Subject:
Title
Tourism Promotion Agreement with the City of Clearwater for a Fiscal Year 2024 Elite Event.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Tourism Promotion Agreement with the City of Clearwater (City) for a Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Elite Event.
• Agreement with the City for $75,000.00 supports Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival (Sea-Blues Festival).
• Funding is allocated between sponsorship benefits and marketing and advertising expenditures and is paid post event:
o $50,000.00 for sponsorship benefits
o Up to the sum of $25,000.00 for marketing and advertising expenditures.
• FY24 Elite Event Funding was recommended by the Tourist Development Council on July 19, 2023, and approved by the Board of County Commissioners on August 15, 2023.
• The Convention and Visitors Bureau will provide an Economic Impact Analysis for this Elite Event.
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
Summary:
The Tourism Promotion Agreement is for the Sea-Blues Festival, which is scheduled to be held February 23-25, 2024, in Clearwater. Funding is paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a report and other supporting documentation.
Background/Explanation:
On August 15, 2023, the Board approved 35 events for the FY24 Elite Event Funding Program for a maximum (or “up to”) total funding amount of $2,120,000.00.
This will be the sixth year the County has supported the Sea-Blues Festival through the Elite Event Program. According to Destinations Analysts, Inc. (DA), the Economic Impact from the previous event held in FY20 was over $4.6 million. DA will provide another Economic Impact Analysis for the FY24 event. All DA reports are shared with event organizers.
Funding for the Sea-Blues Festival is allocated between sponsorship benefits and marketing and advertising expenditures which are detailed in Exhibits A and B of the agreement. Funding is paid on a post event basis upon receipt of a written and other supporting documentation, which is due within 45 days of the event.
Fiscal Impact:
$75,000.00 Clearwater Sea-Blues Festival
Funding to support the Tourism Promotion Agreement in the amount of $75,000.00 is included in 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 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