Here's what you'll find in this edition:

• Visit Pensacola Promotes Spring Break
• As Seen at HRT
• African-American Heritage Trail Guide Now Available
• Florida Tourism Day 2011 is coming!
• In the Press
• Travel South Showcase
• Online Specials for Visitors
• Tourism Season Forecast

Visit Pensacola Promotes Spring Break

As the industry gears up for spring break, Visit Pensacola is extending an invitation to travelers in our key markets. Ads have been placed in various markets including Memphis, Nashville, Birmingham, Montgomery, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, D.C. We are also promoting spring break through our blog, social media outlets and among travel writers. Click here to view the release.

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Online Specials for Visitors

Are you posting specials and deals on VisitPensacola.com? Don’t miss out on an opportunity to have your deals featured on blog posts, in news releases, social media mentions and upcoming e-newsletter spotlights. Log in to http://data.visitpensacola.com to post your deals and verify your listing. If you need assistance, e-mail Mike Bersabal.

As long as we’re talking about online deals, why not share these same deals on Groupon? Groupon is an easy way for visitors to get discounts while discovering fun activities in our city. Daily deals include restaurants, spas, theaters, hotels and more, in dozens of cities across the country. If enough people buy into the deal, then the coupon is valid; if not enough people buy into the deal, then the deal is a no-go. Learn more about how your business can utilize Groupon. http://www.grouponworks.com/

Tourism Season Forecast

"Despite high unemployment and a slow economic recovery, more people are planning to travel this year and they expect to spend more money than they did in 2010, according to a new report." Click more to read this MSNBC forecast.

As Seen at HRT

Thanks to all of you who attended Tuesday's Hospitality Round Table, featuring Adm. Robert Kelly who discussed the Centennial of Naval Aviation. Our next meeting will be March 15 at the Holiday Inn Resort on Pensacola Beach.

click here to download

African-American Heritage Trail Guide Now Available

Visit Pensacola and the African-American Heritage Society have released its guide to African-American heritage in the Pensacola Bay Area, just in time for Black History Month. The guide spotlights nearly two dozen stops along the African-American Heritage Trail, from Perdido Key to Century and from Pensacola Beach to Historic Downtown Pensacola featuring historic sites, churches, art galleries, cultural centers, restaurants and more.

Florida Tourism Day 2011 Is Coming!

As a member of Florida's tourism industry, you are cordially invited to attend Florida Tourism Day 2011, which will be held on Tuesday, March 22. The purpose of Tourism Day is to educate the legislature, media and Floridians about the importance of Florida’s tourism industry and the rationale for the public funding request to increase tourism marketing efforts. It’s the perfect day to let your lawmakers know just how vital tourism is to our state and how crucial it is for them to support Florida’s No. 1 industry. To reserve your spot on this important day, please submit the registration form by March 7, 2011. We have secured a room block at the SpringHill Suites Marriott for the room rate of $139.00 per night. To reserve your room, contact the hotel directly at (850) 325-1103 or toll-free at (888) 236-2427. If you are planning to attend Florida Tourism Day, please join VISIT FLORIDA for a webinar on Friday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. EST to discuss event logistics. To register for the webinar, click here.

In the Press

Laura Lee visited Atlanta Feb. 8 for a VISIT FLORIDA media trip. Laura visited The Weather Channel’s studios where she was interviewed about the state of our beaches following the oil spill. She also met with travel writers from Atlanta Journal Constitution, Upscale magazine, Atlanta Parent, Uptown, the Atlanta Tribune and more.

Click to download the following news releases:

Travel South Showcase

Feb. 21 in Atlanta, Lori Coppels will be attending Travel South Showcase, a regional appointment-style marketplace focused on increasing travel to and within the southern states. Showcase provides the opportunity for tour operators, wholesalers and travel service providers to meet face-to-face with southern travel suppliers such as CVBs and hotels. Lori will be meeting with about three dozen tour operators during the convention.