HOT HAPPENINGS
Below is a list of Florida's latest “Hot Happenings,” which include a topical list of what's new and exciting from the Florida travel industry. This section is updated daily to provide you with timely information.
| Statewide | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| July - FLORIDA STATE PARKS ENCOURAGE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND OUTDOOR FUN, - Florida | ||
| 6-16-08 thru 6-16-09 - TourFloridasCoast.com can show your customers the entire coastline all on DVD - The beaches | ||
| Central | ||
| Accommodations | ||
| AIRTRAN AIRWAYS AND THE ORLANDO CVB PARTNER TO “SAY YES TO ORLANDO” WITH NEW LOOK AIRPLANE - Orlando, FL | ||
| May 15, 2008 - WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT COMPLETES GREEN LODGING CERTIFICATION - Walt Disney World | ||
| 04/25/2008 - 12/31/2008 - Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando Resort Go 'Green' - Orlando, FL | ||
| Now through September 30, 2008* - GIVE IT A SHOT… GOLF PACKAGE AT THE ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT RESORT IS ‘FORE’ REAL A GOOD DEAL - Orlando World Center Marriott | ||
| March 2008 - Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Debuts New Jurassic Park-themed Kid's Suites and Completes $10 Million Room Renovation - Orlando, FL | ||
| Gaylord Palms Resort Goes Green - Kissimmee, Fla. | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| Sunday, August 3, 2008 - Inagural Scenic 17 Sprint Triathlon - Webber International University | ||
| Sept. 1-30, 2008 - ORLANDO CELEBRATES CULINARY OFFERINGS WITH - Orlando, FL | ||
| Jan. 9-11, 2009 - 14TH ANNUAL PROGRAM FOR CAREERS IN TRAVEL JOURNALISM - Orlando, FL | ||
| May - September - Central Florida Play Pass - Central Florida | ||
| Saturday, July 26 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. - Florida State Parks 1830’s Trader - Dade Battlefield Historic State Park | ||
| May 31-September 30 - Central Florida Play Pass - Central Florida | ||
| 6/1 - Wet 'n Wild added to the Go Orlando Card - Orlando | ||
| Ongoing - Follow the Trail Through Central Florida - Seminole County, Fla. | ||
| Girlfriend Getaways in Seminole County - Seminole County | ||
| July 2008 - Busch Entertainment Corporation To Move From Clayton, Mo. To Orlando, Fla. - Orlando, Fla. | ||
| Local Visitor Bureaus | ||
| Top Five Tips To Get The Most “Bang For Your Buck” On An Orlando Vacation - Orlando, FL | ||
| Aug. 15 - Nov. 15, 2008 - Make Summer Last Longer With a Fall Getaway to Orlando - Orlando, FL | ||
| March 27 thru December 15, 2008 - Seminole County Offers Guests Free Nights Stay - Seminole County | ||
| Central East | ||
| Accommodations | ||
| April 15, 2008 through December 30, 2008 - Movie Madness in Melbourne - Melbourne Florida | ||
| New Fairfield Inn & Suites earns AAA 3 Diamond rating. - 4355 West New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, FL | ||
| 2007 - Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach Joins the Florida Green Lodging - Cocoa Beach | ||
| 2007 - The Courtyard Cocoa Beach Joins the Florida Green Lodging Program - Cocoa Beach | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| July through August - Summer Saturday Nights - Brevard Zoo | ||
| June 1-Sept 30-2008 - $5. discount for all military and families per trip - 1,000 islands of Cocoa Beach | ||
| Harmony Golf Preserve Recognized for Environmental Excellence - Harmony Golf Preserve | ||
| Shuttles Orbiting the Space Coast! - Florida's Space Coast | ||
| Local Visitor Bureaus | ||
| May 1 - August 31 - Daytona Beach Summer Fun Vacation Values - Daytona Beach Area | ||
| Central West | ||
| Accommodations | ||
| July 16, 2008 - FL Gulf Islands Goes Green-transportation, lodging - Florida's Gulf Islands | ||
| May.15.2008-Dec.26.2008 - Celebrate our 20th Anniversary with 20% off your room. - St Pete Beach, Florida | ||
| Summer 2008 - Innisbrook Hot Summer Family Specials - Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club | ||
| March 2008 - LOEWS DON CESAR BEACH RESORT - 3400 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| Saturday, July 26, 2008 - Pirates Cove Triathlon at E.G. Simmons Park, Ruskin - 2401 19th Ave. NW, Ruskin | ||
| Saturday, October 25, 2008 - Annual Halloween Happening - Ybor City's Guavaween - Historic Ybor City near Tampa | ||
| Saturday, November 1 & Sunday, November 2, 2008 - 20th Annual Ruskin Seafood Festival - E.G. Simmons Park, 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin, FL | ||
| Saturday, August 2, 2008 - ‘Back to School- Back to Nature’ event at Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center - Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center | ||
| August 18-23, 2008 - Sail & Dive at Hawk's Cay Resort - Hawk's Cay Resort, Duck Key Florida | ||
| Sept. 26 & 28 - Founder's Day Celebration, Downtown New Port Richey - Downtown New Port Richey | ||
| June through October - Eco-Friendly Family Learning Adventures - Offshore Sailing School-4 Florida Campuses | ||
| September 2, 2004 - 511 Traveler Information Service Now Available in Tampa Bay Region - Tampa Bay, FA | ||
| June 13 - September 21, 2008 - Mothers, Daughters, Muses and Predators – Women: Dalí’s View at the Salvador Dali Museum - Salvador Dalí Museum, 1000 Third Street South, St. Petersburg | ||
| June thru September - Turtle Walks - Hilton Longboat Key Beachfront Resort | ||
| sometime in July - Hampton's Edge Trailsidell soon be moving 7 miles North on the Withlacoochee Trail to Floral City. - 8294 E Orange Ave, Floral City, Fl 34436 | ||
| Aug. 31 & Sept. 1, 2008 - 34th Annual Pioneer Florida Days - Pioneer Florida Museum | ||
| August - October - November - Dinosaur World special events - Dinosaur World | ||
| OPENING APRIL 5 - JUMP INTO THE JUNGLE – OPENING APRIL 5 AT BUSCH GARDENS AFRICA - BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY | ||
| fourth Saturday each month at 9:30 a.m. - The Friends of Ucita Offer Monthly Florida’s Native People Program at Camp Bayou Learning Center - Camp Bayou Learning Center | ||
| Second Saturday of each month - Gallery Walk - The Arts Center | ||
| Local Visitor Bureaus | ||
| Chamber Campaign Will Tap Group Travel Market - Pinellas County | ||
| North Central | ||
| Accommodations | ||
| July 1-September 10 - Scalloping Season Begins July 1 - Steinhatchee Landing Resort | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| July 17, 2008 - Harn to remain open on Tuesdays thanks to generous support - Harn Museum of Art | ||
| 10/18/08 - LUMINOUS - Phillips Center for the Performing Arts | ||
| June 17 – September 7, 2008 - Cross Currents in Recent Video Installation: Water as Metaphor for Identity - Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art | ||
| July 8 - Sept. 21, 2008 - Cultivating Spirits: The Art of Sepik River Yam Displays - Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art | ||
| July 15 - Oct. 19, 2008 - Almost Alice: New Illustrations of Wonderland by Maggie Taylor - Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art | ||
| Until August 10, 2008 - ECLECTIC SELECTIONS: From the Permanent Collection - The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science | ||
| Until August 17, 2008 - Brogan Highlights Art Therapy Program with New Atrium Exhibit - The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science | ||
| May 12-August 31, 2008 - Sunshine and Sand - Museum of Florida History | ||
| March 11-August 17, 2008 - Harn Museum of Art celebrates University of Florida’s Photographic Legacy - Harn Museum of Art | ||
| Upcoming regulations for Swimming with Manatees - Crystal River, Florida | ||
| Northeast | ||
| Accommodations | ||
| 11/1/2007 - JANICE DAILEY BRINGS HOME TOP HONORS FROM INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP - Jacksonville, FL | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m. - Florida State Parks Talbot Critters - Little Talbot Island State Park | ||
| Complimentary tours & wine tasting - 157 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 | ||
| November 2008 - Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory - World Golf Hall of Fame | ||
| Nov. 13, 2007 through Nov. 2008 - Jack Nicklaus: Golf's Golden Champion - World Golf Hall of Fame | ||
| Local Visitor Bureaus | ||
| April 1 - July 31, 2008 - FESTIVALS BLOOM THIS SPRING/SUMMER IN JACKSONVILLE - Jacksonville, FL | ||
| Northwest | ||
| Accommodations | ||
| Now through December 31, 2008 - BY THE SEA RESORTS Boasts Renovations - Panama City Beach, FL | ||
| Present - September 24, 2008 - Summer Vacation Deals Discovered BY THE SEA - Panama City Beach, FL | ||
| Rosemary Beach Gives Guests More of the Good Life - Rosemary Beach, Fl. | ||
| June 6, 2008 - HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL & SUITES - DESTIN SIGNS ON FOR WORLDWIDE BRAND RELAUNCH - HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL & SUITES - DESTIN | ||
| 6-10-08 / 10-15-08 - Big Savings on Adventures At Sea - Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort | ||
| June 13 - August 2 - Family Friendly - Panama City Beach | ||
| Ongoing - Perdido Cove RV Resort and Marina - Perdido Key, Fla. | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| July 10 2008 - Grand Gallery Art Series - Grand Boulevard | ||
| Saturday, July 26 at 9:00 a.m. - Florida State Parks Wild World of Spiders - Topsail Hill Preserve State Park | ||
| 6-13-08 / 8-2-08 - Come see the Circus, Stay at the SunSpree - Panama City Beach, Fl | ||
| Summer/Fall - A Unique Setting And Great Savings For Meeting Planners - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| Summer/Fall - From Fish To Farms, Pensacola’s Heartland Tours - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| August 20 - 24, 2008 - PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA, FISHING TOURNAMENT POISED TO SET RECORD - Grand Lagoon, Panama City Beach, Fla. | ||
| March-November - Blue Angles Soon to Begin Practice Air Shows in Pensacola - National Naval Aviation Museum | ||
| June 13-August 2 - New "Circus by the Sea" to Open in Panama City Beach - Frank Brown Park, Panama City Beach | ||
| Local Visitor Bureaus | ||
| Fall - Groups Retreat To Pensacola For Fall Savings and Festivals - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| Ongoing - Top Trends in Weddings Found in Pensacola - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| Ongoing - Travelers Choose Their Own Adventure in Pensaccola - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| Summer/Fall - Green Vacations Made Easy In Pensacola - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| May 23, 2008-August 15, 2009 - Pensacola Kicks Off 450th Anniversary - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| Ongoing - Pensacola Bay Area CVB Launches Celebrity Chefs Program - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| March-September - Experience Old Florida On Pensacola Beach - Pensacola | ||
| Ongoing - Pensacola’s Natural Treasures - Pensacola | ||
| March 1 - Sept. 1, 2009 - Strong Spring, Summer Bookings for Navarre Beach - Navarre Beach, Florida | ||
| Year-round - Pensacola's Natural Treasures-A Fact Sheet to the Great Outdoors - Pensacola Bay Area | ||
| January 30, 2008 - Site Redesign Coming Summer 2008 - Destin, FL | ||
| Nov. 28, 2007 - EmeraldCoast.com Launches Movie Search - Destin, FL | ||
| Oct. 31, 2007 - Brand-New Way to Watch Videos - Destin, FL | ||
| Oct. 31, 2007 - Freedom Community Calendars Band Together - Destin, FL | ||
| Oct. 31, 2007 - Legacy Launches on Florida Freedom Newspapers - Destin, FL | ||
| Read Our Minds, Hear Our Thoughts - Destin, FL | ||
| EmeraldCoast.com Is Blogging - Destin, FL | ||
| EmeraldCoast.com Moves to Destin - Destin, FL | ||
| The First Step to a Great Dining Experience - Destin, FL | ||
| Southeast | ||
| Accommodations | ||
| JUNE 30, 2008 - SEA SPRAY INN RECEIVES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE! - LAUDERDALE BY THE SEA, FL | ||
| The Westin Key West Resort & Marina and Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Westin Resort Awarded AAA 4-Diamond Full Service Rating for 2008 - Key West, FL | ||
| On-going - Recycle the Old & In with the GREEN - The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa | ||
| BIENVENIDAS A MIAMI – GIRLS FUN UNDER THE FLORIDA SUN FOR THE WORLD’S BEST PALS - Four Seasons Hotel Miami | ||
| FOUR SEASONS HOTEL OFFERS VALUE FOR A SUMMER MIAMI GETAWAY - Four Seasons Hotel Miami | ||
| NIGHTLIFE CONCIERGE UNLOCKS MIAMI PARTY SECRETS - Four Seasons Hotel Miami | ||
| June 18, 2008 - THE BREAKERS PALM BEACH: THE COVETED SUMMER ESCAPE ON THE OCEAN - AN ALLURING BREAK FROM ‘TEMPLATE’ LUXURY - The Breakers Palm Beach | ||
| June 11, 2008 - October 16, 2008 - Sunset Key Divas Package - Key West, FL | ||
| June 01 - November 01, 2008 - Palm Beach Cultural Package - Palm Beach County | ||
| May 19, 2008 - “IT LIST” OF 30 BEST NEW HOTELS REVEALED - Regent Bal Harbour | ||
| An Architectural Gem that Stands the Test of Time - Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront | ||
| Making Memories that Last a Lifetime - Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront | ||
| Simply chic, comfortably hip - Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront | ||
| The Destination for Fun & Sun in 2008 starting at $125 - Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach Oceanfront | ||
| June 6-August 30 - Pirate Adventure Island Beach Package - Courtyard Marriott Hutchinson Island | ||
| July 30th & July 31st ONLY - Mini Lobster Season - Boynton Beach, FL | ||
| May 15, 2008 - September 30, 2008 - Fantastic Drift Fishing in Boynton Beach - Boynton Beach, FL | ||
| Summer 2008 - Picture Yourself at Cheeca Lodge & Spa - Cheeca Lodge & Spa | ||
| May 15 - Dec. 2008 - Florida Resident Rates - Martin County/Stuart | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| Ongoing - Pineapple Grove & Astor Building Collaborate to Bring Art to Downtown Delray Beach - Pineapple Grove Arts District, Delray Beach | ||
| Plight of Injured Sea Turtles Improves As Local Man Finds Ambulance To Transport Turtles To - Loggerhead Marinelife Center | ||
| ongoing - LOGGERHEAD MARINELIFE CENTER CERTIFIED FIRST GREEN NON_PROFIT ATTRACTION IN FLORIDA - Loggerhead Marinelife Center | ||
| Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m. - Florida State Parks Kids and Nature Program - Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park | ||
| Sunday, July 27 at 9:30 a.m - Florida State Parks Birding - John D. MacArthur Beach State Park | ||
| July 26 - Treasure Coast calling all Treasure Hunters--Geocaching treasure hunt set for July 26 - Historic Downtown Stuart - Martin County, Treasure Coast | ||
| June 19, 2008 - THE JOHN WEBSTER GOLF ACADEMY AT THE BREAKERS UNVEILED AS ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST COMPLETE, PLAYER-CENTERED GOLF INSTRUCTION EXPERIENCES - The Breakers, Palm Beach | ||
| ongoing - Pineapple Grove Welcome Five New Businesses to Downtown Delray Beach - Downtown Delray Beach | ||
| June 16 - August 1, 2008 - Bank of America Summer Zoofari Camp - Miami Metrozoo | ||
| June-August 31, 2008 - Metrozoo Summer deals - Miami Metrozoo | ||
| June-August - Summer fun at the Zoo! - Miami Metrozoo | ||
| now open indefinitely - Humpy's Camel Rides - Miami Metrozoo | ||
| June 28, July 26 and August 30, 2008 - 5th Annual Summer Cabaret Concert Series at the Deering Estate - Stone House Ballroom | ||
| July 8-August 30, 2008 - Paintings Beneath the Sea by Jason Mathias - Cornell Museum of Art & American Culture | ||
| Saturday, August 9, 2008 - Morikami's 2008 Bon Festival - The Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens | ||
| May 26, 2008 - September 30, 2008 - BE A DIVER - Boynton Beach, FL | ||
| June 7th to August 17th, 2008 - DIVE INTO A SPLASHTACULAR SUMMER OF FUN AT - Miami Seaquarium | ||
| June 9 - August 15 - Nature & Art Summer Camps at the Deering Estate - Deering Estate at Cutler | ||
| 2008 - Art & Jazz on the Avenue Announces Partnership with New Orleans Music Hall of Fame - Downtown Delray Beach | ||
| Open - New Exclusive Tour Available - Billie Swamp Safari | ||
| June 9 - August 15 (Five sessions available) - Nature Adventures Summer Camp at the Deering Estate - Deering Estate at Cutler | ||
| Effective 3/10/2008 - A Ride Along Fare for only $20.00 - Pirates Cove Resort and Marina Stuart, FL | ||
| Re-Launch begins 2-20-08 - New and Improved Go Miami Card - Miami | ||
| Jan. 27, 2008 through Jan. 5, 2009 - Osceola Remembered - Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation | ||
| Local Visitor Bureaus | ||
| Jun1 - Aug 31 - Summer Treasures - Stuart, Florida | ||
| ongoing - Downtown Delray Beach Announces Sale of New Downtown Gift Cards - Downtown Delray Beach | ||
| 6/1/2008 to 8/31/2008 - Martin County Marks the Spot for 'Summer Treasures' - Martin County, Florida | ||
| Ongoing - City of Delray Beach Announces Arrival of Second Shipment of "The Pop-Up Story of Delray Beach" - Downtown Delray Beach | ||
| Ecology-One of Martin County's 'National Treasures' - Martin County, Florida | ||
| Southwest | ||
| Accommodations | ||
| June 10, 2008 - Comfort Inn Receives Green Lodging Certification - Comfort Inn Sarasota | ||
| June 10, 2008 - Days Inn Sarasota Receives Green Lodging Certification - Days Inn Sarasota @ I-75 | ||
| May 2008 - Days Inn Sarasota Receives the Chairman's Award for Excellence from Wyndham Worldwide Hotels - Days Inn Sarasota @ I-75 | ||
| June - October 15, 2008 - Palm Island-Riverwood Golf Packages - Charlotte County | ||
| Now - August 28, 2008 - ResortQuest Southwest Florida Honors Teachers in the State of Florida - Southwest Florida | ||
| January 2008 - December 2008 - BY LAND, BY AIR, BY SEA – BEACHSIDE RESORT OFFERS AUTHENTIC KEYS ADVENTURE - Key West | ||
| 12/3/07 - Newly Renovated Golf Resort - Quality Inn & Suites Golf Resort | ||
| Attractions & Activities | ||
| July 30, 2008 - Happy Birthday Mr. Ford - Edison & Ford Winter Estates | ||
| December 13, 2008 - January 3, 2009 - Holidays at the Estates - Edison & Ford Winter Estates | ||
| Learn to Sail in St. Petersburg; Save $1,000 - St. Petersburg, Florida | ||
| December 13, 2008 - Offshore Sailing School Hosts Regatta to Save Lives - Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa, Ft. Myers Beach | ||
| Friday, July 25 at 9:30 a.m. - Florida State Parks Castnetting - Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park | ||
| July 17, 2006 - TRAFFIC.COM TO PROVIDE TRAFFIC DATA SERVICES TO FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - Wayne, PA | ||
| June 1 - August 4, 2008 - Estates Summer Camp - Edison & Ford Winter Estates | ||
| September 27th, 2008 - Mote Marine Mobile Exhibit - Fishermen's Village Parking Lot | ||
| October 11th & 12th, 2008 - Fine Arts & Crafts Show - Fishermen's Village | ||
| October 25th, 2008 - Barktoberfest Pet Costume Contest - Fishermen's Village Center Court | ||
| December 6th, 2008 - Annual Lighted Boat Parade - Charlotte Harbor | ||
| December 7th, 2008 - Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony - Fishermen's Village Center Stage | ||
| December 5th-31st, 2008 - Lighted Canal Cruises - King Fisher Fleet at Fishermen's Village | ||
| April through August, 2008 - Spring and Summer Exhibitions at The von Liebig Art Center in Naples, FL - The von Liebig Art Center, 585 Park Street, Naples, FL | ||
| Sea Rocket USA - Fort Myers Beach | ||
| Estates Antique Car Exhibit Arrives at Southwest Florida International Airport - Southwest Florida International Airport | ||
| Night at the Museum: An Author's Evening - SWFL Museum of History | ||
| Local Visitor Bureaus | ||
| Bureau Secures Outdoor Writers Conference - Punta Gorda | ||
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