Visit Lauderdale, Greater Fort Lauderdale‘s official destination marketing organization (DMO), is encouraging travelers to ditch the cold and embrace the warmth of Greater Fort Lauderdale with its new winter campaign, “Break Free”. Designed to inspire those enduring harsh winter weather to seek out the Florida sunshine, the campaign has already launched on multiple platforms and will conclude with a live mid-March event in Chicago’s Pioneer Court.
“Our winter campaign invites travelers to ’Break Free’ from the cold and immerse themselves in the sunshine, outdoor adventures and the coastal charm of Greater Fort Lauderdale,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “With 24 miles of golden sandy beaches encompassing eight unique beach towns, world-class dining, and a thriving arts and culture scene, there is truly no better place to soak up the sun and create unforgettable memories this winter.”
The campaign’s digital banners, out-of-home ads and graphics, and engaging social media presence is already making waves in key cold-weather markets, such as Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., strategically targeting travelers as they consider their winter getaways. Additionally, from March 3 to 30, the campaign will make a bold appearance in the heart of New York City, showcased on Times Square’s high-tech 3D “Cube” billboard. With nearly 330,000 visitors passing through Times Square daily, the ad aims to spark vacation inspiration when travelers need it most.
Adding to the excitement, “Break Free” will culminate in a unique, interactive experience in Chicago’s Pioneer Court from March 14-16, just ahead of the city’s bustling St. Patrick’s Day weekend—the Windy City’s busiest travel weekend. The activation will transform a shipping container into a tropical oasis, giving locals and visitors alike a taste of Fort Lauderdale’s warmth. Featuring cutting-edge Smart Glass Projection technology, the glass enclosure will appear clear until a foam sledgehammer “shatters” the scene, revealing a sun-soaked escape inside. Visitors will be able to enjoy tropical mocktails, engage with brand ambassadors and shed their winter layers for a brief escape to warm-weather environs. This unique in-person experience will come complete with photo opportunities and giveaway items, such as branded sunglasses, stickers, mints and tropical punch.
With much of the country still grappling with freezing winter weather, there’s no better time to “Break Free” and escape to Greater Fort Lauderdale, where a vibrant cultural scene, and a host of exciting new openings and revitalized hotspots await. Recent additions to the destination include the reopening of the Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show, the revamped Pier Sixty-Six, and the refreshed Marina Village, a waterfront food hall. Visitors can also explore Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery, Flamingo Gardens and the Water Taxi, all of which continue to enhance the destination’s land- and water-based entertainment and excursion offerings.
For those longing to trade icy sidewalks for sandy shores, Visit Lauderdale’s “Break Free” campaign delivers the perfect reminder that the sun-drenched beaches and vibrant energy of South Florida are just a trip away.
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