WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2010 — Florida House, Florida's embassy in Washington, D.C. joins with VISIT FLORIDA®, the official tourism marketing corporation for the State of Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Citrus and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to showcase Florida's rich bounty and demonstrate that its seafood is safe, delicious and available and that Florida coastal destinations are open, beautiful and waiting. The Florida Seafood Celebration, to be held at Florida House on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 will showcase fresh Florida seafood and feature three top chefs from Florida preparing their signature creations on site. Chef Jim Shirley of the Fish House in Pensacola will prepare Grits a Ya Ya, Chef Josh Butler, Executive Chef for Florida's Governor's Mansion, will prepare Dog Island Grouper Sliders and Chef Dean James Max of 3030 Ocean and winner of the Great American Seafood Cook-off will prepare his award winning Sebastian Inlet Clams BBLT.
"Florida's 80 million annual visitors support nearly 1 million Florida jobs and generate 22 percent of our state's sales tax revenue," said Christopher L. Thompson, VISIT FLORIDA's President and CEO. "Fresh caught seafood has attracted visitors to Florida for nearly 500 years and it is vitally important that our elected leaders at every level understand just how important the seafood industry is to Florida's economy and continue to keep tourism and seafood high on their priority lists."
Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation will join with others from the Florida/ Washington Community as well as representatives from the state and industries being highlighted. This event is one of several that illustrate Florida's commitment to move forward after the oil spill in the Gulf.
All of the dishes being prepared during the Seafood Celebration will utilize fresh seafood delivered directly from Florida. Several groups associated with the Florida seafood industry are assisting with ensuring the catch arrives in time for this special event.
"The extensive news coverage of the Gulf oil spill has left some consumers with the impression that Florida seafood is unavailable or in limited supply," Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said. "Our state's commercial fishermen continue to harvest seafood daily from clean, unaffected Florida waters. They have seafood to sell, and they need customers."
"We are happy to provide fresh, delicious Florida grouper for the Florida Seafood Celebration. This is an opportunity to let our country know that Florida seafood is in business and we need their support. Our seafood catch is from clean waters and ready for you to enjoy," states Bob Spaeth, Executive Director of the Southern Offshore Fishing Association, Inc., which represents more than 100 fishermen in Madeira Beach.
Crucial to the Sunshine State's economy, Florida's seafood and tourism industries have faced significant challenges in the wake of the Gulf oil spill. Both industries remain concerned about public misperception that Florida's beaches and waterways are anything less than perfect.
"As co-chair of The National Oil Spill Commission, I visited the Panhandle in July to hear from Floridians affected by the spill, including fishermen and leaders in the tourism industry. One key issue facing Florida is the perception that the oil has impacted seafood and the beaches. Throughout our investigation thus far, we have continuously heard that seafood on the market is safe to eat and that important message needs to be strongly conveyed to consumers. We need to get the message out loud and clear that Florida seafood is safe to eat and that Florida beaches are as pristine as ever. Florida produces the best seafood in the world, and we and our tourist guests ought to be eating it, ideally while gazing at our beautiful sandy beaches," said Senator Bob Graham.
As the state's number one industry, tourism is responsible for welcoming more than 80 million visitors each year who spend more than $60 billion, generating 22 percent of the state's sales tax revenue and employing nearly 1 million Floridians. For every $1 spent on tourism marketing, VISIT FLORIDA – the state's official tourism marketing corporation – generates more than $147 in tourism spending and $9 in new sales tax collections, paid by visitors, not residents. VISIT FLORIDA promotes tourism to Florida through sales, advertising, promotions, public relations, new product development and visitor services programs. As a public/private partnership, VISIT FLORIDA serves more than 4,300 tourism industry businesses, including major strategic alliance partnerships with AirTran Airways, American Express Travel Related Services, Disney Destinations, Dollar Rent A Car, The Hertz Corporation, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Universal Orlando.
Source: Visit Florida