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TDC Minutes 08/19/2025 (Draft)August 19, 2025 Page 1 MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING August 19, 2025 – 9:00 a.m. LET IT BE REMEMBERED the Collier County Tourist Development Council, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted business herein, met on this date 9:00 a.m. in REGULAR SESSION at 33299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd floor, Naples, FL 34112 with the following members present: Commissioner Chris Hall, Chair Clark Hill, Vice-Chair Susan Becker Laura Radler Nancy Kerns Michael McComas (via Zoom) Edward “Ski” Olesky (excused) Bill Kramer Councilor Darrin Palumbo ALSO PRESENT: Jay Tusa, CVB Tourism Director Sandra Rios, CVB Public Relations Manager Colleen Greene, County Attorney’s Office Buzzy Ford, Digital and Social Media Coordinator August 19, 2025 Page 2 Any person who decides to appeal a decision of the Tourist Development Council will need a record of the proceedings pertaining thereto, and therefore may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based, Neither Collier County nor the Tourist Development Council shall be responsible for providing this record. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL A. Roll was taken by staff. A quorum was present with 7 in person, 1 via Zoom. Chairman Hall moved to approve Michael McComas to participate via Zoom. Seconded by Laura Radler. Motion approved 7-0. The quorum was set at 8. 4. AGENDA and MINUTES A. Clark Hill requested approval of the meeting agenda. Seconded by Nancy Kerns. Motion to approve the agenda and the minutes of the June 17, 2025, meeting Moved by Chairman Hall; Seconded by Clark Hill Motion passed 8-0 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS – 1) Mr. Scott Carr – (no agenda item) Tourism Website & Advertising 2) Ms. Elysia Dawn – 9.D-Grant Applications 3) Ms. Muffy Clark Gill – 9.D-Grant Applications 4) Elane Gates – 9.D-Grant Applications 5) Ms. Meg Stephanian – 9.D-Grant Applications & 9.F-Supplemental Marketing 6. PRESENTATIONS A. There were no presentations on the agenda 7. TOURISM DIRECTOR REPORT A. Tourism Director Jay Tusa presented the TDT Tax Report, noting: 1) Occupancy increased 3.5% year-over-year 2) ¡ARTE VIVA! campaign won awards at FFEA for print advertising and the website. 3) Secured 13 earned media placements -nearly $200M in media value 4) Welcome new staff Tom Albrecht -Tourism Sales Manager August 19, 2025 Page 3 8. CONSENT AGENDA A. Recommendation to approve the use of Tourism Development Tax (TDT) Promotion funds to support the upcoming 2025 Legends Southeast Invitational Lacrosse tournament up to $3000 and make a finding that these expenditures promote tourism. (2025-2564) Item approved as part of the agenda approval. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Recommendation to approve a Category A Grant Application for the City of Naples Stormwater Outfall Pipe Removal and Water Quality Project as a reimbursable grant not to exceed $10,000,000 and make a finding that this project promotes tourism. (2025-2568) Presented in-person by: Bob Middleton, City of Naples Motion by Commissioner Hall, seconded by Nancy Kerns. Motion carried unanimously (8-0). B. Recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to approve an Ordinance for the purpose of levying and imposing the 6th percent Tourist Development Tax, subject to approval by the voters of Collier County at the general election on November 3, 2026. (2025-2643) Motion by Susan Becker, seconded by Nancy Kerns. Motion passed unanimously (8-0). C. Recommendation to approve a Sponsorship Agreement with 3 STEP SPORTS LLC (“3 STEP SPORTS”) for $2,325,000 to host and promote youth and amateur sporting events, including Football University National Championships and Top Gun Showcase, from 2025 through 2030, and make a finding that this action promotes tourism. (2025-2694). Presented in-person by: Steve Quinn Motion by Bill Kramer, seconded by Darrin Palumbo. Motion passed unanimously (8-0). D. Recommendation to approve Tourist Development Tax Grant Applications for FY 2025-2026 (FY25-26) Marketing Grants (Category B) ($84,000) and Non- County Owned/Operated Museums (Category C-2) ($674,000), for a total of $758,000, and make a finding that these expenditures promote Tourism. (2025- 2541) Public Speaker: Hyla Crane Motion by Darrin Palumbo, seconded by Susan Becker. Motion passed (7-1) (Michael McComas dissenting vote.) August 19, 2025 Page 4 E. Recommendation to approve the FY 2025-2026 Destination Marketing Plan and make a finding that this action promotes tourism. (2025-2667) Presented in-person by: Kristen Murphy, Paradise Advertising Motion by Commissioner Hall, seconded by Darrin Palumbo. Motion carried (8- 0) F. Recommendation to review proposals up to $5,000,000 for FY 2025-2026 Supplemental Tourism Marketing efforts, determine a final recommendation send to the Board of County Commissioners, and make a finding that this action promotes tourism. (2025-2668) Presented in-person by: Barbara Karasek, Paradise Advertising The Council approved the $5 million proposal for expanded marketing initiatives. Several members stressed the need for flexibility and rapid-response capability. Laura Radler, Darrin Palumbo & Clark Hill recommended that the Marketing budget should be a baseline of $11,000,000 for next budget year. Barbara Karasek – marketing gets paused in Sept & Oct because we have to end FY and wait for a new FY PO. This may reduce visitor demand in Oct & Nov. We cannot contractually commit until we get a new FY PO. FY26 focus will be on occupancy and revenue. Clark Hill -we cannot be the lowest comp-set and keep our luxury market. We should increase baseline to $11,000,000. Bill Kramer – we should not have 2 separate budget requests for advertising. Also need to work on the PO procedure issue. Laura Radler – maybe TDC should bring the PO issue to the BCC. Darrin Palumbo – worried that Naples restaurants are closing, which is a leading indicator of a slowdown. We should use the reserve funds & increase our FY baseline budget. Motion by Bill Kramer to make a final recommendation of an additional $5 million in supplemental tourism marketing efforts and to develop a process to create a budget baseline of $11 million for advertising in future fiscal years. Motion seconded by Darrin Palumbo. Motion carried unanimously (7-0). (Commissioner Hall left chambers and was not present for this item and the remainder of the meeting.) 10. OLD BUSINESS A. None August 19, 2025 Page 5 11. TEN MINUTE BREAK – None 12. AGENCY PARTNER REPORTS (2025-2538) A. Downs & St. Germain Research (Joseph St. Germain, in-person). Noted restaurants & shopping are down. Midwest visitation increased. Shorter planning cycle. 13. TOURISM STAFF REPORTS (2025-2555) 14. COUNCIL MEMBER DISCUSSION • Susan Becker – today’s information was well prepared, and I thank staff for their hard work. Seconded by Darrin Palumbo. • Clark Hill -we need to stay visible in Europe. Flat occupancy and spending off shows fewer people are spending money and dining out. • Bill Kramer – concerned restaurants are not getting enough traffic. • Michael McComas -encountering some restaurants are only open 3-5 days a week because of staffing issues. 15. NEXT MEETING A. The next meeting will be held on September 16, 2025. (2025-2521) 16. ADJOURNED There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:28 am COLLIER COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ____________________________________ Chairman Chris Hall The Minutes were approved on ___________________________, (date of approval) as presented _____________ or as amended ________________.