Tourism's Voice
Your Political Advocate

The CFHLA - PAC monitors all elections in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.    Importantly, the CFHLA - PAC invites qualified candidates to interview, to seek endorsements, and to seek support (of their elections) by CFHLA and the hospitality industry.    92% of the November 2008 CFHLA endorsed political candidates earned election victories.    In April 2009 in Tallahassee, your CFHLA-PAC successfully fought proposed changes to the Tourist Development Tax – thus preserving the integrity of the Bed Tax.    In April 2009, CFHLA effectively lobbied for a second seat on the Tourist Development Council to monitor TDT use in Orange County.    In 2008, the CFHLA - PAC purchased 15 electronic billboards in 3 counties to support candidacies of PAC endorsed candidates (both in August and November timeframe).    For 2010, the CFHLA - PAC has estimated involvement in 39 state and local election races, based on traditional CFHLA ‘active’ races. For each of these races, donations may be made for each election cycle - this includes: primary elections, general elections and run-off elections.

Back to Top

CFHLA-PAC

The next CFHLA - PAC Board Meeting is set to occur on Wednesday, July 15th, 4:00 pm at the CFHLA Offices (by invitation only).   At this meeting, the following topics will be discussed:                   Early Candidate Endorsements                   2010 Election Races Updates                   PAC Golf Outing                   PAC Branding                   Osceola PAC "Reincorporation”   The CFHLA - PAC Golf Outing with, Honorary Chair - Senator Andy Gardiner, District 9, is set to occur on September 24, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. New this year, Central Florida elected officials will be invited to participate in  this "fun-filled" golf outing. The CFHLA - PAC Golf Sub-committee will meet again on Wednesday, July 15th, 3:00 pm, prior to the PAC Board Meeting. Marketing for this event will begin in July 2009.   For your information, the following PAC Board Members agreed to serve on the PAC Golf Outing Planning Committee:          Paul Tang of Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress         Rick Allen of Walt Disney World         Michael Hanley of AXA Advisors, LLC         John Parkinson of the Embassy Suites I-Drive / Convention Center         Debra K. Ray of Morris Visitors Publications, LLC Back to Top Adopt-An-Elected Official As discussed at a recent CFHLA Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting, the members of the Governmental Affairs Committee will each ‘adopt’ an elected official for the purpose of maintaining an ongoing communication/relationship to advance the interests of our Central Florida hospitality community. This initiative will allow CFHLA to enhance important relationships with their elected officials.   More information on this new initiative will be included in future issues of this communication.

Back to Top

Vose Law Firm

CFHLA - PAC is working with Sara Rumpf of the Vose Law Firm to complete the formation of the CFHLA OSCEOLA - PAC. CFHLA Board Members John Brost of Best Western Lakeside and Duane Winjum of Royale Parc Suites are streamlining these efforts and sit on both political action committees. This ‘reincorporation’ will seek to allow CFHLA to increase candidate support in Osceola County.