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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-12 - Minutes• ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING September 12, 2005 • Commissioners Present: Neal Crawford, Bob Davis, Pat Gazzola, Don Marr, David McGeady, and Maudie Schmitt. Commissioners Absent: Dan Coody Staff Present: Manlyn Heif ier, Shelly Stewman, Willistine Smith, Joseph Barnes Chairman Pat Gazzola called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission to order on September 12, 2005 at the Fayetteville Town Center at 2:00 p:m. MINUTES Moved by Marr, second by Crawford to approve the minutes of the August 8, 2005, regular meeting. Motion carried. FINANCIAL REPORT Larry Bilbrey, Scarbrough & Murtishaw, noted that financials for July and August were included in the agenda. He reviewed financials for August. Marilyn pointed out that two Town Center line items should be noted — cost of gas will be very close to (if not over) budget figures and repairs and maintenance items are running very high at this point. Moved by Davis, second by Marr to approve financial statements. Motion earned. HMR REVENUES HMR revenues for August were $167,448, a 14.31% increase over last August. Hotel revenues were up 9.49% and restaurant revenues were up 6.39%. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney reported collections of $8,452.78 in August. This brings year to date total to $52,460.80. This is within $700 of the total that City Prosecutor Casey Jones collected for all of 2004 ($53,131.97). This is about what was collected for all of 2003. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Inquiry responses are up 87% year to date. Internet per day average visits is up 44% year to date. She and Allyson met with Kayleen Griffith, new director of the Bentonville A & P Commission and their CVB manager. Marilyn, Allyson and Joseph have concentrated a lot of time in getting the Clinton House Museum open in September. CVB REPORT • Marilyn reported that Allyson had contacted 17 associations in August requesting that they book their meetings here in the future. • Shelly Stewman reported to the Commission on Travel Hero, the on-line booking aid the CVB is using. They booked 29 reservations in August for 51 room nights and total hotel revenue of $5,277. and 19 reservations in September thus far, for total revenue of $3,211. Shelly said her initial research into U of A meetings had yielded 150 accounts which could be held in Fayetteville based on size and our ability to host their meeting needs. There are also 200 students groups. She booked Solar Splash, a national solar boat race, CAPPA (Central Association of Physical Plant Administrators) for Oct. 07, Society for Hispanic Engineers for April, 06 and June, 07 as well as the Arkansas Oklahoma District of International Association of Administrative Professionals. She has just sent correspondence to professors inviting them to bring their meetings to Fayetteville in 07 and beyond. TOWN CENTER REPORT Willistine Smith reported a 20% increase in collections year to date, an 11% increase in contracts issued, and a 45% increase in events. An art auction in conjunction with The Rape Crisis Center was completed on September 5, 2005. The Extreme Home Makeover for Coleen Nick had 900 in attendance, a large number of them from Ft. Smith. The Farmer's Market had a battle of the chefs on the Town Center plaza (Maudie Schmitt was one of the winners). • CLINTON HOUSE MUSUEM Joseph Barnes announced that the soft opening for the Museum would be on September 20, followed by a bud tour scheduled on September 22. A Grand Opening will be held on October 22. He showed the Billgrimage brochure to the Commission. It is being developed in cooperation with sites in Hope, Hot Springs, and Little Rock. The brick sale is going well without advertising thus far with 6 bricks sold. Marilyn reported that the collection procedures and cataloging process had been completed. AGENCY REPORT Brian Clark said the fall campaign is in full swing. He compared the HMR tax collections the first half of 2005 over the first half of 2003 showed a 29% increase. He, Sells Clark staff, and Marilyn will begin looking at the research, planning and budget for 2006. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Heifner Executive Director