TRI-COUNTY LODGING ASSOCIATION Thursday, April 24, 2014

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1 TRI-COUNTY LODGING ASSOCIATION Thursday, April 24, 2014 The Tri-County Lodging Association met at 9:00 a.m. at Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach, Missouri. TCLA Board Members Present: Dean Chininis Fred Dehner Sheryl Elia Bill Johnson Larry Jones John Peters Mark Krantz Sherry Shippee Michael Spriggs Lance Utley Sue Westenhaver TCLA Board Members Absent: Commissioner Kris Franken Commissioner Brian Duncan Also present were Jim Divincen, Lagina Fitzpatrick, Marjorie Beenders, Bruce Vanderveld, Heather Brown, Eric Homan, Alderman John Olivarri, Denny Benne, Greg Sullens, and Rebecca Green. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sue Westenhaver called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. INTRODUCTIONS Introductions were made by all meeting attendees. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Lance Utley made a motion to approve the Agenda as presented. Michael Spriggs seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. PUBLIC COMMENTS None at this time. MINUTES Bill Johnson made a motion to approve the March 20, 2014, TCLA Board meeting minutes. Lance Utley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. BILLS COMMITTEE REPORT Larry Jones made a motion to approve Bill #226. John Peters seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. 1

2 FINANCIAL REPORT Jim Divincen reported that lodging tax collections for the month of January, 2014, were ahead of January, 2013, by 48.2%. Lodging tax collections for the month of February, 2014, were ahead of February, 2013, by 48.1%. Year-to-date for the eight (8) months ending February, 2014, collections are ahead of the corresponding eight (8) months by 1.2%. FUNDING REQUESTS 1. A funding request was provided by the 3 rd Annual Red Dirt LakeFest Music Festival taking place on June 12-14, 2014, in the amount of $1, The Board reviewed and discussed this request, Bill Johnson made a motion to support this event with a search engine marketing campaign and press release, with the value of the promotional items not to exceed $, Fred Dehner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. 2. Denny Benne and Greg Sullens with Benne Media presented a funding request to the Board for Aquapalooza. This event will take place on July 19, 2014, and the organizers requested $3, in addition to the $2, currently placed in the FY15 TCLA Budget for this event. The funds would be utilized for advertising and promotion of this event. After a brief discussion, Lance Utley made a motion to fund an additional $1, for this event out of the Special Events Reserve line item in the FY15 TCLA Budget. Mark Krantz seconded the motion. The motion passed with the majority in favor of the additional funding. Larry Jones cast his vote in opposition. 3. A funding request was submitted by the Kohls American Cup Soccer Tournament taking place on June 14 & 15, 2014, at the LOSA fields in Linn Creek, MO. The requested funds, $1,500.00, would be utilized to purchase one set of soccer goals for the U-12 field and six (6) sets of soccer goal nets for the remaining fields. Dean Chininis made a motion to approve funding this request out of the TCLA FY14 Budget Special Events Reserve line item. Bill Johnson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. 4. A funding request was presented in the amount of $10, for Lake Race 2014, taking place June 7-8, Jeff Carroll, event coordinator, presented this request and explained the funds would be used to purchase billboard advertising for this event. Mr. Carroll gave a brief history of the event and explained the event committee s desire to grow the event in the coming years. The Board thanked Mr. Carroll for his time. The Board discussed the event and Larry Jones made a motion to support this event with the preparation of a press release and a search engine marketing campaign not to exceed $1, Michael Spriggs seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. LEGISLATIVE REPORT Jim Divincen reminded the Board of the upcoming Legislative Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, May 6,

3 P. R. FIRM UPDATE Marjorie Beenders with The Beenders-Walker Group gave a report on public relations activities on behalf of TCLA, covering the past month. Ms. Beenders reported briefly about working with the organizers of the upcoming Patriot Guard Rally and on her firm s planning and involvement with an upcoming FAM tour with members of the Midwest Travel Writers Association. EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT REPORT Jim Divincen reported to the Board several activities and meetings attended over the past month. Mr. Divincen spoke about cooperative marketing meetings, planning and participation in a recent visit by Brent Frazee, Outdoor Editor of The Kansas City Star; conducted a live radio interview with The Outdoor Guys from Kansas City radio station ESPN 1510, is preparing and finalized the FY15 Matching Marketing Grant to be submitted to the Division of Tourism on May 1, 2014, coordinated the four (4) 30-second radio spots that will air on St. Louis Cardinals Radio Network, and announced that for the first time ever, partnerships had been approved with the Camden County Commission ($2,500), Miller County Commission ($1,000) and Osage Beach Board of Alderman ($2,000) for the FY15 Matching Marketing Grant Application. Mr. Divincen prepared information and presented same to these entities that approved the funding for advertising and promoting the Lake of the Ozarks. Mr. Divincen also has reached out to the Morgan County Commission and hopes to hear from them soon. Bill Johnson also suggested reaching out to Laurie and Sunrise Beach, MO, to see if they might have an interest in partnering. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS AND REPORTS Group Sales Lagina Fitzpatrick, Director of Sales, summarized the monthly group sales report included in Board packets. Ms. Fitzpatrick indicated she was in discussion with Board members of the Can-Am Games and exploring the possibility of hosting a future Can-Am Games Board of Directors Retreat at the Lake of the Ozarks. Ms. Fitzpatrick also indicated that two (2) events she had assisted Crappie USA Tournament and the Collegiate BASS Tournament have expressed that they wish to return to the Lake of the Ozarks in the future. Special Events- Michael Spriggs, Chair Michael Spriggs reported to the Board that several recommendations were being made by the Special Events Committee for the TCLA Board with regard to funding requests submitted for consideration. Mr. Spriggs conveyed the recommendations in the form of several motions. Michael Spriggs made a motion that funding requests need to be received in the TCLA offices by the 15 th of the month, and any follow-up documentation requested is in the TCLA offices three (3) days prior to the monthly TCLA Board meeting. Dean Chininis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. Michael Spriggs made a motion that funds requested only be utilized for advertising and promotion of events. Larry Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. 3

4 Michael Spriggs made a motion that responses to individuals/entities that submit funding requests include a value of the items approved for their event and results of the marketing strategies engaged. He also added that if a funding request were denied that the TCLA Administrator offer an invitation to meet and discuss further the information of what could be provided. Dean Chininis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. Michael Spriggs made a motion that all funding requests over $2, be provided with an intercept study completed by the CVB for the cost of $ Larry Jones seconded the motion. Upon further discussion, Michael Spriggs withdrew this motion. Michael Spriggs made a motion to move $2, from FY15 Special Events Reserve line item in the TCLA Budget to create a new line item for Special Event Intercept Studies. Dean Chininis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. Fishing Tournament Committee Sheryl Elia, Chair No report was given at this time. Advertising/Budget/Public Relations Fred Dehner, Co-Chair, Dean Chininis, Co- Chair Jim Divincen provided the Board with the most current TCLA FY15 Budget with recent changes to the Cooperative Marketing recommendations, with the Business District contributions being adjusted accordingly with their original percentages allocated. Dean Chininis made a motion to approve the TCLA FY15 Budget as presented. Lance Utley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. Employee Performance Review No report was given at this time. Web Site Committee Report Bill Johnson, Chair Eric Homan reported that the new Funlake.com website was live as of March 14 th. He indicated that in the future, the report that the Board receives in their packet will be a bit different with the new system in place. Mr. Homan reported that the Website Committee met on April 9 th to discuss the new site and the next meeting of this committee will take place on May 8, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. at Quails Nest Inn & Suites in Osage Beach, MO. Local PR Committee Bill Johnson, Chair No report was given at this time. CVB Update and Report Heather Brown reported that the CVB was wrapping up the 2014 Restaurant Guide, was working on preparation for Harbor Hop on May 3 rd and she also reported on Vacation Guide distribution through CTM. OLD BUSINESS Inquiry Update An inquiry report was provided in the Board packets for review. For the three (3) months ending March, 2014, print inquiries were up 38.3% and Funlake.com inquiries were down 13.6%. 4

5 Other Old Business None at this time. NEW BUSINESS TCLA Officer Elections Sue Westenhaver called for a motion to open the floor for nominations for position of Chairman for the TCLA Board of Directors. Dean Chininis made a motion to open the floor for nominations for the position of Chairman for the TCLA Board of Directors. Sheryl Elia seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. Larry Jones nominated Sue Westenhaver to serve as Chairman of the TCLA Board of Directors for a term of one (1) year. No other nominations were received. Lance Utley made a motion to close for the floor for nominations for the position of Chairman for the TCLA Board of Directors. Michael Spriggs seconded the motion. When voted upon, Sue Westenhaver was unanimously voted to serve at the Chairman of the TCLA Board of Directors for a term of one (1) year. Fred Dehner made a motion to open the floor for nominations for the position of Vice- Chairman for the TCLA Board of Directors. Michael Spriggs seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. Larry Jones nominated Lance Utley to serve as Vice-Chairman of the TCLA Board of Directors for a term of one (1) year. No other nominations were received. Michael Spriggs made a motion to close for the floor for nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman for the TCLA Board of Directors. Lance Utley seconded the motion. When voted upon, Lance Utley was unanimously voted to serve at the Vice-Chairman of the TCLA Board of Directors for a term of one (1) year. At this time, Fred Dehner made a motion for the Board members currently serving as Secretary (Larry Jones) and Treasurer (Michael Spriggs) remain in these positions for a term of one (1) year. Michael Spriggs seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. TCLA Appointments to the CVB Board At this time Fred Dehner made a motion for the Board appointments to serve on the CVB Board remain in place with Michael Spriggs representing properties with less than 51 units, Lance Utley representing properties with 51 to 299 units, and Carl Clark representing properties with 300+ units. Larry seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. TCLA Legislative Committee Chair Sue Westenhaver made a motion for Mark Krantz to serve as Committee Chair for the Legislative Committee. Larry Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. Mike Shannon Appropriations for Radio Spots Fred Dehner made a motion to appropriate $10, out of the TCLA FY14 Budget, D-7 Line Item, for fees associated with Mike Shannon recording four (4) thirty-second radio commercials for TCLA to air on the St. Louis Cardinals Radio Network. Mark Krantz seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously when voted upon. Other New Business 5

6 The Board was advised that there would be an upcoming seminar covering topics including Twitter, Instagram and YouTube on May 13 th between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at Quail s Nest Inn and Suites. Jim Divincen suggested the Business Districts discuss an advertising opportunity in Midwest Living Magazine offered through a Collective Marketing Initiative with the Division of Tourism. The next TCLA Board meeting will be held on May 29, The Board then decided to reconvene in a meeting on May 1, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. at Quail s Nest Inn and Suites to discuss the Public Relations Bids and Presentations. There being no further business to bring before the Board, John Peters made a motion to adjourn. Michael Spriggs seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m. 6