Marketing staff reports social‑media gains, website overhaul delayed; rodeo attendance grew to 2,600

Marketing staff reported August metrics showing modest follower increases and mixed engagement: Facebook gained 44 new followers while reach increased 20 percent; Instagram gained 29 new followers with engagement up but impressions down. Staff said year‑to‑date Facebook impressions (Oct. 1–Aug. 31) were about 7,300,000 with roughly 10,000 engagements and 512 follow‑ups; Instagram impressions for the same period were about 178,000 with 3,100 engagements and 264 follow‑ups. Staff said a website redesign planned for unveiling at the meeting has been delayed for additional corrections and will now be unveiled in November. Staff also reported that the Florida Gateway Rodeo Arena event grew substantially year over year: roughly 900 attendees at the prior two‑day event compared with about 2,600 this year (staff attributed the increase to expanded programming). Staff listed upcoming events on the county calendar, including Old Florida Gravel in November at Altec Raceway, the Lake City Veterans Day Parade moved to Saturday, Nov. 8, and the Florida Gateway Fair running Oct. 24–Nov. 2. Gateway Dockside restaurant was scheduled for a private ribbon cutting the following day at 4:30 p.m., staff said. Why it matters: improved social reach and higher attendance at marquee events can affect tourism revenue and justify further marketing investments; the website overhaul is intended to refresh county promotional material before the busy season.