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Visit Lauderdale Showcases Revolutionary 2025 Vision at Inspiring Annual Marketing Luncheon
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Visit Lauderdale’s Annual Marketing Luncheon on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the Floridian Ballroom within the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center inspired attendees with forward-thinking plans for the year, unveiling cutting-edge campaigns and collaborations aimed at enhancing the destination’s global appeal.
The luncheon kicked off with Sandy, Visit Lauderdale’s AI-powered travel assistant helping visitors plan tailored vacations and connecting audiences to the unique offerings of Greater Fort Lauderdale, available on the VisitLauderdale.com website. “I’m here to make planning your trip as fun as taking it,” Sandy shared with the audience, setting the tone for the event’s forward-thinking vision.
Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, set the stage with an innovative presentation emphasizing the destination’s reputation as a trailblazer in the tourism industry. “We’re not just inviting visitors to Greater Fort Lauderdale; we’re creating moments that inspire, campaigns that disrupt, and partnerships that resonate far beyond our borders,” Ritter said.
Visit Lauderdale’s Annual Marketing Luncheon celebrated the destination’s standout achievements from 2024, highlighting initiatives that brought global recognition to Greater Fort Lauderdale. These included the vibrant Sphere activation in Las Vegas, which showcased the region’s energy to an international audience; a partnership with U.S. Paralympics Swimming, sharing Abbas Karimi’s inspiring journey to the 2024 Paris Paralympics; and the debut of the destination anthem, “Laudy Dayo,” featuring a dynamic music video filmed across the region. These milestones not only emphasized the area’s innovative spirit but also reinforced its reputation as an inclusive paradise welcoming to all.
In 2024, Greater Fort Lauderdale set impressive records, generating $125.4 million in Tourist Development Tax revenue, seeing a 1.5% rise in hotel demand, and welcoming over 4 million cruisers at Port Everglades—a 39% increase from the previous year. With 2025 on the horizon, the destination anticipates further growth, including the opening of five new hotels, such as the 29-story Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel adjacent to the expanded Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. These additions will contribute over 1,490 rooms, enhancing the destination’s appeal for conventions, events, and leisure travel.
The luncheon also unveiled Visit Lauderdale’s bold vision for 2025, introducin …