Year: 2008

PCBDaily Twitter Weekly Updates for 11-4-2008

  • I’m totally wiped after walking the ironman race since 5am this morning #
  • working on a timelapse video of the ironman race that is actually still occurring. The pros have been done for a few hours #
  • I’m waiting in a hallway outside a secret room for an ironman media pass. #
  • Getting some lunch at j michaels. Love the fiik! #
  • I just got some very interesting information about what Corus Bank is doing with Laketown Wharf, check pcbdaily later to find out! #
  • @GrandPanama thank for following pcbdaily.com! #
  • @Tuulidog thanks for following pcbdaily.com! #
  • @getthebubbles thanks for following pcbdaily.com! in reply to getthebubbles #
  • I’m going over the spring break proposal presented at the tdc meeting today. #
  • @grandpanama thanks for following #

TDC to Discuss MTVu and New Web Site Presentations

The TDC meeting scheduled for Thursday at 2pm in the council room should be very interesting to say the least. On the agenda will be to discuss the MTVu program and hear from the interactive agencies bidding to build the new “Panama City Beach” web site.  I fully expect the meeting to be long and arduous and some tough decisions to be made.

I also assume there will be tons in attendance, so come early.

I will be making live updates from my cell phone using the lovely Twitter service, so be sure to sign up and follow pcbdaily.  And be sure to set up your mobile devices if you don’t want to keep checking our twitter page.

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AGENDA

COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Thursday, November 6, 2008                 2:00 p.m.        Council Room, PCB City Hall

I.    CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II.    ROLL CALL

A.    Invocation
B.    Pledge of Allegiance

III.    REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AGENDA ITEMS (3 Minutes)

IV.    UPDATE ON BED TAX COLLECTIONS, Ms. Charlene Honnen, Tourist Development Tax Specialist

V.    BOARD ACTION ITEMS

A.    Discuss and Consider for Approval Coastal Planning & Engineering Invoice #81029, Invoice #81030, and Invoice #81032, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VI.    BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.    Review and Discuss mtvU Program, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VII.    INTERACTIVE AGENCY PRESENTATIONS AND BOARD DISCUSSION (Order of Presentations Will Be Selected at Random)

A.    JB, Inc.
Presentation by Ms. Jennifer A. Barbee, Ms. Annette Gilespie, Ms. Kim Powers, and Ms. Marianne Cushing
B.    Miles Media
Presentation by Mr. Roger Miles, Mr. Ryan Nance, Ms. Elena Prostova, and Mr. Scott Templeton
C.    SimpleView
Presentation by Mr. Kevin Bate and Ms. Cara Scholke

VIII.    AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

IX.    ADJOURNMENT

Photos from You – Sunsets and Local Paintings

Every week we’ll feature photos from you, the reader, of anything from crowded streets at Pier Park, to finger crabs scurrying across the beach.  They say pictures are worth a thousand words, share your words with pcbdaily.com.  Submit your photos and share your Panama City Beach pictures.

Panama City Beach – Pirate Ship

Old Panama City Surfer

Mama and Mr. Surf on Paddle Boards

Tootsies in Pier Park

Submitted by Cora Busch

Dunes of Panama, During Fall Break

Submitted by Sherry Lambert

Submitted by Miles Slauson

Sunset on the West End of Panama City Beach

Submitted by Kerry Hulber

If you want to see your photos on pcbdaily, email them to photos(at)pcbdaily.com

Get your 'I VOTED' Sticker at LaQuinta on Thomas Drive

I voted, did you?  Are you even registered?  You better be.

Actually, I voted early, but I went with my wife to vote earlier, and I watched our daughter, while my wife fulfilled her civic duty.

Quoted from BayPatiots.org:

In case you haven’t heard, Bay County Supervisor of Elections Mark Anderson has decided to NOT let the citizens have an “I Voted” sticker this year because of a complaint he received last election of “someone” being inappropriately touched by a poll worker handing out the stickers. We say balderdash! The citizens want these stickers for civic pride and to remind others to vote.
So….government…get out of the way and let the citizens take care of this!

I got my sticker from PT at the LaQuinta Inn on Thomas Drive, and I loved every second of it.  If you want your sticker, drive by and get one, you don’t even have to vote there.  Be sure to tell them Jason from pcbdaily sent you.

Should We 'Kick' MTV 'to the curb'?

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.

Ironman Florida Pictures and Timelapse Video

Ironman Florida in Panama City Beach Saturday was unbelievable with a course record being shattered by an astonishing 13 minutes.  The winner, Tom Evans, completed the swim portion averaging over 3 mph in just over 48 minutes.  Averaging 26 mph on the bike, Evans started his run after only 4 hours and 18 minutes of riding.  That only leaves just over 3 hours to run the 26 mile marathon equaling a blazing average of 8 mph, FOR 26.2 MILES!

Dude.

I had the great pleasure of poking around the entire race camp and got quite a few great shots, which are below.  But, before you peep the cool pix, be sure to watch the timelapse I put together of the entire day’s activities. Be sure to comment what you think!

View in HD

Emerald Coast Cruizin Classic Car Show This Week

Today marks day one of Emerald Coast Cruizin’s 4th annual Classic Car Show on Panama City Beach.  With an initial estimates of show entrants exceeding 3,500 custom and vintage classic cars, this year’s show will be bigger than ever.

With events planned all week long, locals and visitors alike can participate in anything from a scavenger hunt live entertainment up and down the beach.  Check below for a complete schedule of events, and be sure to bring the kids to this family friendly event!

Monday, November 3

  • Beachcomber Conf. Center Car Registration 12:00-3:00 pm
  • Frank Brown Park Vendor Setup 8:00 am-4:00 pm
  • Sandpiper Beacon Beach Olympics 5:00 pm
    • Happy Hour 4:00-6:00 pm
    • Karaoke 6:00-10:00pm
    • DJ Big Donna 10pm til

Tuesday, November 4

  • Beachcomber Conf. Center Car Registration 10:00 am-4:00 pm
  • Frank Brown Park Vendor Setup 8:00 am-4:00 pm
  • Coastal Beach Cruise Information will be in your registration packet
  • Sandpiper Beacon Ladies Night ($1:00 Drinks) 7:00-9:00 pm
    • Karaoke/DJ Big Donna 6:00-10:00 pm

Wednesday, November 5

  • Beachcomber Conf. Center Car Registration 8:00 am-5:00 pm
  • Frank Brown Park Vendor Setup 8:00 am-5:00 pm
  • Beachcomber Hotel Beachside Bash 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
    • Hosted by the Two State Rodders, featuring entertainment by Bill Brooks, free food, awards, prizes and lots more
  • Days Inn Outdoor Entertainment 6:00 pm til
    • Bill Brooks Poolside, Food & Drink Specials (All That Deli)
  • Pier Park Classic Cars on Parade 4:30 pm
    • Staging Area between Dillard’s & Panera Bread
  • Sandpiper Beacon Kick Off Party Happy Hour 4:00-6:00 pm
    • Mary Ann & Gilligan 7:00-10:00 pm
    • Fireworks Show by Pyro Shows 8:00 pm

Thursday, November 6

  • Frank Brown Park Car Registration 8:00 am-5:00 pm
  • Frank Brown Park Show and Shine 8:00 am-5:00 pm
    • Vendor Midway, KOTO “King of the Oldies” spinning the oldies
  • Meet the American Graffi ti Cast Members, 50/50 tickets on sale and more
  • Sandpiper Beacon Ladies Night ($1:00 Drinks) 7:00-9:00 pm
    • Happy Hour 4:00-6:00 pm
    • Entertainment by Relix 7:00 pm til
    • DJ Big Donna 10:00 pm til
  • Marina Civic Center Concert 7:30 pm
    • Peter Noone & Herman’s Hermits and the Buckinghams live at the Panama City
  • Marina Civic Center. Benefiting The Boys and Girls Club of Bay County. Tickets $25-$45
    • Marinaciviccenter.com • 8 Harrison Ave. • Panama City, FL • 888-763-4696

Friday, November 7

  • Frank Brown Park Registration 8:00 am-4:00 pm
  • Frank Brown Park Show and Shine 8:00 am-5:00 pm
    • Vendor Midway, tunes with KOTO “King of the Oldies”
  • Meet the American Graffi ti Cast Members 50/50 tickets on sale and more
  • Frank Brown Park Bill Brooks Performs 1:00 pm
  • Holiday Inn Sunspree Hawaiian Lu Au Party 6:00 pm – til
  • Panama City Harrison Ave. Friday Fest 4:30 pm – til
  • Classic Cars, entertainment, food and fun for the whole family
  • Sandpiper Beacon Entertainment by Relix 7:00 pm – til
    • With surprise visit from Ron Adams as (Elvis)

Saturday, November 8

  • Frank Brown Park Registration 8:00 am-3:00 pm
  • Frank Brown Park Show and Shine 8:00 am-5:00 pm
    • Vendor Midway, tunes with KOTO “King of the Oldies” – American Graffi ti Cast
    • Members, 50/50 tickets on sale, live entertainment with Bill Brooks
  • Frank Brown Park Classic Car Auction 12:00 pm til
    • Contact Rap Peavy at 850-624-6159
  • Frank Brown Park Awards/Prizes 4:00 pm
  • Awards, Cash Prize and Giveaways, Scavenger Hunt Drawing, 50/50 Drawing “Must Be Present To Win”
  • Cabana Cay American Graffi ti Drive In 6:00 pm til
    • Live entertainment by “Blast from the Past”, Bill Brooks, Drive In Theater, Graffi ti
    • Cars on Display, Meet the American Graffi ti Cast Members, Food and Drink
    • Specials available on site by All That Deli
  • Sandpiper Beacon Entertainment by Relix 7:00 pm til
    • DJ Big Donna 10:00 pm til

Next Year’s Emerald Coast Cruizin Dates are: November 9 – 14, 2009

For more information, and pictures from previous shows, visit EmeraldCoastCuizin.com.

Debi Knight Starts her own Tourism Company

Debi Knight, Past President of the Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce for sixteen years, has started her own company, Panama City Beach Tourism Services.  The company specializes in marketing, management, sales, consulting and travel.  Panama City Beach Tourism Services has also joined the National Tour Association.

“Membership with NTA will allow Panama City Beach Tourism Services to network with other travel industry partners and provide the best quality services and products to the traveling public,” said Debi Knight, President/CEO.  “I am excited with the opportunities we have to sell our breath-taking beaches, heart-pounding adventure, eco- tours, historic walks, day trips, customized packages and more. Working with my fellow colleagues locally and regionally will enhance why Northwest Florida is so unique”.

As a NTA member, Panama City Beach Tourism Services also has access to numerous educational programs, as well as the networking and business opportunities at the NTA Annual Convention.

The National Tour Association is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals.  NTA’s diverse membership and progressive nature make it an industry leader as the place to do business.  NTA consistently seeks innovations for the services and business tools it provides to members, and the leadership keeps its fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing world.  In turn, NTA members are some of the most creative in the dynamic travel industry.  NTA membership represents 34 countries, and tour and travel packagers of all types, including a group, independent, student, and more.  To learn more, visit www.NTAonline.com and www.travelpcb.com.

Revenue Enhancement Committee to Meet Wednesday

On the agenda for the November 5th meeting will be to discuss the “capital priorities outlined in the strategic plan.”  The agenda looks very skimpy, but the conversations should be good.  See ya Wednesday!

AGENDA

REVENUE ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach
Wednesday, November 5, 2008                1:00 p.m.        Board Room, Visitor Information
Center

I.    CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II.    ROLL CALL

III.    REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE COMMITTEE ON AGENDA ITEMS (3 Minutes)

IV.    DISCUSSION OF CAPITAL PRIORITIES OUTLINED IN STRATEGIC PLAN

V.    AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

VI.    ADJOURNMENT

Download the pdf.