Autumn brings world-class events and activities to this dynamic and diverse beach destination; strong travel advisor support makes it easy to sell.
With 24 miles of golden beaches and more than 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, Greater Fort Lauderdale beckons to visitors with a wide array of cultural and natural attractions. Its 300 miles of navigable waterways, romantic gondolas and water taxis gliding in and out of waterside towns, and quality marinas help earn the destination two popular nicknames: “Venice of America” and “Yachting Capital of the World.” A wide array of accommodations, events and activities add to the allure. As fall approaches, here are six more great reasons to pay attention to Greater Fort Lauderdale:
- Yachts of Fun. The 64th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 25 - 29, 2023, is the largest in-water boat show in the world. It showcases more world and U.S. product debuts than any other boat show in the country and encompasses seven locations including the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. The show also features family-friendly activities and educational marine seminars. Last year’s event drew 1,000+ exhibitors and 100,000+ attendees.
- Score with Sports. Soccer superstar Lionel Messi now plays for Inter Miami CF at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. With just 19,100 seats, DRV PNK provides an intimate experience. Messi, considered among soccer’s all-time greats, made international news with his move to the Fort Lauderdale-based club this year. Sports enthusiasts also can watch the Florida Panthers hockey team from October through April at the FLA Live Arena, or catch a live rodeo in Davie, a.k.a. Cowboy Town.
- Tap into the Ale Trail. A burgeoning brewery scene spurred the creation of the Visit Lauderdale Ale Trail. Its mobile passport makes it fun to discover the area’s thriving brewery scene and provides access to exclusive deals and discounts at 14 Ale Trail stops. Users also collect points redeemable for limited-edition Visit Lauderdale swag.
- Celebrate Diversity. Visit Lauderdale’s “Everyone Under the Sun” campaign, which celebrates its one-year anniversary in October, champions the authentic, inclusive vibe of Greater Fort Lauderdale that helps make it a welcoming home and destination for everyone. For example, Wilton Manors is ranked the “Second Gayest City” in the United States (next to Provincetown, MA) for its thriving LGBT+ population. An array of fall events underscores Greater Fort Lauderdale’s diverse communities and interests, including the Brazilian Festival in September, the Audacy Beach Festival (Riptide), an alternative and roots music festival in December, the Visit Lauderdale Food and Wine Festival in January, and the Renaissance Festival in February and March.
- Enhanced Transportation. Brightline, Florida’s high-speed train, has added more options to reach Greater Fort Lauderdale, including new stations in Boca Raton and Aventura and a new service slated to connect to Orlando International Airport (MCO) in September. Plus, Aira now provides a visual interpreting service to sight-impaired passengers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) via a free mobile app.
- Unparalleled Travel Advisor Sales Support. Lauderdale Loyalist, an improved training, certification and sales app for travel advisors, provides expansive ongoing support that includes access to sharable videos and other assets and easily-searchable information about the destination and its attractions, from nature and arts and culture to its highly-diverse residents and spirit of inclusivity and acceptance.
For more information, visit www.lauderdaleloyalist.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and YouTube.
Sponsored by Visit Lauderdale
