Subject:
Title
Tourism Promotion Agreement with the City of Clearwater for a Fiscal Year 2025 Elite Event.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Tourism Promotion Agreement with the City of Clearwater (City) for a Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Elite Event.
• Agreement with the City for $50,000.00 supports the Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival.
• Funding is allocated between sponsorship benefits, and marketing and advertising expenditures and is paid post event:
o $25,000.00 for sponsorship benefits.
o Up to the sum of $25,000.00 for marketing and advertising expenditures.
• FY25 Elite Event funding was recommended by the Tourist Development Council on July 17, 2024, and approved by the Board of County Commissioners (Board) on August 13, 2024.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Prosperity and Opportunity
- Economic Output (GDP)
Summary:
The Tourism Promotion Agreement is for the 2025 Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival, which was held February 28-March 2, 2025, at The BayCare Sound in the City of Clearwater. Funding is paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation.
Background/Explanation:
On August 13, 2024, the Board approved 39 events for the FY25 Elite Event Funding Program for a maximum (or “up to”) total funding amount of $2,000,000.00.
This is the 7th year the County has supported the Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival through the Elite Event Funding Program. According to the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s research firm, the FY24 event resulted in a direct economic impact of $2.7 million to the County.
Funding for this event is allocated between sponsorship benefits and marketing and advertising expenditures which are detailed in Exhibits A and B of the agreement. Funding is paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation and is due within 45 days of the event.
Fiscal Impact:
$50,000.00 Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival
Funding to support this Tourism Promotion Agreement in the amount of $50,000.00 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