HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem D01 D1
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY of MONROE Mayor James K.Scholl,District 3
The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern Michelle Lincoln,District 2
Craig Cates,District 1
David Rice,District 4
Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
March 25, 2025
Agenda Item Number: D1
2023-3776
BULK ITEM: Yes DEPARTMENT: Tourist Development Council
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Ammie Machan
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Approval of minutes from the public Tourism Advocacy Workshop
held on February 25, 2025, where more than one member of the BOCC appeared and spoke.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
On February 25, 2025 Visit Florida Keys hosted a public tourism advocacy workshop at the Tennessee
Williams Theatre at 5901 College Road Key West, FL 33040 which was attended by the following
members of the County Commission who spoke at the meeting:
Mayor Jim Scholl, Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lincoln, Commissioner Craig Cates, Commissioner David
Rice, Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein
The meeting was noticed and open to the public. Other County staff and members of the public also
attended.
While the topics discussed at the workshop did not involve specific issues that are presently anticipated
to come before the Board for a vote, this report of the workshop is being submitted in an abundance of
caution because it is reasonably foreseeable that some of the topics might come before the Board at
some point in the future. This report, as drafted, satisfies the Sunshine Law's requirements that written
minutes be taken when public meetings are held.
To be clear, the County Commissioners present took no votes or other official action at this workshop.
They merely provided comments on topics relevant to the workshop.
1688
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
INSURANCE REQUIRED:
No
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval
DOCUMENTATION:
Tourism Advocacy Meeting Minutes.pdf
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
1689
Monroe County TDC/VFK Tourism Advocacy Workshop Minutes
The Monroe County TDC/Visit Florida Keys hosted a Tourism Advocacy Workshop on Tuesday
February26, 2025from 1:00 p.m. —5:00 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Theatre in Key West.
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners in attendance: Mayor Jim Scholl, Mayor Pro
Tem Michelle Lincoln, Commissioner Craig Cates, Commissioner David Rice,
Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein
Dr. Jonathon Gueverra and Commissioner Holly Merrill Raschein welcomed those in
attendance. Mr. Bill Hanbury introduced the TDC Board Members, Board of County
Commissioners and District Advisory Committee Members. Ms. Kara Franker spoke on the
importance of tourism.
Presentations were given by Mr. Don Welsh and Mr. Jack Johnson from Destinations
International and Mr. Brad Laiken from Visit Florida.
A panel discussion was held between Mayor Jim Scholl, Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lincoln,
Commissioner Craig Cates and Commissioner David Rice moderated by Mr. Britt Myers.
The panel members were asked the following questions:
1. There have been so many recent changes to the TDC. What role do you think the
BOCC has in guiding the future strategic direction of Visit Florida Keys and the TDC?
2. We all know that each of our island communities spanning Monroe County are very
different from one another, and it is that uniqueness that appeals to visitors and
residents alike. What are some of the TDC-funded projects in your district that you
think have had the most positive impact?
3. As other destinations compete with us for market share, how can the BOCC ensure
that the TDC does all it can to support tourism, which is our largest economic driver?
And then, how do you balance that need to compete for visitors with ensuring
residents can achieve a high quality of life?
4. The tourism industry intersects with issues that involve the environment, housing,
workforce, transportation, education, diversity and pretty much every facet of our
community.Are there any of those issues that you want to touch on?And how can we
improve communication with locals to help them understand and appreciate the
importance of the tourism industry for our economy and community?
5. A few decades ago, Monroe County adopted the concept of One Human Family as
the destination's official philosophy. Is this theme still relevant?And how do you think
1690
it is applicable to the work and the future branding and messaging of the Florida
Keys?
6. How do you see Monroe County's tourism evolving over the next 10 years, and what
new opportunities should we be preparing for?
1691
Amw.monroeccuinty-fl.gov/Cali-ndw aspx?E I D-I I 135&n-onth-2 ftea t-2025&day-25&ci1TypP-0
DEPARTMENTS SERVICES/PROGRAMS OUR COMMUNITY FIND IIT FAST I0X0F9
[)ellaflls I!Vir,"Mi,
Tourism Advocacy Workshop"Blossoming Possibilities" Wm: Felnuery 25,2U25
f0fr) Fni 1 00 PIO-5 QG PM
AdIdir)!,!,: Tonnessee',1011hans Theatre
5901 C.11.ge Rd
Join us for a corroplintentary Tool Advocacy Wori hosted by Kara Frai Pretident and CEO of Visit Florida Keys,along with Whose KeV'Nost,FL 33040
Courni Tormot ID ellopnosnt C.onal I.cultiwete ideas,share linsighte end grain opporinflil for The Florida Keye chinnimunity I Ink kf VI",
Guest Speak—
Don Walsh-CEO,Destinalfrons international
Fran Le,kan-CMD VISIT FLaFROA I Ioi rag a Kr),ta
&Kc
Together,let's plant Me seeds for a thriving toundifor ecosyzlem fortune dollai and grow opportunities for NII who call The Florida Keys horre. ,Y"',
15 1—
Plleas&RSVPby 249borool"oraftei lilijmz fl,^k,-,,,1 1 A,<), 9f),Ik�,Ih,,p,' gM1()ll ljl S M
ADVOCAC"li,"
Notice of Public Mesting Please be advised that o rl of the Mont ce,irl'Unty Tourist E-1.1—ant C.Ul,c.1 ahoji,jr�A,County
Board of County„onri—idnprd If be in allendaace at this I and nl ropirnbers may i in the discussion No formal action rMl be WORKS[-40P
taken by the COLI11ty Cornmeal.,arth,Tourist[Development C-I during this gathering, -B&D.SsJ M11ING POSSIBILITIES
EVE
o
V he
RIMINI MINOR
MM
I U1112 Ul 01
1692