fbpx

Visit Lauderdale Announces Plans for 2024 During Its Annual Marketing Luncheon

Hotel revenue was up 4% year-over-year.

As Visit Lauderdale was basking in the glow of its headline-making appearance in the Tournament of Roses, the tourism agency for Greater Fort Lauderdale unveiled its destination marketing plans for 2024 at a recent luncheon. The event’s emcee was Stacy Ritter, the organization’s president and CEO. During the presentation, Ritter explained how the acclaimed “Everyone Under the Sun” brand campaign, which highlights Greater Fort Lauderdale’s authentic and inclusive atmosphere, will continue to develop and evolve.

The latest year of tourism in Broward County generated $125 million in revenue from the tourist development tax, marking the second-highest figure in its history. During 2023, three new hotels were added, providing the area with 358 new rooms. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is expected to receive more than 35 million passengers by the end of 2023, while Port Everglades now has eight more cruise lines docking at its port.

Themed the “Fantastic Five,” Ritter presented Visit Lauderdale’s core initiatives for 2024, which comprise an ambitious and multi-faceted approach to promoting the destination.

“We will be augmenting our already assertive efforts to assure Greater Fort Lauderdale remains top of mind with potential visitors in new and different ways,” Ritter says. “This year, we won’t just be marketing to them. We’ll be going to them. Our goal is to continue sharing our message of inclusion and diversity to travelers who are looking for fun, bold, immersive, and interactive experiences.”

The Fantastic Five

1. Rose Parade Activation Accomplishment, 26 Million Viewers

Visit Lauderdale debuted at the Rose Parade® with a custom-built float that won the Tournament of Roses Past President Award for its exceptional use of floral and non-floral materials. The appearance at the iconic parade presented an unparalleled opportunity to promote Greater Fort Lauderdale’s message of inclusivity and diversity. The float bloomed before a live audience of 800,000 along the parade route. In addition, the in-stadium exposure reached over 96,000 attendees, while 26 million people viewed the national broadcast on New Year’s Day.

2. Bringing Greater Fort Lauderdale to Life Around the World

Visit Lauderdale announced potential plans for in-person marketing activations in key feeder markets in 2024 and beyond. These activations aim to bring Greater Fort Lauderdale to life creatively and interactively to encourage visitation. Some of the possible activations that Visit Lauderdale is considering include “Putting Our Pedal to the Metal” which involves a limited-edition car named after Greater Fort Lauderdale, “Our Brand Rocks” which is a partnership with a headlining performer and sponsoring a major concert tour, complete with branded Visit Lauderdale merchandise, “Kick New York in the Ball” which is a massive visual takeover of Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and “Sphere, There and Everywhere” which is a partnership with the magnificent Las Vegas sphere. The latter will provide an opportunity to promote Visit Lauderdale’s brand in new, unexpected and stunning visual ways, ensuring Greater Fort Lauderdale is seen in a new light. Lastly, as the countdown to the summer Olympics in Paris begins, Visit Lauderdale is considering sponsoring the 2024 Paralympic Games or a local Paralympic athlete. This aligns perfectly with Visit Lauderdale’s inclusive brand and embraces accessibility.

3. Evolution of the “Everyone Under the Sun” Campaign                                                                                 

Visit Lauderdale’s award-winning “Everyone Under the Sun” campaign is transforming “Come Be You.” The new campaign emphasizes the values of inclusion, diversity, and personal freedom. Visit Lauderdale aims to spread this message to a global audience by inviting the world to “Come Be You” in Greater Fort Lauderdale. According to Ritter, this shift reflects the organization’s innovative and visionary approach to branding and marketing initiatives that will generate buzz around Greater Fort Lauderdale.

4. Greater Fort Lauderdale Hosting IPW, Premier International Trade Show

Greater Fort Lauderdale has been selected as the host site for IPW in 2026 for the first time, which is considered a significant win for Visit Lauderdale. U.S. Travel’s IPW is a crucial industry event that draws international and domestic travel buyers and journalists representing over 70 countries and generates the most travel to the United States. The event is scheduled at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from May 18 to May 22, 2026, with additional sites planned throughout the region.

5. “Laudy Dayo” The Greater Fort Lauderdale Anthem

The fifth and final marketing initiative under the Fantastic Five umbrella is creating awareness for “Laudy Dayo,” the new anthem of Greater Fort Lauderdale. The luncheon, which was sold out, featured a performance by Alexander Star, an Emmy®-nominated songwriter and impact artist from South Florida. Star’s electrifying rendition of the anthem celebrated life, captured the community spirit in Greater Fort Lauderdale and resonated with the destination’s diverse cultural tapestry.

Photo credits: Visit Lauderdale

You May Also Like
New Luxury Hotel Plans November Opening in Palm Beach

The venue features a new ballroom with a garden terrace and poolside lawn.

Read More
Luxury Hotel
X-Golf Golf West Palm Beach Celebrates Grand Opening

The venue helps golf enthusiasts play and practice with a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator.

Read More
X-Golf Golf West Palm Beach
A Beautiful and Vintage-Inspired Stay Awaits at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort

The guest rooms are spacious and offer beautiful views.

Read More
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Carillon Miami Wellness Resort Introduces Wellness Era Hotel Package

Rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul with the ultimate relaxation experience.

Read More
Wellness Era
Other Posts
A Grand and Upscale Paradise Awaits at Acqualina Resort

It offers an unforgettable experience meant to pamper, relax and invigorate.

Read More
Acqualina Resort
DUA Miami, Autograph Collection Opens

The boutique lifestyle hotel offers guests relaxation and social engagements.

Read More
DUA Miami
Visit Lauderdale Hosts First Tourism Partnership Summit

It is the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale.

Read More
Tourism
Amid New Travel Options, Spirit Airlines Unveils Reimagined Look

Travelers can book Go Big, Go Comfy, Go Savvy and Go now at spirit.com and on the Spirit mobile app.

Read More
Spirit Airlines

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.