TOURISM & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
REVENUE CHANGES:
Room Tax has been estimated at $25,250,000 for FY 24. In accordance with Ordinance 2021-24, the percentage of gross room revenue dedicated to advertising increases from 2% to 2.1%. $10,605,000 has been dedicated to funding Tourism expenses, including advertising. Advertising for FY 24 has been funded at $9,353,779. The County Tourism grant of $400,000 is also allocated to the Tourism department. State Tourism grants are added as they are received.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Eleven full-time positions are funded in FY 24: The Director of Tourism and Business Development, the Communications and Marketing Director, the Digital Communications Manager, the Marketing Coordinator, the Director of Sales, a Sports Sales Manager, a Destination Sales Manager, a Graphic Design and Brand Manager, a Social and Digital Media Specialist, an Advertising and Research Specialist, and an Administrative Office Associate. The Sales Director position is split with the Convention Center. A step increase has been included for all positions in FY 24. Group insurance costs decrease due to use of health savings reserve account, while retirement costs increase.
CHANGES IN OPERATIONS:
Contracted Services include communications, professional services, legal fees, training and travel, dues, printing, payments for booth space at shows, staffing of the boardwalk cottage, and Visitor’s Guide postage and handling. These line items decrease $87,081 from the FY 23 Adopted budget. Room Tax funds $387,861 of these line items. Advertising, covered 100% by Room Tax, increases $1,627,294 from the FY 23 Adopted budget. TAB funding has been combined with the Sponsorship line item, which is funded at $850,000. Sponsorships are covered 100% by Room Tax. Supplies and Materials increase $4,583. New expenses include a MAC editing bay, funded at $5,000. Trade show apparel for the sales staff has been funded at $5,000. $13,360 of the expenses in Operational Supplies are covered by Room Tax. Energy costs are expected to decrease for this department. Vehicle fuel and maintenance are anticipated to decrease. Allocations for Vehicle lease, IT Services and insurance all decrease for this department.