Purpose
It is the duty of the Tourist Development Council to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners concerning the effective operation of the projects set forth in the Tourist Development Plan and the uses for which Tourist Development Tax Revenue may be expended.
Membership Requirements
The Tourist Development Council consists of nine volunteer members who are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners for 4 year terms (with the exception of the Chairman, who is appointed yearly) representing the following categories:
- Three Elected Officials
- One Manatee County Commissioner, who shall serve as Chairman
- One elected official from the largest municipality (Bradenton)
- One elected official from any other municipality in Manatee County
- Four owners/operators of hotels, motels or other short term rental accommodations in Manatee County that ARE subject to the 5% resort tax in Manatee County.
- Two interested citizens who are involved in the tourist industry and have demonstrated an interest in tourism but who are NOT subject to the 5% resort tax in Manatee County.
- All must be electors of Manatee County.
Application
The Advisory Board application must be submitted for the applicant to be considered for appointment. The application is available for downloading on the Apply for an Advisory Board page.
Meetings
Meetings are held every other month at 9 a.m. in various locations throughout Manatee County.
-
For more information contact Leanne Keeling, Sr. Admin. Specialist, Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, at (941) 729-9177, ext. 3944 or via email: [email protected]
Members
Name |
Term |
Seat |
Ray Turner, Manatee County Commissioner (Chair) |
January 2025 |
Elected Official |
Gene Brown, Mayor, City of Bradenton |
June 2024 |
Elected Official |
Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor, City of Palmetto
|
June 2024
|
Elected Official |
Jiten Patel |
June 2025 |
Hotelier |
Ed Chiles |
June 2025 |
Hotelier |
Eric Cairns |
June 2025 |
Hotelier |
Rahul Patel
|
June 2025 |
Hotelier |
Dave Wick |
June 2026 |
Interested Citizen |
Norma Kennedy |
June 2026 |
Interested Citizen |
Meeting Agendas and Minutes
To view the agenda or minutes, click on the year and meeting date below.