HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-12 - Minutes• ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING February 12, 2007 Commissioners Present: Dan Coody, Neal Crawford, Bob Davis, Pat Gazzola, David McGeady, Robert Rhoads and Maudie Schmitt. Commissioners Absent: None Staff Present: Marilyn Heifrier, Allyson Twiggs, and Willistine Smith, Ryan Grigsby (sports) and Brittney Shell (Clinton House Museum). Chairman Pat Gazzola called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission to order on February 12, 2007 at the Fayetteville Town Center at 2:00 p.m. MINUTES Moved by Davis, second by Coody to approve the minutes of the December 11, 2006, regular meeting. Motion carried. HMR REVENUES �• Total collections of HMR tax in January (December sales) was $166,620, a 1.42% increase over last January. Monthly hotel revenue was down -5.10%. Restaurant collections were also down -5.08% this January over last January. FINANCIAL REPORT W. L. Cook reviewed financials for January. Moved for approval by Davis, second by Coody. Motion carried. CITY ATTORNEY A record in 2006 collections by the prosecutor was reported by City Attorney Kit Williams. Overdue taxes in January collected by the prosecutor was $7,745.45. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Because of the lengthy agenda items, Marilyn Heifner referred commissioners to her report in the agenda packet. She reported that the Bath Junkie space would be available at the end of April and asked Commissioners to consider renting it as a part of the CVB space for a Fayetteville products and information store. Moved by McGeaty, second by Rhoads to look into the leasing based on a • good fit with the present space. • CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU 9wvv Allyson Twiggs introduced Ryan Grigsby (sports marketing staff member), Brittney shell (Clinton House Museum Director) and Suzanna Spoon (UA intern for the semester). Visitor Profile Studv Allyson distributed summary and discussed Visitor Profile Study. Commissioners asked that time be set aside on next agenda to discuss. Festival Position Summary Marilyn discussed why have festivals? (for community pride, for educational value or for the potential to raise funds). Each festival must have an identified need and have a purpose, objective or theme. Most important considerations include location and date. A calendar of present Fayetteville festivals was presented. Allyson pointed out that the CVB was already at the table of most of the Fayetteville festivals and would gladly give assistance. Research was presented on 13 cities with populations from 650,000 to 20,425 and their organization for festival promotion and operation. Some had festivals run by separate organizations such as a 501 (c) 3, some had festivals run in parks and rec departments of city, and two were run by CVB's in smaller cities. Most were not run by CVB. • Marilyn recommended that we not pursue a festival position in the CVB for the following reasons: • We already provide assistance with current staff • Sharon Crosson does a great job in coordinating city services and special event regulations • We do not need another level of bureaucracy for those with a desire to start a festival • Donations would be limited with one person asking for sponsorships for all festivals • Calendar of events is busy • Most successful festivals are started by someone with a sincere and genuine interest to create them or to fill a void in the calendar • A & P funds could be better spent in providing festival support • CVB does not have city department connections • Several new festivals are in the planning stages including two music festivals, one St. Patrick's day event and one sports festival. Gazzola said people with a passion for an idea should come forward and the A & P can help them. McGeady thought the festival position needs to be a year round festival. Crawford said we could be a Jack of All Festivals and a Master of None. Synergy won't be there with one person running all festivals. Coody stated that the CVB may not be the place but someone needs to take the leadership role. • He said his vision was to have a fulltime person to be on call for reinforcement and assistance and be prepared to roll into the next year. Allyson pointed out that the CVB was there already. • Commissioners asked that it be put on the March agenda. TOWN CENTER REPORT Willistine Smith reported on January business at Town Center. Sales were down 33% in January because of the decrease by three of multiple day events we had last year. Collections showed a 5% increase. Staff participated in Bridal Fair in January and two major non-profit events resulted in over 2,000 in attendance at those events. It provided great exposure and outstanding publicity for the Town Center. CLINTON HOUSE MUSUEM No report. AGENCY REPORT Brian Clark said the findings from the research validated what we've known and been doing for two years. The website, state tour guide and local visitor guide are responsible for 50% of people's knowledge of Fayetteville. The agency is working with Marilyn and Allyson on new creative for summer. The website will • have two sources of tracking information. www.Fayettevilletourism.com quit giving access to information of visitors after December 23 when the site was redirected. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS Botanical Garden of the Ozarks request for funding Cathy Bass, president of the Board of the Gardens reviewed the history of the Gardens. She was joined by Gerald Klingaman, Susan Reagan, Scott Starr and John Lewis. They have booked eight weddings thus far. Total expenditures to date are $2,445,469. They requested $546,460 to complete the gardens and open in spring. McGeady moved to give to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks their requested amount of $546,460, second by Coody. Motion carried. Downtown Square — Lights of the Ozarks Request Susan Reagan described the condition of the Square and the need for additional electricity for Lights of the Ozarks. Mayor Coody promised to match any A & P contribution with City funds. Bob Davis moved that items 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 13 be removed from funding request and the A & P fund the remaining balance of $460,000, second by McGeady. Kit Williams said removal • of those items will leave the rest as public park improvements and will fit into applicable A & P items which can be funded. Motion carried. Crawford said Dickson Street needs gardens and put commission on notice that he will be back for A & P funds for those at the appropriate time. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Heifner Executive Director • 40