To say that it's getting strange out there is an understatement. And, it just got a whole lot stranger.
The Florida Speaker of the House has been on a tear, as of late, targeting not just Visit Florida for their Pitbull deal but demanding local DMOs turn over their books. It all makes for great media and it certainly plays to the Speaker's base.
But, it's just boneheaded stupid.
And, it just got stupider.
A bill is scheduled for the House Careers and Competition Committee's (huh?) consideration next week that (are you sitting down and not drinking anything that you'll spit up through your nose?) ELIMINATES Visit Florida.
And, eliminates Enterprise Florida (their Economic Development arm) and all tax credits for filmmakers, plus a bunch of in the weeds stuff that basically concentrates power among those who have absolutely no idea of how this all works.
As we watch (and stand with) our friends in Florida battle back against one of the most unsophisticated moves in recent history (Colorado did the same in the '90s and paid the economic price for years), know that some of your legislators are just as unsophisticated (if not more).
As my friend Phil Craig (CEO of the Ohio Association of CVBs) often says: "You gotta be there before you gotta be there."
It's time to be there.
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We'll be going long on this topic in the February issue of the Z-News. Not a subscriber? Click HERE.
Say it ain't so! Are they crazy? Tourism has to be their number one industry! Why would stupid to dismantle the economic engine!
Posted by: Janice Marshall | February 02, 2017 at 11:52
Sigh
Posted by: Chuck Bonelli | February 03, 2017 at 07:14
We are in an alternate reality right now in Florida
Posted by: Vhaley | February 04, 2017 at 07:19