Frank Brown Park's Muddy Problem Could Be Everyone's Problem

Back in August, Bay County Sheriff’s Office put together an exciting and successful rodeo held on Frank Brown Park’s festive grounds. In order to have this event, an agreement was reached with the city manager to till a large space of grass to create enough dirt to handle the show and after the rodeo the area would be sprigged for grass to grow back. For the event, the dirt worked beautifully, and everything ran smooth. But, over a month after the event, grass has not grown over that perfect patch of dirt and what remains is a big, muddy problem for future events.

As it stands, the large space that was tilled prior to the event to make way for dirt is still, well, dirt. As you can imagine, with Thunder Beach on the way the area will not do well with bikes and if it rains the mud could complicate the whole event. Because the Fall Bike Rally typically isn’t as large as the Spring Rally, what’s likely to happen is the city can get away with roping off the area for the short weekend. But, the muddy problem becomes everyone’s problem when the Seafood Wine and Music Festival, Panama City Beach’s most prized event, comes to town. There simply is not enough time for grass to grow over the area before the event hits PCB. If the area isn’t sodded, like yesterday, well, you can just imagine how mud splashing over wingtips and heels could infuriate those wine drinkers and music lovers sending them home with all sorts of bad impressions of PCB.

As Panama City Beach aims to change it’s image as a backwoods, party, dirty town, a muddy field for a wine festival will definitely set everyone back. If you’ve yet to see the field, here are a few images.

Q & A with Fahlgren, Panama City Beach's New Creative/Ad Team

Q. How long has Fahlgren been in business?

A. Fahlgren was established in 1962.

Q. How many offices do you have and where?

A. Fahlgren, Inc., is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and has a total of seven other locations including Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Atlanta, Ga.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio; Parkersburg, W.V.; Denver, Col. Plus, our media partner, Real Media Solutions, is based in Tampa.

Q. What makes Fahlgren the ideal agency for PCB?

A. We believe Fahlgren is an ideal partner for PCB for many reasons as we outlined in the cover letter of our proposal:

– We have offices in key areas including Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Atlanta and the Midwest (Ohio).

– We have the same consumer research tools and resources of the largest agencies, but we are independently owned and able to serve our clients nimbly and attentively.

– As an integrated marketing agency, we are experienced in all forms of media, and we understand how to build a synergistic overall program.

– Fahlgren has a dedicated tourism and leisure practice area focused on serving tourism clients and analyzing key trends.

– Having worked for many years as the agency of record for VISIT FLORIDA, our firm has extensive knowledge of Florida tourism.

– As a result of this experience, our media team has relationships and “buying clout” in key feeder markets.

– Our team also developed and managed the industry-standard of co-op programs with VISIT FLORIDA.

– We have received accolades from the Florida’s Governor Charlie Crist on our efforts promoting tourism in the Sunshine State.

– We have airline and launch event experience.

– We are established and strong in the areas PCB values most, including creative, media planning, and social media.

Q. What were you initial thoughts on Panama City Beach’s image?

A. We view Panama City Beach as a fun place for everyone. We have several staffers who’ve vacationed there with their families, have been there during spring break, and one associate who even had a destination wedding there this past spring.

Q. What are your preliminary plans to change PCB’s “party” perception?

A. We know a lot of research has already been done on this topic, and we look forward to better understanding all sides of the issue and working with the CVB and area partners to develop the right plan for the community.

Q. Is there any particular creative direction that you foresee going in right off the bat?

A. We’ve got more creative ideas at this point than we know what to do with, but we look forward to applying the right strategy to develop a marketing campaign that gets the results the CVB and its partners seek.

Q. Do you have any comments on the creative direction of Panama City Beach’s past?

A. We know an evolution of the creative direction has already begun, and we’re excited to add a new dimension that builds on that momentum.

Q. How will you use the new airport as a spring board for PCB’s future?

A. We know that the airport is a total game changer. It puts a national spotlight on PCB like never before. It opens up new possibilities for partnerships and promotions, and it allows us to truly compete for tourists from cities that weren’t a possibility before its existence.

Q. How do you plan to use your talent to boost Panama City Beach’s off-season tourism?

A. Overall, we strive to use our talents to develop striking creative and place it in traditional and nontraditional areas that we know are meaningful to our audiences. Our creative has to get noticed and it has to reach consumers at the right place at the right time to engage them to take action. We’ll be developing a year-round plan to boost tourism on and off season. Specifically, we’re looking at possibly tapping into our current client base to create some unique partnerships.

AGENDA: TDC/CVB: Spring Break Recommendations

The final decision on Spring Break rumblings will finally be unveiled. After several city-wide conversations, meetings and one huge community forum we will know what the direction for the future of Spring Break on Panama City Beach.

AGENDA

COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
1:30 p.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 August 11, 2009, September 10, 2009, and September 18, 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. BOARD ACTION ITEMS

A. Discuss and Consider for Approval CVB/TDC Financial Statements Dated July 31, 2009, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

B. Discuss and Consider for Approval Coastal Planning & Engineering Invoice #90827, Invoice #90828, Invoice #90834, Invoice #90829, Invoice #90830, Invoice #90919, Invoice #90920, Invoice #90921, and Invoice #90922, Mrs. Lisa Armbruster, Sustainable Beaches, LLC

C. Discuss and Consider for Approval Contract with Aquatic Plants of Florida for the Dune Vegetation and Sand Fencing Project, Mrs. Lisa Armbruster, Sustainable Beaches, LLC

D. Discuss and Consider for Approval Spring Break Recommendations, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

E. Discuss and Consider for Approval Request for Funding from City of Panama City Beach, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

F. Discuss and Consider for Approval FY 2009-2010 Mexico Beach Community Development Council Budget, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

G. Discuss and Consider for Approval FY 2009-2010 Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau Budget and Program of Work, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

VI. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

VII. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

VIII. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

IX. ADJOURNMENT

To download the entire agenda please click here.

Name the New Panama City Airport – Submit Here

Submit your names to be included in tomorrow’s regularly schedule Airport Authority Board Meeting. The Airport Authority is considering new names and is asking for public input.

Up for debate for quite some time has been a new name for the new Panama City – Bay County International Airport, which is being relocated to an under construction site north of West Bay in Panama City Beach. The new airport has been under construction for over a year now and is set to open May 18, 2010.

We’ve had discussions here and many in the community have recognized that essential to the success of the new airport is a new name that has a regional (or greater) connotation. The potential of this airport can certainly capture a regional traveler. Shoot, if we’d drive over to Ft. Walton’s Northwest Florida Regional Airport to save a few hundred buckaroos, certainly our friends to the west (and east for that matter) would do the same.

In order for this airport to best serve our needs into the future, visitors that fly into Panama City need to fly into an airport that encompasses all of Northwest Florida. Talking to Mel Ponder from Coastal Vision 3000 – or THE Beach – not long ago, he was telling me that international travelers that fly into Orlando rarely stay in Orlando the whole time they are here. Furthermore, they rarely travel here for less than 14 days. International travelers will venture as far as up to 5 hours away from Orlando in their travels.

Our new airport will need to be a regional destination that will bring visitors within hours of some of the worlds most beautiful vacation spots from Apalachicola to Pensacola and beyond.

Submit your name suggestions below and email them to newpfn@gmail.com.

Here are some of the names that have been submitted on here in the past:

Northwest Florida International

Emerald Coast International

Gulf Coast International

Any others?

Huge Changes Ahead in the Marketing of Panama City Beach

Friday two contracts were presented and accepted by the tourist development council that will help transform the image of panama city beach in the coming years. Fahlgren and Lou Hammond were chosen for creative and PR respectively; contracts were already negotiated with the agencies prior to presentation to be board.

The Fahlgren contract is for $22,500 per month and includes all creative and promotions. The YPartnership contract was $12,500 per month but did not include creative. Last year alone they spent over $150k in creative and that number could have gone higher. Also, travel expenses for the agencies is built into the contracts as well.

Lou Hammond’s contract for public relations is for $17,500 per month and actually includes a New York media reception at their main office, 2 publicity stunts in New York and 2 group media trips to be hosted in destination (Panama City Beach).

Each contract is for 2 years with the option to renew and each will play a huge role in our area’s future growth.

5 Reasons it Makes Sense that Southwest Comes to Panama City

With the new airport wet on their lips, all the local and not so local media has been eating up the “airport wars” stories that have been ensuing over the battle for Southwest Airlines. Today, it would seem, that everyone is vying for them; everyone in Northwest Florida, that is. In fact, in the last 60 days alone, all of a sudden VPS (or Northwest Florida Regional Airport in Ft. Walton) and Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport have made very public efforts to woo Southwest in their direction.

Today, at a YP@TheBeach (Young Professionals AT The Beach) luncheon we had the great pleasure of listening to Representative Jimmy Patronis describe how he grew as a Young Professional into his career in politics. Jimmy, as always, it was great to see you. I asked about the progress with Southwest Airlines and whether we were any closer to seeing a commitment from them to come to our new airport. The short answer is below, but let me spell out the long answer as he did to us, as it is definitely worth telling.

This area needs it.

Southwest Airlines’ flight destination plan is laid out in a mesh-style pattern. Picture circles all over the US in which their radius is about a 5 hour drive. Right now, you’ll see an airport that services Southwest right in the middle of each make-believe circle. Of course, this is only applicable in areas with a particular and significant population size. Right now, there is a Southwest airport in New Orleans, Jackson MS, Birmingham, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa, but a void in our little stretch of the country. In order for them to keep with their mesh-style plan, they need one in our part of the country.

Pensacola won’t work.

Right now, servicing Pensacola is Air Tran, a great low-cost carrier. Often times they offer great competitive rates to most large cities and many smaller cities a lot of the time, non-stop. Pensacola is also about 200 miles from New Orleans, or within about a 2.5 to 3 hour drive – really too close to be considered not a competitional threat to existing operations in southern Louisiana. In addition, as it was explained to me, Southwest counts the number of street lights you have to go through to get into the airport and weighs that in regarding ease of access. As I understand it, Pensacola is not easy for travelers to come into.

Just students and government folk in Tallahassee.

If you think about who is coming and going in Tallahassee, there’s not much need for a low cost carrier to service that destination. They have adequate flights coming and going and the traffic to that destination isn’t likely to change because of a new airport. The future travel growth there has no real upward potential.

Dothan’s great, but they have no need either.

Same story, different location. There’s a lot of great people, great industry, and great money, but who’s traveling there, how much are the people there traveling out, and what is the future potential for travel growth for Dothan, Alabama.

Despite what they say, Ft. Walton just can’t handle Southwest Airlines.

This is the big one folks, and it isn’t likely to make our neighbors to the west of here very happy, but these are the facts. The Ft. Walton Airport, aka Northwest Florida Regional Airport, aka VPS is sharing their on-ground and in-air operations with the Department of Defense. This shared arrangement limits their flight operations to 100 total flights per day; that’s 50 flights in and 50 flights out. Currently they are using 60% of their daily operational capacity. Why in the world would a company as successful as Southwest Airlines come into an environment where right off the bat they would be limited as to what their future potential growth at that airport could be.

You see, it is all about the future. This is where so many opponents to the airport have missed the mark in their arguments. They focus on operations right now at the current airport and say we’re under capacity. Well, yeah, of course we are. Have you checked to see how much it costs to fly in and out of here lately? If we had a carrier that could bring low cost airfare to our neck of the woods, don’t you think we would get that business that drives to Dothan, Tallahassee and Northwest Florida Regional? What’s that you say? No numbers of real importance actually travel 1 to 2 hours away to save on airfare. Wanna bet?

At the new airport, Southwest has unlimited potential for future growth. Furthermore, I’d be willing to bet that they could have significant influence on how infrastructure is laid out at the new facility to best suit their needs. Furthermore still, they have $2.2 million each year to back any advertising to help drive people to use their service to fly to Panama City. In addition to all that, there is very likely to be a huge demand in travel to our destination over the next couple of years as many of the areas that could not travel here before can now get here with ease. And, to cap it all off, we are right smack dab in the middle of one of the concentric circles that virtually map out where each airport servicing Southwest Airlines will be.

Southwest Airlines was referred to as the “golden goose” of airlines in this morning’s paper because despite the tumultuous times in the airline industry, they, for the most part, have remained in the black. Their business model and growth plan fits perfectly with the ideals of Panama City and we would make a perfect fit for their next step. Hundreds of thousands of people have yet to discover the marvel that is Panama City Beach and that business is not only ripe for the picking by our area, but also Southwest Airlines.

Green Leadership Committee Encourages Local Participation in 24th Annual International Coastal Clean-Up Day

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 marks the 24th Annual Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Clean Up – the world’s largest volunteer effort of its kind. Panama City Beach is planning to join the 400,000 volunteers across 104 countries and 42 U.S. states by hitting the sand for this grassroots event.

The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce “Green Leadership Committee” will spearhead the local event and is encouraging the community, civic organizations, public and private businesses to join in the effort.

The clean up efforts will take place at two main thoroughfares along the Panama City Beach shoreline including Rick Seltzer Park on South Thomas Drive from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Russell Fields City Pier at Pier Park from 4a.m. to 6p.m. Trash bins, gloves and bottled water will be provided.

For more information on the “Green Leadership Committee” and Ocean International Coastal Clean Up Day, contact Marta@PCBeach.org or 850-235-1159 or visit http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=icc_home.

The Destruction of a Miracle

As I approach the gate at the under-demolition Miracle Strip Amusement Park, I’m greeted by a rough-looking-shirtless dude with his underwear showing asking me what I wanted. “I just want to take some pictures for a local web site,” I said. He replied that he had to ask his boss. I didn’t mean to make much of a to-do about it.

Minutes later, amid steel tracks crunching and clanging across concrete, Mr. Dickens himself creeps my way. “Take a picture of my truck, or bring a 6 pack of beer,” he said, “I gotta get somethen outa the deal.” I’m not sure OSHA would like them drinking on the job. But does OSHA even care about a demo site anyway?

They let me in and I got some great shots.

As I made my way around the park, I strained to recollect the one time I had visited Miracle Strip several years ago. I don’t even remember who I went with, but coming from Dallas, TX, I was used to parks of much more grandeur than this. I remember not being impressed. But, that has nothing to do with the Miracle that was Miracle Strip. Tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands over the years grew memories here. Talking to my wife last night about my experience, she said she probably went there almost every day for summers (s as in plural). Locals and tourists alike enjoyed the park atmosphere for just shy of 30 years (or longer??).

“I own everything in this fence,” Mr. Dickens said, “from the moment I got this contract, I own everything here; I can do anything I want.” I asked about a banner that I found draped over some of the Red Barron planes. Greedily he replied, “I’m selling everything to make as much money as I can, nobody gave me nuthin, I work for all I got, and people come in here and steal MY stuff.” I was just asking about the banner, not thinking I was going to get a lecture. I told him it might be nice to hang in my garage, he said, “I have 80 acres to hang $#@% on.” Wow. Needless to say, I didn’t get the banner. Wasn’t sure if he was actually wanting to sell some of that stuff, or just keep it all himself for his 80 acres.

The day started off nasty and rainy, but by the time I got there, the sun was out, and it was hot. I made my way over to the Devil ride pondering our fascination with scary stuff. With attractions such as The Dungeon, The Abominable Snowman, The Devil Ride, The Haunted House (sorry I’m sure I’m getting all the names wrong) I got this creepy feeling and yearned for big fluffy bears and the Wiggles.

The whole place was sad, though. So much dilapidation, but a welcome change. The one ride I do remember with quite a bit of distinction was the tower that shot you 90 feet in thee air. I remember the exhilaration and fear crumpling up together in my stomach as I realized I could see all up and down Panama City Beach. That was the kind of ride that I was used to.

I know this place was home to many memories, but the tear down is long overdue. This place has been an eyesore for years, literally and it is time to move on. Talking to a member of the controlling company for the land I was told that no definite plans for the property have been defined. At one point, the property was to be a sprawling resort development, but the market won’t allow that right now. So, who knows, but at least vacant land is a better looker than old dilapidated buildings that attract vandals, homeless, and criminals.

I know we’ve talked about this already, but it’s definitely worth mention again.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

AGENDA: CVB Special Called Meeting – Contracts Pending Approval

This meeting is to approve the contracts for both Fahlgren and Lou Hammond as Panama City Beach TDC’s new Ad & PR agencies.

PANAMA CITY BEACH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, INC.
Panama City Beach
Friday, September 18, 2009
1:30 p.m.
Board Room, Visitor Information Center

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. REVIEW AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL CONTRACT WITH FAHLGREN, INC. FOR ADVERTISING AGENCY SERVICES, Ms. Susan Estler, VP of Marketing

V. REVIEW AND CONSIDER FOR APPROVAL CONTRACT WITH LOU HAMMOND & ASSOCIATES FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY SERVICES, Ms. Susan Estler, VP of Marketing

VI. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

VII. ADJOURNMENT

To download the full agenda click here

Airport Authority Granted $4 Mil for State-of-the-Art Baggage System

The Panama City-Bay County International Airport Authority today announced that it has been awarded a Transportation Security Administration grant of just over $4 million dollars for a new Checked Baggage Inspection System at the new airport now under construction.

The grant will also be used for subsequent modifications needed for TSA to install an Explosive Detection system. The new airport is one of several airports to receive this system.

The state of the art security equipment is designed to enhance screening capabilities and airport safety and also facilitate customer service. Construction of the $318 million airport began in January 2008 and is scheduled to open in late May 2010.

Steve Earnest, Federal Security Director said, “This technology will strengthen security and streamline the baggage screening process.” He added, “This baggage handling system will better enable Panama City-Bay County International Airport to detect explosives and other threats while allowing for the growth of the new airport.”

What this means for you is a faster, safer and more efficient Checkin process, essentially cutting out additional lines and steps in getting you from the counter to the plane. As the representatives explained, this comprehensive system will allow patrons to give their bags at the Checkin counter, which will go through a behind the scenes screening process and out the door back to you safely and without waiting in any additional lines. The new technology will improve workplace safety for TSA employees by automating the baggage screening process, eliminating the need for passengers to walk checked baggage to a screening location and waiting for it to be cleared before proceeding to the security checkpoint. It will be the most up to date, efficient system in America.

The enhanced explosive detection technology also will provide on-screen viewing capabilities for TSA officers conducting baggage screening and reduce the number of re-scans and physical bag searches.