Below is the agenda for the TDC meeting on Tuesday:
AGENDA
COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 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 April 8, 2008 Meeting
Continue reading “Agenda for Tuesday's TDC Meeting – Spring Break, PCBWhiteSale”
Beaches Chamber To Hold Open House
Panama City Beach, Florida (May, 2008) – On Thursday, May 15th The Greater Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce will hold an Open House of the Chamber’s new Tourist Information Center for Chamber members and guests. Tours will be given throughout the day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and refreshments will be served. RSVP is not required.
Attributes of the new state of the art Tourist Information Center include a Virtual Floor, Interactive Kiosks, a History Wall and “The Best of PCB” program featuring all Panama City Beach has to offer. The lobby’s Coastal-Chic style showcases Panama City Beach’s businesses, accommodations, restaurants and attractions as well as community events and relocation information.
Continue reading “Open House at the Chamber's New Tourist Information Center”
Solace Salon and Spa Stylists Use FreeStylist™ System To Make Their Blow Dryers Weightless
Panama City Beach, Fl– May 6, 2008 – Area residents don’t have to wait until this week’s edition of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to see how the FreeStylist™ makes salon blow dryers weightless and hair stylists very happy. Stylists at Solace Salon and Spa, in Pier Park, have been using the FreeStylist and their clients have been rapidly spreading the word about blow dryers ‘hanging from the ceiling.’
“We wanted to enhance our guest’s salon experience by streamlining the stylist’s station, removing the tangled cords, and making the blow dryers weightless for our stylists as well,” said owner Jennifer Staerker. “Our stylists love their FreeStylists because it makes their styling service so much easier to provide to our guests.”
The FreeStylist was recommended to the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” design team and team leader Ty Pennington by New England distributor R.G. Shakour and will be included in this week’s edition of the popular ABC show. The installation also includes the world premiere of a new salon lighting system that provides a more accurate light resource for hair color service, and it uses 75% less electricity.
Continue reading “May 11th “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Highlights Technology”
PANAMA CITY BEACH – Borders will celebrate the grand opening of its newest concept store beginning Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11 at its new store in Panama City Beach, located at the intersection of Starfish Drive and Bluefish Drive in Pier Park.
The 23,356-square-foot concept store represents a significant enhancement over existing Borders stores inside and out and fulfills the company’s mission to be a headquarters for knowledge and entertainment.
Throughout the weekend-long celebration, Borders will be highlighting its newly created Destinations within the new Borders concept store-Cooking, Travel, Wellness, Graphic Novels and Children’s- with special activities, in-store performances and prizes.
Continue reading “Borders Books and Music Opens at Pier Park”
There is a problem with the College Spring Break economic impact figures that have been reported in the media this past season. I first noticed it when ABC affiliate, WMBB, aired a report on March 3rd. Reporter Mark Jenkins stated that “Tourist Development Council Commissioners are expecting an overall income of $100 million this month.” Based on my prior public records requests, I was already aware that the TDC/CVB had very little research to support their official 2007 estimate of $62 million in spending. Therefore, I was surprised to hear that they were now boosting their estimate by over 50%.
Then MSNBC on March 17th referenced the same $100 million in spending. In addition, MSNBC reported that PCB was expecting “about 350,000 students”. I already knew the TDC/CVB had no research to support their 2007 estimate of 250,000 students. And now they apparently were boosting this unsubstantiated estimate by 40%. Although MSNBC did not report who provided either of these estimates, I wrongly assumed that they had been provided by Andy Phillips, chairman of the TDC/CVB. My assumption was based on Phillips being the only PCB representative quoted in the article.
Continue reading “Exaggerated College Spring Break Numbers in the Media”
We’ve been waiting for it, and now it is here. The rest of Pier Park is opened, including Borders, Aeropostale, American Eagle, and more!
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2008)- Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG), the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high quality retail real estate, will celebrate more exciting retailer and restaurant openings from late April through May 1 at Pier Park, located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road).
New anchors and specialty shops scheduled to premiere include the following:
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (April 30, 2008) – Simon Property Group announces the appointment of Felicia Robinson Cook as director of marketing for Pier Park. Cook boasts more than 20 years of experience in marketing and previously served as the area director of business development for two Simon properties, Independence Center located in Independence, Mo., and West Ridge Mall located in Topeka, Kan.
As the director of marketing, Cook will oversee day-to-day operations and supervise all aspects of the center encompassing budgeting, financial analysis, tenant relations, lease administration, community involvement and marketing.
Continue reading “Pier Park Names Felicia Robinson Cook Director of Marketing”
– Event Expected to Draw Thousands of Thunder Beach Motorcycle Enthusiasts as Additional Stores at Pier Park Open –
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL (May 1, 2008) – Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s premiere retail, dining and entertainment venue located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road) is pleased to announce it’s first annual ‘Fun in the Sun’ Street Fair, May 1 -4, which will coincide with the semi-annual Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally and the opening of approximately 30 new stores at Pier Park.
Billed as “The Most Biker Friendly Free Rally in the United States,” the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is truly a community event and as the area’s newest attraction, Pier Park is anxious to be a part of the Spring 2008 Rally!
Continue reading “Pier Park to Host 'Fun in the Sun' Street Fair This Weekend”
With many more stores set to open right around the corner, crews tirelessly work to get the rest of Pier Park ready for the masses. I was there yesterday morning and more signs are up with the interiors of retailers such as Hollister, American Eagle and Borders Books and Music are quickly taking shape.
I got to peek inside Borders, and it looks done to me. I was told that it was one of five of their largest stores nationwide. They are recruiting management from within their ranks from around the country to come down and take over. They open on May 2nd.
Among the retailers just announced are Olive Garden, Great American Cookie Company, Maurices, Famous Footwear, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Blender A Fusion Clothing Store, The Eye Gallery, Carter’s Children’s Apparel, Shimmering Seas Jewelery & Gifts, Cute N’ Sassy Children’s Boutique and Things Remembered.
On Monday night a controlled fire burned through Shell Island. Not sure why, but apparently this burn has been planned for quite some time.
PCBDaily 