Atlantic Beach staff issued an RFP for Tourism Marketing and Public Relations Services and, after initial review, invited two firms—E&V Group, a 30‑person communications agency from Raleigh, and Finished Works, a local firm—to present at the May 18, 2026 work session. Council’s discussion highlighted needs around benefit‑focused messaging for policies like paid parking and water rate increases, segmented outreach to residents, second homeowners, and visitors, and more proactive storytelling across digital channels and short‑form video. Council ultimately did not award a contract and instead agreed that more discussion and budget consideration were needed before deciding whether to proceed with either a consultant or a staff position. This leaves the marketing and PR strategy in an open planning phase, with clear interest in year‑round content, crisis communications, and measurement of impact. Communications agencies and digital media firms can leverage these expressed pain points to offer refined scopes, alternative pricing models, or hybrid staffing solutions ahead of any re‑issue or expansion of the RFP.

County TDA already does regional tourism marketing; Town is focused on storytelling, resident commun...