Category: Business
Tourism drama ends with smiles, handshakes and hugs…until December 5
The Escambia County Commission voted, 5-0, last night to move the supervision of tourism marketing with its $5.5 million budget out of the Greater Pensacola…
850 Open Water closes indefinitely
850 Open Water at 22 S. Palafox Place has closed. The restaurant was located in a tough spot – a former pool hall under Helen…
How Tampa Bay area does economic development
I got this email today: TAMPA BAY PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHES NEW REGIONAL MARKETING INITIATIVES Economic development organization blends cutting-edge technology with hands-on approach TAMPA BAY, FLA….
Chamber speaks out against lodging industry plan
The rush for approval of the structure, budget and transition plan for Visit Pensacola, the new entity created by the lodging industry, to assume control…
Studer Group Ranked Seventh on Great Place to Work 2013 Best Small & Medium Workplaces List
Studer Group was named by Great Place to Work® as one of the best small workplaces in the United States on their annual 2013 Best…
TDC approves Visit Pensacola governance. Others are not as positive
Last night, the Escambia County Tourism Development Council met to hear from Ron Ellington about Visit Pensacola, the new entity that has been proposed to…
Visit Pensacola bylaws ensure lodging industry control
Tale of Two Bylaws Ron Ellington drafted on July 10 a set of bylaws for Visit Pensacola that he shared with the Greater Pensacola Chamber…
Visit Pensacola tabled until next week
The hoteliers delivered yesterday the bylaw, transition plan with the chamber and business plan for Visit Pensacola, the new “independent” corporation that they want to…
Ellington had plenty of time to give BCC and public more details (draft Visit Pensacola bylaws)
Ellington’s history with the tourism budget goes back beyond the last few weeks: From: Ron Ellington Sent: Monday, July 08, 2013 7:53 PM To: Gene…
Lobbyist tried to dictate who would represent the arts community on new tourism board
Ron Ellington, paid lobbyist for the hotel industry, apparently has his Visit Pensacola board chosen to run tourism for Escambia County. According to David Bear,…
Buzz: Visit Pensacola added to next TDC agenda
Just got a phone call. Visit Pensacola has been added to the Sept. 17 meeting of the Escambia County Tourism Council. Will the TDC be…
The role of TDC in the decision to give $5.5 million to Visit Pensacola
Ron Ellington, his hoteliers and the Escambia County Commission are jumping over a very important step in their rush to give control of $5.5 million…
Time to call bulls#$t
Ron Ellington made several commitments to use local marketing firms and talent for his new group’s tourism efforts. The requests by the commissioners came from…
Buzz: Chamber lawsuit dismissed
This morning, Judge Boles dismissed the lawsuits by the former CFO of the Greater Pensacola Chamber, Brian McBroom, against the chamber and its former CEO…
Double standard for tourism
Any organization that comes from the Escambia County Commission for funds has had to show that they are viable corporation, especially if they are a…
Gulf Coast African-American Chamber concerned over tourism plan
Admiral LeRoy, Jr., the executive director of the Gulf Coast African-American Chamber, has sent a letter to Escambia County Commission Chairman Gene Valentino over concerns…
Transit Union sets strike date
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1395 which represents all bargaining unit employees of Escambia County Area Transit and Pensacola Bay Transportation, Inc. voted last week…
Baptist Leadership Group sold
HealthStream, based in Nashville, Tenn., has acquired Baptist Leadership Group, the consulting practice owned by Baptist Health Care. According to the announcement to a news…
Minimum Wage Myths – Who in Florida Needs a Raise?
By Stephanie Carroll Carson, Florida News Connection Fast-food workers around the country have been agitating for raises, and some members of Congress are pressing to…
Matt Gaetz wants to legalize fireworks
Are Cherry Bombs and M80s in our future? State Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach) wants to make fireworks — the booming ones we buy…
