Representatives from Discover the Palm Beaches told the City Commission that hotel performance in downtown West Palm Beach and countywide convention activity were strong and that the agency is shifting toward a "destination stewardship" approach that highlights resident quality of life as well as visitor promotion.

Sergio, speaking for Discover the Palm Beaches, described the organization’s evolving focus on stewardship: "Destination stewardship is a new way of thinking things...we're focused on creating a better community," he told commissioners. The presentation said city and county data show strong recent growth in hotel demand and a record year for the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Gustav Bridal, senior vice president of research, said July–September performance for downtown West Palm Beach showed double-digit growth and called 2024 a record year for the convention center; he described a targeted cities campaign that will geo‑fence promotional messages for individual municipalities. "It was a record year for the convention center," Gustav said while summarizing hotel and convention metrics.

Heather Andrews, who leads programs and workforce initiatives for Discover, described job outreach and ambassador programs tied to tourism. She said the agency runs a certified tourism ambassador program (more than 400 graduates reported) and is coordinating a three‑day job fair in October that will include dozens of hospitality employers. The agency also described a tourism master plan with approximately 50 recommendations; Discover said that plan will go to the Tourist Development Council and then the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners for formal approval by the end of the year.

Commissioners asked about funding and reach. Discover representatives said the agency is funded primarily by the county bed tax (a 6% lodging tax) and that Discover received roughly 30% of the county’s distribution in the last fiscal year; their operating budget was reported at about $28 million for the last fiscal year and projected near $29 million in the current fiscal year. "We are funded through a 6% bed tax," Discover staff said, clarifying that the tax is paid by hotel guests and is pooled by the tax collector to support tourism-related agencies and programs.

Commissioners suggested additional city-specific assets and neighborhoods that might be included in the city campaign; Discover representatives said they will coordinate site visits and solicit input from commissioners and city communications staff to shape city-level messaging. No formal action or budget request was taken during the presentation.