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A Message From President/CEO Brian Lowack
As we embark together on this new year, I am excited and optimistic for the continued success of our tourism community in Pinellas County.
Overcoming the challenges of 2024 showed our resiliency with tourism generating more than $11.2 billion in economic impact as we welcomed 15.4 million visitors, a banner year for our destination. Such a remarkable achievement is only possible with your continued support and collaboration.
From sporting events to impactful activations both locally and abroad, the last month of 2024 was filled with opportunities that market and promote all Pinellas County has to offer which you can read about below. And, while the year has barely begun, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is poised to continue working hard to promote and drive business to our slice of paradise. During January, we have planned sales missions to New Jersey, Texas and California, as well as an international trip to the Brazilian cities of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. Additionally, our PR team will attend one of the largest travel media events in the country at IMM North America in New York City.
We look forward to seeing you all at our Annual Partner Meeting on Jan. 16 as we kickstart the year in style and set the stage for an exciting year ahead. This includes our newest marketing campaign which is not just an evolution of our brand but one that collectively & authentically shares the story of our destination. I hope to see you all there!
Don't forget to RSVP for our Annual Industry Partner Summit!
New Year, time to Connect to the Partner Portal!
The best way to start the year is by logging into the Partner Portal and updating your business information.
Useful links:
VisitSPC brought warmth to frigid Toronto at the VISIT FLORIDA neighborhood within the Toronto Distillery Winter Village. It was an excellent opportunity to engage with our largest international market and remind Canadian residents of the beautiful sunshine and experiences that await them just three hours away from the snow!
From mid-November through the end of December, we served up some delightful vibes and delectable crab bites, showcasing one of our most renowned murals to the tens of thousands of visitors to this esteemed Toronto establishment.
St. Pete-Clearwater's Film Commissioner, Lisa Dozois, was featured in FOX13's Unscripted. Hosted by reporter Briona Arradondo, the episode titled Filming in Tampa Bay talks about the Film Commission's efforts in bringing productions to Pinellas County, upcoming film festivals in the area, stories about high-caliber directors and actors, such as Tim Burton and Bryan Cranston, and more. Check out the conversation and know more about what it takes to film in the paradise that is St. Pete-Clearwater.
Film Festivals in St. Pete-Clearwater!
Calling all movie buffs! Here's a list of film festivals to kick off 2025:
7th Annual Dunedin International Film Festival
When: Jan. 8-12
Where: Downtown Dunedin
Sunshine City Film Festival
When: Jan. 11-20
Where: The Factory (2606 Fairfield Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712)
35th Annual Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
When: Feb. 2
Where: Greenlight Cinema (221 2nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701)
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Our U.K., Ireland and Scandinavia agency team arranged a fantastic influencer partnership with @theglobetrotterguys, to promote St. Pete's LGBTQ+ offering. Featuring a detailed destination blog post, Instagram and Tik Tok videos and more, the collaboration included many of our valued partners such as the Mari Jean Hotel, The Dalí Museum, Pier Dolphin Cruises and the 2D Cafe. Thank you to all the partners that worked with us to ensure St. Pete's LGBTQ+ scene shined!
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Visit St. Pete-Clearwater was a session sponsor during the 2024 NCBMP Annual Conference in Birmingham, Ala. The NCBMP (National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals) has been a driving force in training hospitality professionals for more than 41 years. The event allowed for some great face-to-face meetings to promote our destination while also allowing attendees in pursuit of their Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credentials to earn credits towards their certification as well as other hospitality designations.
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Clearwater Beach was buzzing with excitement as fans gathered for the annual ReliaQuest Bowl Beach Day! The energy was electric as the Michigan Wolverines band and cheer squad delivered an incredible performance, building anticipation for the game against the University of Alabama. The thrilling atmosphere culminated in a fantastic victory for the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium on New Year's Eve.
The PRO Cup's first edition took place in Pinellas County, bringing professional athletes from the worlds of baseball, basketball, football and hockey to play golf.
Swings and putts took place at the Innisbrook Resort from Dec. 12-14, where team BSB (baseball) - led by the 8-time All Star, World Series Champion and MLB Hall of Famer, John Smoltz, took the win in this first-ever golf tournament.
Elite Events Funding Program
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The deadline to submit applications for VisitSPC's Event Funding Program is Friday, Jan. 17.
Destination Enhancement Events scheduled between Apr. 1, and Sept. 30, 2025 are eligible to apply. To access resources, program guidelines, review the timeline and submit your application, please click here.
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Congratulations to our destination hotels nominated among the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2025! The overall destination is also nominated as one of the Top Cities in the U.S. and Tampa International Airport among the best airports. By completing a survey, you are entered to win a trip giveaway.
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Hotels available to support:
- Clearwater Marriott Suites on Sand Key
- Fenway Hotel
- JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
- Opal Sands Resort
- Sandpearl Resort
- The Don CeSar
- The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection
- Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
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Click here to vote. Entries accepted through Feb. 24.
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