Visit Lauderdale Welcomes Everyone Under The Sun

Travel trade types received a warm Fort Lauderdale welcome at an intimate dinner and briefing in Toronto last week, hosted by Visit Lauderdale and a number of area hotels.

On a bright, sunny Toronto evening, Tracy Vaughan, senior vice president, global trade development for Visit Fort Lauderdale, couldn’t help but note that it was weather that was ‘just like’ the weather that will greet Canadian visitors to Fort Lauderdale.

Vaughan told the group of 20 or so, that she was glad to be back in Toronto after the enforced separation that the pandemic had caused.

As for Paul Mason, senior manager global trade development, he offered those attending an update on everything that was new in Fort Lauderdale, pointing out at the outset that the destination has new branding in the market – “We are everyone under the sun,” – making it pretty clear that Fort Lauderdale is open and welcoming to everyone.

Mason talked about cruising and the fact that Port Everglades is the third busiest homeport in the world with 11 different cruise lines sailing from there. In November – Nov. 23 to be exact – Disney Cruise Lines will begin sailing from the port.

He also noted that Fort Lauderdale is connected by the high-speed Brightline — https://www.gobrightline.com/ —  train service that allows people to travel from Fort Lauderdale to a number of other destinations in the state, including Miami, Aventura, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, with plans for additional stations in the future.

The evening also saw hotel updates from Nara Azevedo, director of sales & marketing for the Atlantic Hotel & Spa; Trish Pederson, director of sales & marketing for the AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach; Marissa Hoppe, vice president, sales & marketing for Sands Harbour Resort & Marina.

Mason also offered his audience the top 10 reasons to visit Fort Lauderdale, which included:

• Weather – Fort Lauderdale gets 3,000 hours of sunshine each year
• Ease – the destination has more than ample air service (including the major Canadian carriers) and ground transportation
• Affordability – visitors will find lower taxes and less costly rates compared to other major markets
• ‘We’re Green’ – environmentally committed airport, convention center and lodgings
• ‘And, Also Blue’ – Fort Lauderdale boasts 300 miles of navigable waterways and 24 miles of Atlantic ocean beaches
• New Convention Center District – waterfront plaza with expanded convention center and 800-room Omni headquarters hotel
• It’s Always Happy Hour – the destination has The Ale Trail, sky-high rooftop bars and hidden speakeasies
• Waterfront Dining – blue skies and stellar views are always on the menu
• Unique Venues – museums, yacht charters and more for groups of all sizes
• Sunsational Service – the knowledgeable Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors team is at your side.

Go to www.VisitLauderdale.com for more.

Caption for Photo

During a stop in Toronto last week, Visit Lauderdale hosted an intimate dinner with travel trade types at Parcheggio in Bayview Village. Seen here, from l to r, are Paul Mason, senior manager global trade development for Visit Lauderdale; Nara Azevedo, director of sales & marketing for the Atlantic Hotel & Spa; Trish Pederson, director of sales & marketing for the AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach; Tracy Vaughan, senior vice president, global trade development for Visit Lauderdale; and Marissa Hoppe, vice president, sales & marketing for Sands Harbour Resort & Marina.