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promotional efforts would benefit from some of the forthcoming extra income. Therefore, capping the revenue dedicated to promotional efforts would be going back on a promise, Patterson told the TDC members. Nonetheless, she said, "There is disagree- ment with my perspective at [the County Commission dais]." She added that the TDT revenue does not "feel like real money to the board." When TDC Vice Chairman John Ryan, pres- ident and CEO of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that he and his fellow advisory board members voted unani- mously against a cap at their March meeting, Patterson replied, "[That] was definitely put on the [County Commission] table by me." However, she continued, the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange had just sent a letter to the County Commission supporting a cap. She told Ryan she had seen no letter from the Venice Chamber opposing one. "Over the years, we've had people making end runs, trying to get into the [promotion] pot of money," TDC member Tony Swain told his colleagues. "To me, it looked like this cap was just another end run to take money from what has been successful." Patterson reminded the TDC members, "Your political power as a board is not as great as [that of] the organizations you represent." Virginia Haley, president of the county's tour- ism agency, Visit Sarasota County, explained to the board that some of the commissioners are considering a variety of potential capital projects for which money diverted from pro- motions could be used. Among them are an equestrian center in South County, a confer- ence center in Sarasota, a bayfront aquarium in Sarasota, a cultural center on the Sarasota bayfront and mid-county sports fields. Patterson noted that a conference center could cost between $40 million and $50 mil- lion to build, and the county probably would have to allocate an extra $500,000 per year for its operations after it was completed. "The price tag of all these things [together] is really very high," Patterson added. "I don't see that putting some kind of cap on the arts and promotion … is going to fill all these dreams." She continued, "I think I'm speaking to the choir here, but we really need to get people involved in this conversation." Cunningham asked whether Patterson was suggesting the TDC members discuss the matter with the Chambers of Commerce and other organizations with which they are involved, seeking letters from them opposing a cap. "I'm a collegial member of the commission … and I'm not a really good spokesman [against the cap]," Patterson replied. Even if she voted against the cap, she pointed out, she would have to "own" it as a member of the commission. New TDC member Jeffrey Mayers, general manager of The Resort at Longboat Key Club, voiced adamant opposition to a cap. "We will lose market share; we will lose momentum." He noted, "There are three hotels that are coming online downtown" and others under discussion. "We have to create that additional demand based on the growth in inventory to keep our businesses thriving." "So your opinion needs to be heard, not just here," Patterson told him. % Sarasota News Leader May 23, 2014 Page 66