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EXHIBIT A INDIAN RIVER COUNTY TOURIST TAX FUNDING REQUEST A. Program Cover Page Sebastian River Area Chamber of Agency: Commerce & Pelican Porch Visitor's Telephone: Center Contact Person: Cheryl Thibault Fax: Title: President/CEO E -Mail: Address: 524 Bayharbor Terrace Website Address: www.sebastianchamber,com Program Title: Pelican Porch Visitor's Center and Tourism Promotion 772-589-5969 772-589-5993 cthibault2sebastianchamber. com I Agree - By checking the "I Agree" box and entering your name below, you certify that information contained in this application accurately reflects the activities of this agency and that the expenditures or portions thereof for which County funds are being requested are not reimbursed by any other source. Name: Cheryl Thibault Title: President / CEO brief aescn tion of the vro ram for wnicn tunaing is re uestea: The Sebastian River Area (SRA) Chamber of Commerce & Pelican Porch Visitor's Center is designated as one of the County's Tourist Bureau Partners. Our Chamber is a Visitor's Center for the northern part of Indian River County, as well as a designated Visitor's Center on the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway, and a VISIT FLORIDA Certified Visitor Information Center. We assist over 10,000 visitors a year with suggestions and itineraries while vacationing in our area. In addition to providing visitor services upon arrival, we also market our Visit SRA destination brand to attract new visitors to the SRA by promoting our natural and recreational resources that make our area so unique. Utilizing Visit Florida's partnership whenever possible, we produce promotional video, digital and print ads, social media posts, and email campaigns to target audiences while working collaboratively with and on behalf of our tourism partners to put heads on beds. Our 2023-2024 plan is to continue to operate the Pelican Porch Visitor's Center full time, promote eco -tourism, fishing, birding, and festivals year-round to all travelers in and out of the state as well as internationally. We have partnered with the City of Sebastian and implemented the SRA Public Mural Program which is now included on the Visit Florida Public Mural Trail map. Our plan is to continue to grow the program adding more Murals to increase visitation to the area. Summary Keoort Amount requested from Indian River County for 2023/2024: $212,530.00 Total Proposed Program budget for 2023/2024: $212,530.00 Percent of total Program budget: 100% Current Funding (2022/2023) $140,000.00 Dollar increase / (decrease) in request: $72,530.00 Percent increase / decrease in request: 51.81 % If request increased 5% or more, briefly explain wh In 2022, Florida broke the record for highest visitation in state history. We plan to increase and expand our marketing efforts within the State of Florida and throughout the country to make those travelers aware of and attract them to the Sebastian River Area. We plan to do that by increasing our VISIT SRA brand awareness, adding new tourism related events, and enhancing our visitors' experience. To accomplish these enhancements to our tourism plan, we have increased our budget to include a full-time Tourism & Marketing Director. The Organization's Board of Directors has approved this application on (date): 04/25/23 Name of President/Chair of the Board: Name of Exec. Director/CEO: EXHIBIT A Nichole Johanson Cheryl Thibault