Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) lends its support to Small Business Saturday® and drives commerce to small businesses

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FRLA proudly supports this year’s Small Business Saturday, taking place on November 26th. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting local small businesses and strengthening and celebrating communities across the country.

 

Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. In 2015, 95 million consumers shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday and spent an estimated $16.2 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on the day, according to the 2015 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey.1 The day was also championed by elected officials in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including President Obama.

 

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) recognizes the importance of supporting small businesses, the jobs they help create, and the culture they instill in local communities. According to the U.S. Small Businesses Administration, as of 2014, small businesses nationwide accounted for 63% of net new private-sector jobs created and represented 99.7% of firms with paid employees.2

 

Merchants and consumers can learn more about Small Business Saturday and how to get involved by visiting ShopSmall.com.

 

ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

 

November 26th marks the seventh annual Small Business Saturday, a day to support the small businesses that can create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: more customers.

 

1Estimates are based on consumer self-reported data from the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey by National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express (November 30, 2015) and do not reflect actual receipts or sales.
2Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy Frequently Asked Questions, March 2014

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IS NOV 26

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The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is proud to support Small Business Saturday®, the day founded in 2010 to celebrate small local businesses.  This year, even more resources are available to help make November 26 a day to remember for your business.

 

Get involved in the day and help get more customers in your door. The new Shop Small® Studio is a one-stop destination for your promotional needs, including materials for your storefront, website and social networks. You can even create customized marketing materials for your business, and download them for free!

 

Tap into knowledge. Small Business Saturday 101 offers tips and insights from business owners and people in the know to help make the most of your promotional materials.

 

Visit ShopSmall.com/GetReady. Access Small Business Saturday resources and create FREE custom downloadable marketing materials.
Be part of Small Business Saturday 2016 and help your community thrive.
Go HERE to learn more.

Get Familiar with VISITFLORIDA.org: A One-Stop Resource for Marketing and Industry Education

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VISITFLORIDA.org, unlike VISITFLORIDA.com, is a website designed exclusively for the Florida tourism industry.  The site was created to provide marketing guidance and education for VISIT FLORIDA Partners and easily showcases ways tourism businesses can enhance their exposure to visitors.
 
A key feature of the site is the Online Marketing Planner, which serves as a resource for the industry to participate in VISIT FLORIDA officially-sanctioned co-op programs, including advertising, sales, public relations, promotions, welcome centers and industry education.  Since its inception in 2009, the Marketing Planner has proven to be a vital tool for the Florida tourism industry to promote their businesses and take full advantage of all available cost saving opportunities.
 
With more than 200 programs listed, the Planner makes it easy to create your own customized marketing plan.  As new co-op programs become available, the information is added to the Planner program list, which can be sorted by program type, audience, market and media channel.  The Planner also has a “My Plan” button with shopping cart functionality that allows you to view, save and print a customized plan.  Many of the items on the Planner offer a discount for VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Partners.  To learn more, go to VISITFLORIDA.org/planner.
 
VISITFLORIDA.org also offers helpful information on a host of other topics, such as:
 
Crisis Preparation – Includes FAQs and other information about preparing for or responding to specific potential crisis situations that could impact Florida tourism entities
Order FREE Maps and Magazines – Complimentary bulk orders of Official Florida Vacation Guides and Florida Transportation Maps
Research – Includes FAQs about visitation, the Florida Visitor Study, the Power of Florida Tourism infographic and a Florida Tourism by the Numbers PowerPoint presentation that the industry is welcome to use
Education – Participate in FREE Online Hospitality Training and listen to recorded webinars in the Learning Library
About Us – Includes digital versions of VISIT FLORIDA’s Strategic Plan, Marketing Plan and interactive Annual Reports
 
Additional resources available on the site are exclusive to Marketing Partners, such as image and VISIT FLORIDA logo downloads, the ability to submit images for posts on VISIT FLORIDA consumer-facing social media channels, and the opportunity to share Partner-to-Partner specials.
 
For more information about becoming a Marketing Partner, go to VISITFLORIDA.org/join.  To enroll today, call the VISIT FLORIDA industry hotline at 877-435-2872 or email [email protected].

What is a Raw or Undercooked Egg?

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When your foodservice customers order eggs sunny-side up, scrambled, or in an omelet, are you putting them at risk for foodborne illness?

Cooked eggs may not reach a temperature that destroys viruses such as avian influenza or bacteria such as Salmonella enteritidis. Your foodservice kitchen may even be using raw eggs in Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing, introducing foodborne illness risks to your guests. Read more facts about Salmonella and eggs in the Field Guide to Egg Safety.

When is an egg safe from Salmonella?

So, at what temperature is an egg no longer considered “raw” or “undercooked”? An egg is considered fully cooked—that is, safe from foodborne illness—when it has reached a temperature of 155°F for pooled, hot holding or for later service. Over hard eggs, for example, have reached this temperature. However, foodservice customers are far more likely to order eggs sunny-side up. Eggs served this way represent the lowest cooked temperature of any egg option, only reaching a temperature between 75°F and 104°F.

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Balancing safe egg temperature and quality

Omelets and scrambled eggs are also common culprits in Salmonella enteritidis outbreaks. Your foodservice guests don’t want dry, rubbery eggs, but cooking them softer carries with it the risk of Salmonella contamination. The fact is, the majority of the ways foodservice operations prepare eggs do not result in fully-cooked eggs.

Salmonella, eggs, and the CDC

The number of Salmonella outbreaks originating from foodservice kitchens is the reason the CDC pays special attention to how eggs are stored, prepared, and staged in foodservice kitchens. The CDC says dangerous egg-handling procedures are putting foodservice guests at risk of foodborne illness. They urge foodservice operators to use pasteurized shell eggs. Read more: CDC “Cracks Down” on Unpasteurized Eggs in Restaurants.

Pasteurized shell eggs—safe at any temperature

Currently, only about 1 in 5 restaurants uses pasteurized eggs, according to the CDC. Because the FDA does not consider pasteurized shell eggs a TCS (potentially hazardous) food, Davidson’s Safest Choice® pasteurized shell eggs greatly simplify your egg HACCP plan, help you stay in regulatory compliance, and allow you to safely serve eggs in your foodservice operation any style your customers want.

Exclusive Health Care Pricing and Solutions from UnitedHealthcare

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Because health care is a top concern for businesses like yours and to help meet your needs, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) are working with UnitedHealthcare to provide easier access to health care coverage and related products and services.

UnitedHealthcare, the FRLA and the NRA offer an exclusive program to members, featuring:

  • Up to a 5 percent discount on medical rates for fully insured groups with 51 or more eligible employees
  • Annual invoice credit of up to 5 percent on administrative fees for new ASO medical products for self-funded groups with 100 or more eligible employees
  • Up to a 5 percent discount on specialty benefits products (dental, vision, life and disability) for fully insured groups – in addition to all other discounts including the Packaged Savings® program
  • Wellness programs and services aimed at helping people live healthier lives
  • Access to the National Restaurant Association Notification Tool, which helps employers meet the exchange notification law requirements from the ACA with notice templates from the U.S. Department of Labor and the ability to track employee health care law verification records
  • Latino Health Solutions resources and tools for Latino/Hispanic owners, operators and employees through UnitedHealthcare’s PlanBien® program
  • Lower-cost “preventive” medical plans that meet minimal essential coverage requirements for the Individual Mandate under the ACA for self-funded groups with 100 or more eligible employees

The NRA and the FRLA chose to work with UnitedHealthcare because of its wide range of innovative products and services to address the diverse health care needs of hospitality industry employers, employees and their families.

UnitedHealthcare offers access to its expansive network of health care providers and services, online tools, and a range of wellness programs. In addition, voluntary benefit programs are available for dental, vision, life and disability insurance products.

This UnitedHealthcare alliance program is designed exclusively for the hospitality industry to meet your health and wellness needs.

Interested in learning more? Visit www.uhctogether.com/frla.

Some restrictions apply; and discounts may vary by location and group size.

Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates. Health Plan coverage provided by or through a UnitedHealthcare company.

Meetings Mean Business in the Sunshine State

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By: Lily Etemadi

 

Florida welcomed a record 106.3 million out-of-state and international visitors in 2015. Nearly 6.2 million of them traveled to the Sunshine State to attend a meeting, conference or trade show. Meetings visitors stay an average of 3.3 nights and spend nearly $120 more per day than leisure travelers. This represents an economic impact of $1.2 billion in hotel night stays alone.

 

To accommodate these visitors, Florida boasts 12 million square feet of hotel meeting space. There are currently 384,000 square feet under construction and another 1.4 million in the planning stages. Clearly, the meetings industry is big business in the Sunshine State and VISIT FLORIDA has created a host of programs to reach this vital market.

 
Florida Encounter is VISIT FLORIDA’s signature event for the meetings, conventions and incentive travel industry. This highly-regarded appointment-only tradeshow showcasing Florida suppliers is designed to match qualified meeting professionals from target markets with meeting destinations, properties and services. Maintaining a true one-to-one ratio between buyers and suppliers ensures that appointment books are as full as possible for all attendees. To learn more, go to FloridaEncounter.com.

 
VISIT FLORIDA’s Meetings & Travel Trade team coordinates and hosts innovative “Very Important Planner” events in top domestic markets where a high concentration of meeting professionals are located or headquartered, such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago and New York. These in-market events include up to 12 industry Partners who help co-host unique and memorable networking opportunities that allow attendees to build relationships and share information about their products and services.

 
Through our 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 several participation options and sponsorship-share opportunities at their appointment-based shows and marketplaces targeting meeting professionals. These options include stand sharing, meal sponsorships, in-room gifts, registration bag inserts, e-marketing to planners and even speaking opportunities.

 
VISIT FLORIDA has also created a Cover Your Event insurance program that offers supplemental coverage for costs directly related to re-booking a meeting or convention should it be displaced due to a named hurricane. This ensures your clients can plan their meeting with confidence and take full advantage of Florida’s venues any time of the year. To learn more, go to FloridaMeetings.com.

 
To take full advantage of discounts on meetings programs and engage with visitors through VISIT FLORIDA’s multiple marketing channels, join as a Marketing Partner at VISITFLORIDA.org/join. If your property has designated meeting space, you can have a listing on FloridaMeetings.com, a resource for planners looking to book their next meeting in Florida. To enroll today, call the VISIT FLORIDA industry hotline at 877-435-2872 or email [email protected].
Lily Etemadi, is VISIT FLORIDA’s Manager of Meetings and Travel Trade.

Interact with Visitors at the Official Florida Welcome Centers

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Providing fresh citrus juice, clean restrooms and friendly service as you enter the state, the five Official Florida Welcome Centers welcomed more than 2.7 million visitors to Florida in 2015. Located at the state entry lines on I-10, US231, I-75, I-95 and at the State Capitol, these Welcome Centers provide a warm experience for visitors and a unique opportunity for businesses to get their message in front of prospective guests. Did you know that roughly 30% of visitors that stop at the  Welcome  Centers  don’t  have  finalized  vacation  plans as they begin their travels? This stat presents an excellent opportunity for businesses to market themselves to visitors and drive them to book additional nights and new experiences during their stays.

Getting involved at the Official Florida Welcome Centers is  easy.  There  is  truly  something  for  everyone.  Brochure rack space display tops the list as an inexpensive way to get information about your businesses to visitors. On average a guest will pick up 10 to 14 brochures, so having a presence at the entrance to the state becomes very important. In fact, 34% of travelers modified their trip due to the information they received at a Florida Welcome Center. Another cost- effective way to entice visitors is through VISIT FLORIDA’s Transparency Lease Program. Backlit transparency space is available to prominently displayed photos of your business, event or promotion on the Welcome Centers’ walls.  These displays are available for 12 month leases, but special event leases  can  also  be  arranged  with  the Visitor  Services  staff. VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Partners also receive a discount on both of these programs.

For businesses that want a more engaging experience with travelers, there are sponsorship opportunities for a Kids Corner, designed to entertain and educate children while parents seek out  travel  information.  Similarly,  there’s  an  opportunity  to  “Own  a Welcome Center.” Limited only by your company’s imagination, your company  can  display  buildouts  and  banners,  provide  literature  and giveaways, and make a real impact on travelers as they pass into Florida. These opportunities are open to VISIT FLORIDA Marketing Partners only  and  offer  great  exposure  through  an  immersive  experience  for everyone that walks through the Welcome Center’s doors.

VISIT FLORIDA also welcomes you to join us each season for our Welcome Center festivals. These events are open to both Marketing Partners and Web Partners/Non-Partners and allow businesses to share an 8’x2’ table with an industry member and bring giveaways, coupons, brochures, characters and specials to interact directly with visitors! These events are on a first-come, first-served chance at putting your business front and center with guests as they enter the state.

With millions of visitors making the stop on their way into the state at  VISIT  FLORIDA’s  Welcome  Centers,  participating  in  programs to get their attention is a must. As new opportunities are frequently available, it’s a great idea to head over to www.VISITFLORIDA.org/ planner  to  review  available  Welcome  Center  programs.  You’ll  also find  contact  information  and  program  details  for  everything VISIT FLORIDA offers.

To stay connected, follow our corporate blog, Sunshine Matters. Subscribe today at sunshinematters.org, and connect with our social media channels!

For questions and more information, contact at [email protected].

Orlando Mayor and City Commissioner Visit Opportunity Jobs Academy

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It’s been an exciting week for Opportunity Jobs Academy in Orlando. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer visited Edgewater High School in Orlando on Tuesday to teach and speak with students from the Opportunity Jobs Academy about his career and gave an update on the City. We were excited to see some of our Engage Orlando team members, some of which are mentors in the program, in the room with the Mayor and students.

Additionally, City Commissioner Robert Stuart, who has met with our Engage Orlando team in the past, joined the Mayor to speak about his career path.

Mayor Dyer OJA

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Opportunity Jobs Academy

 

Engage Orlando Helps Mentor Opportunity Jobs Academy Students

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On Monday, April 4, City Commissioner Tony Ortiz visited an Opportunity Jobs Academy class at Edgewater High School to speak with students about his career path.

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Commisioner Ortiz

Opportunity Jobs Academy is run through the City of Orlando, and is a partner program of After School All Stars. OJA matches high school students with mentors in the hospitality industry that teach students real world, life skills for entering the job market. This past year, OJA held two classes and matched 27 students with 27 mentors from around the community. OJA held two graduation ceremonies and any student that was seeking a job found placement through the program. The summer class was also featured on Channel 9 News. The spring 2016 class started in February and many of FRLa’s Engage Orlando members have been mentors to students.

Additionally, Red Lobster Director of Communications & External Relations, and Engage Orlando member Erica Ettori came and spoke about the importance of solving workplace issues, resumes, and the importance of good communication skills.

Erica Ettori

 

Great Florida Events Update

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FRLA’s Great Florida Events program, is sponsoring several events this spring designed to draw Florida residents to unique events happening across the state.

Stay and play!

Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo, Lakeland

Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo will be held April 5-10, 2016 in Lakeland.  This event celebrates all things aviation.  Click here for details.

Sun N Fun

FSU Spring Game, Orlando

Next is the FSU Spring Game in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl.   This is a big weekend in Orlando on April 8-9, 2016.  There are several events surrounding the Spring Game including the Friday Night Block Party on “I” Drive featuring a free concert with the Velcro Pygmies.  The Marching Chiefs and FSU Cheerleaders will be there, too, to heat up the Nole spirit!  Saturday morning, before the game, enjoy the FSU Spring Game FanFest at the Citrus Bowl’s Tinker Field.  This event is free and offers games, inflatables, face painting and a lot more!  The game starts at 3pm and is sure to be a great time!  Find out more here.

FSU Spring Game

Vilano Beach Dish N Fish, Vilano Beach, St. Augustine

Head to St. Augustine on April 16, 2016 to enjoy the fun at the Vilano Beach Dish N Fish.  Touted as a “culinary tourism” event, this food and music festival also includes a culinary competition for high school students.  Don’t miss it!  For more information visit Vilano Beach.  Vilano Beach is a Florida Main Street community.

Vilano Beach

Downtown Brew, Orlando

Visit the historic Church Street District, a Main Street program, to enjoy the 4th Annual Downtown Brew on April 16, 2016.  Known as the Best Beer Festival in Orlando, head on over to take part in the festivities!  There will be more than 40 different types of beer, food and fun.  Stay and play at local hotel partners to have a big time!  Find out more here.

Orlando

Savor the EDGE, St. Petersburg

Enjoy all that the EDGE District, a Florida Main Street program, has to offer on April 21, 2016.  Hit the Green Bench Brewing Company and enjoy music, a fashion show, craft beer, food specialties from the EDGE District restaurants and an After-Party.  Play and then stay in this unique area of St. Petersburg.  Need more information?  Visit the EDGE.

Savor the Edge

 

SunFest, West Palm Beach

SunFest is the largest waterfront concert in the Southeast.  Held from April 27-May 1, 2016, you are sure to find one of your favorite bands in concert.  Musicians from the 80’s through today will be playing:  Duran Duran, Alabama Shakes, Meghan Trainor, Train, Death Cab For Cutie, Jason Derulo, Steve Aoki, G-Eazy, The Roots, Fitz & The Tantrums, Rick Springfield, and more will be playing.  Visit SunFest for more information.

SunFest

South Walton Wine & Food Festival, South Walton Beaches

SOWAL Wine & Food Festival is a favorite of Floridians and for good reason.  With more than 800 wines, bunches of celebrity wine makers and special guests, a culinary village, wine and food seminars, a charity wine auction, songwriters and so much more, you won’t want to miss this destination event.  The Festival is held April 28-May 1, 2016. Click on sowalwine.com for more information.

SoWalWine Pour

Key West Songwriters’ Festival, Key West

KWSF is the largest songwriters’ festival of its kind in the world.  The schedule includes 200 performers, 50 shows and 5 days and nights of great music and the story behind the songs.  Held May 4-8, 2016 in the southernmost spot in the US, you won’t want to miss this one!  Need more info?  Visit the Festival here.

Guthrie Trapp and Jack Ingram perform at the Ocean Key Sunset Pier Kick Off Party presented by SunTrust Bank during the Key West Songwriter's Festival on May 6, 2015, in Key West, FL. (Erika Goldring Photo)

 

Spring Concert Series, Tallahassee

“Do you feel like I do?”  Peter Frampton will be playing at the Capital City Amphitheater at Cascades Park in Tallahassee on May 28, 2016.  This new outdoor venue has hosted some great shows since opening, and Peter Frampton is certain to be fun.  Spend the weekend in Tallahassee.  Watch one of the greatest guitarists in rock and roll history in a new outdoor venue!  Need more information?  Go to Visit Tallahassee

 

Stay tuned to frla.org/great-florida-events for more information about our upcoming events!