6.5 Years Later, No 450th Vision, Volunteers Untapped: City website on June 25, 2008 "Community Kickoff" Meeting

IN HAEC VERBA FROM CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE WEBSITE
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Members of the community listen as a panel of experts moderated by
Mayor Joe Boles discusses the City’s 450th Anniversary Commemoration
in Flagler College’s auditorium during the Community Kickoff.


Countdown begins to city's 'big do'
Over 200 people braved threatening weather to attend the Community Kickoff to launch planning for the 2015 commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of the City of St. Augustine.

Held in Flagler College’s auditorium, the public event was held on Wednesday June 25 and featured a lively panel discussion that introduced some of the opportunities and challenges of what is expected to be a nationally recognized event. In addition, all those in attendance had the opportunity to sign-up to be included in future communications and planning sessions.

St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles moderated the evening’s program that started with a brief report from Kevin Doyle, State Director of US Senator Mel Martinez’s office regarding federal legislation to create the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission, (S. 2359).

Just prior to the start of the panel discussion, special guest Jeanne Zeidler, Mayor of Williamsburg, Virginia, addressed the audience regarding the 400th anniversary commemoration of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia held last year. Mayor Zeidler served as the executive director of Jamestown 2007 which oversaw the commemoration.

Mayor Zeidler then participated in the panel discussion along with Dr. Michael Gannon, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Florida; Nick Sacia, Executive Director, Economic Development Council of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce; and Glenn Hastings, Executive Director of the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council and the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau.

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Members of the panel for the Community Kickoff were (left to right)
Michael Gannon, Glenn Hastings, Nick Sacia and Jeanne Zeidler.

At the conclusion of program those in attendance had the opportunity to sign-up for notifications of future planning meetings and to receive communications updating them on the progress of the planning for the 450th.

To read more about the program, please follow the links below from The St. Augustine Record.

Tourism can get boost from 450th celebration

Birthday will cost millions

Mayor: City can exceed Jamestown's $42M program in 450th celebration

For more information, contact the City of St. Augustine Public Affairs Department at 904.825.1004.