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 Year 2023.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater (VSPC) Chamber Visitor Center Funding Agreements (Chamber Agreements) with twelve local Chambers of Commerce for funding support in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23).
• Agreements for the total sum of $493,155.00 support 12 local chambers of commerce during FY23.
• Funding levels remain the same for FY23 while the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) works to align the Chambers within the Tourism Strategic Plan and develops a funding formula for future agreements.
• Chamber Agreements will be retroactively effective October 1, 2022.
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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 12 Chamber Agreements will provide $493,155.00 in support to 12 participating chambers of commerce for visitor center promotions and staffing during FY23. The Agreements retroactively commence on October 1, 2022, and expire on September 30, 2023.
To date, the CVB has not received an agreement from the Treasure Island & Madeira Beach Chamber for $6,845.00 and will bring it forward once received.
Background/Explanation:
The Chamber Agreements provide support to participating chambers for visitor center promotions, as well as provide a one-to-one County match, to assist the chambers with visitor center staffing costs. Chamber funding levels were kept the same for FY23 as the CVB looks to align the Chambers within the Tourism Strategic Plan to direct and shape the future of this program including a more equitable funding formula. The CVB plans to increase Chamber funding for FY24 and anticipates a return to the two-year Chamber Agreement cycle at the same time.
In exchange for this support, the chambers will provide the CVB with a $500.00 annual credit toward chamber events, inform the CVB of community updates, distribute promotional materials, provide bi-annual reports of tourism/visitor center metrics, and more as detailed in the Chamber Agreements.
The Tourist Development Council approved the CVB’s FY23 budget on April 20,2022, including $500,000.00 in support of this program.
FY23 Chamber Funding Allocations:
$ 30,568.00 Central Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$163,746.00 Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 15,512.00 Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 10,496.00 Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 51,569.00 Greater Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, Incorporated
$ 6,845.00 Gulfport Merchants Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 6,845.00 Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 28,743.00 Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 49,269.00 St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 66,145.00 Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 38,784.00 The Greater Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
$ 24,633.00 Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
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$493,155.00 Total FY23 Funding
Fiscal Impact:
Total Expenditure: $493,155.00
Support for the Chamber Agreements in the amount of $493,155.00 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 Chamber Agreements is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Steve Hayes, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
Chamber Agreements:
Central Pinellas 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.
Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inc.