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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-09 - Minutes• ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING August 9, 2004 Commissioners Present: Dan Coody, Pat Gazzola, David McGeady and Curtis Shipley. Commissioners Absent: Neal Crawford and Ching Mong Staff Present: Allyson Twiggs and Marilyn Heifner Marilyn Heifner called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission to order on August 9, 2004 at the Fayetteville Town Center conference room at 2:00 p.m. Moved by Shipley, second by Gazzola to elect David McGeady chairman. Motion carried. MINUTES Moved by Shipley, second by Gazzola to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2004 regular meeting. Motion carried. • FINANCIAL REPORT Larry Bilbrey, Scarbrough and Murtishaw reviewed Financials for the month of July. Moved by Shipley, second by Coody to approve the financial statements. Motion carried. HMR collections are up 17.11% over last year same month. Hotels are up 20.10%, restaurants up 8.80% for June. Year to date collections for hotels are up 16.91%, restaurants up 8.01%. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Kit Williams reported that the Prosecutor's office collected $2,021.76 delinquent HMR taxes in June. Their efforts have resulted in $34,155.75 year to date. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Marilyn Heifner reported that advertising inquiries are catching up with 2003 inquiries. Internet unique visits for July are up (13,153) over last July (7,533). Per day average visits are 424. Marilyn accompanied Lisa Netherland, Courtney McDade, and judges on America in Bloom visit July 30-31. Judges were impressed with the Square Gardens, Headquarters • House, and environmental efforts especially solid waste and recycling. • Tai Chi is being offered on the Town Center plaza on Tuesday and Thursday mornings prior to the Farmer's Market openings. Dr. Cathy Matlock, South Arkansas Community College president visited the Town Center as a part of Fifty for the Future program in El Dorado. They were looking at the Town Center as a model for El Dorado. CVB REPORT Allyson Twiggs said the shuttle for Brumley worked well again this year. The sing was well attended and will move to Barnhill next year. ASAE convention was a success and provides us more opportunities for other state meetings. In October the state forestry convention will be here using the C. C. E. and the Radisson. The CVB has 9 preferred partners now. Allyson explained the success of that program working for football, Bikes Blues and BBQ, and other heavily attended events. She is currently working on a 3 year marketing plan for the CVB and asked for any input the Commissioners might have. TOWN CENTER REPORT Marilyn reported that reported that Town Center sales were up for July 104% ($23,405.53) as well as year-to-date up 40.9% ($160,730.70). Collections are up 17.94% • year to date. Air conditioning in administrative offices issue has been resolved. A new compressor was installed. The warranty was still in effect. We are continuing to address preventive maintenance issues since the building is now 3 years old. AGENCY REPORT Brian Clark emphasized that the inquiries for July was impressive with advertising in Southern Living and Midwest Living driving those inquiries. Internet visits are almost double from July 03 until July 04. Because June and July unique visits have flattened, the Agency and Marilyn are trying an on-line advertising campaign. For 2005 planning discussion, commissioners were asked to consider a magazine format, 48 page + cover with advertising for the Fayetteville Visitor guide. Currently we print 140,000 Visitor Guides every other year and 50,000 Dining Guides. This new publication would combine both of those and balance editorial (70%) with advertising (30%) for a more comprehensive guide. Commissioners asked for rate sheet and will consider at their next meeting. 40 NEW BUSINESS • Advertising Agency Review — The contract with the advertising agency will be up in December. Marilyn presented three options for the Commission: 1) renew the contract with the agency for three years, 2) extend the present contract for one year, 3) request qualifications from agencies for a new contract. Marilyn reported that the agency has performed well over the past three years. They have always acted with the best interest of Fayetteville and the Advertising and Promotion Commission. She recommended that the contract be extended for an additional three years. Moved by Shipley, second by Coody that the contract with the agency be extended for an additional year under the same terms. Motion carried. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Pp Marilyn Heifner Executive Director • 0