Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 11/20/2017

Florida sees record tourism numbers despite Hurricane Irma

Florida is still getting a record number of tourists even though the state was hit by a devastating hurricane. Gov. Rick Scott will announce Monday at a Miami ice cream boutique that a record 88.2 million visitors came to the state during the first nine months of 2017. More from the AP and Florida Politics.

Sales and Marketing Advice
How to use 'growth hacking' to build your business

The concept makes sense. Yet, in the wrong hands it rarely works. Growth hacking is not some simple follow-the-dots formula that quickly opens hidden doors with customers behind them. Read Ron Stein's full column.

Florida spending money to keep bears out of the trash

Florida is handing out more than $500,000 in grants to local communities so they can provide bear-resistant trash cans and other equipment to residents at a discounted cost. See which communities will recieve "BearWise funding" in the news release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Also read more at the AP.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando welcomes Puerto Rico businesses

As large numbers of Puerto Ricans migrate to Florida, thousands are also bringing businesses. And the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando is preparing to help them with free chamber membership and other resources. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Small Business Advice
How to collect money you're owed

The process of collecting money, while a delicate subject, can be handled in a variety of ways. You must first come to grips with the fact that you are entitled to be paid for your services. Read Gray Poehler's full column.

Remembrance
Mel Tillis

Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member Mel Tillis died early Sunday morning at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala. The singer, songwriter, comedian and businessman, whose genuine warmth and down-home humor drew countless fans, was 85. Read more from USA Today and see Florida Trend's Florida Icon profile of Tillis.

Travel Trends
Thanksgiving gas prices highest in years

The recent unseasonable spike in gas prices — attributed to rising oil costs and demand being at its highest point in the United States since 2006 — resulted in the largest pre-Thanksgiving Day increase since 2007, when average prices rose 26 cents in the 30 days leading up to the holiday.