Experience Kissimmee

Last week, the SuperConductivity Global Alliance (ScGA) and Magnetics Corporation (MagCorp) brought together leaders in superconductivity and magnetics technology for a Commercial Superconductivity Summit (CSS) at NeoCityFL. During the summit, business leaders strategized, forged global partnerships and learned why NeoCity is the ideal hub for their future business operations. The Experience Kissimmee Meeting Sales & Services team proudly represented the destination during this regional partner showcase, allowing these business leaders to learn why Kissimmee and NeoCity are not only the ideal business environment but also an amazing place to live, play and host meetings. GODWIN'S GATORLAND, INC‘s baby gator meet & greet experience was a big hit - it gave business leaders from the semiconductor sector a taste of memorable meeting experiences they can expect when hosting events in Kissimmee. #mykissimmee #community #partnership #meetingsandevents #superconductivity

Today, there are more than 10,000 destination organizations worldwide, representing a broad spectrum of entities, including destination marketing organizations (DMOs), convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), tourism boards, sports commissions and film offices. These organizations are a cornerstone of the travel and tourism industry, which employs almost 348 million people and was expected to contribute about 10% of global GDP—more than $11 trillion—to the global economy in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. As the official tourism authority promoting Osceola County, we proudly celebrate February 19, 2025, as Destination Professionals Day to honor the people and organizations that drive tourism, economic growth and community vitality worldwide. Check out some quotes from our executives on highlights for working for a destination. The full release can be found here: https://lnkd.in/emvBGGSV #mykissimmee #DestinationProfessionalsDay Destinations International

Last week, the Industry Partner Relations team held a two-day training session for our Experience Kissimmee staff on best practices for utilizing our company database, Simpleview and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Our CRM Specialist, Tiffany Cookro, crafted sessions that were focused on each department's needs for understanding and using the CRM. This allowed for open dialogue on what has worked and where opportunities exist to integrate programs and platforms. We were also excited to welcome two expert trainers from Simpleview who are renowned for their superior expertise in the field and in-depth product knowledge. @Chris George, Solutions Consultant, and @Andrew McLeod, Senior Customer Success Consultant, led us through numerous action items, discussion points, and a great dialogue specific to a Destination Marketing Organization’s full utilization of their CRM. There were so many “Ah-Ha” moments from department heads and our CRM "Super Users" that we know we made the most of this fantastic training. Our team took a deeper dive into using the database and shared ideas on expediting processes, problem-solving and innovative thinking to drive our company forward. We cannot thank Tiffany, Chris and Andrew enough for the time and dedication they put into this training. The amount of information they shared with us will only help us continue to grow. #customerrelationshipmanagement #partnershipmatters #mykissimmee #levelingup

For the very first time, Experience Kissimmee proudly joined the 2025 Silver Spurs Parade, embracing this year’s theme: "Ride for Your Brand." This annual tradition lights up Downtown St. Cloud every February, celebrating Osceola County’s rich Western heritage and strong community spirit. From beautifully decorated floats to equestrian groups and local businesses, the parade is a true reflection of our community’s pride and traditions. As dedicated supporters of Osceola County and the Silver Spurs Rodeo, we were honored to be part of this celebration! Our team—including our COO, Misty Johantgen— proudly represented Experience Kissimmee in style, riding alongside fellow community champions. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us! We can’t wait for next year! #RideForYourBrand #MyKissimmee #SilverSpursParade #SilverSpursRodeo #StCloudFL #CommunityPride

Our staff had the honor of attending The Osceola Chamber's 100th Annual Meeting, celebrating a century of Osceola Heritage. The event showcased the impactful work of the Chamber through past and highlighting future opportunities. We were thrilled to see Angie Rench from Hope Partnership, Inc. receive the Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award and Leslie Fletcher from Cruise Planners-WideWorldofAdventures.com honored with the Guillermo Hansen Unity Award. Congratulations to both for their outstanding contributions! Here's to another 100 years of success and community impact! #MyKissimmee #100years #Heritage #CowboyTradition

Our Meeting Sales & Services Team put their heart into #FloridaEncounter2025 in Ocala, FL! Planners were invited to stop by the Experience Kissimmee booth to learn more about our destination’s meeting appeal, hotels and event venues and our “It Pays to Meet in Kissimmee” meeting incentive paired with trees planted to support sustainable events. Four of our meeting hotel partners graciously joined us for Encounter: 🔹 Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center 🔹 Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate 🔹 Embassy Suites by Hilton™ Orlando Lake Buena Vista South 🔹 Westgate Resorts To make their experience at our booth truly memorable, Experience Kissimmee provided a Corporate Social Responsibility (#CSR) activity to show some L💛VE to our Osceola County community – writing Valentine’s to be shared with seniors served by Osceola Council on Aging. Contact the Meeting Sales & Services Team at Experience Kissimmee to explore a CSR activity for your next meeting or event and put some heart (and fun!) into your meetings! Email: meet@experiencekissimmee.com #MyKissimmee #MeetingsMatter #CSRActivity

We are honored to celebrate the grand reopening of The Inn at Celebration, a beloved landmark in our community since the 1900s. After a stunning multimillion-dollar renovation, this historic hotel has joined the prestigious Autograph Collection Hotel Portfolio. The transformation includes beautifully redesigned guest rooms, a welcoming new lobby and entryway, the addition of the Lakeside Kitchen & Bar, and enhanced indoor and outdoor event spaces. Experience Kissimmee has had the pleasure of working with The Inn at Celebration for many years, and we are delighted to see it back in our portfolio. This partnership continues to make Kissimmee a must-see destination for travelers from around the world. Join us in congratulating The Inn at Celebration on this exciting new chapter! #MyKissimmee #GrandOpening #TheInnAtCelebration #AutographCollection #Travel #Hospitality

The Meeting Sales & Services Team had an amazing start to 2025! We attended RCMA Emerge, Jan. 6-8, in Phoenix, AZ. This annual event, hosted by the Religious Conference Management Association, is the premier trade show for planners of faith-based meetings. @Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South joined us for appointments and to invest in ‘ROR’- ‘Return on Relationships’. The team also met with several of our third-party meeting organization partners headquartered in Arizona for insightful conversations, a bit of fun, and to share updates about Kissimmee’s amazing hotels and venues. Plus, we announced the renewal of our meeting incentive and sustainability initiative through 2025! Back in Kissimmee, the Meetings Team attended several client site inspections to share destination information and visited these amazing partners who provide guest rooms, meeting space, and dining and event options for groups coming to Kissimmee: - @Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Celebration - @Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Sunset Walk - @Fogo de Chao – Orlando-Vineland #MyKissimmee #MeetingsMatter #RCMAEmerge

The Experience Kissimmee PR team hosted 14 influencers from six countries in our very first Global Influencer FAM! Our diverse week-long itinerary featured a professional development day with industry experts: LinkedIn’s Erica Pyatt, who shared insights on leveraging LinkedIn to build a personal brand and connect with potential partners, and Daniella Middleton from Development Counsellors International (DCI), who provided best practices for collaborating with DMOs. Beyond professional growth, the influencers experienced the best of Kissimmee, enjoying a thrilling day at Universal Orlando Resort and a magical adventure at Walt Disney World Resort, creating content that showcased the destination. We also welcomed the Chinese New Year—the Year of the Snake—with special guests from GODWIN'S GATORLAND, INC! Embracing the spirit of good fortune and cultural appreciation, we kicked off the year with a fresh perspective on global traditions. A special thank you to Yinglu Tian, our Senior Director of International & Domestic Sales, for sharing insights into this meaningful celebration. Thank you to Magical Vacation Homes for hosting us at the stunning Reunion Castle, a modern 15-bedroom retreat featuring Kissimmee’s largest privately owned swimming pool. And, of course, a big shoutout to Big John’s Rocking BBQ, Columbia Restaurant, and Arthur's Creative Events & Catering for keeping everyone well-fed throughout the experience. #MyKissimmee #GlobalInfluencerPressTrip #Travel #PublicRelations #InfluencerMarketing Luna PR & Representation Ltd. VoX International Inc. CWW México AVIAREPS Colombia

We are proud to share that Frida Bahja, Ph.D., our Director of Research, and Robin Poche, our Senior Director of Finance, recently volunteered at the High School Hospitality Competition at the University of Central Florida – Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Their dedication helped make the event a success for the young minds of our future. Robin assisted with the registration process and worked with students on the Give Kids The World Village project, assembling hygiene packages for Clean the World. Frida served as a judge for the Hospitality Entrepreneurship Projects, where students developed plans to bring hospitality-related products or services to market. We wish all the winners of the competition the best of luck as they advance to the State Competition. Represent Central Florida well! #MyKissimmee