Saturday, September 12, 2015

Franklin County Tourist Development Council September Newsletter: Tourist Talk


A compilation of news items from the Franklin County TDC Administrative Offices
Curt Blair – Administrator     Laura Graham – Executive Assistant

September 2015

September Meeting Schedule:
The September/October meeting schedule for the TDC is as follows:
TDC Board will meet on October 7, 2015 beginning at 2:00 P.M. at the Eastpoint Visitor Center.
TDC Committees will meet on September 16, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Eastpoint Visitor Center.

Non-profit Promotion Grants:
The TDC Board approved the participating non-profits for the 2015-16 Promotion Grants at their Board meeting on August 19. Some 25 organizations were approved.  A complete list of participating groups  and events will be posted on the TDC web site.  Each participant will be provided $2,000 this year for promotion in markets of their choice. In addition, the TDC will be increasing its promotional activities in out-of-area markets including print and social media markets.

The TDC will be conducting an informational meeting for non-profits receiving funds on September  30 at 1:30 P.M. at the St. George Island Fire House. Non-profits should send a representative to the meeting to fully understand the new provisions of the promotional grant program.

Sustaining Grant Recipients Approved:
The TDC Board approved seven non-profit organizations eligible to receive sustaining grant funds. Each organization will receive $20,000 to assist in keeping their facilities open year round.  Recipients keep their facilities open 20 hours per week year round and provide information for area visitors. A list of the organizations approved this year will be posted on the TDC Web site.

Art Brochure:
The TDC Board approved a proposal to publish a brochure of local art galleries. This brochure will be done in cooperation with the Apalachicola Bay Chamber and include art galleries from throughout the county. For more information about the brochure contact John Solomon at the Chamber or Laura Graham at the TDC offices.

TDC Collections Maintaining a Healthy 7% Increase:
Collections reported for the months of April and May reflected an increase in collections over 2014 and an adjustment for reporting uniqueness for February and March.  Year to date collections are running at a healthy 7% increase over 2014-15 and one percent under the State collections rate of increase of 8%.

Hospitality Training:
The TDC will be hosting a second Hospitality Training program on October 14, beginning at 1:00 P.M. at the SGI Firehouse. The program will focus on customer service skills for people interacting with the public. Participants from any industry are welcome to attend. A registration form for the program is attached to this newsletter. Please feel free to distribute this form to interested persons. There is a limit of 20 registrants for each session who will be selected on a first come first serve basis. 

For more information contact Laura at the TDC office, 731 Highway 98, Eastpoint, Florida 32328. Phone 850-670-3474.

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