This is just a reminder – don’t forget the Crocs Tour this weekend and all the pro volleyball activities behind Sharky’s this week.
To start it all off AVP will launch the first ever Collegiate Beach Challenge tomorrow where college students from across the country will have the chance to participate in a two-day four-on-four beach volleyball tournament. There will be men’s, women’s and coed divisions competing for cash prizes.
The finale of the AVP’s Spring Break in Panama City Beach will come at the end of week three, with the AVP Crocs Tour Panama City Beach Open. In what will serve as the 2009 season-opening event, the AVP Crocs Tour will showcase some of the best beach volleyball players in the world, including 2008 Olympic Gold Medalists, Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers. A one-day qualifier will begin on Friday morning followed by a live band in the evening. Men’s and women’s main draw action will start on Saturday morning with the finals scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
The AVP Crocs Tour event will take place directly behind Sharky’s Beach Front Restaurant & Tiki Bar, located in the heart of Panama City Beach at The Towne of Seahaven. In an attempt to revert back to the sport’s beginnings, six of the courts will be set up in “old school” style. This set-up will include minimal bleacher seating, allowing plenty of room for beachgoers to throw down their towels and fully enjoy the beach party atmosphere of Spring Break.
Well, I’ve tried my hardest to remain positive about the Spring Break situation on Panama City Beach, and I’ve done quite a great job, mind you. I will say I’m constantly troubled by the ruckus they cause. For those of you that are for the college spring break promotion, I challenge you to get in the thick of it and spend some time – sober – and your outlook may just change. So far, we’ve had three deaths related to spring breakers, and who knows how many other crimes. Mark Canfora, do you have any solid numbers from this year?
As many of you know, my mother-in-law owns a small rental business on the beach that my wife works for on weekends. Last year, she said it was a ‘poop‘ year; this year she said it was a ‘puke’ year. She was telling me that housekeepers found puke in seemingly random spots throughout condos and townhomes. Thank goodness for damage deposits that cover increased cleaning fees. I just can’t fathom leaving vomit and fecal matter just laying around. I’m not the cleanest person out there, but that is just vile. I was at one of the rentals this morning cleaning up where the breakers from last week just threw their trash wherever they pleased in the general area of the outside trash recepticle. I filled 12 bags full of garbage that was just laying on the ground. Thankfully I didn’t have to see any used condoms. eww.
Well, the big weeks are over. Last week we had a portion of the 2.1 millions kids out on break on our beaches, but this week only 690,000 kids are out on break nationwide. This week our beaches should stay cleaner, our Wal-Mart less filled and the traffic a little calmer. Next week only a third of who’s out on break this week will be celebrating spring break 2009.
Below are a list of schools out on break this week, courtesy of Tripsmarter.com.
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
|
March 23-27, 2009 (Mon-Fri)
|
|
College / University
|
Enrollment
|
|
Air Force Academy
|
4,000
|
|
Alliant International University
|
3,402
|
|
Arkansas State University
|
17,401
|
|
Bard College
|
2,062
|
|
Birmingham-Southern College
|
1,500
|
|
Boise State University
|
18,844
|
|
Brown University
|
8,025
|
|
California Institute of Technology
|
2,086
|
|
Calvin College
|
4,200
|
|
Central Connecticut State University
|
12,315
|
|
Cerritos College
|
24,536
|
|
Colorado State University, Boulder
|
28,000
|
|
Columbia College Chicago
|
11,499
|
|
Depaul University
|
25,500
|
|
Eastern Connecticut State University
|
5,113
|
|
Elmhurst College
|
3,000
|
|
Elon University
|
5,496
|
|
Harvard University
|
19,139
|
|
Hudson Valley Community College
|
12,000
|
|
Huntingdon College
|
800
|
|
Idaho State University
|
13,802
|
|
Kent State University
|
29,227
|
|
Lewis & Clark College
|
3,433
|
|
Luther College
|
2,550
|
|
Mount Mercy College
|
1,490
|
|
Oregon State University
|
19,362
|
|
Pacific Lutheran University
|
3,669
|
|
San Jose State
|
28,932
|
|
Southern Arkansas University
|
3,109
|
|
Southern University at Baton Rouge
|
10,364
|
|
Tulane University
|
10,606
|
|
University of Arkansas, Little Rock
|
12,000
|
|
University of California, Berkeley
|
34,953
|
|
University of Central Arkansas
|
12,619
|
|
University of Colorado
|
28,000
|
|
University of Hawaii
|
50,310
|
|
University of Illinois, Chicago
|
21,914
|
|
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
|
42,326
|
|
University of Missouri-Columbia
|
28,477
|
|
University of Montevallo
|
3,000
|
|
University of North Alabama
|
7,323
|
|
University of Oregon
|
20,394
|
|
University of Rhode Island
|
19,095
|
|
University of San Francisco
|
8,447
|
|
Wellesley College
|
2,300
|
|
Western Connecticut State University
|
6,001
|
|
Wright State University
|
16,091
|
|
TOTAL
|
691,038
|
As part of the initiative to formalize the actions taken by the TDC during this month’s regularly scheduled board meeting, Dan Rowe, President of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau and Marty McDaniel, Chairman of the TDC signed a letter sent out to local tourism industry partner businesses. The letter explains the increase in trash receptacles and asks for support in keeping our beaches clean.
The letter in full:
Dear Tourism Industry Partner:
Expressing its ongoing commitment to the future of Panama City Beach, the Bay County Tourist Development Council (TDC) adopted a Strategic Plan. That Plan focuses on developing Panama City Beach into a year-round destination, promoting our world-class beaches and enhancing each visitor’s experience. For each of these initiatives outlined in the Plan, we MUST continue to protect and preserve Panama City Beach’s primary natural resource and attraction – the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the sugar-white sands of our shorelines.
To further our ability to beautify, protect and market our beach, last week the TDC Board of Directors took action by earmarking an additional $250,000 to enhance our annual “Keep the Beaches Clean” Campaign. These additional funds will support immediate tactics that address the overwhelming increase of visitors and traffic our beaches experience during the spring and summer months, as well as long term strategies that focus on public awareness and year-round maintenance and upkeep.
Effective immediately, the TDC increased the number of trash receptacles on the beach from 578 to 778 barrels. During Spring Break, an additional 200 barrels were deployed in heavily trafficked areas of the beach. The TDC also authorized our beach maintenance contractor to increase the number of times the beach is raked throughout the year, including the daily raking of impacted areas during Spring Break and immediately following peak holidays. Additionally, the TDC is investigating, and is considering different alternatives for providing biodegradable trash bags at public beach points as part of this campaign.
As important as the TDC’s efforts are, the businesses located on the beachfront share in the responsibility of picking up trash behind their respective places of business. Last week the City Council of the City of Panama City Beach asked us to include with this letter the portion of the current litter prevention ordinance which requires owners along the corridors most travelled by tourists to keep their property free of litter (Chapter 12, Garbage and Trash, Section 12-7). The City has asked us to remind everyone in the City that this Section carries a baseline civil penalty of $250 per day. If you have specific questions about this ordinance, please contact Panama City Beach Code Enforcement.
We strongly encourage each of you to join the TDC in improving, protecting and maintaining the beaches by picking up the trash behind your property. With your support and partnership, we can protect and preserve the unparalleled beauty of Panama City Beach for locals and visitors to enjoy each day of the year.
To read the ordinances, download the full letter with the ordinances included here.
I think this is a good move. Not specifically talking about the $250 mentioned above, but I don’t think the penalty is severe enough for litterers. Growing up in Texas, there were state-wide advertising campaigns encouraging people to put “trash in its place.” “Don’t Mess With Texas,” I think they even commissioned Willie Nelson to write a song and make a music video. In Plano, there were fines of $500 doled out when you threw trash out of your window. It was considered a serious offense, and growing up in that type of environment has distilled in me that littering is wrong. To this day, I don’t even throw as much as a bubble gum wrapper out of my window.
Spring Break is nasty, but this goes way beyond Spring Break. This comes down to keeping our whole area clean, ALL THE TIME. I think this is a step in the right direction with regards to our tourist activities, but the City needs to step up and increase the litter fines and beef up the enforcement. This is a win-win scenario (except for those inconsiderate enough to litter) – the City creates a way to increase revenue, and the community as a whole benefits from a cleaner Panama City Beach. I’m not usually for expanding government in any way, but some times some things are just necesary.
After the Lil Wayne show last week organizers came away with valuable experience on how to handle “big” names in our little beach town. I thought it was pretty crazy, but didn’t realize the chaos that was actually unfolding all day – I guess that was one of the reason the media was kicked out. If last week’s show was a cat 3 hurricane, yesterday was a tropical depression. Of course, the turnout wasn’t quite as hefty either. Good show guys, good show.
Unfortunately I was unable to make the finals for the USA Rock Paper Scissors (otherwise known as USARPS) competition, but one lucky (or strategically cunning, ‘eh Matti?) college student walked away with a hefty $20,000 check payable to his college tuition. He’s a mechanical engineering student at Syracuse, so he needs the money. Congratulations “Naco”. More on USARPS later.
NERD rocked the house. The lyrics weren’t exactly kid-friendly, but the music was actually quite awesome. They played with two drummers who were both amazing and refused to shy away at showing off their talent. Being a drummer at heart that hasn’t played in years, I still love a great drum solo. Maybe one day I’ll own a set again.
There weren’t as many in attendance, but I would say that thousands were still there. I think I was the only press allowed in – I feel special.
Encouraged by the performers, the audience practiced copious amounts of crowd surfing and were egged on to create a mash pit. The energy was high and the crowd seemed to jump with every beat. Most everyone was college age, but I saw a few younger and older – some with parents.
As I was heading up to the roof, I asked a friend that works for Boardwalk, “So, where’s Flo’s tour bus,” remembering the craziness getting Lil Wayne from his bus to the stage. “No buses are allowed on property. He was escorted in earlier quietly to prevent pandemonium.” I asked where he was, her reply: “I can’t even tell you, Jason.” I thought I was special.
Flo Rida was on time, right on time, actually. Of course, I think his maturity as a performer was evident. He was professional at getting the crowd hyped often joining the crowd at their level and at one point offering to give away his diamond cross necklace, “. . . diamonds are a lady’s best friend,” he said. I didn’t see him actually give the necklace away, I’m sure that would have been greatly discouraged as it was probably worth tens of thousands of dollars. I think we would have surely seen a mash pit then.
On this particular sunny day, the sand was warm, and the water was warmer than last week, although it was still a brisk 68 degrees. But, the air temp was close to 80, but in the sweaty crowd, it felt like 90.
I took a couple hundred pictures, here are the best 40-something. If you aren’t following us on Twitter, you missed some great live updates. Follow us now so you can keep up with all the live action in the future. Plus, you can keep up with what we are doing throughout the day and be notified of new posts.
Families & Friends 4 A Safe Panama City Beach is organizing an emergency community meeting of concerned citizens, businesses, churches, civic organizations and others to discuss several topics. At the top of the agenda is the ongoing tragedies of College/Student Spring Break, the TDC and other issues effecting the image and safety of our community and visitors. Please Read the following letter from PCB resident and ministry leader Mark Canfora-one of the founders of this concerned citizens group:
This is a request for prayer and action. Children are being hurt severely and many have died.
We are announcing a community meeting (awaiting confirmation) at Arnold High School Monday- 03/30/09 at 7 p.m.in the Auditorium in Panama City Beach (which is less than two weeks before the 4/11/09 festival @ Pier Park Amphitheater)
We will gather to discuss the festival and the 20-year tragic history of PCB college/student spring break. We will come together as a community to say No More!
A group – Families & Friends 4 A Safe Panama City Beach – has been formed and we ask you to get involved, attend and share this message with friends and family if possible.
Please reach out to your sphere of influence and contacts and relay this message. As a community of believers, families and concerned citizens we are organizing an effort to stop this annual abuse and insanity as we gather in hope, unity, prayer and action to put an end to this horrible and tragic situation.
Over the past 20 years (Police/Hospital/Sheriff records – 9 years obtained – year 2000) there have been many tragedies in excess of 50 deaths (murders, pedestrian, drowning, falls, auto) thousands of rapes and sexual assaults and nearly 50,000 of police reported crimes/incidences.
Financially: millions of dollars in property damage, litter control, and police, EMS and fire costs.
This year in the first two weeks (4 weeks remaining) of spring break alone…there has been a shooting, a knifing, and an estimated 30 plus sexual assaults, rapes, etc. and countless other police actions and involvement.
My Pastor, Greg Aldridge/Cornerstone Family Fellowship/Panama City and his wife, found a girl one morning last week in the Baypoint residential area, stumbling along the road (in a date-rape drug and or alcohol induced daze). She was partially clothed with a blanket wrapped around her. She was dumped there after she was apparently sexually assaulted by one or many abusers.
Below Are Several of Many Thousand PCB Spring Break Tragedies
Police Officer Kight Murdered Easter Sunday 2005
2009 Several Drugged & Raped
2009 Student Shot
2008/2009…18 Yr. Old Raped/Thrown From Building/Man gets 30 Years
www.newsherald.com for other recent/current stories, accidents/deaths/injuries.
Please Attend the Public Meeting: Arnold High School March 30, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Also:
Please Join us at Pier Park Amphitheater for a free Celebration of Life & Family Festival
Saturday April 11, 2009 from 1-9 p.m. http://www.markcanforaministries.com/festival09/
Families & Friends 4 A Safe Panama City Beach
Mark Canfora Ministries
www.IveGotHope.com
Yesterday, amid overcast skies, fog and overall crumby weather, spring breakers partied in droves on the beaches of Panama City Beach. Drinking from hollow, plastic baseball bats, followed by spinning around in a circle ten times with the butt of the bat against your head, facing down, then challenged with hitting the empty can the beer originally came from ensures quick vomiting on our beaches.
I don’t typcially work on Sunday’s, but yesterday I wanted to capture the stunt act of the Red Bull Aerobatics Helicopter. My labors were in vain as the performance was delayed and still hadn’t happened behind Spinaker’s when I finally gave up at 2:30 pm.
This week is the largest spring break week of the season with approximately 2.1 million kids out on spring break across the country. Compared to last week’s 1.8 million, this week is expected to pick up a little. I’ll be quite interested to talk to hotelliers, etc. at the end of the season to see how the occupancy numbers faired. I’m sure it will be similar to the Country Crock analagy I gave last year.
If the plugin still isn’t working, here is the link to the pix.
Below is a list of the colleges on spring break this week, again, courtesy of TripSmarter.com:
|
March 16-20, 2009 (Mon-Fri)
|
|
College / University
|
Enrollment
|
|
Adams State College
|
2,308
|
|
Auburn University
|
24,137
|
|
Austin College
|
1,291
|
|
Brevard Community College
|
14,616
|
|
Brock University
|
14,443
|
|
California College of the Arts
|
1,670
|
|
California State University, Chico
|
14,500
|
|
Canisius College
|
4,857
|
|
Carthage College
|
2,930
|
|
Central Missouri State University
|
10,711
|
|
Claremont Mckenna College
|
1,135
|
|
Clemson University
|
17,409
|
|
Cleveland State University
|
15,706
|
|
Colgate University
|
2,750
|
|
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
|
26,884
|
|
Columbia University
|
24,820
|
|
Concordia University, Austin
|
1,400
|
|
Concordia University, Wisconsin
|
5,600
|
|
Cornell University
|
19,800
|
|
Delta State University
|
4,392
|
|
Des Moines Area Community College
|
27,000
|
|
Drake University
|
5,221
|
|
Earlham College
|
1,194
|
|
Eastern Illinois University
|
11,651
|
|
Edgewood College
|
2,500
|
|
Fairleigh Dickinson University
|
8,000
|
|
Florida College
|
600
|
|
Florida International University
|
38,614
|
|
Fordham University
|
16,009
|
|
Fort Hays State University
|
8,500
|
|
George Washington University
|
24,531
|
|
Georgia Southern University
|
16,841
|
|
Georgia Tech
|
18,747
|
|
Grambling State University
|
4,999
|
|
Grinnell College
|
1,555
|
|
Harvey Mudd College
|
746
|
|
Humboldt State University
|
7,773
|
|
Indiana University, Purdue
|
29,854
|
|
Indiana University of Bloomington
|
38,990
|
|
Iowa State University
|
26,160
|
|
Jackson State University
|
8,351
|
|
Jacksonville State University
|
9,000
|
|
John Hopkins University
|
15,000
|
|
Kansas State University
|
23,332
|
|
Keene State College
|
6,400
|
|
Lafayette College
|
2,403
|
|
Lakeland College
|
3,999
|
|
Lipscomb University
|
2,744
|
|
Madison Area Technical School
|
20,461
|
|
Manhattan College
|
3,000
|
|
Meharry Medical College
|
723
|
|
Montana State University
|
12,250
|
|
Morgan State University
|
1,221
|
|
Mount Holyoke College
|
2,100
|
|
Naval Academy
|
4,400
|
|
New York University
|
40,870
|
|
Northwest College
|
1,800
|
|
Ocean County College
|
9,351
|
|
Pitzer College
|
950
|
|
Pomona College
|
1,548
|
|
Princeton University
|
6,898
|
|
Purdue University
|
39,228
|
|
Rider University
|
5,790
|
|
Rutgers University at New Jersey, Camden
|
51,480
|
|
Rutgers University at New Jersey, Newark
|
10,246
|
|
Rutgers University at New Jersey
|
34,392
|
|
Saint Clair College
|
6,500
|
|
Samford University
|
4,400
|
|
Santa Fe Community College
|
14,500
|
|
Savannah State University
|
3,169
|
|
Scripps College
|
899
|
|
South Dakota State University
|
10,566
|
|
Texas A&M, Corpus Christi
|
8,355
|
|
Texas A&M
|
46,540
|
|
Texas Tech University
|
28,260
|
|
Towson University
|
18,921
|
|
University of Alabama, Birmingham
|
16,246
|
|
University of Alabama, Huntsville
|
7,100
|
|
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
|
25,580
|
|
University of Alaska Southeast
|
2,800
|
|
University of Arizona
|
36,805
|
|
University of Arkansas
|
18,647
|
|
University of Central Oklahoma
|
15,753
|
|
University of Denver
|
11,117
|
|
University of Hartford
|
6,225
|
|
University of Houston
|
35,344
|
|
University of Idaho
|
11,251
|
|
University of Iowa
|
30,409
|
|
University of Kansas
|
29,260
|
|
University of Kentucky
|
27,209
|
|
University of Lethbridge
|
8,001
|
|
University of Maryland
|
36,014
|
|
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
|
3,297
|
|
University of Massachusetts
|
60,000
|
|
University of Miami
|
15,449
|
|
University of Minnesota
|
50,402
|
|
University of Mississippi
|
17,323
|
|
University of Nebraska
|
22,973
|
|
University of New Hampshire
|
13,547
|
|
University of New Haven
|
4,480
|
|
University of New Mexico
|
24,092
|
|
University of North Florida
|
15,619
|
|
University of North Texas
|
34,268
|
|
University of Northern Colorado
|
12,981
|
|
University of Northern Iowa
|
14,207
|
|
University of Oklahoma
|
29,721
|
|
University of South Alabama
|
14,003
|
|
University of South Florida
|
34,036
|
|
University of Southern California
|
33,389
|
|
University of Southern Mississippi
|
16,050
|
|
University of Tennessee
|
26,400
|
|
University of Texas, Austin
|
49,696
|
|
University of Texas, Dallas
|
14,480
|
|
University of Texas, Pan American
|
17,048
|
|
University of Texas, San Antonio
|
28,534
|
|
University of Texas, Tyler
|
6,150
|
|
University of Tulsa
|
4,165
|
|
University of Utah
|
29,192
|
|
University of West Georgia
|
10,677
|
|
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
|
10,052
|
|
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
|
28,356
|
|
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
|
12,409
|
|
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
|
4,999
|
|
University of Wisconsin, Platteville
|
6,431
|
|
University of Wisconsin, River Falls
|
5,950
|
|
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
|
8,552
|
|
University of Wisconsin, Stout
|
8,416
|
|
University of Wyoming
|
13,301
|
|
Utah Valley State College
|
23,750
|
|
Valdosta State University
|
11,280
|
|
Vanderbilt University
|
11,847
|
|
Virginia Commonwealth University
|
31,907
|
|
Washington State University
|
24,396
|
|
Western Illinois University
|
13,600
|
|
Wichita State University
|
14,298
|
|
Wilson College
|
868
|
|
TOTAL
|
2,130,258
|
Spring Break 2009 on Panama City Beach will be more family friendly with regards to outgoing marketing efforts than it has been in several years, if ever. This year, there is a greater emphasis on attracting families to our destination and activities planned reflect trying to cater to this market.
Each year tens of thousands of spring breakers descend on our beaches to enjoy great weather, shopping and tons of activities that our area’s businesses put on for this highly consumptive crowd. This business is essential to the primary industry in our area, tourism. Local businesses depend on this to jump start their revenue for the year. It has been argued in the past that families have greater spending potential than college kids, therefore have a greater capability in pumping money into our local economy. I totally agree with this, but I don’t agree that we can just shut down college spring break and expect the families to just show up.
This process must be gradual and will take time, but the effects will be lasting. Starting this year, the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau is spending money on marketing to the family demographic. In the next three years, we’ll see this category trend in the same direction that will ultimately lead to a family friendly destination where parents will feel safe bring their kids to the beach again. Now, that’s not to say that we won’t see college kids doing keg stands on the beach any more, but the level of occurrence will be less.
With the growth and fertilization of Pier Park, finally families actually have something to do here in Panama City Beach. In addition, activities are springing up left and right, with the help and creativity of the CVB’s staff. I frequently receive emails from Susan Estler, Director of Marketing for the Panama City Beach’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau of great ides that they are coming up with to help tell the nation about our area. They are moving in the right direction with momentum picking up each week.
Two weeks ago, Daytime, a show geared towards daily lifestyles and entertainment content was in Panama City Beach for a long weekend experiencing everything from para-sailing to shopping and dining in our area. With cameras in tow they braved the chilly weather with one of their main hosts, Cyndi Edwards. Aired on their network will be five 3-5 minute segments that will serve as an expose of what makes Panama City Beach a great place to vacation.
Also new this year is an expansive campaign with Southern Living including an online sweepstakes driving families to our shores, weekly radio “Beach Report” on stations throughout the southeast and a series of family Focus Concerts at Aaron Bessant Park (tentative right now, but should have more details soon).
Well, should we? It would seem to me that we aren’t good enough for them. Maybe we should take our $250k (read $200k) and do something more productive with it, rather than waste it on some antediluvian has-been. I mean, seriously, who watches MTV anymore anyway. Sure, all the left-wing east west coasters that are too concerned about the color of their hair than what is actually happening in the real world may still watch it but the ‘kids’ that vacation here during their college spring break spend their free time working, partying, or hanging out with friends, not watching the melodrama unfold between Paris Hilton and her new BFF.
Not to mention that we aren’t even talking about MTV, we are taking about MTVu, a trifle subsidiary of the Bid Dawg. Sure it is college specific, but again, what does that mean today?
So what are these snobs up to now? Well, the last marketing committee meeting, the committee motioned to reduce the amount paid to MTVu from $250k to $200k. When confronted with this issue, MTVu basically cut what they were willing to bring to the table in half.
As per the MTVu Program Recap, the $250k vs. $200k:
- In-market, main stage for 5 days instead of 10
- Village for 7 days instead of 10
- 2 concert days with 4 performances instead of 4 concert days with 8 performances
- 225 :30 TV spots instead of 300
- 5 million online impressions instead of 10 million
- No database
- No sweepstakes
- No opt-in opportunity onsite
What? They’re basically cutting their offering in half, for only $50,000 less. What’s their deal? Well, apparently, we aren’t good enough for them. Apparently $200k is small potatoes for very little on their part. I say we ditch the Brand and do it ourselves. For $200k, we can hire someone else to put on a good show and do a lot of marketing, a-lot-of-marketing. MTVu isn’t the only game in town.
I don’t like to criticize unless I have a good solution, but in this case, I’m doing just that. There are others being paid to find a solution to this, and they’ve come up with MTVu. I suggest we find an alternative. The reality is, if we throw a big enough party (and for $200k, we can throw a pretty big party) MTV will be here anyway, because that is where the action will be.
Now, to you tourism leaders, resort owners and the like: what are you afraid of? What happened to good ‘ol fashioned marketing. Most of you big guys are paying a salaried marketing person to come up with great ideas to get your brand out there. Why have we become so reliant on the Government to supply us with our business? Furthermore, the sky will not fall if the beloved MTVu brand turns their pink nose up at us. The reality is that college kids still love to come here, others can organize huge shows to keep the crowds busy and the party will still be in Panama City Beach during Spring Break 2009.
Only 7 of the 11 members were present. Absent were Philip Griffits, Jr., John Hamati, Bill Spann, and Debi Knight.
2009 COLLEGE SPRING BREAK MARKETING CAMPAIGN
President Dan Rowe explained that he would like the Committee and Board to begin discussing their plans, if any, for this segment ahead of the upcoming budget process. Rowe also reported that he has had discussions with the CVB’s agency about completing additional research to determine what the year-round effect is of our spring break image. Image concerns were also expressed by a majority of the committee members present. Although no formal vote took place, the majority of the committee expressed an interest in either discontinuing funding completely or at least changing it to special event funding. If changed to special event funding, the CVB would only consider providing financial support after an organization or co-op made a formal request for financial support.
Click the “more” link for the others points covered in the meeting.
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