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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-12 - Minutes• ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING March 12, 2007 Commissioners Present: Dan Coody, Neal Crawford, Bob Davis, Pat Gazzola, David McGeady, and Robert Rhoads. Commissioners Absent: Maudie Schmitt Staff Present: Marilyn Heifner, Allyson Twiggs, and Willistine Smith, and Brittany Shell (Clinton House Museum). Chairman Pat Gazzola called the regular monthly meeting of the Fayetteville Advertising and Promotion Commission to order on March 12, 2007 at the Fayetteville Town Center at 2:00 p.m. APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER Two applications were received, Neal Crawford and Cassandra Alford. Ms. Alford did not meet criteria as owner of manager of hotel, motel or restaurant. Marilyn had called her and told her she was ineligible. Moved by Davis, second by Coody to nominate Neal Crawford to serve a second term ending April 1, 2011. Motion carried. MINUTES Moved by Davis, second by Coody to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2006, regular meeting. Motion carried. FAYETTEVILLE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Phyllis McGinty presented information on the apprenticeship program of the Fayetteville Public Schools. They place students and follow them for two years after graduation. The program has a $3.5 million dollar economic impact. HMR REVENUES Total collections of HMR tax in February (January sales) were $150,087.75, an 18.23% decrease over last February. This is a result of the weather (cold, icy weekends in January). Monthly hotel revenue was up 2.30%, a result of the receipt of a late payment by the Clarion. Restaurant collections were down -11.44% this February over last February. FINANCIAL REPORT No financials were presented. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Kit Williams reported that the City Prosecutor's office collected $9,051.72 during February to bring the year to date total collected to $16,797.17. City attorney explained the suit filed in Washington County Circuit Court on behalf of the A & P Commission claiming that Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz, and a laundry list of other companies • offering cut-rate hotel rooms online haven't paid the city enough hotel taxes. The suit seeks "class action" status to represent cities, counties, and townships around the state that also collect taxes on hotel rooms. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Marilyn Heifner reported that advertising inquiries were down -$25.37% in February and down - 18.9% year to date. She reported that she had met with Congressman Boozman's legislative assistant relative to having the Butterfield Trail declared a national historic trail. She attended the Arkansas Hospitality Association Legislative Days. HB 1789 allowing A & P Commissions to purchase property will be presented in Senate by Senator Madison in committee on Tuesday and be on the Senate floor on Wednesday. CONVENTION VISITORS BUREAU Allyson Twiggs said the Visitor Information center is working. They had 5 sets of visitors this morning. Ryan is getting the inventory together. Julie has signed 12 motorcoaches for visits. Shelly is working with Real Deal on the Hill which is one of the premier basketball tournaments in the U. S. They have 170 teams and have turned 100 away. They are using the housing bureau. The CVB is working with Yura Margolis for the 151 international concerto for pianists. One • hundred twenty six people from 26 countries have applied. From these, they will select 12 to compete on March 29-31. TOWN CENTER REPORT Willistine Smith reported on February business at Town Center. Sales were down 22% in February because of the timing of contracts sent out. Collections showed an 8 % increase. Good news is that we had a Town Hall event produced by Wal-Mart. CLINTON HOUSE MUSUEM Brittany Starr presented her first report as Clinton House Director. She secured an article in the Northwest Arkansas Times promoting Presidents Day Event and in the Nashua Telegraph regarding the house as a tourist destination. Web write-ups were produced on three sites. 114 visitors came to see the house this month. To date this represents 1515 visitors representing 44 states. Brittany has attended meetings promoting the house, hosted special event, and booked future business for the house including after hours event, wedding, and two group tours. She visited the other Clinton presidential sites, designed and posted a Hillary Tracker at the museum which tells of the day to day activity of Hillary's Presidential Race. • In addition, she established an internship program, took an inventory of merchandise for the gift shop and restocked it. • AGENCY REPORT Brian Clark reported that the agency is having a time getting the web site moved to a new host. He presented the following: 1) Report for 10 days for clintonhousemuseum.org 2) fayettevilletourism data was destroyed December 31 3) experiencefayetteville website had 3505 unique visitors David McGeaty asked about the next step regarding the websites. Brian explained that we need to see if the paid banners are working and where the visitors are coming from. He met with Allyson and Marilyn to look at the marketing plan and assess the market on a regular basis. A local and regional push is going on to educate our own residents about visiting our attractions. The agency is proceeding with sales on the Visitor Guide. A design/editorial meeting is scheduled with staff in the next two weeks. OLD BUSINESS CVB Space. Moved by Davis, second by Crawford that we negotiate the price for purchase of CVB property with a contingency that when the law is signed we close. Carried unanimously. • Festival Coordinator 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. Commissioners agreed. Visitor Profile Studv Marilyn and Allyson said they are using this data for the marketing plan and in placing of • advertising. They emphasized that in 3 years we need another study to compare our progress. • NEW BUSINESS Visitor Guide Work on the Visitor Guide has begun. We will include relocation information as well as visitor information and insist that it be citizen friendly. A postcard will be sent out next week seeking advertisers. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn Heifner Executive Director • 0