(6)Deputy Vice-Mayor Rob Long (9/30/24) Appt (03/08/22) Dis.5
(7)Don Dufresne ReAp(9/30/27) Dis6
(8) Davicka N. Thompson (9/30/2024) Appt(12/6/16)RdAppt(8/25/20) [Dis.7]
(9) Commissioner Christina Lambert Appt (10/01/22)- (9/30/26) At-Large
STAFF
Isami Ayala Collazo, Assistant County Administrator
Liz Herman, Assistant County Attorney
Dave Lawrence, Culture
George Linley, Sports
Michelle Hillery, Film & TV
Milton Segarra, Discover
Deborah Drum, ERM
Dave Anderson, PBCCC
Kathy Griffin, PBCCC
Emanuel Perry, TDC
Joan Hutchinson, TDC
Vannette Youyoute, TDC
NA- Does not count towards attendance.
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Thursday, June 12, 2025 – 9:00 A.M.
2195 Southern Boulevard
West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 AGENDA
MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE CONSENT ITEMS FOR JUNE 2025
MARKETING AGENCIES REPORTING
A. DTPB ACTIVITY REPORT*
B. CULTURAL COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORT*
C. SPORTS COMMISSION ACTIVITY REPORT*
D. FILM & TV MONTHLY NEWSLETTER*
E. FILM & TV PRODUCTION REPORT*
PBC CONVENTION CENTER OPERATING REPORTS
F. CONVENTION CENTER MARKETING UPDATE*
G. CONVENTION CENTER “PACE” REVENUE REPORT*
OTHER TDC-SUPPORTED AGENCY/DEPARTMENT REPORTS
H. ERM PROJECT STATUS REPORT*
I. PBI TRAFFIC REPORT*
J. CONTRACT TRACKING REPORT*
K. AGENCIES FY25 QUARTERLY REPORT 03.31.2025*
L. AGENCIES FY25 PERFORMANCE MEASURES REPORT 03.31.2025*
5. OLD BUSINESS – DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. TDC TOURISM PERFORMANCE METRICS
1. TDC DASHBOARD CURRENT MONTH & FY2025* - Emanuel Perry
a. Bed Tax Collections*
B. FY24 ANNUAL REPORT* - Emanuel Perry
C. PBI UPDATE* – Nichole Hughes
6. NEW BUSINESS – DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. CULTURAL COUNCIL
1. MOTION TO APPROVE CULTURAL COUNCIL CAT B & CII GRANTS* - Kathy Alex/Vicky Jackson
2. Update – Kathy Alex
B. COGNIZANT CLASSIC 2025 RECAP* – Emanuel Perry/Todd Fleming
C. SPORTS COMMISSION
1. MOTION TO APPROVE The Category “G” Grant Agreements* - James Taylor
a. Perfect Game WWBA World Championships /Perfect Game WWBA 13U & 14U World Championship (October 3-20, 2025) – CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium & Santaluces Athletic Complex
b. Columbus Day Discovery Showdown (October 9-12, 2025) – Palm Beach Skate Zone and Palm Beach Ice Works $8,000 800
c. USTA Columbus Day Open Hosted by the City of Delray Beach (October 11-13, 2025) - Delray Beach Tennis Center, Delray Swim & Tennis Club, the Boca Raton Swim & Racquet Club, Broken Sound Country Club, Boca West Country Club, and Hunters Run Country Club
500
d. World Comes to the Palm Beaches (October 2226, 2025) CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, Seminole Palms Park & Santaluces Athletic Complex $20,000 1,800
e. I Do Beach Tennis ITF Palm Beach World Tour 2025 (November 5-9, 2025) – Riviera Beach Municipal Beach Park
3,500
f. Men's Senior Baseball League Fall Classic (November 8-22, 2025) - CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches and Roger Dean $75,000 7,920
g. International Rush Cup (November 20-23, 2025) – The Gardens North County District Park $20,000 1,366
h. 2025 FuelTech Hydrodrags Nationals/World Championships (November 22-23, 2025) – Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park $10,000 1,000
i. Equestrian Holiday & Horses Circuit (November 26 - December 21, 2025) –Wellington International $20,000 12,375
j. “Little Mo” Internationals in Florida (December 5-10, 2025) - Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center $17,500 1,700
k. Battle Youth National Championship (December 8-14, 2025) Village Park Athletic Complex and Greenview Shores Park $120,000 13,860
l. Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon (December 13-14, 2025) Meyer Park Amphitheatre
$25,000 2,160
m. Holiday Basketball Classic in The Palm Beaches (December 27-30, 2025) Palm Beach Gardens High School, The Benjamin School, and Palm Springs Middle School
n. Elite Tournaments Girls Pre-Academy Championships (January 23-25, 2026) Village Park Athletic Complex and Greenview Shores Park
o. Men’s Eastern National Championships (April 23-26, 2026) Palm Beach County Convention Center
2. Update – James Taylor
D. ERM
1. Update – Deb Drum
E. DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES
1. Update* – Milton Segarra
F. SPORTS COMMISSION
1. Update – George Linley
G. FILM & TV
1. Update – Michelle Hillery
H. CONVENTION CENTER
1. OVG Venue Management
a. Update - Dave Anderson
2. OVG
b. Update - Kathy Griffin
The next Meeting will be on July 10, 2025. *Attachment included.
1,500
1,206
1,500
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Thursday, May 8, 2025 – 9:00 A.M.
MINUTES
1. ROLL CALL
Present Absent
Mayor Maria G. Marino, Chair
Jim Mostad
Mabel Melton
Elena Peroulakies
Daniel Hostettler
Don Dufresne
Davicka Thompson
Commissioner Christina Lambert
Staff
Deputy Vice-Mayor Rob Long
Isami Ayala Collazo, Assistant County Administrator
Liz Herman, Assistant County Attorney
Emanuel Perry, Tourist Development Council
Vannette Youyoute, Tourist Development Council
Joan Hutchinson, Tourist Development Council
Colton Hearn, Tourist Development Council
Patricia Ramirez, Tourist Development Council
Dave Lawrence, Cultural Council
Lauren Perry, Cultural Council
Jennifer Sullivan, Cultural Council
George Linley, Sports Commission
David Fontanarosa, Sports Commission
James Taylor, Sports Commission
Michelle Hillery, Film & TV Commission
Alberto Jordat, Film & TV Commission
Milton Segarra, Discover The Palm Beaches
Evan Lomrantz, Discover The Palm Beaches
Gustav Weibull, Discover The Palm Beaches
Erika Constantine, Discover The Palm Beaches
Heather Andrews, Discover The Palm Beaches
Sergio Piedra, Discover The Palm Beaches
Kelly Cavers, Discover The Palm Beaches
Deb Drum, ERM
Matt Mitchell, ERM
Mike Brodnicki, Palm Beach County Convention Center
Giovanni Arias, Palm Beach County Convention Center
Nicole Hughes, PBI Airports
David Zamora, PBC Internal Audit
Other
Chris Inman, Hilton WPB
Derrick Steinour, Hilton WPB
Alex O’Connor, Related Ross
Kimmie Kiely, Kravis Center
2. MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
Motion to approve the TDC Board Agenda was made by Davicka Thompson and seconded by Don Dufresne. Motion carried 7-0 with Deputy Vice Mayor Rob Long and Elena Peroulakies absent.
3.
MOTION TO APPROVE APRIL 10TH TDC MEETING MINUTES
Motion to approve the April 10th TDC meeting minutes was made by Don Dufresne and seconded by Commissioner Christina Lambert. Motion carried 7-0 with Deputy Vice Mayor Rob Long and Elena Peroulakies absent.
4. MOTION TO RECEIVE AND FILE CONSENT ITEMS FOR MAY 2025
MARKETING AGENCIES REPORTING
A. DTPB ACTIVITY REPORT*
B. CULTURAL COUNCIL ACTIVITY REPORT*
C. SPORTS COMMISSION ACTIVITY REPORT*
D. FILM & TV MONTHLY NEWSLETTER*
E. FILM & TV PRODUCTION REPORT*
PBC CONVENTION CENTER OPERATING REPORTS
F. CONVENTION CENTER INCOME STATEMENT & FINANCIAL OPERATIONS ANALYSIS COMPARED TO BUDGET & PRIOR YEAR*
G. CONVENTION CENTER MARKETING UPDATE*
H. CONVENTION CENTER “PACE” REVENUE REPORT*
OTHER TDC-SUPPORTED AGENCY/DEPARTMENT REPORTS
I. ERM PROJECT STATUS REPORT*
J. PBI TRAFFIC REPORT*
K. CONTRACT TRACKING REPORT*
Motion to receive and file Consent Items was made by Jim Mostad and seconded by Commissioner Christina Lambert. Motion carried 7-0 with Deputy Vice Mayor Rob Long and Elena Peroulakies absent.
5. OLD BUSINESS – DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. TDC TOURISM PERFORMANCE METRICS
1. TDC DASHBOARD CURRENT MONTH & FY25* - Emanuel Perry
a. Bed Tax Collections*
Perry
Bed Tax Collection – March 2025 collected inApril was $13M compared to the same month last year at $14M, a (5%) decrease. Actual March was 12% above the Budget and 6% above the prior month at $12M. Actual March was 14% higher than March 2023.
FYTD 2025 Collections, at $63M, were 11% higher than the last fiscal year to date, at $58M. FYTD collections are 11% above theApproved Budget and 11% higher than 2023 collections.
The Rooms sold for March were 503,460, 5% higher than last year. Rooms available for March at 605,120 are 2% higher than last year. Hotel RoomsActive today in the county at 19,520
Occupancy for March 2025 was 83.2%, 3% higher than last year. Occupancy for March 2024 was 80.8%. March 2023 was 82.5%. The average daily rate for March was $395.54, 7% higher than last year and 8% above 2023. The Revenue/Available Room for March 2025 was $328.92 higher than the prior March by 10%.
In March, Hotel Room Net Sales FY25 year over year increased 10% at $190M compared to $172M. Non-hotel room sales FY25 year over year in March decreased (1%) at $37M compared to $38M. Hotel room net sales FYTD 2025 increased 10% from $847M to $769M. Non-hotel Room Sales FYTD 2025 increased 6% at $192M compared to $182M. FYTD 2025 Taxable Revenues Fiscal Year over FY2024 increased 9% at $1B compared to $951M. FYTD 2025 Taxable Revenues Fiscal Year over FY2023 increased 11% at $1B compared to $936M.
Airport passengers for March 2025 were 989,910, 5% higher than in March 2024, and the Total Estimated Seat Capacity is 4% higher than last March 2024, with 1,199,649 seats. PBI Passenger 12-month rolling is a 7% increase at 8,525,586 over last year.
Leisure & Hospitality Employment for March, 96,600, decreased (3%) over the same month last year. Accommodation employment was 3% higher compared to last year, at 12,800 employees. F&B was (2%) lower than last year at 61,100 employees. Arts & Entertainment employment is (9%) lower than last year at 22,700 employees.
Perry
Last year, Easter was on the last day of the month. This year, we have more tax exemptions, which we believe led to an increase in visits from governmental entities to our destination.Although we experienced higher occupancy rates and average daily rates (ADRs), this increase was not reflected in our bed tax collections.
Thompson
Do we proceed with this month of decline continuing?
Perry
Not for the upcoming month of April. After conducting research and having conversations with Mr. Weibull, we believe that April will be tremendous. I will allow some of our hoteliers to share their thoughts.
Mostad
Regarding the Easter period in March, occupancy rates are up, and the Average Daily Rate (ADR) has also increased. However, if revenue is down, that metric does not make sense; something appears off here. If there is a delay or an anomaly, it should not be possible to have increased occupancy in a county with a high ADR and still report a decrease in revenue. While there is a "Trump bump" effect due to the tax-free entity, it should not have such a significant impact.
Dufresne
How does 83% compare?
Perry
It was a record up 3% compared to last year.
B. JIM BRONSTIEN PRESENTATION - Emanuel Perry
Mr. Perry presented an award to Jim Bronstien in recognition of his outstanding years of dedicated service as a member of the TDC Board and to his commitment and invaluable contributions to the board, reflecting the impact he has made throughout his tenure.
C. PBI UPDATE* – Nichole Hughes
Hughes
In January 2025, we saw a 6.8% increase in total passengers, with seat capacity up by 1.6%. Air carrier operations increased by 2.1%, and general aviation saw a 2% rise, leading to a total operations increase of 2% year-over-year. In February 2025, compared to 2024, total passengers increased by 3.5%. However, seat capacity decreased by 0.1%, and air carrier operations were essentially flat at 0.1%. General aviation recorded a decline of 28.6%, resulting in an overall decrease of 18.5% in total operations for March 2025. In March, when compared to 2024, we experienced a 4.7% increase in total passengers and a 4.2% uptick in seat capacity. Air carrier operations were up by 0.4%, but general aviation decreased by 25.5%, leading to a total operations decrease of 14.6%. The fluctuations in February and March are likely due to Air Force One landings and the temporary flight restrictions that were in place. We anticipate these restrictions will dissipate over time.
Air service updates include the following: LaGuardia in New York has extended service from May 4th to August 29th, with a return in October, operating four times weekly during the summer months. Chicago O'Hare is now offering year-round service with two flights a day, achieving a 97% load factor in July 2024, meaning only 3% of the seats were empty.
Dallas-Fort Worth is set to operate five times daily starting in November 2025, although this is subject to change. Load factors frequently remain in the mid to upper eighties,
indicating potential for future year-round service. JetBlue’s route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on December 24 achieved an 85% load factor. This route is one of only two non-pro-based services from LAX, and JetBlue leadership is very pleased with its performance. They currently operate the daily 321 DOLAR, a fuel-efficient larger aircraft, until April 29, with plans to resume service in October. Capacity was up 19% in March 2025 compared to 2024, and there was a 23% increase in capacity for April 2025 over April 2020.
In Atlanta, Delta operates one of the most profitable routes in Florida with 11 daily flights, and they will resume select days with up to 12 flights daily in September 2025. Flex Frontier has introduced a new service to Atlanta, operating twice a week, which resumed on June 13th. This service previously ran between November 2022 and March 2023. Additionally, Allegiant has increased its service to Asheville at defined times each week for the entire summer and into the fall. Initially, Grand Rapids service was expected to be year-round; however, it will now be seasonal. This service will pause on May 10th and resume in October. Overall capacity is up by 41% compared to 2024, primarily due to increases in services to Asheville and Pittsburgh, along with the addition of Grand Rapids.
New Haven will operate daily until April 29th and then shift to four times weekly for the summer. The Wilmington, Delaware service will resume on November 7th, operating twice a week until April 8th. Southwest Airlines is adding a new flight to Orlando to create a Southeast hub. This service will operate twice daily year-round, starting in August. Nashville has seen significant success, with daily year-round service starting March 6th. They repurposed a plane originally intended for Atlanta, which was unable to compete with Delta, and now use it for Nashville service. Spring training service will run five times weekly from March 6th to April 7th. Breeze will add service to Akron-Canton, allowing visitors to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to fly there twice a week starting in September. Richmond will also have two weekly year-round flights starting September 5th.
Charleston, Norfolk, and Raleigh-Durham will operate through the summer and transition to year-round service in 2025. Raleigh will increase its operations from twice weekly to four times weekly starting June 26th, with further increases to five times weekly beginning November 9th. New Haven's service will become seasonal after April 25th. Several airlines are in competition: United, which operated daily between December 19th and March 31st, achieved a 97% load factor in December, meaning only 70 of the 1,900 available seats went unfilled. This service is expected to return on December 18th. Washington’s service has been extended for one more month and is operating daily. Houston and Continental are transitioning to almost year-round services, operating daily until June 20th, then moving to six times weekly until August 18th, before resuming in late September. In Chicago, flights will operate daily until May 21st and then again from September 21st. Spirit Airlines’ service to Atlantic City will be weekly until June 30th and will increase to five times weekly starting August 1st. This is our destination map; as you can see, we have two Western routes we are hoping to expand. The routes marked in red are seasonal, while those in yellow are upcoming services. There are still a few additional services to announce.
Commissioner Lambert
Are there any trends that you see forecasting, or new destinations opening up soon?
Hughes
Andrew, our air service manager, just returned from a conference in the Bahamas and is headed to Indianapolis to meet with airline representatives. We are aiming to promote more air services, particularly pushing for year-round flights to the West Coast, like San Francisco or LAX, as our current services are limited seasonally.
In South America, Andrew is continually meeting with representatives, having visited Panama last year and needing special permission for additional trips due to county policy. We are pleased with ongoing construction at terminal B, which is expected to enhance the airport's appearance.
Mayor Marino
Currently, the situation is a bit fluid. The RFP was addressed and decisions were made during last Tuesday's meeting. The host and involved parties will collaborate with their partners, the vendors at the airport. The discussion was quite interesting, but ultimately, I believe that the county and the airport have developed a solid plan for modernizing the airport and securing its future.
The renovation will be phased so that we won't experience full construction disruption while operations continue. We are excited about new ventures, opportunities, food and beverage options, and an upcoming golf section in the middle of the airport. Security will also be revamped to allow for smoother transitions between terminals. The central area of the airport, which is currently an underutilized space, will transform into a central hub focused on a PGA initiative. This will enable passengers to easily walk from one terminal to another. Overall, it's a promising plan that supports expansion and improvement.
Thompson
With all of the phases, when do we envision that the construction and renovations will be completed?
Hughes
Phase three is where we are, and that is expected to take maybe 18 months. And what we are doing is shutting down one section at a time. We are adding new gates, also going to be demolishing the one attached to the airfield, which will still allow access from the land side to the fire station.
Mayor Marino
What Mrs. Thompson meant was the actual interior. I believe it is three years.
Ayala Collazo
The process of phasing it will take approximately three years, which is referred to as the transition phase of the project. It is staggered, as the Mayor stated, because we need to prepare to provide services. Once construction of the food and beverage on C locations is completed, they will enter into the actual lease term. And we expect this is a 10-year contract. And I say that because you have that initial phase, which may be tweaked a little bit depending on how long construction takes, and they need to go through a permit and design, all that good stuff that we do daily for any product. For some amendments to that agreement, that agenda item passed, and they are going to start construction. Rocco's
Tacos, which is the bump out on B, will be one of the first projects that we are working on.
Mayor Marino
When each of the companies that had been in the process, we thought that when passengers got off the plane or were getting on the plane, their experience started right then and there, experiencing what Palm Beach County is. We have achieved that. Each of the winners bids they are investing their hard dollars into building and constructing. It is not just us paying for it, they are too.
Thompson
What was the thought process behind having two different concession areas versus a universal one?
Mayor Marino
More opportunities and more buying power. Getting more people involved, and you saw the two different presentations. It was not the same thing in both terminals. And now, since you can walk from terminal to terminal, we shouldn't have the same thing in one as we do in the other. Also, from an economic standpoint, if one fails, or all fail. You are spreading out the opportunity.
6.
NEW BUSINESS – DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. MOTION TO APPROVE FY24 AGENCIES AUDIT REPORTS*- Dave Zamora/Emanuel Perry
Perry
We invited all the agency’s auditors to do a presentation to our finance committee. Also invited the internal auditor for Palm Beach County to provide valuable insight as to how we performed as an organization as a whole.
Zamora
The TDC undergoes annual financial audits by independent CPAs, ensuring transparency and accountability. These audits assess material misstatements, accounting policies, significant estimates, and the entity's ability to continue as a growing concern. However, they do not evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls, which is where our Office of Internal Audit steps in.
We conduct comprehensive risk-based audits that assess internal control adequacy, operational effectiveness, and compliance with laws and policies. Our goal is to review the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy of operations while safeguarding public funds and assets. To coordinate efforts, Palm Beach County requires departments to forward external audits to our office, preventing duplication and allowing us to focus resources effectively. These external audits enhance our risk assessments, and we've identified that the TDC ranks 10th in operational spending and 4th in grant spending.
In reviewing agency audits, we analyzed financial trends from 2023 to 2024, examined TDC’s mission, performance data, annual reports, and relevant ordinances related to the tourist tax revenue. We met with Mr. Perry, the director, to discuss our notes from the agency audits. I appreciate his context on our questions.
For the Convention Center, we noted over $1 million in indirect expenses not included in financial statements and potential legal contingencies that management believes won't materially affect operations. We also observed related party transactions. At Discover Palm Beaches, nearly $4 million in in-kind contributions was reported, which is significant. The Palm Beach Sports Commission has a cumulative reserve of nearly $5 million, and we discussed this further on Monday. Overall, the agency audits did not reveal significant findings, but we noted a concentration of credit risk due to cash balances exceeding the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000. Even though no losses have occurred, this remains a concern, and I recommend the finance committee and TDC board explore diversifying banking institutions to protect county assets.
I want to emphasize the value of both external and internal audits, which together provide a comprehensive view of financial health and governance. I appreciate Mr. Perry's positive approach towards the internal audit process and his commitment to transparency and improvement. We appreciate the ongoing relationship, which greatly assists our officers. Open communication enables us to conduct more efficient reviews and enhances our understanding of necessary improvements and risk management for the departments we audit. We see ourselves as partners in accountability rather than watchdogs. While we do produce reports and identify areas for improvement, our focus remains on fostering improvement and accountability. We look forward to continuing our annual review of financial statement audits and collaborating with TDC leadership. George and his team have effectively explained the use of reserves, helping us understand their management strategies.
Hillery
I have been around for a long time, and while there’s always room for improvement, the audits this year were superb. Every agency, including film and TV, received excellent audits with zero management comments, which is remarkable given what’s been happening in POI. We conduct these audits annually, not every five years, and I want to congratulate everyone for their excellent work.
Zamora
I appreciate that comment as it reminds me of my previous experience speaking before the board and finance committee. Last year, I carefully reviewed agency audits to ensure everything was in order, as I didn't want to simply say everything was good without being thorough. The positive outcome reflected the hard work and cooperation of the staff with the auditors. This year, I decided to dig deeper and asked the staff to review the audits as well. The combined efforts confirmed that everything is solid. Overall, this agency stands out as one of the cleaner agencies we assess. Thank you.
Drum
I wanted to highlight that Environmental Resources Management (ERM) receives TDC funds for beach management, and recently, David and his team conducted a thorough audit of our contracting and grant processes. Since 75-80% of ERM’s budget comes from
other sources, I am proud to report that we had no findings during this rigorous two-year audit. We prioritize transparency in how we use taxpayer dollars, and we are committed to working closely with David's team to ensure that we meet all necessary standards.
Motion to approve FY24 Agencies Audit Reports was made by Don Dufresne and seconded by Davicka Thompson. Motion carries 8-0 with Deputy Vice Mayor Rob Long absent.
B. TOURISM MASTER PLAN BIG IDEAS* – Emanuel Perry
Perry
We are nearly a year into the Tourism Master Plan process, and now it's becoming more engaging. On April 21st, the steering committee met to discuss community feedback from 2,400 surveys. Key ideas include developing a conference center in North Palm Beach County, a signature music festival, an indoor sports complex, an arts gallery district, a racetrack, a destination distillery in the Glades, and a major wellness attraction. Other suggestions include an immersive venue experience, a global art fair, and an Instagrammable global icon. The steering committee has prioritized enhancing the Convention Center and possibly adding an indoor horse jumping arena and sports complex. We plan to present these recommendations at the Visionary Workshop on June 18th before taking them to the Board of County Commissioners for final priorities.
Mayor Marino
What type of land are we discussing? What is the size of the land? Unless we sell the Garden Farm, which is 110 acres, I am not sure where we would be able to accommodate something like this. When planning, it is important to specify the size you are acquiring and whether it's for a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex. Are you looking for ten acres or forty acres? This information is crucial, as it will help determine potential locations.
Perry
That will be presented before the BCC to establish priority. Does this make sense for our county? If not, we can eliminate it and continue our research for the sports complex. There may be an opportunity to partner with the Parks and Recreation Department. If they have available land, we could invest some funds to create a sports complex that drives tourism.
Peroulakies
Why do we believe we need another Convention Center in the north when our current one isn’t fully occupied?
Perry
This feedback comes from the North County district. They feel that the existing Convention Center is a bit too far for host committees to travel to. This sentiment is specifically from that region of the county.
Segarra
A stakeholder from North County brought this up.
Thompson
In our discussion during the steering committee meeting, you mentioned a small stimulus initiative in South County. It would resemble a smaller version of the South County Civic Center, not a full-scale Convention Center.
Ayala Collazo
It can accommodate around 500 attendees for a large conference.
Dufresne
It’s important to point out that each of these ideas requires more consideration. For instance, when I saw the proposal for a distillery tour, I was confused because there is no actual distillery here. I think there may have been a misunderstanding because there’s a company that produces liquor, but it’s bottled in Tennessee.
Thompson
We did find that there are people interested in opening distilleries in the area, so it remains a viable idea. We just need to determine what that would entail.
Dufresne
These concepts all need further development to move forward.
Mayor Marino
Has any thought been given to pursuing these as public-private partnerships rather than just county initiatives? If in the future we're not allowed to collect bed taxes, that could pose a significant problem.
Commissioner Lambert
Are these ideas ranked in order of priority?
Perry
The ideas are ranked in order by the steering committee.
Commissioner Lambert
Was the topic of public-private partnerships discussed in relation to this ranking? I know there has been some talk about the racetrack and private entities interested in supporting it.
Perry
Once we receive directions from the full Board of County Commissioners, we will explore the full scope and provide substantial detail. Regarding public-private partnerships, this won't be exclusively handled by the county; these are significant ideas that will require contributions from private institutions as well.
Commissioner Lambert
I want to ensure that as we rank these ideas, we are also considering their feasibility. If one idea ranks high but lacks funding or partners, and another ranks lower but has potential partners, that should be taken into account.
Segarra
Each recommendation in the final report from CSL includes pros and cons, along with various others. The exercise we conducted on April 2 involved ranking not only these big ideas but also over 90 different recommendations. Our goal is to present a more condensed group of options for the visioning exercise on June 18. My question is whether we will go with the steering committee's recommendations or open this up to the 200 participants on the 18th.
Dufresne
I would be open to hearing recommendations from outside sources; there may be useful ideas among them. We can reconvene afterward to determine if there is anything worth bringing in. I'm sure county commissioners have their own opinions on this as well.
Mostad
I support an open-minded approach. Let's explore all possibilities. It’s early in this process, and while it's easy to criticize the initial list, we should remain open-minded and let things develop. The documents look excellent upon my brief review. I would like a copy, as I believe all the pros and cons are outlined there. We should reserve judgment on some of this until we thoroughly scrutinize it.
Mayor Marino
Yes, this discussion is much broader than what we are addressing right now.
Dufresne
Yes, because some ideas can be executed simultaneously, while others will face more challenges. For instance, the proposal for an indoor horse jumping arena presents complications since it is on private land. The funding aspect for the racetrack is crucial. We need to consider how we are currently allocating resources for tourism.
Thompson
When will we begin advertising for the public visioning session in June?
Perry
We have already started soliciting participants. We aim to have about 300 members for the session, which will be held on June 18th at the Convention Center.
Thompson
And we are working on advertising those proposed ideas.
Perry Yes.
Segarra
We will do whatever the board decides, but our process over the past 11 months has been to gather ideas. For the record, CSL has engaged with 2,600 people, organizations, or institutions to ensure we provide a level of confidence to Mr. Hostettler, and we have collected a significant amount of information. This is the final result.
Commissioner Lambert
The list indicates that the items are not in rank order, and there is a separate section at the back that lists them by rank. I was confused at first, but I figured it out.
Hostettler
At the June 18th meeting, will we have the opportunity to receive open feedback on these ideas? Is this an open forum for presenting any new ideas?
Perry
This will allow the community to rank the ideas as well. We will have rankings from the steering committee and open public rankings. We will compile that information and present it to this board first for their input, then to the full Board of County Commissioners, as they set the priorities and policies.
Dufresne
We are not on any strict deadline.
Thompson
I cannot bring any new ideas to the June 18th meeting because the opportunity to do so was provided through the surveys we conducted over the past few months.
Mayor Marino
Before we move on to the Convention Center agenda, I want to announce that the RFP and determination for the Convention Center hotel have been canceled. A letter was sent out today to the entire board explaining that the contract with the winning bidder has been canceled due to an error. The circumstances surrounding what they bid on have drastically changed, making it impossible to continue negotiations as presented to the board. This process was never aligned with what the county requires. The focus seems to be from a business perspective rather than considering the benefit of our 1.6 million residents.
Ayala Collazo
A nearly two-year process involving the county's efforts to secure a 600-room hotel to support the Convention Center. As both assistant county administrator and director of Facilities Development and Operations, Collazo oversaw this initiative from the beginning.
In late 2023, the county issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) following a 2020 study recommending minor renovations to the Convention Center and securing additional hotel room blocks. The goal of 600 rooms was based on having already established an agreement for 400 rooms.
The RFP drew three proposals but only one, from City Place Hotel, LLC, was deemed responsive, as the other two failed to submit necessary documents. The proposal from City Place was to build a 400-room hotel on their own land, which did not meet the county's established goal of 600 rooms. The county offered to facilitate access to parking and land for the hotel development, either through a ground lease or by using their own land.
The proposal for the property development, based on the optimal goal of 600 units from the expansion study, includes access to the parking garage, with payment for the required spaces. This was presented to the selection committee, which included various knowledgeable colleagues in tourism and had technical advisors like Dave Anderson and CSL.
The committee recommended awarding the proposal but highlighted four contingencies:
1. The proposal must ensure thorough community outreach coordinated with the county.
2. A review of the number of parking spaces and their compensation is necessary.
3. There needs to be a discussion regarding what is required for construction and any compensation the county might receive for allowing it.
4. The proposal must address the existing garage land easement tied to the property, which is essential since past agreements obligate the developer to build a garage that has not yet been constructed.
The committee stressed the need for conversations about these issues before proceeding with any award.
We needed a sole negotiator to discuss the room block agreement, which is crucial for maximizing the value available to the county and taxpayers. The RFP specified a new room block agreement with clear terms. However, the proposal indicated that the existing room block would remain without negotiation, which the selection committee rejected.
During negotiations, we reached an agenda item for the board to consider material terms by February 11. Just before the meeting, the developer requested to re-engage, proposing a buy-and-lease-back approach that was not included in the RFP. We explained that public procurement requires fairness and that changing the terms post-proposal would not be compliant.
Given the circumstances, we communicated with the developer and set a deadline of May 6 for a decision. They ultimately chose to withdraw, leaving us with no alternative bids. Consequently, I recommended canceling the RFP due to the lack of competing proposals. This process has been conducted in consultation with the county attorney to ensure compliance.
Mayor Marino
I know that once this email goes public, there will be many questions. That is why I want you to provide the board a summary of why it was canceled. We have criteria in place so that everyone bids on the same terms, and changing it would be unfair. If I were one of
the rejected companies and saw a change that I could have bid on, I’d consider suing. We already know the county is the one with the deepest pockets, and we’re in a litigious society. I want you to brief everyone on this.
Dufresne
Regarding the original RFP, did it call for a 600-room hotel?
Ayala Collazo
Yes, it aimed for 600 rooms.
Dufresne
What is the exact language? Do you happen to know the exact wording?
Ayala Collazo
It states that 600 rooms was the goal, but not a requirement. There’s a reason we structured it that way; we wanted to coordinate with the cover and TDC Emanuel's office to ensure we remain flexible. We will evaluate all submissions. The RFP mentioned that any submission with fewer than 600 rooms could negatively impact the evaluation.
Dufresne
This seems to be the first hotel update we’ve had since 2022. Has anyone else received an update?
Mayor Marino
It's a mixed bag it's bad that we don’t have a hotel, but at least now you have a complete picture.
Thompson
With the RFP being canceled, what are the next steps? Where do we stand now?
Ayala Collazo
The developer's unsolicited proposal necessitates a different process under Florida statutes. It requires, the county staff will manage this and seek policy direction from the board. The proposal's implications include financial concerns, as county-owned property does not incur taxes, especially within CRA limits. Staff and legal emphasize that this is distinct from the RFP issue, and if we pursue a different path, we must revise our procurement process.
Hostettler
Can you elaborate on the room block issue?
Ayala Collazo
The room block was established 15-16 years ago, with hotel contracts approved in 2012 following earlier negotiations. Our colleagues at the Convention Center and TDC have indicated that improvements are needed in those agreements. As part of the current RFP, our goal is to optimize the room block agreement.
It's essential to note that the county invested in the infrastructure for long-term growth, and we're now entitled to double the Convention Center's footprint. The garage was built with this mission in mind, anticipating the need for more rooms later.
Thirteen years have passed, and we've learned lessons. The RFP highlights material terms that need negotiation, based on input from the Convention Center and its consultants, aiming to secure a better room block agreement.
This is vital because using parking spaces for a second hotel hinges on revenue from securing events. Our ability to attract events relies on a strong room block agreement to ensure participants can be accommodated.
The room block agreement was critical for the selection committee, which felt the need to revisit the current terms to maximize room availability and enhance event opportunities, ultimately ensuring a better return on investment for the county.
Mayor Marino
This is crucial for the Convention Center's future. If we are not proactive, we risk losing significant tourism revenue. We need to maximize opportunities for the Convention Center’s success.
Hostettler
What percentage was required for the roadblock agreement?
Ayala Collazo
It varies; it's based on the number of rooms tied to how far from the event. I can retrieve more details.
Hostettler
I assume they wanted to reduce the room block agreement with the additional rooms?
Ayala Collazo
No, the developer’s proposal maintained the current room block agreement as stated in the material terms submitted to the Board. Our focus was on defining the periods of interest for both parties, which we will revisit if the board approves the terms.
Commissioner Lambert
The developer who won the RFP owns the first hotel, allowing for negotiations on the room block, which we might not have had with a different developer.
Ayala Collazo
Just to clarify, the current hotel is county-owned but leased to a developer. The room block agreement became a point of discussion during the selection process, and we are looking to revisit it.
Commissioner Lambert
Could you renegotiate if there is a different developer?
Ayala Collazo No.
Commissioner Lambert
Was the 600-room goal based on the existing hotel?
Ayala Collazo
It was based on the CSL study.
Commissioner Lambert
Did that study consider the lack of access to rooms?
Ayala Collazo
Yes, the CSL study included all the hotels in the area and was updated to reflect current developments before the RFP.
Mayor Marino
How many anticipated hotels are not actually being built?
Ayala Collazo
I do not have the analysis.
Mayor Marino
There are hotels planned, but they will not happen, so we need the room blocks even more now because we lack hotel rooms.
Hostettler
Developers must also consider leisure sales, which are strong in West Palm Beach. That's likely why they want flexible room blocks.
Maria Marino
We are offering developers the chance to avoid building a parking structure by using our parking garage, but I find that insulting.
Thompson
You mentioned an unsolicited proposal. Is it possible to forgo a new RFP process if we like it?
Mayor Marino
I am not sure we can do that.
Thompson
Mrs. Ayala Collazo mentioned coming back to discuss the policy.
Ayala Collazo
The county has a process for unsolicited proposals governed by two ordinances. The proposal must meet certain requirements. Staff will prepare a report for the Board of County Commissioners, who will then decide how to proceed.
Peroulakies
I'm eager for the new hotel for our Convention Center; we currently turn down many large conventions. If we restart this process, how long will it take to finish?
Ayala Collazo
The typical six-month RFP process for government entities highlights the potential for protests that can delay procurements if not carefully managed.
Dufresne
Whether building a hotel in less than ten years would be beneficial.
Segarra
I want to express my gratitude for the dedication to the Convention Center's facelift and expansion, emphasizing the need for additional rooms to support its status as a top midsize Convention Center. He urged the county commissioners to prioritize an accelerated meeting to address this policy.
Mayor Marino
Without securing a room block, selling the Convention Center would be difficult.
Dufresne
While the Convention Center is currently successful, is the expansion a necessity, noting that additional hotel rooms could create traffic issues for residents?
Hostettler
More rooms are needed to accommodate existing conventions.
Mostad
Adding rooms would drastically change market dynamics, similar to expanding a restaurant’s capacity.
Mayor Marino
More hotel rooms would attract national conventions without significantly increasing road traffic.
Dufresne
While there’s a desire to expand, the current Convention Center is profitable, and expanding could create inefficiencies if room availability isn’t simultaneously addressed.
Thompson
We’re turning away business due to our current capacity. The revenue potential is clear.
Hostettler
We should focus on changing lease terms rather than re-negotiating room blocks. Can we get there?
Ayala Collazo
We've been asked to step outside the RFP confines, which is a major concern.
Mostad
Should we reissue an RFP with clearer terms that encourage more participants? We must act quickly to capitalize on current opportunities.
Mayor Marino
If we have to compromise too much, I’m against it.
Mostad
Is it acceptable to open up proposals again for those who didn’t qualify earlier?
Mayor Marino
This is our first discussion, and it's important to have it today.
Segarra
We have prospects for the expansion of the Convention Center, which reflects the needs of our community. A professional study shows potential success if we expand our facilities.
Hostettler
Negotiating with one hotel for a larger room block is easier than dealing with multiple hotels for big groups.
Ayala Collazo
We received three proposals but two were incomplete. We need to consult the board on reissuing the RFP, considering lease options and the benefits of a competitive process for the county.
Dufresne
How many rooms did the other submissions have?
Ayala Collazo
I can't answer that; my staff can. I was the sole negotiator, and the other submissions were deemed non-responsive.
C. CONVENTION CENTER
1. OVG Venue Management
a. Update - Dave Anderson
2. OVG Hospitality
b. Update - Kathy Griffin
c. Chef Giovanni Arias Introduction – Kathy Griffin
Brodnicki
In May, we only have one dark day, and we're extremely busy. April had five dark days, three of which were for holidays. We've hosted four conferences and expos recently, including Lynn University's graduation for 5,000 people. We're converting the exhibit hall to a ballroom and, although busy, we’re looking forward to some downtime in July for maintenance.
Griffith
We've been busy since bringing in our new chef, Geo, on March 31. He’s done an outstanding job in just six weeks, and we're excited about updates to our catering menu this summer.
Chef Arias
I’m a Puerto Rican chef with 35 years of experience and awards for my healthy cooking. I aim to elevate the culinary experience at the Convention Center.
D. ERM
1. Update – Deb Drum
Drum
Our annual nighttime sea turtle walks start in June, with five scheduled. We invite you and your families to join us on June 6 for a special VIP night. We're also hosting filmmaker Damien Fitzsimmons for a travel show featuring Palm Beach County's natural areas, filming on May 15. Lastly, we're working on a sand trap dredging project at Boynton and Lake Worth inlets to replenish the beach.
E. CULTURAL COUNCIL
1. Update - Dave Lawrence
Lawrence
Next week is significant for the Cultural Council with category C grants review on Tuesday and category B grants on Friday at our Lake Worth Beach headquarters, starting at 9:00 AM. These sessions are open to the public, providing a chance to see the review process in action.
May is Mosaic month, having kicked off on May 1st. We have a record 29 partners and 34 deals, with a kickoff party at the Garden District Tap Room featuring Mosaic Blonde Ale. Don’t forget to grab your souvenir pint glasses!
Next weekend is our Open Studios program, expanded to a full weekend due to its popularity. Over 110 artists will open their studios for a self-guided tour from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and three artists will be showcased at our headquarters. We are also sponsoring a curator-led bus tour on Saturday; let me know if you want to join.
F. DISCOVER THE PALM BEACHES
1. Update* – Milton Segarra
Segarra
A reminder about the PROVIDENCIA Award and Partner of the Year Award tomorrow for National Travel and Tourism Week. Invitations have been sent, and we have over 275 stakeholders confirmed.
Additionally, regarding the Tallahassee situation, Governor DeSantis hinted he might veto the current tax package, impacting the process moving forward. The session is expected to extend until June 6th, so the next few weeks could be crucial as discussions continue.
Gustav Weibull and Erika Constantine went over PowerPoint Presentation updates
Mostad
The last slide you showed indicated growth compared to the prior year, but it was not clear whether this was actual growth. We weren't third in occupancy for the state. The Keys have always led in rates, and I noticed that their rate growth was the smallest. This seems a bit odd to me.
Weibull
Yes, we are usually third or fourth in actual rate.
Thompson
Will we be discussing local advertising today? I've seen a lot of advertising efforts, particularly regarding Eudemonia. Are we going to have any advertising at the airports or other areas where visitors are coming in?
Constantine
Currently, we are in the ticket-selling phase. While we can't make any calls to provide specifics just yet, we can look into that possibility.
Thompson
Has Eudemonia provided any sort of advertising plan?
Constantine
Yes, the advertising is currently focused outside the county because we aim to drive visitors to stay in local hotels. As we get closer to the event, we may explore more local advertising, and we also have local public relations efforts in place.
Cavers
From a ticket sales perspective, local bookings typically happen about 45 days in advance, so that would be around November. They want to hold off on marketing until then. They are currently engaged in pre-marketing efforts to encourage early ticket purchases, as ticket prices will continue to rise each month. The local advertising will be at no cost.
G. SPORTS COMMISSION
1. Update – George Linley
Linley
We have submitted our semi-annual report detailing every room night, event, and site visit conducted from October 1st to March 31st. In those six months, we hosted 183 events, generating nearly 200,000 room nights, with one-in-five from new events, along with 30 site visits, 75 submitted bids, and 10 events with national or international broadcasts.
Looking ahead to May, we will host 25 more events, including the International Tennis Federation Senior World Championships, attracting athletes from over 30 nations. Additionally, we're hosting an NCAA Division II golf championship.
Regarding discussions in Tallahassee, the county's letter to the state leadership was effective. Conversations about sports tourism have highlighted the importance of our role in attracting events and the broader impact on meetings, conventions, and cultural festivals. It’s vital for us to convey the significance of sports tourism beyond just marketing, as it intersects with all levels of competitions and events.
The professional sports landscape is deeply impacted by funding mechanisms, such as those for the ITF Senior World Championship and NCAA events. Budget cuts often target advertising, but marketing is more than just an expense; it’s vital for sustaining events that benefit both visitors and local communities. For instance, the baseball tournament and other events bring in teams from various states but also involve local participants, enriching their experiences. Parents often express gratitude for these opportunities that allow their children to compete against teams from different regions. It’s important to emphasize the broader benefits of these initiatives and encourage our partners to communicate this narrative effectively.
Mayor Marino
It's not just about advertising; it's about expanding our sports and tourism communities. If I can't communicate my qualifications as an elected official, how will anyone support me? If we don't showcase how great Palm Beach is, people will choose other destinations.
Dufresne
Our messaging has been poor in recent years and needs an overhaul. I've discussed this with Emanuel, and we're hoping to develop a new strategy soon. My concern is that this legislative session may focus on easy revenue solutions, but we need a better strategy moving forward.
Mostad
We've been discussing this for too long. We need to reassess our allocations and consider future projects. It's crucial to prepare for changes and possible caps on funding.
Dufresne
Internally, our efforts might not matter if state-level messaging is poor. Each year brings new challenges; we must develop a comprehensive political strategy.
Segarra
We should also explore new revenue sources to prepare for potential changes to the TDT. If we have flexibility in funding, we should seize those opportunities, but we must also consider alternatives if TDT is reduced or eliminated.
Linley
That's a good point. I believe that, as non-profits, we should focus on generating additional revenue, whether through sponsorships or other means. There has always been a concern, especially since we own our events and generate additional income.
However, we need to balance this with our primary focus on tourism. The state has indicated that while we can continue, we need to seek our own sources of revenue. Essentially, the state is urging us to find alternative funding.
This may require us to be creative with what we are already doing, possibly even expanding on it. We might consider launching our own events to create additional revenue alongside any support we can get from the state.
Dufresne
The $90 million in funding is going to disappear and needs to be replaced.
Ayala Collazo
The RFP for 20 Mile Bend is currently available. It will close on June 6th. We had to extend the timeline to update the standard agreement associated with the RFP, along with some initial requirements.
Mayor Marino
Regarding 20 Mile Bend, specifically on Southern Boulevard, we had issued an RFP for proposals to build a drag strip or an ATV park. The challenge here is that the land is on muck, meaning that any developer will have to deal with a lot of infrastructure issues on their own schedule, rather than relying on the county.
Dufresne
Have we conducted any investigations, such as soil samples or environmental studies?
Ayala Collazo
We conducted a limited environmental assessment some time ago, including soil samples down to about 20 feet. This is based on my recollection.
Mayor Marino
This is a significant issue. Flo Crystals would be willing to take it on, but they may not be happy about moving or transporting it. There has been some discussion about relocating a racetrack to this area as opposed to Moroso, but we haven't heard of any interested parties because it requires a substantial capital investment from whoever plans to develop it.
H. FILM & TV
1. Update – Michelle Hillery
Hillery
I want to comment on the importance of messaging regarding tax reductions, like sales and property taxes. While everyone wants reductions, many don't understand their ramifications. I've been urging my Film Florida Group to educate our base on this topic. Not all film commissions are funded through TDT dollars, about 20% rely on them, and we need to communicate that. Our role isn't just marketing Palm Beach County as a film destination; we also protect the county through our permitting process.
Since January, we have facilitated 171 permits, ensuring production companies have the necessary insurance for public property. Recently, we wrapped a Netflix reality series, facilitating 45 permits for them. We’ve also worked on commercials for Ray-Ban, Sylvester Stallone, and New Balance. Notably, Mr. Beast, a popular gamer, filmed with Serena Williams at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.
We collaborate with Southport Daily, airing repurposed content from production companies, alongside our agency commercials. From January until yesterday, we aired 132 Perfect Place ads and various others, helping promote the county. We're planning to refresh our ads to keep the content current, addressing feedback about it becoming dated.
If a CEO leaves or there’s growth, we need to reshoot and update content as part of the channel's growing pains. Our show reaches 900,000 homes from Palm Beach to Okeechobee, and we are gearing up for our sponsorship and development committee meetings this summer.
We’re examining 19 shows, including nine new ones, such as an “Access for All” show highlighting amenities for people with disabilities and a culinary show focusing on local offerings amid the current Michelin activity. Other shows will cover fitness, wellness, fashion, and sports, including an exciting show with Teo Dorsey.
Additionally, we've just installed Palm Beach TV at the Tide Line, which features 3,500 rooms on channel number one, making us easily accessible.
Lastly, I want to thank the mayor, Isma, TDC staff, and all agency partners for supporting the tourism PSA category at this year's 30th anniversary of the Student Showcase of Films. We had close to 700 attendees, leading to a parking issue, and I appreciate the hard work from my staff and the support from the Department of Housing and Economic Development.
So thank you all very much. And just another reminder, I am leaving for CANNES on Sunday, so I will be there representing Palm Beach County. We are having a whole Florida Day in CANNES. I do not believe it has ever been done before, so I am excited to be able to represent Palm Beach County there. And here's to bringing back some business. 7. BOARD COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting Adjourned at 11:27 A.M.
The next Meeting will be on June 12, 2025.
*Attachment included.
4. CONSENT ITEMS
TO: Tourist Development Council
FROM: Milton Segarra,
President/CEO
DATE: May 30, 2025
RE: Discover The Palm Beaches Monthly Activity Report May 2025
This report provides an overview of Discover The Palm Beaches’ (DTPB) activities in May 2025, highlighting progress toward key TDC performance measures. It outlines significant trends in our owned visitor digital footprint, advertising impressions, social media engagement, and booked room nights for the month.
Overall lodging performance was up in terms of room night revenue to $164M (+17.4%) and room nights sold at 629k (+7.6%). Bed taxes for April are expected to be around $9.8M. The Palm Beaches hotels ranked 1st in Occupancy growth, ADR growth, RevPAR growth and room night revenue growth across all 14 Florida markets.
Key trends driving April performance include:
o Revenue was up across all segments and regions within The Palm Beaches
o Luxury occupancy was down due to new inventory up 8% and selling 4% more room nights
o Delray sold 8% less room nights at a 13% higher rate netting a positive 4% in revenue
o Alternative lodging sold 11% more room nights but at a 3% lower rate with a 8.3% increase in revenue
Key Lodging Performance Numbers for April
o Room demand
▪ Hotels: 434k (+5.2%)
▪ Alt. Lodging: 195k (+11%)
▪ Total Lodging: 629k (+7.6%)
o Room Night Revenue
▪ Hotels: $137M (+19%)
▪ Alt. Lodging: $27M (+8.3%)
▪ Total Lodging: $164M (+17%)
o Occupancy
▪ Hotels: 74.2% (+3.8%)
▪ Alt. Lodging: 59.2% (+16%)
▪ Total Lodging: 71.3% (+5.8%)
o Average Daily Rate (ADR)
▪ Hotels: $316 (+13%)
▪ Alt. Lodging: $321 (-3%)
▪ Total Lodging: $317 (+10%)
o Revenue per Available room (RevPAR)
▪ Hotels: $235 (+18%)
▪ Alt. Lodging: $190 (+12%)
▪ Total Lodging: $226 (+16%)
Total visitation increased by 8.8% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, rising from 2.80 million to 3.05 million visitors. Visitors spent $2.44 billion up from $2.26 billion a year ago.
Growth was broad-based across most domestic markets, with particularly strong gains from key outof-state metros, including the new market focus of Dallas (+46%) and Houston (+36%) which together grew in visitation by 28,000. New York, the top source market by volume, grew a solid 7.9% to more than 411,000 visitors.
International visitation grew by a modest 1.4%. Growth was subdued with a 2.8% decline from Canada, The Palm Beaches’ largest international source market. However, this decline was offset by solid growth from Brazil (+17%) and the UK (+9%).
DTPB OBJECTIVES 2024 – 2025
Leisure/Consumer
• Generate 1,200,000,000 Advertising Impressions
• Generate 4,200,000 in Website Users (New Metric)
• Increase Consumer and Travel Industry database to 470,000
• Generate 250,000,000 Earned Media Impressions
• Generate 7,500,000 Social Engagements
Meetings & Conventions
• Book 175,000 DTPB only room nights (Hotel Meetings Leads)
• Generate 52,500 Group Level Booked Room Nights Convention Center Shared
• Generate 40,000 Group Level Actual FY Room Night for Convention Center Shared
• Generate 95 participants in Destination Reviews
• Generate 105 Destination Site Participants
Discover The Palm Beaches
Monthly Executive Dashboard
Discover The Palm Beaches Monthly Executive Dashboard
Research compiled and published by Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), can only be reproduced through expressed written approval from the DTPB Research Department. The underlining methodologies, algorithms, formulas and data used are considered a TRADE SECRET. For questions please contact research@thepalmbeaches.com.
Discover The Palm Beaches Monthly Executive Dashboard
Discover The Palm Beaches Monthly
Executive Dashboard
Definitions:
Hotel Rooms The number of hotel rooms that are available on any day of the week. This number increases as new properties open.
Hotel Room Nights Available The number of hotel rooms multiplied by the number of nights in a given period a room is available to sell, such as a month or week. This number represents the total available hotel lodging capacity for The Palm Beaches.
Hotel Room Nights Sold The number of rooms sold over a given period. This is the total demand for hotel rooms in The Palm Beaches.
Shared Lodging is described as any accommodation other than typical hotels and resorts without front office staffing
Shared Lodging Rooms The number of shared lodging properties multiplied by the number of rooms per property. This number represents all the alternative lodging options competing with hotel rooms.
Shared Lodging Room Nights (RNs) Sold The number of shared lodging listings booked multiplied by the number of nights and number rooms. This is the total demand for alternative lodging options in The Palm Beaches.
Total Room Nights (RNs) Sold– The sum of Hotel Room Nights Sold and Shared Lodging Room Nights Sold. This is the total demand for overnight lodging in The Palm Beaches.
Room Nights (RNs) Market Share-The percentage of hotel room nights sold within the state of Florida. This indicates the size of The Palm Beaches hotel market and relative performance.
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) - Total room revenue divided by the total number of available rooms. See Room Revenue, Rooms Available. Room Revenue/Rooms Available = RevPAR.
Total Lodging Revenue The number of room nights sold multiplied by the average daily rate (ADR)
12 Month Moving Average (12MMA) - The value of any given month is computed by averaging the value of that month and the 11 preceding months. This is used to eliminate seasonality
Rolling 12 Months The sum of the current month and 11 preceding months. This is used to eliminate seasonality
Average Daily Rate (ADR) - A measure of the average rate paid for rooms sold, calculated by dividing room revenue by rooms sold. ADR = Room Revenue/Rooms Sold. This indicates a travelers willingness to pay for lodging in The Palm Beaches
Occupancy Percentage of available rooms sold during a specified time period. Occupancy is calculated by dividing the number of rooms sold by rooms available. Occupancy = Rooms Sold / Rooms Available. This indicates the health of the lodging market in The Palm Beaches
Rank The placement of The Palm Beaches versus 14 Florida markets (Palm Beach, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Collier, Lee, Sarasota, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Brevard, Volusia, Orlando (Orange/Osceola), Jacksonville (Duval, St. Johns), Panhandle)
Website User The total number of unique individuals accessing ThePalmBeaches.com in a given month. This is a leading indicator of interest and intent to visit The Palm Beaches as a result of DTPB promotional efforts
Research compiled and published by Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB), can only be reproduced through expressed written approval from the DTPB Research Department. The underlining methodologies, algorithms, formulas and data used are considered a TRADE SECRET. For questions please contact research@thepalmbeaches.com.
4,200,000
470,000
478,005
May 2025
PERFORMANCE DASHBOARD
1 Exceeded annual goal in October 2024 as a result of the Council’s annual New York City media event and subsequent article published in Forbes (UVM: 99,621,955)
2 New performance indicator as of 10/1/24. Previous year totals were not measured. The Council expects to outperform this goal as it was set prior to the establishment of the ArtiGras Podcast partnership.
3 Meta (Facebook and Instagram) now only provides “views” as a metric over “impressions.” Impressions measure how many times content is seen, while views measure how many times people engage with that content
4 ArtiGras Podcast analytics for April were not complete in time for early April report deadline. This total has been revised to include both April and May numbers.
HIGHLIGHTS
ADVERTISING
The Council’s advertising plan in May was focused on sub-campaigns MOSAIC (Month of Shows, Art, Ideas and Culture) and Palm Beach County Open Studios in targeted drive markets (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers/Naples, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Atlanta) and local markets (Palm Beach, Broward and Martin Counties). Multi-generational families and young solo travelers were the primary target audiences of the MOSAIC ads, which included digital, print, out-of-home (OOH), and radio placements. Open Studios ads also a mix of digital, print, OOH and radio insertions targeted adults ages 18 to 65 years old.
Both sub-campaigns benefitted from highly visible OOH placements from late April through May. MOSAIC billboards were placed along busy highways in Broward County (I-95 near Pompano Beach, +2.9 million impressions) and Orlando (I-4, +3.3 million impressions). Animated ads appeared in every Brightline station from Orlando to Miami, as well as onboard trains, placed through the Council’s partnership with Discover The Palm Beaches (DTPB). Rideshare vehicle wraps spread the word in busy downtowns via two services: Circuit (West Palm Beach –960K impressions, Lake Worth Beach – 200K impressions) and Freebee (Delray Beach-456K impressions). Also, full page print ads were designed to feel like commemorative posters, appearing in PUREHONEY and The Palm Beach Post.
Two Open Studios branded Freebees drove 497 hours, 4,167 miles, transported 3,176 passengers and generated 456,000 impressions in downtown Delray Beach. Ads in the rideshare’s app (above left) generated 73,000 impressions and 205 clicks.
HIGHLIGHTS
In support of both campaigns, printed collateral and giveaways were distributed to strategic partners through the end of May, including hotels and Visitor Information Centers through The Palm Beaches. More details on those partnerships can be found in the Partner Collaborations section below.
The Council’s agency of record, Push, reported preliminary results of the advertising campaigns as the month ended. MOSAIC digital advertising placements (Google, YouTube, CTV and Meta) generated +6.2 million impressions and more than 63,000 website sessions, with the MOSAIC landing page being the top performing page on the Council’s website during the campaign. Approximately 95% of visitors to the website were new visitors. The campaign also drove more than 15,200 referrals to cultural partners and more than 3,400 people signed up to receive tourism emails. Open Studios digital advertising placements (Google, CTV and Meta) generated +2.4 million impressions and more than 19,500 page views. The interactive Google map for Open Studios was viewed more than 15,300 times and the PDF map and artist listing was downloaded more than 1,000 times. Results were still being tallied and analyzed at the time of this report. Final results are expected to be presented in July 2025.
While we strategically decreased spending on the Council’s cultural tourism advertising campaign in May, our always-on Google Search strategy continued to push cultural travelers to the Council’s website. A cultural tourism print ad also appeared in the May “Escape & Wellness” issue of Modern Luxury Palm Beach magazine, which is distributed to affluent local residents as well as visitors at 4and 5-star luxury hotels, private clubs and other select locations in one last push to support the cultural sector during the area’s shoulder season.
Also in May, a refreshed set of digital ads featuring new imagery promoted the Palm Beach County Black Cultural Heritage Trail, targeting audiences using Google Search, Facebook, and Instagram. Push shared the campaign’s first quarter (Jan.March 2025) had +4 million impressions and engaged audiences were mostly from our local and drive markets (Florida and Atlanta). The Council and Push plan to explore adding video to future ad sets and work to improve the website’s loading times for mobile users (93% for this campaign) got underway in May. Council staff distributed additional Trail rack cards to Visitor Information Centers and other strategic partners in May to support upcoming Juneteenth celebrations.
Co-op advertising packages under the Council’s cultural tourism marketing umbrella included digital signage in the baggage claim at Palm Beach International Airport, :30 second commercials during primetime programming on South Florida PBS, and boosted social media posts. Additionally, a MOSAIC-themed special section in Florida Weekly and a MOSAIC-themed email newsletter offered additional co-op insertions.
HIGHLIGHTS
PARTNER COLLABORATIONS
The MOSAIC 2025 campaign featured partnerships with 29 cultural partners and their cumulative 34 special offers and experiences, the highest number of partners and offers in the celebration’s 7-year history. Most of the MOSAIC partners also signed up to host FAM tours for local, drive-market and national influencers leading up to and during the celebration in May. A survey was sent in early June to each partner to gather their offer redemption results and other feedback, and the Council’s grants team will gather total audience numbers from grantees during a future reporting period to help the Council further measure the campaign’s impact. (The campaign also highlighted 14 cultural attractions that offer free admission but did not sign on as an official MOSAIC partner.)
Palm Beach County Open Studios 2025 was held on May 17 and 18 from 10 am to 3 pm. This year, Open Studios official partners included 117 creative professionals at 55 locations, also the highest in the event’s 3-year history. A survey was sent to participating artists in late May, who so far have reported approximately 1,700 visitors, with many confirming out-of-county origins such as Coral Gables (Miami) and Nantucket (Boston).
The Council increased its hotel partner collaborators to nine locations across the County by the close of the MOSAIC and Open Studios campaigns. Many offered our Shades of Culture pool floats to their guests and distributed informational materials through hotel concierge and/or activities desks. In return, the MOSAIC web page highlighted the hotel partners and linked to Discover The Palm Beaches’ hotel discounts web page. Additionally, Garden District Taproom our host for April’s MOSAIC Kickoff Party—continued serving its MOSAIC Blonde Ale (with MOSAIC branded pint glasses, while supplies lasted) through the end of May.
The giant Shades of Culture supported awareness of MOSAIC and cultural tourism activities through the end of May at the Kravis Center (corner of Okeechobee Blvd. and Sapodilla Ave.) with a planned de-install the first week of June. The giant Shades will go into storage during the 2025 hurricane season. The Tradeshow Shades were installed at PGA National Resort & Spa in support of both MOSAIC and the resort’s summertime Kids Club activities that launched at the end of May. The Council sponsored an activation with Busch Wildlife Sanctuary at the resort as well.
DTPB and the county’s Film and Television Commission (FTC) partnered with the Council to support MOSAIC and Open Studios through their own marketing channels, including digital (website blogs, event calendars, social media) and television (WFLX’s South Florida Daily, Palm Beaches TV NOW, email newsletter) assets. DTPB and the Council also worked together in support of the 561 Musical Festival (a MOSAIC partner) and the City of West Palm Beach the first weekend in May during the #LoveThePalmBeaches Local Music Weekend. The Council will be gathering additional results from our sister agencies in June for inclusion in our campaign results report.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Council worked with DTPB on two additional collaborations in May. Through the 2025-2026 Brightline advertising agreement, a months-long train wrap timed to MOSAIC and the launch of DTPB’s Love The Palm Beaches campaign was secured. The Council hired creative professional Delray Beach resident Meghan Corrigan (shown below) to conceptualize the train wrap with a request to feature cultural attractions and other iconic locations that illustrate our destination. The wrap debuted in early May and will be on the tracks between Miami and Orlando through August 2025. The Council also attended DTPB’s media event titled “Spill The Tea” in New York City on May 14, mingling with travel media representatives and sharing information about Florida’s Cultural Capital®.
The Cultural Council had meetings with the PBC Sports Commission and Webber Marketing in May to discuss the National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) in The Palm Beaches next year. The Council has several ideas to showcase and infuse local arts and culture around the event. One idea is to commission a Palm Beach Countybased artist to create a commemorative poster artwork. We have developed a Call for Qualifications and plan to start the process in June. Other initiatives are still in development.
On May 8 and 22, the sixth and seventh episodes of Season 2 of The ArtiGras Podcast, a partnership with the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce and the annual ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival, was broadcast. The sixth episode featured Carla Stansifer, the curator of Japanese art at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. The seventh episode featured Grace Gdaniec, the program director of Arts Warehouse in Delray Beach. Podcast views for April totaled 486,692 and views for May totaled 400,147.
HIGHLIGHTS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Top Placements
- May 1, Sun Sentinel (UVM: 919,279): “Want to save on fun all May long? MOSAIC has 34 deals on things to do in Palm Beach County”
o Pickup in Yahoo! Life (UVM: 201 million)
- May 1, WPTV-TV (UVM: 1,078,000): “MOSAIC unleashes art and inspiration across the Palm Beaches”
o Additional broadcast on WFLX-TV (UVM: 140,368)
- May 5: Happy Travels (UVM: 445,000): “Reuben Hale Home: Art in the most unexpected place”
- May 6: The Palm Beach Post (UVM: 2.5 million): “On a budget this summer? 10 fun things to do for free or under $20 in Palm Beach County”
o Pickup in Yahoo! (UVM: 3.09 billion)
- May 13, South Florida Daily, WFLX-TV (UVM: 140,368): “MOSAIC Returns: A month-long cultural celebration in The Palm Beaches”
- May 14: iHeart Radio’s “Palm Beach Perspective” (UVM: 33,674): “MOSAIC, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County”
o Additional broadcast on ClickOrlando.com (UVM: 1.8 million)
National Media Outreach
In May, the Council’s PR agency of record, Sharp, coordinated media visits to The Palm Beaches, facilitated paid broadcast interviews and re-engaged with past MOSAIC influencer partners. The agency also continued proactive outreach to toptier publications including Modern Luxury, Reader’s Digest and Southern Living, submitting relevant cultural organizations for editorial consideration.
On May 4, because of ongoing outreach by Sharp, Miami-based blogger Liz Amore of Happy Travels visited the Reuben Hale House & Sculpture Garden in West Palm Beach with her family, resulting in a blog post and 2 Instagram posts. The agency coordinated an additional media visit for Amore to the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum on May 31, with coverage expected to publish in June.
Influencers Caroline Quincy of @sweetcarolinaj (242k followers), Jade Womack of @clockoutdc (135k followers), Cristie Anne of @thetravelingred (127k followers) and Yasmin Charania of @floridawithyasmin (214k followers) posted second rounds of content to Facebook and Instagram in early May following their FAM tours in April. Influencers who visited The Palm Beaches in the past Valeria of @miamituristico (169k followers), Stella Howell of @our.peachy.home (162k followers), Christine Taala of @ultimategirlmom (114k followers), and Amanda Wrate of @amandainorlando (85.9k followers)--also refreshed content and posted about this year’s MOSAIC offers in early May. In total, Sharp secured 74 social
HIGHLIGHTS
media posts that garnered 702,800 impressions and featured 15 cultural organizations in support of MOSAIC 2025.
In late May, the Council took advantage of a paid broadcast opportunity pitched by Sharp to target the Orlando market during MOSAIC. The segment featured a handful of MOSAIC partners and aired on CBS Morning News as well as in the afternoon via News 6 Orlando on May 22. Media outreach and coordination by Sharp to promote MOSAIC 2025 resulted almost 20 placements (a mix of earned and paid), garnering more than 4.3 million impressions. Results are still being analyzed by the Council and the agency, and a final report will be presented in July.
Local/Regional Media Outreach
In May, the Council enjoyed a vast array of local coverage for MOSAIC, Open Studios, its gallery exhibitions and its advocacy work in support of the cultural sector.
Our local PR consultant secured television (WPTV, WFLX) and radio segments (iHeart Radio) about MOSAIC and Open Studios, notably a “Shining A Light” television segment featuring live interviews and demonstrations with artists working at Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts. The two tourism campaigns were also covered locally by PUREHONEY, Stet News, WLRN, and others. A full report on the sub-campaigns’ earned media will be provided in July.
Additionally, the Council enjoyed coverage from WFLX’s South Florida Daily show, The Palm Beach Post, and Travel and Tour World as a top place to visit The Palm Beaches this summer and included information about current exhibitions. An interview with WLRN (“Florida arts funding remains uncertain, but Palm Beach County agency is hopeful”; UVM: 207,000) highlighted important cultural sector funding updates in Florida.
ADVOCACY
In May, the Council’s advocacy team continued to monitor the Florida legislative session and key issues related to arts and tourism. We supported DTPB with letters/emails to Senate and House leaders about legislation that could impact TDT tax. We anticipate more activity in June when state leaders return to Tallahassee to finalize the budget.
SECTOR SUPPORT
On May 1, the Council hosted its second “Coffee and Culture” program of the fiscal year as part of its monthly Institute for Cultural Advancement (ICA) professional development series. Facilitated by Council and TDC staff, this free program targeted new employees of local cultural organizations as well as local artists new to the
HIGHLIGHTS
area. It included a networking session with light refreshments and a presentation about the Council’s services as well as those provided by the TDC.
During May, the Council’s Community Engagement department supported the following cultural events through financial sponsorship:
• On May 3, The Synergy Network and The Percussion League hosted the annual CHOPPED Championship Drumline Competition at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth Beach. Fourteen schools and over 250 performers from all over Florida competed for the title, with 200 additional people in the audience. A $500 sponsorship was provided by the Council to support students and event related expenses.
• In celebration of Haitian Flag Day, Artfro Collection hosted their annual exhibition on May 18 at the Boca Raton Marriott at Boca Center. This immersive event celebrated the richness of Afro-descendant creativity through fine art, music, and cultural heritage. The event also paid tribute to one of Haiti’s revolutionary cultural figures, Frankétienne, through cultural performances. The Council provided a $500 sponsorship in support of the event.
• Ebony Chorale of The Palm Beaches held its Spirituals Conference and Concert on May 25 at First Presbyterian Church in North Palm Beach. Through its performances of the Negro Spirituals, The Ebony Chorale seeks to raise, as well as reaffirm, the great tradition and contribution made to American music by African Americans. This year’s concert also featured Palm Beach Children’s Choir and visiting choirs from Indiana, Mississippi, and Washington.
The Council uses its community sponsorship program to build the pipeline for grant applicants. All three of the groups above may be eligible to apply for a C-I grant next year.
Also in support of the sector, Council staff members attended exhibitions, performances and special events at downtown West Palm Beach’s waterfront and Meyer Amphitheater for #LoveThePalmBeaches Local Music Weekend, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (Young Singers of the Palm Beaches’ Spring Concert, Palm Beach Symphony’s Encore Community Concert), The Peach, Hatch 1121, Norton Museum of Art and Art After Dark, Palm Beach Zoo, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Cox Science Center and Aquarium, and other locations. Council staff also attended the Palm Beach County Commission Meeting on May 6 to accept a Proclamation naming May as Arts & Culture Month, Travel Rally Day on May 9 at The Belgrove Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach, and a retirement send-off for County Administrator Verdenia Baker on May 19, also at The Belgrove Resort. Additionally, on May 14, the Council participated in the Mounts Botanical Garden’s Master Plan Kick Off Meeting.
May Activity Report 2025
Sports Tourism Report May 2025
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s campaign of events in May signifies why The Palm Beaches is a leading sports destination in Florida. The room night demand for the Sports Commission’s event portfolio during May is projected to be over 16,000. The sports-related attendees will be visiting from across the nation and globe, while significantly increasing hotel occupancy levels.
The Sports Commission will host 24 events, which combine to create a regional, national, and global reach. The list includes an array of impressive events, such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Men's Golf National Championship, International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Championships, Sunshine State Games Lacrosse Summer Kick-Off, AVP Beach Volleyball, and the Prospect Wire Southeast Championship. The room night projection of 16,155 is forecasted to generate $3,672,355 in hotel revenue and $220,340 in bed tax.
Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Calendar
Palm Beach County Sports Commission Sports
Sports Tourism Report
Fiscal Year 25 - Summer Months of June & July
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s campaign of events in June and July signifies how sports travel is one of the strongest tourism products during the traditional off-season for The Palm Beaches’ tourism industry. The room night demand for the Sports Commission’s event portfolio during the months of June and July is projected to be 49,837 room nights delivering an estimated 199,348 athletes and spectators traveling to The Palm Beaches. The sports-related guests will be visiting from across the nation and globe, while significantly increasing hotel occupancy levels.
The Sports Commission will host 37 events, which combine to create a regional, national, and global reach. The list includes an array of impressive events, including some of the nation’s notable amateur sports properties. USA Gymnastics, Perfect Game USA, Prospect Select Baseball, Florida State Golf Association, United States Tennis Association (USTA), and the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSA) are examples of organizations that will host noteworthy sports tourism events over the next couple of months.
Additionally, the top two soccer teams in the world will begin their journey to the FIFA Club World Cup in The Palm Beaches. Real Madrid and Manchester City ranked first and second respectively in the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) men’s club standings—are set to train in The Palm Beaches this summer before match play begins for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in North America. Real Madrid will utilize Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens while Manchester City will train at Lynn University in Boca Raton. These FIFA Club World Cup Team Base Camps will bring the FIFA Club World Cup directly to The Palm Beaches. The team practices will not be open to the public.
The 37 sports events, scheduled for June and July, are bringing a room night demand of 49,837, which is a projected $8,960,693 in hotel revenue and $537,642 in bed tax The list includes an array of impressive events, including some of the globe’s most notable amateur sports properties.
The height of Palm Beach County’s off-season traditionally occurs during the late spring and summer months Many of the events taking place during the summer require a significant commitment of resources, due to committed event partnerships, event production requirements, operational and logistical support, on-site staff assistance, and marketing support. These events not only create substantial overnight stays and economic impact for our destination; but are also creating incredible memories and inspiring return trips to The Palm Beaches for thousands of visitors. Moreover, these events allow Palm Beach County’s youth and adult teams the opportunity to compete against athletes from other states and nations. The 2025 collection of summer events has also solidified Palm Beach County’s position as a leading sports destination in Florida. The months of August and September will bring nearly another 20 national and global events, including the 2025 Nautique WWA Wakeboard World Championships presented by GM Marine, which is expected to generate over 8,000 room nights and the Davis Cup, which is anticipated to generate over 2,500 room nights.
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission has developed a summer lineup in June and July that is rich in tradition and tourism. Events such as the USA Gymnastics Rhythmic Developmental Championships, Junior Tour Powered by Under Armour Summer National Championship, Prospect Select Baseball’s National Showcase and World Series, and the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) Summer Series, Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) 108th Amateur Championship, Nike Elite Soccer Camps, and the USTA Boys 18's & 16's National Clay Court Championships, are driving forces that help define Palm Beach County as a top sports destination The summer collection of events is a result of strong event retention efforts combined with the recruitment and development of new sports tourism generating products.
Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Sports Tourism Event Calendar
Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Sports Tourism Event Calendar
Palm Beach County Sports Commission Sports Tourism Event Calendar
Real Madrid & Manchester City to Train in The Palm Beaches, FL Ahead of 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
The top two club soccer teams in the world will begin their road to a FIFA Club World Cup title in The Palm Beaches. Real Madrid and Manchester City ranked first and second respectively in UEFA’s men’s club standings are set to train in The Palm Beaches this summer before match play begins for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in North America. Real Madrid will utilize Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens while Manchester City will train at Lynn University in Boca Raton. These FIFA Club World Cup Team Base Camps will bring the FIFA Club World Cup directly to The Palm Beaches. The team practices will not be open to the public.
The FIFA Club World Cup is an international tournament that brings together the top clubs from each of the six continental confederations, plus the host nation's champion, to compete for the title of the world’s best soccer club. Real Madrid has won the competition a record five times, while Manchester City claimed the most recent championship in 2023. A Team Base Camp acts as a home away from home for teams participating in the World Cup. A Team Base Camp is a training site and accommodation pairing that will serve as the primary base for teams during the group stage, where they will train, rest and prepare for their matches.
The FIFA Club World Cup is an international tournament that brings together the top clubs from each of the six continental confederations, plus the host nation's champion, to compete for the title of the world’s best soccer club. Real Madrid has won the competition a record five times, while Manchester City claimed the most recent championship in 2023. A Team Base Camp acts as a home away from home for teams participating in the World Cup. A Team Base Camp is a training site and accommodation pairing that will serve as the primary base for teams during the group stage, where they will train, rest and prepare for their matches.
“This is an exciting time for North America as it prepares to host two of the world’s biggest soccer events the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said George Linley, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. “As global attention turns to the United States, Florida and The Palm Beaches will proudly serve as an unrivaled sports destination, and we’re thrilled to partner with FIFA and two of the game’s most iconic clubs, Real Madrid and Manchester City.”
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission, City of Palm Beach Gardens, and Lynn University collaborated in securing the rights to host both clubs at premier facilities in The Palm Beaches –The Gardens North County District Park and Lynn University. The North County Gardens District Park in Palm Beach Gardens has become a premier soccer destination in Palm Beach County. The 82-acre complex features 10 lighted Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass multipurpose fields built to FIFA regulations, with state-of-the-art LED lighting for optimal play. The Gardens North County District Park was a training site for numerous international teams participating in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the CONMEBOL Copa América over the last two years in addition to five Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs in 2025. Moreover, The Gardens North County District Park served as the venue to the nation’s premier soccer tournaments and showcases.
Training sessions by Real Madrid and Manchester City mark a continuation of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s growing role in global sports tourism. In recent years, The Palm Beaches have accommodated training camps for teams in both Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), as well as premier youth and amateur organizations such as U.S. Soccer, the Development Player League, 3v3 Live.
NCAA DII Men’s Golf National Championship PGA National Resort
The 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championship will be held at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens from May 19-23, co-hosted by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission and Palm Beach Atlantic University. This marks the second time this national championship will be contested in The Palm Beaches, with the previous event taking place in 2021. Admission to the event is free and open to the public.
This National Championship consists of both team and individual competitions conducted concurrently. In total, 108 golfers (20 qualifying teams and eight individuals) will compete in The Palm Beaches. After 54-holes of stroke play, the top eight teams will advance to the single elimination medal match-play finals. The individual champion will be crowned after the 54-hole stroke play competition.
Atlantic/East Regional:
Teams: Davis & Elkins, Gannon, Charleston (West Virginia)
Individuals: Nolan Skaggs (St. Thomas Aquinas), Johnny Solari (Adelphi)
Central/Midwest Regional:
Teams: Central Oklahoma, Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri S&T, Central Missouri
Individuals: Marco Anderson (Washburn), Yadhu Urs (Ohio Dominican)
South/Southeast Regional:
Teams: North Georgia, Wingate, West Florida, Columbus State, Lee, Lincoln Memorial, Florida Southern
Individuals: Asmund Norum (King, TN), Felipe Gomez (Georgia Southwestern)
South Central/West Regional:
Teams: Colorado Christian, Oklahoma Christian, Cal State East Bay, St. Mary’s (Texas), Cal State San Bernardino, West Texas A&M
Individuals: Agustin Pizzorno (Colorado State Pueblo), Cambron Nevill (Sonoma State)
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s successful bid for this NCAA Championship event signifies a historic milestone. This event represents the fifth NCAA Golf Championship event to take place in The Palm Beaches over the last seven years.
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is enjoying an unprecedented pace of winning bids and organizing NCAA Golf National Championships. The 11 NCAA Golf Championships bids awarded and nine (9) NCAA Golf Championships that have taken place in The Palm Beaches over a 10-year span is more than any other destination in the United States. As a part of these tourism development efforts, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission will also organize the upcoming following NCAA Golf Championships, which include the 2026 Division II Women's Golf Championship, the 2027 Division I Women’s Golf Regional, the 2027 Division II Men’s Golf Championship, and the 2028 Division I Men’s Golf Regional.
Events & Operations
Event Support
College Football Playoff National Championship Game
Secure agreement with Palm Beach County Convention Center and 2026 CFP Host Committee for Kickoff Luncheon in September
• Sunshine State Open
Finalizing Contract Obligations
• USTA National Men’s 70, 85, 90 Clay Court Championships
• Prospect Wire Florida Fall Classic
• Prospect Select Fall World Series
• Perfect Game Summer Series
• Columbus Day Discovery Showdown
• World Comes to the Palm Beaches
• Perfect Game WWBA World Championship
• USTA Columbus Day Open
• Men’s Senior Baseball League
• International Rush Cup
• I Do Beach Tennis ITF World Tour 2024
• Association of Pickleball Professionals Boca Raton Open
• Delray Beach Pickleball Classic
• Equestrian Holiday & Horses Circuit
• Battle Youth National Championship
• “Little Mo” Internationals in Florida
• Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon
• Hardball 360 Fall Tournament
• Delray Beach Riptide Fall Tournaments
• World Pickleball Classic
• Winter Equestrian Festival
• Paradise Puck Series
• Florida RUSH
• Boca Raton International Masters
• USA BMX Sunshine State Nationals
• Florida Exposure Cup
• TGL Presented by SoFi
• Gauntlet of Polo
• USA Fencing 2025 Regional Youth Championship – Battle at the Beach
• Delray Beach Open
• Junior Tour Powered by Under Armour Winter National Championship
• East Coast Championships SoFlo Nationals
• Palm Beach Challenge College & International Baseball Festival
• Development Player League (DPL) The Summit
• James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational
• World Pickleball Convention, Conference and Championships
• Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) 108th Amateur Championship
• Prospect Wire Southeast Championships
• Prospect Select Summer Series
• Play at the Plate
• Hardball 360 Spring Training
• Wellington March Madness
• South Florida Collegiate Baseball League
• International Tennis Federation (ITF) Masters World Championship 60s
• International Tennis Federation (ITF) Masters World Championship 65s/70s
• Perfect Game Summer Series
• Junior Tour Powered by Under Armour Summer National Championship
1. Category G Grants
a) Perfect Game WWBA World Championships /Perfect Game WWBA 13U & 14U World Championship (October 3-20, 2025) – CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium & Santaluces Athletic Complex- $129,000 Cat. G 13,470 Room Nights
b) Columbus Day Discovery Showdown (October 9-12, 2025) – Palm Beach Skate Zone and Palm Beach Ice Works- $8,000 Cat. G 800 Room Nights
c) USTA Columbus Day Open Hosted by the City of Delray Beach (October 11-13, 2025) - Delray Beach Tennis Center, Delray Swim & Tennis Club, the Boca Raton Swim & Racquet Club, Broken Sound Country Club, Boca West Country Club, and Hunters Run Country Club- $7,500 Cat. G 500 Room Nights
d) World Comes to the Palm Beaches (October 22-26, 2025) CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, Seminole Palms Park & Santaluces Athletic Complex - $20,000 Cat. G 1,800 Room Nights
e) I Do Beach Tennis ITF Palm Beach World Tour 2025 (November 5-9, 2025) – Riviera Beach Municipal Beach Park- $35,000 Cat. G 3,500 Room Nights
f) Men's Senior Baseball League Fall Classic (November 8-22, 2025) - CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches and Roger Dean- $75,000 Cat. G 7,920 Room Nights
g) International Rush Cup (November 20-23, 2025) – The Gardens North County District Park$20,000 Cat. G 1,366 Room Nights
h) 2025 FuelTech Hydrodrags Nationals/World Championships (November 22-23, 2025) – Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park- $10,000 Cat. G 1,000 Room Nights
i) Equestrian Holiday & Horses Circuit (November 26 - December 21, 2025) – Wellington International – $20,000 Cat. G 12,375 Room Nights
j) “Little Mo” Internationals in Florida (December 5-10, 2025) - Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center$17,500 Cat. G 1,700 Room Nights
k) Battle Youth National Championship (December 8-14, 2025) Village Park Athletic Complex and Greenview Shores Park- $120,000 Cat. G 13,860 Room Nights
l) Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon (December 13-14, 2025) Meyer Park Amphitheatre$25,000 Cat. G 2,160 Room Nights
m) Holiday Basketball Classic in The Palm Beaches (December 27-30, 2025) Palm Beach Gardens High School, The Benjamin School, and Palm Springs Middle School- $15,000 Cat. G 1,500 Room Nights
n) Elite Tournaments Girls Pre-Academy Championships (January 23-25, 2026) Village Park Athletic Complex and Greenview Shores Park- $15,000 Cat. G NEW 1,206 Room Nights
o) Men’s Eastern National Championships (April 23-26, 2026) Palm Beach County Convention Center- $25,000 Cat. G NEW 1,500 Room Nights
SPORTS TOURISM EVENT CALENDAR
June 2025
Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) 108th Amateur Championship (Men's)
Date: June 5-8, 2025
Sport: Golf
Venue: BallenIsles Country Club (East & South Courses)
Prospect Select Palm Beach Classic
Date: June 6-11, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Venue: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Florida State Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) Palm Beach Gardens Classic
Date: March 14-15, 2025
Sport: Pickleball
Venue: Patch Reef Park
Delray Riptide - Bash at the Beach
Date: June 7-8, 2025
Sport: Lacrosse
Venue: Seacrest Complex
SoFlo Summer Shootout
Date: June 7-8, 2025
Sport: Lacrosse
Venue: The CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
2025 USA Gymnastics Rhythmic Development Program Championships
Date: June 7-8, 2025
Sport: Gymnastics
Venue: Palm Beach County Convention Center
Elite Soccer Camps
Date: June 9-13, 2025
June 16-20, 2025
June 23-27, 2025
Sport: Soccer
Venue: Palm Beach Atlantic University
Prospect Select Palm Beach Open
Date: June 12-15, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Venue: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
Florida State Golf Association - Women’s Amateur Championship
Date: June 12-15, 2025
Sport: Golf
Venue: The Bear's Club
Cal Ripken State Tournament 6U and 8U
Date: June 12-15, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Venue: Gardens Park
USSSA Swamp Classic
Date: June 14-15, 2025
Sport: Softball
Venue: Amanda J. Buckley Field of Dreams, Gardens Park, Lake Catherine Sports Complex, Lake Lytal Park, Palm Beach Gardens High School, PGA National Park
Speed Capital Justin Gatlin Championship
Date: June 14, 2025
Sport: Track & Field
Venue: Dr. Garcia High School
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Club World Cup
Date: June 14 -July 7, 2025
Sport: Soccer
Venue: The Gardens North County District Park & Lynn University
Perfect Game Ultimate Baseball Championship
Date: June 16-19, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Venue: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
Perfect Game WWBA Jupiter Invitational
Date: June 16-19, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Venue: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Hurricane Junior Golf Tour Mayacoo Lakes Junior Open
Date: June 18-19, 2025
Sport: Golf
Venue: Mayacoo Lakes Country Club
Junior Tour Powered by Under Armour Summer National Championship
Date: June 18-22, 2025
Sport: Golf
Venue: PGA National Resort
Big Dog Fat Cat KDW Shootout
Date: June 20-21, 2025
Sport: Fishing
Venue: Sailfish Marina
Prospect Select World Series (16U-18U)
Date: June 21-25, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Venue: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Cal Ripken Baseball 9U -11U State Championship
Date: June 25-29, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Venue: Okeeheelee Park
World Pickleball Convention, Conference & Championships
Date: June 27-29, 2025
Sport: Pickleball
Venue: Palm Beach County Convention Center
Perfect Game 13U WWBA National Championship
Date: June 28 - July 2, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Venue: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
Florida Flag Football State Championships
Date: June 28-29, 2025
Sport: Flag Football
Venue: Village Park
Sports-Development
Sports Development Executive Summary
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission (PBCSC) is deploying an aggressive sales and sports development effort to increase the number of sports tourisms generating events taking place in The Palm Beaches. The PBCSC continues to cultivate relationships with event owners, as well as identify, solicit, secure, and retain sports events to grow room night actualization. Below is a recap of sports development efforts that have taken place during FY25.
Event Bids & Development
A primary mechanism for event solicitation is through the Event Bid and Development process. To recognize potential bid opportunities, the PBCSC will be at the forefront of the industry and engage with event owners. Bid submission is a highly effective tool to recruit sporting events. Attached is a comprehensive list of the bids that have been submitted in FY 25, and below is a breakdown of the development efforts over the past month:
• CF Montreal – Major League Soccer Winter Team Training
o February 2026
o 100 Participants, coaches , staff
o 650 Projected Room Nights
o The Gardens North County Distrcit Park
• Jamaican National Basketball Team Base Camp Training
o July 28th – August 6th, 2025
o 225 Projected Room Nights
o 45 Players / Coaches
o Florida Athlantic University and St. Andrews School Boca
• Balling on the Beach Boys National Basketball Tournament
o June 19 - 21, 2026
o 7500 (250 teams plus attendees)
o 2,800 - 3,200 Total Room Nights
o Palm Beach County Convention Center
• Sporting KC – Major League Soccer Winter Team Training
o February 2026
o 100 Participants, coaches , staff
o 650 Projected Room Nights
o The Gardens North County Distrcit Park
• USA Judo November 2027 Presidents Cup
o November 17-21 2027
o 125 – 250 participants
o 675 Projected Room Nights
o Palm Beach County Convention Center
• PrimeTime Lacrosse Winter Showcase
o December 19th – 21st, 2025
o 1,000 athletes
o 75–90 coaches
o 1,100 Projected Room Nights
o National Polo Center, Beldi Polo Club
• 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Team Base Camp Training
o June 14th – July 7th, 2025
o 100 Participants
o 5,000 + Projected Room Nights
o The Gardens North County District Park
• True Lacrosse All Region Games
o January 9th – 11th, 2026
o 80 Teams
o 650 Projected Room Nights
o Florida Atlantic University
• USA Field Hockey National Hockey Festival
o November 24 – 26, 2025
o 130 participating Teams, 2,000+ Athletes
o 3,200 Projected Room Nights
o National Polo Center
• 2025 Davis Cup Team 2nd Round Qualifier
o September 7th – 14th, 2025
o 14 Teams
o 2,000 Projected Room Nights
o Delray Beach Tennis Center
Event Site Visits
When trying to bring events to Palm Beach County, engaging event rights holders to conduct a site visit or familiarization tour is one of the most beneficial event development strategies. Site visits allow for an event owner to explore potential sports venues while experiencing Palm Beach County’s tourism assets, such as hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Attached is a comprehensive list of the site visits that have been conducted in FY 25, and below is a breakdown of site visits conducted over the past month:
• May 7th, 2025 – EDP Soccer – Viewed Jupiter Community Park - EDP Soccer Florida Winter Showcase
• May 20th, 2025 - FIFA 2026 World Cup – England National Team Members – Viewed Various Palm Beach County Hotels and Soccer Facilities – Team Base Camp
• May 28th, 2025 – United States Tennis Association – Davis Cup 2ndr Round Qualifier – Delray Beach Tennis Center – Delray Beach Hotels
New Event Development – USTA Davis Cup 2nd Round Qualifier
Representatives from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) visited Palm Beach County to assess the Delray Beach Tennis Center and evaluate multiple hotel accommodations in preparation for the recently awarded 2025 Davis Cup Second Round Qualifier. This visit was a critical step in ensuring that all facilities meet the standards required for hosting an international tennis event of this caliber.
The Delray Beach Tennis Center, located on Atlantic Avenue, has a rich history of hosting premier tennis events, including the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup matches. The venue boasts an 8,200-seat stadium and has undergone recent upgrades to enhance player and spectator experiences, such as expanded hospitality areas and improved amenities.
In addition to the tennis center, the USTA delegation toured several local hotels that will be potential accommodations for players, officials, and guests. Notable options include the Hyatt Place Delray Beach, The Seagate Resort offering modern amenities and proximity to the venue, The Grand Opal Resort & Spa, The Ray, and The Atlantic Suites on The Avenue
The site visit underscores the importance of collaboration between local authorities, hospitality providers, and the USTA to deliver a successful event. Feedback from this visit will inform final preparations and ensure that Delray Beach is well-positioned to host the Davis Cup qualifier later this year.
Palm Beach County Sports Commission Bid Calendar - FY25
Palm Beach County Sports Commission Bid Calendar - FY25
Palm Beach County Sports Commission Bid Calendar - FY25
Palm Beach County Sports Commission Bid Calendar - FY25
Palm Beach County Sports Commission Bid Calendar - FY25
Palm Beach County Sports Commission Bid Calendar - FY25
Palm
Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Fam Tours with Event Rights Holders
Palm Beach County Sports
Palm
Sports
Event Rights Holders
Communications-Digital Marketing
Marketing & Promotions
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s mission is to champion Palm Beach County as a premier sports tourism destination and the marketing department supports that mission through strategic communications, marketing, public relations, a plethora of digital media services, and more.
Media Coverage Highlights – May
The following stories were written and published by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission in May, contributing significantly to our ongoing public relations and marketing efforts. Full earned media reports are attached. The figures below represent the total potential audience generated by these features, showcasing the national and international visibility of Sports Commission-supported events:
• Championship Golf Returns to The Palm Beaches: NCAA Division II Men’s Finals to Tee Off at PGA National Resort
o Potential Reach: 162,008,957
• Real Madrid and Manchester City Set to Train in The Palm Beaches Ahead of 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
o Potential Reach: 128,608,123
• AVP Launches 2025 Season in The Palm Beaches with Matches at Delray Beach Tennis Center
o Potential Reach: 64,833,079
Social Media
Across all social media platforms that the Palm Beach County Sports Commission operates, these are the performance statistics for the month of November. In November 2024, our social media performance saw notable growth across key metrics compared to October 2024, emphasizing the effectiveness of increased content and engagement strategies.
Audience Growth:
o Total followers across platforms increased by 0.12% to 25,699.
Impressions (Reach):
o Total impressions from social media were 6,817
Campaign Implementation
In May, the Unrivaled In Every Way brand campaign for the Palm Beach County Sports Commission continued its rollout through the Sports Commission’s event partners including the African American Golfers Hall of Fame, ITF Seniors World Championships, and the AVP Tour.
The campaign showcases the Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s new slogan, "Unrivaled in Every Way," reinforcing the county’s status as a premier sports destination. Through on-site branding, digital promotions, and collaborative social media efforts, the campaign reached thousands of athletes, spectators, and sports enthusiasts.
The main advertisement (left) is used primarily in print publications such as program guides while the social media sized images (seen below) are distributed to event partners so they may circulate our messaging to expanded audiences for the Sports Commission.
Real Madrid, Manchester City Training in The Palm Beaches
From 6 March 2025 - 3 June 2025
Mention Streams:
by
Media
Type The volume breakdown by Media Type was:
Print, Online, TV, Radio sources and programs ranked by volume of mentions.
Sentiment
Percentage of positive, trending positive, neutral, trending negative and negative coverage as rated by a third party.
Coverage Volume Timeline
From 6 March 2025 - 3 June 2025
A breakdown of mentions by media type displayed over the selected coverage period. palm beach,manchester city, real madrid
A breakdown of mentions by media type with cumulative potential audience over the selected coverage period.
Coverage by Media Type
From 5 May 2025 - 3 June 2025
Total mentions by media type over the selected coverage period.
Leading Online Journalists Leading Online Sources
From 5 May 2025 - 3 June 2025
Top 10 Online journalists ranked by volume of content published.
AVP Volleyball Delray
From 5 May 2025 - 3 June 2025
Top 10 Online sources ranked by volume of mentions.
AVP Volleyball Delray
Leading TV Programs Leading Organisations
From 5 May 2025 - 3 June 2025
Top 10 TV programs ranked by volume of mentions.
From 5 May 2025 - 3 June 2025
The most frequently mentioned organisations found within the Mention Stream. Font size indicates the frequency of the keyword by volume.
Advertising Value Equivalency
From 5 May 2025 - 3 June 2025
Cumulative Advertising Value Equivalency by media type for the selected coverage period.
Potential Audience Reach
From 5 May 2025 - 3 June 2025
Cumulative potential audience reach by media type for the selected coverage period.
AVP Volleyball Delray
$532,950 in Total over 30 days AVP Volleyball Delray
64,833,079 in Total over 30 days
Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Marke ng Impressions
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission plays a pivotal role in promoting the significance of sports and recreational events in The Palm Beaches, thereby generating substantial marketing impressions. By attracting and hosting a diverse range of sporting events, the Sports Commission not only showcases the vibrant sports culture in Palm Beach County but also brings in athletes, fans, and media attention. These events create a wealth of marketing impressions, capturing the interest and enthusiasm of a broad audience. These impressions extend beyond the sporting events themselves, contributing to the county's economic development through increased tourism, local business exposure, and a boost to The Palm Beaches' reputation as a sporting destination. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission's commitment to showcasing the county's athletic prowess underscores its role in boosting marketing impressions.
Total Impressions this Period: 2,127,104
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission utilizes impression data to refine marketing strategy. By analyzing impressions from various promotional activities and events, insights are gained into which campaigns are resonating most with which target audience. This data-driven approach enables the effective allocation of resources, optimization of messaging, and overall enhancement of promotional efforts to attract more sports visitors to Palm Beach County.
PBTV CELEBRATES BANNER YEAR AT 46TH ANNUAL TELLY AWARDS IN THIS ISSUE
Palm Beach County’s official tourism TV channel is celebrating a banner year with 11 wins at the 46th Annual Telly Awards, recognizing excellence in video and television across all screens. Eight tourism-branded series featured on The Palm Beaches TV as well as the 2024 special on the Student Showcase of Films (SSOF), produced by PBC’s Channel 20, were honored among 13,000 global entries. Pop Star Productions' What’s Poppin’ PBC?, hosted and executive produced by Kitty Lundan and directed by Ron Mentor, earned Gold in the General Travel & Tourism category for its “Tasting and Touring in The Palm Beaches” episode. The show also secured Bronze for its “Access for All” episode. Reflecting on the wins Lundan said, “Started with a camera and a dream, now we’re Telly Award-winning GOLD and Bronze.”
AA Video, based out of West Palm Beach, also racked up three awards for its eco-adventure shows with Silver wins for Parks in The Palm Beaches and Wild Palm Beaches, and Bronze for Equestrian Life in The Palm Beaches Jetsetter Films secured three more trophies with Fest Quest of The Palm Beaches and Day Tripping in The Palm Beaches, for its showcase of vibrant events and day-trip gems. Meanwhile, the AI-themed 2024 SSOF, hosted by three-time Emmywinner Frank Licari, earned Bronze in Live Events & Experiences thanks to PBC’s Channel 20 production. Apex Video’s series also won this year, with Pets in Paradise securing Silver, and Travels and Traditions with Burt Wolf capturing Bronze in the Museums & Galleries category. For more information on the award-winning content visit pbfilm.com/press-releases and find your next County adventure on ThePalmBeaches.TV
The latest national commercial for RAGÚ Sauce recently filmed in the heart of Downtown Delray Beach, combining rich tradition with South Florida charm. Produced by Underhill Productions out of New York City, the spot features three authentic Italian grandmothers, lovingly known as nonnas, serving up RAGÚ to pedestrians along the downtown area.
Palm Beach County continues to draw major talent and high-impact productions, including music videos. Jupiter native and resident, Tyler Cameron, widely recognized from Going Home with Tyler Cameron, filmed scenes with country music star Dustin Lynch for his debut song, Florida Boy Blues, along the intracoastal waterways. Meanwhile, reggae star Sean Kingston filmed scenes for his collaboration with Stephen Sharer (Back to You) throughout the County, showcasing the County’s topical vibes. And, 21 to Burn brought the fire for their song “Head Games,” shot at the Woodlawn Cemetery in West Palm Beach These productions showcase the versatility of the County’s locations.
Filmed along the vibrant sidewalks of Atlantic Avenue, the commercial captures the genuine reactions of real people as they sample the classic sauce, set against palm trees and sunlit storefronts. The production brought together local crew, vendors and talent, offering an economic lift while showcasing Palm Beach County, Florida, as a sought-after destination for high-quality commercial work.
DELRAY GETS SAUCY WITH RAGÚ NONNAS
SURF MEETS SOUND IN THE PALM BEACHES
TRIBECA GETS A TASTE OF THE TROPICS
The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission (FTC) is heading to New York City for a strategic marketing mission during the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival. On Sunday, June 8, the FTC will co-sponsor Apples & Oranges, a Film Florida-hosted networking event at SoHo House that connects Florida-rooted filmmakers with industry leaders. The goal: promote The Palm Beaches as a premier, film-friendly destination. The event offers a prime opportunity to share success stories, location highlights, and answer any questions about filming in Palm Beach County. The FTC will also take part in Tribeca’s Creators Forum and attend select press and industry events, strengthening ties with top creators and decision-makers. This mission supports the FTC’s ongoing efforts to spotlight the County’s production advantages and attract projects to film The Palm Beaches.
NEW STARS JOIN THE FTC CAST
Three outdoor series produced by AA Video, Parks in The Palm Beaches, Wild Palm Beaches, and Hooked on The Palm Beaches return this summer with new episodes, airing to 40 million viewers on Destination America. From July 5 – August 9, host Donnell McCant leads Season 2 of Parks in The Palm Beaches through six episodes featuring outdoor adventures, fitness, and camping across Palm Beach County’s parks.
Nature lovers can catch Season 4 of Wild Palm Beaches with James Currie from August 16 – 30, and get inspired to explore the region’s biodiversity and scenic landscapes. Currie also returns to host Hooked on The Palm Beaches, reeling in both saltwater and freshwater fishing action from Jupiter, Boca Raton, and Lake Okeechobee. These new episodes will be available on ThePalmBeaches.TV, just in time for your next outdoor adventures!
The Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission (FTC) is thrilled to welcome Alexis Oteng-Amponsah and Afya Greene to the team! Alexis joins as the FTC’s newest Production Coordinator, bringing fresh energy and a creative spirit from Florida Atlantic University, where she recently earned a dual bachelor’s degree in Film and Communication Studies. A Central Florida native, Alexis has produced short films, web content, and an award-winning podcast.
Joining the FTC as its Content Development & Marketing Specialist, Afya brings international film commission experience from her time at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Office. With a background in creative project management and strategic communication, Afya is passionate about connecting storytelling with purpose and impact. We’re excited to see both Alexis and Afya thrive here in ThePalmBeaches!
WORLD OCEAN DAY FILM FESTIVAL
The 4th Annual World Ocean Day Film Festival, will be held June 7 and 8 at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. The festival will feature ocean-themed films and interactive exhibits. June 8, World Ocean Day, has a free, family-friendly “By Kids, For Kids” line-up of youthcreated films, and the Florida premiere of Turtle Walker ThePalmBeaches.TV is proud to support the preservation of the natural landscapes that attract visitors and locals to The Palm Beaches. Its shows frequently feature conservation leaders who inspire viewers to explore and become stewards of the County’s natural gems. 2025 Silver Telly award winner, Wild Palm Beaches spotlights Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s rehabilitation and educational mission to preserve the sea turtle population. Frank Licari also featured Manatee Lagoon in its “Riviera Beach” episode of On the Town in The Palm Beaches with Frank Licari and host Cindy Hing made a stop at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in the “Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens” episode of Day Tripping in The Palm Beaches. For more information on the film festival and to RSVP visit marinelife.org
THE PALM BEACHES TV ARRIVES AT TIDELINE RESORT
The Tideline Palm Beach Ocean Resort and Spa, ranked among Florida’s top resorts by Condé Nast Traveler readers, is now streaming The Palm Beaches TV on Channel 1 throughout all its 134 luxury rooms and suites. Guests can enjoy nearly 140 hours of destination-driven programming that highlights the inclusive spirit and unique experiences that make ThePalmBeaches a must-visit destination. While relaxing on the resort’s private white sands near the Lake Worth Beach and Pier, visitors can plan their adventures in the County with curated shows like: Kids Quest in The Palm Beaches for family activities; Hooked on The Palm Beaches and Parks in The Palm Beaches for outdoor experiences; and cultural favorites like What’s Poppin’ PBC?, Fest Quest of The Palm Beaches, Passport to The Palm Beaches, and The Bright Life of The Palm Beaches. Want to watch ThePalmBeaches.TV during your stay at one of our hotels in PBC? Just ask the property to add PBTV to their in-room channel lineup!
AA VIDEO TO RELEASE SERIES THIS SUMMER
SIGNATURE STAYS, CURATED DAYS:
FOCUS ON FILM
THE PINK RETREAT BLOSSOMS IN PBC
PRO BEACH VOLLEYBALL TELEVISED IN DELRAY
From June 19–22, Palm Beach County, Florida, will once again bloom in shades of pink as The Pink Retreat makes its return. The vibrant, Lilly Pulitzer-inspired women’s getaway sponsored by Discover The Palm Beaches brings hundreds of fans together for four days of fashion, friendship and fun. The Hilton West Palm Beach serves as home base for the event. Highlights include a cookie decorating class with Food Network star Jamal Lake and a guided Worth Avenue tour with author and historian Rick Rose. Popular events include open art studios hosted by ArtSea Living and foodie favorites like the West Palm Beach Food Tour. The Pink Pop-Up Shop, sponsored by GatorLillys, offers all-day shopping with local vendors, and each night wraps with themed parties like the Pajama Lounge and a kickoff celebration at TheGardensMall.
WPB FOREVER! SCREEN ON THE GREEN IS BACK!
Every second Friday of the month, the WestPalmBeach waterfront transforms into a movie lover’s dream with Screen on the Green, a free outdoor film series held from 7–9 p.m. on the Great Lawn in downtown West Palm Beach. The family-friendly event invites locals and visitors to enjoy classic and contemporary movies under the stars, all with stunning waterfront views.
The series began with the musical comedy Pitch Perfect (PG-13) on May 9th.
On June 13, Black Panther (PG-13) will light up the big screen from 7 9 p.m. T’Challa returns to Wakanda to claim his place as king and must summon the Black Panther to protect his people. The film is a powerful blend of action, culture and heart. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a night of outdoor cinema. Visit here for more details.
The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball League hit the sand for its 2025 season with a powerful opening serve in Delray Beach over Memorial Day weekend, spiking the energy at the Delray Beach Tennis Center with action-packed matches. Friday’s matches aired on CBS Sports Network while Saturday’s aired on The CW Network
The wave of excitement for the tournament began with global viewers tuning into the qualifying matches streamed live on YouTube. AVP Commissioner Robert Corvino shared, “Beach volleyball is one of the most electrifying sports in the world now, with The CW and CBS Sports, we’re giving it the primetime spotlight it deserves.” The holiday weekend line-up attracted spectators with special hotel rates in the heart of one of Florida’s top-ranked beach destinations in The Palm Beaches, positioning the County as a premier sports tourism destination.
CELEBRATING PRIDE IN THE PALM BEACHES
Palm Beach County celebrates Pride Month this June, and The Palm Beaches TV captures the County’s welcoming an inclusive spirit in its programming.
Passport to the Palm Beaches featured the Pride Parade in its “See & Be Seen” episode, while On The Town in The Palm Beaches with Frank Licari captured the Gay Polo League in its “LGBTQ+ Pride” episode. What’s Poppin’ PBC? also spotlighted Rolando Barrero, artist and Founder of Gay Travel & Leisure, in the “Hola PBC!” episode.
According to The Palm Beaches, “The Palm Beaches welcomes everyone…its 39 cities and towns have a diversity of people and stories to tell…the best way to appreciate a fusion of cultures is to travel and experience the best of every community.”
FIND ENDLESS WAYS TO PLAY IN PARADISE FROM ON THE TOWN IN THE PALM BEACHES
In the latest episode of On the Town in The Palm Beaches with Frank Licari, viewers will find recreational and year-round play in PalmBeachCounty,Florida. With its miles of stunning beaches, scenic parks, vibrant nature preserves and entertainment, The Palm Beaches is always ready to play! A special pre-screening of “Play in the Palm Beaches,” hosted by South Florida PBS will be held from 6:30 p.m.— 8:30 p.m. at the Arts Garage in Delray Beach. Attendees will learn where locals and visitors can find more ways to enjoy paradise, from watersports to golfing on lush, worldclass courses. Frank also explores entertaining fun with the arts at the County’s museums, hidden gems off the beaten path as well as dining and shopping for every budget and style. Tune in to this latest episode on Saturday, June 28 at 5 p.m. on WXEL and on Monday, June 30 at 10p.m. on WPBT and find where next to spend your time on the town! Relive the moments by streaming all the episodes of On The Town in The Palm Beaches with Frank Licari on ThePalmBeaches.TV.
Up Close & Personal (1996), starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer, filmed a powerful climactic scene at Hundley Farms in Belle Glade. The remote airstrip and surrounding sugar cane fields stood in as a remote location, where Redford’s character, Warren Justice, prepares to board a plane to Panama. On the phone with Tally (Pfeiffer), who is covering a hostage situation, Warren coaches her through what to say live on-air. As the conversation ends and he moves toward the plane, he is tragically shot and killed. The film was made on a $60 million budget and earned approximately $90 million worldwide. While it wasn’t a blockbuster hit domestically, it found success internationally and is memorable for its iconic CélineDion (who was a resident of Jupiter during that time) ballad “Because You Loved Me.”
This month, we’re spotlighting locations that combine history with character, charm, and cinematic appeal for productions.
DuBois Pioneer Home – Jupiter With panoramic views of the inlet; the house dates back to 1898. The two-story wooden-frame structure provides a rustic, Old Florida aesthetic ideal for historical narratives or coastal backdrops.
Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens –
West Palm Beach Once the home of sculptor Ann Weaver Norton, the Monterey Revival Style home features pecky cypress ceilings and combines artistic heritage with lush plantings and sculptures that rise from the gardens.
Lake Worth Casino Building – Lake Worth Beach Originally built in the 1920s, the Mediterranean property is a versatile ocean front venue ideal for storytelling, photoshoots with both modern and vintage angles.
Fred C. Aiken House – Boca Raton
One of Old Floresta’s standouts, blending Spanish-style design with lush landscaping. From wrought-iron details to intimate interior spaces, the home offers vintage vibes along with stylish sophistication. Find more historic locations for production in PBC here.
EDUCATION CORNER JAZZ HANDS & JULY PLANS
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (2025 Chamber of Commerce & Providencia Award winner) hosts performance arts summer camp programs under the guidance of professional artists for students ages 9-22.
· ArtsCamp, a theater camp for ages 9-11, from June 2-20 encourages campers to explore acting, dance, technical theater and vocal music and culminates in an showcase performance.
· The Broadway Artists Intensive (TBAI), a three-week audition only musical theater training program for ages 14-22 taught by Broadway professionals from July 7-26. The curriculum includes acting, vocal technique and repertoire, theater dance, audition technique and improvisation. It also has an intensive TBIA Junior program that runs from June 23 – 27. For more information on arts summer camps in the County, visit pbfilm.com
SAVE THE DATE: ARTY FALK GOLF CLASSIC
The annual Arty Falk Memorial Golf Classic returns on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Golf Club of Jupiter. The school fundraiser begins with a putting contest at 7 a.m., a shotgun starting at 8 a.m. and will close with an awards lunch at 12:30 p.m. Each year, Palm Beach Gardens High School hosts the event in honor of their late Magnet Program founder, Arthur (Arty) Falk. It honors his legacy and raises funds for its six choice programs: Television and Film Production Technology, Culinary Arts, Global Business and Entrepreneurship, Medical Sciences (Pre-Medicine), Sports Management and Recreation, including Tourism, Hospitality and Resort Management. To register your participation visit www.artyfalkgolfclassic.com/
Contributors: Angie Crocitto, Afya Greene, Josh Hyber, Alberto Jordat, Kelly King, Alexis Oteng-Amponsah,
Production Activity Report
For April 2025
Variance Explanations
Percentage change variances of ± 10% in performance statistics are explained in this section.
1. Hotel Room Nights: A 15% YTD decline in hotel room nights represents a 77-percentage point swing from the previous month, when YTD hotel room nights were up 62%. This sizable shift is primarily due to the exceptionally strong performance in this category in April 2024, which was driven by two major productions that did not repeat in April 2025. Specifically, the American Cornhole League’s season kick-off event generated over 1,800 hotel room nights last April, while the Polo Docuseries produced by Boardwalk Pictures contributed an additional 450 room nights. These two productions alone generated 2,305 hotel room nights, the entirety of the YTD deficit when comparing 2025 to 2024. When this is taken into account, April 2025’s hotel room night totals align with historical averages for this time of year.
2. Total Productions: The 28% increase in Total Productions is primarily driven by Seersucker’s filming activity for their upcoming reality series Members Only. The production was active throughout The Palm Beaches between February and April, securing nearly 50 permits. In addition, the FTC tracked an additional 18 shoots for Members Only that did not require a film permit because they took place on private property Meanwhile, overall production activity remains strong and the FTC expects momentum to continue in the months ahead.
3. TotalLeads: The24%YTDdeclineinTotal Leads remains relativelyunchangedfromlast month.This decrease is still largely attributed to the typical post-wrap slowdown after several FTC/PBTV-sponsored productions converted in the previous year (2024). A new wave of PBTV-sponsored programming, expected this summer, will provide new opportunities for Lead generation as new and returning shows get approvals for FY26. With this anticipated activity in Q3 and Q4 of FY25, Total Leads remain on track to meet or exceed annual goals
4. Lead Responses: A 24% decrease in Lead Responses goes hand-in-hand with the overall drop in Total Leads, as there are fewer leads to respond to.
5. Lead Conversions: The 40% decrease in Lead Conversions corresponds with the overall drop in Total Leads and a natural seasonal shift in production demand. Despite the YTD decrease in this category, 40 of the 68 leads generated in 2025 have successfully converted into production business for Palm Beach County
6. Website Unique Visitors: A 45% increase in Website Unique Visitors is due to the effectiveness of the FTC’s digital marketing initiatives. The surge in online engagement suggests that outreach efforts, including targeted advertising and social media campaigns, are successfully driving more traffic to the FTC and PBTV websites.
SERVICETITAN ELITE TRADES CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES QUALIFYING IS OPEN
Longview News-Journal Finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to the ServiceTitan Elite Trades Championship Series at the West Palm Beach Convention Center. The
Vance: US will walk away unless Russia and Ukraine agree deal - Dhaka Tribune
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Nominate your favorite play of the school year for the Palm Beach County Power Play Award
The Palm Beach Post ... Palm Beach County Convention Center. Nominate your top play by uploading video to the contest page linked here: https://palmbeachpost
Nominate your favorite play of the school year for the Palm Beach County Power Play Award
Yahoo Sports Palm Beach County Convention Center. Advertisement. Advertisement. Advertisement. Nominate your top play by uploading video to the contest page
A new era is beginning - The News International
The News International Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, November 6, 2024. Reuters. The global strategic environment has been
Mike Lowell is guest speaker for Palm Beach County H.S. Sports Awards
The Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Convention Center. The show is produced with the support of Baptist Health Orthopedic Care. Lowell won his first World Series with his
Regina Lark tackles closet chaos science at Closets Conference & Expo Woodworking Network ... Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. In her presentation, "Stuffed and Stressed: The Brain Science Behind Closet Chaos and
Marlins legend Mike Lowell guest speaker for Palm Beach County High School Sports Awards - MSN MSN Palm Beach Convention Center. How To Borrow From Your Home Without Touching Your Mortgage · Ad. LendingTree. The show is produced with the support
FAU Celebrates Spring 2025 Graduates Florida Atlantic University Palm Beach County Convention Center. Marilyn Wallach – She and her late husband, Kurt, bestowed FAU with a transformational legacy gift to
Bestselling author Scott Miller to deliver keynote at Summit of the Americas – TR Business TR Business the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West. Palm Beach, Florida. Miller is the senior advisor on thought leadership at coaching company
Miami Beach Convention Center renews major contract - South Florida Business Journal The Business Journals Oak View Group manages several other event spaces across Florida, including the Palm Beach County Convention Center, the Seminole Theatre in Homestead
18th Annual My Teacher My Hero Gala in West Palm Beach - WPBF
WPBF The 18th Annual My Teacher, My Hero Awards Gala took place Saturday, May 3, at the Palm Beach Convention Center 18th annual my 
SERVICETITAN ELITE TRADES CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES QUALIFYING IS OPEN
8 News NOW Finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to the ServiceTitan Elite Trades Championship Series at the West Palm Beach Convention Center. The
Loudonville-based design firm takes home international award Times Union Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. The award recognizes the firm's outstanding craftsmanship and contributions to the interior
Stronger than the Storm and NEW DAY to Host Psychological First Aid Training at 2025 ... WJHL The conference will be held from Sunday, May 11 through Friday, May 16, 2025 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center and the Hilton West Palm Beach
South Florida's largest home expo returns to Palm Beach - CBS12
CBS12 The Home Design and Remodeling Show returns Memorial Day weekend, taking over the Palm Beach County Convention Center from May 23 to May 26
Concerned about economic chaos? Attend Wood Pro Expo Florida! - Woodworking Network Woodworking Network The event takes place June 11-13 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, Florida. All-day conferences in both the Closets and
Trump to announce US will call the Persian Gulf the Arabian Gulf, officials say | FOX 32 Chicago FOX 32 Chicago ... Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images). The Brief. President Donald ...
Longevity-Focused Wellness Expo to Debut in West Palm Beach | Newswire Newswire.com Tickets are on sale for The Longevity Expo, a new, two-day wellness event coming to the West Palm Beach Convention Center, Saturday and Sunday, May 31
Trump nominates Kirsten Davies to be next DOD CIO - DefenseScoop DefenseScoop Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images). President Donald Trump has
Brazilian firm bringing award-winning door system to Closets Expo | Woodworking Network Woodworking Network Palm Beach County Convention Center. The Brazilian company's EVO system has won numerous international awards for combining technology, safety and
Locations announced for 2026 Men's and Women's Development Program National ... USA Gymnastics Palm Beach, Florida will play host to the Eastern Championships at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, while the Western Championships will
See which boys volleyball players made Spring All-County selections - The Palm Beach Post The Palm Beach Post The winners will be announced during the live show on Wednesday, May 28, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The show is presented with
A weekend of wellness - Palm Beach Florida Weekly Palm Beach Florida Weekly The Longevity Expo will be held at the West Palm Beach Convention Center, Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1. For more information, the full
Closets Expo preview video: Casa Bossanova leather accessories - Woodworking Network Woodworking Network Each is a distinct media brand of Woodworking Network. The twin-bill event is scheduled for June 11-13, 2025, at the Palm Beach Convention Center in
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DEFINITE Room Rental by Month - FY 2025
May 2025 Project Status Report Department of Environmental Resources
South Lake Worth Inlet Maintenance Dredging: The project was completed by removing approximately 60,000 cubic yards of material from the adjacent sand trap, the Harvey E Oyer Jr Park boat channel and cut P50 of the Intracostal Waterway. The material was placed below mean low water along Ocean Ridge. This project was the first time a pipe sleeve was utilized to route the shore pipe under SR A-1-A instead of along the inlet seawall The project was achieved through a partnership with the Florida Inland Navigation District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the City of Boynton Beach.
SEAGRASS MONITORING
Cocoplum Nature School at Seacrest Scrub: ERM’s Outreach and Science Communication team collaborated with Natural Areas Staff and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Gopher Tortoise Biologist to bring the world of gopher tortoises to life for Cocoplum Nature School students 35 students rotated through three interactive stations at Seacrest Scrub Natural Area, each focused on a unique aspect of gopher tortoise life: Inside the Burrow, Exploring Scrub Habitat, and Anatomy & Adaptations It was a day full of discovery, connection, and appreciation for one of Florida’s iconic keystone species!
CORAL REEF TRAINING WITH FDEP
Management
Seagrass Monitoring: This seagrass season, ERM biologists are monitoring seagrass at habitat restoration sites throughout the Lake Worth Lagoon Seagrass is flourishing at multiple sites, and green sea turtles have been observed feeding on the seagrass beds within these sites Please take precaution when boating to keep seagrass beds, sea turtles and other marine species safe by staying aware of your surroundings and reducing your speed
Coral Reef Training With FDEP: Did you know that the Florida Coral Reef Protection Act (CRPA) makes it illegal to anchor on or damage coral reefs along Florida’s Southeast Coast (from Martin to Monroe County)? ERM divers attended a 2-day hands-on training course with FDEP staff where they learned all about how the State monitors and investigates CRPA violations ERM staff learned about what they can do to assist in rapid response to such violations.
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
Maria G. Marino, Mayor, Sara Baxter, Vice Mayor, Gregg K. Weiss, Joel G. Flores, Marci Woodward, Maria Sachs, Bobby Powell Jr.
COCOPLUM NATURE SCHOOL AT SEACREST SCRUB
SOUTH LAKE WORTH INLET MAINTENANCE DREDGING
Bald Eagle Nests at Natural Areas: For the first time, ERM has documented successful bald eagle nests at two PBC natural areas! Land management staff and one dedicated site steward are monitoring two bald eagle nests at Loxahatchee Slough and Pond Cypress Natural Areas Successful nesting of this species demonstrates that restoration efforts have been effective in providing critical habitat for our national emblem and many other raptor species
Wildfire Rehabilitation at Yamato Scrub: A 20member chainsaw crew, Team Rubicon, assisted with the felling of approximately 100 trees that perished in the April 2024 wildfire at Yamato Scrub. The focus of this project was to clear dead, hazardous trees from the hiking trail and other public use facilities. The crew completed this substantial task under the direction of ERM staff and free of charge ERM is grateful for Team Rubicon’s support of this effort!
Wetland Delineation Training: ERM hosted a FDEP wetland delineation training at Cypress Creek Natural Area. The two-day training had over 50 participants representing regulatory agencies from across the state Instructors taught the wetland delineation process to environmental permitting staff who will use what they learned to better protect Florida’s natural resources
Agama Roundup at Juno Dunes: Members of the Everglades and Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas joined forces for a workday to remove an invasive lizard, Peter’s rock agama, from the Juno Dunes Natural Area The event served as a chance to get ahead of a potentially detrimental problem as agamas are known to eat native insects and small native reptiles. Thank you to all the agencies that participated, including University of Florida - The Croc Docs, Martin County, Indian River County, Broward County, FWC, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and US Department of Agriculture
UPCOMING ERM EVENTS
During the month of June, experience the tranquil beauty of a loggerhead sea turtle nesting on the beach at night! Participants will be led onto the beach, under the direction of our biologists, to quietly observe a loggerhead sea turtle nesting and returning to the ocean ensuring minimal disturbance to the sea turtle. Sea turtle walks are pop-up events and will be posted on ERM’s EventBrite page. Follow us on social media to be notified when a new event is posted and secure your spot by registering on EventBrite. Turtle walks are FREE and are offered on a first come, first served basis.
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
Maria G. Marino, Mayor, Sara Baxter, Vice Mayor, Gregg K. Weiss, Joel G. Flores, Marci Woodward, Maria Sachs, Bobby Powell Jr.
initial 2yr agreement with 2 additional 2yr. renewals
DPBC-Zimmerman Agency LLC R2018-1120 Public Relations
@ $16,000 mo. optional services not to
(1) 2-yr renewal one (1) 1-yr renewal with ext. for COVID exceed $58,000 for a total R2021-0160 of $250,000
Culture-Push, Inc.
Marketing Services $201,000 annual fee not to 10/1/21
1 yr. with 2, 2yr. renewals (R2021-0401) (R2022-0788) (R2024-1155) exceed $300,000 including travel and other out-of-pocket
DPBC-Professional $223,160 10/1/23 9/30/24 Convention Management Association (PCMA) (sole Source)R2024-0831
DPBC-Brand USA
Transparent Media $663,075
Partners R2024-0601
CONVENTION CENTER
CC-F&B Oakview Group (OVG)
(2022-0948)
DPBC - FOREIGN MARKETING
DPBC-Vox International, Inc. $92,125 annually 10/1/24 2/30/27 (Canada) Not to exceed $276,375
DPBC-LMG Management
Not to exceed $288,000 (Germany)
DPBC - ARIAREPS (Colombia)
$85,500 annually 10/1/24 9/30/27
Not to exceed $256,500 (Brazil)
$18,000 annually Not to exceed $103,000 10/1/24 9/30/27
DPBC – Fauhaber
DPBC – MMGY
CULTURAL COUNCIL QUARTERLY REPORT
BEACH COUNTY
Lead Palm Beach County's tourism marketing program by serving as expert to the cultural sector, stewarding funds and strategies that attract key audiences.
Increase awareness of Palm Beach County as a cultural destination through integrated advertising, marketing, and public relations efforts.
Expand co-op opportunities for cultural organization partners to increase their reach and market the destination.
Promote the Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. building as a cultural destination and informational hub for the county.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Tourist Development Council
Cultural Council of Palm Beach County
Semi-Annual Performance Measures
PERFORMANCE
(clicks to organization or
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Tourist Development Council Sports Commission
Semi-Annual Performance Measures
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Tourist
5. OLD BUSINESS
To: Tourist Development Council
From: Emanuel Perry EP
Date: June 06, 2025
Topic: TDC Dashboard June Report–Activity April and FYTD 2025
Bed Tax Collections:
April 2025 collected in May was $9M compared to the same month last year at $8M, an increase of 11%. Actual April was 13% above Budget and (32%) below the prior month at $13M. Actual April was 13% higher than 2023.
FYTD 2025 Collections at $72M were higher than last fiscal year to date at $66M by 8%. Fiscal Year to Date Collections at $72M are 12% above the Approved Budget. FYTD 2025 Collections of $72M were 11% higher than FYTD 2023 Collections.
Highlights Key Room Metrics: Rooms Sold for
than
than prior April by 18% Hotel Room Net Sales FY25 Year over Year April
Room Sales FY25 Year over Year April
18% @ $132M vs $112M
3% @ $25M vs $24M Hotel Room Net Sales FYTD 2025
11% @ $978M vs $880M
Room Sales FYTD 2025
5% @ $216M vs $206M FYTD 2025 Taxable Revenues Fiscal Year over FY2024
Palm Beach International Traffic:
Total Passengers April 2025 846,547 7% Higher than April 2024
Total Estimated Seat Capacity 1,050,753 4% Higher than April 2024
PBI Passengers 12 Month Rolling 8,582,023 8% Increase from last year same period
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION
(fromtoplefttoright)
MayorMariaG.Marino(Chair), JimMostad(ViceChair), CommissionerChristinaLambert,ElenaPeroulakis, DanielHostettler,DeputyVice-MayorRobLong,DonaldP Dufresne,Esq.,DavickaNicoleThompson,MabelMelton B O A R D O F C O U N T Y C O M M I S S I O N E R S
Palm Beach County has achieved a historic milestone,welcomingarecord9.9millionvisitors this past year. This remarkable level of visitation generated an impressive $10.5 billion in economic impact, reinforcing tourism as one of the most vital pillars of our local economy. These efforts help support more than 96,000 jobs across the county. Sustainability and long-term growth remain a priority as we invest $10.5 million in beach renourishment, preserving our coastlineforvisitorsandresidentsalike.
Our destination continues to shine through its diverse offerings. The arts and cultural sector drew nearly 4 million attendees, reflecting the strong appeal of our museums, galleries, and performances. We also proudly hosted over 200 sporting events, bringing athletes and fans from across the country to enjoy our top-tier venues andhospitality.
The Palm Beach County Convention Center continues to drive growth in group business, trade shows, and corporate meetings, while our thriving film and television sector welcomedover500productioncompaniesshowcasingthenaturalbeautyandversatility ofThePalmBeaches.
Tourismisnotjustaneconomicengine,it’sasourceofpride,communityconnection,and opportunity. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to elevate PalmBeachCountyasAmerica’sFirstResortDestination.
Sincerely,
Mission: To lead the promotion of tourism in Palm Beach County by empowering collaborative partnerships, advocating appropriate destination defining developments,andensuringthesteadygrowthofvisitors.
Vision: Palm Beach County will be a globally recognized destination that all travelers will want to visit and experience because of its culture, lifestyle and amenities.
The TDC is tasked with managing contracts and overseeing the operations of these four marketing agencies:
In addition to protecting our 47-miles of coast line, the TDC supports:
Unlike Ad Valorem tax dollars, Tourist Development Taxes (TDT) are established through Florida Statute 125.0104. While the taxes come with a restricted use, they are designed to allow a county to invest in future tourism.
The TDC’s administrative team ensures that Bed Taxes are spent in accordance to Florida Statute, with the goal of not only creating a destination that attracts visitors, but also enriches the lives of our residents.
RESULT IN BED TAX COLLECTIONS ALL RENTALS
SHORT-TERM RENTALS INCLUDE HOTELS & HOME SHARING SITES LIKE AIRBNB & VRBO
STRETCHING STRETCHING THEPENNIE$
Penny
1st
Penny
4th
InfrastructureFunding
The first & fourth penny of Bed-Tax collections are used for renewal & replacement of facilities that bring national and international tourism to the County such as: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, & The PBC Convention Center.
Reinvested into Fueling Tourism
The remaining four pennies are combined and invested into County funded agencies that promote Palm Beach County as a premier tourist destination and protect our 47-miles of pristine Florida coastline.
Afterseveralmonthsofmeetings,PalmBeachCountyhasenteredintoacontractwith CSL Consulting, the leading advisory and planning firm specializing in providing consulting services to the sports, entertainment, convention and leisure industries.
The Tourist Development Council Board & Board of County Commissioners had a vision to create a Tourism Master Plan (TMP), which will outline a 20-year visionary mapfortheCounty.The18-monthprocesswillservekeypurposesincluding:
THE VISION CONSENSUS BUILDING
THE
PLAN
GUIDANCE FOR INVESTORS
This plan will also help stakeholders understand where to direct their efforts as the tourism vision is realized
THE
The Tourism Master Plan (TMP) seeks to assist in creating agreement amongst stakeholders involved in tourism-related development This will allow tourism to grow to new levels in Palm Beach County
Bepartof theplan! PALM BEACH COUNTY IS INVESTING IN OUR TOURISM FUTURE
RESULT BALANCING SUPPLY & DEMAND
Finally, the plan will help align the experiences desired by residents and visitors, with the activities and experiences offered by stakeholders
TOURISM IS BOOMIN
BUTDON’TJUSTTAKEOURWORDFORIT
American Cornhole League
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission partnered with American Cornhole League for the first time to host the 2024 American Cornhole League Kick-off Battle on April 3-7, 2024, at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. The American Cornhole League (ACL) promotes and develops cornhole as a sport for any age and skill level. The organization establishes the rules and regulations to govern the sport around the world – stating that “Anyone Can Play, Anyone Can Win ” The American Cornhole League Kick-off Battle is represented by 300 coed athletes mostly ranging from the ages of 18-35.
The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films (SSOF) is the largest student film competition and award show in the state of Florida It serves as the cornerstone of the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission’s education outreach, celebrating Florida’s student filmmakers since 1995. This unique program is specifically designed to inspire and recognize talent within Florida’s award-winning educational system, with the goal of strengthening the workforce in Palm Beach County and throughout the state. PBCFTC and the County partner with the Jupiter Maltz Theatre and together with our generous sponsors, have awarded more than $45 million in cash, prizes, scholarships, equipment, and in-kind services over its lifetime
The 2024 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, held at PGA National Resort, significantly boosted Palm Beach County's economy. Attracting over 200,000 spectators, the tournament generated more than $40 million in economic impact, contributing to local businesses, hospitality, and tourism Beyond its economic influence, the event demonstrated a strong commitment to community welfare In 2024, it distributed over $65 million to more than 50 philanthropic organizations, including a $2 million donation to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation Additionally, the tournament launched the "Growing the Game Grant Program" in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore, providing new golf equipment to local nonprofits and making the sport more accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds
2024 Cognizant Classic 29thStudentShowcaseofFilms MOSAIC: Open Studios 2024
For the seventh year running, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County presents MOSAIC Month of Shows, Art, Ideas, and Culture Throughout May, the locale’s vanguard of arts institutions treated residents and visitors alike to a special slate of programming and deals on experiences
Over 25 organizations participated in 2024, including several of the area’s staples Running May 1 to 31, MOSAIC offered deals on admission and experiences at museums, animal encounters, and dance, theater and musical performances-among other cultural activities Open studios, part of the MOSAIC, will again be invited to engage with Palm Beach–based painters, glass blowers, photographers, jewelry makers, sculptors, printmakers, and more, either at one of these sites or in the creative’s home studio It’s an unparalleled opportunity to get to know an artisan’s creative process and take an artwork home
Running parallel to Palm Beach County’s coast lies 47 miles of natural coral reef formations. These formations were created thousands of years ago and are part of Florida’s Coral Reef that stretches 360 miles fromtheSt.LucieInlettotheDryTortugas. Palm Beach County reefs are part of the largest coral reef ecosystem in the continentalUnitedStates!
In1991and1999,votersapprovedatotalof$250 million in bond funds for the purchase of lands for conservation purposes. ERM manages more than 31,000 acres of these conservation lands that are the County’s last wild places open sunrise to sunset and are free for all to enjoy passive, nature-based activities such as hiking, birdwatching,andenvironmentaleducation.
Enjoy a unique experience of hiking, biking, or horseback riding on 4 long distance multi-use trails that connect to 10 individual publicly owned lands. The entire area includes over 160,000 acres of preserved lands including natural areas, parks, & wildlife management areas.
Historically, lightning sparked wildfires in Palm Beach County's forests periodically, every 3 - 5 years in pine flatwoods and every 10 years in scrub habitats. Fire became a normal occurrence and life in the forests adapted and became dependent on it for survival. Fire is nature's way of keeping things in check by removing thick underbrush so that sunlight reaches the forest floor to allow for greater biodiversity. This creates new growth by generating heat-- which causes manytreesandplantstogerminate,recycling nutrients and minerals back into the forest soils.
A dynamic streaming platform, The Palm Beaches Television (PBTV) showcases original, tourism-focused programming. The diverse range of shows highlight the County’s multicultural landscape, inclusive spirit, and unique local offerings. Content is designed to inspire travel and encourage longer stays.
by the support of Palm Beach County’s Tourist Development Council, PBTV offers over 120 hours of original programming that shine a spotlight on the County’s tourism assets while generating new business opportunities for the local production community.
Data Index Table
Air Service Update
Akron/ Canton (CAK) and Richmond (RIC): 2x weekly year-round service begins Sept 5th; (CAK previously scheduled to start Aug 7th)
NEW: Orlando (MCO): 2x daily year-round service begins August 5th – S.E. Connection Hub (In lieu of ATL and in addition to daily BNA)
NEW:
Air Service Update
6. NEW BUSINESS
TO: Tourist Development Council, Board of Directors
FROM: Vicky Jackson, AVP of Grants
DATE: June 12, 2025
RE: Category B Grant Awards – FY26, BOARD VOTE REQUIRED
On May 21, 2025, the Cultural Council Board of Directors approved the FY26 award amounts for the Tourist Development Fund for Cultural Tourism (Category B). The amounts below are based on the organization’s score from the May 15, 2025, panel meeting and the TDC approved funding pool of $5,544,108.
*Moved from Category CII (Awarded $132,006 in FY25) ** SunFest – no event in FY26 & Miami City Ballet did not meet eligibility criteria to apply for funding
*** Grants are capped at $300,000 – formula produced excess of $18,415 to be allocated to Cultural Council Reserve Fund
****
TO: Tourist Development Council, Board of Directors
FROM: Vicky Jackson, AVP of Grants
DATE: June 12, 2025
RE: Category CII Grant Awards – FY26, BOARD VOTE REQUIRED
On May 21, 2025, the Cultural Council Board of Directors approved the FY26 award amounts for the Tourist Development Fund for Cultural Marketing (Category CII). The amounts below are based on the organization’s score from the May 13, 2025, panel meeting and the TDC approved funding pool of $1,606,649.
applied for the Category B grant for FY26
2025 VISION, ENHANCEMENTS, EVOLUTION
ENHANCEMENT
EVOLUTION
2025 OVERVIEW
TELEVISION AND MEDIA OVERVIEW
Linear Consumption Summary
• 18 hours of live coverage
• 33.5 hours of bonus/replay coverage in 2025
• Average Broadcast Viewership: +27% vs 2024
• P2+ 1 Minute Reach: +10% vs 2024
• Broadcast Final Round Peak Viewership: +6% vs 2024
• P18+ Average Minutes Watched: +2% vs 2024
• GOLF Channel’s Lead-In Coverage Average Viewership: 60% vs 2024
• Cume Reach: +10% vs 2024
• Total Network Ratings (Nielsen Big Data): +19% from 2024.
• Total Live Cable Ratings (Nielsen Big Data): +20% from 2024.
• International Consumption
• The Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches was broadcasted in over 200 countries and territories.
• Across nine (9) measured markets, total international average viewership was 193.8, up 19% from 2024.
• Markets: UK, Norway, Germany, Canada, South Africa, Malaysia, South Korea, Italy, Sweden.
• Across the same markets, average linear audience was up 20% YoY.
• Out of the measured markets, Canada produced the largest margin of growth – where audience was up 40% YoY.
• PGA TOUR + Tournament Digital and Social Overview : Content In Gallery
TELEVISION AND MEDIA OVERVIEW
TELEVISION AND MEDIA OVERVIEW
TELEVISION AND MEDIA OVERVIEW
ROOM NIGHTS IN 2025
• Total Room Nights - 13,071
• Cities : Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and West Palm Beach
UNIQUE ZIP CODE ANALYSIS
• Ticket Stats
• Total of 2,037 Unique Zip Codes purchased for this event, with 1,722 of those being outside of Florida.
• Florida makes up 60% of total buyers with New York/New Jersey coupled to make up 12%.
• Palm Beach County makes up 43% of total buyers with Broward County accounting for 5% of total buyers.
Grant Summary FY '26
Perfect Game WWBA Championships in The Palm Beaches
Three (3) Perfect Game WWBA World Championship events will take place in The Palm Beaches during October of 2025, which represent the world’s most competitive showcases.
The Perfect Game WWBA Fall Invitational will take place simultaneously in The Palm Beaches on October 3-6.
The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship & Freshman World Championship will take place simultaneously in The Palm Beaches on October 9-13.
The Perfect Game
WWBA 13U & 14U World Championship
will take place on October 17-20, which features the fastest growing age groups in travel baseball
Perfect Game is projected to bring 252 travel teams requiring overnight stays, consisting of 4,536 athletes, 504 coaches, and 6,804 spectators
The 11,800+ projected traveling attendees with a majority staying in our county for 4 to 5 nights.
Additionally, over 1,000 professional scouts and college recruiters, will travel to Palm Beach County for the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship.
Perfect Game WWBA Word Championship events
generated 10,877 room nights in October of 2024 , totaling $2,126,889 in hotel revenue and $126,613 in bed tax
In 2025, Hurricane Milton disrupted the Perfect Game
Championships. Perfect Game’s first weekend was canceled and the second weekend was compromised.
Perfect Game attracts the most talented travel teams in the United States and is the global leader for scouting services and amateur baseball events.
15,136 of Perfect Game’s alumni have been selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft
Perfect Game By the Numbers:
• 1.5 million+ annual participants
• 157,000 games per year
• 7.6 million attendees
• 10,841 annual events
Perfect Game Facility in Cedar Rapids, TX
Event Fact Sheet
Event Name: Perfect Game Wood World Bat Association (WWBA) Fall Invitational
Event Owner: Perfect Game USA, Inc.
Grant Recommendation: $6,000
Dates: October 3-6, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Level of Competition: Amateur
Age Range: 15U – 16U age divisions (13 – 16 age range)
Proposed Venues: Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (13 total diamonds)
Estimated Participation & Projecting 30 total teams (20 traveling & 10 South Florida)
Room Nights:
20 traveling teams * 18 players per team = 360 total youth athletes
20 traveling teams * 2 coaches per team = 40 total coaches
20 traveling teams * 27 spectators per team = 540 total spectators
940 total traveling participants / 4 people per room = 235 rooms
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission won the bid to host the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) Fall Invitational for the fourth consecutive year The Perfect Game WWBA Fall Invitationals will take place from October 3-6, 2025. Perfect Game is the predominant scouting service and event rights holder in amateur baseball
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is partnering with Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter to host the Perfect Game Fall Invitational. This event will feature two age divisions (15U and 16U). Perfect Game will utilize up to 13 diamonds at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium This event will take place just prior to the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship and the Perfect Game WWBA 13U & 14U World Championships, which are taking place at both Palm Beach County’s spring training baseball facilities.
The Perfect Game Fall Invitational is a wood bat only event. Each team is guaranteed to play three (3) games.
Tourism Impacts:
The Perfect Game Fall Invitationals bring 30 travel baseball teams to The Palm Beaches. The 30 teams consist of 360 visiting athletes, 40 visiting coaches, and a projected 560 traveling spectators. These events are expected to generate at least 470 hotel room nights and $329,000 in direct visitor spending. Last year, this event was cancelled due to Hurricane Milton.
Bring Your Game
Event Schedule:
Friday, October 3rd: Team Registration and Pool Play from 5pm to 8pm
Saturday, October 4th: Pool Play takes place from 8am to 8 pm
Sunday, October 5th: Pool takes place from 8am to 2 pm
Monday, October 6th: Championship and consolation games, 10am – 2pm
Marketing & Media:
Perfect Game’s reputation as a baseball scouting service is unsurpassed. The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship will receive significant media exposure in baseball publications, especially the renowned “Baseball America” and “Baseball Weekly”. In 2020, the Perfect Game TV was launched and is broadcasted nationally and globally. The Perfect Game WWBA events will be featured on Perfect Game TV, which is now distributed on Fox Sports Network, Direct TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon and more. Perfect Game TV is also streamed 24 hours per day at www.perfectgame.tv
Scouting Service Facts:
Perfect Game has more talented players in attendance than any other organization. The proof is in the results. A total of 14,472 Perfect Game players have been drafted by Major League Baseball (MB) teams. Today, 2,034 alumni of Perfect Game are playing for MLB teams. Perfect Game simply provides talented players with a means to be identified and evaluated closely while competing with and against the best worldwide. Perfect Game identifies players, provides an opinion, and then lets Major League scouts and college coaches form their own.
About Perfect Game:
Founded in 1995, Perfect Game USA has become the world’s largest scouting service and youth baseball platform. Perfect Game organizes 9,234 events annually, which consists of 151,578 baseball games. Perfect Game oversees 30,799 teams from 40 different states participating within its event ecosystem.
Bring Your Game
Perfect Game is the premier provider of amateur baseball events, hosting the highest quality of travel team tournaments and individual showcases throughout the country. Recognized as the leader in holding high level events, Perfect Game hosts showcases throughout the country for high school players. All participants receive scouting reports and videos on their PG Player profiles, providing maximum exposure to college coaches and MLB Scouts.
Perfect Game attracts the most talented amateur players in the nation and the proof is in the results. A total of 14,472 of Perfect Game’s alumni have been selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft since 2003. The number of MLB draft picks for Perfect Game leads all other baseball organizations. .
Bring Your Game
Event Fact Sheet
Event Name: Perfect Game WWBA Championship Week (Perfect Game WWBA World Championship & Freshman World Championship)
Event Owner: Perfect Game USA, Inc.
Grant Recommendation: $98,000 (FY 24)
FSF Funding: $18,000
Dates: October 9-13, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Level of Competition: Amateur
Age Range: 13 - 18
Proposed Venues:
Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches (13 total diamonds) Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (13 total diamonds) Santaluces Athletic Complex (4 total diamonds)
Estimated Participation & Projecting 212 total teams (178 traveling & 34 from South Florida) Room Nights:
178 traveling teams * 18 players per team = 3,204 total youth athletes
178 traveling teams * 2 coaches per team = 356 total coaches
178 traveling teams * 27 spectators per team = 4,806 total adult spectators
8,366 total traveling participants / 4 people per room = 1,962 rooms 2,092 rooms * 5 nights = 10,460 room nights
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission won the bid to host the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) World Championship and the Perfect Game WWBA Freshman World Championship, once again for this fall. These events enjoy a rich history in Palm Beach County. After being relocated to Lee County in 2020, due to Covid-19, the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship returned to The Palm Beaches in 2021 with record setting levels of participation and tourism impacts. In 2022, the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship grew its tourism production by 57% (increasing from 7,252 room nights in FY 21 to 11,389 room nights in FY 22). In 2023, the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship experienced a remarkable 48% increase in room nights (increasing from 11,389 room nights in FY22 to 16,820 room nights in FY 23).
Perfect Game is the predominant scouting service and event rights holder in amateur baseball and the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship are two of the most competitive baseball tournaments under Perfect Game’s umbrella. The combination of the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship in Palm Beach County have been coined “The Perfect Game WWBA Championship Week” in The Palm Beaches.
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is partnering with Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium and Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation to host the Perfect Game WWBA Championship Week from October 9-13, 2025 Perfect Game will utilize up to 26 diamonds at Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter, and 4 diamonds at the Santaluces Athletic Complex in Lantana.
The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship is the premier showcase and scouting event on the globe. This event is recognized as the gold standard for baseball showcases and has a reputation as the finest baseball tournament in America.
The Perfect Game WWBA World Championships, which is simply known as “Jupiter” amongst the amateur baseball community, has taken place in Palm Beach County a total of 22 times in the past 24 years (the
event was relocated in 2005 due to Hurricane Wilma and 2020 due to Covid-19). The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship is a wood-bat only tournament for the 18U age group and attracts mostly players that will be selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft or play NCAA Division I college baseball. The format consists of pool play and each team is guaranteed a minimum of four (4) games. Only one team will claim a championship and will be fitted for championship rings. This event is Perfect Game’s foremost national team showcase. The top travel baseball organizations from across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean will compete at this elite, invitation-only event.
The Perfect Game WWBA Freshman World Championship relocated to Palm Beach County in 2017 after a five (5) year stretch at Lake Point Community in Atlanta, Georgia. This event is the premier showcase created solely for high school freshman. The leading travel teams for this age group are invited to attend. This is also a wood bat tournament with a pool play format. Each team is guaranteed 4 games and only one team will be crowned victor
Tourism Impacts:
The Perfect Game WWBA Championship Week will create a massive economic and tourism impact for Palm Beach County. The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship will bring 212 baseball teams to The Palm Beaches, consisting of 3,204 visiting athletes, 356 coaches, and over 4,806 traveling spectators. These events are conservatively projecting 10,460 hotel room nights and $8.1 million of direct visitor spending
Scouts:
Ultimately, the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship provide a showcase for prospects while they perform in front of professional scouts and college recruiters. Over
Game
1,000scouts will travel across the nation to take advantage of the talented collection of youth baseball players performing on 30 diamonds at only three (3) venues.
Each of the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams will send multiple scouts. Other professional scouts and college recruiters will also be on-site to take advantage of this unique collection of the best amateur baseball players in the nation. The MLB scouts rent over 700 golf carts, which allow them to move freely and view the games taking place at the multiple diamonds within the spring training facilities.
The impact from scouts is not included in the room projections mentioned above. Scouts do not book rooms within the hotel block and their overnight stays are very difficult to track; however, they are realized Scouts are responsible for approximately 500 rooms with an average of 2-3 overnight stays.
Event Schedule:
Thursday, October 9th: Team Registration and Pool Play from 2pm to 10pm
Friday, October 10th: Pool Play takes place from 8am to 10pm
Saturday, October 11th: Pool Play takes place from 8am to 10pm
Sunday, October 12th: Elimination rounds / consolation games takes place from 8am to 8pm
Monday, October 13th: Championship Game / consolation games occur
Event History:
The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship has taken place in Palm Beach County since its inception in 2001. However, the event was relocated in 2005 due to Hurricane Wilma and 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Perfect Game WWBA Freshman World Championship relocated to Palm Beach County in 2017. This room night number included only trackable room nights and did not include room nights created by scouts.
Last year (2024), the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship was responsible for 5,940 room nights and the Perfect Game WWBA Freshman World Series created 1,508 room nights. Together, these events generated 7,448 total room nights, which equates to $87,382 in bed tax revenues. These events also created a projected $5.2 million in visitor spending.
Marketing & Media:
Perfect Game’s reputation as a baseball scouting service is unsurpassed. The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship will receive significant media exposure in baseball
publications, especially the renowned “Baseball America” and “Baseball Weekly”. In 2020, the Perfect Game TV was launched and is broadcasted nationally and globally. The Perfect Game WWBA events will be featured on Perfect Game TV, which is now distributed on Fox Sports Network, Direct TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon and more. Perfect Game TV is also streamed 24 hours per day at www.perfectgame.tv
Scouting Service Facts:
Perfect Game has more talented players in attendance than any other organization. The proof is in the results. A total of 14,472 Perfect Game players have been drafted by Major League Baseball (MB) teams. Today, 2,034 alumni of Perfect Game are playing for MLB teams. Perfect Game simply provides talented players with a means to be identified and evaluated closely while competing with and against the best worldwide. Perfect Game identifies players, provides an opinion, and then lets Major League scouts and college coaches form their own.
About Perfect Game:
Founded in 1995, Perfect Game USA has become the world’s largest scouting service and youth baseball platform. Perfect Game organizes 9,234 events annually, which consists of 151,578 baseball games. Perfect Game oversees 30,799 teams from 40 different states participating within its event ecosystem.
Perfect Game is the premier provider of amateur baseball events, hosting the highest quality of travel team tournaments and individual showcases throughout the country. Recognized as the leader in holding high level events, Perfect Game hosts showcases throughout the country for high school players. All participants receive scouting reports and videos on their PG Player profiles, providing maximum exposure to college coaches and MLB Scouts.
Perfect Game attracts the most talented amateur players in the nation and the proof is in the results. A total of 14,472 of Perfect Game’s alumni have been selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft since 2003. The number of MLB draft picks for Perfect Game leads all other baseball organizations.
Event Fact Sheet
Event Name: Perfect Game Wood World Bat Association (WWBA) 13U & 14U World Championship
Event Owner: Perfect Game USA, Inc.
Grant Recommendation: $25,000 (FY 26)
Dates: October 17-20, 2025
Sport: Baseball
Level of Competition: Amateur
Age Range: 13-14
Proposed Venues:
Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches (13 total diamonds) Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium (13 total diamonds)
Estimated Participation & Projecting 68 total teams (54 traveling & 14 South Florida)
Room Nights:
54 traveling teams * 18 players per team = 972 total youth athletes
54 traveling teams * 2 coaches per team = 108 total coaches
54 traveling teams * 27 spectators per team = 1,458 total spectators
2,538 total traveling participants / 4 people per room = 635 rooms 635 rooms * 4 nights = 2,540 room nights
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission won the bid to host the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association (WWBA) World Championship 13U World Championship and 14U World Championship this fall. The Perfect Game WWBA 14U World Championship will take place for the fifth consecutive year in The Palm Beaches while the 13U World Championship will make its fourth appearance in Palm Beach County. Perfect Game is the predominant scouting service and event rights holder in amateur baseball and the Perfect Game WWBA 14U World Championship and 13U Championship are recognized as the most prestigious baseball tournaments in those respective age groups.
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is partnering with Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium to simultaneously host the Perfect Game WWBA 14U World Championship and 13U World Championship on October 17-20. Perfect Game will utilize up to 26 diamonds at Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in Jupiter These events will take place just a few days after the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship finish at Palm Beach County’s spring training baseball facilities.
The Perfect Game WWBA 14U World Championship will take place for the fifth straight year in Palm Beach County, after relocating from Panama City. The Perfect Game WWBA 14U World Championship is a wood-bat only tournament, which attracts the top high school baseball players in the nation that are scheduled to graduate in 2029. The format consists of pool play and each team is guaranteed a minimum of four (4) games. Only one team will be crowned a world champion The event has fielded 262 players that received scholarships to play college baseball over its history. Baseball organizations from across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean will compete The 2025 Perfect Game 14U World Championship is capped at 48 teams.
The Perfect Game WWBA 13U World Championship will take place in Palm Beach County for the fourth time, after relocating from Panama City. The Perfect Game 13U World Championship was launched in 2021. Perfect Game intends to develop an array of events for this age group as it’s growing rapidly from a competitive standpoint. The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship is being positioned as the premier event for the 13U age group and only the top travel teams for this age division are invited. This is also a wood bat tournament with a pool play format. Each team is guaranteed four (4) games and only one team will be crowned champion. In 2025, a total of 32 teams are expected to participate in the Perfect Game WWBA 13U World Championship.
Scouts:
The Perfect Game WWBA 14U World Championship will attract over 300 collegiate and professional baseball scouts. Professional scouts and college recruiters will take advantage of this unique gathering of the best amateur baseball players in the nation for the 14U age group. The MLB scouts will utilize golf carts to view as many as 12 games taking place simultaneously at each of Palm Beach County’s spring training facilities.
The impact from scouts was not included in the room projections mentioned above. Scouts do not book rooms within the hotel block and their overnight stays are very difficult to track. Scouts are responsible for approximately 72 rooms with an average of 2-3 overnight stays during these events.
Event Schedule:
Thursday, October 17th: Team Registration and Pool Play for 14U / 13U ages, from 2pm to 10pm
Friday, October 18th: Pool Play takes place from 8am to 10 pm
Saturday, October 19th: Pool Play takes place from 8am to 10 pm
Sunday, October 20th: Elimination rounds /Championship Game / consolation games occur
Event History:
The Perfect Game WWBA 14U World Championship took place in Panama City in October from 2019-21. The event relocated to Palm Beach County in October of 2022. The Perfect Game WWBA 13U World Championship was created in 2021. This event relocated to Palm Beach County to coincide with the Perfect Game WWBA 14U World Championship Last year, both events created 2,610 hotel room nights These events also created a projected $1.8 million in visitor spending.
Marketing & Media:
Perfect Game’s reputation as a baseball scouting service is unsurpassed. The Perfect Game WWBA World Championship and Freshman World Championship will receive significant media exposure in baseball publications, especially the renowned “Baseball America” and “Baseball Weekly”. In 2020, the Perfect Game TV was launched and is broadcasted nationally and globally. The Perfect Game WWBA events will be featured on Perfect Game TV, which is now distributed on Fox Sports Network, Direct TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon and more. Perfect Game TV is also streamed 24 hours per day at www.perfectgame.tv
Scouting Service Facts:
Perfect Game has more talented players in attendance than any other organization. The proof is in the results. A total of 14,472 Perfect Game players have been drafted by Major League Baseball (MB) teams. Today, 2,034 alumni of Perfect Game are playing for MLB teams. Perfect Game simply provides talented players with a means to be identified and evaluated closely while competing with and against the best worldwide. Perfect Game identifies players, provides an opinion, and then lets Major League scouts and college coaches form their own.
About Perfect Game:
Founded in 1995, Perfect Game USA has become the world’s largest scouting service and youth baseball platform. Perfect Game organizes 9,234 events annually, which consists of 151,578 baseball games. Perfect Game oversees 30,799 teams from 40 different states participating within its event ecosystem.
Perfect Game is the premier provider of amateur baseball events, hosting the highest quality of travel team tournaments and individual showcases throughout the country. Recognized as the leader in holding high level events, Perfect Game hosts showcases throughout the country for high school players. All participants receive scouting reports and videos on their PG Player profiles, providing maximum exposure to college coaches and MLB Scouts.
Perfect Game attracts the most talented amateur players in the nation and the proof is in the results. A total of 14,472 of Perfect Game’s alumni have been selected in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft since 2003. The number of MLB draft picks for Perfect Game leads all other baseball organizations.
Bring Your Game
CATEGORY G GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST SUMMARY
EVENT DESCRIPTION
GRANTEE
CONTACT
BID/GRANT
GRANT FUNDS RECOMMENDED
APPLICABLE CATEGORIES
MARKETING PLAN
EVENT OWNER ESTIMATES
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
PRIOR EVENT HISTORY
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FUNDS
Columbus Day Discovery Showdown
The 9th Annual Columbus Day Discovery Showdown, conducted by the Orlando Youth Hockey Association is a boys and girls youth ice hockey tournament for players aged 7 to 18. The event will be held October 9-12, 2025 at Palm Beach Skate Zone in Lake Worth and Palm Beach Ice Works in West Palm Beach. The two facilities combine to allow 3 sheets of ice for competition.
The event will feature more than 70 teams, with over 1,200 athletes. Teams compete in one of 5 age brackets, with 2 divisions per age group based on skill. This event is sanctioned by USA Hockey.
Orlando Youth Hockey Association, Inc.
Jeff Ning / (561) 855-1173
Grant
$8,000 (FY 26 Category G)
Sanction Fees, Site Fees, Officials, Awards (non-monetary), Equipment, Rentals, Insurance, Security, Labor, Marketing (out of County), Event Production Materials
The event is marketed on the event website, as well as the USA Hockey website as a sanctioned tournament.
Estimated Economic Impact – $570,493
Estimated Room Nights – 800
Logo and link on the website Banner displayed on-site
’24 – 324 Room Nights
’23 – 653 Room Nights
’22 – 645 Room Nights
’21 – 581 Room Nights
’20 – 866 Room Nights (Covid restrictions)
’19 – 1,222 Room Nights
’18 – 831 Room Nights
’17 – 716 Room Nights
’24- $4,800 (Cat. G)
’23 - $8,000 (Cat. G)
’22 - $8,000 (Cat. G)
’21 - $8,000 (Cat. G)
’20 – $4,000 (BD)
’19 - $4,000 (BD)
’18 - $4,000 (BD)
’17 - $4,000 (BD)
EVENT DESCRIPTION
CATEGORY G GRANT APPLICATION REQUEST SUMMARY
USTA Columbus Day Open hosted by the City of Delray Beach
The Columbus Day Open hosted by the City of Delray Beach, held October 11-13, 2025, is one of the largest of the USTA National Selection events in the United States. With over 250 participants competing in the Boys and Girls 12s, 14s, 16s and 18 and under divisions, this event will showcase the future of American tennis. The event will be held at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, Delray Swim & Tennis Club, the Boca Raton Swim & Racquet Club, Broken Sound Country Club, Boca West Country Club, and Hunters Run Country Club. Each singles draw will consist of 32 players, competing a minimum of two times (consolation format). Each doubles draw will consist of 16 teams (single elimination).
The completely restructured USTA National Junior Tournament Schedule created the USTA National Selection Tournament, held four times each year (February, May, October, November) in four locations for each division. Of the October National Selection events, the Columbus Day Open is by far the largest, with eight age/gender divisions compared to no more than three anywhere else in the country.
GRANTEE
Player’s International Management, Inc.
CONTACT Ivan Baron / (561) 330-6003
BID/GRANT Grant
GRANT FUNDS REQUESTED
$11,500 GRANT FUNDS RECOMMENDED
$7,500 (FY 26)
$10 per room night (max of $7,500)
APPLICABLE CATEGORIES
Sanction Fees, Site Fees, Officials, Awards (non-monetary), Equipment, Rentals, Insurance, Security, Labor, Marketing (out of County), Event Production Materials
MEDIA COVERAGE PLANNED Regional
MARKETING PLAN
EVENT OWNER ESTIMATES
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
PRIOR EVENT HISTORY
Direct mailings to USTA list, Radio and television spots, Flyer distribution
Estimated Economic Impact – $518,252
Estimated Room Nights – 500
Opportunity to provide 1 banner on stadium court
Opportunity to provide 1 banner on an outside court
Recognition on all print and collateral materials
Recognition on the sponsor board
Opportunity to provide promotional materials in player’s packet Logo and link on the tournament’s website
’24 – 276 Room Nights ’23 – 332 Room Nights
’22 – 471 Room Nights ‘19 – 416 Room Nights
’21 – 561 Room Nights ‘18 – 490 Room Nights
‘20 – Canceled due to COVID-19 ‘17 – 523 Room Nights
The World Comes to the Palm Beaches is an international baseball festival that features more than 30 teams, representing more than 15 countries all over the world. The tournament is comprised of 10u, 12u, 15u, 18u and Open Divisions, with a maximum of only 1 team per country per division. Within each division, separate brackets are made to group teams of similar skill and ability levels to even competition. The event is held from October 22-26, 2025 with many teams coming early/staying late to experience The Palm Beaches.
In addition to the competition, countries are “hosted” by local baseball organizations to facilitate practices, clinics, and other local activities. The event also features showcases, clinics with former MLB players, and an Opening Ceremony with a Parade of Nations.
Games will take place at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, Seminole Palms Park and the Santaluces Athletic Complex.
GRANTEE
CONTACT
Caribbean Baseball Organization, Inc.
Mario Signorello / (786) 318-8403
BID/GRANT Grant
GRANT FUNDS REQUESTED
GRANT FUNDS RECOMMENDED
APPLICABLE CATEGORIES
MARKETING PLAN
EVENT OWNER ESTIMATES
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
PRIOR EVENT HISTORY
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FUNDS
$25,000
$20,000 (FY 26 Category G)
Sanction Fees, Site Fees, Officials, Awards (non-monetary), Equipment, Rentals, Insurance, Security, Labor, Marketing (out of County), Event Production Materials
The event is marketed directly to international baseball organizations and academies
Estimated Economic Impact – $1,121,755
Estimated Room Nights – 1,800
TV broadcast mentions/commercials
Logo on the event website, printed collateral Opportunity to display 3’x 8’ banner
EVENT: I DO BEACH TENNIS ITF Palm Beach World Tour 2025
The I Do Beach Tennis ITF Palm Beach World Tour event will take place on the beach and the sand pit courts in Riviera Beach, FL on the Singer Island Beach waterfront area. The event will run from November 5 to November 9, 2025. The tournament will feature singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions for multiple age divisions ranging from U16 for both men and women to over 40 for both men and women. This event will utilize more than 35 courts throughout its duration.
The I Do Beach Tennis ITF Open Singer Island will be an International Tennis Federation (ITF) sanctioned tournament. Approximately 700 athletes will be coming from more than 30 countries. 90% of adult and youth participants will be traveling from outside of the county
The ITF Beach Tennis World Tour is comprised of over 300 tournaments in 37 countries, with the sport's flagship competitions including the ITF Beach Tennis World Championships and the ITF Beach Tennis World Cup, as well as Regional Championships in Europe, Africa and the Americas. This will be one of the biggest Beach Tennis Tournament ever in the United States.
I DO BEACH TENNIS, LLC
Michelle Bos / Armando Ghinaglia /786-247-3728
$35,000
$35,000 (FY 25)
Sanction Fees, Site Fees, Officials, Awards (non-monetary), Equipment, Rentals, Insurance, Security, Labor, Event Production Materials
International media, local media, live streaming
I Do Beach Tennis and the ITF (International Tennis Federation) partners with over 200 different tennis federations around the globe to market the event. Print and online advertisements are strategically placed within industry publications and websites The ITF implements direct marketing campaigns through emails and phone to a database of more than 3,000 tennis players, located across the globe. I Do Beach Tennis and the ITF collaborates with other organizations to share resources, which maintains an international database that exceeds 12,000. The event will also be televised via livestreaming on YouTube @Idolivestreaming.
Estimated Economic Impact - $2,625,000
Estimated Room Nights – 3,500
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
Final benefits will be negotiated depending on the grant awarded. Generic benefits include logo and link to the event website, recognition on all collateral materials, opportunity to display 30 second spot during livestream, inclusion of marketing materials in the player’s packet, and opportunity to display signage on the beach tennis courts including one of the main courts, logo on sponsor board
PRIOR EVENT HISTORY
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FUNDS
2023 I DO BEACH TENNIS ITF OPEN SINGER ISLAND
Room Night Total: 2,166
Total Economic Impact: $1,320,329
I Do Beach Tennis ITF World Tour 2024
Room Night Total: 3,491
Total Economic Impact: $3,309,561
$25,000
Event Fact Sheet
Event Name: Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL) Fall Classic
Event Owner: Men’s Senior Baseball League, LLC
Grantee: Men’s Senior Baseball League, LLC
Dates: November 8-22, 2025
Funding: $75,000 – Category G Grant
Sport: Baseball
Level of Competition: Adult
Age Range: 18+, 28+, 35+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+
Venue: Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches / Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Estimated # of Attendees:
125 total teams (estimating 110 teams traveling from outside S FL)
(Average daily spend calculation is provided by the Florida Sports Foundation)
*The room night and economic impact projections are for athletes and spectators, which are mostly adults
Event Description:
The Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL) is the premier amateur baseball organization for adults (18 years of age to 60+) The MSBL Fall Classic is one of the largest amateur baseball tournaments for adults that takes place annually in the United States. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is bidding for the rights to host the MSBL Fall Classic at Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for the 8th consecutive year. The upcoming MSBL Fall Classic will take place from November 822, 2025
Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches, located in West Palm Beach, and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, located in Jupiter, will come together to offer two marquee baseball stadiums and 26 total diamonds to host the MSBL Fall Classic and accommodate 125 teams, consisting of 2,000+ athletes (110 teams and 2,200 athletes are projected to visit from outside of South Florida). Teams will travel from across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Peru. The tournament will feature eight (8) age groups (18+, 28+, 35+, 45+, 50+, 55+, 60+, 65+). Over 450 baseball games will be played during the 14-day event. Teams compete in a pool play format, which is followed by play-offs. Teams are guaranteed to play a minimum of five (5) games.
The MSBL Fall Classic will create a tremendous economic and tourism impact for The Palm Beaches. The event is expected to generate $5 million in direct visitor spending and between and a minimum of 7,920 hotel room nights.
Event Schedule/Plan:
The event will host over 450 games Between 30 to 35 games will take place each day Games will take place from November 8-22 The event will feature a group of teams competing for 7 days from November 8-14. Another group of teams will compete from November 15-22.
Marketing Plan:
The MSBL Fall Classic, as well as all other MSBL national tournaments, are marketed directly to the MSBL membership through the MSBL Magazine, MSBL newsletter, and digital marketing campaigns. Significantly, all participating teams are member teams of the MSBL, except for international teams.
Event History:
The Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL) Fall Classic returned to The Palm Beaches in 2018, after being held on the west coast of Florida (utilizing the MLB spring training homes of the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Rays). The development of Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches in 2017 was the catalyst in bringing MSBL back to The Palm Beaches.
Room Night Production in Palm Beach County:
2018 – 3,888 room nights
2019 – 5,487 room nights
2020 – 2,993 room nights (participation limited due to Covid-19)
2021 – 8,023 room nights
2022 – 9,506 room nights
2023 – 8,295 room nights
2024 – 6,523 room nights
About Men’s Senior Baseball League:
The Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL)/Men’s Adult Baseball League (MABL) is the premier amateur baseball league for adults 18 years of age and older. Founded in 1988, it is the fastest-growing adult baseball organization in the country. The league has 325 local affiliates, 3,200 teams and 45,000 members who play organized amateur baseball in local leagues, 30 regional tournaments and six national tournaments. Both the MSBL and the MABL plan to expand by establishing local affiliates in communities where programs do not exist, and by welcoming existing amateur hardball leagues to affiliate. MSBL is poised to reach 50,000 members in the extremely near future.
Benefits:
The event generates room nights and economic impact during the county’s shoulder season.
Hosting this Championship enhances Palm Beach County’s profile as a baseball destination.
This event utilizes Palm Beach County’s MLB spring training facilities. (Cacti Park of The Palm Beaches and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium)
Responsibilities:
Secure access to Ballpark of the Palm Beaches and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Assist with operational and logistical support, as needed
Assist with marketing, public relations, and event promotions, as needed
Grant Funding
Event Bid Sheet
Event Name: International Rush Cup
Bid Organization: Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Event Owner: Soccer Partners America Incorporated
Bid Recommendation: $20,000
Proposed Dates: November 20-23, 2025
Sport: Soccer
Level of Competition: Youth
Age Range: Boys & Girls 13U-15U
Proposed Venue: The Gardens North County District Park
Estimated # of Room Nights: 28 Projected Out of Area Teams
The International Rush Cup is Rush Soccer’s most elite event. This event brings together some of the best and most unique teams from around the world. Rush Soccer’s Rush Select teams will be in attendance as well as other teams from around the country; all hungry to win the gold. This event is excellent for teams that want to play against high-quality competition and possibly an international opponent. From the opening ceremonies to the coaching education event, Rush Soccer is dedicated to making the experience special for all that attend.
Bring Your Game
The Rush International Cup is open to Elite and Premier level boys & girls ages U13-U19. All teams are guaranteed a minimum of 3 games throughout the weekend. Team check-in occurs Thursday and have an opening ceremony Thursday evening at the host facility, with competition taking place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The International Rush Cup will be its second edition here in Palm Beach County. The second edition will feature approximately 35-45 teams. With the growth of leagues across the country, the 2025 Rush Cup should see continued growth. Rush Soccer is also looking at the Palm Beaches for future tournament expansion in 2026.
Rush Soccer:
Rush Soccer stands as the world’s largest club for a reason. Clubs worldwide choose to be a part of the rush soccer organization due to the proven ability to facilitate success, both on and off the field. Rush Soccer acknowledges the significance of holistic development for both players and the front office of a club. At Rush Soccer, the focus is on equipping our valued partners with the necessary resources and support to foster the growth of clubs, enabling them to establish a dominant presence within the local community.
Event Schedule:
Thursday, November 20, 2025
3:00pm – 6:00pm Set up in the morning, 4pm arrival & opening ceremony
Friday, November 21, 2025
8:00am – 11:00am Training sessions
12:00pm-7:00pm Matches
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Matches
8:00am-7:00pm
Sunday, November 23,2025 Matches with cleaning up after 8:00am-1:00pm
Benefits:
The event will generate more than 1,300 room nights during the month of November.
This is an opportunity to expand on Palm Beach County’s footprint in the soccer space
Responsibilities:
Assist with securing venues as needed
Assist with logistics as needed
Assist with hotel accommodations
Assist with marketing & public relations efforts
Provide a grant to offset facility rental and operational expense
Previous History in Palm Beach County: 2024 Room Nights - 1,032
EVENT DESCRIPTION
GRANTEE
2025 FUELTECH
HYDRODRAG NATIONALS/WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
The event showcases the world’s fastest PWC drag racers, attracting competitors from across the USA and beyond. Known for setting world speed records in multiple classes, it includes highlights such as Jose Luis reaching 142 mph, surpassing his previous personal best of 135 mph in the Unlimited Class. Racers compete head-to -head on an impressive 600+ ft long drag strip, pushing their machines to the limit. Saturday features the Stock and Spec Classes, while Sunday spotlights the Superstock and Unlimited Classes. Attendees can enjoy on-site food, along with displays from Hydrodrag sponsors and industry vendors. Over the weekend November 22-23, 2025, an estimated 100 racers will compete across various categories, with 1,500 spectators expected to cheer them on at this premier facility, making it the most exciting Hydrodrags event to date.
QuadLife Entertainment LLC
CONTACT William “Billy” Tew /863-409-8780
BID/GRANT
Grant, In Kind, Grants GRANT FUNDS REQUESTED
$15,000
$10,000 (FY 25)
APPLICABLE CATEGORIES
MEDIA COVERAGE PLANNED
MARKETING-PLAN
EVENT OWNER ESTIMATES
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
Site Fees, Officials, Awards (non-monetary), Equipment, Rentals, Insurance, Security, Labor, Event Production Materials
Local media and live streaming
Friday November 21 Load in and set up Launch pad and site, Saturday November 22 7am gates open to public racing starts about 10 following a riders safety meeting lunch around noon with many food vendors onsite, continue racing till around 5pm. Sunday November 23 same schedule but we run the Speed. Ally class which has 10 min per ski to make world record passes top ski is 142mph right now, the day ends in awards ceremony for both days. Load out and back to the hotel to sleep for a long ride back home on Monday.
Estimated Economic Impact - $754,015.15
Estimated Room Nights – 1,000
Final benefits will be negotiated depending on the grant awarded. Generic benefits include logo and link to the event website, recognition on all collateral materials, opportunity to display 30 second spot during livestream, inclusion of marketing materials in the player’s packet, and opportunity to display signage on the gate and around the amphitheater. Social Media such as Facebook/ Instagram /Paid Ads to boost to the community, National Mag Pro Rider, Talk Shows within the Sport, Radio Shout outs, WPBTV coverage as well as live stream.
PRIOR EVENT HISTORY
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FUNDS
2024 Hydrodrags Nationals & World Championship
Room Night Total: 337
Total Economic Impact: $237,866
2024 Fizzle Racing Hydrodrags Nationals/World Championships
The Equestrian Holiday & Horses Circuit is a competition held in December in advance of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) that appeals to domestic and international riders. This event has become both a stand-alone event, as well as a method to expand the equestrian season in advance of WEF. It is the desire of Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) to establish this showjumping series to the highest level in equestrian sport, known as a 5-star Event.
The event, held at the Wellington International Equestrian, will span from November 26, 2024 - December 21, 2025. Over 1,000 equestrian athletes are expected to participate The Holidays & Horses Circuit is well suited to expand Wellington’s equestrian season by increasing the stay of WEF participants and attracting new equine athletes to Palm Beach County.
GRANTEE
Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC CONTACT
BID/GRANT
GRANT FUNDS REQUESTED
Michael Stone / (561) 784-1111
Grant
$40,000 GRANT FUNDS RECOMMENDED
$20,000 (FY 26 Category G Grant)
APPLICABLE CATEGORIES
MEDIA COVERAGE PLANNED
MARKETING PLAN
EVENT OWNER ESTIMATES
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
PRIOR EVENT HISTORY
Sanction Fees, Site Fees, Officials, Awards (non-monetary), Equipment, Rentals, Insurance, Security, Labor, Marketing (out of County), Event Production Materials
The event will be broadcast on RFD TV, Eurosport, Web casts, USEF
Print advertising in national and international equine publications / Website advertising and International Press Releases – same marketing strategy as the Winter Equestrian Festival
Estimated Economic Impact – $6,432,000
Estimated Room Nights – 12,375
Benefits to be combined with sponsorship for the Winter Equestrian Festival application
2024 – 10,960 Room Nights
2023 - 27,747 Room Nights
2022 - 18,887 Room Nights
2021 – 27,169 Room Nights
2020 – 30,110 Room Nights
2018 – 12,894 Room Nights
2019 – 14,955 Room Nights
2017 – 14,732 Room Nights
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FUNDS
2024 - $10,960
2023 - $20,000
2022 - $18,887
2021 - $20,000
2020 - $12,500
2019 - $14,955
2018 - $15,000
2017 - $14,732
CATEGORY G GRANT
EVENT DESCRIPTION
GRANTEE
CONTACT
SUMMARY
“Little Mo” Internationals in Florida
The “Little Mo” Internationals in Florida will take place on the tennis courts at the Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center (main host site), and PGA National Resort from December 5-10, 2025. This youth tennis tournament will feature both boys and girls in 5 different age groups (12u, 11u, 10u, 9u, and 8u). The tournament will feature singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions for each age group. Approximately 500 athletes from more than 60 countries are expected to compete. A total of 25 tennis courts will be utilized. International Tennis Federation (ITF) rules will apply.
The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation conducts “Little Mo” tournaments throughout the country. This includes 18 sectionals, 4 regionals (one in Palm Beach County), 1 national, and 3 international tournaments. This event will represent the 17th “Little Mo” Internationals
Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation, Inc
Carol Weyman / (214) 704-7239
BID/GRANT Grant
GRANT
APPLICABLE CATEGORIES
$17,500 (FY 26 Category G)
Sanction Fees, Site Fees, Officials, Awards (non-monetary), Equipment, Rentals, Insurance, Security, Labor, Marketing (out of County), Event Production Materials MEDIA
MARKETING-PLAN
EVENT OWNER ESTIMATES
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
The Foundation partners with 200 different tennis federations around the globe to market the event. Print and online advertisements are strategically placed within industry publications The Foundation implements direct marketing campaigns through emails and phone to a database of more than 3,000 tennis players, located across the globe. The Foundation collaborates with other organizations to share resources, which maintains an international database that exceeds 12,000.
Estimated Economic Impact - $1,603,918
Estimated Room Nights – 1,700
Benefits will be negotiated depending on the grant awarded. Generic benefits include logo and link to the event website, recognition on all collateral materials, opportunity to have a display booth during the event, inclusion of marketing materials on the player’s packet, and opportunity to display signage on the tennis courts.
Battle Youth National Champions, which occurred at Village Park over 8-days, is the only youth tackle football setting that crowns true national titles for the 6U -14U age groups
Battle Youth National Champions attracted 2,600 athletes and 9,125 total attendees (football players & spectators)
The Battle Youth National Championship hosted all age groups in The Palm Beaches for the 2nd straight year
In 2023, generated 13,547 room nights and spurred $3,833,801 in hotel revenue and $230,028 in bed tax
The Battle Youth National Championship created $16,034,029 in total economic impact
Event Proposal
Event Name: Battle Youth National Championship
Event Owner: Youth National Championship, LLC
Funding Request: $150,000
Recommendation: $120,000 Category G
$30,000 – Florida Sports Foundation
Proposed Dates: December 8-14, 2025
Sport: Football
Level of Competition: Amateur
Age Range: Youth (6U – 14U)
Proposed Venue: Village Park Athletic Complex and Greenview Shores Park in Wellington
Attendees: 125 Youth Football Teams (90% of teams are from outside of FL) For 112 traveling teams, below are projections for attendees:
4,704 visiting players (avg. 42 players per team)
560 visiting coaches (5 coaches per team)
7,056 visiting spectators (avg. 63 spectators per team)
Estimated Economic Impact: $10,781,420 in total direct visitor spending. $16,376,132 in total economic impact.
(The above economic Impact projections represent the actual business sales as determined by the Destination International Event Impact Calculator for the 2024 event)
Event Description:
The Battle Youth National Championship (the “YNC”) has become one of the nation’s most prestigious events for youth tackle football. It is an elite playoff series created to provide a platform for youth football teams, which are not all-star teams, to compete at a national level in a well-organized and professional manner. The YNC crowns a true “National Champion” at every age level from 6U-14U.
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission and the YNC have worked for years to create a permanent home for this event. While the even began in 2017 in Broward county, the event has been in the Palm Beaches since 2021 (Palm Beach County first hosted a portion of the event in 2021, and all nonchampionship games in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, all games took place in The Palm Beaches. As the largest youth football event taking place annually in the United States, a total of 120+ teams compete in a variety of age groups ranging from 6U-14U.
The YNC is an 8-day event. This year it will take place from December 8-14, 2025. The invitation-only event brings the best football teams together for a round robin style “play down” event, followed by a championship bracket on the weekend. The tournament will take place at Village Park in Wellington. Games take place continuously throughout the day (beginning at 9am and concluding at 10pm).
Teams are guaranteed 4 games, with the top-2 teams in each division playing for a championship. Each team in every age group plays the “round-robin” format to determine the teams that qualify for the championships, which is scheduled on the weekend. Teams that do not qualify for the weekend typically stay in the host city for over four (4) nights. Those that do qualify for the championship weekend typically stay in the host city for 5-6 nights.
Development of the Youth Football National Championship:
Youth football teams could not compete on a national stage until 2017. There was no way for a youth football team to contend for an undisputed National Championship, prior to 2017. League champions were determined, but never a true National Champion. However, in 2017, the youth football landscape changed The Youth Football Championship (YNC) was formed by coaches, parents, and industry leaders to provide the best teams a legitimate platform to compete for a coveted YNC National Championship title.
Pop Warner is a leading youth football organization, which was founded in 1929, and continues to grow and serve the sport. However, only all-star teams, which are formed after the season, compete on a statewide or national level. The Youth Football Championship (YNC) provides the only platform for youth football teams to compete for a national title.
Event History:
The 9th rendition of the Battle Youth National Championship will be held exclusively in Palm Beach County. The inaugural Battle Youth National Championship took place in Broward County in 2017. The event took place in Broward County at Miramar Regional Park and Pembrooke Pines High School each year until 2020, when it moved to the IMG Academy, due to Covid-19. In 2021, the event was scheduled to take place in Miramar Regional Park in Broward County and Traz Powell Stadium in Dade County.
Bring Your Game
Due to Covid-19, Broward County declined access to their fields only three-weeks before the beginning of the games. The Village of Wellington granted access to the Village Park Athletic Complex, which became a substitute for Miramar Park. Since most of the team reservations were already secured in Broward County, the hotel room night generation in Palm Beach County totaled only 755.
In December 2022, Palm Beach County was scheduled be the sole home for the Battle Youth National Championship The Village Park Athletic Complex and Boca Raton High School served as venues. However, the Championship Games had to be moved to Miami due to construction adjacent to Boca Raton High School. In total, the event generated 13,705 room nights, based on conservative projections from the Destinations International Sports Event Impact Calculator. Other models suggested more than 20,000 room nights.
In December of 2024, the Battle Youth National Championship returned to The Palm Beaches and utilized the Village Park Athletic Complex and Wellington High School. The event returned with another monumental room night performance, recording 13,824 overnight stays.
Lodging Summary:
2022 – 13,705 room nights
2023 – 13,547 room nights
2024 – 13,824 room nights
Event Schedule
December 7, 2025 Division 1 Team Certification & Welcome
December 8, 2025 Pool Play 9am – 10pm, Village Park
December 9, 2025 Pool Play 9am – 10pm, Village Park
December 10, 2025 Pool Play 9am – 10pm, Village Park
December 11, 2025 Pool Play 9am – 10pm, Village Park
December 12, 2025 Pool Play 9am – 10pm, Village Park
December 13, 2025 Championship Games, Greenview Shores Park
December 14, 2025 Championship Games, Greenview Shores Park
PBCSC Responsibilities:
• Operational and logistical support
• Volunteer recruitment.
• Coordination between the Village of Wellington and Boca Raton High School
• Procurement of necessary football fields
• Financial support to help offset event-related expenses.
Primary Benefits:
• Substantial room night generation for the shoulder season
• This event will take place within the Village of Wellington, which has shown an eagerness to partner on tourism events and has a great lineage of youth football.
Bring Your Game
• This event represents a new sports market for the Palm Beach County Sports Commission
• Palm Beach County would be home to one of the largest non, all-star youth football tournament in the nation (based on team and athlete participation)
• Youth tackle football does not traditionally lend itself to travel sports, since teams don’t typically play multiple games during a week. This is a rare event to host a youth tackle football product that creates tourism.
EVENT DESCRIPTION
GRANTEE CONTACT
BID/GRANT
GRANT FUNDS REQUESTED GRANT FUNDS RECOMMENDED
APPLICABLE CATEGORIES
MEDIA COVERAGE PLANNED
MARKETING PLAN
EVENT OWNER ESTIMATES
SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
PRIOR EVENT HISTORY
The Palm Beaches Marathon
The Palm Beaches Marathon is a weekend long running, fitness, and entertainment festival consisting of a full and half marathon, 5K, relay race, and fitness expo from December 13-14, 2025. The racecourse will utilize West Palm Beach, with the main location being the Meyer Amphitheatre. The race is estimated to include over 5,000 runners, with onethird coming from out of Palm Beach County. In addition to the various races, the weekend will consist of a fitness expo, taking place in Downtown West Palm Beach. The marathon will serve as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. As part of the title sponsorship with Garden of Life, they will bring in affiliates and members from around the country to enhance the overall event impact
Palm Beaches Marathon, LLC
Ken Kennerly / (561) 758-3582
Grant
$25,000
$25,000 (FY 26 Category G)
Sanction Fees, Site Fees, Officials, Awards (non-monetary), Equipment, Rentals, Insurance, Security, Labor, Marketing (out of County), Event Production Materials
No live coverage, pending agreements with local television partners for post-event coverage
Geo targeted ads on other race websites during summer/fall Promotion at events/expos during summer/fall
Social Media, Internet, Print Collateral Local television/radio partnerships
Estimated Economic Impact – $1,471,506
Estimated Room Nights – 2,160
Name/logo in email, printed ads, flyers, and website
Logo on back of event t-shirt
Hospitality to all surrounding events
Signage on start/finish chute
Social Media Thank You posts 10 entries for any distance
’24 - 2,104 Room Nights
’23 – 2,043 Room Nights
’22 – 1,892 Room Nights
’21 – 2,047 Room Nights
’20 – Canceled due to COVID-19
PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FUNDS
’19 – 1,919 Room Nights
’18 – 1,993 Room Nights
’17 – 1,609 Room Nights
’24 - $25,000
’23 - $25,000
’22 - $15,000
’21 - $15,000
’20 – Canceled due to COVID-19
’19 – $15,000
’18 – $15,000
’17 – $15,000
Event Fact Sheet
Event Name: Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches
Event Owner: Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Grantee: Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Recommended Funding: $15,000 (FY 26)
FSF Funding: $6,000
Proposed Dates: December 27-30, 2025
Sport: Basketball
Level of Competition: Amateur
Age Range: High School
Proposed Venue: 3 high school gymnasiums
Estimated # of Attendees:
48 total teams (32 men teams and 16 women teams)
26 traveling teams and 22 South Florida / Drive Market Teams
720 total athletes, 192 total coaches, and 2500+ total spectators
Estimated # of Room Nights: 1,500 room nights
Direct Visitor Spending : $901,564
Event Description:
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission created the Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches as a National High School Basketball Invitational. The Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches brings a national presence and media exposure to Palm Beach County while engaging the local community through the sport of basketball.
This tournament ultimately supports the sports tourism initiative of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission produced the inaugural Holiday Basketball Classic on December 27-30, 2016. In 2024, the Holiday Basketball Classic in the Palm Beaches featured
48 teams from 12 different states and welcomed 720 athletes and hosted over 2500+ spectators across three facilities. The 2025 Holiday Basketball Classic in the Palm Beaches will take place on December 2730, 2025
The tournament will feature 48+ teams (32 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams) competing in a single elimination game format. A new format created in 2024 established four boys’ brackets, and two girls’ brackets, with each team guaranteed 3 games of competition. A minimum of three (3) high school gyms have been sourced to accommodate a total of 72 games. The gyms previously used were located at Palm Beach Gardens High School, The Benjamin School, and Palm Springs Middle School.
The Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches is sanctioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), as the state association for Florida and a member of the NFHS, will also support and promote this event. The Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches is the only national high school basketball tournament sanctioned by the NFHS that is taking place in Palm Beach County.
Proposed Event Schedule:
Saturday, December 27: Opening Round for Men & Women Divisions
Monday, December 29: Second Round for Men & Women Divisions / Consolation Games
Tuesday, December 30: Semifinals for Men & Women Divisions / Consolation Games
Games will be scheduled for the following times during the three (3) days of competition: 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm
Venue Requirements:
A minimum of 3 courts are required to host a 48-team tournament. In 2024, the venues included The Benjamin School, Palm Springs Middle School, and Palm Beach Gardens High School. This year will include similar sites. Seating capacity is an important consideration. Between 1,500 and 2,000 seats is optimal.
Event History:
The inaugural Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches took place in December 2016 and featured 24 teams (16 boys and 8 girls). The number teams requiring hotel stays was not as strong as initially projected. A total of 11 out of the 24 participating teams stayed in hotels. A total of 662 room nights were tracked.
The second rendition of the Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches took place December 27-30, 2017. This tournament featured 32 total teams with 24 requiring hotel accommodations. Ten (10) different states were represented. Hotel impact grew to 1,062 room nights (a 400-room night increase from 2016).
The third Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches took place December 26-29, 2018. This tournament featured 32 total teams with 25 requiring hotel accommodations. Eleven (11) different states were represented. Hotel impact grew to 1,103 room nights (a 441-room night increase from the inaugural year in 2016).
The fourth Holiday Basketball Classic of the Palm Beaches took place December 26-30, 2019. This tournament featured 32 total teams with 15 requiring hotel accommodations. Ten (10) different states
were represented. Hotel impact grew to 1,068 room nights (a 406-room night increase from the inaugural year in 2016).
The sixth Holiday Basketball Classic in the Palm Beaches took place on December 26-29, 2022. This tournament featured, 16 total teams (8 men teams and 8 women teams) 200+ total athletes, 48 total coaches, and 400 total spectators 555 room nights.
The seventh Holiday Basketball Classic in the Palm Beaches took place on December 28-30, 2023 hosted 24 total teams, 16 boys and 8 girls teams. The event attracted 10 teams from out of the state. The event generated 546 room nights.
The eighth Holiday Basketball Classic in the Palm Beaches took place on December 27 – 30, 2024 in Palm Beach County, FL. The event featured 48 teams from 12 different states. 720+ athletes competed with 192 total coaches, and 2500+ total spectators with 1,084 room nights generated as a result.
Technology/ Visibility
In 2024, The Palm Beach County Sports Commission launched the Holiday Basketball Classic in the Palm Beaches Tournament App.
Team Participation:
The following teams participated in the 2024
Boy’s National Divisions
Blanche Ely (FL)
Chaminade Madonna (FL)
Fairfax Christian (VA)
Providence Day (NC)
St. Albans (DC)
True North (FL)
W.T. Dwyer (FL)
Wellington (FL)
Boy’s American Divisions
Bucholz (FL)
Calusa Prep (FL)
Deerfield Beach (FL)
Jupiter (FL)
Palm Beach Central (FL)
Palm Beach Gardens (FL)
Westwood (TN)
Xaverian (NY)
Boy’s Continental Divisions
Benjamin School (FL)
Boynton Beach (FL)
Calusa Prep B (FL)
Canterbury (FL)
Cardinal Newman (FL)
Cincinnati Country Day (OH)
Tradition Prep (FL)
Westland Hialeah (FL)
Boy’s United Divisions
Atlantic Delray (FL)
Boca Raton (FL)
Dr. J. Garcia (FL)
Hallandale (FL)
Holy Trinity (FL)
Kings Academy (FL)
Miami Central (FL)
Oxbridge (FL)
Girl’s National Divisions
Blanche Ely (FL)
Cicero (NY)
Gig Harbour (WA)
Northeast (FL)
Nova (FL)
Owensboro (KY)
Palm Beach Gardens (FL)
Westwood (TN)
Girl’s American Divisions
Bishop O’Connell (VA)
Cardinal Newman (FL)
Chaminade Madonna (FL)
Mater Lakes (FL)
Palm Beach Central (FL)
Palm Beach Lakes (FL)
Santaluces (FL)
Suncoast (FL)
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS):
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs. The NFHS mission is to serve its members, related professional organizations and students by providing leadership for the administration of education-based interscholastic activities, which support academic achievement, good citizenship and equitable opportunities.
The NFHS, from its offices in Indianapolis, Indiana, serves its 50-member state high school athletic/activity associations, plus the District of Columbia. The NFHS publishes playing rules in 16 sports for boys and girls and administers fine arts programs in speech, theater, debate and music. It provides a variety of program initiatives that reach 18,500 high schools and over 11 million students involved in athletic and activity programs.
Florida High School Athletic Association:
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) is the governing body for high school sports in Florida. For over 90 years, the FHSAA has provided opportunities for high school students in Florida to participate on a fair and equitable basis in interscholastic athletic programs that produce vital educational benefits. The FHSAA sponsors 3,396 championship series games through which 139 teams and 294 individuals are crowned state champions in 32 sports each year. Over 2,000 student athletes each year experience winning a championship
Benefits:
• The event has the potential to generate over 1,500+ hotel room nights for Palm Beach County.
• The month of December is a favorable time for hotels
• The creation of this tournament is an alternative to bidding on events, which allows the PBCSC to have complete control over the future of this project
• The event will allow the PBCSC to form a partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations, which is the authority on high school sports from a national perspective.
• By owning the event, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission has full control of its brand, message, and format.
• In addition to the tourism impact, the event hast the potential to become a revenue generator for
Event Bid Sheet
Girls Pre-Academy Championships
Event Name: Girls Pre-Academy Championships
Bid Organization: Palm Beach County Sports Commission
Event Owner: Elite Tournaments
Grant Funding: $15,000 from Category G grant
Proposed Dates: January 23-25, 2026
Sport: Soccer
Level of Competition: Amateur
Age Range: 11U & 12U age groups
Proposed Venue: Village Park in Wellington (16 lighted multipurpose fields)
Attendees: 80 total girls’ soccer teams (52 travel teams and 28 local team) (52 traveling teams, 936 athletes, 104 coaches, & 1,404 spectators)
Estimated # of Room Nights: 1,206 projected total room nights 611 rooms * 2 nights = 1,222 room nights
Estimated Economic Impact: $855,400 of direct visitor spending per year
Event Description:
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is bidding on the opportunity to host the inaugural Girls PreAcademy Championships at the Village Park Athletics Complex in the Village of Wellington The inaugural Girls Pre-Academy Championships is a soccer tournament scheduled to take place on January 23-25, 2026. This invite-only event will consist of 11U and 12U soccer teams from the Girls Academy, Girls Academy Aspire, and Development Player League (DPL) club members. All teams will be guaranteed to play at least 4 games (3 group games and 1 seeded game). The number of brackets will vary in age group based on the number of tournament entries. All brackets will play in championship format with group winners and finalists both receiving awards.
The event will attract approximately 80 soccer teams with 75 percent traveling from across the state and nation. The event is expected to draw 52 traveling teams, 936 athletes, 104 coaches, & 1,404
spectators that will require hotel stays. Over 1,200 hotel rooms, conservatively and nearly $1 million of visitor spending, is expected to impact Palm Beach County’s economy.
About the Girls Academy & Development Player League:
The Girls Academy is the leading youth development platform for the best female soccer players in the United States. The Girls Academy is the only national youth soccer platform that represents the collective vision of member clubs. The Girls Academy Aspire launched in 2025 and a tier two league designed to create an unparalleled development structure within elite girls’ soccer. ASPIRE serves as a critical bridge between the GA’s top-tier league and the highly competitive landscape of elite youth soccer, establishing a structured path of performancebased advancement for clubs and players.
The Development Player League (DPL) is a national youth soccer league in the United States, primarily for girls, designed to develop players for higher levels of competition, including the Girls Academy (GA). It serves as a pathway for players to gain exposure to the GA level of play and potentially be called up to their respective GA teams. The DPL offers a professional environment, focusing on development rather than solely on winning.
About Elite Tournaments:
Headquartered in West Friendship, MD, Elite Tournaments has become a key player in the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly in youth soccer and lacrosse. In addition to its strong presence in the Mid-Atlantic, the company has expanded nationwide, organizing events in over 28 states. Elite Tournaments has established valuable partnerships with major organizations in the youth sports world, including the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA), Girls Academy League (GA), Development Player League (DPL), and Elite Academy League (EA League).
Elite Tournaments in The Palm Beaches:
Elite Tournaments and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission have partnered in the past, which has led to sizable soccer tournaments taking place in The Palm Beaches. The Development Player League (DPL) Winter Showcase took place in January of 2022 and 2023 and averaged 6,061 room nights over the two-year period. The Development Player League (DPL) Summit occurred in March of 2025 and generated 2,544 room nights.
Benefits:
The Girls Pre-Academy Championships is expected to generate over 1,200 room nights at a minimum. Considering the Village Park Athletic Complex has 16 fields; this inaugural event could garner participation that far exceeds the 80-team projection.
Elite Tournaments is becoming one of the more prominent event organizers in the nation in terms of soccer and lacrosse products. Currently, Elite Tournaments produces the IWLCA (Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Association) Presidents Cup, which is the largest lacrosse event on the globe with 700+ women’s high school age lacrosse teams participating. Hosting Elite Tournaments could lead to hosting more game-changing events.
The event opened a new door of opportunity within the youth soccer space.
Palm Beach County would be home to the inaugural Girls Pre-Academy Championships. This event has a very high ceiling in terms of participation growth and expansion.
Event Fact Sheet
Event Name: 2026 Men’s Eastern National Championships
Event Owner: Twister Gymnastics Boca Raton, Inc.
Grantee: Twister Gymnastics Boca Raton, Inc.
Bid Recommendation: Category G-Grant: $25,000
Proposed Dates: April 23-26, 2026
Sport: Gymnastics
Level of Competition: Amateur
Age Range: Youth, age groups (range from 6 to 16)
Proposed Venue: Palm Beach County Convention Center
2,000 / 4 per room 500 rooms * 3 avg. night stay = 1,500 room nights
Estimated Economic Impact: 2,000 traveling Attendees * 3 avg. day stay * $240 71 daily spending = Total Direct Visitor Spending = $ 1,444,260
Event Description:
Amateur male gymnasts in Levels 7, 8, and 9 from the Eastern half of the country will gather to compete in their end-of-season Championship event. This prestigious competition serves as a culmination of their hard work and dedication throughout the season, bringing together the best athletes from around the United States. It provides a unique opportunity for these gymnasts to showcase their skills and compete at a high level, while also setting the stage for future development and potential advancement in the sport. The event not only highlights individual talent but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship among competitors, coaches, and spectators alike.
The arrival of USA Gymnastics at the Palm Beach County Convention Center is a major milestone for both the sport and the local community. Hosting such a prestigious event at this state-of-the-art venue showcases the county’s capacity to handle high-profile competitions, drawing attention from gymnasts, coaches, and spectators across the nation. The Convention Center's expansive facilities and top-tier amenities will provide an ideal setting for athletes to perform at their best while ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees. Beyond the competition, the event offers an opportunity to highlight Palm Beach County as a premier destination for national sports events, boosting local tourism and economy.
Venue Requirements:
One (1) of the 50,000 square foot exhibit hall is needed to accommodate the necessary gymnastics floor, tiered spectator seating and vendor/exhibitor space The other 50,000 sq. ft. ex hall will be used to stage the awards ceremony as there needs to be seating for 1,000 people for each session, as well as stretching and warmup space for the gymnasts. There is also an area for the judges’ meeting/hospitality room.
Projected Event Schedule:
Thursday April 23: Set up
Friday, April 24: Competition
Saturday, April 25: Competition
Sunday, April 26: Competition
*Each session lasts approximately 4 hours. Awards ceremony follows each session
About USA Gymnastics:
USA Competitions is a full-time gymnastics event production company, dedicated to producing first-class gymnastics competitions. The creation of USA Competitions is a direct result of attending hundreds of competitions, both good and not-so-good. We felt it was time that someone put the participants, the athletes, coaches and parents first. USA Competitions is owned and operated by USA Gymnastics.
USA Gymnastics (USAG) is the sole national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. This designation comes from the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). USA Gymnastics sets the rules and policies that govern gymnastics in the United States. USA Gymnastics has many responsibilities, including selecting and training the U.S. Gymnastics Teams for Olympic Games and World Championships; promoting and developing gymnastics on a grassroots and national level; and serving as a resource center for member clubs, fans and gymnasts throughout the United States. The organization has programs in men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics, and parkour.
Today, more than 120,000 athletes and professionals are members of USA Gymnastics. USA Gymnastics has more than 90,000 athletes registered in competitive programs, as well as more than 20,000 professionals, instructors, and club members. More than 4,000 competitions and events are sanctioned annually throughout the United States.
Trampoline and tumbling joined USA Gymnastics in 1999. Trampoline made its debut as an Olympic sport at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
PBCSC Responsibilities:
• Venue selection and coordination
• Assist with housing solutions
• Assist with operational and logistical needs, volunteers, venue coordination, and hotels
• Assist with marketing & public relation efforts
• Provide a grant to offset facility rental and operational expenses
Benefits:
• The 2026 Men’s Eastern National Championships will generate a significant level of room nights and direct visitor spending for Palm Beach County in April.
• Hosting this event will create an opportunity to place a new major sporting event in the Palm Beach County Convention Center in 2026
• Supporting another USA Gymnastics event will further strengthen our relationship with the event owner and help attract larger USA Gymnastics events to Palm Beach County.
DESTINATION DEMAND UPDATE
WeeklyHotelPerformance
Apr 27 to May 3
May 4 to May 10 May 11 to May 17 May 18 to May 24 May 25 to 31
