Graham McKenzie engages in a delightful conversation with Tracy Vaughan from Visit Lauderdale, shedding light on Fort Lauderdale's inclusive ethos. Tracy eloquently articulates how Fort Lauderdale, with its melting pot of 170 nationalities and 140 languages spoken, embraces diversity wholeheartedly. Proudly dubbed the LGBTQ capital of Florida, it boasts the second largest LGBTQ community in the US. Tracy's passionate narration unveils Fort Lauderdale's casual, non-judgmental atmosphere, inviting visitors to be themselves amidst the city's stunning beaches, the enchanting Everglades, and myriad water activities. As Graham and Tracy discuss, Fort Lauderdale's inclusive spirit is not just a marketing strategy but a way of life, promising an unforgettable experience for all who visit.  

Fort Lauderdale’s inviting sandy beaches and sunshine are a constant, never changing feature. But that’s not the case with every other aspect of Greater Fort Lauderdale life. It’s a vibrant place and always evolving with new entertainment experiences, attractions and events to surprise visitors every year. See what’s in store for 2024 with an insider’s look at the latest happenings to interest Everyone Under the Sun.   Upcoming Events Held on the white sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival is a 3-day, multi-stage music festival featuring some of the biggest names in country, rock and roots music. 5 - 7 April 2024.   The Fort Lauderdale Airshow is back on 11 & 12 May 2024, with aerial feats by expert pilots from the military and entertainment industries. Set on Fort Lauderdale Beach, the weekend-long annual event is filled with exhilarating aerial acrobatics.   International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup will be held in the US for the first time this year. Consisting of 55 high-intensity matches, played in nine cities throughout the world. The Greater Fort Lauderdale area will host four games in June at the Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill from 11-16 June 2024.   Greater Fort Lauderdale Hosting IPW, Premier International Trade Show A major win for Visit Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale was selected as the host site for IPW in 2026 for the first time. U.S. Travel’s IPW is a major industry event attended by international and domestic travel buyers and journalists who represent more than 70 countries. This is among the largest generators of travel to the United States. The event will be staged at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center from 18-22 May 2026, plus additional sites throughout the region.   Sports and Entertainment Did you know Greater Fort Lauderdale has its own anthem? The catchy song, entitled “Laudy Dayo” is a celebration of the diverse community, landscapes, and dynamic energy. Visit Lauderdale partnered with Alexander Star, a local Emmy-nominated songwriter and impact artist who performed the anthem. It is poised to become a timeless representation of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s identity.   The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywoodushered in a ‘new era’ of gaming with the recent introduction of craps, roulette and long-awaited, legalized sports betting. The launch of these new games sees Greater Fort Lauderdale join the ranks of leading international casinos.   The Fortis the ultimate pickleball destination, coming soon to Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale. Located on a 10-acre expanse, the Pickleball Club will boast 43 pickleball courts, with 14 under roof, including the world's first officialpickleball stadium. More than just pickleball, The Fort also offers a dynamic lakeside social experience with The Lakehouse, an event center that doubles as sky boxes during tournaments and special events.   Topgolf Pompano Beachis a brand-new entertainment option. A blend of sports, socializing, technology and entertainment, Topgolf is the perfect place for parties of all sizes where guests can take aim at the giant outfield targets and enjoy climate-controlled hitting bays and complimentary clubs.   Escape rooms have evolved, and fans are loving the new Escape Game Sunrise now open at Sawgrass Mills Mall. At Escape Game Sunrise, you and your team are heroes on a mission. Games are collaborative, tactile, story-driven, and about more than just escaping, they are adventures.   The historic Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame complex, home to Florida’s first Olympic-sized swimming pool that opened in 1926, underwent a $47 million renovation in summer 2023. The expansion includes five swimming pools and support amenities that will welcome new generations of aquatic sport enthusiasts. A major highlight for the new venue is a 27-metre dive tower with springboards and nine platform levels. Upon request, visitors can take their experience to greater heights with the “Top of the Tower” tours unlocking scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Fort Lauderdale beach.  Further renovations are expected to be completed by 2025.   Accessibility & Transportation Visit Lauderdale continues to enhance its inclusion and accessibility offerings with Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center becoming the first convention center in North America to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, a simple tool for people with non-visible disabilities to voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent. All convention center employees will receive Sunflower training on how to spot and help someone with a hidden disability. A permanent space now provides a person with a hidden disability, or a traveling companion, with various Sunflower products, such as a lanyard, pin, wristband, or retractable Sunflower ID card holder.   Brightline, the high-speed rail, which connects Fort Lauderdale to Miami and West Palm Beach, added Orlando to its service in September 2023. The station, located in the heart of Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C, makes Fort Lauderdale more easily accessible for travellers flying direct into Orlando (MCO) with a travel time of less than three hours from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. Traveling on Brightline is fully accessible to users of all abilities and easily accommodates guests using wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistance devices.   Disney Cruise Line brought its magic to Port Everglades with the arrival of The Disney Dream in November 2023. The ship will homeport year-round in a specially designed cruise terminal at Port Everglades, dedicated for Disney Cruise Line guests. In 2024, Port Everglades will also welcome Azamara Onward and Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, its fifth Oasis-Class Ship and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Ascent. Also coming soon, are newbuilds Silversea’s Silver Nova and Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess.   JetBlue Airways has plans to build its own terminal that will soon be responsible for 250 daily trips by 2027. The new terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a 230,000-square-feet project featuring five passenger gates, inbound and outbound baggage processing facilities, a security checkpoint, retail and food and beverage concessions.   The famed Water Taxi has added a brand-new stop along the Intracoastal Waterway at the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum. Located at 1 Hall of Fame Drive in Fort Lauderdale, passengers now have another convenient location to cruise the ‘Venice of America’.   Getting to Fort Lauderdale UK and Irish visitors can fly direct into Miami or Orlando, via a range of airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Aer Lingus, and Norse.  Fort Lauderdale is a one-hour drive or 33 mins on the train from Miami (MIA) and a 3.5-hour drive or under three hours on the train from Orlando (MCO).   Visitors can also fly into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) with Air Canada from London (LHR), via Montreal or Toronto, which has the added benefit of being able to clear US customs in Canada, ensuring a swift arrival into FLL.   Find inspiration for your next trip at visitlauderdale.com.

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  Tracy Vaughan, SVP Global Trade Development at Visit Lauderdale, spoke to Graham McKenzie in London about her destination and the type of tourists that they are trying to attract.  

Destination marketing organization Visit Lauderdale launched a new campaign to celebrate the area’s diversity. The ‘We Are’ campaign includes video and social media as an extension of the destination’s ‘Everyone Under the Sun’ campaign, which was created to welcome all populations and communities. “Visitors to Greater Fort Lauderdale can be assured they are in a place where diversity, inclusion and acceptance is actively championed as an established way of life that is fully ingrained throughout our community,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “The Visit Lauderdale slogan, ‘Everyone Under the Sun,’ reflects the open and welcoming nature of our community.” Greater Fort Lauderdale includes 31 municipalities. People from 170 countries, speaking more than 147 languages call Greater Fort Lauderdale home. Additionally, it is home to the largest percentage of same-sex couple households in the US and is recognized as Florida’s LGBT+ capital. It is also a majority minority county with a large Hispanic and Caribbean-American population. “Travel transcends politics and decisions made at the state level do not always align with our mission, values, and community,” continued Ritter. “In spite of HB 1557 being signed into legislation, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a progressive destination recognized throughout the tourism industry for its thought leadership on diversity, inclusion, and acceptance.”

Visit Lauderdale has launched Lauderdale Loyalist, a new interactive m-Learning training and sales initiative for travel advisors. Already available online, Lauderdale Loyalist is a game-changer for travel pros, supporting their destination learning requirements and serving as an ongoing sales enhancement resource. It was developed with the support of TravPRO Mobile. It begins with a series of interactive learning modules including an introduction to Greater Fort Lauderdale and its beaches and communities. Advisors are introduced to central themes including nature, arts and culture, LGBT+ and the destination-wide spirit of inclusivity. Once the learning modules are completed, advisors progress to the Retain section, where content remains available to access at any time. “The Lauderdale Loyalist platform provides state-of-the-art education and sales tools to help agents provide expert advice, start more conversations and book more travel,” said Tracy Vaughan, Senior Vice President, Global Trade for Visit Lauderdale. “Visit Lauderdale is committed to providing resources to help our valued travel advisors do their jobs and in our search for a new learning tool, we were impressed with TravPRO’s Promote and Sell sections that help advisors throughout the planning and booking process.” There are videos, images, promotional callouts, insider sales tips and engaging questions about the lodging and experience choices throughout the Greater Fort Lauderdale region. The platform guides advisors with assets that are educational and easily shareable or downloadable. There is also a destination directory with over 500 suppliers to help Lauderdale Loyalists find and book the right supplier. A Spanish language version of Lauderdale Loyalist will be available by late March and the platform will expand with additional languages next year. Advisors can register and begin the web-based program now at www.lauderdaleloyalist.com or download the mobile apps from the App Store or Play Store.

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale has arrived on the Atlantic coast of South Florida. The property’s clean contemporary lines designed by architect Kobi Karp are inspired by Fort Lauderdale’s yachting heritage, winding waterways, and lively streets. “Like a picture-perfect postcard, the newest Four Seasons in our growing portfolio will create an unmatched luxury lifestyle experience – from design to service, and everything in between. We are setting the stage to experience one of America’s most beloved seaside communities in an entirely new way,” says Christian Clerc, Four Seasons President – Hotels and Resorts. A Place in the Sun “The opportunity to soak up the sun poolside, spend a day at the beach or head out onto the water is the reason so many are drawn to South Florida,” said General Manager Mazen Saleh. “We’re matching the energy and spirit here in Fort Lauderdale with the sophisticated touch of Four Seasons.” The Ocean Sun Deck is home to two horizon-edge pools and the Hotel’s signature dining experience, Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale, all fashioned by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Outdoor spaces come to life with varietals of tropical palms and greenery by Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design that frame the Hotel’s ocean vistas. Before heading out, guests can select beach fare favourites from Honey Fitz, stop by the toys station, and let the Beach Concierge plan the perfect day, including local water sports. Restaurant and Bars An homage to “the lady of Bonnet House,” Evelyn Fortune Lilly Bartlett – one of Fort Lauderdale’s most notable luminaries – Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale is where eastern Mediterranean meets coastal cuisine in an indoor-outdoor atmosphere. Here, Restaurant Chef Brandon Salomon, a Long Island native most recently from the kitchen at Florie’s by Mauro Colagreco, presents mezzes, coastal seafood selections, wood-smoked meats and fish around the table. Flowing down the first level, Honey Fitz continues seamlessly from the lobby as an inviting and relaxing space for gourmet coffee creations and colourful handcrafted pastries by Pastry Chef Christina Kaelberer by day. As the sun sets, natural wines, grower champagne and cocktails along with accompaniments both savoury and sweet, are served. Inspired Spa and Wellness The Spa at Four Seasons is a sanctuary where holistic remedies meet modern innovations. Taking the inspiration of Fort Lauderdale’s ubiquitous waterways, the Spa Dream aqua bed by Lemi offers the opportunity to float on a warm water mattress while enjoying one of the body treatments from “The Waves” menu, including scrubs, wraps and options that combine body and facial treatments.  A 24-hour, fully-equipped fitness centre offers motivating ocean views, while outside, sunrise yoga classes and complimentary bicycles to explore the community await. A Perfect Night’s Sleep A rest awaits in one of 189 guest rooms and suites. They have marine-inspired details throughout, from recessed ceilings and wraparound shelving to brass lamps and polished wood finishes. The result is modern and airy, with a fresh take on classic themes. The hotel’s premier accommodation is the Birch Oceanfront Terrace Suite, named for local legend Hugh Taylor Birch, who gifted miles of Fort Lauderdale beachfront for the enjoyment of all.  Boasting more than 1,600 square feet (150 square metres) of space indoors, plus a nearly 2,000 square feet (180 square metre) fully furnished terrace with direct ocean views.

 

• Greater Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) encompasses 1,197 square miles (766,016 acres). It has a resident population of almost 1.9 million living in 31 municipalities. Over 180,000 reside in the city of Fort Lauderdale, the largest city and the seat of county government. Visit Lauderdale is the regional tourism organization representing all of Greater Fort Lauderdale. Find information on places to stay, things to do, dining and more at visitlauderdale.com.

• Greater Fort Lauderdale’s climate is tropical with an average year-round temperature of 76°F / 25°C and 3,000 hours of sunshine. Winter temperatures average a mean of 66° F / 19° C; summer, a mean of 84° F / 29° C. January is the coolest month of the year and August is the warmest. The heaviest rainfalls occur during August and September.

• 24 miles of Atlantic coastline beach line the shores of Greater Fort Lauderdale in 8 beachside cities. From north to south the beach communities are: Deerfield Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Hollywood and Hallandale Beach.

• Greater Fort Lauderdale spans from the beaches on the east side to the Everglades in the west. A vast expanse of the Everglades ecosystem provides an expansive area for nature exploration, fishing for bass and other freshwater species, and airboat tours. In addition to the Everglades, the “wild west” region includes the rural horse-loving communities of Davie and Southwest Ranches. Take a guided horseback ride along tree-lined trails, invest in riding lessons, visit the rodeo or shop for boots and western wear.

• Greater Fort Lauderdale’s tourism slogan, Everyone Under the Sun, reflects the open and welcoming nature of the area thanks to the diverse local population. Greater Fort Lauderdale (Broward County) is a majority minority county. The largest minority group is now Hispanic and there is a large Caribbean-American population, including the most Jamaicans in the United States. The area is also home to the largest percentage of same sex households.

• Greater Fort Lauderdale is recognized as Florida’s LGBT+ Capital and as one of the most progressive destinations in the U.S. and is recognized for its authentic, welcoming vibe. Here you’ll find a thriving local LGBT+ community with the highest concentration of same-sex couple households in the country as well as hundreds of gay-owned businesses, many of which are centered around the Wilton Manors neighborhood. Sebastian Beach, a top-rated gay beach in the U.S., is nestled in Fort Lauderdale beach.

• Fort Lauderdale transformed from a quiet beach community to Spring Break central with the December 1960 premiere of the film “Where the Boys Are,” shot on location along Fort Lauderdale beach, in Hollywood and several other Greater Fort Lauderdale locations. The area made the decision to move away from promoting the area as a Spring Break destination in the mid-1980s. Today, Greater Fort Lauderdale is known worldwide as a year-round cosmopolitan and diverse destination with something for everyone under the sun.

• Greater Fort Lauderdale is experiencing a hotel boom. There is great investor interest in the area, as evidenced by six new hotels that opened in 2020; 10 new hotel openings by the close of 2021; and another seven properties with openings scheduled in 2022, including the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale.

• The area is known as one of the top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations in Florida. Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is famous as the Shore Diving Capital of South Florida with colorful near-shore reefs and shipwrecks. Shipwreck Park in the waters off Pompano Beach is an artificial reef system including several shipwrecks and other reef structures. The Lady Luck shipwreck is a popular wreck dive adorned with artwork and has been made into an underwater casino, complete with octopus dealers and poker-playing sharks!

• “Venice of America” is more than a humble brag for the area. It is the destination’s world-famous nickname based on the 300 miles of navigable inland waterways that run through Greater Fort Lauderdale, with about 165 of those miles in the city of Fort Lauderdale itself.

• Fort Lauderdale is also recognized as the Yachting Capital of the World. It’s convenient to find every yachting service you might need including crew training and management, yacht management services, yacht provisioning, yacht and boat repairs and maintenance, yacht brokerage, financial services, dry docking, and an increasing number of slips for larger boats and superyachts. And you can’t beat the great weather year-round. The annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, celebrating 63 years in 2022, is the world's largest in-water boat show.

• Locals and visitors alike love the boating lifestyle. It pays to have a friend with a yacht, but if you don’t, visitors who aren’t comfortable navigating a rental boat can find transportation on the Water Taxi or an independent boat charter for a sightseeing cruise or dock-and-dine evening at the many waterfront restaurants and bars. Private waterway tours are available on a variety of small boats and there are even authentic Venetian gondola tour boats.

• The famous Winterfest Boat Parade – currently known as the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade – celebrated 50 years in 2021. What started in 1971 as a few friends getting together for a fun holiday celebration now features 100 wildly decorated watercraft ranging from superyachts and showboats featuring live music and entertainment to small craft of every size. Over a million spectators line 12 miles of the New River and Intracoastal Waterway to watch the spectacle, which is also carried live on regional television and each year features a celebrity grand marshal.

• Fort Lauderdale is home to the tallest dive tower in the Western Hemisphere. The new 27-meter dive tower at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame includes nine platforms. There are 162 stairs to the top. When the revitalized complex (under construction now) reopens in late 2022, the public can take a “Top of the Tower Tour.” Although you won’t be able to actually take a dive, you can revel in the spectacular view over Fort Lauderdale’s famous beach and the Intracoastal Waterway.

• The first Olympic-sized swimming pool in Florida opened at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center in 1928.

• Butterfly World, which opened in 1988 at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek on the northwest side of Greater Fort Lauderdale, is the largest butterfly park in the world and the first park of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.

• Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades ranks as the third-largest cruise port in the world, typically hosting nearly four million passengers annually.

• Greater Fort Lauderdale dining is often seafood-centric with numerous waterfront restaurants with views of the ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway or the many inland rivers and waterways. Popular fresh Florida seafood that can be found includes fish like grouper, snapper and swordfish and shellfish like Gulf shrimp, blue crab and stone crab claws (served in season from October 15 to May 1 each year). Stone crab claws are known as Florida’s renewable seafood resource. Fisherman remove a claw from the crab and then return it to the water alive, where it regenerates a new claw.

Experience diverse offerings and experiences throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale’s 31 neighborhoods   Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale in South Florida, welcomes everyone under the sun to experience new and reimagined hotels, restaurants and attractions throughout the destination’s 31 cities. The Yachting Capital of the World continues to grow with more offerings and experiences for those seeking wanderlust.   The destination had 10 new hotels open in 2021 including the dual-branded Marriott and AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Airport in Dania Beach, the dual-branded Home2Suites and Tru by Hilton at Pompano Beach Pier, the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Downtown, which includes The Easton rooftop bar and lounge, and more. Seven more hotels are on schedule for opening in 2022, including the highly anticipated Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale.   “2022 is a great time to visit Greater Fort Lauderdale, as visitors will find not only a place with gorgeous beaches, but a thriving and cosmopolitan destination that is vibrant with chic accommodations, a buzzy culinary scene and a diverse range of events in a gorgeous setting,” says Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “Whether you visited six months ago or six years ago, there is always more to discover here as Greater Fort Lauderdale continues to evolve.”   New & Renovated Hotels in Greater Fort Lauderdale   The first two hotels to open in 2021 were Cambria Fort Lauderdale Beach and Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach, with its centerpiece restaurant Riviera, offering coastal Italian cuisine with Mediterranean influences by celebrity chef Fabio Viviano, known for his turn as a “Top Chef” contestant.   Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Downtown opened in March 2021, bringing 137 rooms into the trendy, arts-oriented Flagler Village section of downtown Fort Lauderdale.   AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise opened in March 2021, located adjacent to Sawgrass Mills mall and steps away from the BB&T Center. The eight-story hotel is the first new hotel in Sunrise, FL in the past 15 years. The European style designed hotel features 174 guest rooms, a lavish onsite lounge and a rooftop bar called Horizon Bar and Lounge.   Kimpton Goodland Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach opened in April 2021 at the location of the former and historic Escape Hotel (opened in 1949 as the first hotel near the beach to have a swimming pool and stay open year-round). The 96-room hotel offers a tucked-away oasis with two pools, a coastal-inspired restaurant called Botanic and the poolside Good Bar.   Tru by Hilton and Home2Suites by Hilton Pompano Beach Pier opened a 150-room dual-branded hotel in June 2021. The hotel features a fitness area, a saline pool and a rooftop deck featuring spectacular 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean, Pompano Beach Fishing Pier, the Hillsboro Lighthouse, the Intracoastal Waterway and all the action below in Pompano Beach Fishing Village.   Located in the heart of Dania Pointe, Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport at Dania Beach and AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Airport opened in September 2021. Comfort meets sophistication at the 350-room dual-branded property with thoughtfully designed open spaces, meeting rooms, an infinity pool with cabanas, and restaurants and bars.   In October Hillsboro Beach Resort, a 99-room property with the oceanfront ROI restaurant, opened on the exclusive Hillsboro Mile. With direct oceanfront access as well as Intracoastal dockage, guests can enjoy the waves roll in on the serene private beach, lounge at the resort pool, or enjoy watersports from the Intracoastal mooring.   The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina renovated all 595 guestrooms in 2020. The upscale, nautically inspired hotel continued renovations with its meeting space inclusive of the 7,800 sq. ft. ballroom and 4,000 sq. ft. junior ballroom. Total meeting space renovated was approximately 18,000 sq. ft. Renovations to the meeting space, lobby and public space were completed in November 2021. The hotel is currently constructing a new 5,000 sq. ft. waterfront ballroom and a rooftop bar and restaurant overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, scheduled to be completed in late 2022.   New Hotels in 2022   In January 2022, AC Hotels by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach will open, just steps away from Sebastian Street Beach. The 171-room hotel will boast ocean views, an open kitchen for European-style breakfast and specialty culinary events, a library, an expansive resort-style pool with cabanas and dining services, and 1,000 square feet of meeting space.   Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale opens its doors in early 2022 overlooking Fort Lauderdale beach. The new 22-story luxury hotel will feature two restaurants, a spa, fitness center, children’s recreation room, “Beach Butlers” and ballroom and meeting facilities.   Other planned 2022 openings include Avid Dania Beach (100 rooms), Holiday Inn Express & Suites Miramar (100 rooms), Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Northwest (110 rooms), Wyndham Dolce Kosher House Hotel in Hollywood (100 rooms) and Holiday Inn Express Hollywood (95 rooms).   Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center Expansion   The first phase of the highly anticipated Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center expansion – the newly updated 800,000 sq. ft. pre-existing center with an expanded 350,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall – opened Oct. 27, 2021. Work on the remainder of the $1.1 billion expansion continues, including the new eastside expansion with waterfront ballrooms, meetings rooms and kitchen facilities, a five-acre outdoor waterfront plaza and an 800-room, five-story headquarters hotel interconnected with the convention center. Full completion will increase the facility's size to 1.2 million sq. ft. and is expected in late 2025.   New in Arts & Culture   The Weiner Museum of Decorative Arts (WMODA) hosts “Through the Looking Glass” on Jan. 22. At noon, glass art comes to life as iconic characters from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” show off their zany costumes in a fashion show featuring wearable art. Also on Jan. 22, multi-disciplinary artist Dave Rosenthal and glass artist Rob Stern are collaborating to explore sound and glassmaking in their live performances of Resonance @WMODA.   Follow the light to IGNITE, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s new family-friendly immersive art experience showcasing exciting interactive light and video installations by leading contemporary artists and designers. Site-specific artworks will illuminate and activate locations in Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach from Jan. 26 - 30, 2022. Admission to all Ignite Broward art experiences and talks is free to the public.   The Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale welcomes a STEM exhibit Planet Pioneers: Journey to Space on Jan. 28-May 16 and an engaging STEAM exhibit Dinosaurs in Motion: Where Art & Science Meet on May 27-Sept. 6.   New Dining & Nightlife   With more than 4,000 eateries, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s eclectic dining scene offers a variety of delectable offerings for every palate. From food halls to speakeasies and restaurants to rooftops, the destination’s culinary scene continues to flourish.   In September 2021, Mama Hank’s, a kitchen and full-liquor speakeasy lounge, opened in Flagler Village. Behind a 400-pound bulletproof vault door, an intimate area awaits with 30 seats, an island bar and warehouse bay door that rolls up for alfresco drinking.   In November 2021, the elegant beachfront restaurant inside the Auberge Beach Residences and Spa reopened under new owner and Michelin-star chef Laurent Tourondel. DUNE by Laurent Tourondel offers an elevated dining experience and contemporary American cuisine characterized by an emphasis on creativity and innovation.   Also in November 2021, Fort Lauderdale hotspot YOLO reopened after a multimillion-dollar renovation to the restaurant and O Lounge next store.   In December 2021, The Angeles, part restaurant and part nightlife/entertainment venue, opened inside a transformed church in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The two-story nightclub destination features a 220-seat, full-service restaurant called Holly Blue, with indoor and outdoor dining, along with an event space. The club can accommodate 700 people, including 75-100 in the VIP area overlooking the dance floor.   The Katherine, a seafood- and vegetable-focused restaurant, opened in January 2022 in downtown Fort Lauderdale. James Beard-nominated chef Tim Balloo showcases his quintessential home-style dinners infused with the cuisine of his Chinese, Indian and Trinidadian roots.   More dining and nightlife venues coming soon:  

• Ya Mas! opens in January on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Meaning “Cheers” in Greek, Ya Mas! will transport guests to a lively taverna found on Mykonos or Santorini.
• Moréa is a Mediterranean oceanfront dining oasis opening in January on Fort Lauderdale beach. The spacious 275-seat dining destination will offer an indoor dining room, spacious bar/lounge area, and a gorgeous waterfront patio and bar. Award-winning artist and Chihuly protege, Doug Frates, designed the interior with a breathtaking two-story glass wall installation as well as several signature hanging pieces imported from Italy.
• Sunset Club Rooftop Bar & Lounge opens at Costa Hollywood Beach Hotel in February.
• The Bite Eatery, the first food hall in Pompano Beach, will open in March just a few blocks away from the beach and the Pompano Fishing Pier. The 250-seat venue will feature The Beach Bar, a central full-liquor bar, plus nine food vendors.

  On the horizon for 2023, when the three-story Victory Entertainment Complex opens in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk neighborhood, it will include a distillery, cigar bar, wine and whiskey lounge and rooftop area.   New in Entertainment & Sports   The Parker, formerly Parker Playhouse, debuted in September 2021 after a $30 million remodel. The Pompano Beach Amphitheater reopens in February after a $3.5 million renovation.   On May 10-23 Greater Fort Lauderdale will welcome the National Senior Games presented by Humana, the world’s largest multi-sport championship event for adults ages 50+. For the first time in history, open registration is now offered for the Games. Anyone 50 and over by December 31, 2021, can register and compete in the 2022 Games without first qualifying.   The City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department debuted The LOOP (Las Olas Oceanside Park System), a $65 million parks project located in the Central Beach area of Fort Lauderdale beach. Encompassing Las Olas Oceanside Park, Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, The Sunset Terrace at the Las Olas Beach Garage, The LOOP is a destination in and of itself for authentic experiences. The project’s final phase to finish the build-out on the complete redesign of DC Alexander Park is estimated to be completed in late winter 2022. It will feature a multi-level signature play area surrounded by a 25-foot sweeping observation deck with a 42-foot-tall shade canopy and restroom facility.   The Florida Panthers organization's revitalization of the War Memorial Auditorium and construction of a new state-of-the-art practice and community ice facility in Fort Lauderdale is fully underway and slated for a summer 2022 debut. Upon its completion, the new ROSSETTI-designed 144,000 sq. foot sports and entertainment venue will house South Florida's first-of-its-kind ballroom-style concert and performance venue, capable of accommodating up to 3,800 people for intimate live music and events.   The historic Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and International Swimming Hall of Fame complex, home to Florida’s first Olympic-sized swimming pool that opened in 1926, is undergoing a $47 million renovation and expansion that includes five swimming pools and support amenities that will welcome new generations of aquatic sport enthusiasts to sporting activities and competitions. A major highlight for the new venue is a 27-meter dive tower with springboards and nine platform levels. Visitors will be able to experience “Top of the Tower” tours with scenic views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Fort Lauderdale beach. Pools are projected to open in late 2022 along with expanded operations and meetings facilities.   New Air Service at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport   Greater Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is conveniently located near the beach, Port Everglades, the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and downtown. Traffic continues to increase at both domestic and international terminals as airlines resume service to established routes and new routes are added.     Avelo Airlines launched nonstop routes with low fares between FLL and Tweed-New Haven (HVN) airport in New Haven, Connecticut as part of its new U.S. east coast expansion.   New international service to FLL is now available on low-cost carrier Flair Airlines from Ottawa and Toronto, with service to the Canadian cities of Kitchener-Waterloo and Montreal soon to follow.   Startup Norse Atlantic Airways will operate transatlantic routes beginning in 2022 on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners from FLL to Oslo, London, and Paris. The airline will also establish its new headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, creating hundreds of jobs. Founded by former Norwegian executives, Norse Atlantic’s Oslo route will launch first, followed by London and Paris.   Frontier Airlines will soon launch 12 new nonstop routes. Beginning Feb. 17, the airline starts daily flights from Atlanta (ATL), Buffalo, New York (BUF), Islip, New York (ISP), Orlando (MCO), Philadelphia (PHL), Providence (PVD), Stewart, New York (SWF), and Trenton, New Jersey (TTN). On Feb. 18, daily flights will start to Albany, New York (ALB) and Rochester, New York (ROC). Service to Green Bay, Wisconsin (GRB) and Portland, Maine (PWM) begins Feb. 19 with one flight weekly.   Cruise News   Cruising returned to the United States after a 15-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the June 26 sailing of Celebrity Edge from Port Everglades. Celebrity Equinox and Royal Caribbean’s new Odyssey of the Seas began sailing a few weeks later.   Balearia Caribbean celebrated its 10^th anniversary at Port Everglades in December, providing fast ferry service from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini and Freeport, Grand Bahama.   Cruise Lines Sailing in 2022 from Port Everglades   Viking Ocean Cruises – 4 ships Celebrity Cruises – 6 ships Cunard Line – 2 ships Holland America Line – 7 ships Princess Cruises – 7 ships Royal Caribbean International – 6 ships Silversea Cruises – 7 ships   Balearia Caribbean – High-speed ferry to Bimini (3 hours) and Freeport, Grand Bahama (4 hours)   The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima ship will sail from Port Everglades in February 2023. Azmara Cruises’ Onward ship sets sail in fall 2023. Disney Cruise Line will begin sailing from Port Everglades from a reimagined cruise terminal at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale as early as October 2023.   Upcoming 2022 Events  

• Greater Fort Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival presented by Visit Lauderdale – January 10-16
• Seaglass – January 21-23
• Florida Renaissance Festival – February 5-March 20
• Fur the Love Pet Fest – February 20
• Tortuga Music Festival – April 8-10
• Fort Lauderdale Air Show – April 30-May 1
• National Senior Games – May 10-23
• Weekley Brothers Davie Pro Rodeo – June 25

Destination marketing organization Visit Lauderdale appointed Paul Mason as Senior Manager, Global Trade Development, with a primary focus on the international inbound market. He joins the DMO from Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. "I'm thrilled to welcome Paul to our team. His extensive experience managing strategic partners on a global basis will be a positive asset to our entire organization," says Tracy Vaughan, Senior Vice Present, Global Trade Development for Visit Lauderdale. Mason's 35-year career in the hotel and tourism industry includes national and global positions. Visit Lauderdale serves as the tourism department for Broward County, Florida and promotes the area's 31 municipalities to a global audience of leisure and business travelers.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau recently announced its new brand name as Visit Lauderdale with the destination tagline 'Everyone Under the Sun,' reflecting the diversity and welcoming nature of the Greater Fort Lauderdale region. To illustrate the new brand, Visit Lauderdale commissioned internationally renowned airbrush artist Avi Ram, a Greater Fort Lauderdale resident, to paint a new 'Everyone Under the Sun' mural. The mural is on display at the entrance of the W Fort Lauderdale hotel. The brand launch also included the debut of the official Visit Lauderdale Everyone Under the Sun beer, crafted by Fort Lauderdale's Gulf Stream Brewing Company. Flags displaying the new Visit Lauderdale logo are flying high from hotels, the Water Taxi, on airboats out in the Everglades and at many other Broward County locations. It comes as the US  announced  borders will reopen in November for vaccinated travellers from the UK,  EU and around  the  world. "One of my goals when I took over as head of Broward tourism five years ago was to rebrand the organization and our destination to better support our community through tourism jobs and the positive economic impact it brings," says Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. "We have an incredibly diverse and inclusive community that is welcoming to literally everyone under the sun, and that message is now infused into all of our marketing as we invite people to Visit Lauderdale." Tourism leaders will continue to focus their efforts on marketing the entire Greater Fort Lauderdale region as a top destination for travelers, meetings and convention attendees and sports groups - just with a new name. The name Visit Lauderdale went through extensive consumer focus group testing and consistently emerged as the favourite of people interested in Greater Fort Lauderdale area trips. It will serve as a call to action in destination ads inviting people to Visit Lauderdale and experience not only the area's beaches, but all the great people and places between the beaches and the Everglades. "We have 31 municipalities in Broward County, all of which are unique and alive with their own culture, flavour and activities," adds Ritter. "Our largest city, Fort Lauderdale, is just one of those 31 cities, but the name Lauderdale is the most recognizable. It helps us put the entire Broward County area on the map for visitors."