Convention grants program.

The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation is authorized to establish a convention grants program and, pursuant to that program, to recommend to the department expenditures and contracts with local governments and nonprofit corporations or organizations for the purpose of attracting national conferences and conventions to Florida. Preference shall be given to local governments and nonprofit corporations or organizations seeking to attract minority conventions to Florida. Minority conventions are events that primarily involve minority persons, as defined in s. 288.703, who are residents or nonresidents of the state. The Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation shall establish guidelines governing the award of grants and the administration of this program. The department has final approval authority for any grants under this section. The total annual allocation of funds for this program shall not exceed $40,000.