Okaloosa County BOCC — June 16, 2015 — VisitFlorida Welcome Center Advertising — agenda request

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: June 16, 2015 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Ed Schroeder SUBJECT: VisitFlorida Welcome Center Advertising DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development Department BCC DISTRICT: 2,4,5 STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request approval for payment in advance for VisitFlorida Welcome Center brochure and transparency advertising in the amount of $2,385.50. BACKGROUND: The Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau has partnered with VisitFlorida, the State’s official tourism marketing corporation, for many years to place brochure and transparency advertisements at Welcome Centers located along I-10, I-75, I-95, US-231, and at the Capitol. This program is a pay to play opportunity and payment must be made in advance in order to display. The annual renewal period is July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016 and the cost is $2,385.50. Staff checks the I-10 and US-231 transparency and brochure displays periodically during the year when attending festivals and working booths at those welcome centers. It is not feasible to visit the Capitol, I-75, and I-95 welcome centers; however, those locations do periodically request brochure replenishment. Per County policy, Board approval for advance payment may be requested if the payment results in savings equal to or greater than the amount earned by investing the funds and paying later or if the payment is essential to the operations of the agency and the goods or services are available only if advance payment is made. In this particular case, partnership with VisitFlorida is essential to the operations of the department and available only if advance payment is made. OPTIONS: Approve or Disapprove RECOMMENDATION: Approve payment in advance for VisitFlorida Welcome Center brochure and transparency advertising in the amount of $2,385.50 (invoice 00024273). RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator