FY16-17 Co-Op Descriptions Domestic...management on new and exciting developments in the Fort Myers/Sanibel area. In 2015, Allegiant brought In 2015, Allegiant brought approximately

TradeTrade showshow

ConsumerConsumer OpportunitiesOpportunities

Travel and Adventure Show Chicago, IL The Travel and Adventure Show in Chicago attracts over 22,000 consumers as well as travel trade experts who are looking to plan travel all over the world. 78% of attendees that attend the show buy a trip from a destination or supplier they met at the Travel and Adventure Show. Show Dates: January 21-22, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 22,000+ Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $1,200

Trade showTrade show


AAA Great Vacations Expo Columbus, OH As a one-stop shop for everything related to travel, the Great Vacations Travel Expo is a destination in itself. Favorite travel spots come alive with interactive events and experiences that are as entertaining as they are educational. It is estimated that more than 10,000 consumers will attend the trade show floor throughout the 3-day show and Columbus, OH ranks eighth in our 2015 top ten DMAs. Event Dates: February 3-5, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 10,000+ Partner Openings: Four (4) Participation Fee: $400



Boston Globe Travel Show Boston, MA The Boston Globe Travel Show is the nation’s #1 consumer travel show in overall attendance and on-site bookings. The show consistently attracts 22,000+ ready-to-book travelers annually looking to discover their next destination adventure. In 2016, a sampling of exhibitors reported more than $8 million in business booked directly during the show. This show also offers opportunities to meet with the travel trade. Show Dates: February 10-12, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 22,000+ Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $1,000

TradeTrade showshow

DOMESTIC DOMESTIC Tour & Travel Tour & Travel OpportunitiesOpportunities

Travel Agent Forum Miami, FL The Travel Agent Forum brings together as many as 2,000 top-producing travel agents. This 3-day event gives suppliers a unique opportunity to network with this highly productive and receptive audience. The conference program is designed to give the travel supplier an opportunity to connect face-to-face with some of the most established travel agent professionals. In addition, the show organizers represent the largest association of travel agents in the world and assure agents of the highest quality. Event Dates: October 2-5, 2016 Anticipated Attendance: 40,000 Partner Openings: One (1) Participation Fee: $1,475

TradeTrade showshow


Working in Travel/Meet Your Rep Luncheon/Tradeshow Albany, NY This is a rare opportunity for the exhibitors to network with qualified travel agents registered in the Albany Travel Agent Association under one roof. The “Meet Your Rep” tradeshow is great opportunity to reach out to professional western New York Travel Agents through both a presence on the exhibit floor as well as a luncheon. In partnership with Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the VCB will host the “Meet Your Rep” luncheon. Event Dates: November 2, 2016 Anticipated Attendance: 80 Travel Agents Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $600

TradeTrade showshow


New York Times Travel Show New York, NY The VCB will partner with Visit Florida to attend the New York Times Travel Show - the largest and longest-running consumer and travel trade show produced in the United States. Overall attendance in 2016 was 29,050. (consumer attendance - 20,750; and trade attendance - 8,300) In addition to 500+ exhibitors, the show provides on-site booking, educational seminars and interactive presentations. Event Dates: January 27-29, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 25,000+ Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $1,200

TradeTrade showshow

DDOMESTIC OMESTIC Tour & Travel Tour & Travel OpportunitiesOpportunities

Florida Sales Blitz East Coast (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach) Here’s your chance to get your property “top-of-mind” with our state’s most influential travel advisors. The VCB will organize and lead four days of organized sales calls to travel agencies, group tour planners and AAA’s located in Bradenton, St. Pete/Clearwater, Tampa, and Orlando areas to highlight The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel for the important summer and fall travel seasons. Event Dates: April 24-28, 2017 Partner Openings: Five (5) Participation Fee: Complimentary* *Complimentary – No registration fee. Partner incurs all travel, lodging, and meal expenses

TrTradeade showshow


Florida Sales Blitz West Coast (Bradenton, Tampa, Orlando) Here’s your chance to get your property “top-of-mind” with our state’s most influential travel advisors. The VCB will organize and lead four days of organized sales calls to travel agencies, group tour planners and AAA’s located in Dade and Broward counties to highlight The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel for the important summer and fall travel seasons. Event Dates: May 8-11, 2017 Partner Openings: Five (5) Participation Fee: Complimentary * *Complimentary – No registration fee. Partner incurs all travel, lodging, and meal expenses

TradeTrade showshow

DOMESTIC DOMESTIC Tour & TraTour & Travel vel OpportunitiesOpportunities

Allegiant Airlines Reservation Center Sales Educational Presentation Las Vegas, NV This is a new opportunity to partner with the VCB for destination training presentations to the reservations call center staff of Allegiant Airlines. The is an opportunity to update the Allegiant reservations staff and management on new and exciting developments in the Fort Myers/Sanibel area. In 2015, Allegiant brought approximately 418,455 passengers to the Punta Gorda airport with many of them visiting Lee County. In order to participate, your property must be an official Allegiant hotel partner listed on Allegiant’s booking site. Event Dates: June TBD-To be announced by the end of 2016 Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $300

TradeTrade showshow

Meeting PlannerMeeting Planner OpportunitiesOpportunities

Luxury Meetings Boston, MA The Luxury Meetings Showcase is an innovative event that provides qualified meeting planners with the opportunity to meet face to face with properties and destinations in a highly social, fast-paced atmosphere. 50-75 buyers are invited to meet with 25-30 suppliers in a one-on-one roundtable format. In addition, join the VCB to make meeting planner sales calls in the Boston area. Event Dates: October 4-5, 2016 Partner Openings: One (1) Participation Fee: $750


MMeeting Plannereeting Planner OpportunitiesOpportunities

IMEX America Las Vegas, NV IMEX America has increased in size and scope annually; this event features the largest Hosted Buyer Program in North America and attracts thousands of buyers and exhibitors from the U.S. and around the world. Over 2,500 qualified hosted buyers and thousands more meeting and incentive planners from the US and globally will attend the show. You will have the benefit of group as well as individual appointments with buyers. Event Dates: October 18-20, 2016 Anticipated Attendance: 10,500+ Partner Openings: 1 Participation Fee: $4,000



Florida Encounter Kissimmee, FL Florida Encounter is one of the longest running Florida focused event in the meetings and incentive industry and provides a simple one-stop-shop solution for qualified meeting professionals to meet individually with about 100 of Florida’s premier suppliers, including VCBs, resorts, hotels, DMCs and other service companies. Co-op includes sponsorship of a Florida Encounter Breakfast as well as a discounted appointment book. Event Date: November 30 - December 2, 2016 Anticipated Attendance: 225 Partner Openings: Five (5) Participation Fee: $3,100



PCMA Annual Meeting Austin, TX The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) annual meeting brings together 4,000 meeting professionals in one location to provide educational and networking sessions to enhance your industry knowledge and experience. You will have the opportunity to participate in inspirational presentations, hear real-world case studies, and network with qualified planners and peers from all over the country. Event Dates: January 8-11, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 4,000 Partner Openings: One (1) Participation Fee: $1,000



Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Meeting Planner Event and Sales Calls Orlando, FL The VCB will organize sales calls (an average of 5 -6 appointments daily) and host corporate, association and incentive meeting planners in the Orlando market. The VCB will additionally provide qualification sheets for each team. Participants will be able to display hotel information at the themed event as well as receive all contact gathered from sales the appointments and events at the conclusion of the sales mission. Event Date: March 6-9, 2017 Partner Openings: 3 Participation Fee: $600



Destinations Showcase Washington, D.C. Destination Marketing Association International’s “Destinations Showcase” held in Washington, DC has grown to become one of the largest one-day events exclusively bringing DC area meeting professionals together with exhibiting meeting destinations from the United States and beyond. You can only attend this event if you are with a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). Event Dates: March TBD 2017-Will be announced no later than end of Sept. 2016 Anticipated Attendance: 400+ Partner Openings: 2 Participation Fee: $1,500



ConferenceDirect Annual Partner Meeting Baltimore, MD The Annual Partner Meeting & Trade Show is your opportunity to meet one-on-one and discuss business opportunities with many over 300 ConferenceDirect (CD) associates who are responsible for booking more than 3.75 million room nights annually. Event Dates: April 9-13, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 200 CD Associates Partner Openings: One (1) Participation Fee: $2,500



Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Meeting Planner Sales Calls Washington, DC The VCB will organize sales calls (5-6 appointments daily) with meeting planners in the DC metro area. Targeted appointments will be with planners primarily from national associations. The VCB will additionally provide qualification sheets for each team. Participants will receive all contact information and notes from all sales appointments. Event Dates: April 12-13, 2017 Partner Openings: One (1) Participation Fee: Complimentary *Complimentary – No registration fee. Partner incurs all travel, lodging, and meal expenses



Incentive Travel Exchange (ITE) Las Vegas, NV Incentive Travel Exchange will be held in partnership with SITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence), taking place in early March in Las Vegas. ITE provides suppliers the opportunity to meet with fully-vetted, high-performing meeting and incentive travel buyers over two days of pre-set meetings with buyers from key incentive purchasing sectors: corporate incentive buyers, incentive companies (full service and travel), and travel agencies. This is not a tradeshow, but an intimate, private in-suite meeting and appointment-based format that will bring in as many as 125 pre-qualified incentive travel buyers from across North America. This year’s buyers at Incentive Travel Exchange will include 75% small – mid size incentive houses that produce high volumes of business but are harder for the supplier to reach and/or meet with. In 2015 every single supplier actualized at least 1 booking from ITE. Event Date: April 23-26, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 125 Buyers Partner Openings: One (1) Participation Fee: $5,500



Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Meeting Planner Event and Sales Calls Tallahassee, FL The VCB will organize sales calls (5-6 appointments daily) and host VIP meeting planners at a destination themed event in the Tallahassee market. Targeted appointments will be primarily with planners in the association market. The VCB will additionally provide qualification sheets for each appointment. Participants will be able to display hotel information at the themed event as well as receive all contact information and qualification sheets from all appointments at the conclusion of the mission. Event Dates: May 16-18, 2017 Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $600



Red Sox Meeting Planner Event Boston, MA Partner with the VCB to host qualified meeting planners from the Boston metro area at a Boston Red Sox game. Networking in a unique, destination themed setting prior to the game is also included. Partners will receive a list of all meeting planner attendees at the conclusion of the event. Event Dates: May TBD-Dates to be released when Red Sox schedule is released Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $850



Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Meeting Planner Event and Sales Calls Kansas City, MO The VCB will organize sales calls (5-6 appointments daily) and host meeting planners at a destination themed event in the Kansas City market. Targeted appointments will be with planners in the corporate, association and incentive markets. The VCB will additionally provide qualification sheets for each team. Participants will be able to display hotel information at the themed event as well as receive all contact information and qualification sheets from all sales appointments at the conclusion of the mission. Event Dates: July 25-27, 2017 Partner Openings: Four (4) Participation Fee: $600



Connect Marketplace TBD Formerly known as Collaborate, Connect Marketplace offers a reverse trade show format which sets up sellers and buyers for success. Every pre-scheduled, one-on-one appointment is a legitimate business opportunity. There will be two different tracks offered -- corporate and association. There will be one partner opening per track. Event Date: August TBD-Dates will be announced no later than end of Dec. 2016 Anticipated Attendance: 6000+ Partner Opening: Two (2) Participation Fee: $1,975 per track, per partner


Meeting PlannerMeeting Planner OpportunitiesOpportunities Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Meeting Planner Event and Sales Calls Atlanta/Alpharetta, GA The VCB will organize sales calls (5-6 appointments daily) and host meeting planners at a destination themed event in the Atlanta metro area. Targeted appointments will be with planners in the corporate, association and incentive markets. The VCB will additionally provide qualification sheets for each appointment. Participants will be able to display hotel information at the themed event as well as receive all contact information and qualification sheets at the conclusion of the event. Event Dates: August 29-31, 2017 Partner Openings: Three (3) Participation Fee: $600



Minneapolis Twins Meeting Planner Event and Sales Calls Minneapolis, MN The VCB will organize sales calls (5-6 appointments daily) and host meeting planners at a Minneapolis Twins game. Targeted appointments will be with planners in the corporate, association and incentive markets. The VCB will additionally provide qualification sheets for each appointment. Participants will be able to display hotel information at the themed event as well as receive all contact information and qualification sheets at the conclusion of the sales calls. Event Dates: August TBD-Dates to be released when Twins Schedule is released Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $850



Luxury Meetings Tampa, FL The Luxury Meetings Showcase is an innovative event that provides qualified meeting planners with the opportunity to meet face to face with properties and destinations in a highly social, fast-paced atmosphere. 50-75 buyers are invited to meet with 25-30 suppliers in a one-on-one roundtable format. Event Dates: September 6, 2017 Partner Openings: One (1) Participation Fee: $500

Group Tour & SMERF

GROUP tour Opportunities

Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel Client Event and Sales Calls Tampa/St. Pete The VCB will organize sales calls (5-6 appointments daily) and host group planners at a destination themed event in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Targeted appointments will be with planners from the SMERF market and other group leisure business targets. The VCB will provide qualification sheets for each appointment. Participants will be able to display hotel information at the themed event as well as receive all contact information and qualification sheets at the conclusion of the mission. Event Dates: February 26-28, 2017 Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: $500

Group Tour & SMERF

GROUP tour Opportunities

SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Religious, & Fraternal) Planner Sales Calls Atlanta, GA The VCB will organize sales calls (5-6 appointments daily) and host group planners at a destination themed event in the Atlanta area. Targeted appointments will be with planners from the SMERF market segment. The VCB will provide qualification sheets for each appointment. Participants will receive all contact information and qualification sheets at the conclusion of the mission. Event Dates: March 27-30, 2017 Partner Openings: Two (2) Participation Fee: Complimentary *Complimentary – No registration fee. Partner incurs all travel, lodging, and meal expenses


GLOBAL CONSUMERGLOBAL CONSUMER OpportunitiesOpportunities

National Women’s Show Toronto, Ontario Over 450 exhibitors found great success at the 2015 show as women shopped ‘til they dropped to find the best selection of products and services to hit the market. Featuring food and wine sampling, fashion shows, celebrity guests, complimentary makeovers, health, wellness, and travel ideas; this show entertains and engages thousands of women in a key market – Toronto, Canada. Event Dates: November 4-6, 2016 Anticipated Attendance: 36,000 Partner Openings: 1 Participation Fee: $1,000



USA and Canada Reisbeurs Bussum, Netherlands This North America travel fair is the largest trade fair in the Netherlands targeting consumers. It provides an opportunity to engage with Dutch consumers and select trade interested in leisure travel to the USA and Canada. In addition to one-on-one meetings, a presentation opportunity is provided to further showcase the destination. Participation is through brochure distribution only. Please provide a quantity of 150 of one brochure and one PowerPoint slide to be included in a trade presentation. Event Dates: November 5-6, 2016 Anticipated Attendance: 2,000 Partner Openings: 3 Participation Fee: $250 Brochure distribution only; one brochure (150 qty) should be sent to the VCB main office by September 19, 2016



Vakantiebeurs Utrecht, The Netherlands Vakantiebeurs is a large consumer show that offers the opportunity to showcase your business to potential visitors from The Netherlands and adjacent countries like Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany. With an average attendance of 110,000, the first day is for travel trade professionals, while the remaining four days are focused on consumers looking for holiday destinations. This is a brochure distribution opportunity only. Event Dates: January 12-17, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 115,000 Partner Openings: 2 Participation Fee: $250 Brochure distribution only; one brochure (250 qty) should be sent to the VCB main office by November 20, 2016



Outdoor Adventure Show Toronto, ON The Outdoor Adventure Show is the largest consumer show in Canada that brings together buyers and sellers of outdoor adventure products and services. Over 300 exhibitors in the outdoor sports industry found great success at the 2015 show, including: camping, water sports, hiking, biking, climbing, outdoor gear and education, travel destinations and more. Event Dates: February 24-26, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 25,000 Partner Openings: 1 Participation Fee: $1,000



Travel & Vacation Show Ottawa, ON Focused exclusively on destinations & travel, the Travel and Vacation Show is the most effective way to target consumers that are seeking travel and holiday information and travel agents looking for the latest tours and destinations. We have direct flights on WestJet from Ottawa to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). Event Dates: March 25-26, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 17,000 Partner Openings: 1 Participation Fee: $1,000


GOBAL TRADEGOBAL TRADE OpportunitiesOpportunities

Florida Huddle (Visit Florida) Tampa, FL Florida Huddle is Florida’s foremost travel trade event, welcoming international travel buyers and Receptives to meet directly with Florida suppliers. Featuring pre-requested, pre-scheduled appointment sessions and networking opportunities, this event offers three days of Florida-focused wholesale productivity. Event Dates: January 9-12, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 200 domestic and international buyers Partner Openings: Unlimited Participation Fee: *Partners must purchase booth through Visit Florida LCVCB will purchase carpet and limited décor for partner trade show booths


GLOBAL TRADEGLOBAL TRADE OpportunitiesOpportunities

ITB Berlin, Germany ITB Berlin is the world’s biggest travel show, bringing together over 10,000 travel and tourism exhibitors from 180 countries to over 70,000 visitors. The first three days of the travel show are dedicated to trade professionals only, while the latter two days are designed to spotlight destinations to consumers. Your participation fee also covers entrance into the Visit Florida signature travel trade and media event, providing partners the opportunity to network with nearly 220 key European travel trade representatives and journalists in a unique atmosphere. Event Dates: March 8-12, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 120,000 Partner Openings: 2 Participation Fee: $800 Partners must pre-schedule their own appointments


INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL OpportunitiesOpportunities

International Pow Wow (IPW) Washington, DC IPW is the travel industry's premier international marketplace and is the largest generator of travel to the U.S. In 3 days of pre-scheduled, computer-generated business appointments, more than 1,300 US travel organizations from every region of the USA conduct business negotiations that result in future travel to the United States. Your fee includes a fully furnished, turn-key tradeshow booth decorated in the destination theme and partnership in the VCB’s client event, Twice the Party. Event Dates: June 3-7, 2017 Anticipated Attendance: 5,000 Participation Fee: $800 per delegate, per company Partners must purchase booth through the US Travel Association (show provider). VCB organizes a VIP client event and purchases décor to create a destination theme.


INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL OpportunitiesOpportunities

La Cita de las Americas St.Pete/ Clearwater, FL La Cita is a "by invitation only" one-on-one appointment event that provides networking opportunities for travel industry professionals - senior management buyers, suppliers and related marketing services - to meet, further relationships and build partnerships that facilitate inbound travel globally from markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. Event Dates: August/ September 2017 – Date will be announced by Jan 2017 (TBA) Anticipated Attendance: 3 Participation Fee: $500 per delegate

Documents

FY16-17 Co-Op Descriptions Domestic...management on new and exciting developments in the Fort Myers/Sanibel area. In 2015, Allegiant brought In 2015, Allegiant brought approximately