Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Sandy-Michael McDonald
Department: Economic and Small Business Development
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE Broward County’s co-sponsorship of a South Florida Film Industry Summit (event title to be confirmed) currently scheduled for March 2025; approve a Sponsorship Agreement between Broward County and White Elephant Group, LLC effectuating Broward County’s co-sponsorship of the event in the amount not to exceed $160,000; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same; and authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Sponsorship Agreement that do not increase Broward County’s financial contribution, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney.
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Why Action is Necessary
In accordance with the Broward County Advantage Marketing Program, Board approval is required for co-sponsorships with a value greater than $5,000.
What Action Accomplishes
Approves Broward County’s co-sponsorship of the South Florida Film Industry Summit, authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to execute a Sponsorship Agreement related to the event, and authorizes the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Sponsorship Agreement that do not increase Broward County’s financial contribution.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (OESBD) RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board’s goals of “prominently marketing Broward County as a brand, while increasing public understanding of programs and services” and “ensuring economic opportunities and a sustainable economy, with an emphasis on Broward’s lower and middle class.”
The South Florida Film Industry Summit (event title to be confirmed) is a groundbreaking initiative aiming to empower, educate, and foster an inclusive and nurturing environment for creative minds from Broward County / South Florida, maximizing opportunities within the underserved community to gain industry insights and offer exposure to key industry stakeholders.
The first-of-its-kind event will celebrate the Broward County film, television and new media industry in South Florida on a nationally recognized scale by way of:
1. Highlighting the artist impact of Broward County / South Florida filmmakers via interactive panels, workshops and/or masterclasses.
2. Providing networking platforms to connect with both regionally and nationally recognized industry stakeholders from major production hubs like Los Angeles, New York, etc.
3. Creating industry pipelines, artistic, networking and career opportunities for emerging and established film, television and new media industry professionals based in and hailing from historically underserved Broward County communities.
4. Increasing access to film, television and new media industry projects and professionals for audiences and residents based in and hailing from historically underserved Broward County communities.
5. Exhibiting short and feature films made by or connected to Broward County.
6. Exhibiting innovative new media and immersive media projects connected to Broward County.
7. Exhibiting works by nationally and internationally renowned artists connected to Broward County.
White Elephant Group, LLC is a collective of South Florida emerging artists, comprised of 20+ award-winning film and digital media creators, working across various artistic avenues to platform the voices and experiences coming from the minority and underserved communities in South Florida. With a track record of successful film industry events, workshops, and festivals (WEG Weekend, WEGx, WEG Fireside Chats, WEG Film Lab), White Elephant Group will execute the summit in collaboration with other notable South Florida organizations (such as Urban Film Festival, Mad Arts, and others).
The Sponsorship Agreement (attached as Exhibit 1) outlines various deliverables and commitments for Broward County, including primary logo placement on all marketing materials and event displays, ad placement, speaking engagements, on-site activation opportunities, naming rights for specific events/rooms/programs, and more.
Source of Additional Information
Sandy-Michael McDonald, Director, Office of Economic and Small Business Development, 954-357-5615.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Event sponsorship in the amount of $160,000 is currently allocated in the Broward County Film Commission budget.