Subject:
Title
Tourism Promotion Agreement with Tampa Bay Blues Foundation Inc, for a Fiscal Year 2026 Elite Event.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Tourism Promotion Agreement with Tampa Bay Blues Foundation Inc. for the Tampa Bay Blues Festival, a Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Elite Event.
• Agreement with the Tampa Bay Blues Foundation Inc., for $55,000.00 supports the Tampa Bay Blues Festival.
• Funding is allocated between sponsorship benefits, and marketing and advertising expenditures and is paid post event:
o $16,500.00 for sponsorship benefits.
o Up to the sum of $38,500.00 for pre-event marketing and advertising expenditures.
• FY26 Elite Event funding was recommended by the Tourist Development Council on June 25, 2025, and approved by the Board of County Commissioners (Board) on July 22, 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.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities
Summary:
The Tourism Promotion Agreement is for Tampa Bay Blues Festival, which is scheduled to be held on April 10 - 12, 2026, at Vinoy Park in 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 Tampa Bay Blues Festival 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:
$55,000.00 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