The committee’s deliberations on the Sports Grant guidelines were comprehensive, with the aim of improving the application process and ensuring local stakeholder involvement. A shift in the naming from “Sports and Events Grant” to “Sports Grant” was debated to focus solely on sporting events. The discussion included the eligibility criteria for tier one and two events, emphasizing room night requirements, economic impact, and marketing reach. A detailed breakdown of available funds for the competitive grant program was provided, specifying funding amounts based on room nights for tier one and a fixed amount for tier two events. Members debated eligible uses of funds, which covered equipment, personnel, marketing, and official fees, and engaged in clarifying the evaluation and validation of grant applications, as well as approval authority for related expenses.

The committee also scrutinized the grant application checklist, ensuring it included all necessary items such as a detailed budget table, letters of commitment, marketing plan, event or site plan, and insurance verification. This checklist was described as vital for the clarity and completeness of the application process. The committee approved the checklist after discussing its purpose and the significance of streamlining the review process.

The guidelines for the fiscal year 2425 were another focal point, encompassing reporting requirements, payment procedures, and terms and conditions. A debate arose over the discretion of the TD director to provide additional funding for an event, with members seeking clarification to prevent any circumvention of committee decisions. Subsequently, the grant applications for the fiscal year 2425 were approved, which included comprehensive sections such as applicant information, event details, and financial support requests.

The potential hosting of significant sports events and training was a high-priority topic, spurred by the visit from the executive director of IWLCA, who expressed interest in starting their season in the area. The committee explored opportunities to sponsor events like the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta and discussed the HBCU Invitational. They distinguished between training and tournament events and considered the importance of effective communication, proposing a monthly newsletter for updates and opportunities.

Additionally, the committee discussed recent and upcoming events, including the Columbia Classic and Moon Golf Invitational golf tournaments, Ron Jon Beach and Boards Fest, Space Coast spring game softball event, and the Space Coast Classic soccer tournament. A new sports marketing campaign was highlighted, involving the revitalization of the media library with fresh photos, videography, and drone footage, and a mail-out campaign aimed at baseball, softball, lacrosse, and rowing for training. A digital coaches database targeting schools in the Northeast and Midwest was also a topic of discussion, with examples of successful newsletters shared and debates about trade shows attended to offer training locations.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the development of a sport planner guide for local and tourist facilities, emphasizing strategic information like distance from the beach and airports. The committee also reviewed the potential for conflicts of interest and closed with a motion to adjourn.