Visit Florida’s always cheerful accommodating public relations manager Henny Groenendijk, sporting a flashing red heart, kept the event moving as she introduced speakers from Florida’s various resorts, attractions and convention and visitors bureaus.

Speakers from the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, and the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, outlined the facilities and amenities of their respective properties – The Ritz Carleton proudly noting they are the first resort to offer Golf Segways.

Randy Anger, market manager, Canada discussed the wonders of Seaworld and Bush Gardens, and Erin Duggan from the Sarasota CVB, to whom we’d waved good-bye at Huddle only a few days earlier, braved Toronto’s coldest day to remind us of the outstanding facilities and amenities available at Sarasota and her islands. 

CVBs from all across Florida were represented and each delegate spoke passionately of the unique charm and distinct character of their city and area. 
Keith Sakowski, public relations manager for Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, told TRAVELHotNews.com about his hotel (a sister resort to Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland), describing with real enthusiasm how it manages to capture the spirit of Florida from the charm of St. Augustine to the quirky charisma of Key West, all under a signature glass dome.
TravelHotNews.spoke also to Tangela Boyd, senior publicity manager for Daytona Beach. Boyd spoke so enthusiastically of Daytona’s many and varied cultural events and festivals and the intriguing spiritualistic community of Cassadaga, that her entire meal remained uneaten  - a pity because celebrated Toronto chef Jamie Kennedy (on hand to take a bow) had personally chosen and prepared a Florida themed menu. 
The afternoon ended with Groenendijk noting that a Visit Florida promotion in conjunction with Toronto radio stations including CHFI-FM, CFTR-AM, CKFM-FM, CJEZ-FM, CHUM-FM, and CILQ-FM, encourages Canadians to go to the website Florida11.com web site and sign a petition to make Florida the “11th Province”.  So far, she said, over a 1000 people a week have signed up.