Events Management, St. Petersburg Pier

The City of St. Petersburg is seeking a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive event management services for the St. Petersburg Pier through a three-year contract with potential two one-year renewals. The selected contractor will be responsible for programming, booking, marketing, and coordinating events across five distinct event levels, ranging from free monthly community gatherings to large annual festivals. Specific deliverables include developing an annual events calendar, submitting monthly and quarterly reports, managing third-party event rentals, and executing a marketing strategy that maximizes community engagement and tourism potential. The proposal must comprehensively address six key sections: transmittal letter, company profile, event management capabilities, experience and references, strategic event planning, and financial proposal. Evaluation criteria are heavily weighted, with 29% allocated to company profile and event management capabilities, 33% to experience and references, 24% to strategic planning and community engagement, and 8% to financial proposal. The Request for Proposal (RFP) has a submission deadline of August 12, 2025, at 3:00 pm, with vendors required to submit a single continuous PDF not exceeding 100 pages.

The procurement includes opportunities for small business, minority-owned business enterprise (MBE), and women-owned business enterprise (WBE) certifications, each worth 2% in the evaluation process. Vendors must meet minimum qualifications, including a minimum of five years of event management experience, ability to operate without subcontractors, and obtaining comprehensive insurance coverage that includes commercial general liability ($1M per occurrence), commercial automobile liability, workers' compensation, professional liability, and a $5M umbrella policy. The current fee structure is set at an annual $90,000, with all risk, expense, and income potential accruing to the management company. Successful vendors will need to demonstrate extensive experience managing public venues, particularly waterfront spaces, and show an ability to create events that enhance the St. Petersburg Pier's appeal to both local residents and tourists. The contract emphasizes creative event programming, community engagement, and the potential for generating additional revenue through strategic event management.