People in the News

CEO of Florida CVB inducted into Hall of Fame

Nicki E. Grossman, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitor Bureau, was inducted into the Florida Tourism Hall of Fame on August 26.

The ceremony, which took place at the 40th Annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, honors individuals whose vision, creativity and drive has had a positive and significant impact on Florida tourism.   The Tourism Hall of Fame award was established in 2001 by VISIT FLORIDA®, the state’s official tourism marketing organization.

In addition, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau picked up three Henry Flagler Awards for outstanding achievement in Florida tourism marketing. Categories claimed by Greater Fort Lauderdale included Multicultural Marketing, Mixed Media Campaign, and Magazine Advertising for sunny.org campaign.

“It’s gratifying to receive this honor because it makes me reflect upon all the dedication and talent that everyone at the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB – and our county’s hospitality industry as a whole – brings to work with them on a daily basis,” said Grossman. “I accept this honor on their behalf and the hard work and contribution they have made to the historic transformation of our destination.”

Grossman has held the top position at the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB since 1995. During that time, Greater Fort Lauderdale has become a markedly changed destination, one whose steady influx of luxury hotel developments and upscale pursuits such as high-end shopping, golf and spa have led to high-profile media outlets dubbing the area Florida’s next “it” vacation spot. 

Tourism to Greater Fort Lauderdale has skyrocketed during Grossman’s tenure. When she became CVB president in 1995, Greater Fort Lauderdale attracted just 2.9 million annual visitors, generating approximately $2.2 billion in tourism expenditures.  In 2006, a record 10.35 million people visited Greater Fort Lauderdale, bringing with them a collective economic impact of more than $8.76 billion and accounting for more than 114,240 jobs.

Under Grossman’s watch, more than $2 billion in tourism-related investments have been realized in the past five years, including huge strides in the luxury hotel and resort category.  Over the next three years, nearly a dozen more new developments and major renovations are scheduled for completion. In May 2007, Florida’s first ever St. Regis Hotel – opened on Fort Lauderdale Beach.  In 2008, the addition of the highly anticipated W Hotel and a luxury property from Donald J. Trump are expected.

Major Programs and Initiatives
Grossman’s role in spearheading dozens of high-profile programs and initiatives has earned her a reputation as an architect of perpetual and positive change. Grossman facilitated the creation of a master plan for the now 600,000-square-foot Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, giving the destination the ability to host large-scale conferences.

While serving as the chairperson of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Tourism Development Council, she helped create the Superior Small Lodgings program in an effort to brand and market the area’s smaller, more intimate hotels. The program, which holds these properties to high standards of service and cleanliness, has seen such success that it has grown to other destinations in Florida.

In 1996, Grossman spearheaded the CVB’s efforts to attract gay travelers. As a result of the “Rolling Out the Rainbow Carpet” campaign, this particular market segment has grown for Greater Fort Lauderdale – so much so that important gay travel media such as PlanetOut have ranked Greater Fort Lauderdale as one of the top domestic destinations for gay travelers.

Grossman also has been vital in luring big-name events to South Florida. As Vice Chair of the Super Bowl Host Committee, she was instrumental in bringing the NFL Super Bowl to South Florida in 2007 and its return in 2010.

Grossman has accrued an impressive list of official recognitions during her career. She has been an appointee to the Florida Commission on Tourism for seven years, where she now serves as the 2007-2008 Chair for VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism entity.  She was named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Tourism by Travel Agent Magazine, and one of the Top 25 Marketing Minds by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, furthering the position of women in the industry.