SRIA ponders winter events
Goal is to stimulate beach economy in the 'off season'
BY SCOTT PAGE Gulf Breeze News scott@gulfbreezenews.com

The Santa Rosa Island Authority is aiding efforts to increase business on Pensacola Beach during the "off season."

"There is a need to bring people to the beach in the wintertime," said Fred Gant, Chairman of the Special Projects Committee. "We need to generate some creative ideas, events that will draw tourists to the beach."

"In a realistic sense, we want to get as many people as we can out here," said Thomas Campanella, SRIA Chairman.

Vice-Chairman John Peacock recommended for discussion the topic of increasing beach business in the "off season" at the Jan. 23 board meeting. Elwyn Guernsey, Chairman of the Administrative Committee, met with the Commercial leaseholders and SRIA Board and Staff to discuss possible solutions.

"We have to be fair to the people who are paying lease fees," Guernsey said. "We don't want to bring vendors out here that will compete with beach businesses."

Peacock suggested something similar to Gallery Night in Pensacola.

"It draws thousands of people," Peacock said. "The [Pensacola Beach] Chamber and the Boardwalk businesses need to band together and we need to support them."

Campanella told the board members that the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce is currently working on just such a project. The Pensacola Chamber was unavailable for comment so the specifics of any efforts are still unknown.

The SRIA is prepared to assist any Chamber efforts by increasing local ad placement to generate excitement about the events. Quick development of a plan is pertinent as time is limited.

"We're working on the budget right now," said Executive Director Buck Lee. "So we need to figure out what we want to do and how much money we want to spend."

Pensacola Beach is a great resource, and the opportunities for generating events to boost "off season" business are many, Peacock said. "There are a million things that can be done," Peacock said. "They just aren't BEING done."