Pirates Deal Tops Good News at Manatee TDC Meeting

BRADENTON – The Manatee Tourist Development Council heard some good news amid tough economic times at Monday's meeting in the BOCC chambers of the County Administration Building in downtown Bradenton. Michael Walley, Director of Development and Community Relations for the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport Authority, reported that despite the down economy, incoming passengers are only down 380 year to date, which is less than projected.

”There's really no rhyme or reason to the numbers,“ Walley explained. ”We see it mostly as a reflection of consumer confidence.“ Walley said that the bookings have been mostly of the short notice (less than 30 days) variety and that low months were not explained by a corresponding lack of flights or seats.

Anna Maria Oyster Bar's John Horne, President of the Manatee Chapter of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, gave an upbeat report, explaining that recent membership additions would earn Manatee another seat on the state board.

Horne also reported that over $10,000 was raised at last Friday's Chow Down for Charity event at the Riverhouse Reef & Grill, the group's signature charity event. There's also talk of combining the Sarasota and Manatee FLRA chapters to reduce duplicity and increase influence, which Horne promoted as a positive possibility.

Horne said that Manatee restaurants, especially on the beaches, are up in terms of business. He raised the issue of the minimum wage, which is slated to go up to $4.65 in January and said that while none of the restaurants oppose the hike, they will be lobbying for an increase in the tip-tax credit, which has stayed the same in recent years, as minimum wages have increased.

The TDC and all parties seemed particularly enthused over an agreement with the city of Pittsburgh to partner on Pirate baseball-related promotions with in-kind advertising, dollar for dollar up to $400,000 annually. TDC board member David Titlebaum, who'd voted against other similar promotions in the past, praised the deal, saying, ”there's not one single thing that doesn't make sense.“

Elliot Falcone, Bradenton Area CVB Director, said that a sort of two-city alliance had been sought for sometime, pointing out the benefits of partnering with a bigger city whose economy is on the upswing. Falcone said that they were in talks with Southwest Airlines in hope of ultimately securing nonstop flights from Pittsburgh to SRQ, at least during peak season. The motion to adopt the marketing agreement passed unanimously.

The TDC also added a special meeting to the schedule on Monday, November 14 at 9 a.m. in the BOCC Chambers to discuss the Tourist Development Tax Ordinance and the sports agreement.