Marketing that Brings Meetings - Presented by Destination Analysts

Wednesday, August 5, 2020
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Hosted by: Daryl Cronk, Sr. Director of Market Research and Insights, Visit Orlando

Guest Speaker:
Myha Gallagher Senior Research Director

Hear directly from those critical to the meetings industry’s recovery: meeting planners and attendees. Fresh insights from Destination Analysts’ ongoing meeting planner and traveling consumer studies illuminate the communication and marketing meeting planners most desire from DMOs—from inspirational creative to, ideal channels, to optimal timing. You will also learn about the top desired experiences for both live and virtual meetings from the attendee perspective and explore what these travelers need to feel safe to attend live meetings in your destination again.

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COVID-19’s Impact on Orlando’s Travel Industry Update – Presented by Daryl Cronk

Wednesday, August 12, 2020
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Guest Speaker:
Daryl Cronk Sr. Director of Market Research and Insights

Register Now

• The most critical local health and government updates can be found at Orange County's coronavirus webpage, which includes a link to Mayor Demings' ongoing press conferences. 
• For support with utility bills, Orange County Utilities is suspending late payment fees for residential water and wastewater customers, in addition to disconnections for non-payment. OUC and Duke Energy are taking similar measures.
• For Central Florida residents whose financial stability is being impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19, Heart of Florida United Way has set up a recovery fund. Individuals and businesses are encouraged to donate.
• For working families impacted by COVID-19, emergency paid sick leave, as well as paid family leave in the case of school closures, is provided through the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The act requires employers with up to 500 employees to provide paid sick leave and paid family leave, while providing a refundable payroll tax credit to employers to cover 100% of the cost of wages. There is also a refundable income tax credit for self-employed individuals.
• For individuals who have lost their jobs or are in transition, the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association has compiled a list of important benefit opportunities and resources.
• Effective April 2, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended all evictions and foreclosures in the state for the next 45 days to ensure that residents will remain in their homes amid the coronavirus pandemic. The full executive order is available here.
  

• Second Harvest Food Bank is available for anyone in need of assistance. Its website contains a page for Coronavirus Prevention & Relief and a map of food-distribution centers.
• Student-feeding sites will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at all Orange County public high schools, plus 30 middle and K-8 schools. It will be a walk-up and drive-through system.
• The Rock Dinner Show's home, The Forum, is now a food bank to help feed hotel and other tourism industry workers who have been laid off. The Forum has 15,000 square feet of space, which workers hope to use for non-perishable food storage.
  

• The Orlando Economic Partnership has established a COVID-19 resource center page for Orlando employers that includes webinars, a business impact survey, news and updates, links to business assistance resources and more.  
• The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses experiencing economic injury from COVID-19. Now through May 8, businesses with fewer than 100 employees may apply at FloridaDisasterLoan.org.
• Low-interest loans can be accessed through the U.S. Small Business Administration's disaster assistance program.  
• For small- to medium-sized independent food and beverage businesses, the James Beard Foundation has set up an industry relief fund.
• Daily updates and top news about the hotel industry can be found at Hotel News Now.
• Skift, a leading travel trade publication, is launching a new series of online summits called Travel's Path Forward.
  

• United Way's 2-1-1 helpline is able to connect residents with critical health and social service resources.
• The Mental Health Association of Central Florida is offering free tools for Orange County residents, including counseling by phone.  
• Orlando Health has launched a coronavirus hotline (877-321-COVID) for patients and the community to obtain accurate information from trained healthcare representatives.
• Advent Health's coronavirus information hotline is 877-847-8747.  
• If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, please contact your healthcare provider or the Florida Department of Health at 866-779-6121.
• Two drive-through testing sites have opened in Orange County, one at the Orange County Convention Center and the other at 12050 E. Colonial Drive. The hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information, including criteria to be considered for testing, can be found at ocfl.net/coronavirus.
• Rep. Val Demings has shared resources and support for COVID-19 relief on her website.
  

Accessing MyVisitOrlando.com