CFVRMA Calling for Help to Save the ‘Visit Florida’ Budget

Another reminder that we are all in this together.  I am passing along this request by the CFVRMA leadership to help unite Florida vacation home managers.  Staying abreast of legislative issues and uniting in causes is essentail for our industry success.

Dear Industry Member:

I come to you today with an urgent request. The Legislature, now in special session, is considering cutting up to 90 percent of VISIT FLORIDA’s remaining fiscal year budget. This decision is being discussed now and will be made this week. These cuts would force VISIT FLORIDA to cancel major programs, marketing and advertising, except for those by which we are contractually bound. If these budget cuts pass, we will operate as a skeleton organization. CALL TO ACTION
We need your help today. Please make calls to your legislators and also mobilize your network of employees, partners, colleagues, families and friends to call. We need to communicate that budget cuts at this level will devastate our industry and hurt our economy. Every voice counts, so we are sending this email to Florida tourism businesses. Now more than ever, we need your commitment to keep our industry healthy and save VISIT FLORIDA. If you are unable to reach your legislators directly, please speak to their legislative aid or staff. Your message will be passed along to the legislator. When you call your legislators at the Capitol TODAY, I ask that you fill out the attached form  

http://www.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT03MDcxOTImcD0xJnU9MTA2MjIxMDM5JmxpPTI3Nzg5MjA/index.html

and email to https://cfpma.clubexpress.com/educationcampaign@floridastourismcounts.org or fax to 850-224-9286.

This will be the best way for us to keep a pulse on the legislative environment and determine next steps. To find your local legislators and their Tallahassee office contact information, you can visit this website http://www.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT03MDcxOTImcD0xJnU9MTA2MjIxMDM5JmxpPTI3Nzg5MjE/index.html .

Simply enter your zip code for a contact list of legislators in your district.

Suggested Talking Points
I am [NAME] with [BUSINESS], who lives in [CITY]. It is important to communicate that you are in
their district.
I am calling to strongly urge [REPRESENTATIVE X / SENATOR Y] to vote against cuts to VISIT
FLORIDA’s budget.
VISIT FLORIDA’s state destination marketing is critical to the success of my business.
If these cuts pass, my company and my community will suffer the consequences. [Briefly comment on how VISIT FLORIDA helps you do business].
Cuts to VISIT FLORIDA will only hurt our state tourism industry and Florida’s economy. Tourism is a profit center in Florida:
           o For every $1 the state invests in tourism marketing, more than $3 is returned to the state
               in tourism-related taxes.
           o VISIT FLORIDA provides advertising and marketing opportunities that are crucial to
               my business—opportunities that would not be possible otherwise.
           o VISIT FLORIDA is the catalyst for the tourism industry and matches every $1 in state funding with $2 in private sector investment. Without state funding, we will lose our ability to be competitive with other destinations.
The absence of VISIT FLORIDA could result in a loss of 143,750 tourism related jobs and will further harm our struggling state economy. 
I appreciate [REPRESENTATIVE X's / SENATOR Y's] consideration on this urgent matter. Thank you in advance for your assistance in this very important issue.

Respectfully,
President and CEO
VISIT FLORIDA®   

Be heard!

Ralf
www.LiveRez.com