Industry Update

March 6, 2020

Chicago Tribune: Get to Know St. Pete 2.0

As we anticipate the opening of the new St. Pete Pier, media coverage continues to roll in from major metro newspapers. Resulting from VSPC's PR efforts, the Chicago Tribune put St. Pete on the map letting readers know that "this lively Florida city is having a renaissance." The online story reached more than 3.6 million with the print story running this Sunday, March 8, to even more Chicagoans.


Dunedin's TD Ballpark Has a Brand New Look

TD Ballpark, the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays, and home of the Dunedin Blue Jays, has a brand new look following a $102 million renovation. The project, which was part of VSPC's Capital Projects Funding Program, includes 3,000 additional seats, new video scoreboard, sound system, concessions, Kid's Zone, Jays Shop and more. Check out the schedule here to go see for yourself!


2019 Destination Visitor Profile Now Available

The 2019 visitor profile study is now available. Created by Destination Analysts, this report highlights the activity of travelers in Pinellas County throughout the 2019 calendar year. Some highlights include more than $9 billion in total economic impact to the community, more than 15 million visitors to the area and a 2.9% increase of hotel room nights sold year-over-year.


Lights, Camera, Action in St. Pete/Clearwater

From commercials with major brands including Chrysler, Publix and Dick's Sporting Goods, to an HGTV reality show and feature film Lady of the Manor, written and directed by Justin Long with Judy Greer and Ryan Phillippe among the lead characters, the cameras have been rolling in St. Pete/Clearwater.


Skift: Nearly 90 Percent of U.S. Travelers Have Yet to Cancel Plans Due to Virus

According to Skift, U.S. travelers are taking a wait-and-see approach to the evolving Coronavirus situation, with few canceling just yet. Meanwhile, the federal government hasn't recommended limiting domestic travel, but the industry has seen large meetings and convention business canceled across the globe, including ITB in Berlin, which VSPC was supposed to attend this week.


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