D. Authorize the County Attorney's Office to prepare, and the Chair to execute, subject

Tourist Development Council · 2026-06-16 · agenda_item

The Tourist Development Council is reviewing plans for the 2026 Foiling Week Pensacola event, an international hydrofoil sailing festival. This event aims to establish Pensacola as a major U.S. destination for foiling sports. The plan includes attracting over 300 competitors and thousands of spectators, significantly increasing tourism and economic impact for Escambia County. The event is scheduled for late March 2026 and will feature the World Foiling Series. This initiative will involve extensive marketing, media production, and community engagement activities. Local contractors, suppliers, and service providers can find opportunities in event promotion, digital marketing, content creation, media services, and local hospitality support. Engaging early in the planning process before final bids and permits are set can provide a competitive advantage for securing work related to this growing international event.

hotel room nights (2025 actual)

10,243 room nights

competitors (2026 goal)

300+ competitors

spectators (2025 actual)

6,600 spectators

potential reach (2025)

90.4 million reach

potential reach (2026 goal)

100 million reach

advertising value equivalency (2025)

630,000 USD

advertising value equivalency (2026 goal)

3 million USD

total program budget

1,000,000 USD

TDC funding request

500,000 USD

Digital Marketing & Media Production budget

250,000 USD

Broadcast, PR & Influencer Initiatives budget

150,000 USD

Tourism Packaging & Hospitality budget

50,000 USD

Community Outreach & On-Site Experience budget

75,000 USD

Event Operations (Marketing-Related) budget

125,000 USD

Contingency and Evaluation budget

50,000 USD

projected hotel room nights (2026)

15,000 room nights

projected direct lodging revenue (2026)

2.5–3 million USD

projected total direct spend (2026)

5 million USD

projected return for every $1 of TDC funding

10 USD

projected media impressions (2026)

well into nine figures impressions

projected media value (2026)

3 million USD

competitors (2025 baseline)

176 competitors

social media reach (2025 baseline)

90.4 million reach

social media reach increase goal (2026)

20% %

competitors (2026 forecast)

450 participants

room nights (2026 forecast)

21,608 room nights

economic impact (2026 forecast)

4.5 million USD

competitors (2027 forecast)

600 participants

room nights (2027 forecast)

27,500 room nights

economic impact (2027 forecast)

6.4 million USD

social media posts (2025)

100+ posts

Instagram stories (2025)

115 stories

Instagram posts (2025)

59 posts

Facebook posts (2025)

40 posts

edited video footage (2025)

8.5 hours

hotel room nights (2026 forecast)

21,608 room nights