2024 Florida Tourism Industry Awards Announced
August 29, 2024
TAMPA, Fla. – Yesterday, VISIT FLORIDA announced the recipients of the 2024 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame and Flagler Awards during the annual Chairman’s Dinner. Each year, leaders in Florida tourism are chosen by selection committees to receive these prestigious awards. This year’s event was held during the 2024 Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, FL. Find photos of the award winners here.
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 2024 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee is Carol Dover. Carol Dover has served as President/CEO of the more than 10,000-member Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) since July of 1995. Dover is a professional association manager, a lobbyist, a former government insider, and a Florida State University Dedman School of Hospitality graduate with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
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 2024 Florida Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee is Carol Dover. Carol Dover has served as President/CEO of the more than 10,000-member Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) since July of 1995. Dover is a professional association manager, a lobbyist, a former government insider, and a Florida State University Dedman School of Hospitality graduate with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Dover’s other professional accomplishments include positions at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation as the Director of the Division of Hotels and Restaurants, the first woman to serve as Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention in the State Fire Marshall’s Office, and President/CEO of the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association.
As FRLA’s President/CEO, Dover works to protect, educate, and promote the diverse interests of Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry. Comprised of 1.4 million employees, hospitality is the Sunshine State’s largest industry and represents individuals from every walk of life.
"It is an absolute honor to see my dear friend Carol Dover inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame. Her unwavering dedication to our great state has left an indelible mark on Florida's tourism industry. This recognition is a testament to her passion, hard work, and commitment to showcasing the very best of what Florida has to offer." – Dana Young, President and CEO, VISIT FLORIDA
"Carol Dover's induction into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to her decades of leadership and lifelong commitment to Florida's hospitality industry. Carol's passion, advocacy, and dedication have made a lasting impact, and this honor is truly well-deserved." - John Lai, President & Chief Executive Officer, President and CEO of the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce; Chair, VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors
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.
The 2024 Flagler Awards drew entries from organizations, large and small. Working independently, a diverse panel of thirteen 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 2024 Flagler Award winners in 18 categories, plus Best in Show at four budget levels, are listed below. This year, VISIT FLORIDA created a new budget level for annual marketing budgets less than $150,00 so that small businesses could be more competitive in this prestigious category.
Creativity in Public Relations
Bronze: Walton County Tourism for South Walton Unpacked
Silver: Visit Jacksonville for the "Lift Ev'ry Voice" Campaign
Henry: The Florida Keys & Key West for Florida Keys 200 Bicentennial
Print Advertising
Bronze: The Franklin County Tourist Development Council for the Dreamscapes Winter Campaign
Silver: The Florida Keys & Key West for The Florida Keys & Key West Print
Henry: The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau for the ONLY Scent Card
Special Event
Bronze: Rapids Waterpark for "Adults Only Night"
Silver: The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens or “Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild"
Silver: The Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing for Martin County Sea Turtle Walks
Henry: Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches for Hang 8 Dog Surfing
Internet Advertising
Bronze: Experience Kissimmee for the Spring Campaign 2023
Silver: Florida's First Coast of Golf for the Clicktivated Interactive Video Campaign
Henry: The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County for the "So Much Culture, So Little Time" Video Spot
Direct Marketing
Silver: The Franklin County Tourist Development Council for the Forgotten Coast E-Newsletter
Henry: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for the USAE & Northstar Third-Party Emails
Tourism Advocacy
Bronze: Visit Orlando for the Value of Tourism Video Series
Silver: Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods for "Savor the Shore"
Henry: Visit Tampa Bay for the Tourism Academy for Students
Social Media Marketing
Bronze: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater for the "Like a Local" Influencer Marketing Campaign
Bronze: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Amelia Island Social Media Campaign: Blog Posts
Silver: The Florida Keys & Key West for The Florida Keys & Key West Social Media
Henry: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa for Hilton Sandestin Social Media
Out-of-Home
Bronze: Experience Kissimmee for the Winter Holiday Campaign 2023
Silver: The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County for "So Much Culture, So Little Time" Out-of-Home Times Square / Newark + LaGuardia Airports
Henry: The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Canada Campaign
Radio Advertising
Bronze: The Mexico Beach Community Development Council for the Mexico Beach Kingfish Tournament Radio Campaign
Bronze: The Space Coast Office of Tourism for Space Coast Countdown
Silver: The Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for iHeart Radio New York - Beach On
Henry: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Burearu for the Amelia island and iHeart Radio Podcast
Television Advertising
Bronze: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism for "Awkward" Adventures Lead to Self Discovery in Destin-Fort Walton Beach
Silver: The Florida Keys & Key West for The Florida Keys & Key West Television Advertising
Henry: The Space Coast Office of Tourism for Space Coast Countdown
Mobile Marketing
Bronze: The Ocala/Marion County Visitors & Conventions Bureau for the Ocala Marion Travel Guide App
Silver: Visit Pensacola for the Visit Pensacola Cube Installation
Henry: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for the Amelia Island Mobile Marketing
Websites
Bronze: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for Amelia Island dot com
Silver: Visit Panama City Beach for the Real. Fun. Beach. Website.
Henry: Visit Indian River County dot com
Niche Marketing
Bronze: The Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau for Greater Miami & Miami Beach "Find Your Voice Miami Beach" Digital Experiential Campaign
Silver: The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County for Go Beyond Basel: Attracting Art Fair Visitors from Miami to The Palm Beaches
Silver: The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau for ARTE VIVA! A Celebration of Hispanic Arts & Culture
Henry: Visit Gainesville, Alachua County for The Sippin' Seven Alachua County Ale Trail: Serving Up Alachua County in a Brand New Way
Resource/Promotional Material-Consumer
Bronze: The Town of Palm Beach Marina for the “hashtag If You Know You Know” Brochure
Silver: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater for the Gulf to Bay Destination Magazine
Henry: Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods for the Digital Visitor Guide
Resource/Promotional Material-Trade
Bronze: Visit Tampa Bay for Tampa Bay's Guide to Social Inclusion
Silver: Visit Lauderdale for the Convention Center Guide
Henry: The Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau for their Meeting Planner Quarterly Emails
Sustainable Tourism Marketing
Bronze: The Florida Keys & Key West for The Florida Keys & Key West Sustainable Tourism
Silver: Discover the Palm Beaches for "Sea to Preserve"
Henry: The Martin County Office of Tourism & Marketing for Explore Natural Martin
Rural County Marketing
Bronze: The Gulf County Tourist Development Council for "Lose the Crowds, Find Yourself"
Silver: The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce for Butts & Clucks Cook-Off on Food Network
Henry: Visit Suwannee County for The Soul of Suwannee
Mixed Media Campaign
Bronze: The Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitors Bureau for ONLY Paradise Will Do
Silver: The Florida Keys & Key West for The Florida Keys & Key West Mixed Media
Henry: The Space Coast Office of Tourism for Space Coast Countdown
Best of Show
Annual marketing budget less than $150,000: Visit Suwannee County for The Soul of Suwannee
Annual marketing budget between $150,00 and $500,000: The Town of Palm Beach Marina
Annual marketing budget between $500,000 ‐ $2 million: Visit Indian River County, Florida for Visit Indian River County dot com
Annual marketing budget greater than $2 million: Space Coast Office of Tourism for Space Coast Countdown Television Advertising
###