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 during Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020.
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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 during Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020 (FY19 and FY20).
Contract Term: Two (2) years
Total Annual Funding: $320,944.00
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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 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 Agreements retroactively commence on October 1, 2018, and are in effect until September 30, 2020.
Background/Explanation:
On January 24, 2017, the Board of County Commissioners approved the Funding Agreement Master Contract Form and delegation of signature authority to the Assistant County Administrator (ACA).
This is a continuation of the previously approved program for implementation during FY19 and FY20. In accordance with the Office of Management and Budget’s revenue forecast, the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) increased its support of this program by 3.5% over FY18, to a total of $320,944.00 annually.
The 14 Chambers participating in this program include:
$ 19,940.00 Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 46,125.00 Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 58,550.00 Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 10,117.00 Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 6,847.00 Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 30,879.00 Greater Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, Incorporated
$ 4,466.00 Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 4,466.00 Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 18,749.00 Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 32,137.00 St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 43,144.00 Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 24,990.00 The Greater Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 4,466.00 Treasure Island and Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 16,068.00 Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$320,944.00 FY19 Total Funding
In exchange for this support, participating Chambers will maintain 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.
Fiscal Impact:
Support for the Funding Agreements in the amount of $320,944.00 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 Merchants 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.