Subject:
Title
Agreement with Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc. and the City of St. Petersburg for a feasibility study of a proposed convention center in downtown St. Petersburg.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of a three-party agreement with Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc. and the City of St. Petersburg for a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating the viability of a proposed convention center in downtown St. Petersburg.
• The feasibility study will evaluate market demand, competitive positioning, facility requirements, financial feasibility, and the anticipated economic and fiscal impacts of a potential convention center.
• The total cost of the study will not exceed $95,000.
o The City and County will share the cost equally, with each party contributing an amount not to exceed $47,500.
• The study is expected to be completed within 16 weeks following execution of the agreement.
• Funding is available in the Convention and Visitor Bureau’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget from Tourist Development Tax revenues.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities.
Summary:
The agreement engages Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc. to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating the viability of developing a convention center in downtown St. Petersburg.
The study will analyze the potential demand for the facility, its competitive position within the regional and national convention markets, recommended facility size and configuration, projected development and operating costs, potential funding options, and the anticipated economic and fiscal benefits to the City and County.
The consultant will also conduct interviews, focus groups, and surveys with meeting planners, associations, local businesses, public agencies, tourism partners, and other stakeholders. The engagement includes two in-person visits, up to two virtual meetings, interim findings, a market findings presentation, a draft analysis, and a final report.
The total cost of the study is $95,000 and will be shared equally between the City and County. The County’s financial obligation will not exceed $47,500.
Background/Explanation:
The City of St. Petersburg and Visit St. Pete/Clearwater are partnering to evaluate whether the development of a new convention center in downtown St. Petersburg is justified and financially feasible.
Under the agreement, Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc. will provide project management and coordination throughout the study and will assign a dedicated account manager to serve as the primary point of contact. The consultant will coordinate with the City’s project manager and maintain a detailed project schedule through final delivery.
The feasibility study will include the following components:
- Market Demand Analysis: Evaluation of industry trends, target market segments, meeting and event demand, and the potential to generate new business for the destination.
- Competitive Analysis: Comparison with similar convention facilities and destinations, including an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- Facility Program Recommendation: Recommendations concerning facility size, meeting and exhibition space, ancillary needs, amenities, and operational flexibility.
- Financial Analysis: Preliminary capital cost estimates, an operating pro forma, sensitivity analysis, and potential funding options.
- Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis: Estimates of visitor spending, economic activity, fiscal impacts, and job creation associated with the proposed facility.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Interviews, focus groups, surveys, and other outreach involving meeting planners, associations, tourism partners, businesses, public agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Documentation and Presentations: Interim findings, a draft analysis, a final report, presentations, and editable electronic files supporting the completed study.
The consultant will participate in a kickoff and site visit, present its market findings, deliver a draft analysis, and provide a final analysis incorporating comments received from the City.
The anticipated project schedule is 16 weeks:
Kickoff and site visit within four weeks after the effective date.
Market findings presentation approximately seven weeks after the site visit.
Draft analysis approximately three weeks after the market findings presentation.
Final analysis approximately two weeks after the City provides comments on the draft.
The payment schedule is based on completion of the following milestones:
Milestone Payment Responsible Party
Kickoff and site visit $19,000 County
Market findings presentation $28,500 City
Draft analysis $28,500 County
Final analysis accepted $19,000 City
Total $95,000 Shared equally
The County’s two milestone payments total $47,500, representing 50 percent of the total agreement amount.
Fiscal Impact:
The County’s financial obligation will not exceed $47,500. Funding is available in the CVB Adopted FY26 Budget from Tourist Development Tax revenues.
The total cost of the study is $95,000 and will be shared equally between the City and County.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this agreement is granted under (Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
City of St. Petersburg
Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc.
Attachments:
Agreement with Hunden Strategic Partners, Inc., the City of St. Petersburg, and Pinellas County