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Talk of the bay: Tourism agency touts virtues of huge crowds

By Times Staff
Published December 13, 2007

What would make more than 300 restaurants close, some 21,000 jobs disappear and taxes shoot up in Pinellas? A 25 percent drop in the number of visitors, says the county's tourism marketing agency. Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater plans to launch a $100,000 ad campaign next month aimed at convincing residents from Tarpon Springs to Tierra Verde that their lives and wallets would be emptier with fewer tourists on the beaches, roads and sidewalks. The ads - radio, direct mail and newspaper - will include testimonials from restaurant owners, Dali Museum director Hank Hine and other businesspeople about how tourist dollars keep the local economy afloat. The campaign is bankrolled with resort tax revenues, paid mostly by tourists.

Students to offer GM some Gen Y advice

A group of University of South Florida marketing students is headed to Atlanta today to tell General Motors' regional managers how they can make Chevrolet's new models appeal to Generation Y. Five College of Business students worked with Tom Moore Chevrolet in Tampa to create an ad campaign aimed at increasing interest in the Cobalt and Aveo on the USF campus. Their tactics included promotional videos on YouTube and Flix55, as well as a campus tailgate event. The USF students are just one of two college teams nationwide invited to present their marketing campaign to General Motors executives.

Port board casts net for candidates

Wanted: a maritime veteran to serve on the board that oversees the agency that runs Tampa's port. Commissioner Joe Hartley leaves the Tampa Port Authority board next year, and a committee is looking for a successor. Applicants must have maritime industry backgrounds and be Hillsborough residents. The committee submits a list of nominees to Gov. Charlie Crist, who appoints board members. Applications are available at www.propellerclubtampa.com or by calling Nancy Simms at (813) 225-7227. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Monday. The job doesn't pay a salary.

Chamber leaders picked until 2010

The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce decided to think way ahead by unveiling the leaders for its board of governors through 2010. The 2008 chair is Charles M. Harris, partner of Trenam Kemker. Tech Data chairman Steven A. Raymund takes on the task in 2009. And Sidney W. Morgan, market president of Blue Cross/Blue Shield, agreed to chair in 2010.

[Last modified December 12, 2007, 21:37:36]