The St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau (SAPVB), on behalf of St. Johns County, Florida, is accepting Company Qualifications materials from marketing agencies interested in providing services to introduce or reinforce our destination brand to prospective visitors of Hispanic ancestry.
The work will largely coincide with the quincentennial (500th) celebration of the 1513 discovery of Florida by Juan Ponce de Leon, his initial landing here on Florida’s Historic Coastsm (Greater St. Augustine/St. Johns County) and the consequent introduction of Spanish culture to what would become the United States of America. Maximizing our exposure within the media coverage of this Statewide celebration will be a significant part of the agency’s responsibilities.
The overarching aim is to introduce Hispanics to the region’s proud position of historical primacy — Todo comenzó aquí –- It All Began Here – and to encourage leisure travelers to experience our destination’s remarkable collection of museums, attractions, re-enactments and historical sites that reflect the centuries of Spanish colonization and cultural influence that began long before the more well-known foundings of Jamestown and Plymouth Colony.
Significantly, they will also help introduce our newest attraction, the Colonial Quarter, a slice of life from 16th through the 18th century in St. Augustine. It is expected to be the most noteworthy 500th-related project in Florida for 2013.
The bulk of the effort will likely fall into the general category of PR, but we remain open to alternative or multiple disciplines as part of the proposal to accomplish the desired objectives. The initial term of the engagement is 18 months, for which we have budgeted $160,000 all-in. Proposals should divide that into 1.) Proposed compensation, and 2.) Funding for program development and execution.
Interested companies can go on record and obtain procedural information by calling Erin Masters at (904) 209-4422 during normal business hours. Calls must be received by 3pm EDT October 19, 2012 for consideration.
The SAPVB is a private 501c6 organization, contracted by St. Johns County Florida and funded by a portion of the 4% tourism tax, charged with generating leisure and group visitation to the area.