TDC Minutes 08/19/2025August 19,2025
MINUTES OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
TOURI ST 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 at33299 Tamiami Trail East, 3"i 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
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I. CALL TO ORDE,R
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
A. Roll was taken by staff. A quorum was present with 7 in person, I via Zoom.
Chairman Hall moved to approve Michael McComas to participate viaZoom.
Seconded by Laura Radler. Motion approved 7-0. The quorum was set at 8.
4. AGENDA and MINUTES
Clark Hilt requested approval of the meeting agenda. Seconded by Nancy Kems
Motion to approve the agenda and the minutes of the Jl:r:,e 17,2025, meeting
Moved by Chairman Hall; Seconded by Clark Hill
Motion passed 8-0
5.PTIBLIC COMME,NTS
1)Mr. Scott Carr - (no agenda item) Tourism Website & Advertising
Ms. Elysia Dawn - 9.D-Grant Applications
Ms. Muffu Clark Gill - 9.D-Grant Applications
Elane Gates - 9.D-Grant Applications
Ms. Meg Stephanian - 9.D-Grant Applications & 9.F-Supplemental
Marketing
2)
3)
4)
s)
PRESENTATIONS
A. There were no presentations on the agenda
7. TOT]RISM DIRECTOR REPORT
A. Tourism Director Jay Tusa presented the TDT Tax Report, noting:
A.
r)
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Occupancy increased 3.5o% year-over-year
;ARTE VIVA! campaign won awards at FFEA for print advertising and
the website.
Secured 13 eamed media placements -nearly $200M in media value
Welcome new staff Tom Albrecht -Tourism Sales Manager
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August 19,,2025
Any person who decides to appeal o deckion of the Tourist Developmenl Council will need a
record of lhe proceedings pertaining thereto, and therefore mty need to ensurc thdl a verbalim
record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon
which the appeol is lo be based, Neither Collier County nor the Tourisl Developmenl Council
shall be responsible for providing lhis recortl.
6.
August 19,2025
8. CONSENTAGENDA
Recommendation to approve the use of Tourism Development Tax (TDT)
Promotion funds to suppo( the upcoming 2025 Legends Southeast Invitational
Lacrosse toumament up to $3000 and make a finding that these expenditures
promote tourism. (2025 -25 64)
Item approved as part of the agenda approval
9. NEW BT]SINESS
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 -25 68)
Presented in-person by: Bob Middleton, City of Naptes
Motion by Commissioner Hall, seconded by Nancy Kems. Motion carried
unanimously (8-0).
Recommendation to approve a Sponsorship Agreement with 3 STEP SPORTS
LLC C'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 frnding that this action
promotes tourism. (2025 -269 4\.
Presented in-person by: Steve Quinn
Motion by Bill Kramer, seconded by Darrin Palumbo. Motion passed
unanimously (8-0).
Recommendation to approve Tourist Development Tax Grant Applications tbr FY
2025-2026 (FY25-26) Marketing Grants (Category B) ($84,000) and Non-
County Owned/Operated Museums (Category C-2) ($674,000), fbr a total of
$758,000, and make a finding that these expenditures promote Tourism. (2025-
2541)
Public Speaker: Hyla Crane
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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 Kems. Motion passed unanimously
(8-0).
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August 19,2025
Motion by Darrin Palumbo, seconded by Susan Becker. Motion passed (7-l)
(Michael McComas dissenting vote.)
E. Recommendation to approve rhe 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 Danin Palumbo. Motion canied (8-
0)
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 lbr expanded marketing initiatives.
Several members stressed the need for flexibility and rapid-response capability.
Laura Radler, Danin 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 conftactually 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 $l1,000,000.
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 ofa 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 $11 million for adve(ising in future fiscal years.
Motion seconded by Darrin Palumbo. Motion carried unanimously (7-0)
(Commissioner Hall left chambers and was not present for this item and the
remainder of the meeting.)
F.
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August 19,2025
10. OLD BUSINESS
I l.
A. None
TEN MINUTE BREAK-None
AGENCY PARTNER RXPORTS (2025-2$s)12.
Downs & St. Germain Research (Joseph St. Germain, in-person). Noted
restaurants & shopping are down. Midwest visitation increased. Shorter
planning cycle.
13. TOURISM STAFF REPORTS (zozs-zsss)
11. COUNCIL MEMBER DISCUSSION
Susan Becker - today's infbrmation was well prepared, and I thank staff lbr 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 - concemed restaurants are not getting enough traffic.
Michael McComas -encountering some restaurants are only open 3-5 days a week
because of staffing issues.
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NEXT MEETING
A. The next meeting will be held on September 16,2025. (zozs-tszr)
16. ADJOURNED
There being no further business, the meeting was adjoumed at l1:28 am
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15.
August 19,2025
COLLIER COUNTY
TOURIST D PMENT COUNCIL
(
an ('hris tl all
The Minutcs wcre approved on q-tb'a5
ftlate of approval)
as presented /or as amcnded
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