Subject:
Title
Amendment to the VSPC Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreements with local Chambers of Commerce for increased funding during Fiscal Year 2020.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Amendment to the VSPC Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreements with local Chambers of Commerce for increased funding during Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20).
• Tourist Development Council (TDC) approved an increase to FY20 chamber funding bringing total support to $500,000.
• Funding increase is designated for use toward chamber promotions.
• FY20 is the final year of the current two-year agreement.
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 Amendments provide $179,055.00 in additional support to the 13 participating chambers for their work in promoting the destination. In exchange for the increased support, the CVB will receive a $500.00 credit toward chamber events. In addition, chambers will have responsibility to participate in CVB events, use the CVB’s digital Guest Book Program for capturing visitor information, allow Creative Pinellas to attend chamber events at the member rate, and provide Creative Pinellas the opportunity to make presentations to chamber staff and members. The current two-year agreements are in effect until September 30, 2020.
Background/Explanation:
On May 15, 2019, during the Tourist Development Council’s (TDC’s) FY20 Budget Workshop, Commissioner Seel recommended the CVB increase funding for the chambers of commerce to $500,000. The TDC subsequently approved the CVB’s FY20 budget, including increased support for the chambers.
On December 10, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners approved the First Amendment to the VSPC Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreement with the Greater Clearwater Chamber of and Commerce, Inc. (Clearwater Chamber). The First Amendment reallocated funding from the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce, Inc. to the Clearwater Chamber due to the chambers merging. The current action will be the Second Amendment to the agreement with the Clearwater Chamber.
The Amendment will increase funding to the 13 chambers participating in this program:
$ 10,628.00 Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 59,071.00 Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 5,394.00 Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 3,649.00 Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 20,690.00 Greater Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, Incorporated
$ 2,379.00 Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 2,379.00 Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 9,994.00 Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 17,132.00 St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 23,001.00 Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 13,794.00 The Greater Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 2,379.00 Treasure Island and Madeira Beach Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 8,565.00 Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$179,055.00 FY20 Total Amendment to Chamber Funding
The CVB will work with chambers during the summer months to finalize the FY21-FY22 funding agreement, which will take effect October 1, 2020.
Fiscal Impact:
$179,055.00 Total Increase to Chambers
Support for the Amendments in the amount of $179,055.00 is provided through 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 the Amendments is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Steve Hayes, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
First Amendment:
Central Pinellas 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.
Second Amendment