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EXHIBIT A <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY TOURIST TAX FUNDING REQUEST <br />A. Program Cover Page <br />Agency: Indian River County Chamber of <br />Commerce Tourism Division <br />Telephone: 772-567-3491 <br />Contact Person: Ben Earman Fax: <br />Title: Vice President of Tourism & Marketing E -Mail: bearman(o)visitindianrivercounty.com <br />Address: 1216 21st Street <br />Website Address: www.VisitlndianRiverCounty.com <br />Program Title: Indian River County Tourism Marketing <br />& Development <br />I Agree - By checking the "I Agree" box and entering your name below, you certify that information contained <br />in this application accurately reflects the activities of this agency and that the expenditures or portions thereof for <br />which County funds are being requested are not reimbursed by any other source. <br />Name: Ben Earman Title: Vice President of Tourism & <br />Marketing <br />brieT aescn tion OT Tne vro ram Tor wnicn Tunaing is re uestea: <br />The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Division serves as the County's primary agency and leader for <br />tourism development, marketing, and promotion. Through its Tourism Division, the Chamber manages all tourism -related <br />efforts aimed at attracting visitors and maximizing tourism -driven tax revenue and economic impact for local businesses. <br />The Chamber supports these initiatives by providing essential resources and administrative support. Bed tax revenues <br />fund a wide range of tourism activities, including staffing, marketing and advertising, public relations, production of the <br />Official Destination Guide, maintenance of five websites, media press trips, trade and consumer shows, postage and <br />shipping, professional services, and other projects that strengthen the county's tourism strategy. The Chamber remains <br />committed to promoting Indian River County as a high-quality, welcoming destination. Our award-winning campaigns and <br />website highlight the county's safe, family -friendly environment and its unique offerings, reaching diverse niche audiences <br />through targeted marketing. We continually enhance our digital platforms—including our own branded county -wide <br />tourism website and social media—to improve the visitor experience and increase engagement. In the FY 2025/2026 <br />plan, we will prioritize digital advertising, remarketing, video content, native storytelling, social media, and public relations <br />to boost awareness and drive visitation. Additionally, we will continue advancing the Treasure Coast Regional branding <br />initiative and expanding programs that support niche markets—putting more "heads in beds" and creating new <br />opportunities for our tourism partners. <br />oummary me or[ <br />Amount requested from Indian River County for 2025/2026: $1,200,138.00 <br />Total Proposed Program budget for 2025/2026: $1,200,138.00 <br />Percent of total Program budget: 100% <br />Current Funding (2024/2025) $926,748.00 <br />Dollar increase / (decrease) in request: $273,390.00 <br />Percent increase / decrease in request: 29.5% <br />If request increased 5% or more, briefly explain wh <br />The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Division, the key leader in Tourism Promotion for Indian <br />River County is requesting a 29.5% increase in its FY 2025/2026 budget to strategically and properly invest in tourism <br />growth, which is a key economic driver for the region, applying more funds to Advertising and Promotion. Additionally, <br />we have also allocated an additional budget line to promote and expand the marketing reach of "unique" festivals to <br />Indian River County per the TDC Board's request and have developed a plan to do just that. Here's a breakdown of <br />why the increase is being requested and its reasoning: <br />-Increased Marketing Demands <br />Tourism competition across Florida has intensified, with neighboring counties significantly upping their marketing <br />budgets. Indian River County must keep pace by expanding digital, print, and social media campaigns to maintain <br />and grow its market share. Also, due to the decline of international travel and Canadian travel, it is important for areas <br />like ours to get back in front of these audiences, and international marketing is higher in cost than domestic <br />marketing. <br />-TargetingJargeting New Markets and Demographics <br />EXHIBITA <br />OFFIC, <br />