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Statement is Issued by VISIT FLORIDA's Richard Goldman

NEWS RELEASE TOPIC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2009

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Richard Goldman

Chairman, VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors

SVP/CMO, Amelia Island Plantation

(904) 277-5133

goldmanr@aipfl.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 12, 2009) – “VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors terminated Bud Nocera without cause and has assured Governor Crist, Senator Fasano and Representative Glorioso that the terms of Nocera’s contract, entered upon on July 1, 2005, will be paid by private industry dollars, not taxpayer dollars. VISIT FLORIDA is obligated to honor the contract it signed with Nocera.

Based on the recently concluded legislative session and the state’s current economic situation, VISIT FLORIDA faced a significant opportunity to take our organization in a new direction, which is why the entire Board of Directors unanimously agreed to name Chris Thompson as President/CEO. Thompson’s contract has not been finalized and will be reviewed in June at the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors meeting.

As VISIT FLORIDA embarks on a new path, we are taking steps to ensure increased accountability and transparency. We are thankful for the support from our elected officials this session and their recognition of the great return on investment tourism marketing provides, especially given the current economic climate. Tourism marketing funding is critical in helping bring more visitors to our state—a proven economic investment for Florida with every $1 in tourism marketing generating $3 in state sales tax revenues.”

As the state’s number one industry, tourism is responsible for welcoming more than 80 million visitors each year, which results in over $60 billion in taxable sales revenue and employs in excess of 1 million Floridians. For every $1 spent on tourism marketing, VISIT FLORIDA – the state’s official tourism marketing corporation – generates more than $55 in tourism spending and $3 in new sales tax collections, paid by visitors, not residents. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership VISIT FLORIDA has more than 3,100 tourism industry Partners and major strategic alliances with American Express Travel Related Services, AirTran Airways, Disney Destinations, Dollar Rent A Car, The Hertz Corporation, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Universal Orlando. To learn more about VISIT FLORIDA, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.org.