Steven Bonda

A Special Guest

Published: June 22, 2010
Author: Steven Bonda

Today, we have a special guest on the Florida Meeting Therapist's couch:

Christine Tascione, CMP, VP, Convention & Group Sales at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"Christine, what can your Florida Meetings Therapist help you with today?"

"I'm actually here today just to get a chance to rest on your couch and tell you about what a meetings whirlwind it has been in Greater Fort Lauderdale so far this year!

"Let's see, where should I start? 2010 started off with not one, but two major citywide sporting events within two weeks! The 2010 NFL Pro Bowl and Superbowl XLIV brought 150,000 fans, 3,000 members of the media and The Indianapolis Colts to our area. Imagine managing all the moving parts for planning and coordinating the "Taste of the NFL." event for 2,000 at the Broward County Convention Center and a pre-game Super Bowl Saturday Night party on Fort Lauderdale Beach for 30,000!

"In March, we hosted a Destination Preview to introduce meeting professionals to all the new meeting properties and the brand-new Village at Gulfstream Park dining and entertainment complex. We attended the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, complete with fancy hats and mint juleps and took our planners on a yachting adventure on the Intracoastal.

"April brought the BizBash Expo to the Broward County Convention Center and over 1,400 registrants saw all the latest event trends and participated in educational sessions. This event was the first BizBash Expo to be held in Florida and special guest Colin Cowie was a big hit.

"Looking forward, we are planning another Destination Preview in early July, during which we will host the SITE Florida Summer Seminar. In the midst of all this, the new The Sheraton Beach Resort Hotel opened five days before Superbowl XLIV, we attended many industry trade shows and the oil spill occurred. Thank goodness, Greater Fort Lauderdale's southern Florida location has not been affected and our Blue Wave-Certified beaches are crystal clear."

"Well Christine, it certainly sounds like you and the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB meetings team have been going mach five with your hair on fire this year! I am looking forward to hearing more about all your efforts in our meetings market! Come back soon! Be sure to come back for some relaxation. "

Are you a supplier or a planner and want to talk about your year so far, have some serious meetings issues or just want to unwind? Shoot me an email and I'll check if I have an opening in my busy schedule! :)

Now a couple of quick housekeeping notes: you probably already know that Florida Encounter will be held on November 14 – 17, 2010 at the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach. But Save The Date: planner registration will open on July 7! The earlier you register, the better the flight we can book for you! More information on www.FloridaEncounter.com.

Got a question? Shoot me an e-mail. sbonda@VISITFLORIDA.org. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter as well: @FLmeetings

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