In a recent government meeting, community leaders gathered to discuss the impact of Hurricane Helene on local tourism and the subsequent need for a revitalized chamber funding program. Kylie Diaz, Vice President of Community Engagement at Visit St. Pete Clearwater, emphasized the importance of supporting the 13 county-supported chambers that form the backbone of the local business community, many of which are owned by Pinellas County residents.

Diaz highlighted the significant damage caused by the hurricane, noting that six visitor centers were affected, including a total loss of the John Pass visitor center. She praised the efforts of local chamber leaders, particularly Robert Miller of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber and Amanda Payne of Amplify Clearwater, for their proactive communication and support in the aftermath of the storm.

The meeting also focused on updates to the chamber funding program, which has undergone a comprehensive review to better align with current needs. Diaz explained that a collaborative approach was taken, involving input from chamber CEOs and the use of a non-biased third-party consultant, Crossroads Consulting. This led to the establishment of new metrics for funding allocation, which will be based on visitor center traffic, membership totals, event attendance, and marketing effectiveness.

The funding structure will allocate 65% of resources to marketing and 35% to staffing, ensuring that chambers can effectively promote tourism and support local businesses. The new program aims to be replicable in other destinations, showcasing a model that can enhance tourism recovery efforts.

As the community continues to recover from the storm, the focus remains on unity and collaboration among local chambers to welcome visitors back and support the tourism sector.