County renews tourism agreement with Airstream Ventures to boost sports and events; contract approved 5-0

The Board of County Commissioners on July 8 approved a three-year tourism-sales and event-development agreement with Airstream Ventures. The contract totals $81,600 annually under the newly-negotiated terms and includes performance metrics, monthly coordination meetings with county tourism staff and quarterly reporting to the Tourism Development Council (TDC).

Background and reason for the award: Airstream had previously provided tourism services to the county; the new agreement follows a competitive procurement process and a review by staff. The dismissed earlier RFP response had proposed a higher fee; the agreed $81,600 price was presented to the board as a compromise between prior contract levels and previously received offers.

Commissioner and staff remarks: Commissioners and tourism staff said renewing the vendor relationship would help bring regional sporting events back to county venues and support the county—s revenue-driving objectives. Airstream representatives told the board some events had been canceled when the county was without a dedicated vendor in recent months, and they said those relationships should help attract events back to Clay County.

Board action: Motion to approve the agreement passed 5-0. The agreement authorizes county staff and the vendor to jointly pursue events with an emphasis on measurable return on investment and increased bookings for county facilities.

Ending note: Staff said the agreement also allows county teams to initiate event recruitment and clarified that tourism staff will work across permitting, parks and rec, and other county departments to smooth event operations.