A substantial portion of the meeting was dedicated to deliberating the potential establishment of ROI thresholds for tourism development funding requests. The idea was proposed in response to concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding the expectations for funding allocations, which could lead to public confusion. Establishing a clear ROI standard was seen as a way to provide transparency and help applicants better understand funding eligibility criteria. Several council members expressed support for this proposal.

The discussion included the idea of measuring ROI based on the number of room nights generated per funding dollar, a proposal that received some backing. Members recognized the importance of considering not only immediate financial returns, such as tourism development tax collections but also the broader economic impact on sales tax revenues. The conversation touched on the need for a collaborative approach involving the county commission and citizens to define success metrics for tourism projects, which could lead to more effective evaluation standards.

There were also concerns about the accuracy of data collection for events, especially those that are not ticketed, which complicates economic impact assessments. Without reliable attendance figures, the economic contribution of some events can be challenging to gauge. The council discussed the possibility of requiring third-party verification of attendance and impact for repeat funding, emphasizing a need for greater accountability in measuring the impact of funded events.

The meeting also covered updates regarding the Bay Center’s improvements. The recent opening night for hockey, which drew nearly 5,000 attendees, was highlighted as a success. This event marked the completion of a major project involving the replacement of the arena floor, including 22,000 square feet of concrete and an ice plant. Despite minor issues with the new lighting system, the improvements were well-received. Upcoming events such as a $5 ticket promotion for the next hockey game and themed nights like the Day of the Dead were outlined as part of a strategy to boost attendance and engagement early in the hockey season.

Plans for a new annual basketball tournament in November were also discussed, with the aim of enhancing the venue’s offerings and bolstering the local sports scene. The council received a draft report from the Consumer Sports and Leisure group, containing recommendations for developing a new event center and associated facilities, such as a potential practice rink and hotel. These proposed designs aim to enhance the Bay Center’s capabilities and appeal to a wider audience.

Sports tourism was another key topic, with Ray Palmer from Pensacola Sports announcing his retirement at the end of the calendar year. He shared his appreciation for the council’s support and highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance sports tourism in the community. Palmer provided updates on the baseball complex, with the design engineering phase currently in negotiation.

The council also discussed the implications of potential property tax changes on tourism funding. Concerns were raised about the idea of eliminating property taxes, which could impact the financial landscape for tourism initiatives. The possibility of using the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) for property tax relief was debated, with members warning that such changes could divert resources away from tourism-related projects. The need for careful consideration of any proposed changes to funding streams was emphasized, as these streams are critical to tourism development.