Media Release
November 29, 2015 4:08 p.m.
Northeast Florida’s Amelia Island will welcome nearly 100 meeting, convention and incentive professionals Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 as the destination hosts the premier appointment-based meeting trade show, Florida Encounter. The tradeshow is designed to connect planners with the Florida meeting industry and will include representation from some of the state’s top destination marketing organizations, resorts, attractions, conference centers and more at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort. Following Florida Encounter, the resort will host VISIT FLORIDA’s Florida Tourism Leadership Summit, which will bring together top tourism executives from the state to focus on planning and strategy for Florida’s future as a premier, global tourism destination.
“VISIT FLORIDA is pleased to announce that the 2015 Florida Encounter will host more than 10,000 one-on-one business appointments between Florida suppliers and meetings professionals, which is up five percent from last year,” said Vice President of International Sales and Market Development Alfredo Gonzalez. “We are also elated to return to Amelia Island after 16 years, and are thankful for the excellent hospitality and collaboration on behalf of Amelia Island CVB and Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort that will help make this event a success.”
In addition to daily appointments, planners will experience after-hour networking events at the resort, yoga on the beach each morning and have the opportunity to experience some the island’s top activities, including a Marlin & Barrel Distillery Tour and Tasting, a Segway tour of Amelia Island, kayaking and horseback riding on the beach.
“We’re very happy to welcome VISIT FLORIDA, this group of planners and our industry partners to Amelia Island for Florida Encounter as well as our peers for the Leadership Summit,” said Gil Langley, managing director of the AITDC. “This is a great opportunity for us to showcase Amelia as one of Florida’s premier destinations for extraordinary meeting and conference experiences and welcome our colleagues to experience the island and discuss the future of Florida’s tourism product.”
Following Florida Encounter, VISIT FLORIDA’s Florida Tourism Leadership Summit will commence, designed to curate insights and issues facing the travel and tourism industry and facilitate conversation among the state’s tourism industry leadership. Attendees will include the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors as well as leadership from Florida Destination Marketing Organizations and special guests.