The Pinellas County Tourist Development Council (as created

Clearwater, Florida, April 12, 2006
• This
operator is new to the Florida market and therefore it is of up most importance to educate their call center agents and sales staff on the highpoints of the St.
Petersburg and Cl earwater area. Overall these presentations gave us an opportunity to make new relationships with the US Airways sales team and continue to reinforce
our message to the top selling northeast travel agents.
STAFFED BY: Rob Price
Cleveland Sport & Travel Show-Cleveland, OH March 11-19, 2006
ATTENDANCE:
INDUSTRY
Approx. 60,000 consumers
PARTICIPATION:
NOTES:
Alden Beach Resort
Brochure Distribution-Clearwater Cay Club, Florida International Museum, Clearwater Beach Chamber, Clearwater Regional Chamber,
TRS Inc.
• This annual show is the largest in the Cleveland ar ea. We had a corner booth
in the Florida isle which gave us excellent exposure. Over 4500 area guides and visitor
guides were distributed.
• There was an even
mix of families and couples that plan on visiting within the next year. Received numerous comments on the lack of affordable accommodations on the
beach. The perception is that all of the moderate beach accommodations are being torn down. By promoting the superior small lodgings brochure and the using condo’s
as an alternative,
I was able to temper most negative comments.
• Red tide and hurricane questions were non issues. There was a 60/30
split between people driving and flying to the destination. Increased gas pricing were not affecting
their vacation plans. Airfare has risen dramatically for
the spring and is a definite deterrent to vacation to Florida at least for the spring season. With new Air Tran
service into Canton, OH and USA 3000 as options, fares should decline
after the Easter holiday.
• Other Florida exhibitors included
The Beaches of Ft Myers and Sanibel, Central Florida CVB and Daytona Beach CVB.
STAFFED BY: Rob Price and Gail Yeager
Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo-Ft Washington Expo Center March 10-12, 2006
ATTENDANCE:
NOTES:
Approx. 15,000
• This was a new opportunity for us, offered through CBS Radio affiliate WORL--greatest hits of the 60's and 70's.
• WORL, major sponsor of the show, gave us a series of on-air mentions
during early morning drive times. Our website, a stay at the Don CeSar, and USA3000 Airlines
were featured prominently.
• We produced a flyer listing pet-friendly properties in the area. It was extremely well received.
• Knowing that we have doggie parks was also welcome news--we will look to develop a site map showing them for future endeavors
• Good interest in spring training.
• Several comments on traffic and overbuilding but overall, favorable interest, including those who want to retire in Fl
• Our appreciation to USA3000 mgrs Christy Ortiz who staffed our booth the last day of the show so we could attend the AAA Travel Show
STAFFED BY: Nancy Foster
AAA Mid Atlantic-King of Prussia, PA
March 12, 2006
ATTENDANCE:
INDUSTRY
400
PARTICIPAITON:
NOTES:
Brochure Distribution-Alden Beach Resort, Clearwater
Regional Chamber, and Travel Resort Services, Inc.
• 400 travel clients of the region's AAA clubs attended this annual vacation and travel
show
• Of 38 booths,
we were the only FL rep
• Mostly a mature crowd
• Comments included many planning to come down within next few months. Some wanted a Fl trip but uncertain
where to go and were pleased to receive our info
• One family pleased to know we had doggy parks, which was the determining factor in them choosing our area
• Another family has written to the mayor of Clearwater at their displeasure of Clearwater Beach condo conversions--that they will never return
• One AAA mgr reported that a number of people shying away from Fl for fall trips due to hurricanes. Many opting for cruises instead.
STAFFED BY: Nancy Foster
Cleveland Sales Mission
March 13-14, 2006
ATTENDANCE:
NOTES:
14 retail travel agency sales calls
• 14 sales calls were made with Continental Airlines Vacations local sales representative.
These accounts are the top producing travel agencies in the Cleveland market.
• The majority reported that business has been very slow for spring. Usually they are busy during January and February for spring break
/ Easter holiday bookings. Pace is
just now starting to pick up which should translate into more last minute bookings
for Florida.
• Over 10,000 jobs have been eliminated
recently from the area’s manufacturing sector which could be another reason for lack of business. On a positive note, all accounts
are
very familiar with Pinellas County and we remain the first choice for a Florida beach vacation. No concerns with availability, rates or construction were mentioned.
STAFFED
BY: Rob Price
National Trade Shows-Cocoa Beach & West Palm Beach, FL March 13&14, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Cocoa Beach 97 agents
West Palm Beach 135 agents
INDUSTRY
PARTICIPATION:
NOTES:
Brochure Distribution-Travel Resort Services, Inc.
• Mini tradeshow/dinner with 3 minute destination presentation
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