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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTDC June 2022 MinutesST. LUCIE COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING Wednesday June 8, 2022 ◊ 12:30 P.M. MINUTES Members present: Chair Chris Dzadovsky, St. Lucie County Lisa Cataline, Ocean Village Vacation Rentals Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, City of Fort Pierce Cathy Matos, Homewood Suites Francesca Michael, Hilton Garden Inn Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan, City of Port St. Lucie Members Absent: Terissa Aronson, SLC Chamber of Commerce Donna Qvarnstrom, Cobbs Landing Paul Taglieri, New York Mets Staff present: Katherine Barbieri, St. Lucie County Attorney Charlotte Bireley, St. Lucie County Tourism Katherine Cordero, St. Lucie County Tourism Caroline Valentin, St. Lucie County Assistant County Attorney Also present: Craig Campbell, St. Lucie County Tax Collector Emily Curtis, Residence inn by Marriott Rick Hatcher, Play Treasure Coast Kevin Greene, Play Treasure Coast Jill Hanson, Play Treasure Coast Suzanne Bagnera, Indian River State College Ryan Strickland, Play Treasure Coast T.A. Wyner, Sunnier Palms 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Chris Dzadovsky called the meeting to order at 12:33PM. 2. ROLL CALL Katherine Cordero called roll. 3. SELF- INTRODUCTIONS & WELCOME Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ June 11, 2022 Page 2 of 4 4. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Lisa Cataline made a motion to approve the minutes from May. Councilwoman Morgan seconded. 6. Welcome from Indian River State College Suzanne Bagnera, Dir. Hospitality Institute, welcomed the TDC to the Indian River State College Main Campus’s Kight Center in Fort Pierce. She spoke briefly on her hospitality background and presented a detailed slideshow of the Culinary, Culinary Management and Hospitality & Tourism Management programs. Her presentation also covered the various ways these programs benefit the students, the school, as well as the community through the workforce and how industry partners can get involved. 7. Reports from Municipalities Councilwoman Morgan announced that the Port St. Lucie Hurricane Expo has been rescheduled for July 9th and they will have their Independence Day celebration on July 4th. She also raised the question whether Club Med was on the market, and Charlotte Bireley confirmed it is but was unaware if it had sold yet. Commissioner Johnson had several updates on the ongoing and upcoming projects for Fort Pierce: - New construction has been implemented for the Indian Hills Disc Golf course. It will come to completion in the next couple months. - Sports and playground improvements have been proposed for Coach Fenn Park. - The city is considering embarking on a hometown hero banner program to honor community heroes who have served in the military. - Will have official final report from parking consultant in July and will be looking at expansion of Downtown parking including parking garages, proposed sites, as well as funding. - There are a few RFP’s out including old city hall building, St. Anastasia building at 10th street, the parking garage. - Jaycee Park design reveal is taking place Saturday, June 11th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lisa Cataline added it is a barrier-free park accessible to all children. - Porpoise Park parking has been expanded and completed. 8. Reports from Tourism Staff Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ June 11, 2022 Page 3 of 4 Hotel performance report: Charlotte Bireley announced in April 2022, occupancy dipped about 1.5% but ADR is up over April 2021. From a county standpoint, ADR is up 15.1% and RevPAR is up 13.3% over April 2021. Charlotte Bireley summarized the digital & social reports. She informed digital is down, expecting numbers to pick back up in summer once summer campaigns are launched. Internally, the beaches campaign and Treasure Coast Kids Quest have launched. Charlotte has no updates for earned media to report. She reported VISIT FLORIDA chose St. Lucie to host 9 travel writers from around the world Friday, June 10th through Sunday, June 12th with a focus on outdoor adventures. 9. Regular Agenda a. 2023 Plan – Play Treasure Coast Sports Rick Hatcher, President & CEO of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission presented his annual update on the Play Treasure Coast Sports. This included a 3-year recap, their mission, marketing objectives, their year in review, the variety of sports they host, their desire to increase their brand awareness in the sports industry as well as how they plan to do so, and their 5-year strategic plan. b. 2023 Final Budget Recommendation Charlotte Bireley explained that the budget was approved last meeting but asked the TDC to make a recommendation for funding Play Treasure Coast Sports to finalize the budget and submit it to the County Commissioners to move forward. Commissioner Dzadovsky and Rick Hatcher discussed the presentation, as well as the funding Play Treasure Coast Sports is looking to have in the next fiscal year. An open discussion was held by the TDC where Commissioner Dzadovsky suggested an increase of $10,000 to Play Treasure Coast Sport’s 2022-2023 budget and any additional requests outside this budget amount would be brought before the TDC for approval. Commissioner Dzadovsky suggested they get an additional $10,000. Lisa Cataline made the motion to approve. Stephanie seconded. All were in favor. None opposed. 10. Other Business Councilwoman Morgan noted that though the May minutes were approved, Commissioner Johnson was marked absent even though he was in attendance. Tourist Development Council Meeting ◊ June 11, 2022 Page 4 of 4 Ryan Strickland reported Play Treasure Coast Sports Tourism worked in collaboration with Angler Army to host a fishing tournament at Causeway Cove Marina with over $72,000 being split between 2 non-profits. Suzanne Bagnera mentioned that more information on IRSC’s programs can be found in provided folders and community partners are encouraged to reach out. 11. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 1:58 PM.