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NEW: Florida’s convention business is beginning to suffer as a slew of hate-driven, “anti-woke” bills signed into law recently by Ron DeSantis has draped the Sunshine State in controversy. The laws have spurred protests, lawsuits and travel advisories warning the state is “openly hostile” toward people of color, immigrants, women and LGBTQ+ community members, and the fallout is now spreading to a key economic artery for an income-tax-free state heavily reliant upon tourism taxes: convention dollars. In recent weeks, at least a dozen organizations have announced plans to either cancel or relocate their upcoming conferences scheduled to take place in Florida, making a statement by having their thousands of attendees and millions of dollars flow into other states deemed safer and more welcoming. Tourism officials and community organizations in the state say that what’s happening now may be just the beginning. “Unlike leisure business, which is a very short-term booking window [in weeks or months], conference business is long term,” said Stacy Ritter, president and chief executive officer of the Visit Lauderdale tourism marketing agency in Broward County, Florida. “We’re booking ’26 to ‘30 now, so any impact that this might have is not going to be seen for years to come.” As of July 26, Ritter said that Visit Lauderdale has tallied 10 events and conventions that were canceled by organizations citing recently enacted laws, policies and travel advisories. That amounts to 15,000 lost hotel room nights and an estimated $20 million economic impact, she said.