[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6120418,"mediaKeyId","2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133","parentId",2707595,"title","Votes at a glance: Pinellas County TDC, March 19, 2025","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",241000,"endMs",528000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133&start=241&end=528","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133/thumbnail_241000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120418/Pinellas-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Pinellas-County-TDC-March-19-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120418-03cd910d03043b6982017f8363234294/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175400&Signature=DodyVqaQTssnNNHMsrgDKSTYT3Wa6n~z3ANMng0V5pgG9EYl5QyqeJqFfXGpKAG0~HYWjavy8mzSCBRAu99GgTCeh2dVXss~8piOwRsp6b97AQPzfr~BLZd4bDMesL6JD~ctYZUzJ2FVHy~ARBww9WBqdnjqJjFBbP5EJB9MXprmHrkkPj9OM7pWE40Pe~HtGx1zj0hxkJXtkR0ObDXdx6Fmzzrva1b~TzelcQBcO8c~dn3u-UseIFjJ~aROFJxStMtvD4CMg49dk0yj3DpGi3~4qo5VtQtvzW2BJZu1W~2McuL9IuSaJiEo4D8eHMWgBRWMyk6xp9PcF9hxdl1B-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pinellas County, FL","date","2025-03-20T09:07:08.33Z","article","At the start of the March 19 meeting the Tourist Development Council took two formal procedural actions.

1) Motion to allow Mayor Recker to join the March 19 meeting virtually. Motion moved by Amanda Coffey and seconded by the chair. The council voted to permit remote participation; the motion \"passed unanimously,\" according to the meeting record.

2) Motion to approve the Tourist Development Council minutes from Feb. 19, 2025. The minutes were moved by Doreen Moore, seconded by Dylan Hubbard, and the motion \"passed unanimously.\" No roll-call vote tally was recorded in the transcript for either motion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tourist Development Council Meeting 3-19-25","oneSentenceSummary","Two procedural motions passed unanimously: to allow a council member to join virtually and to approve February 19 minutes.","taxTitle","Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",2867,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6120423,"County pursues temporary easements and local options while federal partners work on beach renourishment; Toy Town RFP under review",109,3390000,3499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133&start=3390&end=3499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133/thumbnail_3390000.jpg","/articles/6120423/Pinellas-County/Florida/County-pursues-temporary-easements-and-local-options-while-federal-partners-work-on-beach-renourishment-Toy-Town-RFP-under-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120423-762693ec6bf37f7e6ede0705409e6eca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175400&Signature=N47CWiKiOLby2V0tMmeP7~szM~7rxQHB-yiNoVmZkEKUYpsPP~cL~MlTM-TcEhxrLzfJMTEJv0t5cZZB7ze6UMPFrfwAV0QDoWXLF2sNAzy9EEWD9cf7Bm2zKdoiDVgK3ZeQQN2XYL~UrIU9DbYPF8Z0YCl2aZn5d-X91GoqbWlZ52EbrNdbGpN2LuR6cR7Y7gPKx9zGNTR3UAFUDJVnJqsDZTWkDm55gDp4zX1CasBzA8hd5fFfeGyCSnklrLODSreH0CjrQCyNmDjJOt4KGFsQH0DAbb24akpQJ9KsEmFF7kNoR3~uZ0KLvTigwrHAAg4ivhCBYIiPj0EdsA71Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Chuck Prather asked for an update on beach renourishment and related federal engagement during the March 19 meeting.

A county representative reported the county is working to secure temporary construction easements to proceed with a local renourishment project in the near term while continuing to press federal partners for a coordinated solution. \"The county right now is working on getting temporary construction easements to do our own project at this point,\" the staff member said, noting a small number of property owners remain unable to provide easements for legal reasons.

The staff member described recent meetings in Washington, D.C., where county leaders met with White House and Army Corps of Engineers staff. The representative said federal attention has increased and that county officials are confident a workable solution will emerge, though the Army Corps' internal leadership vacancy has complicated timing. The county continues parallel work on local permitting and rights-of-way so interim renourishment can proceed if needed.

On Toy Town, the county went to market in December with a request for proposals for a youth‑sports tournament facility; proposals closed in February and county staff said they are reviewing submissions.

Council members asked staff to return with updates on federal engagement, remaining easements and the Toy Town review timeline; staff agreed to follow up.","Pinellas County staff told the Tourist Development Council they are pursuing local temporary construction easements and continuing discussions with federal agencies about beach renourishment; the county also has an RFP for the Toy Town youth‑sports site under review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6120428,"Pinellas County bed-tax collections hold above $8 million in January as hotel inventory returns",191,3799000,3990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133&start=3799&end=3990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133/thumbnail_3799000.jpg","/articles/6120428/Pinellas-County/Florida/Pinellas-County-bed-tax-collections-hold-above-8-million-in-January-as-hotel-inventory-returns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120428-500515828ed203ee9e42777eef0b37dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175400&Signature=WQVaGIYYhpHkzZbmQGXMKr0E4HH5rM5cAXSUVm9rKy9RRaIJ2sVoqL1oYBACor5Lel~g38581KwPQA2BYV4I-jz4AVqPItkIkzDG83eAhqCpNZKp9pyYHbRXaRoz-lrs0ta9IlUmBQoI90imy94dcWynI2E8EjM0dB2JJQE~uL4Sih4u3yjpZd62aB7nwxrI8ibDHFedpaJYWrnhb7JQXhnwyY5MqGe1M9yZG9uUmFErW--OqXzGM~IFdD89LAlauXNRJeuy5Wt2Q9XunCelWPPYVt6L4kd6YAtaE8Ul-U-swdWz3bNWB2r9fJ71gHLgmkR~oUwd3xohKmVdatj10A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Eddie (market intelligence lead) reported to the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council on March 19 that TDT collections for January exceeded $8 million — the third consecutive January above that mark — and that hotel and vacation‑rental demand are continuing to recover following fall storms.

\"For the third year in a row, we had TDT collections over 8,000,000 in January,\" Eddie said, calling it a record year though only modestly above 2023 levels.

Eddie said Clearwater and St. Petersburg showed particularly strong growth in January (Clearwater approximately +16% and St. Pete roughly +34% year over year) while some southern beach communities continued to show lower occupancy. He noted the county tracks miscellaneous collections that capture OTA/vacation‑rental activity and that difference from sampled inventory has narrowed to about 5.3%.

Staff also reviewed the inventory pipeline: roughly 1,400 hotel rooms have estimated reopening dates later this spring and through the summer; another 27 hotel projects across the county (about 3,200 rooms) are in planning, proposed or under construction in a longer pipeline. Eddie said survey data show a larger share of visitors arriving by personal vehicle in January, consistent with increased regional and day-trip travel.

Council members asked about FEMA or other temporary housing impacts on hotel occupancy. Brian Lowack reported, \"As of last week, there are 1,000 rooms that are being occupied through the, TSA program,\" and staff noted that number should be tracked with lodging partners for planning accuracy. County staff said the 1,400 rooms slated to reopen are estimates and subject to change.

The presentation was informational; council members said they want continued monthly updates as hotels and vacation rentals return to service.","County tourism staff reported that transient bed-tax (TDT) collections exceeded $8 million in January, vacation-rental collections are recovering, and roughly 1,400 hotel rooms are slated to reopen this year; staff flagged continuing recovery since fall storms.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6120433,"Visit St. Pete Clearwater steps up international outreach, launches local influencer '727 Society'",681,1951000,2632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133&start=1951&end=2632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133/thumbnail_1951000.jpg","/articles/6120433/Pinellas-County/Florida/Visit-St-Pete-Clearwater-steps-up-international-outreach-launches-local-influencer-727-Society","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120433-aa2e1aaf8b335e141fd9248a87ebd7a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175400&Signature=Uh1nXIkIUWuEPZE-pWO1hXCn~2hUHYjHNkYN4S3hWWQuiLdqfqzJtO8oGtMQSM~o0wsyq7KAehsgoPwodxA92pVF0Pyt6wqik0XbF85c-X4D3qSZ8noW7IDPq0AYG53nM8H1mVe1tyYxMOBFpaUM6bthY5vzh7uyVY-YCmhec1EPn1kDdU45aV6uhQ43zwIcSTELB9MDDPXzYNV9zcwVCXagoKRj8Pl2HPu-~DaCzaG~oBeq9hCidHmntj-9oY-yNGlHnrYqGW6m8euTy1WCTVN52xEkGb5qb8kMHK1QCOW6hgz4clBWJD6RWkGhlm1IabXGC9SUK77CF6fQrFTxLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jason Latimer, director of public relations for Visit St. Pete Clearwater, told the Tourist Development Council on March 19 that the organization has intensified international outreach and is leveraging new direct flights through coordination with Tampa International Airport.

\"We met with 37 different journalists and content creators over one day,\" Latimer said, describing the International Media Marketplace event in New York; he also described 35 meetings in London and targeted outreach in continental Europe and South America.

Latimer highlighted a satellite media tour featuring travel personality Laura Begley Bloom that produced multiple television appearances. He said the TV segments and online placements reached an estimated audience of about 50 million viewers across markets.

Jessica Morrow, marketing project manager, introduced the 727 Society, a new local influencer program intended to build a network of Pinellas County content creators who can promote events and attractions. Morrow said the program launched in December with an initial group of about 15 creators; 10 were active in multiple events and the program has already produced measurable social reach. She reported that since December the cohort generated 89 posts reaching roughly 181,000 accounts with about 12,000 engagements and an estimated earned-media value near $199,000.

Morrow said the program is designed as a largely reciprocal, low‑barrier way to get local voices into partner events: creators sign up for events that match their audiences and agree to baseline deliverables rather than hand over large asset packages. Council members suggested adding Facebook to the intake form, exploring tiered engagement for creators and building a business-facing directory for small partners to connect with influencers.

Latimer confirmed media work overseas and in Canada leveraged newly added nonstop flights; officials said those airline connections — and joint marketing — are central to Visit SPC's strategy to attract targeted international media and travelers.","Visit St. Pete Clearwater reported expanded international media outreach and introduced a local influencer program dubbed the 727 Society; staff provided early metrics showing earned-media reach and engagement.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6120438,"Tampa International Airport CEO previews Airside D, cites $11 billion annual impact ahead of retirement",572,556000,1128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133&start=556&end=1128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2707595-b0f6ffa6b250ed300907d85fb10e9133/thumbnail_556000.jpg","/articles/6120438/Pinellas-County/Florida/Tampa-International-Airport-CEO-previews-Airside-D-cites-11-billion-annual-impact-ahead-of-retirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120438-97cbc8b300c67fa7c56172998f28a031/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175400&Signature=itIEjAQyrOkHYdGDm5bXoC8A8vLOJHYR76-r2UlRkMRwUIB71KUvfW2-Cuwp7PiT6NS30m5yHsC2qC~82FiJu95XrLcaDkzIRQrDWU42OeAijwKNV~~~wR-UYhs2Jo3ps762cz4QQGiv45wHSiBopZlp3jNvJLEEzL3VFn6kY4llgmWExUvozLNvrKPjPWDf6PJdDk1RBXvQuGBgvKLjjiKVEWyI8E6DpZHS5caO8FobjHKWIV7YYnEQCtm4YJWraFFqMj8XR6Y2B7RxsHAPIuWei1asONSrb2SgMYYJnc~nomn1dNQ1DZ5-MfobcVAipXlfsoE-Grl9xmtRvFE8mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joe Lupano, chief executive officer of Tampa International Airport, told the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council on March 19 that the airport is preparing for continued passenger growth and expanded international service as he prepares to retire.

\"According to FDOT, we generate $11,000,000,000 each and every year,\" Lupano said, describing the airport as a self-sustaining regional economic engine. He told the council he will retire after the airport's April board meeting and that Michael Stevens, an internal candidate, will succeed him.

Lupano described a multiyear capital program and the new Airside D project now under construction. He said Airside D will be a two-level, 16-gate facility with international-capable gates, two airline lounges and a dedicated U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrivals area. \"It's the first new airside at TPA in nearly 20 years,\" Lupano said. Delta has agreed to be the anchor tenant and will build a Sky Club in the new facility, he said.

He also reviewed recent route growth and operational metrics: the airport serves more than 100 nonstop destinations (including about 21 international markets), handles roughly 600 flight operations daily on peak days during spring break and continues to expand West Coast and Latin-American links. \"We have 3,300,000 passengers expected between March 1 and April 6,\" Lupano said when describing the spring-break period.

On security and passenger experience, Lupano pointed to short wait times at checkpoints. \"The average TSA PreCheck wait time is less than 2 minutes,\" he said, and added standard screening waits generally run under eight minutes.

Council members and local officials praised the airport's regional approach to route development and co‑marketing partnerships with Pinellas and Hillsborough counties; Commissioner Dave Eggers, who thanked Lupano for his leadership, called TPA a \"regional asset, not Tampa's airport.\" The presentation emphasized the airport's role in attracting international flights and feeding broader tourism growth in Pinellas County.

The council did not take formal action on airport matters; the presentation was informational.

Lupano urged continued regional coordination on route development and thanked local tourism partners for supporting the airport's ambassador program that trains volunteers to greet and direct arriving visitors.

Council members said they expect to invite TPA's incoming CEO to council meetings in the months ahead.","TPA CEO Joe Lupano told the Pinellas County Tourist Development Council on March 19 that passenger and route growth will continue, highlighted the Airside D international expansion and confirmed his upcoming retirement and leadership handoff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Pinellas County TDC, March 19, 2025

County pursues temporary easements and local options while federal partners work on beach renourishment; Toy Town RFP under review

Pinellas County bed-tax collections hold above $8 million in January as hotel inventory returns

Visit St. Pete Clearwater steps up international outreach, launches local influencer '727 Society'

Tampa International Airport CEO previews Airside D, cites $11 billion annual impact ahead of retirement