My Night of Spring Break

As the first night of spring break for many has rolled in, many are here enjoying our beaches. I would think it safe to say that most are here to remain completely inebriated for the duration of their stay, but I have to remember that they pump tons of money into our area. But it doesn’t mean that I have to like how they do it.

The streets weren’t as packed as I had expected, but perhaps everyone was in the “club.” There were a good number of kids walking up and down the “strip”, yelling cat-calls at the ladies and profanities at the guys. I was flicked off at least twice in my travels down the main thoroughfares for doing nothing other than driving by – lovely representation for the college crowd. It would seem that a few bad apples sure can leave a nasty and lasting taste.

The night scene isn’t really my thing.

Starting tomorrow, the beach will be alive and crawling with college-age kids doing anything from playing beach tennis to doing whatever they have going on down at The Boardwalk Beach Resort. This week, there will be over 1.8 million kids out on spring break, making it the second largest spring break of the season. Next week there will be over 2.1 million out on spring break.

I’ll be out from time to time next week capturing all the activity, look forward to the updates.

Courtesy of Tripsmarter.com, below is a list of schools out on spring break this week (be warned, it’s like a million rows long):

March 9-13, 2009 (Mon-Fri)
College / University	Enrollment
Alabama A&M University	6,047
Albion College	1,970
Albright College	1,650
Alcorn State University	3,668
American University	9,749
Appalachian State University	15,117
Arizona State University	64,394
Army, West Point	4,000
Aurora University	6,000
Austin Peay State University	9,192
Baldwin-Wallace College	4,260
Ball State University	20,113
Baylor University	13,886
Belmont University	4,765
Bentley College	5,557
Bowling Green State University	22,882
Brock University, Canada	12,889
Bryn Mawr College	1,799
Bucknell University	3,555
Butler University	8,367
Campbell University	10,471
Carroll College	3,292
Claflin University	1,800
College of Mount St. Joseph	2,300
College of William and Mary	7,709
College of Wooster	1,827
Colorado State University-Pueblo	3,951
Columbus State University	7,593
Concordia University, Saint Paul	2,069
Connecticut College	1,910
Covenant College	1,007
Creighton University	6,992
Dalton State College	4,532
Daytona Beach Community College	32,088
Duke University	12,991
East Carolina University	25,990
East Tennessee State University	13,389
Eastern Kentucky University	15,839
Emerson College	3,800
Emory & Henry College	981
Ferris State University	13,000
Florida Memorial University	1,867
Florida State University	41,575
George Mason University	30,332
Georgetown University	14,148
Gonzaga University	6,503
Hampton University	5,117
Hastings College of the Law	1,300
Hendrix College	1,095
IUPU, Fort Wayne	4,927
Illinois State University	20,757
Indiana State University	10,568
James Madison University	17,918
Kennesaw State University	20,603
Lamar State College	2,000
Lamar State College at Port Arthur	3,000
Lewis and Clark Community College	20,252
Liberty University	14,438
Longwood University	4,479
Loyola Marymount University	8,972
Macon State College	6,464
Malone College	2,385
Marquette University	11,548
Miami University (OH)	20,126
Michigan State University	46,045
Minnesota State University	13,841
Monmouth College	1,360
Morehouse College	2,933
Northeastern University	20,605
Northern Illinois University	25,313
Northern VA Community College	60,000
Notre Dame de Namur University	1,600
Occidental College	1,839
Old Dominion University	21,625
Pellissippi State Technical Community College	7,001
Penn State University	83,721
Purdue University North Central	3,724
Queens University	13,500
Quinnipiac University	7,400
Radford University	9,552
Saint John’s University	20,346
Saint Joseph’s University	7,542
Sam Houston State University	16,416
Simmons College	4,700
Southern Illinois University Carbondale	20,983
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville	13,449
Southern Methodist University	10,901
St. Louis University	11,823
St. Mary’s College	1,871
Stephen F. Austin State University	10,822
Syracuse University	19,082
Temple University	34,218
Tennessee State University	8,748
Thomas More College	1,416
Texas State University	28,132
Université de Montréal	55,791
University Laval	28,902
University of Central Florida	48,497
University of Detroit Mercy	5,600
University of Florida	49,693
University of Georgia	33,831
University of Memphis	20,000
University of North Carolina	28,136
University of North Carolina at Wilmington	11,840
University of Notre Dame	11,603
University of Pittsburgh	27,020
University of South Carolina	27,390
University of South Dakota	11,582
University of Southern Indiana	10,040
University of Tampa	5,600
University of Tennessee at Martin	6,504
University of Toledo	19,706
University of West Florida	10,358
Utah State University	17,027
Valencia Community College	51,551
Virginia Tech	29,898
Weber State University	18,300
Western Kentucky University	19,215
Wilmington College	11,500
Yale University	11,398
Youngstown State University	11,803
TOTAL	1,834,258

TDC Meeting – To Discuss Bed Tax Collection Allocation

On the agenda for the regularly scheduled TDC/CVB combined meeting for Tuesday, March 10 at 9 am is an update on the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, and the review of allocation for the Tourism Bed Tax Collection. Hmm, I wonder what that means.

You can download the agenda here. Or, you can view it below:

AGENDA

COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 9:00 a.m. Council Room, PCB City Hall

I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

A.    Invocation
B.    Pledge of Allegiance
C.    Approve Minutes From the February 10, 2009, and February 16, 2009 Meetings

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. PRESENTATIONS

A. Update on AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, Ms. Alison Shapiro, PR Manager, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

VI. BOARD ACTION ITEMS

A. Discuss and Consider for Approval Financial Statements Dated January 31, 2009, Mr. Dan Rowe, President
B. Discuss and Consider for Approval Coastal Planning & Engineering Invoice #90214, Invoice #90220, and Invoice #90267, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VII. BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS

A. Review of Allocation of the Tourist Development Tax, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VIII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

IX. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

X. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

XI. ADJOURNMENT

PCB Sand Sports Offers Free Introduction to Beach Tennis

PCB Sand Sports in partnership with Beach Tennis USA will be hosting the first annual Sharkys Beach Tennis Doubles on Saturday March 14th.

This is a FREE tournament to introduce the sport of Beach Tennis to the community and provide local FUN between the Spring Break week.
Did we say Free! Yes this is a benefit to the locals to come out and play during the transition day of Spring Break and have some fun.
If you currently play Tennis or have never played any Tennis at all come out and try it at Sharkys on the Beach.

Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. and play will begin at 11:00. The first 16 teams to register will receive a “free” Beach Tennis t-shirt.
The tournament will be double elimination or pool play depending on the number of teams as we begin to promote and introduce this “new fun” sport to the community.
We are going to provide the first place team with a dinner for two coupon to Sharkys.

Come out and watch the Beach Tennis tournaments through March 18th daily to see the College vs. College competition.
Or just come out to pick up a few tips from the Pros since leagues will begin at Sharkys In May for Beach Tennis.

This is a great family sport and is growing rapidly worldwide.

For more information email beachresearch@yahoo.com or call 850-769-4802.

Resort Collection Offers Sweet Family Spring Packages

Families Enjoy Two Nights’ Stay Free!

The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach announced special offers to families who want to enjoy Panama City Beach during their spring vacation. Every year, thousands of families come from near and far to enjoy all of the attractions the city holds on the world’s most beautiful beaches. This spring, families who book a five-night stay with The Resort Collection, which includes six luxurious resort properties, will receive two additional nights for free.

The sparkling emerald waters, sugar-white sands and bright sunshine make this area a perfect place to swim in the warm gulf waters, build sandcastles or fly kites with the whole family. Guests of The Resort Collection have access to beach rentals and services for Jet Skis, banana boat rides, parasailing and more located on the gulf.

Beyond the beauty, relaxation and fun of the beach, Panama City Beach has many more family-fun activities to explore. The 20-acre tropical-themed Shipwreck Island Waterpark, with its 500,000-gallon Ocean Motion Wave Pool, and numerous other attractions provide hours of fun for the whole family to enjoy. If families feel like taking a break from the water, they can visit the 1.1 million-square-foot open-air family entertainment complex, Pier Park. Because The Resort Collection is Pier Park’s accommodations partner, guests of The Resort Collection can show their room key at various shops and restaurants to receive special discounts. Whether guests are looking to shop major national retail stores and private boutiques or dine at festive restaurants like Margaritaville, they will find what they’re looking for at the beautifully landscaped mall with colorful Caribbean architecture. Located at the epicenter of Pier Park is The Grand Theatre 16 showing all the latest feature films. The Grand is now offering Super Saver Tuesdays where all seats, all day every Tuesday are only $5, making it a fun, affordable outing for the whole family. For the more curious adventurers, Ripley’s Believe It or Not boasts a prime location on Panama City Beach for exploring the most interesting and quirky wonders on the planet.

“We are proud to welcome families from all over the world to enjoy paradise on our shores in our luxury accommodations,” said vice president of sales and marketing for The Resort Collection Paul Wohlford. “I know families who book with us will create great memories that will last for years to come.”

Panama City Beach, Florida has all the natural and man-made amenities to create the perfect family getaway and The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach has the perfect offer to make it a fun, affordable and stress-free vacation. Family Spring Vacation offers are based on availability.

For information on The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach, or to book reservations, call (866)-203-1164 or visit http://www.resortspcbeach.com.

Beach Tennis is Here

Beach Tennis is here, along with the pros to help you figure out how to do it. Behind Sharky’s Beach Club two beach tennis courts are set up with a station to “rent” the racquet from along with deflated tennis balls. Rent is free and equipment is provided by sponsors and is actually quite nice.

The concept behind beach tennis is to provide a fun beach-oriented sport that is easy on the knees and cinch to learn.

Here are the rules:

Court dimensions are 30 by 60 feet with the net at a height of 5’10”.
Beach tennis is only played in the doubles format, no singles.
Scoring is 15 – 30 – 40 with no-advantage.
At deuce, receiving team chooses which player will receive the serve.
Only one hit per side. Unlike volleyball, no setting up your partner for the kill.
Only one serve allowed per point. If the serve hits the net, goes over and lands in bounds a “let” (do over) will be played. If the serve hits the net, goes over and lands out of bounds the serving team loses the point.
Serves must go cross-court.
Players change ends at odd game totals.
Touching the net in any way or breaking the plane of the net – that is, reaching over the net with your racquet, even on the follow through – will result in a loss of the point.
Each match consists of one eight-game pro set. The match must be won by two games (e.g. 9-7). If the match score is tied at 8-8, a 12-point tennis tiebreaker (first team to 7 points wins) will be played to determine the winner.
A ball that strikes the line is considered in bounds.

If you want to play, it is free for anyone and everyone. You should get out there and put your skills to the test.

Panama City Beach Spring Break more Family Friendly than Ever

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).

Walton Area Chamber Luncheon to Discuss Tourist Tax Dollars Wednesday

The Walton Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its monthly Power of Business Luncheon on Wednesday, March 4th at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort at 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The program will be focused on the upcoming tourist season and how tourist tax dollars affect the Northwest Florida economy.

At the luncheon, Sonny Mares, Executive Director of the Beaches of South Walton and Dan Rowe, President/CEO – Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) will be on hand to discuss the tourist season that is fast approaching and the 5th cent bed tax that will be used primarily to attract a low cost airline carrier to Northwest Florida.

To register, please call the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 267-0683 or email info@waltonareachamber.com.

I’ll be there.

Spring Break IS Upon Us

_mg_6742 Every year, at the beginning of spring break, I’m always glad to see the life pumped back into Panama City Beach. The Beach Wal-Mart is packed with young energy, the streets are pumping with life and local businesses are happy the winter months are over and they can start living again. Of course, I’m always glad to see them go at the end as well.

“As little as four weeks ago, we were a little worried,” said Russ Smith, Vice President of Resort Operations. He went on to say that over the last couple of weeks, things have picked up and it looks like at this time, occupation is right on par with last year over the entire spring break, but the times in which visitors are coming in have shifted. “I don’t know if it was the recent warnings about going to Mexico that’s given us the boost or just late planning on the part of the college kids.”

“Everyone seems to be cautiously optimistic this year,” says Dana Lent, Communications Manager for the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The proof is in the pudding, we’ll see how the numbers really pan out when we see the bed tax collections.”

What is mostly empty now, Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant will be filled with spring breakers tomorrow night and in just 8 days time the local beach club will be jam packed.

For the first year ever, Sharky’s will play host to beach tennis and beach volleyball that will ultimately culminate in a professional tournament with professional volleyball players such as 2008 Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers. Beach tennis will start off on Sunday March 1st and players can battle it out until March 18th.

This next upcoming week is really the first “big” week of spring break, with this past week having students from Michigan and Canada here in small numbers. Next week just under a half million students will be on spring break across the country and the week after around 1.8 million will be on spring break around the country. Note to other media that has gotten these numbers confused in the past – I said “around the country”, not necessarily coming here.

This year should be a fun year. There is a lot of emphasis on family spring break (another article coming on that!) and there are quite a few family activities coming up.

Check below for a complete list of colleges on spring break this week, courtesy of TripSmarter.com:

March 2-6, 2009 (Mon-Fri)
College / University	Enrollment
Alverno College	2,654
Barry University	9,324
Beloit College	1,300
Bennett College	572
Bethune-Cookman College	2,895
Bishop’s University	1,817
Boston College	13,723
California University of Pennsylvania	7,728
Cambrian College	4,401
Clark University	2,883
College of Charleston	11,320
Duquesne University	10,184
Fairfield University	4,935
Florida A&M University	12,792
Florida Atlantic University	26,245
Georgia State University	27,134
Grand Valley State University	25,000
Greensboro College	1,233
Lebanon Valley College	1,906
Lehigh University	6,836
Loyola College, Maryland	6,131
Loyola University, Chicago	15,545
Mary Baldwin College	2,242
Moore College of Art and Design	493
North Carolina A&T	11,103
North Carolina State University	31,130
Pepperdine University	6,053
Rice University	4,195
Rocky Mountain College	898
Saint Cloud State University	17,173
Saint Francis University	2,121
Schoolcraft College	10,213
Silver Lake College	1,000
Stetson University	2,273
Universite du Quebec (Montreal)	40,624
University of Evansville	2,350
University of Virginia	20,190
Valparaiso University	3,874
Villanova University	9,335
Virginia Western Community College	9,000
Western Carolina University	11,000
Western Michigan University	24,433
Wingate University	2,041
Xavier University	6,500
TOTAL	412,581

PCB Sand Sports Teams up with AVP for Beach Volleyball

PCB Sand Sports in partnership with AVPNext, the grassroots program of the Association of Volleyball Professionals will be developing a Beach Volleyball league and series sponsored by Barefoot Wine to launch at Sharkys the week of May 11th, 2009. The leagues will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights for men’s doubles and Friday evening for women’s doubles.

The leagues will run for 8 weeks and offer both the men and women’s winners a prize of $1000 in cash along with airfare and entry into competition for the “first ever” Barefoot Cup Championship in Hermosa Beach, CA. The top 16 teams from across the U.S. will compete in Hermosa Beach to represent their area.

Sharkys and Seahaven are partners with PCB Sand Sports to bring the “fun” of beach sports directly to Panama City Beach with programs, events and activities to showcase the white sand and ambience of the area. Roman Reese founder of PCB Sand Sports and Director of Nashville Beach Volleyball has been involved in volleyball for more than 20 years.

He has been a major influencer to develop the long standing Fud’s 4-Person Tournament that is located in the Destin, Ft. Walton area that has grown from 17 teams to more than 250 teams with a waiting list to play. This tournament is now a “regular” vacation for the players who began to come in the beginning and developed the event into a “memorable” tournament to meet friends and reconnect with players across the country.

The AVP Pro Tour will be hosting their first Tour Stop in Panama City Beach in front of Sharkys the weekend of March 28th-29th and will showcase some of the top players in both men and women’s categories to kick off the focus Panama City Beach has to bring FUN beach sports to the area. We hope to see the local community come out to meet the Pros.

PCB Sand Sports and Seahaven will be working closely with Bay Area Sports Association a non-profit focused to support sports programs for the local kids to set up visits with the Pros to promote beach volleyball.

PCB Sand Sports is also coordinating additional leagues for Sharkys to provide Co-Ed 4’s on Tuesday nights and Co-Ed 6’s on Thursdays. For more information on the leagues and beach volleyball events and activities contact Roman Reese @ beachresearch@yahoo.com

Seabreeze Jazz Festival Brings Nick Colionne

The 2009 Seabreeze Jazz Festival coming to our very own Pier Park on April 16th through the 19th is bringing International Instrumental Artist of the Year for 2007 Nick Colionne.

With the warmth of spring in the air, artists in addition to Colionne such as Shilts, Boney James, Wayman Tisdale, Will Downing, Warren Hill, Eric Darius, Joyce Cooling, Alex Bugnon, and Four 80 East will fill their smooth music through the hearts and souls of all those attending. Colionne will also host the event’s All Star Jam.

As a guitarist and vocalist, Colionne’s live performances defy categorization. His shows incorporate all the music he loves best and the influences he’s had throughout his career. You are as likely to hear Nick sing the blues or some heartfelt R&B as you are to hear his blazing guitar licks, or even the hint of metal, recalling the beginning of his career as a heavy metal guitarist. From that diverse musicality comes an incredible live performance that showcases the talent, vocal ability and yes, comedic timing, of this charismatic entertainer.

Colionne was named International Instrumental Artist of the Year for 2007 by the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards and is nominated for this prestigious award again for 2009. He joined the ranks of today’s premier jazz artists with his TOP TEN 2003 Album “JUST COME ON IN” that included two mega hits “High Flyin'” and “It’s Been Too Long”. His 2006 CD “KEEPIN’ IT COOL” propelled him to the top of the charts once again with 3 TOP TEN singles. This CD was also TOP TEN CD of the YEAR for 2006.

His current CD “NO LIMITS” on KOCH Records was released in July 2008 and was named TOP TEN CD of the YEAR for 2008 by Smooth Jazz News. Says Colionne of the project: “No Limits” is my latest adventure. I wanted to explore doing some different things with my music and not limit myself to one genre or style of playing”. Colionne teamed up with two Grammy-award winning writers for the CD: Jim Peterik who wrote “The Eye Of The Tiger”, the theme from the film “ROCKY”, and Paul Richmond who wrote “Shining Star” for the Manhattans.

Chicago-native Colionne is also an endorsee for Epiphone Guitars and Gibson Strings & Accessories as well as prestigious clothier Stacy Adams and is featured in their global advertising campaigns.

According to Nick, “The most exciting part of all of this for me to that I am actually living my dream, getting a chance to perform for people around the world. The greatest moments come when I look at the faces in the audience when I play, and realize that I’m making them feel what I am feeling. That’s a fascinating level of communication.”

Related on PCBDaily

Seabreeze Jazz Festival Information
Nick Colionne’s Web Site