Gault presents vision suggestions

Country Club Shores resident Bob Gault, a frequent attendee of the town’s Vision Plan subcommittee meetings, sent an e-mail to committee members Aug. 2, urging them to do some customer research.

Gault, former CEO of Universal Studios-Orlando believes the town needs to start an effort that could be spearheaded by the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce.

“One important element of feedback to the plan that has not been included in the process is finding out what Longboat Key’s off island potential ‘customers’ think about Longboat Key as a place to buy real estate, vacation or do business of any kind,” Gault wrote. “What is our image, and is there anything we can include in the Vision Plan, Comp Plan, town management tactics, etc. to address any weaknesses that we may have in market perceptions?”

Gault suggests the town use a telephonic opinion survey with questions prepared by the chamber to attain its feedback.

“Given the difficult economic conditions that we face, we must act competitively because we are competing with destinations on both coasts of Florida for real estate sales and visitation,” Gault wrote. “We are in a battle for market share in a diminished market. If we can increase market share of real estate sales, values and visitation, this will ‘float all boats,’ including town revenue.”

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].