Subject:
Title
VSPC Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreements with local Chambers of Commerce for support of visitor center promotions and assistance with visitor center staffing.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the Assistant County Administrator of the Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater (VSPC) Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreements (Funding Agreements) with local Chambers of Commerce (Chambers) for support of visitor center promotions and assistance with visitor center staffing.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.6 Support a vibrant community with recreation, arts, and culture to attract residents and visitors
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
The Funding Agreements provide support to fourteen (14) participating Chambers for visitor center promotions, as well as provide a one-to-one County match, to assist the Chambers with visitor center staffing. The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will provide a total of $310,090 annually for this program. The Agreements retroactively commence on October 1, 2016, and are in effect until September 30, 2018.
Background/Explanation:
During the past two years, the CVB has worked with the Chambers in an effort to provide a more effective agreement. On October 26, 2016, the CVB presented the new Chamber Visitor Center Funding Program to Chamber Presidents and it was well received.
On November 30, 2016, the County Administrator approved the Tourism Services Funding Agreement Master Contract Form and delegated signature authority for these agreements to the Assistant County Administrator (ACA). The Master Contract Form and delegation of authority was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on January 24, 2017.
The 14 Chambers participating in this program include:
$ 19,265.00 Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 44,565.00 Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 56,570.00 Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 9,775.00 Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 6,615.00 Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 29,835.00 Greater Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, Incorporated
$ 4,315.00 Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 4,315.00 Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 18,115.00 Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 31,050.00 St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 41,685.00 Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 24,145.00 The Greater Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 4,315.00 Treasure Island and Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 15,525.00 Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$310,090.00 FY17 Total Funding
In exchange for this support, participating Chambers will obtain a certification through Visit Florida, provide semi-annual written reports that include visitor metrics and expenditure details, increase the CVB’s brand exposure through distribution of marketing and promotional materials, provide updates to the CVB’s website, and more as detailed in Exhibits A through C of each Funding Agreement.
The annual allocation is an increase of 139% over FY2016 funding. This increase is mainly attributed to the inclusion of funds for cooperative advertising, which were previously contracted through the CVB’s advertising agency.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding to support the VSPC Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreements in the amount of $310,090.00 is provided through the CVB’s Annual Operating Budget. The source of funding is the Tourist Development Tax.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the ACA to sign the VSPC Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreements was delegated by the County Administrator under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
David Downing, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
VSPC Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreements:
Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Greater Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, Incorporated
Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
The Greater Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Treasure Island and Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
16-1016D Master Contract Form and Delegation of Authority