Subject:
Title
Tourism Promotion Agreement with Race World Offshore, LLC for a Fiscal Year 2026 Elite Event.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Tourism Promotion Agreement with Race World Offshore, LLC for the 2026 XInsurance Clearwater Offshore Nationals, a Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Elite Event.
• Agreement with Race World Offshore, LLC for $125,000 supports the XInsurance Clearwater Offshore Nationals.
• Funding is allocated between sponsorship benefits, and marketing and advertising expenditures and is paid post event:
o $100,000 for sponsorship benefits.
o Up to the sum of $25,000 for pre-event marketing and advertising expenditures.
• This 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.
• As determined, the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will leverage the use of available data sources to substantiate attendance and estimate economic impact and total room nights for Elite Events.
o The event is anticipated to generate approximately 14,375 attendees, 11,136 tourists, tv exposure: commercial units, and in-broadcast assets.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities.
Summary:
The Tourism Promotion Agreement is for XInsurance Clearwater Offshore Nationals, which is scheduled to be held on September 25-27, 2026, at Clearwater Beach. Funding will be paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation.
Background/Explanation:
On July 22, 2025, the Board approved 49 events for the FY26 Elite Event Funding Program (Elite Program) for a maximum (or “up to”) total funding amount of $2,685,000.
A new application was submitted on May 27, 2026, requesting $125,000 in funding. Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) staff evaluated and recommended the event for funding to the TDC in an amount up to $125,000 on July 15, 2026.
The event is anticipated to generate approximately 14,375 attendees, 11,136 tourists, tv exposure: commercial units, and in-broadcast assets. Funding for Elite Events is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget within the Tourist Development Tax Fund.
Funding for FY26 XInsurance Clearwater Offshore Nationals is allocated between sponsorship benefits, and marketing and advertising expenditures which are detailed in Exhibits A and B. Funding is paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation.
Fiscal Impact:
$125,000 Total Cost
Funding to support the Elite Event Funding Program is included in the CVB’s Adopted 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
FY26 Elite Event TDC Funding Recommendation