Subject:
Title
Ranking of firms and agreement with Envisionit Chicago, LLC for advertising and promotion (media planning, buying and brand strategy, creative and content).
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the ranking of firms and agreement with the number one ranked firm Envisionit Chicago, LLC for advertising and promotion (media planning, buying and brand strategy, creative and content).
• This contract will provide advertising planning, media buying, and creative campaign development services for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, d/b/a Visit St. Pete/Clearwater.
• For the purpose of generating maximum interest, two competitive Requests For Proposals (RFP) were released; RFP 25-0506-RFP received nine proposals and RFP 25-0507-RFP received ten proposals that were shortlisted for presentations with an award recommendation to the top ranked firm, Envisionit Chicago, LLC, for both RFPs.
• The initial term is for sixty months with a not-to-exceed value of $139,605,073.53, and there is a provision for one additional twenty-four-month term.
• The previous agreements were with BVK and Miles Partnership, respectively covering traditional (previous Not To Exceed (NTE) of $72,325,000.00) and digital (previous NTE of $31,628,200.00) advertising, for a combined previous NTE of $103,953,200.00.
• The proposed additional $35,651,873.00 NTE accounts for the annual budget increase of $6M since the last agreement(s) as well as room for flexibility. The not-to-exceed price will only be incurred if funding is available.
• Funding for this contract is proportionally included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget and the FY26 Proposed Budget.
Contract No. 25-0506-RFP & 25-0507-RFP in the not to exceed contract value of $139,605,073.53, effective for sixty months; Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities
3.5 Foster business growth
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
Summary:
Summary
This contract will provide advertising planning, media buying, and creative campaign development services for the CVB, d/b/a Visit St. Pete/Clearwater (VSPC). The initial term is for sixty (60) months with a not-to-exceed value of $139,605,073.53, and there is a provision for one (1) additional twenty-four (24) month term.
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Background Information:
Two Request for Proposals were both released by the Purchasing Department on March 31, 2025. Solicitation 25-0506-RFP resulted in nine (9) responsive proposals and 25-0507-RFP resulted in ten (10) responsive proposals. Written evaluations for 25-0506-RFP commenced on June 9, 2025, and 25-0507-RFP on June 10, 2025. On July 23, 2025, oral presentations for 25-0506-RFP with the top three (3) shortlisted firms and July 24, 2025, oral presentations for 25-0507-RFP with top four (4) shortlisted firms were presented to the evaluation committee resulting in the recommendation of award to Envisionit Chicago, LLC both RFPs in which the requirements were combined into one contract for ease in administration of services to be provided.
Fiscal Impact:
Estimated sixty (60) months expenditure: $139,605,073.53
Funding is derived from Tourist Development Tax.
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Merry Celeste, Purchasing Director, Administrative Services
Joe Lauro, Director, Administrative Service.
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
Agreement
25-0506-RFP Final Ranking
25-0507-RFP Final Ranking