The Marketing Advisory Committee presented a proposed FY 26/27 marketing budget totaling approximately $1.38 million, with allocations for unified media campaigns, out-of-home advertising, streaming video, PR and social media, community and visitor engagement, a branding project, online management, research, and content production. Notably, the plan adds a $100,000 Community & Visitor Engagement strategy, a $90,000 branding project (research, new visual identity, website development, and campaign development), and maintains substantial spend on digital and streaming channels. Council is asked to discuss and consider approving this budget, which will then drive a series of advertising buys, content contracts, web and brand work, research subscriptions, and potentially new marketing technology tools over the fiscal year. This is a high-value opportunity for agencies and vendors in tourism marketing, brand strategy, web development, media buying, research, and visitor experience tools to support or compete for specific scopes as they are carved out from this approved budget envelope.

The plan moves away from a single Agency of Record, reallocating funds toward strategic planning, cr...