2010 Budget proposal TDC

**wrobert** · 05-29-2009, 10:24 AM

Okay I am finally starting to get in some budget information and will start posting on here for discussion. Remember we are looking for 7 million dollars. Now keeping in mind that the TDC is pretty much self sustaining, any dollars saved here can not go toward the 7 million but I think many will agree that moving as many dollars into area promotion would be a good thing.

I am going to do this in little bites to make it easier to discuss, I will try to post a PDF of the whole thing over the weekend. The first part is the admin section:

Consultants $217,000.00
Research $171,250.00
Advertising/Media $795,000.00
Production $173,065.00
PR Development $ 23,700.00
PR Trade Shows $ 1,250.00
PR FAMS $ 7,000.00
Travel Trade Missions $ 83,910.00
Sales FAMS $ 15,100.00
Trade Show Sponsor $ 31,650.00
Website $312,500.00
Regional Partnerships $ 5,000.00
Photo Production $269,420.00
Brochure Distribution $ 14,640.00
Promotional Merchandise $ 46,507.50
Promotions $ 8,500.00

**Busta Hustle** · 05-29-2009, 11:22 AM

Will of course be waiting for consultants to justify their existance but in all businesses I know they are the first to go in lean times. Course times aren't lean when you can add a tax. Other lines not directly associated to area promotion seems to be RESEARCH-staff can do that, PR Development-ax it
Photo Production-1/2 it, TRAVEL TRADE-1/2 it, Brochure Dist 1/2 it. By half it I mean half the allowed budget where and if possible.

**idlewind** · 05-29-2009, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Busta Hustle

Will of course be waiting for consultants to justify their existance but in all businesses I know they are the first to go in lean times. Course times aren't lean when you can add a tax. Other lines not directly associated to area promotion seems to be RESEARCH-staff can do that, PR Development-ax it
Photo Production-1/2 it, TRAVEL TRADE-1/2 it, Brochure Dist 1/2 it.

TDC is not like regular government. It is funded by bed taxes and is supposed to spend money entirely to promote tourism. You promote by advertising. Advertising uses photos-can't cut photos. They should increase brochure distribution not cut it. etc.etc.etc.

TDC is supposed to be drawing tourists to the county so we ALL make more money. Two good qoutes: "You get what you pay for" and "You gotta spend money to make money."

**Bob Wells** · 05-29-2009, 12:34 PM

Idlewind, what are they taking pictures of and do they spend that much every year? Seems pictures can be reused.

**idlewind** · 05-29-2009, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by FF 2

Idlewind, what are they taking pictures of and do they spend that much every year? Seems pictures can be reused.

Probably pretty girls frolicking on the beach, that was always a big draw for me.

You can never get too many pictures of pretty girls and sunsets.

**wrobert** · 05-29-2009, 03:35 PM

But do they really have to fly in pretty girls for this area?

**Booger** · 05-29-2009, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by wrobert

But do they really have to fly in pretty girls for this area?

Yes.

**ShallowsNole** · 05-30-2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by wrobert

But do they really have to fly in pretty girls for this area?

Though I do remember a GQ photo shoot at Seaside in my younger thinner days...

**DuneLaker** · 05-30-2009, 04:03 PM

It would seem we would have enough pretty girls to at least garner 25% of that particular budget item. Likewise, there are a number of other consultants, photographers, and public relations experts, etc. in Walton County that would do as good a job, if not better, than out of state or county people. Hiring the best people is important, but overlooking the best and local talent is not a best practice.

While they are at it, for $312,000 for web development they should fix the Miramar Beach location. Most of the other beach categories are okay. But, go to the Beaches of South Walton, and then click on Miramar Beach. Look down to where it says Gulf front and gulf view accommodations. Click on that. You would think you would be directed to Walton County venues, rental properties, Sandestin etc.. But, no, it directs you to ANOTHER COUNTY!!! I'm sure the other county appreciates us highlighting their harbor, hotels and rental properties and name. I'd have to look again, if Beaches of South Walton is prominently displayed on that page or not. It certainly is overshadowed by the name of another place and county. The direction and place location information on that page is wrong and it needs to be corrected.

The tax money raised in Walton County should first be used to promote properties in Walton County, wouldn't you think? Is it even legal for them to promote another county?? There are companies that have multiple properties in various counties. And it would be reasonable at some point for them to mention those. But, NOT FIRST!!! Take a look at how that page is set up. There are any number of web experts here in Walton County that could design and manage a page better than that, imho.

**Interested Girl** · 05-30-2009, 04:29 PM

$300,000 for a website is rediculous and 20,000 amonth for photos is criminal.
Posted via Mobile Device

**idlewind** · 05-30-2009, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by DuneLaker

It would seem we would have enough pretty girls to at least garner 25% of that particular budget item. Likewise, there are a number of other consultants, photographers, and public relations experts, etc. in Walton County that would do as good a job, if not better, than out of state or county people. Hiring the best people is important, but overlooking the best and local talent is not a best practice.

While they are at it, for $312,000 for web development they should fix the Miramar Beach location. Most of the other beach categories are okay. But, go to the Beaches of South Walton, and then click on Miramar Beach. Look down to where it says Gulf front and gulf view accommodations. Click on that. You would think you would be directed to Walton County venues, rental properties, Sandestin etc.. But, no, it directs you to ANOTHER COUNTY!!! I'm sure the other county appreciates us highlighting their harbor, hotels and rental properties and name. I'd have to look again, if Beaches of South Walton is prominently displayed on that page or not. It certainly is overshadowed by the name of another place and county. The direction and place location information on that page is wrong and it needs to be corrected.

The tax money raised in Walton County should first be used to promote properties in Walton County, wouldn't you think? Is it even legal for them to promote another county?? There are companies that have multiple properties in various counties. And it would be reasonable at some point for them to mention those. But, NOT FIRST!!! Take a look at how that page is set up. There are any number of web experts here in Walton County that could design and manage a page better than that, imho.

You are totally correct. I don't mind spending money to help our businesses, but the effort should be 100% supportive of Walton County.

**ShallowsNole** · 05-30-2009, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by DuneLaker

It would seem we would have enough pretty girls to at least garner 25% of that particular budget item. Likewise, there are a number of other consultants, photographers, and public relations experts, etc. in Walton County that would do as good a job, if not better, than out of state or county people. Hiring the best people is important, but overlooking the best and local talent is not a best practice.

While they are at it, for $312,000 for web development they should fix the Miramar Beach location. Most of the other beach categories are okay. But, go to the Beaches of South Walton, and then click on Miramar Beach. Look down to where it says Gulf front and gulf view accommodations. Click on that. You would think you would be directed to Walton County venues, rental properties, Sandestin etc.. But, no, it directs you to ANOTHER COUNTY!!! I'm sure the other county appreciates us highlighting their harbor, hotels and rental properties and name. I'd have to look again, if Beaches of South Walton is prominently displayed on that page or not. It certainly is overshadowed by the name of another place and county. The direction and place location information on that page is wrong and it needs to be corrected.

The tax money raised in Walton County should first be used to promote properties in Walton County, wouldn't you think? Is it even legal for them to promote another county?? There are companies that have multiple properties in various counties. And it would be reasonable at some point for them to mention those. But, NOT FIRST!!! Take a look at how that page is set up. There are any number of web experts here in Walton County that could design and manage a page better than that, imho.

Are you suggesting that companies whose storefronts are in Walton County but manage properties in Okaloosa County or Bay County (or both) should be given preference to companies whose offices are in adjacent counties but also manage property in Walton County?

I still love you, but that's a truly frightening thought.

**DuneLaker** · 05-31-2009, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

Are you suggesting that companies whose storefronts are in Walton County but manage properties in Okaloosa County or Bay County (or both) should be given preference to companies whose offices are in adjacent counties but also manage property in Walton County?

I still love you, but that's a truly frightening thought.

That is not what I said at all. I still love you, too.

The first point is that the Beaches of South Walton website should first promote Walton County and The Beaches of South Walton. Someone that goes to The Beaches of South Walton website should not be directed with just a click to another county and that other county's vacation rentals and venues. IMHO the Walton County Beaches of South Walton website should keep you looking at Walton County properties and rentals -- ideally for a good while and certainly within the first few clicks. A general statement that says click here for gulf front homes that takes you immediately to another county or place, and away from Walton County rentals, is just wrong.

Further, I am suggesting that Walton County be promoted exclusively on the Beaches of South Walton website funded by taxes collected from properties in Walton County. For example, have you looked at the Miramar Beach section? Have you seen how the first click for properties takes you to another harbor, another county? Have you seen how some others on the Walton County, Beaches of South Walton Website falsely and incorrectly list another county location for Walton County places? This dilutes our name brand and is directly counter to marketing OUR area with OUR tax dollars. If the point is to market The Beaches of South Walton in Walton County and develop a name and place brand, then promote the Beaches of South Walton in Walton County on its website with correct place identification. The taxes are Walton County taxes and should promote Walton County places.

I am also suggesting that there is more than enough talent in Walton County that can be hired for a number of the functions the Walton County, Beaches of South Walton performs. I didn't say exclusive, but upon review and imho, we could do a better job of hiring Walton County companies and people, who then would have an office in Walton County, who might then hire Walton County residents, who then support the local community. There might even be more summer jobs for our local students on the beach or in an office.

The Walton County name and brand should be promoted on the Walton County, Beaches of South Walton website. Another county's name and branding should not be promoted with our tax dollars. In response to your statement, if a company is adjacent to Walton County, hires people from Walton County, and also has property in Walton County that they pay taxes on, then in the bidding process, they should get some consideration.

Again, love you, too. Glad to have the discussion.