Dear Partners,

What a fantastic way to kick off a new year! Last month, the entire VisitSPC staff was excited to share the room with many of you during our Annual Industry Partner Summit, as we unveiled our newest marketing campaign, Ampersand. The power of "and" takes center stage in this new campaign, showcasing the unique blend of experiences that await in St. Pete-Clearwater - award-winning beaches & incredible events, the beautiful arts & elevated coastal cuisine that we know and love, & so much more. 

And... our food scene has made a splash this year! For St. Pete-Clearwater to be invited and included in the Florida MICHELIN Guide expansion further solidifies our destination's appeal for visitors worldwide. It is proof that the home of America's Favorite Beaches also cooks and serves a wide range of culinary experiences, from local fish shacks to upscale fine dining. This is a huge accomplishment, not just for our local dining scene but for our destination. Such a recognition from a globally recognized, prestigious and respected brand, is the result of dedication, passion and tireless effort of so many restaurants in our community serving culinary excellence and providing an exceptional dining experience.

The timing was perfect as we continue sharing all that St. Pete-Clearwater has to offer. Your VisitSPC team has been near and far already in January, spreading the word at the recent sales mission to engage travel professionals in Brazil, and connecting with journalists and content creators at IMM North America in New York, as well as leisure travel events in Pittsburgh, New York City and Chicago, along with meeting events in Phoenix, Houston and Atlantic City. 

It is an honor to share what seems to be an endless list of the wonders that make our destination so special. And, with your valuable and continued support, sharing the story of St. Pete-Clearwater is a joy we should all be proud of.

In case you missed it, the MICHELIN Guide announced it will be expanding its selection in Florida with three new destinations being added in 2025, including St. Pete-Clearwater.  Below is the official press release with the announcement  and additional details.

To view the official press release with the announcement and additional details, click here.

Reserve a seat and join Brian Lowack, VisitSPC's President/CEO & one of Tampa Bay's Most Influential Business Leaders Of 2024, for coffee and casual conversation.

Join Oliver Kugler, VisitSPC's Community Relations Manager & other staff members, to learn more about our exciting destination and what makes our area so special.

Best City for Street Art - St. Pete

Best Art Museum - The Dalí Museum

Best Arts District - Warehouse Arts District

Best Art Festival -
Downtown Dunedin Art Festival

Best Beer Garden -
Dunedin Brewery

From Jan. 20-24, VisitSPC executed a Sales Mission is the Brazilian cities of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. Strategically designed to connect with key travel advisors, tour operators, and airline executives, the initiative allowed us to strengthen our relationships in the market while fostering new ones to further promote St. Pete-Clearwater as a premiere destination. 

VisitSPC's in-market representative Ingrid Facchinette, VisitSPC President/CEO Brian Lowack, and Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott, participated in the productive mission, training a total of 80 travel leisure advisors with key information, tools and resources. 

Last week, we welcomed a group of Canadian journalists for a tour of our destination to report on all the outstanding experiences. Special thanks to Hotel Zamora, Zen Glass Studio, FloridaRAMA, 3 Daughters Brewing, Get Up and Go Kayaking, Bay E-Bikes, Lolita’s Wine Market, Grace Restaurant, and Billy’s Stone Crab for showing the media members how wonderful it is to visit our slice of paradise.

The VisitSPC Activations Team offers various opportunities for partners to join, for free. Interested partners can check out al the great events we have lined up and submit their requests by Friday, Feb. 28 to be considered for their events of interest. These opportunities are based on availability and require approval from the organizer.

Anyone interested in attending an upcoming VisitSPC-supported event, should contact Craig Campbell to learn more.

The St. Pete-Clearwater area is once again named one of The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker by Movie Maker Magazine! For the fifth consecutive year, the destination continues to shine through a vibrant arts scene, diverse filming locations & robust resources like the Cash Rebate Incentive; offering a 15% cash rebate on qualified expenditures in Pinellas County, as well an additional 15% marketing uplift for projects that promote Pinellas County as a top destination.

It’s no wonder more than 200 productions a year take advantage of the picturesque backdrops and endless sunshine our destination has to offer— including HGTV's Rock The Block, Season 5. Learn about what sets St. Pete-Clearwater apart as a top filming destination.

"Why sun-soaked St. Pete-Clearwater should be on everyone's travel list" is the title for VisitSPC's latest article in The Washington Post, highlighting the destination's diverse dining options, wealth of outdoor activities year-round, award-winning beaches, and a vibrant arts scene.

In the feature titled "The Best of St. Petersburg," journalist Theresa Medoff puts the spotlight on the City of St. Pete, highlighting the booming culinary scene, arts, history, culture & more. AAA's The Extra Mile has a significative national readership, further amplified by a print version of the article circulated across several key markets in the Midwest and Northeast.

The Daily Telegraph, a top-tier publication in the U.K., featured the St. Pete-Clearwater area. Encouraging readers to discover diverse coastal experiences available in Florida, in the 10-page article titled You're wrong about Florida: here's how to experience the best of the Sunshine State" the Tampa Bay section highlights our destinations' pristine sands, lively beach towns, St. Pete's rich cultural scene, & more. 

The Media Kit for our 2025 Gulf to Bay Destination Magazine, VisitSPC’s award-winning destination magazine produced in partnership with Times Total Media (the advertising and marketing division of the Tampa Bay Times), is available. The magazine is slated for 500,000 copies that will be distributed world-wide, including targeted newspaper insertions in key feeder markets this summer. VisitSPC will once again have affordable native advertising opportunities for partners to blend their story seamlessly with the content of the magazine. 

Contact Jennifer Bonin at Times Total Media to inquire. Sales close Feb. 7.

The Partner Portal is the gateway to updating your business listing and staff member directory, upload videos, photos, and special offers, share your social media channels, & so much more. Partners with questions about navigating the Partner Portal or that do not have a username or password to log in to the partner portal, can email Contact@VisitSPC.com.