Sunshine State News – Both advocates and opponents of increased casino activity in Florida unleashed new efforts on Wednesday as the business community’s leadership divides on the issue.
Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) will put its integrated-resort advocacy behind a new campaign, “Best for Florida,” launched Wednesday.
The campaign is part of a new multimedia effort to provide Floridians with facts about gaming in the Sunshine State, according to the AIF press statement, and “the tremendous benefits” establishing an integrated resort in the state would bring.
“Florida has an historic opportunity to create jobs and locate a huge magnet for convention and trade shows in our state. This is the time for lawmakers to seize this opportunity for our state,” said Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Florida. “The integrated resort model is proven to spur economic activity and create jobs by increasing tourism and convention and exhibition business visitors. With convention cancellations due to lack of adequate venues, this is exactly the kind of resource needed in South Florida.”
Through legislative action, Florida lawmakers have the opportunity to implement comprehensive guidelines regarding proper regulation and introduce the integrated resort model to the South Florida area, says AIF. “These high-end, luxury properties offer lavish amenities and serve as a magnet attracting people from all over the world to visit Florida. With this proposed expansion comes the creation of more jobs, a greater boost to the economy and increased promotion of trade shows and conventions.”
To help Floridians learn valuable information about integrated resorts and the gaming issue facing state lawmakers in 2014, the campaign created a flashy new website which provides background information on the integrated resort model. While visiting the site, readers can learn how lawmakers can modernize gaming regulations in the state while providing an opportunity for the establishment in Florida of the integrated resort model with world-class gaming.
