The Walton County Tourist Development Council, the government authority that promotes Walton County, Florida’s tourism economy, has issued an RFP for public relations firms that can strengthen and position the area’s brand in the tourism marketplace through outreach to key consumer and trade travel press throughout the U.S.

The Northwest Florida county, which sits in the Sunshine State’s panhandle along the Gulf Coast, is comprised of 16 beach neighborhoods stretching over 26 miles of coastline. Its largest city is resort destination Miramar Beach.

Walton County Tourism Development Council

TDC is seeking a full-service public relations agency with strong media relationships with the travel/lifestyle press as well as crisis experience that can target identified key markets across regional and national media in an effort to promote and raise awareness of the South Walton area as an upscale destination, with a focused emphasis on promoting visits during non-peak seasons (September–February).

Scope of the work includes targeted pitching to secure earned media in key markets (across print, broadcast and digital outlets); managing and tracking media clippings; reviewing and updating the County’s crisis communication plan to ensure that it’s prepared for any emerging crisis; and recommending short-term and long-term strategies to further improve the brand and economy of South Walton.

Terms of the contract will run for one year (beginning in October), with the possibility to renew for two additional one-year terms, at the County’s discretion.

Deadline to submit proposals is 3 p.m. (CST) on September 9. Proposals should be sent to:

Office of Central Purchasing
176 Montgomery Circle
DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435

All bidders must include an original as well as eight copies of the RFP, with the envelope/ package clearly marked with the agency’s name and address, as well as the words “Public Relations for TDC.”

Deadline for questions is 12:00 noon (CST) on August 29. All questions should be forwarded to purchasing agent Glyndol Johnson, [email protected].

Download the RFP (PDF).