Tourism industry calls for action over hurricane disaster
States affected by Hurricane Helene still await critical relief funding from Congress, U.S. Travel Association explain. The storm swept through the Southeast in September 2024, causing an estimated $53 billion in damage and severely crippling the tourism industry. one letter The agreement signed by more than 100 state tourism directors, destination leaders and small business owners urges lawmakers to act quickly to pass pending legislation and deliver promised aid. “Too many destinations in too many states are currently waiting for Congress to provide much-needed relief from the disaster that occurred just months ago,” said Jeff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “The holidays are peak travel season, and Main Street Businesses have been affected. It’s time for Congress to take action.” Tourism industry leaders are urging lawmakers to approve additional funding for the Community Development Block Disaster Relief Program and the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. The goal is to help communities that have experienced a significant drop…
Carolina GCSA conference and trade show breaks records
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — In times of crisis, associations often become a source of connection and support for their members. After Hurricane Helene hit North and South Carolina in late September, many Golf Course Superintendents Association of the Carolinas (GSCA) member courses were damaged. Courses in the mountains of western North Carolina have been hardest hit, with some not reopening until next year and others possibly not opening at all. Still, the Carolina GCSA Conference and Trade Show went on as planned at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center from Nov. 18-20, attracting 2,173 attendees — the highest number since 2013 . The number of exhibitors also broke records, with a total of 240 companies participating in the show. That's up from the high of 217 in 2017. More than 1,400 seminar seats have been sold, with topics ranging from lawn insect management to soil-borne diseases. related. 2024 IAEE Awards winners announced “From the courses, to the trade show to the…
Exclusive: How to Rock Like a Hurricane (During a Hurricane)
How one production company helped create opportunities for immersive engagement and avoid the disappointment of hurricane cancellations. With Hurricane Helene cleanup still underway in many parts of Florida, news of Hurricane Milton's approach has conference and event organizers with shows in potentially hazardous areas scrambling. One of them is Travelsavers, whose TravelMarket show, scheduled for late September at the JW Marco Island Beach Resort, is a must-attend event for airlines, cruise lines, hotels, coach, rail and tour operators and other top travel companies. The Affiliate Traveler Symposium Series (ATCS) held its own event this year ahead of the TravelMarket conference, attracting approximately 250 luxury travel experts and top luxury preferred partners, allowing the conference to go ahead as scheduled. But with Hurricane Milton now threatening to become an incredibly unwelcome guest at the big event, TravelMarket ATC shows Travelsavers chief marketing officer Nicole Mazza said, “We were forced to reorganize…eliminate some aspects and redesign other aspects. " Full-service media production…
Category 5 Pivot: One Event Company How to Defeat Helene and
Listen to audio Continuous hurricanes? are you serious? When you earn CEUs for mastering risk management and incident mitigation, they don't teach that. Yet, as you know from the harrowing news images that flashed across our screens in late September and early October, Hurricanes Helen and Milton dealt a double whammy to Florida (and elsewhere), sending palm trees, vehicles and homes rolling Raging floods drifted by. And you also know—because of what you did—that in their wake, countless long-planned events were cancelled. Of course, in the face of recent climate disasters, the hospitality industry has, as usual, rallied to the aid of local communities. One example: The Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach hotel housed 200 utility workers working to restore city services during the peak of recovery in October. It also offers residents discounted room rates. But here’s a case study of how an award-winning, full-service media production company in Orlando put together a successful event during a weather emergency in…
Hurricane Milton throws a Porsche GT3 and Boxster into one car
While both Porsches undoubtedly suffered severe water damage, there are still parts that can be salvaged go through Brad Anderson October 21, 2024 20:31 Floodwaters from Hurricane Milton washed two Porsches into a Florida homeowner's pool. Both the 911 GT3 and Boxster can suffer severe damage from exposure to salt water. The two flood-damaged models may appear at a salvage auction in the coming weeks. Earlier this month, Hurricane Milton devastated parts of the United States and Mexico, causing damage estimated at $30 billion. Among the many unfortunate victims, a Florida homeowner was hit particularly hard by the hurricane when two Porsches ended up in their now dirty, flooded swimming pool. A video showing the damage to the home's pool area is circulating on social media today. We don't know where in Florida the house is located, but it appears that floodwaters rushed through the house and pushed two Porsches - a 911 GT3 and a Boxster - into the…
Florida fire marshal says electric cars stuck in hurricane floods
Jimmy Patronis says electric car owners should park their vehicles outside and unplug them go through Brad Anderson 12 hours ago Authorities are aware of at least 50 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Electric vehicle owners should keep all doors and windows open to allow gas to escape from the vehicle. Authorities also said electric vehicle owners should unplug their vehicles' 12-volt batteries. Florida Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis described electric vehicles affected by Hurricanes Helen and Milton as "ticking time bombs" because of the risk of them catching fire after coming into contact with salt water. Just days before Hurricane Milton hit, Patronis issued an important warning to all owners of vehicles equipped with lithium-ion battery packs in the wake of Hurricane Helene. He revealed that following the Helen incident, authorities had received alerts to nearly 50 fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. Of these, 11 of the fires involved electric vehicles. READ: Tesla catches…
Allen mobilizes supply chain to support Hurricane Milton
As Florida begins to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton, the American Logistics Assistance Network (ALAN) has launched relief efforts, urging logistics professionals to provide expertise, equipment and space to support relief efforts. Also read: Allen mobilizes for Hurricane Milton as supply chain prepares for another major storm “The ability to store, transport, organize and deliver relief supplies to the scene of a disaster could be a game-changer,” said Kathy Fulton, executive director of ALAN. Fulton expressed his deep sympathy for those affected by the storm, which caused widespread damage and tornadoes. "We mourn the loss of our family, pets and home. Ellen has worked with nonprofit partners to provide assistance where it is needed most," she said. Earlier this week, Allen received the first request for logistical assistance related to Hurricane Milton. More requests are expected in the coming days and weeks, similar to the response following Hurricane Helene two weeks ago. "In the first 48 to…
Hurricane Milton impacts southeastern U.S. ports reopening
After Hurricane Milton devastated Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, the U.S. Coast Guard reopened several major ports in the region. Also Read: As strike concerns ease, freight forwarders turn attention to hurricane aftermath Milton initially made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane, causing widespread damage, before moving across the state and regaining strength over the Atlantic Ocean. As recovery efforts ramp up, federal, state and local agencies continue to assess the storm's impact. Due to advance planning and coordination by NOAA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Department of Emergency Management and other agencies, multiple ports resumed operations on October 10. Reopened ports include: 1. Florida: Key West, Port Everglades, PortMiami and Miami River2. Georgia: Brunswick and Savannah3. South Carolina: Charleston and Georgetown Additionally, the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg Port Captain announced the reopening of the Port of Tampa and Manatee Seaport, albeit with operating restrictions in place. Federal pilotage activities - such…
Florida recovers from hurricane
After the state's second major hurricane in two weeks, millions of Floridians began the long and arduous recovery process today (October 11) of restoring power, shoveling mud from flooded homes and clearing away the hurricane's legacy. mountains of ruins Milton and Helena. While some coastal cities, such as Tampa, were spared the catastrophic surges that many forecasters feared, Milton brought widespread flooding and a series of deadly events along Florida's east coast, according to the U.S. Weather Service. Tornadoes killed at least 16 people and left millions without power. Reuters report. To add insult to injury, many areas were still clearing debris and repairing damage from Hurricane Helene as Milton pounded through. Hurricane Helene hit the Gulf Coast late last month and then struck much of the southeastern United States. Over a 72-hour period this week, the Florida Department of Transportation removed 1,000,000 square meters of water from a Pinellas County barrier island near the mouth of Tampa Bay, Florida…
Freight forwarders turn strike focus to hurricane aftermath
While concerns about last week's port strikes are beginning to recede, freight forwarders are increasingly concerned about the impact of a series of storms hitting the southern United States. Also read: Allen mobilizes for Hurricane Milton as supply chain prepares for another major storm While longshoremen agreed to suspend the strike for further negotiations, three days of chaos along the East and Gulf Coast initially raised concerns about severe supply chain delays. However, the impact appears to be minimal due to proactive measures such as early loading of cargo before the strike. "Our average delays are about a week, but in some cases we are seeing faster deliveries," said Jackson Campos, director of Brazil-based AGL Cargo. "We anticipated the strike and Goods were shipped ahead of schedule, but even goods transshipped during the strike arrived on time. ” Campos, however, is more worried about the ongoing hurricane season. After Hurricane Helene hit Florida and Georgia in late September, several ports…
Update on hurricane damage in the Southeast
Listen to audio Current assessment and resources for those affected Hurricane Milton made landfall in western Florida yesterday, killing nine people and knocking out power to nearly 3.5 million residents and 165 medical facilities. Currently, nearly 300 operating shelters support more than 80,000 Floridians. In a twist of fate, Hillsborough County, which had provided comfort stations, income-qualified hotel assistance and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to those affected by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on September 26, was suddenly forced to end those services , prepare for the approaching Hurricane Milton. The full damage from Hurricane Milton is currently being assessed, and southeastern states are still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Helen. In western North Carolina, government agencies and local residents worked together to recover the wreckage and ensure everyone's safety. The storm killed at least 230 people and caused unprecedented flooding in the region. In Buncombe County, significant infrastructure damage—particularly the North Fork’s main water plant—has created…
MPI provides support to members affected by Hurricane Helene
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the world's largest association of meeting and event professionals, has taken action to provide support to members facing financial hardship. MPI provides One year membership subsidy through its MPI Member Hardship Programin partnership with the MPI Foundation. Members affected by the storm, which resulted in severe flooding, mudslides and power outages, can request support at: mpi.org/hurricane. With more than 600 members potentially affected, those in need can apply for support using the website, which provides details outlining criteria to ensure support is provided to those who need it most. The plan includes a six-month extension of membership, with the remaining six months being covered by the MPI Foundation to ensure continued access to its resources and educational services. During this challenging time, this assistance will help ease the burden and help impacted members recover by providing continued access to the Foundation’s network, resources and educational offerings. MPI…
Supply chains braced, Allen mobilizes in response to Hurricane Milton
As Hurricane Milton threatens Florida's west coast, the American Logistics Assistance Network (ALAN) is launching relief efforts, just weeks after Hurricane Helen struck. ALAN Executive Director Kathy Fulton emphasized the urgency of the 13th storm of the season, which could severely impact areas still recovering from Hurricanes Helen and Debbie. Also Read: Preparing for Hurricane Helen: 5 Top Tips for Your Organization from Ellen Allen has updated its disaster microsite to provide important information on the expected path of Hurricane Milton, transportation exemptions and business resources. The organization called on its logistics network to assist with preparedness and response efforts, while reminding businesses in the storm's path to prioritize the safety of their employees. Allen continues to urge supply chain professionals to visit its website for the latest information and to consider contributing to Hurricane Milton and ongoing Hurricane Helen relief efforts. Financial donations can also be made to support their work and help ensure timely assistance is provided to…
Hurricane Milton is now a Category 5 hurricane threatening the Florida Gulf
Florida's Gulf Coast is getting its second major hurricane in as many weeks, expected to hit on Wednesday. Hurricane Milton It is expected to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast late Wednesday. Florida is under a hurricane and storm surge watch, with officials urging residents to evacuate and prepare for power outages and life-threatening storm surge. As of Sunday, 51 counties including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Miami-Dade and Broward were under a state of emergency. The Tampa Bay area has not experienced a major Category 3 or higher hurricane within 50 miles of Tampa in more than a century. Hurricane Milton was expected to be a Category 3 storm when it hit Wednesday. "Milton will be a historic storm on Florida's west coast," the National Weather Service in Tampa Bay said in a statement. briefing. As of Monday morning, October 7, 2024, Hurricane Milton has sustained winds in excess of 155 mph and is currently a Category 5 storm. Mandatory evacuations…
This Rivian R1T floated 150 feet during Hurricane Helene
R1T EV owner expected he'd need to call insurance company to report truck total loss, but it worked out well go through Brad Anderson October 4, 2024 20:58 The owner of the R1T found it covered in mud, but it still ran fine as if nothing had happened. Rivian goes to great lengths to seal the battery packs of its electric cars to prevent any water intrusion. If the on-board system detects water entering the battery pack, it will automatically cut off the power supply. As you probably know, electricity and salt water are like cats and bathrooms, or more appropriately, like Teslas and Florida floods, as evidenced by a recent viral video of a man in Spontaneous combustion after swimming. However, what may give Tesla fans pause is that the Rivian R1T caught in the chaos of Hurricane Helene shows that not all electric cars fall apart at the sight of water. Apparently, some people can handle an impromptu…
Preparing for Hurricane Helen: 5 top tips from Ellen
As Hurricane Helen approaches, organizations must prepare for physical safety and potential supply chain disruptions. ALAN (American Logistics Assistance Network) offers these five key takeaways to help your business stay ahead of the storm. Also read: Allen urges logistics industry to mobilize for Hurricane Francine relief efforts 1. Personal safety comes first Keep you and your crew safe by monitoring real-time updates and local forecasts from the National Hurricane Center. Helen's winds may reach 115 mph, please heed all safety warnings and evacuation notices. 2. Keep abreast of supply chain disruptions For real-time information on road closures, facility closures and other impacts of the storm on the supply chain, visit ALAN's Supply Chain Intelligence Center. If you require further assistance, please contact ALAN via their contact page. 3. Monitor active logistics needs ALAN's disaster microsite provides an up-to-date list of logistical support requests. While there may not be an open plea for Hurricane Helene at the moment, that could change…
Tesla catches fire after Hurricane Helene flooding
Florida officials release this video warning residents of the dangers of electric vehicle fires September 30, 2024 16:29 Florida officials have released video of a Tesla catching fire after it was flooded after Hurricane Helene. Little is known about the incident, but the vehicle was partially submerged and its battery pack apparently started the fire. Automakers and officials warned owners of flooded electric vehicles to move their vehicles away from buildings and other combustible materials. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is warning electric vehicle owners to park on higher ground as Hurricane Helen approaches, and it's easy to see why after watching a video posted by Pinellas County. In it, you can see a Tesla parked in a garage, apparently filled with smoke. After a few seconds, a flash of light can be seen underneath the electric crossover. When the lights came on, flames could be seen, indicating the garage was flooded. The fire quickly destroyed the vehicle and filled the…
Hurricane Helen: What conference professors need to know
Listen to audio Hurricane Helene's Impact on the Southeastern United States and Resources for Planners. Hurricane Helen made landfall in the Big Bend, Florida, area late Thursday night as a Category 4 hurricane. It continues to move north and is expected to stall and continue to weaken over the Tennessee Valley through the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Hurricane Helene became a tropical storm in the western Caribbean on Tuesday before making landfall in Florida, causing flooding in the Cayman Islands and heavy rainfall in western Cuba and the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula. As of Friday morning, more than 4 million homes and businesses were without power in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. A large swath of the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, is experiencing widespread power outages and flooding. On Friday morning, President Biden approved emergency declaration requests from the governors of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina, which will receive a variety…
Florida tourism industry threatened by Hurricane Helene
Tropical Storm Helene The hurricane rapidly strengthened and moved toward Florida on Wednesday morning, where it was expected to make landfall in the United States, becoming the strongest storm to hit the United States in more than a year. "The storm is expected to rapidly intensify over the eastern Gulf of Mexico and become a major hurricane on Thursday," the latest forecast said. As Hurricane Helene strengthens, it is expected to develop into a large, sprawling system that poses a significant threat to Florida and much of the southeastern U.S. Its size and intensity will bring widespread impacts, including strong winds, heavy rains, and dangerous storm surges across the region. For the Florida Panhandle, a popular tourist destination, Helene's arrival could severely disrupt travel plans in coastal towns such as Destin, Panama City Beach and Pensacola. The storm, which is currently churning in the Gulf of Mexico with sustained winds of 120 mph, is expected to make landfall within 48…
New Orleans Opening
With Hurricane Francine officially behind us, New Orleans wants travel planners and visitors to know that the hospitality industry was largely unaffected and quickly resumed normal operations. As expected, New Orleans experienced some flash flooding and power outages, but according to the latest information, damage to New Orleans' hotel assets was minimal and downtown hotels are fully operational. Airport Update: this Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport São Paulo International Airport (MSY) remains open and operational following the impact of Hurricane Francine. There was no significant damage to the terminal facilities and runway. Airlines are expected to gradually resume operations this morning. While a few flight cancellations remain, most airlines will resume normal operations in the late morning to early afternoon. Passengers with travel plans are advised to check directly with their airline for the latest flight information before heading to the airport. Upcoming Events: New Orleans has a complete Event Schedule There is a slew of events including NOLAxNOLA,…
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