The event will feature characters including Captain Fear of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raymond Ray from the Tampa Bay Rays, Gilli the Dolphin from the Mote Marine Laboratory, and others. Displays will include marine animals from the Mote Marine Laboratory and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and history interpreters and a Model T made available by the Florida Association of Museums.

The public is invited to purchase tickets to enter drawings to win fabulous four-day, three-night Florida vacation packages for a family of four including meals and attractions. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10 and are available for purchase from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in the lobby of the Doubletree Hotel at 101 South Adams Street and after 5:00 p.m. at the event. Billy Dean will draw the names of the lucky winners during his concert which begins at 6:00 pm. You need not be present to win. Proceeds will benefit Meals of Hope, providing meals to needy children and their families.

The 2011 Florida Tourism Day hosts include the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, VISIT FLORIDA, Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus, Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, Florida Association of Museums and the Florida Sports Foundation. Members will be meeting with legislators throughout the day to ensure tourism and marketing programs are fully funded.

"Florida Tourism Day is an opportunity to highlight the over $57 billion impact made to the state's economy through the tourism and hospitality industry," said Carol B. Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. "Florida offers the ultimate adventure for visitors seeking everything from our beautiful weather, to sandy white beaches, to world class hotels and restaurants, to nationally ranked sporting events, attractions, museums, parks, campgrounds, and convention options. Tourism Day honors the millions of large and small businesses owners and operators who make the hospitality industry the number one employer in the Sunshine State."

For media inquiries, please contact Christina Johnson at 850.391.5040 or via email at Christina@on3pr.com. For information on Florida Tourism Day, please contact the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association at 850.224.2250.

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The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA)
FRLA's mission is to Protect, Educate and Promote Florida's hospitality industry – which represents a $57 billion industry, 20% of Florida's economy, $3.4 billion in sales tax revenue, and more than 900,000 employees, making it Florida's largest employer. It is Florida's premier non-profit, hospitality industry trade association. FRLA safeguards the needs of the hospitality industry, improves the business climate, promotes the highest levels of quality and safety for our patrons, provides legislative advocacy, and eases navigation of government regulation. The Association represents and serves more than 10,000 independent and household name members, including theme parks and the largest casual theme restaurant company in the world. Carol Dover serves as President/CEO. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org.

VISIT FLORIDA
VISIT FLORIDA® is the state's official tourism marketing corporation enabled by the Florida Legislature to market the state as a vacation and business destination and enhance the reach and efforts of individual tourism entities within Florida. For every $1 spent on tourism marketing, VISIT FLORIDA generates more than $147 in tourism spending and $9 in new sales tax collections, paid by visitors, not residents. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. Chris Thompson serves as President/CEO. For more information, go to www.VisitFlorida.org.

Florida Attractions Association (FAA)
FAA promotes and advances the interests of the attraction industry and is the conduit that enables its diverse membership to achieve a greater level of excellence. From its beginning 62 years ago spearheaded by five key attractions, the Florida Attractions Association has grown in size and stature. Today its membership is comprised of 94 leading attractions, 85 associate members and 38 State Parks throughout the Sunshine State. Bill Lupfer serves as President/CEO. For more information, go to www.FloridaAttractions.org.

Florida Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (FACVB)
Convention and visitors bureaus are also called destination marketing or management organizations, and typically outside North America, tourist/convention bureaus, boards or offices. They act as the community, county(ies) or local authority leader in tourism marketing and development. A bureau's primary mission is frequently to market cities, towns, counties or regions to potential visitors. Further, they provide local visitor/meeting planning services, and act as a catalyst and/or builder in ensuring the development of appropriate attractions, facilities/services, and infrastructure needed to provide destination experiences. Robert Skrob serves as Executive Director. For more information, go to www.FACVB.org.

The Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (FARVC)
FARVC is a non-profit trade association representing the owners and operators of Florida campgrounds and RV Parks. Founded in 1964, Florida ARVC was one of the first Campground Owner's Associations established in the nation. It is dedicated to helping Florida campgrounds and RV parks provide a quality camping experience for everyone who enjoys camping as a vacation or a lifestyle. You will find there are many quality campgrounds throughout the state which offer a wide range of accommodations and amenities at affordable prices. Bobby Cornwell serves as President/CEO and Executive Director. For more information, go to www.FARVC.org.

Florida Association of Museums (FAM)
FAM is the not-for-profit professional organization for Florida's museums and museum professionals. The mission of the Association is to represent and address the needs of the museum community, enhancing the ability of museums to serve the public interest. The Association encourages excellence it its members by promoting communication through which its members share information and resources, effect legislation and promote support of museums. Malinda Horton serves as Executive Director. For more information, go to www.FlaMuseums.org.

Florida Sports Foundation
The Florida Sports Foundation, Inc. is the official sports promotion and development organization for the State of Florida. The Foundation is a private, not-for-profit corporation operating under contract with the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development under the Executive Office of the Governor. The Foundation functions as a private entity and is overseen by fifteen member board of directors appointed by the governor and fifteen board of directors appointed from the private sector. With an endless list of sporting ventures, the Florida Sports Foundation strives to globally promote Florida's unique sports industry. Larry Pendleton serves as President/CEO. For more information, go to www.FlaSports.com.