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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Convention & Visitor Bureau - 10/18/2001 IP MINUTES CORPUS CHRISTI CONVENTION& VISITORS BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 12:00 p.m. Museum of Science &History—Water Garden Room PRESENT: Brad Lomax-Chair,Bill Goin, Bill Morgan,Bill Pettus, Tom Schmid, Cristina Garza, John Trice,Lillian Riojas,Vangie Chap,Dave Prewitt, Jody Patel. Victor Gonzalez, Bert Quintanilla ABSENT: Mayor Loyd Neal,David Garcia, Govind Nadkarni,Berney Seal, S.Noe,Dan Viola, Linda Routh STAFF: Wayne Bennett, Terry Morales, Connie Cardamon, Carol Dunton GUEST: Kevin Latone, Omni Hotel I. CALL TO ORDER: Brad Lomax called the meeting to order at 12:01 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Brad made a motion to approve the September 20, 2001 CVB Board of Directors meeting minutes. Motion was seconded; motion passed. III. PUBLIC COMMENT: None IV. FINANCIAL REPORT: Connie reviewed the cash statement with the board. She reported that she has billed out for the American Bowling Congress, the visitors information guide and meeting planners guide and some co-op billing which shows an increase in the A/R Trade line item. She also reviewed the executive summary, where there were some savings in the advertising account. She noted that she had received a check from the Omni that went into miscellaneous income. She was informed the check was sent to us in error. Brad expressed some concern over accumulating funds. Wayne recommended that once we are %. into the fiscal year, he would reevaluate where we stand financially and any excess would be allocated to marketing. Bill Pettus stated that some advertising dollars are not being spent due to more participation in co-op advertising than anticipated or budgeted. There was a brief discussion regarding the extra funds. Connie reported that a large publishing bill is due for payment in October, and the American Bowling Congress subsidy of$45,000.00 is scheduled to be paid in December;all of which is budgeted. She reviewed the variance report and other financials. She also noted that there was no money budgeted for the Sparklers volunteer organization. SCANNED • S Page 2 Board of Directors Mtg. October 18,2001 She also reported that the 2000-2001 audit is in full swing, and they will try to have it completed by the end of this month. She created a Columbus Fleet Obligation schedule of payments for year end 7/31/02. She also created one for the previous fiscal year for the auditors. She went over this spreadsheet with the board. She supported the spreadsheet with a payment schedule from the city's finance department. Brad asked for a motion to approve the financials as presented; Victor Gonzalez made a motion, Dave Prewitt seconded. V. COMMIT 1 EE REPORTS: • Sales& Marketing-Bill Morgan reported on discussions held regarding the marketing of the new facilities. He noted that Wayne provided a time line from Conventional Wisdom on how to set up a long-term plan for promotion. The committee will be charged with coming up with a plan and let them decide where we are going to get the money to support that plan. The committee will begin to work on a plan as outlined by Conventional Wisdom for the next ten years to present to city staff/council. He discussed the current tourism packages. Bill Pettus offered copies of the most recent insert released on October 7 . There was a brief discussion regarding recovery of the industry due to the September 11th event. Wayne reported that on a comparison by IACVB regarding the effects on tourism after a major tragedy. It was noted that there is always an immediate drop off, but after 60 days things get back on track. Wayne reviewed the activity reports for tourism,public relations and convention sales departments. He added that we did not do too badly for future business in the month of September. He also reviewed the STR report with the board that outlines monthly occupancy activity compared to like sized cities. There was a discussion on this report. According to the report, Corpus has fared well compared to other cities. Wayne reported that Martha Kleine will return to work on October 29th'however, she has been working from home. • Governmental Affairs-Brad reported that the next CVB/Council luncheon would be on January 15,2002. • Finance-Bill Goin reported that they have spent more time on the executive summary and Columbus Fleet payment projection. He noted that the combined CVB bank accounts were discussed and some suggestions were made. They brainstoi ,.d on ideas for funding the upcoming facilities. The prepaid account procedure was also discussed. • Evaluations& Guidelines-John Trice reported that he is waiting on some data. He met with Dr. Richards with the university and he agreed to pull a team together that is going to assist to establish a tourism index. Dr. Richards had built an economic index for the chamber a couple of years ago. Page 3 Board of Directors Mtg. October 18,2001 VI. COLUMBUS FLEET ASSOCIATION: Rocco reported that September was a good month for the fleet and the museum;they were up by 18%. However, the revenue did not make budget projections. He noted that there has been an increase of school group attendance. He added that Rick Stryker is feeling positive about the ships conjunction with the museum. Brad suggested promoting Columbus Day more heavily next year. VII. CONVENTIONAL WISDOM PLAN: Wayne reviewed the timeline with the board. It was noted that Corpus should get ready to shift the main focus from tourism to conventions. He stated that we would not be shifting the focus totally from tourism because of new products coming on the market, but we need to add emphasis to the convention side. He reviewed the insert from Convention South magazine, which highlights Corpus' upcoming convention center expansion on a 2/3 page. He added that we have been contacted by other magazines for information and pictures;which has been sent on CD. Wayne reported that one issue that needs to be addressed on the convention side, which is not budgeted for, is subsidies. Brad reminded the board about the November 15th retreat. He stated that he would like to have the retreat in the evening with Susan Cable as the facilitator. He would like to spend an hour assessing what as been done as a result of the spring retreat,and what is left to do. He would like to come up with a plan and spend about 2-3 hours with the facilitator to come up with the right approach to present that plan to city staff. VIII. PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Wayne reported on his community activities. He also reported on his meetings to help come up with ideas to help facilitate increased air service. He stated that he and Carol have been coming up with some ideas. He noted that he was appointed to the Sesquicentennial committee for the city;which is coming up next year in September. He reported that he attended a meeting of the"Mexican group"which is geared to stimulate trade,business and tourism between Mexico. Brad asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the October 4,2001 Special Called Meeting. Bert Quintanilla made the motion, Jody Patel seconded, motion passed. IX. NEW BUSINESS: None X. OLD BUSINESS: None XI. ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting of the Board of Directors adjourned at 1:05 p.m.