Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast Launches National Search for 'America's Most Deserving Dad'

DESTIN, FORT WALTON BEACH, OKALOOSA ISLAND, Fla., March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The search launches today to find 'America's Most Deserving Dad' and Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau challenges families from every corner of the country to nominate their someone special for the title and official grand prize – a 2012 JEEP Wrangler, one-week stay for six in a luxurious Destin beach house courtesy of ResortQuest, round-trip airfare and $500 shopping spree to Destin Commons (www.emeraldcoastfl.com).

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120319/CL72639 ) 

From comedic to heartfelt, and tear-jerking to knee-slapping, entrants must create a video telling the world in one minute or less why their dad or husband warrants the honor and grand-prize. All videos can be submitted on the Emerald Coast Facebook page – www.facebook.com/floridasemeraldcoast – until May 20; once uploaded, voting begins and entrants are encouraged to share the video on the web, as well as with family and friends to accumulate votes – one vote per day, per user.

Out of 70.1* million fathers in the United States, one grand-prize winner will be revealed on Father's Day, June 17, and officially named 'America's Most Deserving Dad.' The top 10 videos as voted on by the general population will go to a panel comprised of members from the Emerald Coast Tourist Development Council, where the winning video – determined by the criteria: 50% originality and 50% creativity – will be selected.

"We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of this national campaign, encouraging and challenging families to tell us, 'Who is America's Most Deserving Dad?'" commented Emerald Coast CVB President and CEO Mark Bellinger. "The natural platform for this campaign derived from the overwhelming success of last year's 'Most Deserving Mom' campaign. Our continued focus is on the appreciation of families, as Florida's Emerald Coast is a destination that brings joy to families that visit our beaches year after year."

Named one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Places" by Good Morning America, Florida's Emerald Coast is famous for 24 miles of sugar-white sands and emerald-green waters. Year-round, vacationers indulge in simple pleasures – from the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and spirited beachside celebrations to challenging holes golf and 13,000 Gulf-edged accommodations.

For more information on America's Most Deserving Dad, visit www.facebook.com/floridasemeraldcoast or call the Emerald Coast CVB at 800.322.3319.

* Assorted statistics on fathers via U.S. Census Bureau.

SOURCE Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau