On occasion a few of our area councils will join together to present an update on topics that are relevant to all of them. This year, our Celebration Area Council, Four Corners Area Council, and Hospitality and Tourism Council decided to make a strong return to in-person lunchtime presentations with a Joint Council Luncheon hosted at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort on Friday, September 17. Presented by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, the luncheon included updates on topics important to our tourism industry and region.
The Four Corners Area Council kicked off the lunch with a presentation on the Four Corners, One Vision initiative. 2021 4CAC Chairman Steve Silcock of Bardell Real Estate introduced Rafael Montalvo of The Consensus Center, who for the last four years has consulted with the 4CAC Board and a team of precisely assembled steering and technical committees to create and advance the One Vision initiative and bring unity to the Four Corners. These committees are each focused on one of three
After a short break for lunch (including an adorable and delicious Mickey Mousse!), the program resumed as Osceola Resort Area Council Chairman Thearon Scurlock of Old Town introduced Experience Kissimmee‘s Research Manager Jonas Onkelinx. Jonas shared the latest industry trends that point toward positive improvements for post-pandemic tourism in Central Florida. For example, traffic at Orlando International Airport was only down 7% from July of 2019 (and up 219% from July of 2020!), and that was without most international travel. Traffic for the recently-passed Labor Day weekend is projected to be up 7% over that weekend in 2019. Tourist Development Tax collections in Osceola County were on par with 2018 and 2019 in the month of July following a steady rise since the beginning of the year. Interestingly, in Osceola County, TDT collections from vacation homes has significantly increased since March of 2020. While hotel occupancy is again on the rise after a rough year in both Orlando and Osceola County, the higher percentage of stays in Osceola are in vacation homes. It is great to see this major industry for Osceola County growing and thriving.
Finally, Celebration Area Council Chairman Charles Castellon of Widerman Malek introduced 2021 Walt Disney World Ambassador Alexandra “Ali” Manion who previewed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” Disney’s 18-month 50th Birthday Party that officially kicks off on October 1. Ali presented the new “Beacons of Magic,” sparkling enhancements to each of the four parks’ signature icons: Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, and The Tree of Life. She also shared that Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale will be known as the “EARidescent Eight,” and each has received brand new themed costumes. The parks are also debuting a Fab 50 character collection, and statues of these “fab” Disney favorites can be found around each of the four parks. As part of the celebration, both Magic Kingdom Park and Epcot will also debut new fireworks spectaculars on October 1. Other enhancements at Epcot include new ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, new restaurant Space 220, and new retail locations Creations Shop and a revamped Club Cool. Meanwhile, Animal Kingdom will present daytime air show Disney’s Kite Tails, and the Resort looks forward to the debut of the new Star Wars Galactic Star Cruiser 2-night stay adventure. There is so much to look forward to and keep us busy at Disney for the next 18 months!
The Joint Council Luncheon was a great opportunity to get together after so many months apart, and attendees truly appreciated and update on and sneak peek at some of the most exciting aspects of tourism here in Osceola County and our surrounding areas.
The Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce is excited to formally extend an invitation to our members to apply to the Ambassador Program Class of 2022.
What is an Ambassador? An Ambassador is a walking testimonial to the good our chamber does within the community. Ambassadors are one of the most visible “faces” of the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce and can be thought of as an elite exclusive extension of chamber staff.
Purpose/Goals
An Ambassador’s goals are to support and promote activities that are designed to have an impact on strengthening the business climate in our region.
The Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce recruits Ambassadors to help us draw together business leaders for the purpose of increasing community awareness, goodwill, and economic growth for their business and the Chamber.
Ambassadors work to strengthen overall relationships with members by assisting with Chamber events and creating awareness of the Chamber in the community. Ambassadors serve as greeters at Chamber events and generally foster goodwill among the membership. 2022 will be an extra exciting year for the Ambassadors: as the Chamber launches a new brand, we will look to the Ambassadors to help us spread the word and changes in brand look and message to our membership and the community.
Download the 2022 Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber Ambassador Overview Packet and Application.
What if you knew your next business partner or boss was waiting for you at the next networking event? You would most likely attend. Local business networking events are not always the top priority of business professionals. In a world full of certifications, training, and meetings, professionals have forgotten about the importance and benefits of a local networking event for professional and business development. What if you knew your next business partner or boss was waiting for you at the next networking event? In this blog, we break down the importance of in-person and virtual networking events and provide tips you can use to help grow your business and professional network.
Introducing yourself and your business to new small business owners at networking events is a big step in growing your professional network. One of the biggest benefits local networking events can provide to your business is the opportunity to expand its reach to a new market. For example, if your business is located in Downtown Kissimmee and you’re ready to open a second location, attending networking events in Saint Cloud will allow you to meet with business owners in that city and gain insight into what it’s like to be a Saint Cloud local entrepreneur. It might be intimidating to put you and your business out there, but remember, the goal in hosting network events is for business owners to establish a relationship beneficial for both parties.
Tip: Make sure to practice your elevator pitch and have plenty of business cards ready to hand out to those you meet.
Before you click ‘attend’ on the next event, consider exactly what you’re looking to gain. Exchanging information and furthering your knowledge is the foundation to building your network and growing your business. By attending local networking events in Kissimmee, Saint Cloud, and across Osceola County, you’ll be able to speak with knowledgeable and experienced business leaders. They can give you advice on advancing your career, provide insights on your industry and trends in the local market or industry. It’s always useful to hear different opinions and comments from people unrelated to your company. It’s a way to gain a new perspective that will benefit you and your business. Depending on the topic and your industry, you can become the expert in your field in the local market and become top of mind to those you meet who might need you and your services later down the line.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to talk about the goals you have for your company. Depending on who you meet, they might be able to help you meet your goals!
Since you’re networking with local business owners, it’s important to maintain a good relationship with the people you meet. Depending on the relationship you build, you can potentially impact your bottom line. For example, let’s say you own a coffee shop in Celebration. One day, you overhear a customer talk to their coworker about needing new decorations for their house. You remember your friend from a past networking event that creates unique home goods, who might be able to meet your customer’s needs. Ideally, you’re able to reference their business to your customers since you know the quality of their work. With that extra sale, your friend might then bring in her employees for an outing to your coffee shop, increasing sales that day. Networking events can help you build loyal and profitable relationships with business owners across a variety of industries.
Tip: Just because the networking event is over, your network building doesn’t have to stop there. Keep up with your professional network on what they’re up to with their business. A future referral to their business might come around to your business in a different way!
Networking opportunities are a great way to build up your business and enhance your professional development skills. Kissimmee and St. Cloud networking events can help introduce you to businessmen and women that can enhance your leadership and communication skills. Whether it’s a course or a webinar, you can see a positive impact on yourself and your business by developing these skills. Taking advantage of these new opportunities will help you grow as a powerful professional networker and help you become an industry leader.
Tip: It’s just as important to grow yourself professionally as it can help your business grow. When you’re meeting new people in your community, don’t be shy about asking what leadership or business development resources are helpful for professional growth.
These are just a few ways networking events in Osceola County can help grow your business and tips you can use to help master the next event you attend. Check out our events calendar to see what upcoming network events we have scheduled!
