February
28, 2011
COUNTY COUNCIL
TO COMMISSION TOURISM MARKETING STUDY; INPUT SOUGHT -- The Volusia
County Council wants to gauge the effectiveness of Volusia’s tourism
marketing efforts and their relationship to generating conventions at
the expanded Ocean Center. To do that, early next month the county will
seek proposals from qualified consulting firms to conduct a
comprehensive analysis of countywide tourism marketing. At its February
17 meeting, the County Council approved a draft request for statement of
qualifications (RSQ) document that will be issued by county government
after the county council’s March 3 meeting. In the meantime, the county
is seeking public comments on the document which outlines the parameters
of the study and the desired qualifications of the consulting firm to be
selected. The county has created a website
volusiacountymarketingstudy.com that contains the RSQ and other
marketing information for the public to view and provide their thoughts.
The study is expected to analyze existing marketing efforts of the Ocean
Center and the county’s three tourism advertising authorities, the
adequacy of marketing budgets, strengths and weaknesses of the area,
marketing relationships, and potential new marketing funding sources.
The county will seek a highly experienced consulting firm with no ties
to the area.
COUNTY TO HOST
PUBLIC INCUBATOR PRESENTATIONS -- Volusia County Economic
Development is hosting a public presentation on the UCF business
incubator program in Volusia. The presentation will be on two dates --
March 2, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the training rooms on the first floor
of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave.,
DeLand, and March 4 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the second floor Volusia
Room at Daytona Beach International Airport, 700 Catalina Drive, Daytona
Beach. For more information or to RSVP please call 386-248-8048.
CONSUMER
CONFIDENCE STRONG IN FLORIDA -- Consumer confidence among Floridians
was 77 out of 100 this month, demonstrating the public's positive view
of the economy, according to a University of Florida survey. The index
rose seven points last month, an unexpected increase considering the
economic climate in Florida.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
HAS SOME OF THE BUSIEST AIRSPACE IN THE COUNTRY -- The 2010 FAA
Administrators Factbook lists Daytona Beach International Airport as one
of the safest in the country and the 26th busiest tower in the U.S., and
the second busiest in Florida. Orlando International was 27th. Whether
it's a Boeing 747 or single engine Cessna 172, a landing or takeoff
counts as one operation. Safety award-winning Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University has a zero accident rate. In addition, the Ormond Beach tower
was the busiest tower run by a private contractor in the U.S. The year
before, the busiest was New Smyrna Beach.
DSC TO OFFER
START YOUR OWN BUSINESS SERIES – Beginning March 1, the Small
Business Development Center at Daytona State College will offer a series
called: Start, run and grow your business – an introduction to
entrepreneurship. Classes will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Daytona State
College, building 110, room 112. The program continues each Tuesday
evening through April 26. To register call 386-506-4723 or email
sbdc@daytonastate.edu.
FREE WEBINARS
COVER SBIR GRANT ASSISTANCE -- The Florida Economic Gardening
Institute is providing a series of free online webinars about SBIR/STTR
funding opportunities. More than $2 billion in SBIR grants will be
awarded to innovative small and startup technology companies this year.
To learn how your company can get government funds to expand your
commercialization efforts or if you think you’d like to apply for a
grant for your product, call Paul Mitchell at Volusia County Economic
Development at 386-248-8048 or by email:
pmitchell@co.volusia.fl.us.
The county and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University can partner to help
write your grant. Scholarship funds are available to cover part of the
cost.
QUOTE OF THE
WEEK -- “Inflation is when you pay $15 for the $10 haircut you used
to get for $5 when you had hair.” -- Sam Ewing
NEWS ITEMS
WANTED! – Please send your business news items to Dave Byron,
Volusia County Community Information Director, 123 W. Indiana Ave.,
DeLand, 32720-4612, by fax at (386) 822-5072 or by e-mail at
dbyron@co.volusia.fl.us.
