*Intro slide OrlandoGreetings/good morning/good afternoon
introduce self and any staff with you. Welcome identify client by
name acknowledging special guests and the importance of their
contribution to making Orlando a top tourist destination. Thank you
for this opportunity to speak with you today. While Orlando is a
large destination, there are three main topic Id like to focus on
today. The Orlando CVB who we are and what our role isOrlando is a
dynamic destination from world-class attractions to small, hidden
treasuresThe resources the Orlando CVB tools to assist you in
sales
Orlando CVB Overview Who We AreThe Orlando/Orange County
Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB) is the only
officially recognized sales and marketing organization for the
Orlando and Orange County area. We have more than 1,200 members
representing all sectors of the industry.46.6 million visitors
travel to Orlando in 2009 for leisure and business. Of those
guests, 43.3 million are domestic visitors and 3.3 million are
international visitors. The Official Visitor Center, located on
International Drive, has a multilingual staff to assist your
clients with their in-market needs.
**Orlando is centrally located with the State of Florida. Less
than an hour to the east coast (Atlantic Ocean), and about an hour
and a half to the west coast.This a prime location to take
advantage of regional offerings, including the Kennedy Space Center
Visitor Complex and Port Canaveral to the east, and Busch Gardens
and St. Petersburg/Clearwater Beach to the west.
Orlando is one of the cheapest destinations to fly to.**If you
have not been to Orlando lately, our best-kept secret is how much
weve grown. With seven of the worlds top 20 theme parks in one
destination not to mention 100 other fun-filled attractions theres
always something new for your clients to discover. Theres a lot of
progress going on outside the parks, too:
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the J.K. Rowling
book series, at Universals Islands of Adventure, opened during
spring 2010. The Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic basketball
team, officially opened during October 2010 in downtown Orlando.
The state-of-the-art center is the site of sporting events,
concerts, stage shows and exhibitions.Were home to three new Hilton
properties with more than 3,000 rooms. This includes the Waldorf
Astoria Orlando, the Hilton Orlando and the Hilton Bonnet
Creek.Orlando has evolved into a true culinary hot spot during the
past three decades, with award-winning restaurants and celebrity
chefs that cater to foodies from across the globe.Our mix of
sophisticated malls like The Mall at Millenia, quaint boutiques on
Park Avenue in Winter Park and value-driven outlet centers such as
Orlando Premium Outlets serve up internationally known brands and
unique local finds. From enjoying a trendy outdoor lounge or seeing
a Broadway show, to dancing at a high-energy club and checking out
a band at a live venue, Orlando provides your clients with nearly
unlimited nighttime opportunities.
**With seven of the top 10 theme parks in the world, we cant
talk about first-class attractions without proudly stating that
Orlando is of course home to the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney
helped put Orlando on the map, so Id like to take just a few
minutes and provide a brief overview of Orlandos largest theme park
and resort.
*The Universal Orlando Resort offers a unique, complete vacation
experience for your clients with multiple theme parks, an
entertainment complex and themed accommodations.
*The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the J.K. Rowling
book series, opened in June 2010. The new 20-acre (8-hecatare)
theme-park-within-a-theme-park includes the attractions Dragon
Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the
Forbidden Journey, in addition to unique shops, eateries and
interactive experiences.
*SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment offers several exciting
options in Orlando SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica SeaWorlds Waterpark
and Discovery Cove. Theres also Busch Gardens in nearby Tampa.
*According to The International Shopping Traveler Study, Orlando
was recently rated the fourth-ranked U.S. shopping destination for
international travelers.
While Orlando shopping offers exclusive designers and brands
including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Apple and
Abercrombie & Fitch the destination also provides great deals,
too.
Orlandos mix of sophisticated malls, quaint boutique shopping
districts and value-driven outlet centers has something for nearly
everyone. And their close proximity to each other within a 15-mile
radius makes for a stress-free shopping spree.
Top shopping malls include The Mall at Millenia, The Florida
Mall, Festival Bay Mall at International Drive, Pointe Orlando and
the Park Avenue district in Winter Park.
*With more than 100 attractions large and small Orlando has
something for everyone to get excited about. Among the
highlights:
Gatorland, one of Central Florida's first attractions, is home
to thousands of alligators and crocodiles, as well as a petting
zoo, bird sanctuary, mini water park, eco-tour and action-packed
outdoor entertainment, including daily alligator wrestlin' shows.
Fun Spot Action Park allows guests to "Drive the Ride" on its five
multi-level go-kart tracks and 13 rides, including seven rides for
preschoolers. Fun Spot has more than 100 games in a
10,000-square-foot (900-square-meter) arcade. Wet 'n Wild - Orlando
offers a variety of multi-passenger thrill rides with loads of
special effects. The park is open year-round with heated pools in
the cooler months. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium
is housed in a building that appears to be sinking, as though it
fell victim to one of Florida's infamous sinkholes. Explore
artifacts, collections, weird art/hobbies and interactive exhibits
in 16 galleries of the odd and unusual from around the
world.WonderWorks, Orlando's only upside-down attraction, features
more than 100 hands-on interactive exhibits. Guests experience
virtual reality and rock climbing as well as designing and riding
their own roller coaster. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
will continue to operate after the final space shuttle launches in
2011. Guest can get vertical on Shuttle Launch Experience, an
incredible journey of vertically launching into space aboard the
space shuttle. And visitors be among the first to experience the
newest attraction, Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted.*Harry P.
Leu Gardens, a 50-acre (20-hectare) botanical park, boasts the
largest camellia collection in eastern North America and includes
the Leu House Museum, listed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Orange County Regional History Center, an affiliate of the
Smithsonian Institution, explores 12,000 years of the area's rich
history with interactive exhibits, artifacts, archives and special
shows.
Forever Florida offers open-air eco-safaris of cattle ranches
that are home to many native species, and also offers horseback
adventure safaris to accommodate riders of all skill levels.
The Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities is
held annually in January and celebrates the life and work of noted
African-American author and folklorist, Zora Neale Hurston, a
native of Eatonville.
Wells' Built Museum of African-American History, one of just a
few remaining lodging stops on the famed Chitlin Circuit, features
exhibits, artifacts and memorabilia of African-American artists and
musicians who entertained in downtown Orlando.
*The same spirit of creativity that helped develop the
destinations famed theme parks and attractions has also produced a
thriving scene for arts and cultural events. In a city known for
state-of-the-art entertainment the second largest employer of the
creative class in the United States Orlando blends the traditional
with the cutting edge.
The Orlando Ballet and FAIRWINDS Broadway Across America -
Orlando series are the historic cornerstones of the performing arts
culture. The International Fringe Festival and Florida Film
Festival appeal to those who seek an edgier experience. A similar
mix can be found within the visual arts community the Orlando
Museum of Art, CityArts Factory and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum
of American Art all convey the destinations wide range of
sensibilities and tastes.
Visit redchairproject.com which offers a one-stop online source
for the regions best arts and cultural experiences, including
special ticket packages.
*Water enthusiasts have unlimited options when they want to swim
or skim the water's surface on skis, kneeboards, wakeboards or
other watercraft. Area facilities include Buena Vista Water Sports,
Sammy Duvall's Water Sports Centre at Disney's Contemporary Resort
and Wake Zone at Wet 'n Wild - Orlando. The Orlando Watersports
Complex is the only facility in the United States to have two
cableways for unlimited riding time and increased skill building
for riders of all levels.
Anglers discover a sea of choices when it comes to fishing the
more than 2,000 named lakes, rivers and springs in the greater
Orlando area. Large-mouth bass, monster red fishand spotted sea
trout are just a few of the creatures waiting to take the bait.
Orlando's sunny weather makes camping a popular activity for
visitors. From public recreational parks, such as Moss Park and
Wekiwa Springs State Park; to campgrounds like Disney's Fort
Wilderness Resort and Campground and Tropical Palms Resort and
Campground; the options are endless to enjoy accommodations in the
great outdoors.
*Wallaby Ranch Hang Gliding Flight Park has visitors airborne
within moments of their arrival on a tandem hang glider. Towed to a
height of 2,000 feet (610 meters) by a specially designed ultra
light tow plane, they will enjoy the view of unspoiled landscape as
they glide back down to solid ground.
Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida features the first
zipline experience in the state. The Zipline Safari takes guests on
a treetop nature tour reaching heights of 55 feet (16.8 meters) and
speeds up to 20 mph (32.2 kph). Clients can also try their zipline
skills at ZOOm Air Adventure Park Orlando and the Eco Zip Line at
Gatorland which is expected to open during fall 2010.
NASCAR fans can live their dreams by driving or riding in an
authentic stock car at Richard Petty's Driving Experience at Walt
Disney World Resort or at the Daytona 500 Experience. Indy Car fans
can experience the same type of adventure at Indy Racing
Experience.
The indoor Vans Skatepark and many others in the area offer
equipment rental and clinics to teach the hottest tricks
IFLY Orlando on International Drive, offers an exhilarating
indoor experience through a super-charged wind tunnel.
*Professional sports fans won't be disappointed as Orlando hosts
the NBA's Orlando Magic at the new Amway Center in downtown
Orlando. The state-of-the-art Amway Center will be the site of the
NBA All-Star 2012 game.
Orlando Predators, part of the Arena Football League.
Florida Tuskers, part of the United Football League.
MLB's must see pre-season action includes: spring training with
the Atlanta Braves at Disney's Wide World of Sports, the Houston
Astros at the Osceola County Stadium, the Detroit Lions in Lakeland
and the Washington Nationals at the Space Coast Stadium in Brevard
County. Nearby, the Tampa Bay Rays play regular season major league
baseball
The University of Central Florida and Rollins College sports
programs offer a terrific lineup of local collegiate
competition.
Thousands of college gridiron fans pack the Florida Citrus Bowl
Stadium every Jan. 1 to support their favorite Big Ten or SEC team
in the highly regarded Capital One Bowl.
The Champs Sports Bowl, the nation's fastest growing bowl game,
features teams from the Big East and ACC in a late December
match-up.
The Florida Classic pits historical rivals Bethune-Cookman
University and Florida A&M University against each other each
November.*Many unexpected and entertaining options are waiting to
be experienced in Orlando as the sun goes down. Theres a thriving
cultural scene of traditional and modern visual arts, theater and
museums. Big-city nightlife. National music acts. Seriously fine
dining. Engaging shows. And exciting new attractions.From casually
sipping wine and enjoying a leisurely cigar at a trendy outdoor
lounge, to dancing to house music or hip-hop at a high-energy club
and checking out a rock band at a live venue, Orlando provides
participants with nearly unlimited nighttime opportunities. Clients
can see music performances at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney
and Hard Rock Live at Universal CityWalk. They can experience
mind-bending entertainment with the Blue Man Group and the La Nouba
by Cirque du Soleil. Or they can discover a modern, big-city
nightlife scene in downtown Orlando that includes dozens of dance
clubs, bars, restaurants, live music and even Orlando Magic
basketball games at the newly opened Amway Center.
*Thank you.
