Visit Florida, the state`s official source for travel planning, in partnership with the Florida Department of State and the Florida Redevelopment Association…
Visit Florida, the state`s official source for travel planning, in partnership with the Florida Department of State and the Florida Redevelopment Association, is hosting the inaugural Downtowns & Small Towns Forum, October 13-15, 2005. The two and half day program will be based in Delray Beach, and will have additional sessions in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. This innovative gathering of Florida tourism industry leaders and other non-traditional tourism partners such as arts & cultural organizations, downtown development authorities, community redevelopment agencies, Main Street programs, city/county planners, etc. is designed to provide actionable, tangible tools to effectively promote Florida`s downtowns and small towns through the use of models and success stories from around the Sunshine State.
By providing this innovative and educational Forum, we are leveraging the great appeal of our cultural heritage assets, which are concentrated in the state`s downtowns and small towns, while supporting the economic development of these areas. said Bud Nocera, President and Chief Executive Officer of Visit Florida.
Forum speakers include Florida Secretary of State, Glenda E. Hood and many Florida Mayors. Session topics include design, planning and transportation; leadership; arts and cultural assets; tourism marketing; entertainment and events; multi-cultural diversity; preservation and conservation; cleanliness and safety, and provide hands-on knowledge and interaction with local experts.
The Forum is an extension of last year`s successful Downtowns & Small Towns multi-year advertising program, which addressed the demand for cultural heritage travel by focusing on the charm, vibrancy and revitalization of the Sunshine State`s cities and towns. The year-old Downtowns & Small Towns program marks the first time a state organization has bundled its downtown and small town tourism experiences under one development and marketing umbrella for the entire state.
Visit Florida`s Downtowns & Small Towns program is in response to consumer travel preferences for authenticity, regional culture and mingling with the locals said Kerri Post, vice president of new product development for VISIT FLORIDA, who helped craft the program. Downtowns are the heart and soul of cities.
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