[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6477256,"mediaKeyId","5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f","parentId",5711907,"title","Walton County Tourism plans public survey, in‑person outreach to shape strategic plan","audioSeconds",111,"startMs",4530000,"endMs",4641000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f&start=4530&end=4641","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f/thumbnail_4530000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477256/Walton-County/Florida/Walton-County-Tourism-plans-public-survey-inperson-outreach-to-shape-strategic-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477256-8dbcdbd9ce8135723df37c9bc50e13b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770596549&Signature=j1j7srgeUcqUR6wgpbd-ZecBmYHSOcsrxSL1cfCilRwn3m~57pCimTkPOn2YP1hDPeYRLmlKe8DBfFDAkueWeUY8EY4sjmDfkwfHkKMsz7L9mHuWFs2hfD95GDGAn8dH3y5Qa26-fq~MQKV58zi1FcTv7JuiD5kQWBkTxKZjpeMEQbtBbA6vf0B544O1ik6dV-x5QkFUxVC85sMr8zODEbVJWOFIw-RyHYnzcrMrk2uKREFx6D2znn2jVPEvEQQ8FLk8yoe2XZUo1NfAGZzr-pPFkFv8CXpxQCVqecd~HH9Xkoxy74haihh3D9F-T6zWRP1xhC1--RN66Ym1omkNSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Walton County","date","2025-09-03T02:32:30.013Z","article","Matt (Walton County Tourism staff) and Scott (JLL consultant) outlined a public‑outreach schedule to inform the strategic plan. Consultants said the public survey is scheduled to go live “by the end of the week,” and that in‑person public sessions are planned for October.

Scott recommended at least one session in North Walton and two to three sessions in South Walton, with varied times and locations to encourage diverse participation. Matt said the team will use public‑session signups as an expression of interest — not a mandatory RSVP — to size venues appropriately.

The consultants plan to include demographic questions so the team can identify respondent type (resident, business, accommodations partner, visitor) and geographic origin. Jennifer asked whether steering committee members would see the survey instrument before release; Matt and Scott agreed to circulate the draft questions to committee members for review.

Committee members discussed venue selection and attendee convenience; Matt said the team would look for east/central/west locations and consider resort conference facilities for adequate space. The group agreed that publicly noticed sessions allow committee members and elected officials to attend without creating quorum or Sunshine Act violations, and Scott suggested one session could be structured as a joint TDC‑Board of County Commissioners meeting.

Ending

Consultants and Walton County Tourism staff will circulate the draft survey questions, finalize session locations in the coming weeks and report results and any early survey findings at the next steering‑committee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Steering Committee Meeting - Sept 2 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Consultants and Walton County Tourism staff said a public survey will launch by week’s end and in‑person listening sessions are planned for October, including at least one in North Walton and multiple sessions in South Walton.","taxTitle","Walton County, Florida","taxId",28197,"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},6477258,"Steering committee examines reserve‑policy options to cover volatility, capital needs and strategic opportunities",420,2898000,3318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f&start=2898&end=3318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f/thumbnail_2898000.jpg","/articles/6477258/Walton-County/Florida/Steering-committee-examines-reservepolicy-options-to-cover-volatility-capital-needs-and-strategic-opportunities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477258-dbcbf8e9002a0a2c1cacde6435774294/orig.mp4?Expires=1770596549&Signature=B5tdeuq~heZokZ9aRTINnx38drb4dgvlGS0F~wyTUm4iERaJCsw0G1hSaiuMy4HoXMhJn9xEOjohxOJg~gsbjRX6JeJfxmz6Ia1-ADJOJbJi-iB4U~X3EAPv8GbRo~QIGz2VHZ6BOVd~8y~0G-fp54KAqRINQ49SkMJTEKi-be1--xmCW-AArNgPMN9HBxYFzDz8y~Mbaipq3YA0RvwevalFO76qW51p08pWWQFHgBGDplW16l5B2LJprQxCrp-AD5RbBHuT9KFnyx4h7LYPC6FPYTBq29cUrCwpuK~3zWj6R9BKGxKOa~80ZNb82M0ofowia5hVVRknb2B7rqy0rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott, a JLL consultant, presented four or five reserve strategies the team recommends Walton County consider: operational/cash reserves, an emergency or recovery reserve for disasters (sometimes called a “rainy day” fund), a capital/infrastructure reserve to maintain TDC‑owned assets, and a strategic/opportunity reserve to fund rapid, multi‑year or one‑time investments aligned with the strategic plan.

Scott emphasized that Walton County and the TDC already operate under county and state rules that constrain how reserves may be used and that the consultant’s recommendation is framed as a strategic approach rather than a replacement of existing legal policy. He urged the committee to view penny allocations as a tool of convenience but not the sole means of framing reserve strategy.

Committee members asked how the strategy would fit with current penny allocations and whether mandated obligations such as beach renourishment would be treated separately. Scott said obligatory allocations (for example, beach nourishment) would remain distinct while discretionary reserves could be aligned across the broader budget.

Tiffany and other members asked for concrete examples and a recommended allocation model; Scott said the team will present alignment options in the next committee meeting. Committee members also raised the role of reserves in supporting multi‑year workforce or contract commitments and in enabling rapid investment when strategic opportunities arise.

Ending

Consultants will return with a near‑final reserve‑policy presentation showing how the recommended reserve strategies would map to the county’s existing penny allocations and mandated obligations.","Consultants proposed a reserve strategy for Walton County Tourism that separates operational cash reserves, emergency/response reserves, capital reserves and a strategic/opportunity reserve; committee members asked how the proposal aligns with current penny allocations and County/TDC rules.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477263,"Consultants present event‑matrix to steer Walton County toward targeted event funding and year‑round programming",0,4710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f&start=4710&end=4710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f/thumbnail_4710000.jpg","/articles/6477263/Walton-County/Florida/Consultants-present-eventmatrix-to-steer-Walton-County-toward-targeted-event-funding-and-yearround-programming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477263-24b582545d496ec9121cef05dd19d13c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770596549&Signature=SCg5ByvNv1UhwbuUtbI0B2o0bZpZq~urLHqq9Q21phXV1-Rk9mssugzkm9rbcuLdYkGu~BPWimwqOEmT8ByfryEEHh09w1bsY~n~ze9XAppSv6a1Ci7sXla12t~6FrKjnPFyhFnhbHkD9DYhKCsMTCPMVeb1zlhr~3RUvLIYKVjYApv~kyOOs1m4J4rNGIBtHPP9MUHF9LzMaoMmXHJQVucbuJ0iX5nVn1D~IYiTTPObqdJsZceZygQt5QziwRU00c4~eqcQSUu7bndm0S4iJ0C53qHuEGL8s5B1vDdzA5zO1-bSpEx9pBAgfwBY9npagQcQYMYQvAu5ORsS6Bupjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott, a JLL consultant, walked the steering committee through an event matrix that evaluated 24 destination events against 10 criteria (brand alignment, overnight stays, marketing strategy, uniqueness and a time‑of‑year bonus). He told the committee that five events — about 20% of the list — were scored as national draws and that most events rated as regional or local attractions.

Scott said the tool weights destination impact on the tourism brand, comprehensive marketing and overnight‑stay generation most heavily; event partnerships receive a smaller weight. He noted the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic “was the largest event” but scored lower on the timing bonus because it occurs in peak season.

Committee members suggested adding a “quality of life” metric to capture community benefits from events, not only overnight‑stay or revenue metrics. Tiffany Edwards said many listed events skew toward adult audiences and recommended the committee consider family‑ and teen‑friendly programming in future scoring.

Matt (Walton County Tourism staff) and committee members emphasized the matrix is a desktop, visitor‑facing inventory — not limited to TDC‑funded events — and that staff will use the tool to identify which events merit additional organizational focus or seed funding. Jennifer noted events that currently do not require TDC dollars but deliver strong visitation outcomes should be highlighted to maximize leverage.

Several speakers suggested the matrix could help structure conversations with event organizers and could be incorporated into an evaluation of the county’s event‑grant program. Brian (steering committee member) urged careful review: “I think we could probably sit and talk for 3 hours… about why this one is here or there,” and recommended additional internal vetting before the matrix becomes the grant program’s operational standard.

Ending

The committee agreed consultants and staff will refine evaluation criteria as needed, test the list against TDC‑funded events and use the matrix in upcoming organizer outreach and grant‑program discussions.","Consultants showed a 24‑event matrix that ranks events by tourism impact and time of year; five events scored as national draws and the matrix is intended to guide the county’s event funding and outreach to organizers.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477268,"Walton County tourism steering committee review highlights natural setting, seasonality and workforce as top issues",1938,275000,2213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f&start=275&end=2213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711907-afd9d45033a8760a15d570dd1ecd802f/thumbnail_275000.jpg","/articles/6477268/Walton-County/Florida/Walton-County-tourism-steering-committee-review-highlights-natural-setting-seasonality-and-workforce-as-top-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477268-3540e13f3af306acbda2c985c8c47016/orig.mp4?Expires=1770596549&Signature=om19aqfZvKNCQ5o7uveZG2P2wflV7~237N8miWUa6rnDyzqCshhNCjIhr~I~prfMZ0c5DFSa3TSLHpOE4CtsqwQSOjNKUi73tR8F8vNJuU5ls3PULyww-txhKWvvANcWB9KXuZezOteb7xL1k-dzQYnd6nEBgNkXFQixl1TJ2HSg4PAUnvoK2zoPfDUxYPGts6-2zCRunK4I~tg7mAxs2dLyeFeaUDbd4--EQDqs3IUk8ZTHA3rNkFhs-riyWrAiuR0L1zM3HtCsenXgrK6brr8Wt6cyZp97XJJQxKqSzHyMRNwcMJfAnOVnZ6xtyhiUiRO45321c~XDHq6rUaxfNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Scott, a JLL consultant, presented the steering committee’s draft SWOT analysis, saying the destination’s “pristine nature of the setting” and a “very, very strong regional brand” are clear strengths for Walton County.

The report, developed from local stakeholder interviews and prior site visits, frames seasonality and workforce constraints as major weaknesses and identifies off‑beach infrastructure gaps and rising accommodation costs as opportunities and threats. Scott said the analysis ties quantitative tools (a Tourism Earnings Index and demand‑driver scorecard) to the qualitative findings from the steering committee and community engagement.

The steering committee debated whether “controlled growth” should be framed as a policy or program. Tiffany Edwards, a steering committee member, recommended changing the phrasing from “growth policies” to “programs” to avoid suggesting an overly prescriptive regulatory approach. Other members noted that some communities within Walton already have structured growth policies and that countywide program design should reflect local variation.

Committee members and staff discussed visitor access and transportation. Scott and Matt (Walton County Tourism staff) noted that two airports serve the market and that access is both a weakness and an opportunity: “the strength of your drive market clearly mitigates this,” Scott said, and the consultant added that flying into ECP is “very, very efficient.” Participants urged attention to the visitor’s first‑mile/last‑mile experience—baggage, car rentals and signage—rather than expecting new airport infrastructure.

Seasonality dominated several exchanges. Committee members described traditional Saturday‑to‑Saturday vacation patterns and suggested the county could encourage alternative arrival/departure patterns and more year‑round programming. Matt said the tourism team will probe peak‑period pressures — trash, law enforcement, beach operations and other concentrated demands — in follow‑up stakeholder sessions.

Speakers raised concern about public perceptions that some beaches are exclusive and recommended consistent messaging and investment across beaches to reduce resident frustration. Jennifer (steering committee member) argued the matrix should account for events’ community benefits as well as tourism impact.

The discussion also touched on product diversification inland of the beach and the role of private investment for large projects such as marinas or a sports complex. One committee member said the TDC should “entice private enterprise” because the TDC is unlikely to fund very large capital projects alone.

The session closed with an agreement to incorporate these themes into the draft strategy and to gather more specific stakeholder feedback on the pressures of peak season in subsequent outreach.

Ending

Committee members asked staff and consultants to test message framing with residents and to return with a refined SWOT and suggested next steps for preserving the county’s natural assets while addressing seasonality and workforce gaps.","Consultants and steering committee members reviewed a stakeholder-driven SWOT analysis that emphasizes Walton County’s ‘‘pristine’’ natural environment and strong regional brand as strengths, and seasonal demand, workforce shortages and limited off‑beach product as primary challenges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Walton County Tourism plans public survey, in‑person outreach to shape strategic plan

Steering committee examines reserve‑policy options to cover volatility, capital needs and strategic opportunities

Consultants present event‑matrix to steer Walton County toward targeted event funding and year‑round programming

Walton County tourism steering committee review highlights natural setting, seasonality and workforce as top issues