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Flagler Beach business owners ask TDC for coordinated marketing and a billboard to boost short trips
Summary
A newly forming Flagler Beach merchants group asked the Tourist Development Council for help promoting Flagler Beach to nearby markets, urging coordinated outreach and signage to drive one‑ and two‑night visits during and after local construction impacts.
A group of Flagler Beach business owners on July 18 asked the Flagler County Tourist Development Council for coordinated marketing help — including use of county billboard inventory — to draw short‑trip visitors from nearby markets.
Restaurant owner Scott Fox and co‑owner Paul Chestnut said they have organized a nascent Flagler Beach merchants group to “unify businesses with one voice” after road construction and Hurricane recovery depressed customer traffic for some local businesses. “We have such a hidden gem,” Fox told the council during the public‑comment period, and he urged the TDC to help brand Flagler Beach as an accessible beach destination for two‑day or overnight trips from Orlando, Tampa and other nearby metro areas.
Amy (TDC staff) said she and staff would meet with the merchants group after the summer season and coordinate next steps. Council members encouraged the group to meet with TDC staff and the Chamber to draft a marketing plan and identify low‑cost promotional tactics that could drive hotel and restaurant stays.
The merchants said they want to leverage partners and existing TDC channels rather than duplicate effort, and emphasized simple measures — clear signage, promo codes for lodging, and a targeted social and radio push into Central Florida markets. The TDC chair asked staff to follow up and offer technical assistance to the group.
