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The Freedom Forum Not one guest indicated that the TDC or it's ad's were the reason they stayed at the condominium.From: Jeff Proper CommentsI worked at the Condominium next door to the TDC for 4 years, we went through Opal together! During the 2nd year we started including a marketing survey in our guest evaluations. We were trying to figure out our marketing source of their ad or information about our property. Most people indicated they were repeat guests, the new customers indicated every other marketing strategy as source. During the 3 years we ran the survey, not one guest indicated that the TDC or it's ad's were the reason they stayed at the condominium. The last year we ran the survey, the TDC was listed as first choice, still no one marked that box! As far as we could tell we never got even one referral walk-in from the TDC and we were next door! We did receive mailing lists from the TDC, which we included with our lists in bulk mailings, it is possible we got some business from their list's! We found bulk mailing to be very expensive and ineffective! Those few patrons we got from the mailings never gave the TDC the credit! I have always questioned the effectiveness of the "post office" of advertising, especially when they are willing to make you take money from your patrons and then use the money to help someone else or build their empire! They pay lip service to the small fry and have lip lock on the big guys to keep their job! I will always question the effectiveness of government trying to run a marketing business! I will always question the use of the dollar to fund a government job vs. the use of the dollar to fund a private sector job! If we are able to abolish the TDC and the Convention Center, we will not have to pay one penny out of the citizens of Okaloosa Counties pocket! The TDC has a nice stash of cash, both in the operating and it's reserves! If the Commissioners are smart enough ( I know an oxymoron) they will continue to levy a small Bed tax ( 1/5% to 1/4%, down from 4%) until all the debts and bonds of the TDC are paid! Please do not tell me that the "lawyer for life" approve non-callable bonds? I believe Warren Buffet is correct as to the future of newspaper and magazines, they are on the decline and will continue to decline! Advertising rates continue to go up for a smaller audience! Now, with internet, the advertiser can reach a much larger audience for a lot less! The internet has already changed the way my current employer markets their properties and business. By continuing the TDC we will continue to do business in the 20th century when a command and control bureaucracy worked! Today problems, require today's solutions! Business must be free to improvise, adapt and over come, not a marriage to a failed past or someone's good intentions! The TDC was sold a partnership between government and local transient rental establishments, now the TDC is the master and the establishments are the serfs! I also believe it was sold to help mature our "fledgling tourist trade"! To bad we are such slow learners that have never grown up! I guess when you learn to vote the use of someone else's wallet to fund your wants, it's hard to stop! See Ya at the Tractor Pull Jeff Proper Fort Walton Beach (Unincorporated) Read Both Constitutions. Federal & State. Will Continue to Vote with my Feet & my Patronage! ______ Last changed: March 04, 2008
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