Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 22 TDC MinutesST. LUCIE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday February 9, 2022 ◊ 12:30 P.M. MINUTES Members present: Chair Chris Dzadovsky, St. Lucie County Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan, City of Port St. Lucie Lisa Cataline, Ocean Village Vacation Rentals Paul Taglieri, New York Mets Cathy Matos, Homewood Suites Members Absent: Terissa Aronson, SLC Chamber of Commerce Francesca Tyler, Hilton Garden Inn Donna Qvarnstrom, Cobbs Landing Staff present: Ciara Forbes, St. Lucie County Attorney Charlotte Bireley, St. Lucie County Tourism Tayler Hardison, St. Lucie County Tourism Also present: Rick Hatcher, Treasure Coast Sports Commission Rachel Tennent, FPUA Jerrod Wells, Saltys Watersports 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Chris Dzadovsky called the meeting to order at 12:38 PM. 2. ROLL CALL Tayler Hardison called roll. 3. SELF- INTRODUCTIONS & WELCOME All present introduced themselves. Doris Tillman welcomed the council to the Platts House, headquarters for Main Street Fort Pierce. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ February 9, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Motion for Stephanie Morgan to approve minutes. Seconded by Lisa Cataline. 6. Reports from Municipalities Commissioner Dzadovsky welcomed to Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to the council. A. Councilwoman Morgan, City of Port St. Lucie Councilwoman Morgan announced that a brand-new Amazon facility is coming to Port St. Lucie. She also updated the council that the Southern Grove development is moving along quickly. There was a decision regarding the Midflorida Event Center and that they don’t foresee any conventions taking place there until a hotel comes on board. Cathy Matos offered to pitch the hotel need to her partner/hotel group. Commissioner Dzadovsky suggested a public-private partnership. Commissioner Johnson mentioned that Fort Pierce has had success with the P3 model. B. Commissioner Johnson, City of Fort Pierce Commissioner Johnson announced that Fort Pierce approved the project for Willow Lakes (Wave Garden), which will be the largest wave pool in the United States. He announced that the next step in the Kings Landing project was also approved. Lisa Cataline asked when they are breaking ground on the Kings Landing project, Commissioner Johnson said that they should by the end of the year. Commissioner Johnson announced that the FAA appropriation for a sea plane base at Veterans Memorial Park was approved. 7. Reports from Tourism Staff Charlotte Bireley gave the financial update on November and December 2021 tax revenues. She announced that November brought in approximately $450,000, which is a 47.5% increase over 2020, and a 30% increase to 2019. She said that December brought in approximately $500,000 which is a 43% increase over 2020 and a 31.5% increase to 2019. She explained that in November, tourist tax collections were 125% more than budgeted. Bireley explained that November and December saw a 30% increase in occupancy rates in hotels and that St. Lucie County is leading in occupancy rates on the Treasure Coast. Tayler Hardison gave the web and social media reports for December 2021 and January 2022. The TDC asked if the tourism office would be utilizing Tiktok. Hardison explained that the Tourism office has a Tiktok and that they will be increasing usage of the platform this year. Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ February 9, 2022 Page 3 of 4 8. Consent Agenda There were no items on consent. 9. Regular Agenda a. 2021 Year in Review Charlotte Bireley gave the Year in Review presentation starting off with the 2021 highlights – high (and steady) occupancy rates, new tour operators, hotels & restaurants and more. She then gave an update on the tourist tax collections over the past 3 years with 2021 revenues being a 25.5% increase compared to 2020. She shared the Tourism Office’s “Always On” digital strategy, PR efforts and industry growth over 2021. a. Podcast Campaign Results Tayler Hardison gave the introduction and recap on the Don’t Come Here podcast that Visit St. Lucie recently launched with the Treasure Coast Tourism Offices. Once launched, the Treasure Coast team launched a campaign ad on YouTube, Spotify, Facebook and Instagram. Charlotte Bireley went over the impressions, video views and overall performance of ad campaign, which was a success. a. Staff Activity Updates Charlotte Bireley announced that due to Allison Macdonald leaving the Tourism Office there is now a vacant position available in the Tourism Office. Tayler Hardison showed the council the brand-new 2022 Visit St. Lucie Inspiration Guide. She explained that these guides are distributed to local industry partners, rest stops along the Florida Turnpike and Visit FL Welcome centers across the state, and direct mailed to potential visitors from around the country that request a copy. Tayler Hardison showed the council the new Treasure Coast Kids Quest display activation at the Yulee Visit Florida Welcome Center. The activation provides information on the TC Kids Quest in a fun manner and also provides information on the Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail for adults. Tayler Hardison went over the media profiles for the guests coming to the area for the Heritage & History familiarization tour in Fort Pierce. Commissioner Dzadovsky gave a brief update on the Treasure Coast International Airport and that they are looking to update some marketing practices and is “ripe for new service.” Commissioner Dzadovsky requested support from the TDC to allow for Charlotte take the lead on some of the marketing for the airport. Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ February 9, 2022 Page 4 of 4 The consensus agreed that it is a great idea to help promote the airport. The majority agreed that this would be best to take place after the vacant Tourism position is filled. Councilwoman Morgan made a motion for Charlotte Bireley to support approaching the BOCC to have Charlotte assist in the marketing and advertising of the Treasure Coast International Airport. Lisa Cataline seconded the motion. There were none opposed. 10. Other Business Commissioner Johnson announced that a historic cannon found is being revealed on February 15th in Downtown Fort Pierce. He also announced that a revamp to Jaycee Park in Fort Pierce will be underway soon. Jerrod Wells from Salty’s Watersports announced that business is booming and that they recently signed a partnership with Seadoo. They are hoping for opportunities for selling and/or renting Seadoos at Causeway Cove Marina as they are now a licensed Seadoo dealer. He reported that 90% of their customers are from out of the state and typically come to visit friends & family residing in Port St. Lucie. Rachel Tennant from the Manatee Observation & Education announced that she has accepted a new role with the FPUA as the Sustainability Program Manager. Rick Hatcher announced that there are several large baseball tournaments that are heading to St. Lucie County, as well as many cheerleading & volleyball camps. A discussion regarding the New York Mets Spring Training games came up. Paul Taglieri responded that he still does not know what will happen, but that he should have more information soon. 11. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 2:16PM.