The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau received the first place Henry Award, in the category of Niche Marketing during the Flagler Awards presented during the 44th Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism, held at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood this week. The award recognizes the marketing initiatives implemented by the Broward Office of Film & Entertainment last year including the development of the sunny.org/film website, launch of a creative advertising and marketing campaign, integration with the hotel and hospitality industry offering a film-friendly environment, as well as the creation of 22,875 local jobs from on location film and television productions.n n”This is our kind of Oscar!” said Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It speaks to our talented film commissioner Noelle Stevenson who, since joining the office in 2010, has generated nearly $150 million economic impact to Broward County. We are thankful to the Florida Commission on Tourism for recognizing our strong and aggressive marketing efforts for Greater Fort Lauderdale to the entertainment industry, perfect timing as we get ready for the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Oct. 21 – Nov. 11.”n nThe awards, nicknamed “Henrys,” salute Henry Flagler, the late 19th- and early 20th-century railroad and hotel magnate whom many people consider the grandfather of Florida’s tourism industry. Presented by VISIT FLORIDA®, the state’s tourism marketing corporation, the Flagler Awards program is designed to recognize the outstanding tourism marketing efforts of Florida’s travel businesses, destinations and attractions.n nProduction highlights this year of the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Office of Film & Entertainment include: the filming of Rock of Ages with Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough, Catherina Zeta Jones and more; Season 2 of A&E’s The Glades returned to film in Broward County; as well as episodes of USA’s Burn Notice, the remake of the ’70s television series Charlie’s Angels which filmed scenes in Broward as well as the new Starz series Magic City. Other television highlights include segments on the Rachael Ray Show and Bravo’s Top Chef.n nAn incentive for drawing production bookings is the creation of the Production Preferred Pass (P3) card featuring special offers from vendors, restaurants, and hotels, for film industry professionals, cast, crew and executives in town with a film project. See www.sunny.org.p3.nn
n nFor more information about Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward Office of Film & Entertainment, please visit www.sunny.org.film”>http://www.sunny.org.filmn nAbout the Flagler AwardsnThe Flagler Awards were established by the Florida Commission on Tourism to recognize outstanding tourism marketing in Florida. Each year, the Flagler Awards honor many of the countless individuals and organizations that help position Florida as the #1 travel destination in the world. The Awards pay tribute to the determined efforts of those who use their skill, resourcefulness, creativity and innovative spirit to market Florida to the world, and, in doing so, help ensure the continued success of the state’s most important industry.n nAbout Greater Fort LauderdalenFrom the seagrass to the sawgrass, Greater Fort Lauderdale boasts more than 34,000 lodging accommodations at a variety of hotels, luxury spa resorts, and Superior Small Lodgings reflecting a “beach chic” vibe. Visitors enjoy 23 miles of Blue Wave certified beaches, discover 300+ miles of inland waterways that run from the Intracoastal Waterway to the Everglades, dine at thousands of restaurants and eateries, get immersed in a thriving arts and culture scene and indulge in top shopping. For more info, contact the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 22-SUNNY or visit www.sunny.org.n nThe Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau can also be followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/visitlauderdale or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/visitlauderdale. To have Greater Fort Lauderdale in the palm of your hand, download the free iPhone application, iVisitLauderdale at www.sunny.org.iphone”>www.sunny.org.iphone.Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Francine Mason/Jessica Taylor Tel: (954) 765-4466 Contact Francine via email Contact Jessica via email
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
One doesn't have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent. But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather. The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the LA area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living. Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community. Production is needed in L.A., now! Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the incredible resource of L.A. production as we know it, then marketers, agencies and the industry loses in the long run. Over the past several days, some agencies have issued directives to production companies that are unilaterally pushing upcoming production options out of L.A. The fact is L.A. is a large area, and many sections of the city and county are not directly impacted... Read More