CEDAR KEY COMMISSIONER AND LOCALS WOW STATE VISITORS

Nearly seventy visitors enjoyed a "wonderful time in Cedar Key" this week. On October 24 - 26, 2012, the Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (FADMO) representatives met for its annual meeting at the Community Center, richly decorated for the occasion by Linda Seyfert and Commissioner Sue Colson, and feasted on such delights as only the Island Room, Tony`s Seafood Restaurant, and the Island Hotel can provide. These individuals lodged at local establishments including the Island Hotel and the Bed and Breakfast. Rave reports came from the group, reported Carol McQueen, Chairman of the FADMO Board of Directors, also of the Levy County Visitors Bureau, and Robert Skrob, FADMO Executive Director. Approximately 90% of the participants had never visited Cedar Key before this week, but, when polled, all reported that they would readily, happily, and quickly return.

FADMO particpants begin their tour at the Marina.

Approximately half of the group enjoyed a lively, informative island tour orchestrated and narrated by Commissioner Sue Colson. Eight four-seat golf carts filled to capacity with participants happy to be outside in the beautiful 75 degree open air traipsed the island. Colson`s focus was Cedar Key as a community concerned about its citizens, its culture, its businesses, and its history; above all, she stressed the community`s ability to work together in good times and in meager ones. At the marina, Colson focused the importance of clean water to the welfare of Cedar Key water industries, including clamming, oystering, fishing, kayaking, and boat touring, adding that visitors come for the fine food, the natural surroundings, and perhaps the island`s little beach. She further explained the grant-financed improvements in the marina area and the citizen-financed palms along the walkway.

Seyfert-Colson decorated Community Center enjoying Peter Stefani-catered lunch.

Further infrastructure basics and improvements, including reclaimed water use, newly installed underground sewers, newly installed fire hydrants, the reverse osmosis plant, dark low lighting community preference, and the sewage treatment plant, were explained. According to Colson, the entire community cares well for: its citizens, old and young, rich and poor, citing Senior Lunch and the Food Pantry; its trees, maintaining a map of the largest ones in City Hall; its cemetery, though many families are no longer able to care for their relatives` graves; its history, citing the Historical Society and the dedicated spots around town; its school`s students citing their involvement in Coastal Cleanup and many other city improvement efforts. The tour`s end at the Community Center`s Indian Burial Ground parking lot area punctuated the tour with the group applauding Colson.

FADMO`s annual meeting agenda included: DMO updates from around the state; identification of new trends; current legislative issues impacting tourism; visitor profile study results; and marketing plan updates.

Colson speaks at Sand Spit Beach about ground runoff management.

DESTINATION MARKETING?
WHAT IS THAT?

Destination marketing is the concept of fitting together specific places with individuals who enjoy particular settings. Examples? Mountain-biking clubs and the Colorado Rockies. Kayaking and birding enthusiasts and the Cedar Keys. Surfers and California coasts. Underwater cave diving and Central Florida. The idea is not to change the community or the individual but, instead, to match them.

Commissioner Colson and her golf-carting fellows traipse Gulf Boulevard.

FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF DESTINATION MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS?
WHO ARE THEY?

The September 2012, issue of FADMO`s official newsletter, Tourism Marketing Today states "The Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations represents the 54 official county DMOs that promote their communities throughout the world. These tourism promotion activities help to attract 76.6 million visitors to Florida, generating %56.6 billion in spending and 690,700 jobs. These activities are made possible by Tourist Development Taxes provided by Florida Statutes Section 125.0104."