Workshop On Walton County Tourism Department’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan

[Ron]

NOTICE of JOINT PUBLIC WORKSHOP

Please be advised that the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the Walton
County Tourist Development Council will hold a Joint Public Workshop on Tuesday, October
7, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the South Walton Annex, located at 31 Coastal Centre Blvd, Santa Rosa
Beach, FL.

The purpose of this Workshop is to discuss the Tourism Department’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.
Please be governed accordingly.

Walton County adheres to the American with Disabilities Act and will make reasonable
modifications for access to the meetings upon request. Please call (850) 892-8110 to make a
request. For hearing impaired, please call 1-800-955-8771 (TDD), 1-800-955-8770 (VOICE).

Requests must be received at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to allow time to provide
the requested services.

 

[Ron]

– The Walton County Tourist Development Council
board meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. at the South
Walton Courthouse Annex has been canceled.

Stakeholder and community engagement is critical in the development of Walton
County's five-year strategic plan.

The public is encouraged to attend the following strategic planning sessions and
provide input:

• Steering Committee (TDC) meeting for strategic planning will be held
Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 10 a.m. CDT in the South Walton Courthouse Annex
boardroom, located at 31 Coastal Centre Blvd. in Santa Rosa Beach. The meeting
will stream at: Walton County
• Joint BCC/TDC strategic planning workshop will be held Tuesday, Oct. 7, at
1 p.m. CDT in the South Walton Courthouse Annex. This joint BCC/TDC
workshop will also be streamed on the Walton County BCC YouTube channel.
• East Public Input Session will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 5:30 p.m. CDT
in the Emerald Coast Middle School Cafeteria, located at 4019 US-Hwy 98 East,
Santa Rosa Beach.
• West Public Input Session will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m.
CDT at the Embassy Suites Hotel located at 570 Scenic Gulf Drive, Miramar
Beach.
• North Public Input Session will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m.
CDT at DeFuniak Springs City Hall, located at 1350 Baldwin Ave, DeFuniak
Springs.

For more information about TDC and public strategy meetings, please contact
Dana McDowell, administrative support specialist, at (850) 267-1216 or
Dana@WCFLTourism.com.

 

[Ron]

Walton County Commission and TDC Hold Joint Workshop
Walton County – 10/09/25 – The Walton County Commission met for a public
workshop session with members of the Tourist Development Council on Tuesday,
October 7. The purpose was to outline different ways to enhance the visitor
experience and maintain Walton County’s robust
tourism-driven economy.

Scott Beck, of Jones Lang LaSalle, opened the
discussion, praising the county Tourism Department
team members and their excellent work.

Beck noted
that the county’s strengths include natural beauty,
strong regional brand recognition, upscale
accommodations and effective regional marketing,
giving the county the ability to increase visitation
during the winter months and diversify tourism beyond the beaches.
Beck also listed weaknesses – limited air and public transportation, labor and
housing shortages, congestion, overdevelopment, high seasonal demand, rising
competition and a lack of off-beach attractions.

It was also noted that schools and universities in the feeder markets are going back
to school earlier and fewer ‘snowbirds’ are wintering here as they once did.
Various demographics were discussed, along with ways to market to those groups.
Commissioner Brad Drake asked whether the Tourism Department is attempting to
reach the ‘whim market’ - those who decide at the last minute to come here for a
weekend getaway and perhaps not a week-long stay. Further discussion indicated
that special events, both cultural and recreational, can sometimes attract the ‘whim’
traveler through marketing.

Commission Chair
Donna Johns said
that one of the
most common
complaints she
hears – from
residents and
visitors alike – is
that there is
nothing for the
kids to do.

Although this area has outdoor recreation opportunities, hiking, biking and water
sports, “We can do better in all of those avenues and I think there are options for us
to look into,” she said. “We’ve got to have things to do. Everybody loves to go to
the beach, but they don’t want to stay there every single day. We’ve got to have
options and different things to do.”

Dan Fenton, of Jones Lang LaSalle, indicated that they might also consider
including those additional amenities or activities in their marketing to make
visitors more aware of their options.

Additional meetings with Jones Lang LaSalle representatives have been set for
November and December as the County and TDC take a deep dive into strategic
planning for continued, sustainable economic growth.