Florida's consumer sentiment rises in March despite large national slump

Consumer sentiment among Floridians ticked up 1.7 points in March to 69.7 from a revised figure of 68 in February — unlike the national consumer sentiment index, which reached a new decade low. Among the five components that make up the index, four increased and one decreased. Floridians’ opinions about current economic conditions were mixed. More from UF News.

Despite gaps, Miami tourism booms to set records

The visitor industry is roaring back in Miami post-covid, but with big changes from two years ago – and two components still remain largely absent, the man at the focal point of tourism growth told Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce members and University of Miami students last week. “The great news is after covid and all the cancellations… for nine of the last 13 weeks demand has been up not only over [the covid period] but over our best of times in 2019 in terms of heads and beds,” said David Whitaker, CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. More from Miami Today.

Publix pharmacies once offered a handful of medications for free. That program is ending

Publix pharmacies across its seven-state operating area will end a free prescription program on June 1, according to flyers circulating to customers this week. “Orlando area Publix Super Markets are distributing warnings to customers that the company’s free prescription medication program is ending on June 1st,” according to a report in West Orlando News on Sunday. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

After two years, Largo’s TD Synnex makes ‘optimistic’ return to conventions

TD Synnex — formed from last year’s $8.3 billion merger of Largo’s Tech Data and California’s Synnex — has brought only a fraction of its employees back into the workplace, most on a volunteer basis. Gathering hundreds of outside partners under one roof for the first time in more than two years was a big deal for the technology distribution company, just like at all other large companies debating when and how to fold convention travel back into their corporate cultures. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Disney Wish cruise ship leaves shipyard, headed for sea trials

More than a decade has passed since a Disney Cruise Line ship traveled the slow 20-mile river trip from Meyer Werft shipyard out to sea. Disney Wish began the tugboat-assisted conveyance on the Ems River today, leaving Papenberg, Germany where the inland company churns out cruise ships, but hasn’t seen Mickey ears since Disney Fantasy left the building in 2012. More from the Orlando Sentinel.