Panama City Beach Marketing Efforts

PANAMA CITY BEACH — If you build it, will they come?
Take a look at this article from the news Herald. How can the TDC improve their efforts to sell PCB? I think they wait too long to start. For instance they should start the summer campaign on April not June. I think people plan ahead. Other ideas or comments? Have you seen the new ads? I have see some on TV in Nashville.
That's the unspoken 800-pound question hanging in the air as the Bay County Tourist Development Council contemplates the construction of its aggressive new summer marketing campaign and peers - squinting - toward the fall.
To put it another way: Are they erecting their faith on rock, or sand?
Lee Ann Leonard of By the Sea Resorts appreciates the TDC's new television commercial promoting vacation opportunities along Panama City Beach, but she wishes the marketing could be more targeted.
After a 6 percent drop in room rentals during the first quarter of this year, she's a little nervous as the Beach moves into its summer tourist season and then fast-pedals into the fall.
"We are definitely pacing behind last year," she said. "One thing that has been a premier generator for us has been the special events. The special events really draw people here."
She mentioned the New Year's Eve celebration at Pier Park, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in mid-April and the promotion of Valentine's Day along the beach. Individual events help set Panama City Beach apart from other destinations, she said.
"Special events really give people that extra reason to come here," said Leonard, general manager of By the Sea Resorts and a member of the TDC's marketing committee.
These and other concerns will be on the table at a marketing committee meeting Tuesday called to discuss the TDC's marketing approach for the fall and winter seasons.
Committee Chairman Buddy Wilkes, of Shipwreck Island Waterpark, said he is eager to hear from various business owners about the state of current and future marketing efforts.
"I would like to get some feedback from both the audience and the committee," Wilkes said.
Of particular concern to Wilkes, he said, are potential target audiences for any future marketing campaigns, particularly in the fall and winter. In the past, he had an 80 percent return rate for his customers. Now, about 50 percent of his patrons are new customers.
"These are the people we need to know about," he said. "I think that's happening all along the beach. We are in that type of a transition."
TDC executive director Dan Rowe said that with the new influx of funds generated by the recent passage of an additional 2-cent bed tax, the Beach is primed to deploy some new marketing muscle, especially for the fall and winter.
The June and July period make up about 40 percent of the Beach's yearly revenue, and this area will continue to draw visitors over the summer, he said. "People almost consider that a constitutional right."
"Clearly we do well with the summer vacationers," Rowe said, noting that Tuesday's marketing committee meeting will be the first step in tweaking the summer program into a larger fall campaign. "Now we have a great opportunity to get people here the rest of the year."
The launch of the TDC's summer marketing effort has included a re-design of its Web site, visitpanamacitybeach.com, and a rebranding effort highlighted by the production of a new television commercial, now appearing in selected Southeastern markets.
The campaign, tagged with the slogan Real.Fun.Beach., has attempted to promote Panama City Beach as a year-round designation, Rowe said.
"Fall is a perfect time to come down," he said. "We want to create a whole experience of events. We want potential visitors to know that you can always find something fun to do."
Leonard said she hopes the TDC's marketing efforts do not fall prey to a blandness that fails to distinguish Panama City Beach from other destinations. The competition between vacation spots is becoming fierce, she said, with room rates dropping in a climate dominated by crafty shoppers.
"I think we need to be more specific, to differentiate our beaches from other beaches," she said. "It is critical to get more people here. When people are forced to drop their rates, everyone is losing."
One suggestion Leonard had was a micro-targeted campaign of banner advertising on popular Internet sites such as Facebook.
Wilkes said the TDC also needed to cast its marketing eyes - and dollars - toward the opening of the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport.
"We need to be looking at new markets that will be meaningful to the new airport," he said. "Wisconsin and Michigan used to be real strong in the winter. But Michigan could be really impacted with the auto situation. There could be a market in Minnesota, as well."
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Panama City Beach - Pier Park Summer Concert Series

Panama City Beach - Visiting PCB this summer? The Pier Park Summer Concert Series starts up in early June. Get your blankets, lawn chairs and coolers ready – this season’s lineup looks like a lot of fun! Here’s the schedule:

• De Lions of Jah - Raggae - June 4th
• Eric Lindell - Blues/Rock - June 11th
• Rollin in the Hay - New Grass - June 18th
• Cyril Neville (of the Neville Brothers) - R&B/Rock - June 25th
• The Lee Griffin Band - R&B/Rock - July 2nd
• PBS - New Orleans Fund - July 9th
• The Legendary JC’s - Soul/R&B - July 16th
• King Cotton Blues Band - Blues - July 23rd
• The Donnie Sundal Project - Variety - July 30th
• Beachmice - Eclectic Acoustic - August 6th
• Heat and the Zydeco Gents - Zydeco - August 13th
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Panama City Beach - Beach Warning Flag Magnets

Through a partnership with the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, Gulf Coast Medical Center distributed nearly 4,000 beach warning flag refrigerator magnets this week to Beach accommodations. Vice President of Communications Marta Rose explained, “Making our beaches safe for swimmers is an important message we wanted to communicate this season. Gulf Coast Medical Center’s magnets show the different warning flags and a description of what they mean. They’re a simple guide that may help save someone’s life.”

Rose said an email to Panama City Beach rental property owners about the free magnets generated an immediate response. “Within 15 minutes of sending the email, we began receiving requests.”

Gulf Coast Medical Center Director of Marketing Rod Whiting said, “Property owners understood the value of the magnets to the safety of their guests. Our beaches are our greatest attractions and we want to do our part to make sure our visitors have a pleasant experience while they are here. ”

The magnets are free to the property owners and are available by calling 850-747-7817.

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Panama City Beach – Fishing with Captain James Pic

Panama City Beach – Captain James Pick report of May 15, 2009
I am pleased to announce that I am the Hobie Sunglass guide for the area. Any of my past or future customers that want to fish with the same glasses I wear at a substantial discount, let me know and I will hook you up.
Panama City Fishing Forecast:

Reds and trout are abundant. Sharks have moved into the bay early this year and the kings have shown up off the beach. Shaping up to be a great year. Give me a call and let me show what I can do. 850-215-5578. Or click www.jp2fish.com
Target Species:

All the players are here. All species are available.
Need a place to stay…
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Panama City Beach – Pier Park Restaurant

Panama City Beach - Hofbräu Beer Garden

Here is a restaurant close to our condos. Our daughters have visited the Hofbräu Beer Garden in Munich. The PCB version is not the same bit still nice.
Welcome to Hofbräu Beer Garden, located on Pier Park Drive in Panama City Beach. We are excited to bring the spirit of Munich's fabled Hofbräuhaus to the Panhandle of Florida. The Hofbräu tradition is one of legends, where people of all ages and walks of life come together to enjoy good times, a hearty meal and drink great beer!

Locals and tourists alike have a favorite place to meet old friends, make new ones and enjoy the greatest beer in the world. Our food is authentic, featuring a menu of Bavarian Specialties developed by our Master German Chef. With authentic tables and benches from the original Münchner Hofbräuhaus, our customers will find themselves transported to a legendary Munich beer hall. Outside, our beer garden entices our visitors to soak up some Florida sun, all the while enjoying a crisp, cold Bavarian brew.

A visit to Hofbräu Beer Garden will be filled with "Gemütlichkeit", a word that has no exact translation, best described as a feeling of comfort and social belonging. A true Hofbräu experience is meeting as strangers and leaving as friends. So, if your table is not full make room for others, introduce yourself to your neighbors, raise your glasses and say "PROST!" For more information visit www.hofbraupcb.com.

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Panama City Beach Area- Top 10 Free and Almost Free Attractions

Going to some of these attractions from the Beat Panama City Beach Condo requires a day trip. We have visited the Naval Aviation Museum several times over the years. If you have the time I highly recommend the trip. Some of these attractions Top 10 Free and Almost Free Attractions along the Gulf Coast

1) National Naval Aviation Museum (Pensacola, FL) – Featuring 150 vintage aircraft, aviation artifacts, flight simulators and an IMAX theater; watch Blue Angels practice their choreographed flying twice weekly. Admission to the museum is free. www.navalaviationmuseum.org
2) Emerald Coast Science Center (Fort Walton Beach, FL) – More than 250 hands-on exhibits educate kids about everything from electricity and animals to the human body. Admission is $5 for adults, $3.50 for kids (ages 3 to 12). www.ecscience.org
3) St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (Port St. Joe, FL) – Home to Cape San Blas, one of the top rated beaches in the continental U.S., the park is an ideal destination for kayaking, bird watching and spotting bottlenose dolphins. Admission is $4 per vehicle. www.floridastateparks.org/stjoseph
4) Frank Brown Park (Panama City Beach, FL) – This brand new park offers more than 200 acres of recreational facilities including a freshwater fishing pond, saltwater fishing pier, greenways, trails, ball fields, playgrounds and picnic pavilions. Admission to the park is free. www.playballinparadise.com
5) Panhandle Butterfly House (Navarre, FL) – See butterflies up close and personal at this educational and interactive exhibit. Indoor and outdoor gardens serve as a home for thousands of brilliantly hued butterflies, including migrating monarchs. Admission is free. www.panhandlebutterflyhouse.org
6) St. George Island State Park (St. George Island, FL) – Pack a picnic and head to this pristine park for a day of searching for the perfect seashell, kayaking and wildlife viewing along its many trails. Admission is $5 per vehicle. www.floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland
7) Gulf Islands National Seashore – The Pensacola Bay Area is home to the longest stretch of protected seashore in the country. National park rangers lead free programs from beach walks and bird watching to star gazing and snorkeling. Admission is $3.00 per person. www.nps.gov/guis
8) Outdoor Concerts and Performances (Beaches of South Walton) – From “Moonlight and Movies” in Rosemary Beach and “Friday Nite Flicks” and “Wednesday Night Concert Series” in Sandestin to a theatrical performance by the Seaside Repertory Theatre under the stars in Seaside, it’s easy to find free and inexpensive entertainment on a warm night in the Beaches of South Walton. www.beachesofsouthwalton.com
9) Ogden Museum of Southern Art @ WaterColor (Santa Rosa Beach, FL) – On exhibit at this first branch of New Orleans’ famed Ogden Museum are masterful paintings, photographs, sculptures and more created by famed Southern artists. The Center for Southern Craft and Design is also located in the museum, offering the work of highly collectable craft artists for sale. Admission is free. www.ogdenmuseum.org
10) Man in the Sea Museum (Panama City Beach, FL) – Exhibits at this modest but entertaining museum dedicated to man’s exploration of the sea range from centuries-old treasures recovered from sunken ships to a submarine that guests can walk through and SEALAB-1, the world's first working undersea habitat. Admission is $5 per person; children under 7 are free. www.maninthesea.org

For more suggestions of free and inexpensive activities to do at THE Beach and general destination information, visit www.thebeachfla.com

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Panama City Beach – Florida Real Estate April 09

With the current low prices it could be a good time to invest at Celadon Beach Resort… come and be our neighbor at PCB!

Ten Realtors from across Florida met with Gov. Charlie Crist this week to discuss increased home sales and other positive trends in their markets, as well as offer insight into some current issues facing the real estate industry. It’s part of this year’s Great American Realtor Days, April 14-15, when about 1,000 Realtors from throughout the state join forces at the state capital to meet with their legislators and discuss concerns affecting all Florida residents.

Representing markets from Miami to Jacksonville and all points in between, Realtors reported an upswing in existing home sales in the past three to six months, when comparing year-to-year activity and also month-to-month sales figures. John Sebree, vice president of public policy for the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR), kicked off the Real Estate Roundtable meeting with Gov. Crist by noting that February’s statewide existing home sales rose 20 percent over the same period last year, according to FAR data. He also reported that February’s home sales were about 17 percent higher than January’s statewide sales activity.

Realtors also told the governor about other positive indicators such as: mortgage interest rates under 5 percent; reduced housing inventory levels as buyers take advantage of current, more affordable housing opportunities; and encouraging market reaction to the federal economic stimulus package, especially the new $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.

Upon hearing these reports from around the state, Gov. Crist said, “It doesn’t get much better than this. [Housing] supply and demand is going to come into balance here. Two to three years from now, people will be saying, ‘Back in April 2009 I could have gotten that home for so many dollars’ – so you don’t want to wait.
“Prices have gotten as low as they can. Now is the time to buy, while the deals still exist,” the governor said.

Discussing some of the challenges in today’s market, many Realtors pointed to difficulties with so-called “short sales,” where the bank or lender agrees to accept less money on a home sale than the seller owes on the mortgage. They said that short sales are problematic not only because of how long it actually takes to finalize the sale, but also because of the inconsistencies in information and documents required by lenders. Streamlining the short-sale process and providing consistency in required documentation among the lenders would boost the recovery of Florida’s real estate market.

Solutions to ease lenders’ restrictions on the state’s condo market are also needed, said Edgewater Realtor Robert Clinton. “Not only is the prospective condo buyer having to be approved for a mortgage, but the condo owners association itself has to be approved and qualified, which is causing problems,” he said.

Largo Realtor Alan Riley told Gov. Crist that 50 percent of buyers involved in recent home sales in the Tampa Bay area paid cash for their purchases, a strong indicator that investors have returned to the housing market.

“Savvy investors have returned to our market as well,” added Eric Sain, a West Palm Beach Realtor. “But we’re also seeing a lot of young families buying a home to settle down and establish roots in the community. That’s a sign that people aren’t leaving the area, aren’t leaving Florida.”

Gov. Crist agreed, saying, “Of course they are [establishing roots] – it’s Florida. Why would they go anywhere else?”

Not only is it a great time to buy a home in Florida, it’s also a great time for businesses to move to the Sunshine State, noted Suzanne Sherer, a Fort Myers Realtor. Commercial and business properties are readily available in a range of price options, she said, providing prime opportunities for entrepreneurs. She asked the governor and state leaders to take steps to encourage the relocation of businesses and industries to Florida.

At noon today on the steps of the old Capitol, Gov. Crist addressed the crowd of nearly 1,000 Realtors participating in Great American Realtor Days, applauding their perseverance and dedication to their profession despite challenges posed by the economy and the marketplace. Amid reports of increased home sales and other positive signs, the governor said that the “changing landscape” for Florida’s real estate markets is “nothing short of remarkable.”

Other participants in Gov. Crist’s Real Estate Roundtable included: Jacksonville Realtor Millie Kanyar; Fort Lauderdale Realtor Jesse Acevedo; Miami Realtor Carlos Cruz; Port St. Lucie Realtor Scott Wingfield; Panama City Realtor Katie Patronis; and Orlando Realtor Les Simmonds.

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