|
|  |  
Florida Encounter Central |
Florida Encounter® 2009 – A Meeting Success
In mid-November, meeting professionals from around the globe and an impressive collection of Florida Convention and Visitors Bureaus, group properties, venues and suppliers gathered for Florida Encounter 2009 (watch video).
Meeting professionals had a chance to get familiar with the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area while taking care of business with a full schedule of appointments and a luncheon hosted jointly with the MPI Tampa Bay Area Chapter. Luncheon attendees were asked to bring a toy to benefit "Toys for Tots." By night, it was time to experience group events Florida-style.
The VISIT FLORIDA Meetings team was on hand to welcome planners and suppliers. Director of Sales Joyce Stillwell and our own Florida Meeting Therapist, Steven Bonda, CMP had the challenging task of leading their team in planning the perfect meeting for meeting planners.
Florida Encounter 2009 marks the 29th year for this popular program, which is hosted by a different property each year. Fresh from a property-wide transformation, Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club was this year's headquarters. The resort and Florida Destinations & Incentives hosted 
Welcome reception at Innisbrook |
the opening night reception poolside and Sheraton Sand Key and Florida Event Decor hosted the second evening event on Clearwater Beach. The closing night event, dubbed a Dunedin Dine-Around took planners to the unique Scottish town of Dunedin compliments of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce and Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater.
VISIT FLORIDA's environmentally and socially responsible efforts included the purchase of carbon offsets for air and ground travel to Florida Encounter, as well as a donation of surplus food to a local food bank and the placement of recycling bins in conference areas. A socially-responsible activity to benefit the community was incorporated into the program as planners and suppliers participated in the "Keep Pinellas County Beautiful" clean-up project of Fort Howard Park.
After the event, planners were invited to attend optional Post-FAM tours hosted by Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Tampa Bay & Company and Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands Visitors Bureau.
Learn more about Florida Encounter, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club and Florida destinations, properties, venues and suppliers statewide at meetings.VISITFLORIDA.com. |
