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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Convention & Visitor Bureau - 07/18/2002^rr4.0s MINUTES CORPUS CHRISTI CONVENTION&VISITORS BUREAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING Thursday, July 18, 2002 12:OOp.m Museum of Science &History/Water Garden Room PRESENT: Brad Lomax-Chair, Bill Goin, Bill Pettus, Cristina Garza,Berney Seal, John Trice, Victor Gonzalez, Lillian Riojas,Dan Viola, Tom Schmid,Vangie Chap; Linda Routh ABSENT: Mayor Loyd Neal, David Garcia, Govind Nadkarni,Jody Patel, Dave Prewitt,Bert Quintanilla, STAFF: Wayne Bennett, Connie Cardamone, Carol Dunton,Terry Morales I. CALL TO ORDER: Brad Lomax called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Brad made a motion to approve the June 20, 2002 CVB Board of Directors meeting minutes. Motion seconded;motion passed. HI. PUBLIC COMMENT: Rocco reported that there is a lot of misinformation floating around the community about the ships and the debt associated with them. Rocco noted that the debt on the ships is not being paid to Spain, but on the lease of the plaza that was to be used to display them He stated that the debt was constructed so that the lease payment would be the bond payment;the construction bond they took out on the plaza. The lease payment fluctuates with the bond payment; if a better rate is negotiated on the bond,the lease payment goes down. He added that the Columbus Fleet Association would like to see Landry's take over the debt and put all three ships in the water where they were originally intended to be. Rocco reviewed his meeting with the city manager regarding the city possibly taking over the base payments. He noted that one city council member directed city staff to find the CVB more money, but do not remove the debt. There was a brief discussion regarding the coming elections and the misconception of where the money to pay for the ships is coming from. He added that the city approved to give the CVB an additional$250,000.00 to cover the debt payment for the new fiscal year. IV. FINANCIAL REPORT: Connie reviewed the financials for month ending June 30, 2002. She stated that the available cash in two bank accounts is around $200,000.00,this includes the principal payment for the ships, and the accounts receivable balance was reduced by$37,597.00. She added that for the month of June, we were over budget by$43,960.00;$30,000.00 of that amount includes outstanding invoices for T.V. advertising, as approved by the Sales& Marketing committee and Board. She pointed out that the CVB is .4% over on advertising as compared to the IACVB national average and 6.7%over than spent last year. The net revenue for the year is $85,139.00;but the ships principal portion payment has to come out of that. At the end June we are about$5,000.00 over budget. Connie added that she is SCANNED -V Page 2 Ward of Directors Mtg. July 18,2002 projecting at the end of this fiscal year we will be within$3,000.00-$4,000.00 of our budgeted number. Connie highlighted the variance report for the board. Connie reported on the increasing revenue from sales at the visitor centers compared to last year. Wayne reported that around spring break we began selling florescent t-shirts, caps, bottled water, etc. with our logo, and they are selling quite well. There was an inquiry about the effect of the flooding on the I-37 visitor center. Wayne responded that the park has been closed due to the flooding. CP&L asked for authorization to cut off the power in the event water begins to enter the building;however no water entered the building. Brad asked for a motion to accept the financials as presented, Victor Gonzalez made the motion, Tom Schmid seconded,motion passed. V. COMMITTEE REPORTS: • Sales & Marketing—Tom Schmid reported that the committee met and discussed the TTIA co-op insert that will go out on September 8t or 9t. The Wahoo insert was also discussed and that will be release on October?. They discussed the possibility of distribute the insert to other zip codes areas, but the consensus was to keep it circulating in the same markets for now. The Sand Dollar promotion will be reactivated in the latter part of August. There were also some discussions on co-op advertising with TSAE. Wayne reviewed the activity and STR reports. Wayne reported on his trip to IACVB. He noted that if Corpus Christi continues this upward trend in occupancy, some major hotel chains might start to take a hard look at us. Bill Pettus updated the board on future advertising opportunities and the cost involved. • Governmental Affairs—No report • Evaluations & Guidelines—No report. • Nominating Committee—Linda Routh announced that council approved all the board members that were up for reappointment for another term. She also reported that the slate of officers nominated by the board is as follows: Chairman-Bert Quintanilla, Vice-Chair-Dave Prewitt,Treasurer-Bill Goin, Secretary-Jody Patel. The official vote for the slate of officer will take place at the first board meeting of the new fiscal year as per our By-Laws. She noted that their next project would be to review the By-laws. Linda presented our outgoing Chairman, Brad Lomax, with a plaque in appreciation from the board and staff. Wayne also presented Brad with a "chairman of the board"shirt from the CVB Staff. • Finance Committee—Bill Goin reported that the committee reviewed the financials and discussed changes in office equipment. There was a discussion regarding the new fiscal year budget. There was also a discussion regarding increasing the contingency fund. The short-term goal is to have enough to cover two payroll periods. They would like to add $20,000.00 per fiscal year with a long-term goal of $100,000.00. Bill reported on the committee's idea of turning the press conference for release of the economic impact study on tourism into a reception. Also the auditor's request for proposals was discussed. Bill went over the schedule/cost for the audit. The committee recommends that we accept the 3-year proposal with the stipulation that we get increased or unlimited adjustments. Bill Goin made the motion, John Trice seconded, motion passed. Connie reported on her concerns 7'*/ 111► s Page 3 Board of Directors Mtg. • July 18,2002 regarding the fluctuation of the Columbus Fleet debt and the need to have to possibly request more funds to cover these future increases. VI. PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Wayne reported on his trip to the IACVB annual convention in Vancouver. He stated that Corpus Christi was the only bureau there with a good message. Other nationwide and worldwide bureaus were reporting of budget and personnel cuts from 10% - 25%. He added that he and Carol met with our online hotel booking agency, Travel Hero,to discuss ways where we can sign a contract for a longer term and start sharing the increasing revenue. They also talked about using Event Hero that prepackages events to sell online. He reported on success using Event Hero with other bureaus. He also reported on the baseball trip to Round Rock, Tx. Carol gave a brief report on the compiling of the tourism impact study and how it will be converted into a slick brochure similar as to what San Antonio has. Kevin Latone gave a brief report on the importance and the need of the information contained in the report and the necessity to establish credibility within our industry and what it brings to our community. VII. NEW BUSINESS: Wayne reported that key city stag board and some media were given advanced copies of the report. TV media will be given a copy of the report tonight at the press conference. Brad made a last comment as chairman that we as a group and as an industry have to be ever vigilant to make sure that the bed tax is being used properly. He noted that board members such as themselves allowed the CVB to get in the crumby position it was in during the Alliance era. He strongly stressed that will never happen again. The board has to commit to continue sending the message out there and stay focused on the issues. VIII. OLD BUSINESS: None IX. ADJOURN: There being no further business to discuss,the meeting of the Board of Directors adjourned at 1:03 p.m.