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Florida Huddle 2007 - Sarasota - Our 31st Annual Marketplace
Delegates greeted each other, wriggled bare toes in the sand, and watched the sunset on
the Gulf on Mexico at the luxurious Ritz Carlton Beach Resort. That was Sunday night.
Monday morning suppliers and buyers were busy with the real work of the show, the
prescheduled appointment sessions.
First time buyers from Hungary and Greece were among the 199 registered domestic and
international buyers who conducted one on one interviews with 174 Florida booth holders
representing over 295 purchasing opportunities. Forty one members of the press covered
the business and social events. Local stations SNN-6 and WWSB (ABC) provided television
coverage.
An appointment driven show, Florida Huddle restricts the number of suppliers registered in
order to maintain a near one to one balance. This year suppliers submitted over 7000 appointment
requests and buyers nearly 6000. Keeping these numbers in balance assured that most requests
were filled. Delegates were pleased with their appointment schedules and the high number of
perfect matches.
Buyers, suppliers and press met for the second annual Breakfast with the Bureaus during
which each convention and visitors bureaus had a representative speak about their unique
offerings and remind buyers and press of their booth location as well as booths of their
area suppliers. There were 17 cvb's presenting, an increase of 3 from last year.
Luncheon on Monday was hosted by the Tampa Bay CVB, the host city for Florida Huddle 2008.
Tampa Bay CVB Executive Vice President Steve Hayes, colorfully dressed as a pirate, reminded
delegates that Florida Huddle 2008 Tampa will follow one day after Gasparilla Fest. Jose
Gasper, a rather pesky pirate, frequently interrupted Hayes as he described to us the special
things we can expect to see and do in Tampa. Gorgeously costumed singers, dancers, and stilt
walkers from Bush Gardens entertained us with a special-for-Huddle show called Safari Celebration.
The annual press conference included presentations by and responses to inquiries from the following
panel members:
Lynn Warren, President, Huddle International, LLC
Virginia Haley, President, Sarasota and Her Islands CVB (Host 2007)
Eileen Forrow, Vice President Sales, Visit Florida
Donna Ross, President and CEO, Florida Attractions Association
Steve Hayes, Executive Vice President,Tampa Bay CVB (Host 2008)
Happy Huddle Hour, sponsored by Miles Media, gave us a chance to mix and mingle on the show
floor, to meet and chat with those we interviewed today and those we would interview tomorrow.
And, of course, some of us just had a good old chin-wag with friends!
Sailors Circus, our venue for Monday night, was a unique experience. Sarasota High School
students training in circus skills climbed the ropes and performed a Moulin Rouge themed
program. The young performers were fantastic. We were introduced to a former graduate of
the Sarasota High School/Sailor Circus program, Sarasota County Commissioner Mary Lou Palmer,
a trim lady in her 70's, who promptly stood on her head and did the splits!
Buyers and suppliers were still talking about the big tent experience when they met Tuesday
morning for Community Cafe, an informal breakfast hosted by Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
The press also talked circus Tuesday morning when they attended a continental breakfast and
filmed presentation at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
Over 560 people (registered delegates, Sarasota CVB, Visit Florida, and Florida Huddle staff)
met in Sarasota to work, play, and insure the prosperity of Florida's tourism industry.
We encourage you to register early for Florida Huddle 2008 - Tampa. On line registration begins
February 19, 2007 at www.FloridaHuddle.com.
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