Okaloosa County BOCC — May 8, 2015 — Minutes

Tourist Development Council 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Budget Meeting www.EmeraldCoastFL.com ~ Minutes ~ Friday, May 8, 2015 9:00 AM Emerald Coast Convention Center Council Members & Staff Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Departed Dale E. Peterson Chairman, Dale E. Peterson Vacations Present - - Thomas Rice Vice-Chairman, Magnolia Grill Present - 10:30am Rachel Joyce Hampton Inn FWB Present - - Martin Owen ResortQuest by Wyndham Present - - Thom Gossom Best Gurl, Inc. Present - - Joe Guidry Ramada Plaza Beach Resort Present - - Honorable Tuffy Dixon City of Destin Councilman Present - - Honorable Mike Anderson City of Fort Walton Beach Mayor Present - - Honorable Carolyn Ketchel Commissioner, District 2 Present - - Ed Schroeder Director, Tourist Development Department Present - - Lynn Hoshihara TDD Attorney Present - - Pledge of Allegiance and Welcome (Dale Peterson - Chairman) Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 9:00am with the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Related to Current Agenda (3 minutes each) No Public Comments. Councilmember’s Minute Mr. Owen offered congratulations on the Heart of Tourism awards this morning and hopes that the program can grow. Mayor Anderson noted the Brooks Bridge has tremendous impact on tourism and he would like someone from TDD to keep the Council up to date with its progress. Mr. Rice spoke about the Navy EOD event where eight names were revealed at the Landing, the Ranger Open House, Dr. Ott Symphony, and Joint Services Memorial Day ceremony in Fort Walton Beach where they will release the date and time of the completion of the Freedom Tower. Chairman Peterson recapped the open house demonstration of the 7th Special Forces. Mr. Rice mentioned there are ongoing issues with the Bridge Authority that must be kept up to date. Ms. Joyce commended the Heart of Tourism awards and the excitement surrounding it within the community. Many good things are coming to the community, including the half marathon next year. I. Items for TDC Approval/Recommendation a. Heritage Park & Cultural Center Funding Request (Gail Meyer) Ms. Meyer is requesting $15,000 for the exhibit “Obscured by Time: The Magic of Florida” that will seek to change how the public sees the past, expanding interest and bringing in a different demographic of visitors to the community. The exhibit will run from June – August 2016. Chairman Peterson suggested that they also look into grants from Visit Florida. Councilman Dixon questioned why the budget includes advertising in the Panama C