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A Letter From President/CEO Brian Lowack
As we approach the end of summer, and our fiscal year, I would like to take a step back and recognize our tourism community. Reporting strong TDT collections and executing successful marketing campaigns is only possible because of all of you, and reinforces that our community is stronger, together.
Back when we celebrated our industry partners during the Besties ceremony, we shared initial details about the FunShine Savings Passport and today, I am thrilled to announce that it is finally here. This free digital passport will offer visitors a wealth of deals on local experiences, making it a valuable tool for exploring our destination. As we continue to promote the FunShine Savings Passport, we are confident it will become a cornerstone of our future marketing strategies.
Our VisitSPC team has once again brought home significant recognition from the Florida Governor's Conference in Tampa. The team's dedication and creativity were on full display as they secured a pair of coveted Flagler Awards, with a bronze award for outstanding Social Media Marketing for our Live Like a Local Campaign and a silver award for our Gulf to Bay Destination Magazine. The Greater Tampa Bay campaign continues to be a success, attracting visitors from neighboring Floridian counties and reminding them that paradise awaits in St. Pete-Clearwater, just a short drive away. Additionally, we continue to charge forward in our key markets, with amazing work taking place in New York – marking the official return of America’s Best Beaches to the Big Apple.
I am sure that Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's current initiatives will position us for even greater success in the upcoming year. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our destination.
The FunShine Savings Passport is here!
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater proudly introduces the FunShine Savings Passport. This free digital passport features more than 50 local experiences, including BOGO items, discounted admission to museums, tours, dining, and shopping, for visitors to access from any mobile device. The FunShine Savings Passport will be a cornerstone of VisitSPC's future marketing strategies, prominently featured at events, in digital campings, and through various out-of-home engagement.
To download FunShine Savings Passport assets and elevate the visitors' experience through this newly created platform, click here.
To learn more about the FunShine Savings Passport, visit FunShineSavings.com.
Trendy Moxy Hotel opens its doors in Downtown St. Pete
Congratulations to the newest accommodations member of the City of St. Petersburg's Edge District: The Moxy Hotel. This stylish, trendy and modern 163-room hotel brings a fresh vibe to downtown St. Pete, offering a unique and fun experience for guests.
Dunedin Pipe Band Shines Bright at the World Pipe Band Championship
The Dunedin Pipe Band has brought international recognition to our community by competing in the prestigious World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. As the sole U.S. entrant at the top level of the competition, the band brought the small-town charm and warmth to the worldly stage, representing both Pinellas County and our nation with pride and skill.
Dunedin's rich Scottish heritage is deeply ingrained in the city's culture, offering a unique blend of Scottish tradition and Florida charm.
Additionally, the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce was able to support the piping band and also visit to their sister city, Stirling, in Scotland. The Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's UK team was on-hand to support the ceremony and gift exchange at the Provost's office as well as a takeover day at Barrhead Travel store in Thistle Mall. Together with Barrhead Travel, we brought the beach to the store, with colorful Visit St. Pete-Clearwater merchandise, giveaways and banners, as well as promoting special offers for customers to book a trip to the destination.
Tarpon Springs Gets The Spotlight With Southern Living
The August issue of Southern Living Magazine featured an 8-page story on Tarpon Springs which the publication has dubbed a "gulf cost gem." This in-depth feature delves into the history of the area weaving a rich story that highlights everything from the Sponge Docks to the area's Greek heritage. A number of local businesses were featured in the story including Hellas Restaurant & Bakery, St. Nicholas Boat Line and Dimitri's on the Water, to name a few.
The Pinellas County Public Works Department has been recognized for its outstanding service to the community during Hurricane Idalia and is being awarded the 2024 Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association's Outstanding Service Award, a prestigious honor that celebrates individuals or teams who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Florida's beaches.
Congratulations to the Public Works Department on the recognition!
Credit: HaleLife Bakery/Facebook
The Visit St. Pete-Clearwater Meetings team was on the road recently to attend the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting & Exposition that was held in Cleveland, Ohio from Aug. 10-14.
During the exposition, the team met with more than 125 meeting planners in attendance, engaging with our partners, TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach, Dolphin Beach Resort and Conference Center and Sheraton Sand Key, who had the opportunity to meet with all levels of association executives including CEOs, meeting planners and communication specialists.
The Visit St. Pete-Clearwater Sports Commission and the Meetings and Conferences team attended Connect Marketplace which took place at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisc. on Aug. 27-29. Aside from the educational sessions, the Sports team had one-on-one appointments with more than 30 event organizers while the M&C team met with more than 90 meeting planners in addition to participating in a networking session with more than 400 meeting planners.
As a result from attending the 2024 Florida Huddle, VisitSPC and Brazilian tour operator Abreutur, collaborated to execute a marketing co-op program. This initiative included educating 300 Brazil-based travel advisors about the St. Pete-Clearwater destination, followed by the promotion of attractive packages and the creation of a dedicated landing page.
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's Activations Team is excited to announce multiple opportunities for partners to join us this fall, at no cost. To participate, simply submit your requests here and indicate the events of interest. Participation is subject to availability and organizer approval. The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 27.
To learn more and attend an upcoming VisitSPC-supported event, contact Craig Campbell.
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