Goldman will report to TDC at Monday meeting

Executive Director of the Visitor Convention Bureau, Richard Goldman, will present his report to members of the St Johns County Tourist Development Council Monday; local Historic City News reporters have been observing year-end activities of the private agency that is substantially funded by local-option sales taxes.

The St Johns County Board of Commissioners appoints members of the Tourist Development Council; which has, in the past, been the roosting place for “volunteer” board members with a financial interest in the decision making process.

The TDC brokers the responsibility for destination marketing, via contract, to the St Johns County Visitors Convention Bureau, Inc.; an independent, not-for-profit corporation; organized in September of 1995. Goldman’s board includes Chair, Robert O’Neill; Vice-Chair, David Mariotti; and, officers John Fraser, president; Jeffrey Oliasomi, secretary; Tina Klinkenberg, treasurer.

Goldman will report on both the Ponce 500 initiative underway during 2013, and the 450th Commemoration for 2015. According to a published agenda, the VCB has updated their marketing plans to include the City of St Augustine Picasso event.

According to Goldman, more “Ponce 500” stories are appearing in media outlets; including promotion for the 30°8’ marker at the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, commemorating the Ponce de Leon landing party on April 2, 1513.

The recent “Top Chef” cook-off hosted 600 people, Goldman reported. The event was able to raise a charitable donation of over $3,000 for the local Home Again St Johns program.

Another long-term initiative of the VCB, has been working with the Northeast Florida Regional Airport at St Augustine to lure a scheduled carrier to replace Skybus. Goldman will update the Council on their progress.