TAMPA, Fla. – Yesterday, VISIT FLORIDA announced the recipients of the 2020 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame and Flagler Awards. Each year, leaders in Florida tourism are chosen by selection committees to receive these prestigious awards.

Florida Tourism Hall of Fame
Since 2001, individuals have been chosen annually to be inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. This honor, presented by the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, recognizes contemporary and historic figures whose vision, creativity and drive have had a positive and significant impact on the development of Florida as a desirable visitor destination.

The 2020 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame inductee is Ed Fouché, a former Disney senior sales executive and two-time Chairman of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors. Fouché has long been a champion of Florida’s tourism industry, leading global efforts for the Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney for nearly 25 years before retiring. During an unprecedented two terms as VISIT FLORIDA Board Chairman, Fouché worked tirelessly to reposition tourism marketing as a legislative priority, and helped lead Florida’s tourism economy to recovery following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Ed’s experience, expertise, and dedication have been essential to the success of Florida’s tourism industry, and the impact of his work continues to enrich the Sunshine State vacation experience today.

“Florida is known across the world for our hospitality and our ability to provide unforgettable vacation experiences. This reputation is due to the hardworking members of our tourism industry who have helped families make memories in the Sunshine State. For nearly 20 years, VISIT FLORIDA has recognized our tourism industry by proudly inducting people who have made a lasting, positive impact on our state’s number one industry. This year’s inductee, Ed Fouché, worked his entire career to ensure that travelers continued to come to Florida and have a wonderful time upon arrival. Congratulations to Ed on this outstanding achievement.” – Dana Young, President and CEO, VISIT FLORIDA

“As someone who has personally worked with Ed, I am proud today to formally induct him into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame on behalf of the entire VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors. Throughout his career, Ed helped make Florida the iconic vacation brand that it is today. With today’s induction, he will rightfully be joining the most iconic names of Florida’s tourism industry, and we are glad to join him in celebrating this achievement.” – Dan Rowe, President and CEO, Visit Panama City Beach and Chairman of VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors

“Having worked very closely with Ed Fouché in his capacity as former Board Chair of VISIT FLORIDA, I know firsthand how much he cares about our state and all of the people that rely on the tourism industry to support their families. We faced many challenges together and he brilliantly guided Florida’s tourism industry through many challenges and successes. I am proud to honor him as a newly inducted member of the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame.” – Chris Thompson, President and CEO, Brand USA

For more information about the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame, click here.

Flagler Awards
Named for Henry Flagler, the Flagler Awards were established in 2000 to recognize outstanding tourism marketing in Florida. Annually, the Flagler Awards honor many of the countless individuals and organizations that help maintain and improve Florida’s position as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations. The awards are open to all individuals, private businesses and not-for-profit organizations offering a product or service that promotes tourism to or within the state of Florida.

As in previous years, the 2020 Flagler Awards drew entries from Florida’s tourism partners, large and small. Working independently, eleven judges evaluated the creativity, innovation, production quality and effectiveness of each entry. Based on the judges’ cumulative scores, awards were presented to the top three entries in each category: the Bronze Award for the third highest scoring entry, the Silver Award for the second highest scoring entry, and for the highest scoring entry in each category, the Henry Award. The 2020 Flagler Award winners in 18 categories, plus Best in Show at three budget levels, are listed below.

Creativity in Public Relations 
Bronze: Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority for Virtual Travel to a Place Like No Other
Silver: Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for NYC Media Event
Henry: Florida Keys & Key West for Connect and Protect The Florida Keys & Key West 

Direct Marketing
Bronze: Florida Keys & Key West for Monroe County Tourist Development Council Direct Marketing Campaign
Silver: Franklin County Tourist Development Council for The Villages “Open for the Business of Peace & Quiet” Invitation
Henry: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa for Sand Canvas

Internet Advertising
Bronze: Discover Crystal River Florida for the Swimming with Manatees Campaign Landing Page
Silver: Visit Tampa Bay for Baycrafted Niche Marketing Campaign
Henry: Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau for the Outsiders Welcome Video Series

Mixed Media Campaign
Bronze: Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau for Outsiders Welcome Campaign
Silver: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for Come SEA for Yourself
Silver: Visit Central Florida for Florida’s Sweet Spot
Henry: Destin-Fort Walton Beach for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rebrand

Mobile Marketing
Bronze: Visit Panama City Beach for the “Real. FUN. Beach.” Game
Silver: Florida Keys & Key West for Florida Keys & Key West Travel App
Henry: Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for Moments Campaign – Mobile

Niche Marketing
Bronze: Discover Crystal River Florida for Ecotourism Branded Campaign
Silver: Visit Sarasota County for Sarasota's Newtown Lands on U.S. Civil Rights Trail
Henry: Visit Panama City Beach for Chasin' The Sun

Out-of-Home
Bronze: Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) Mural
Silver: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau for Atlanta Outdoor Takeover Blankets Buckhead
Henry: Florida Keys & Key West for 2019 UK Taxi Program

Print Advertising
Bronze: Visit Tampa Bay for 2020 Tampa Bay Official Destination Guide
Silver: Destin-Fort Walton Beach for Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rebrand Print Campaign
Henry: The Florida Keys & Key West for 2019 Fishing Print Campaign

Radio Advertising
Bronze: Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for Dickens on Centre Radio Spot
Silver: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau for Pandora Radio Summer Sensation
Henry: St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau for St. Augustine/Ponte Vedra Travel INTRAnationally Radio

Resource/Promotional Material – Consumer
Bronze: Franklin County Tourist Development Council for Franklin County Visitor Guide
Bronze: Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau for Outsiders Guide
Silver: Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for Amelia Island Augmented Reality Experience Map
Henry: Visit Gainesville, Alachua County for Newsletter

Resource/Promotional Material – Trade
Bronze: Visit Tampa Bay for Multicultural Guide Tampa Bay
Silver: Experience Florida's Sports Coast for Florida's Sports Coast Marketing Guides
Henry: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau for Meet Well Campaign

Rural County Marketing
Bronze: Visit Sebring for Sebring Soda Festival
Silver: Visit Sarasota County for Farm Guide of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
Henry: Play Hard Florida for Florida's Forgotten Coast Promo Video - A Pro Bono Hurricane Relief Effort

Social Media Marketing
Bronze: Visit Panama City Beach for How Do You PCB?
Silver: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater for the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Video Social Series
Henry: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau for Sharing a Millennial Story Using Instagram

Special Event
Bronze: Cultural Council of Palm Beach County for Second Year of Success for MOSAIC (Month of Shows, Art, Ideas & Culture)
Silver: Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority for the Pineapple Grove Art & Music Fest 2019
Henry: City of West Palm Beach for Holiday in Paradise

Sustainable Tourism Marketing
Bronze: Loggerhead Marinelife Center for Eau-Phelia Returns Home
Silver: Gulf County Tourist Development Council for Design By Nature Environmental Advocacy
Henry: Visit Panama City Beach for STAY IT FORWARD

Television Advertising
Bronze: Franklin County Tourist Development Council for Discover the Forgotten Coast TV Show
Silver: St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau for “St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra Travel INTRAnationally” Television
Henry: Florida Keys & Key West for 2019 Direct Flight TV Campaign

Tourism Advocacy
Bronze: Visit South Walton for Visit South Walton 2019 Annual Meeting Video
Silver: Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau for Local Engagement Content Shoot
Henry: Destinations Florida for Green Slime Campaign

Websites
Bronze: Discover Crystal River Florida for Discover Crystal River Website User Experience
Silver: Experience Florida's Sports Coast for Introducing Florida's Sports Coast
Henry: Visit Panama City Beach for “Make it Your Real Fun Beach” Panama City Beach Website

Best of Show
Annual marketing budget less than $500,000: Destinations Florida for Green Slime Campaign
Annual marketing budget between $500,000 ‐ $2 million: Discover Crystal River Florida for Swimming with Manatees Campaign Landing Page
Annual marketing budget greater than $2 million: Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau for Meet Well Campaign

For more information about the Flagler Awards, click here.