Year: 2008

Blues Traveler to Rock the PCB Seafood, Wine & Music Festival

The Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine & Music Festival in cooperation with Neste Marketing Nashville, proudly announces BLUES TRAVELER will perform at the event Saturday October 11, 2008.

David Letterman named them his “favorite band”, BLUES TRAVELER effectively launched the jam-rock revolution of the 1990’s. Their massive musical imprint includes over eight albums — six of them gold or platinum — and they’ve sold more than 10 million discs overall. Continue reading “Blues Traveler to Rock the PCB Seafood, Wine & Music Festival” →

Bed Tax Collections are UP, Business Numbers DOWN

Who said the Summer White Sale wouldn’t work? Well, although I was quite critical of the PCB Summer White Sale, I don’t think I ever said, verbatim, that it flat out would not work. But did it? Well, the answer is actually quite a bit more complex than a simple yes or no. Of course, that’s what makes the answer so much fun.

In a recent article, the News Herald reported that so far this year, compared to the same period last year, the bed tax collections are up 3.5%. This is true, additionally I found from October 2006 to June 2007, the bed tax collections were up to $3,953,245.77 or 11.77%. The 2006 number of $3,537,045.14 is up 3.04% from October 2004 to June 2005, and the 2004 numbers were up 5.94%. And because I always hate reading stuff like this in a paragraph, I’m gonna put it all in a nifty table:

Continue reading “Bed Tax Collections are UP, Business Numbers DOWN” →

Grand Lagoon National Suffers Changes from Tropical Storm Fay

Tropical Storm Fay is already reaching its sea fingers up our way to effect our newest fishing tournament on Panama City Beach. So far the effects only encompass a few delays.

In addition, Tropical Storm Fay has inspired a new Champion Award, the Miz Fay Grand Champion Award. This award will pay $10,000 to the angler who “comes closest to, or breaks by, the largest amount, the Florida State Record of any eligible tournament fish.”

Continue reading “Grand Lagoon National Suffers Changes from Tropical Storm Fay” →

No More Property Tax?

Not that it is really a debatable issue any longer (at least not now), on the ballot was a tax swap amendment goaled at reducing Florida property tax by up to 40% and substituting the lost revenue with consumption taxes such as an increases sales tax, eliminating sales tax exemptions, and possibly a state income tax.  In order to replace the revenue, the state would likely have to adopt up to a 3% sales tax increase and institute a state income tax, even though Florida, at this time, has no state income tax.

Continue reading “No More Property Tax?” →

Panama City Beach CVB is Getting a New Web Site

I find it interesting that the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau is soliciting for a new web site vendor. They apparently are seeking to replace VisitPanamaCityBeach.com with something new. Currently, I beleive, Y Partnership is the vendor handling the site development and hosting.

Unfortunately I don’t have much more detail than that at this time, but at 9:30 I’ll be attending a meeting that should tell more about what is going on.

Here is the form that they are sending out.

Update:

I was at the meeting, but unfortunately it wasn’t much more than a discussion on the RFQ that is linked above.

Continue reading “Panama City Beach CVB is Getting a New Web Site” →

Construction Update – Coastal Palms on Thomas Drive

Coastal Palms, a new development on Thomas Drive, directly across from the Navy base has just recently opened new retailers and restaurants.

It all started with a wisely placed La Quinta Inn, and now 18 months later, a budding new retail development featuring the likes of Hooters, Quiznos and a Cici’s Pizza. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, the developer here is smart smart smart.

Continue reading “Construction Update – Coastal Palms on Thomas Drive” →

8/12/08 TDC-CVB: Sports Marketing, Upcoming Budget, Beach Safety

6 of the 9 board members were present. Absent were Marty McDaniel, Yonnie Patronis, and Rick Russell.

Sports Marketing Update

Mr. Richard Sanders, Director of Sports Marketing, provided a report on the state of sport related tourism for our destination. After his update, he introduced Mr. Don Schumacher, Don Schumacher & Associates, Inc. His organization prepared the Sports Facilities Study and Recommendations previously requested by the board. The total cost of the report was $32,000.

Continue reading “8/12/08 TDC-CVB: Sports Marketing, Upcoming Budget, Beach Safety” →