FPRA_The Beach

[Matt J]

The whole campaign is just Okaloosa county trying to use the coming (no time line established) boom of Walton, Bay, and Gulf counties to continue to market their area. The new airport, new developments, and new attractions are all things that pull away from Okaloosa county. Any coincidence that the majority of folks pushing THE BEACH down our throats are based in Okaloosa?

Sea Sotheby's I understand you not wanting people to protest, but what is wrong with showing up to ask questions?

 

[Sea Sothebys]

The whole campaign is just Okaloosa county trying to use the coming (no time line established) boom of Walton, Bay, and Gulf counties to continue to market their area. The new airport, new developments, and new attractions are all things that pull away from Okaloosa county. Any coincidence that the majority of folks pushing THE BEACH down our throats are based in Okaloosa?

Sea Sotheby's I understand you not wanting people to protest, but what is wrong with showing up to ask questions?

You know what SWGB: I truly don't care one way or another...
I think people should show up- that is why I posted it... and I imagine there is a Q&A?

 

[wrobert]

RSVP with lunch selection to Tiffany McCaskill at tmccaskill@beachesofsouthwalton.com
or call 850-267-1216 ext. 121 by March 13

As seen here, the taxpayers of Walton County appear to already be supporting this campaign through the use of public resources. Seems like another project of the TDC, that is opposite of what the citizens that they work for want to see happen. We really need to work on some more responsive government in this county.

 

[DuneLaker]

Why would St. Joe care about helping Okaloosa County? They have very little property there. They do own 95 % of Gulf County, 50% of Bay County and tons of South Walton County. Odd too that they would want to alienate Holmes and Washington Count by leaving them out. Seems that Okaloosa County would have the most to gain from this. Why couldn't they get one of their chambers to play lead?

 

[30abob]

I saw a "mini" presentation this morning at the Destin Chamber Breakfast. I'm trying to keep an open mind but my "gut" reaction isn't overly optimistic.

The premise given for using "THE" Beach was that that's what everyone in the Southeast U.S. (or regular visitors to the area) already calls the area; ie. Q."Where are you going on vacation?" A."THE Beach." I agree... but everyone in New Jersey calls the beach "Down-A-Shore" and that isn't likely to translate outside of the Northeast. I'm also remembering that people in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. called Virginia Beach "THE" Beach (I lived there for 1-1/2 years).

In every book I've ever read regarding developing a brand; one of the key fundamentals is defending the brand... defending "THE" seems to be a tremendous battle to tackle.

The founding partners all seem to be highly successful and sincere in their efforts. Since they have many more years invested in this area than I do and are spending their own money, I'll wish them the best... without counting any chickens.

 

[GoodWitch58]

[
Ihe founding partners all seem to be highly successful and sincere in their efforts. Since they have many more years invested in this area than I do and are spending their own money, I'll wish them the best... without counting any chickens.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for posting. I have not seen a presentation.

Just a couple of thoughts regarding the above comment: some of the money may be tax or bed tax money; and while their intentions are probably good--they may well be engaged in "group think". I do not recall any focus groups or any input from "regular" people who also have a lot invested in the area.

It is group think that gets peeps into lots of trouble lots of times. just my 2cents....

 

[BeachSiO2]

As seen here, the taxpayers of Walton County appear to already be supporting this campaign through the use of public resources. Seems like another project of the TDC, that is opposite of what the citizens that they work for want to see happen. We really need to work on some more responsive government in this county.

Before this spirals completely out of control against the local TDC, I wanted to make sure that everyone knows this is not a TDC project. The reason Tiffany's name is on the invite is because she is the FPRA Secretary and they are the one hosting the event.

 

[30abob]

Just a couple of thoughts regarding the above comment: some of the money may be tax or bed tax money; and while their intentions are probably good--they may well be engaged in "group think". I do not recall any focus groups or any input from "regular" people who also have a lot invested in the area.

Unless this was misrepresented in the presentation the money used to date was not public money. We were told it was raised by the founder's; St. Joe was one of the first contributors with $300k or m (depending on who you are) according to the information that was presented.

As far as "regular" people's opinions, that's where were at now. The people with the money who funded this are now wanting your opinion... to be supportive. Just like everything else in marketing /advertising it will either work or not, that will be easier to see later rather than sooner. I will say one positive thing about it, they have definitely achieved a "buzz" - people are talking about it. It remains to be seen if that "talk" will turn into new people visiting the area.

By the way bad publicity isn't necessarily all bad, one of the biggest blunders in corporate America was "New" Coke and it sold more "Old" Coke than anything else they did for years before or after.

 

[wrobert]

For clarification:

The phone number is for the TDC, the phone I am sure is paid for with taxpayer dollars. The email address is to a domain that the taxpayers own. Since the RSVP does not say to call before or after business hours on the taxpayer owned phone system then Tiffany would be drawing a taxpayer check and enjoying taxpayer funded benefits while doing this work.
Government does not produce funding. It takes funding from citizens. Working on this project, makes this a TDC supported project through the use of that funding.

 

[elgordoboy]

For clarification:

The phone number is for the TDC, the phone I am sure is paid for with taxpayer dollars. The email address is to a domain that the taxpayers own. Since the RSVP does not say to call before or after business hours on the taxpayer owned phone system then Tiffany would be drawing a taxpayer check and enjoying taxpayer funded benefits while doing this work.
Government does not produce funding. It takes funding from citizens. Working on this project, makes this a TDC supported project through the use of that funding.

Hmmm....