20260616 TDC Agenda Packet

Tourist Development Council · 2026-06-16 · agenda_packet

[221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, Florida 32502] The Escambia County Tourist Development Council (TDC) met on June 16, 2026, to discuss the FY2027 Proposed TDT Budget and FY2027 TDT Grant Applications. Several organizations applied for funding, including American Idol/ABC Homecoming Event ($25,000), African American Heritage Society ($95,000), Foiling Event US, Inc ($375,000), Mike Hall Production (Blues Festival) ($115,000), Pensacola Area Chamber Foundation ($118,000), Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce ($160,075), Pensacola Mardi Gras Foundation ($250,000), Pensacola Sports ($1,610,271), Santa Rosa Island Authority – Pensacola Beach Airshow ($300,000), UWF Historic Trust ($290,000), Visit Pensacola & ACE – Unified ($10,869,331 for Visit Pensacola & $2,122,956 for ACE), William Banks Enterprises ($275,000), and Winterfest ($95,132). The meeting also included a public forum and approval of prior meeting minutes. [221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, Florida] The Escambia County Tourist Development Council (TDC) met on April 21, 2026. The meeting included approval of prior minutes, a status of funds available report showing FY2026 collections through March 2026 at $7,507,711 and a decrease of $28,064 year-over-year, and a current TDC cash balance of $27.4M as of March 2026. A workshop was scheduled for June 16, 2026. Pensacola Sports requested a letter of support for the World Sailing Championships 2030 and 2031, which was approved. Visit Pensacola provided an update on the Sunbelt Conference and the '#1 Beach in the US' campaign, requesting an additional $250,000 for the campaign, with a special meeting set for April 28th to discuss this. Discussions also covered communication between the Clerk and Comptroller and the Office of Management and Budget, the use of TDT for Bay Center improvements, and revamping the grant criteria committee. [221 Palafox Place, Pensacola, Florida] The Escambia County Tourist Development Council (TDC) held a special meeting on April 28, 2026, to address Visit Pensacola's funding request. Visit Pensacola requested an additional $250,000 to continue the '#1 Beach in the US' campaign, citing strong March performance with 7,034 hotel nights, 251 flights, and $2,027,880 in revenue. The motion to approve the additional $250,000 for Visit Pensacola was passed. [Blue Wahoos Stadium (for American Idol/ABC Homecoming Event); Central Office Complex (for EV Charging Stations); case R2026-50; SBA-26050] The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the use of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funding up to $25,000 for the American Idol/ABC Homecoming event sponsored by the City of Pensacola at the Blue Wahoos Stadium. This event is expected to provide national exposure with a 4-minute segment broadcast to 5.1 million people, featuring an estimated 5,000 concert tickets claimed plus overflow. The BOCC also ratified and accepted a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Equipment Rebate Voucher Award of $276,780 for Central Office Complex Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, approving a supplemental budget amendment and authorizing subsequent documents for the project. [2 Portofino Drive, Ste 2107, Gulf Breeze FL 32561] Foiling Events US Inc. applied for $500,000 in funding for 'Foiling Week Pensacola 2026'. The event aims to promote tourism by staging world-class foiling sailing events, attracting international tourists and sailing enthusiasts for up to 10 days, generating significant local economic impact. The event is planned exclusively in Pensacola and aims to become one of the largest multiclass foiling events globally. The requested funds are for direct programming costs. The organization previously received $315,000 under the name Sail Pensacola, which was used for global marketing, promotion, key team members, logistics, broadcast, distribution, race management, and stakeholder engagement. The proposed event for 2026 is expected to attract 300+ competitors and generate over $3 million in equivalent media value. [9360 Gulf Beach Highway (for Pleasant Grove Fire Station); Location for Foiling Week Pensacola Event not specified in this excerpt.; case ABA-26018] The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners confirmed support for Foiling Week Pensacola Event with Foiling Events US, Inc., utilizing Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds. The request is for a multi-year funding commitment from 2027 through 2029 in the amount of $375,000 per year. Funding is available in the Tourist Development Tax Fund (108). The Board unanimously approved funding of $375,000 per year for three years from TDT. The Board also considered the purchase of 2.16 acres at 9360 Gulf Beach Highway for $162,500 for the construction of Pleasant Grove Fire Station and approved an administrative budget amendment for the project. [Pensacola Bay (event location)] Foiling Week Pensacola is a premier international hydrofoil sailing festival and World Sailing Special Event planned for 2026, aiming to establish Pensacola as the 'Foiling Capital' of the United States. The event is a key stop of the World Foiling Series and a World Sailing Special Event. Goals include driving tourism and economic impact, exceeding 2025's 10,243 hotel room nights by at least 75% in 2026, attracting 300+ competitors (more than doubling 2025's ~180), and achieving over 100 million in global media reach. The event will also focus on community integration, educational outreach, and volunteer opportunities. Marketing targets include the competitive sailing community, recreational water sports enthusiasts, and the local/regional community.