Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: February 3, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Ray Walls, Deputy Director, Orange County Convention Center
CONTACT: Ray Walls
PHONE: 407-685-5684
DIVISION: Fiscal and Operational Support Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval of the Tourist Development Tax Sports Incentive Committee’s recommendations for sports incentive funding pursuant to the terms and conditions of funding agreements between Visit Orlando and the following applicants and authorization for Visit Orlando to enter into such agreements as follows: (1) $60,000 in three annual installments of $20,000 to Greater Orlando Sports Commission to be used for bid fees for the 2025-2027 End of Summer Slam; and (2) $225,000 to be paid in three annual installments of $75,000 to Greater Orlando Sports Commission to offset marking and promotion costs for the 2025-2027 PNC Championship. (Fiscal and Operational Support Division)
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PROJECT: Sports Incentive Committee Funding Requests
PURPOSE: On November 1, 2016, the Board authorized consolidated sports funding under the tourist development plan for incentivizing sporting events in Orange County venues. Since 2017, Visit Orlando has provided professional assistance in evaluating sports incentive funding proposals before the Tourist Development Tax Sports Incentive Committee (SIC). Sports incentive funds are held in a separate Visit Orlando account. On October 22, 2019, the Board approved a new tourism promotion agreement pursuant to which Visit Orlando will now administer both the evaluation of proposals and enter into funding agreements with applicants after the SIC funding recommendations have been approved by the Board. On May 21, 2024, the Board approved an amendment to the 2019 agreement with Visit Orlando whereby Visit Orlando will fund up to $10 million annually for incentivizing sporting events as part of this program and allowing that amount to grow in fiscal year 2028 based on increasing Tourist Development Tax collections.
At its January 30, 2025 meeting, the SIC recommended approval of two funding requests after hearing presentations from the respective applicants. Visit Orlando’s staff also provided an evaluation of the proposals for consideration by the SIC.
2025-2027 End of Summer Slam The SIC recommended approval of Greater Orlando Sports Commission’s (GOSC) request of $60,000 to be paid in three annual installments of $20,000 as bid fees for the youth basketball tournament to be held at the Orange County Convention Center in July 2025, 2026, and 2027. The event is held annually and caters to youth from ages nine through 18. Attendance for the event is estimated at 27,000, with a projected generation of 4,500 room nights and an economic impact of approximately $2.5M.
2025-2027 PNC Championship The SIC recommended approval of GOSC’s request of $225,000 to be paid in three annual installments of $75,000 to offset marketing and promotional fees for the 2025-2027 PNC Championship golf event to be held at the Orlando Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in December 2025, 2026, and 2027. The event, broadcasted on the NBC family of networks, is a professional golf tournament featuring major champion winners paired with their family members. Annual attendance for the golf tournament is expected to be 19,000, with a generation of 4,800 room nights, and an economic impact of approximately $5 million.
BUDGET: N/A