Category Archives: Tourism

Polk State Gets $413,000 LEGOLAND Florida Training Grant

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Officials at Polk State College have learned that a Quick Response Training grant has been approved in the amount of $413,099 effective march 11, 2011. The grant from Workforce Florida, Inc., is for training of 423 new, full-time employees at … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Education, General Announcements, LEGOLAND® Florida, Merlin Entertainments, Polk State College, Tourism | 2 Comments

LEGOLAND Florida … Taking Shape … Soon 24/7 …

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Bob Gernert

LEGOLAND® Florida held a sneak preview of the construction site for media representatives on March 23. Work continues at break-neck pace and is expected to eventually see 24/7 action to complete the park for the October opening. Below we share … Continue reading →

Posted in Cypress Gardens, LEGOLAND® Florida, Tourism | 1 Comment

Polk Voices Speak to Spring Training Baseball Economics …

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Florida Trend has included an article on “The Economics of Baseball’s Spring Training” among its March 23 suggested reading. The overview written by Ryan Holewell appears online at www.governing.com and speaks to the dilemma public officials face when considering whether … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Economic Development, Perspective, Sports, Tourism | Leave a comment

LEGOLAND Florida Sets Nov/Dec Operation Schedule

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Excitement is building (as is LEGOLAND Florida) toward this fall’s opening of the park. Operating hours for November and December have been established. An exact October Grand Opening date will be announced this summer. You can view the November/December schedule … Continue reading →

Posted in LEGOLAND® Florida, Merlin Entertainments, Tourism | 3 Comments

Merlin Expands its Florida Investments …

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Bob Gernert

The Orlando Business Journal is reporting that Merlin Entertainments, parent company for LEGOLAND Florida, (scheduled to open here in October) has announced plans for a $100 million investment in International Drive in Orlando on the site of the shuttered Mercado … Continue reading →

Posted in Commercial Developments, Merlin Entertainments, Tourism | 4 Comments

Mom RULES! But then we knew that …

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Restaurant Mom Talks Family Friendly Strategies … A packed Chamber auditorium heard Julie Casey, The Restaurant Mom, give an expert overview of how businesses including restaurants, shops and hotels can attract and grow their share of the “family friendly” business … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber Events, Dining, Economic Development, LEGOLAND® Florida, Success Stories, Tourism | Leave a comment

Chamber Board Urges New Chain of Lakes Complex Facilities

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Bob Gernert

The Board of Directors of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce met today, February 25, 2011 for their mid-year planning retreat. Among the items considered on the agenda was the fate of the Chain of Lakes Complex property fronting … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Winter Haven, Cultural Arts, Dining, Economic Development, LEGOLAND® Florida, Perspective, Technology, Tourism | 5 Comments

Is Your Business Ready for LEGOLAND Visitors?

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Those children you see pictured to the left, accompanied by their parents and grandparents, are going to descend on Winter Haven by the hundreds of thousands beginning this October 2011. Is your business ready? Do you want to serve them … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber Events, Dining, Economic Development, General Announcements, LEGOLAND® Florida, Tourism | 2 Comments

The Landings: Potential for $48.7 Million Economic Impact

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Bob Gernert

An Economic Impact Analysis Model on the proposed “Landings” project on Chain of Lakes Complex property indicates significant positive economic impacts would result from such a project. The study, completed by Gordon Kettle, Instructor of Economics at Polk State College … Continue reading →

Posted in Chain of Lakes, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Employment Opportunity, Perspective, Real Estate, Tourism | Leave a comment

Welcome LEGOLAND Florida with FREE Chamber Poster …

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Bob Gernert

Big things are in store for Winter Haven during 2011 and none are bigger that LEGOLAND Florida. The park plans to open in October. The Chamber has produced an 11 x 17 poster that incorporates bricks (a key LEGOLAND component) … Continue reading →

Posted in LEGOLAND® Florida, Tourism | Leave a comment