Subject:
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Fiscal Year 2026 Elite Event Funding recommendation from the Tourist Development Council - St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) recommendation of the St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix Elite Event.
• The Board originally approved the event in the up to amount of $125,000.00 on July 22, 2025. The event was scheduled to be held in September of 2026.
• On November 24, 2025, VisitSPC staff was informed that the rights to the event had been purchased by a new organizer who intended to shift the event dates to March 2026.
• These two factors (new organizer, new dates) necessitated a new funding application for reconsideration.
• A new application was submitted on December 19, 2025.
• VisitSPC staff evaluated, scored, and recommended funding in the up to amount of $125,000.00 to the TDC on January 21, 2026.
• The TDC unanimously recommended funding in the amount of up to $125,000.
• This event is anticipated to provide the following return on investment:
o 60,000 Attendees
o 12,311 Room Nights
o $12.7M Total Economic Impact
o TV Exposure: Commercial Units and In-Broadcast Assets on CBS Sports Network, YouTube, SpeedSport
Consistent with the Board of County Commissioners (Board) approval and Board Delegated Authority, the County Administrator or the Director of Administrative Services will execute Elite Event agreements, and they will appear as delegated items on the Board meeting agenda once final terms and marketing deliverables are agreed upon.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities
Summary:
Summary
Approval of the Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) recommendation of the St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix as an FY26 Elite Event is requested.
A new application was submitted on December 19, 2025, requesting $125,000 in funding. Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) staff evaluated and recommended the event for funding in an amount up to $125,000 on January 21, 2026.
The event is anticipated to generate approximately 60,000 attendees, 12,311 room nights, and $12.7 million in total economic impact, along with national television and digital exposure. Funding for Elite Events is included in the FY26 Proposed Budget within the Tourist Development Tax Fund and does not obligate the County prior to adoption of the FY26 Budget.
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Background Information:
Tourist Development Tax funds may be legally expended for an activity/event if that event has as one of its main purposes the attraction of tourists as evidenced by the promotion of the event to tourists, per Fla. Stat. 125.0104(5)(a)3. In enacting this authorization, Pinellas County’s Tourist Development Plan, Section 118-32 of the Pinellas County Code, authorizes the use of up to $3,000,000 annually for the marketing of special events and programs, which funding is governed by the Guidelines adopted by the Board on February 25, 2025. Those Guidelines include the following criteria:
Category 1, $150,000 - $250,000: Elite Event that meets or exceeds 50,000 unique attendees, 15,000 room nights and 500,000 broadcast views.
Category 2, $75,000 - $150,000: Elite Event that meets or exceeds two out of the following three criteria - 50,000 unique attendees, 15,000 room nights, 100,000 broadcast views or planned PR/media coverage valued in excess of $50,000.
Category 3, $50,000 - $75,000: Elite Event that meets or exceeds one out of the following three criteria - 20,000 unique attendees, 7,500 room nights, 500,000 broadcast views or planned PR/media coverage valued in excess of $100,000.
Category 4, $25,000 - $50,000: Elite Event that meets or exceeds one out of the following two criteria - 10,000 unique attendees or 3,000 room nights.
Category 5, up to $25,000: Destination Enhancement Event that meets or exceeds 5,000 unique attendees.
In accordance with the Guidelines, off cycle events that are evaluated and recommended for Categories 1-4 will be brought before the TDC for review with final approval by the Board. Events recommended for Category 5, Destination Enhancement funding, will be administratively awarded by staff.
Fiscal Impact:
$125,000
Funding to support the Elite Event and Destination Enhancement Funding Program is provided through the CVB’s FY26 Adopted Operating Budget. The source of funding is the Tourist Development Tax Fund.
Staff Member Responsible:
Brian Lowack, Director, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Partners:
Tourist Development Council
Attachments:
St. Pete Powerboat Grant Prix PowerPoint
Elite Event and Destination Enhancement Funding Program Guidelines