Subject:
Title
Tourism Promotion Agreement with Live Nite Events, LLC for Fiscal Year 2027 Elite Events.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Tourism Promotion Agreement with Live Events, LLC for Haunted Fest a Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Elite Events.
• Agreement with Live Events, LLC for a total of $75,000 supports the Haunted Fest taking place at Spa Beach in St. Petersburg on October 30 -31, 2026
o $37,500 for sponsorship benefits
o Up to the sum of $37,500 for pre-event marketing and advertising expenditures
• The most recent Haunted Fest produced:
o 16,572 attendees
o 6,923 tourists
• FY27 Elite Event funding was recommended by the Tourist Development Council on July 15, 2026, and approved by the Board of County Commissioners (Board) on August 25, 2026.
• Agreement is budgeted in the Adopted FY27 CVB Budget funded by the Tourist Development Tax.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities.
Summary:
The Tourism Promotion Agreement is for the Haunted Fest, which is scheduled to be held October 30-31, 2026, at Spa Beach in St. Petersburg. Funding will be paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation.
Background/Explanation:
On August 25, 2026, the Board approved 47 events for the FY27 Elite Event Funding Program (Elite Program) for a maximum (or ”up to”) total funding amount of $3,367,500
Funding is allocated between sponsorship benefits, and marketing and advertising expenditures which are detailed in Exhibits A. Funding is paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation.
Fiscal Impact:
$75,000 Total Cost
Agreement is budgeted in the Adopted FY27 CVB Budget funded by the Tourist Development Tax.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Tourism Promotion 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