Manatee County Tourist Development Council Meeting Agenda Results: 2/10/14

Manatee County Tourist Development Council Meeting: 2/10/14 at Manatee Technical Institute

BRADENTON – The TDC held a brief meeting Monday. It was Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh's first meeting as sitting TDC chair. Vernon De Sears was voted in as Vice Chairman of the TDC and Carol Whitmore was honored for her service over the last two years she spent chairing the board. The Manatee County Commissioner and former Holmes Beach Mayor was given a miniaturized surfboard; a nod to her self-proclaimed past as a “hippy,” said presenter Elliott Falcione.


1.   Approval of December 9, 2013 Meeting Minutes -- Approved, Unanimous

2.   Presentation of Plaque to Commissioner Carol Whitmore (former TDC Chairman) --

3.   Public Comment -- None

4.   Election of TDC Vice-Chairman for 2014
      (Currently David Teitelbaum holds the position) -- First nomination was to elect Vernon De Sear -- Approved 5 to 4.

5.   Lacrosse – Update
Presented by Dr. Chris Sforzo, Florida Orthopedic Specialists  & Sports Medicine and Antonio Servano, Premier Sports Campus --  Servano said the number of 6-12 year old kids they work with has grown from 25 to 200 members," adding, "We want to expose all of our kids to the big picture." Sforzo said that lacrosse, which he played while at Notre Dame, is the fastest growing sport in Florida. Sforzo brought in his lacrosse equipment to more familiarize members with the game. 
   
6.   Economic Leadership Summit
Presented by Sarah Hand, Spark Growth -- Hand told members that Manatee, "was a great place to grow a business." Hand said that their economic summit will be on April 10 & 11, and that what they are calling their DaVinci Fair will be on April, 12 & 13.  

7.   State of Tourism - Update
Presented by Walter Klages, Data Research Services -- Klages said, "The state of the town, is pretty damn good." He said the market has grown " … mostly in the European markets." Klages added that room rates are up by 39 percent, but that numbers from the feeder markets remain in a bit of a slump.
 
8.   Marketing, Sales & Public Relations - Update
Presented by Debbie Meihls, CVB -- Meihls said, "We sent three pairs of skaters to the Olympics and that there will be promotions at Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, at both the 1st and 3rd base camera shots. Meihls also said that Bradenton is set to promote its first film festival. 

9.   Orbitz Worldwide – Presentation
Presented by Joanna Citarella, Orbitz Worldwide -- "We are going to push your destination and show everything unique about you," says Citeralla.

10.   Public Relations – Update
Presented by Kelly Klotz, CVB -- Klotz cited Richard Banks' video promoting vacationing in Manatee County, and the praise surrounding it. She said Germany promoted a radio ticket giveaway of 20 tickets, and USA Today grouped Bradenton in their "Best Of."  

11.   Public Comment -- None

12.   New / Old Business

ADJOURN