Tourism board’s marketing-support criteria OK’d; commissioners add small-event flexibility

The Brevard County Board approved the Tourist Development Council’s (TDC) 2025–26 marketing support program and funding criteria on April 22, endorsing changes intended to provide flexibility for smaller, locally important events.

TDC staff introduced updated criteria that maintain traditional room-night metrics while adding mechanisms to help events that cannot meet larger-room-night thresholds. Commissioners discussed establishing a $100,000 pool to assist smaller events and proposed dividing that amount among commissioners so each could recommend grants for district-specific small festivals. Commissioner Delaney suggested alternatives, such as a targeted small-grant category rather than per-commissioner allocations. Commissioners agreed the board would still vote on grant awards; the TDC’s role is recommendation and administration.

Ruth Caulfield, a public commenter, raised concerns about cultural-grant definitions and said Space Coast Pride should not be classified as a culture grant. Commissioners said the criteria are intended to be inclusive and that final award decisions come before the board. The motion to approve the TDC criteria passed 5-0.

Ending: Staff and TDC will implement the approved criteria for the 2025–26 cycle; the commissioners asked the TDC to consider greater flexibility to help small community events in ways that still require board approval for awards.