Subject:
Title
Tourism Promotion Agreement with The Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Inc. for a Fiscal Year 2026 Elite Event.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Tourism Promotion Agreement with The Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival, Inc. for the St. Petersburg MLK Parade / 45 Days of Excellence, a Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Elite Event.
• Agreement with The Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival Inc, for $65,000.00 to support the St. Petersburg MLK Parade / 45 Days of Excellence.
• Funding is allocated between sponsorship benefits, and marketing and advertising expenditures, and is paid post event:
o $19,500.00 for sponsorship benefits.
o Up to the sum of $45,500.00 for pre-event marketing and advertising expenditures.
• FY26 Elite Event funding was recommended by the Tourist Development Council on November 19, 2025 and approved by the Board of County Commissioners on December 16, 2025.
• As determined, the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will leverage the use of available data sources to substantiate attendance and estimate economic impact and total room nights for Elite Events.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities
Summary:
The Tourism Promotion Agreement is for St. Petersburg MLK Parade / 45 Days of Excellence, which is scheduled to be held January 19 - February 14, 2026, in Downtown St. Petersburg. Funding will be paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation.
Background/Explanation:
On July 22, 2025, the Board approved 49 events for the FY26 Elite Event Funding Program (Elite Program) for a maximum (or ”up to”) total funding amount of $2,685,000.00.
Funding for FY26 St. Petersburg MLK Parade / 45 Days of Excellence is allocated between sponsorship benefits, and marketing and advertising expenditures which are detailed in Exhibits A and B. Funding is paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation.
Fiscal Impact:
$65,000.00 Total Cost
Funding to support the Elite Event Funding Program is included in the CVB’s Annual Operating Budget. The source of funding is the Tourist Development Tax Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Tourism Promotion Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
Tourism Promotion Agreement