rights of Crime Victims; Judges

Summary: This proposed amendment creates certain rights for victims of crimes and establishes processes by which victims can enforce these rights. Further, it raises the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 years of age.

A YES vote supports specific rights for crime victims and raises the mandatory age of retirement for judges.

A NO vote opposes the adoption of specific rights for crime victims and keeps the mandatory retirement age for judges at 70 years of age.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Six.

Amendment Seven

Title: First Responder and Military Members Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities

Summary: This proposed amendment has three parts. First, it would grant mandatory benefits and educational fee waivers to qualifying survivors of certain first responders and military personnel who die in the performance of their official duties. Next, it would require a supermajority vote of university trustees and state university board of governors to raise fees and tuition.  Finally, it establishes the state college system as a constitutional entity.

A YES vote grants mandatory benefits and educational fee waivers to qualifying survivors of first responders and military personnel, requires a supermajority vote to raise university and state college fees and tuition, and establishes the state college system as a constitutional entity.

A NO vote does not grant mandatory benefits and educational fee waivers to qualifying survivors of first responders and military personnel and maintains the current governance practices for universities and state colleges.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Seven.

Amendment Eight has been removed from Florida’s ballots.

Amendment Eight

Title: School Board Term Limits and Duties; Public Schools

Summary: This proposed amendment has three parts. First, it establishes a term limit of eight consecutive years for school board members. Next, it requires the legislature to adopt laws that will promote of civic literacy. Finally, it states the district school board will exercise control over only those free public schools established by the district school board.

A YES vote supports term limits for elected school board officials and requirements for civic literacy. A YES vote further supports permitting the state to control free public schools not established by the school board.

A NO vote opposes term limits for school board members and requirements for civic literacy. A NO vote reserves control of all free public schools to the school board of the district, regardless of who established the school.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Eight.

Amendment Nine

Title: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces

Summary: This amendment proposes the prohibition of offshore drilling beneath all state-owned waters between the mean high water line and the edge of the state’s furthest territorial boundary. Further, this amendment proposes adding a prohibition on vaping devices to the existing provisions that prohibit smoking in indoor work spaces. It also allows local government entities to adopt more restrictive vaping regulations.

A YES vote prohibits offshore drilling and vaping in indoor workplaces.  Further, it allows for more restrictive local regulations on vaping.

A NO allows offshore drilling and vaping in indoor workplaces.

FRLA recommends voting YES on Amendment Nine.

Amendment Ten

Title: State and Local Government Structure and Operation

Summary: This amendment proposes the legislative session start in January during even-numbered years. It proposes the creation of the Office of Domestic Security and Counterterrorism within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It requires the existence of Department of Veterans’ Affairs. It ensures the election of sheriffs, property appraisers, supervisors of elections, tax collectors, and clerks of court in all counties, and removes the ability of charter counties to eliminate or make changes to these offices.

A YES vote supports: January legislative session start in even years, the creation of the Office of Domestic Security of Counterterrorism, the required existence of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the election of listed constitutional officers, and the elimination of the ability of charter counties to eliminate or change the constitutional officers.

A NO vote allows but does not require the existence of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Further, a NO vote allow constitutional officers to be selected by means other than election, and it permits charter counties the continued ability to change or eliminate constitutional officers.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Ten.

Amendment Eleven

Title: Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes

Summary: The amendment proposes the elimination of discriminatory language in regards to real property rights. It also specifies that if a criminal statute is repealed, the repeal does not affect prosecutions of that crime if those prosecutions took place prior to the repeal. It allows for the amendment (or change) of a criminal statute to affect prosecutions or penalties for crimes committed before the amendment. It eliminates the high speed rail requirement.

A YES vote supports: the removal of discriminatory language, clarifying the impact of amendment and repeal on criminal prosecution and punishment, and removing the high speed rail requirement.

A NO vote retains existing language regarding real property and retains the high speed rail requirement. It further retains the current language regarding the impact of repeal and amendment on criminal prosecution and punishment.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Eleven.

Amendment Twelve

Title: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers

Summary: This amendment supports additional regulations and restrictions regarding lobbying following public service or judicial service. It also prohibits public officers and employees from using their positions to garner a disproportionate benefit for themselves or their families.

A YES vote prohibits public officers, agency heads, and judicial officers from lobbying for compensation before specified bodies during their term of service and for a period of six years following their term of service. It establishes a prohibition against using one’s public position for disproportionate benefit to oneself or one’s family.

A NO vote opposes the adoption of additional lobbying restrictions and ethical regulations.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Twelve.

Amendment Thirteen

Title: Ends Dog Racing

Summary: This amendment proposed an end to dog racing in Florida.

A YES supports phasing out dog racing in Florida.

A NO vote allows for the continuation of dog racing in Florida.

FRLA has not taken a position on Amendment Thirteen.

Draw in Summer Crowds with Island Oasis On the Rocks

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Certain on-the-rocks cocktails immediately evoke summer. Margaritas, Moscow mules and mojitos, to name a few, will have summer vacationers lining (or swimming) up at your bar. Giving classic on-the-rocks cocktails flavorful new twists will make your bar stand out from the crowd at happy hour (or any hour). Here are a few easy ways to expand your menu with new, on-trend cocktails.

 

Repurposed Perfection

If you are already crafting blended cocktail favorites with Island Oasis® mix, you can expand your menu by crafting new cocktails with mixes you already have on hand without investing in extra inventory and space. The same mix you use to blend your signature margarita tastes just as good served on the rocks– no matter the flavor you choose.

Make it happen:

Classic Margarita

3 oz. Island Oasis Margarita Mix

3 oz. Water

2 oz. Tequila

Pour over ice and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.

 

Painless Prep

Pre-batch cocktail mixes without ice and store them in the fridge for super easy serving. When the rush hits, just shake with ice, add a garnish and serve. One of the beauties of prebatching is that you can customize the size. Prebatch a handful of cocktails and serve a flight of mini drinks. Start with this twist on the popular Moscow Mule, the fastest-growing cocktail year-over-year [1].

Make it happen:

Kentucky Mule:

12 oz. Bourbon

1 carton (32 oz.) Island Oasis Moscow Mule Mix

20 oz. Carbonated Water

Batch liquid together and store in refrigerator. To serve, fill mule glass with ice and dispense matched liquid over top. Garnish with a slice of lime.

 

Craveable Creativity

Serving drinks on the rocks opens up the door to even more creative mixology. You can customize flavor by muddling fresh herbs or an on-trend flavored syrup. Customization is hugely attractive to consumers, 61% of them say they want the ability to customize their alcoholic beverages away from home [2]. Adding small nuances to an already great cocktail allows you to build enticing LTOs or sought-after seasonal sips. Pump up the drama by topping with an eye-catching (and delicious!) garnish.

Make it happen:

Peach Chipotle Lemonade:

-1.5 oz. DaVinci Gourmet® Peach Chipotle

-3 oz. Island Oasis Lemonade (dilute 1:1 with water)

Build cocktail over ice and garnish with mint leaves.

 

Offering indulgent, refreshing summer flavors is simple with on-the-rocks cocktails. Expanding your menu with Island Oasis beverage mixes is opens up your menu to new flavor profiles and serving options without driving up back-of-house costs. Stay up to date on the latest Island Oasis inspiration by following Kerry Foodservice on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

[1] Technomic Specialty Drinks, On the Menu Q4-2017
[2] Mintel On Premise Alcohol Trends: US, May 2016

RCS Training Taps Intellicheck for Partnership Agreement to Offer Age ID

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JERICHO, NY— March 6, 2018 –  Intellicheck  (NYSE AMERICAN: IDN), an industry leader in identification authentication solutions, today announced the signing of a partnership agreement with RCS Training, a subsidiary of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA). RCS Training, Florida’s premier provider of alcohol compliance and responsible vendor training for Florida’s hospitality industry, will be making Age ID™ available to trainees. Age ID authenticates driver licenses and other forms of government-issued identification spotting altered and fake IDs.

FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover said, “This partnership demonstrates our continuing commitment to provide the hospitality industry with access to the state-of-the-art tools that are critical to addressing the important issue of underage drinking. Risk management and regulatory compliance training isn’t just about assuring legal compliance. It is about making sure our trainees return to the communities they serve with a heightened awareness of their responsibilities to avert the devastating consequences that can result from underage drinking.”

Founded in 1984, RCS Training is Florida’s leader in providing risk management and regulatory compliance training programs to the state’s hospitality industry. Harnessing the resources of FRLA industry experts and former regulators, RCS Training is the largest and most respected firm of its kind in Florida.  The FRLA has over 10,000 members with the RCS Training division servicing over 1,600 clients statewide.

Intellicheck President and CEO Bryan Lewis said Age ID has proven its effectiveness. “Age ID has demonstrated its effectiveness for businesses, law enforcement and regulatory compliance agencies across the country. We are proud of our partnership with RCS Training and we know Age ID will provide their trainees with a powerful solution to the challenge of preventing underage access to alcoholic beverages and assuring regulatory compliance.”

Age ID authenticates IDs and verifies age information in real-time with 99.9% accuracy. It can be deployed on mobile devices including smartphones and tablets and can be integrated with point-of-sale solutions. The cutting-edge technology solution draws on a comprehensive, proprietary database, updated on an ongoing basis, to ensure information is timely and accurate.

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HOTEL PIPELINE DATA SHOWS IMPORTANCE OF FULLY FUNDING VISIT FLORIDA

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TALLAHASSEE, FL—Today, VISIT FLORIDA released data indicating strong growth projections for Florida’s hotel industry. As tourism fuels record visitation and out-of-state spending numbers, construction in Florida’s hotel industry will continue to boom through 2020. This growth is directly correlated to VISIT FLORIDA’s strong marketing efforts that have led to record visitation numbers to the state.

According to statistics from Smith Travel Research (STR), a top firm for global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights, the supply of hotels and rooms in Florida has steadily increased over the past six years and is expected to grow at an even faster pace in the coming years.

Since 2012, 107 new hotels were built across Florida, and the number of hotel rooms increased by 115,948. Currently, there are 109 hotels and 14,525 rooms under construction across the state and an additional 307 hotels and 48,103 hotel rooms expected to break ground in the next 12 to 24 months. The expected growth in 2018 will represent a 3.0 percent increase in hotels and a 3.4 percent increase in rooms. This growth is expected to skyrocket in 2020, with an estimated 8.1 percent increase in hotels and 10.9 percent increase in rooms.

Ken Lawson, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said “Florida’s hotels represent the number one spending source for visitors to our state, and today’s numbers from STR show investment in our state’s tourism industry is booming. This growth is a direct result of the success VISIT FLORIDA has had marketing our state and attracting record numbers of visitors. As VISIT FLORIDA continues to market the Sunshine State—and our beautiful hotels—to the rest of the world, it’s crucial that we have the resources to match the investments being made in our state. We will keep fighting for full funding of $100 million to match the huge investments in our hotel industry, create more jobs, and make Florida the number one global destination.”

URBAN EXPOSITIONS/CLARION EVENTS ANNOUNCE NEW “HEALTHY FOOD EXPO” LOS ANGELES AND ORLANDO LAUNCHES FOR 2018; NEW YORK 201

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TRUMBULL, CT, – Urban Expositions/Clarion Events is pleased to unveil HEALTHY FOOD EXPO, a new family of tradeshows and conferences serving the healthy food component of the restaurant and foodservice marketplace.

2018 dates are set for August 18-21 in Los Angeles and September 6-8 in Orlando – to run alongside established events, the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo and Coffee Fest (at the Los Angeles Convention Center) and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show (at the Orange County Convention Center). The event will debut in New York in 2019 co-located with the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York (March 3-5, 2019 at the Javits Center).

As restaurant and foodservice guests increasingly demand more healthful options, operators need to respond to consumer interest and demand with healthy and sustainable menu items, nutritional information, food safety and preparation techniques. The Healthy Food Expo has been established to serve that demand.

A celebration of healthy food products and ingredients, Healthy Food Expo will include an exhibit hall, conference and education, and special events including culinary demonstrations. The exhibit hall will be comprised of the latest healthy food and beverage products, services and tools.

“The need for a stand-alone event was evident after our 2017 shows as 85% of buyers in attendance were looking to source healthy, natural, gluten free and organic products at the show,” said Tom Loughran, Vice President for the Urban Expositions foodservice event portfolio. “Until now, there has not been a significant food and beverage-exclusive event serving this segment. And launching Healthy Food Expo alongside our existing events brings an already established buying audience who has exhibited interest in healthy food products.”

Healthy Food Expo West in Los Angeles will be anchored by The Avalon Group, the nation’s largest Organic Food Service broker, has secured space for their 50+ partner brands after the success of their participation in the Healthy Food and Beverage Pavilion at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo in 2017. “This is the place to be to introduce organic, fair trade and sustainable products to the food service market”, said Phillip Waring, President. The Avalon Group provides organic, non-GMO, fair trade and gluten free certified brands to the foodservice, vending, c-store and micro market channels. Waring added, “Our brands saw huge interest and success at the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, and we are excited to be working with the Urban team to expand the reach of the Healthy Foods Expo and The Avalon Group brands in the Western US.”

Thousands of foodservice professionals, restaurateurs, dietitians, nutritionists and retailers will gather during this three-day trade show and conference to demo and taste the latest products and services from 550+ exhibitors, attend 40+ thought-provoking education sessions and network with 20,000+ industry peers. For additional information, visit www.internationalrestaurantny.com.

The Clarion/UX 2018 Foodservice events calendar includes:

• International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York, March 4-6, 2018 at the Javits Center in New York City, sponsored by the New York State Restaurant Association.

• Coffee Fest Baltimore, March 16-18, 2018 at the Baltimore Convention Center.• Coffee Fest Denver, June 8-10, 2018 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

• Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo, August 19-21, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, sponsored by the California Restaurant Association.

• Healthy Food Expo West, August 19-21, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

• Coffee Fest Los Angeles, August 19-21, 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

• Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, September 6-8, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, sponsored by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

• Healthy Food Expo Florida, September 6-8, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

ABOUT URBAN EXPOSITIONS

Urban Expositions, now operating as Clarion UX and owned by Clarion Events produces and manages a portfolio of 36 trade and consumer events, serving a range of industry sectors including Gift, Souvenir, Art, Foodservice, Specialty Retail, Gaming, Automotive and Enthusiast Lifestyle, with offices in Kennesaw, GA, Chicago, IL, Trumbull, CT, Portland, OR, and Boca Raton, FL.

ABOUT CLARION EVENTS

Clarion Events operates over 180 events in 50 countries from offices in the UK, South Africa, USA, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, UAE, and the Netherlands. Clarion can trace its roots back to 1947 and takes great pride in being one of the oldest independent event organizers in the UK. More recently the firm has developed an international portfolio of brands and now has interests in a number of global vertical industries. The teams at Clarion create uniquely effective and stimulating environments that can serve as a platform to build businesses, enhance customer relationships and accelerate product awareness. www.clarionevents.com

An Estimated Four-in-Ten (43%) American Adults Shopped or Dined Small on Small Business Saturday®

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(NEW YORK) – As Small Business Saturday closed out its eighth year on Saturday, November 25th, shoppers provided an encouraging boost to small businesses at the start to the holiday shopping season.

According to data from the 2017 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, released today by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express, an estimated 108 million consumers reported shopping or dining at local independently-owned businesses.

“Year after year, Small Business Saturday receives remarkable support from shoppers and communities nationwide,” said Elizabeth Rutledge, executive vice president of Global Advertising and Media at American Express. “In year eight, it’s encouraging to see Small Business Saturday continue to gain momentum as more people recognize the benefits that independently-owned businesses bring to their neighborhoods—and our country as a whole.”

The Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey also found that 70% of U.S consumers are aware of Small Business Saturday.  In addition to support on Main Streets, shoppers turned out for online small businesses – with 35% reporting that they Shopped Small® online on November 25th alone.

The 2017 Small Business Saturday 50-State Survey, also released today by the NFIB and American Express, showed 73% of consumers who reportedly Shopped Small at independently-owned retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday did so with friends or family. The most reported reason for consumers aware of the day to shop and dine at small, independently-owned businesses was to support their community (64%).Further insights from the 2017 Small Business Saturday 50-State Survey include the following:

  • Shoppers made Small Business Saturday an all-day affair, as 58% of those who participated in the day reported shopping or dining at more than one small, independently-owned retailer or restaurant on Small Business Saturday this year.
  • On a national level, nearly half (48%) of consumers who participated in Small Business Saturday reported visiting a small business that they had not previously been to on Small Business Saturday.
  • Relative to the national average, shoppers in Colorado, Hawaii, and Vermont reported pet stores as the type of small business frequented the most; while shoppers in Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York reported visiting a bakery the most; and shoppers in Georgia, Idaho, Texas reported visiting spas, nail salons or hair salons the most.

Full results of the survey and an interactive infographic with state by state breakouts can be found here.

At the local level, Small Business Saturday is fueled each year by grassroots activities organized by Neighborhood Champions— small businesses, business associations, local Chambers of Commerce, and other community organizers that rally their communities to celebrate Small Business Saturday. This year, more than 7,200 Neighborhood Champions (a 7% increase from 2016) across all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and some U.S. territories — engaging an estimated 2.2 million small businesses — celebrated Small Business Saturday on November 25th, showing their love and appreciation for small businesses through activities such as shopping passport programs, pop-up holiday markets, sleigh rides and a Shop Small sand sculpture.

Through the Small Business Saturday Coalition, more than 575 organizations helped spread the Shop Small message this year, an 18% increase over last year. The Coalition, led by Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), was created in 2011 to help amplify Small Business Saturday and is comprised of national, state and local associations that help coordinate activities for Small Business Saturday with consumers and small business owners.

“Small Business Saturday has become an incredibly important day for small businesses across the nation,” said NFIB CEO and president Juanita Duggan. “We are very proud to be a part of this program and to be able to show how valuable small businesses are to local communities, whether on Main Street or online. Partnering with American Express is a great honor and we look forward to Small Business Saturday each year.”

Elected Officials across the U.S. Encourage Communities to Shop Small

  • Elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. championed Small Business Saturday.
  • A total of 239 federal officials and agencies showed support for Small Business Saturday through posts on Facebook and Twitter.
  • The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating November 25th, 2017, as Small Business Saturday.
  • 653 city proclamations in support of Small Business Saturday were issued by mayors and other elected officials covering all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
  • 11 unique public service announcements encouraging the public to Shop Small were recorded by government officials across the nation.

Communities and Supporters Contribute To Success in Year Eight
In addition to the Neighborhood Champion Program and the Small Business Saturday Coalition, corporations, consumers and businesses across the country brought their communities together for Small Business Saturday. For example:

  • American Express enlisted the support of Corporate Supporters to help drive excitement for Small Business Saturday. Nearly 100 companies, including Grubhub, Etsy, Ace Hardware, FTD, Square and Liberty Mutual Insurance came together to promote Small Business Saturday and the Shop Small movement.
  • Small business owners successfully used the Shop Small Studio nearly 105,000 times for customizable and ready-to-use marketing materials and/or merchandise to help promote their businesses on Small Business Saturday, up 23% from 2016. As part of a new pilot program, downloadable marketing materials were offered in Spanish and 15% of Studio visitors requested assets in Spanish.
  • From the first of November through the 25th, there were more than 605,000 social media posts combined on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter about Small Business Saturday and/or the Shop Small Movement, and nearly 177,000 were posted on November 25th alone. Posts included consumers showing-off their favorite small businesses, business owners hosting events with promotions and activities taking place on Small Business Saturday, as well as government officials, celebrities and artists showing their support for the day and their favorite small businesses.

Shop Small All Year Round
The benefits of Small Business Saturday reach beyond just one day.  According to the 2017 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, 84% of consumers who are aware of Small Business Saturday said the day makes them want to Shop Small all year long, not just during the holiday season.3 Consumers can continue to find small businesses in their community by visiting ShopSmallNow.com. In addition to products and services, American Express offers the below resources for small businesses year-round:

  • OPEN Forum® – A platform that combines content and community to deliver advice to small business owners. This is where small business owners come together to help each other get unstuck on issues like expanding their business, marketing and more complex topics like expense management.
  • American Express® Merchant Marketing Corner – An online hub where American Express® Card-accepting merchants have access to free online advertising, Shop Small Map inclusion, signage and marketing materials.

Mark your calendar for Small Business Saturday 2018, which will be celebrated on November 24th!

GET READY FOR SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY®

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As an organization that serves local business owners and customers, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to support Small Business Saturday® this Nov 25.

Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 to help strengthen local economies. Today, it’s a holiday shopping tradition celebrating a greater nationwide movement dedicated to uniting communities and supporting all kinds of small businesses, from the corner store to your favorite diner — because it’s unique small businesses like yours that help local communities stay vibrant.

Participating in Small Business Saturday is a great way to reach new customers and promote your business. Here are some ideas for getting involved on Nov 25

• Let your community know that you plan to participate in Small Business Saturday. Visit ShopSmall.com/YourDay for free promotional assets, like ready-made social posts, to show your support. 

• On Nov 25, transform your store. American Express offers free merchandise, while supplies last, to help your business make an impression. Don’t wait—apply for Small Business Saturday merchandise starting Oct 1 at ShopSmall.com/YourDay. Terms apply. 

• Connect with other organizations in your community to see how you can work together on Small Business Saturday events and promotions.

 

Join us this Nov 25 to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

Securing Your Payments Processing

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October marks the two-year anniversary of the U.S. migration to EMV smart-chip enabled payment technology. Despite the fact that the migration was accompanied by a card-present fraud liability shift to the party using the least secure technology, Visa reports that only about 2 million U.S. merchants have transitioned to this new level of technology. This leaves nearly 67 percent of U.S. merchants vulnerable, as fraudsters turn their focus to non-EMV enabled businesses.

EMV, which stands for Europay, MasterCard and Visa, is the global standard for cards equipped with computer chips and the technology used to authenticate chip-card transactions. EMV cards are embedded with a smart chip that creates a unique transaction code that cannot be used again, improving the payment security for consumers.

How criminals take advantage
According to the Verizon 2017 Data Breach Investigations Report, Accommodation and Food Services was “the top industry for Point of Sale intrusions.” While this isn’t a new problem – hotels and restaurants have been plagued by counterfeit, stolen and cloned credit card activity for years – the liability shift has further highlighted the issue.

Criminals prefer magnetic strip cards. When criminals purchase credit card numbers, the data – regardless if it is magstripe only or EMV technology – is loaded on a standard magstripe counterfeit card. If they attempt to use the counterfeit card as an EMV-enabled terminal, the terminal can detect that the card being used has EMV capabilities and the system will prompt the fraudster to “dip” the card instead of swiping. Attempts to process the transaction without “dipping” the EMV enabled card will be declined.

Some fraudsters have been scamming your businesses for years without you knowing about it because, previous to the liability shift, the issuing bank was taking the loss. All the scammer has to do now is call the credit card company after their card is swiped at an old terminal and claim the charges on their chip-enabled card weren’t accurate, leaving you to empty your pockets. While the chargeback amount may not be big, it wouldn’t take many of these false chargebacks to really cut into your profits. Without the ability to accept EMV transactions, business owners are seeing liability shift chargebacks for which there is no defense.

If upgrading to EMV simply isn’t an option for your business, here are a few tips you can use to protect yourself from fraudsters.

• Verify that the last four digits of the card number match the last four digits on the printed receipt
• Compare the signatures on the card and receipt
• Check cards for legitimate features like holograms, logos, CVV/CID/CVV2 and AVS verification, etc.
• Never rerun a card if it declines – for any reason

Comprehensive Coverage
EMV chip technology improves security by providing card authentication. However, the most advanced credit card thieves can rewrite the magstripe, tricking even new EMV chip-reading machines to think the card is chipless when swiped. If you have purchased the EMV card-reading equipment, but are not encrypting transactions as part of your upgrade, your business may still be at risk. While EMV-enabled terminals offer increased security and reduces credit card fraud, you need to employ a comprehensive approach for the best security.

• Tokenization – replacing card data with a “token” protects card data while at rest in your POS system. This is particularly imperative in a hotel environment, where customer data is typically stored for days, weeks or even years. Even if your system is hacked, tokenization makes the data stored in it unusable to cybercriminals.

• End-to-end Encryption – this powerful technology removes card data from the merchant’s network, protecting the data in transit so it cannot be intercepted or monetized.

• Incident Management Program – According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, nearly 50 percent of small businesses fall victim to fraud as some point in their business life cycle. Every business should have a plan in place for how they will handle an incident, should one occur. Containing the breach, responding quickly and communicating appropriately is the best way to prevent reputation damage and stem losses.

Heartland Secure combines EMV, tokenization and end-to-end encryption together to give your business the most comprehensive security solution on the market. We are so confident in our ability to protect credit card data the moment it is used, we offer an unprecedented breach warranty to all merchants who are Heartland Secure and employ Heartland Secure-certified devices for as long as they are processing with Heartland, at no additional cost.

To learn how Heartland Secure could help your business protect against fraud, contact Angela Ihry
at [email protected].