Jacksonville City Council Member Michael Corrigan (District 14) was awarded the “Tourism Advocate Award” by Visit Jacksonville, the City's tourism promotion arm, during the organization's National Tourism Week ceremonies on May 14th. In presenting the award, Visit Jacksonville recognized Councilman Corrigan's long-standing support of the tourism industry as a member of the community, the City Council, and the Duval County Tourist Development Council, which he chaired during his term as City Council President in 2006-07. Corrigan was particularly cited for championing an increase in advertising and marketing funds to spread the word about the area, which helped overcome a history of under-funding in comparison with other competing tourism destinations in Florida.

Visit Jacksonville, formerly the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau, is the marketing organization contracted by the Duval County Tourist Development Council (TDC) to champion the growth of business and leisure tourism in Northeast Florida. Along with its nearly 400 tourism partners, Visit Jacksonville stimulates economic impact, quality of life and recognition for the Northeast Florida region.

In receiving the award, Councilman Corrigan said 'It has been a privilege to be involved in the Tourist Development Council over the years and to have the opportunity to help in a small way in promoting Jacksonville and Northeast Florida as a tourism destination. This area has so much to offer and has such great potential for tourism that I see only great things in our future as the word gets out and more and more visitors get to experience our many wonderful attractions.”