Committee Members Absent: Tari Bradford, Sandy Cimino, Rob Brown, Shelli Murphy and Jason McKinney.

Transcription

1 March 17, 2016 OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER CONVENTION & TOURIST BUREAU January 2016, February 2016 and March 2016 Minutes Call to order Sherry Stuckey, Board Chairwoman, called to order the regular meeting of the Board of Directors at 11:36 a.m. on March 17, 2016 at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, 629 Spring Street, Shreveport, Louisiana. A quorum was present. Roll call: The following committee members were present: Tanita Gilbert-Baker, Mark Garrett, Joyce Jeffrey, Debbie Coleman, Kellie Morris, Mary Dunn, Luke Turner, Sherry Stuckey, Ray Tromba, Carlton Golden and Patricia Wooldridge. Committee Members Absent: Tari Bradford, Sandy Cimino, Rob Brown, Shelli Murphy and Jason McKinney. Staff Members Present: Stacy Brown, Charlie Rice and Jerri Corder. Approval of Agenda Ms. Stuckey called for a motion to approve the amended agenda to move Product Development Grant Review after Finance Committee. A motion was made by Mr. Golden and seconded by Mr. Tromba. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. Approval of Minutes Ms. Stuckey called for a motion to approve the February regular scheduled Board meeting minutes. A motion was made by Mr. Turner and seconded by Mr. Garrett. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. Financials A. Financial Report Ms. Gilbert-Baker reviewed the financial reports for February. The Finance Committee made a motion to approve. Mr. Turner seconded. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. B. Occupancy Tax Report Ms. Gilbert-Baker reviewed the financial report for February. Overall Shreveport-Bossier is up 5.23% year to date. C. Check Register Ms. Brown answered all questions regarding the check register for February. D. Grant Application Review - The Finance Committee made a motion to approve the following grant application: Barksdale AFB Air Show 2016 up to $8,000. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. 1

2 Product Development Committee The Product Development Committee made a motion to approve the following amounts for the Development Grants: Christmas on Caddo $2,340; Benton Farmer s Market $2,600; Town of Greenwood (Pioneer Heritage Festival) $2,500; Red River Crossroads (Sunflower Festival) $760; and Gusher Day Festival $1,710. Mr. Turner seconded. Ms. Dunn abstained from the discussion and vote. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. President s Report A. Communications Web engagement is down; Visitor Center walk-ins are down 10%; Facebook Fans are up 18%; Blog views are down 18%. Distributed 5 news releases and generated 879 news placements and hosted 5 journalists. PRIDE Award nomination going out this week. Working on the new 2016 Eat Here Guide, Free Things to Do, and General Tourism brochure. Sending out e-blasts directed at sporting groups to introduce them to the community before they arrive. Compiled a survey for the local hoteliers. B. Conventions & Tourism Attended the Destination DC in Washington, DC with 400 planners in the National Government, Association and DC region; this show will be followed up with national Association Springtime tradeshow joining forces with Baton Rouge and Jefferson Parish in one booth. Attending the Select Travel in Little Rock, AR with 200 planners for group tour to attract the Bank Travel and related markets. Several large leads from 2,000-2,590 room nights. Noteworthy bookings from 80-1,000 room nights. LASAE meeting was well attended by area hotels. Tourism group tour sales calls were conducted in south Louisiana while attending the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy. C. Sports Commission Update The first SB Community Advisory Council meeting was held; it was very well attended; sub-committees will be formed to segment the council into working groups which will meet more regularly. The LHSAA State Wrestling tournament went well in February; 13,342 attended the two day tournament and stayed 3 nights; the economic impact was $1.3 million. The Southern Bowling Congress will be here every weekend in March. CABOSA Red River Cup is coming the first weekend of April and is expecting 150. Landed the 2016 USA Boxing Junior Olympics which will be at Southern University the first weekend of May. Jessica Busada has been hired as the Strategic Partnerships/Sponsorship Director; her role will be securing revenue/trade and other partnerships for the major events and assist local sporting events venues develop sponsorship and strategic partnership packages. D. Tourism Awareness Week - The SBAA in conjunction with the bureau is launching a Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier campaign aimed at locals to create community ambassadors and to debunk the idea that there is nothing to do. This campaign will run from May 1 st -7 th. KSLA has become a sponsor; we will be promoting this through most of our local media outlets. E. PRIDE Awards May 5, 2016 at Sam s Town Casino from 6pm to 8pm. Nominations can be submitted on line. F. IPW Participates the bureau, LA North and National Scenic Byway w/federal Row will have booths. Currently working on itineraries.

3 Chairman s Reports A. Restaurant Association No report. B. Hotel/Motel Association the next meeting will be held March 24, C. Attractions Association See Tourism Awareness Week above. D. Next Meeting: Finance/Board Meeting, April 21, 2016 Agenda items for upcoming meeting: Adjourned: Meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:27 p.m. Approved: Sherry Stuckey Chairwoman Ray Tromba Secretary

4 February 18, 2016 Call to order Sherry Stuckey, Board Chairwoman, called to order the regular meeting of the Board of Directors at 11:45 a.m. on February 18, 2016 at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, 629 Spring Street, Shreveport, Louisiana. A quorum was present. Roll call: The following committee members were present: Sandy Cimino, Tanita Gilbert- Baker, Rob Brown, Mark Garrett, Joyce Jeffrey, Jason McKinney, Debbie Coleman, Kellie Morris, Mary Dunn, Sherry Stuckey, Ray Tromba, Carlton Golden and Patricia Wooldridge. Committee Members Absent: Tari Bradford, Shelli Murphy and Luke Turner. Staff Members Present: Stacy Brown, Charlie Rice and Jerri Corder. Approval of Agenda Ms. Stuckey called for a motion to approve the amended agenda to add Sports Commission discussion with grants. A motion was made by Mr. Golden and seconded by Mr. Tromba. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. Approval of Minutes Ms. Stuckey called for a motion to approve the January regular scheduled Board meeting minutes. A motion was made by Mr. Garrett and seconded by Ms. Jeffrey. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. Financials E. Financial Report Ms. Gilbert-Baker reviewed the financial reports for December 2015 and January The Finance Committee made a motion to approve. Mr. Golden seconded. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. F. Occupancy Tax Report Ms. Gilbert-Baker reviewed the financial report for January. Overall Shreveport-Bossier is down 4.93% year to date. G. Check Register Ms. Brown answered all questions regarding the check registers for December 2015 and January H. Grant Application Review - The Finance Committee made a motion to approve the following grant applications: Ark-La-Tex BBQ Cook-off up to $1,000; Ms. Jeffrey seconded; Mudbug Madness up to $11,250; Mr. Tromba seconded. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. I. Resolution for Retirement Plan The Finance Committee made a motion to authorize Ms. Brown to sign on behalf of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau all documents necessary to implement IRS mandated changes to the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau retirement plans. Mr. Golden seconded. All in favor none opposed with no public comment.

5 J. Sporting Event Marketing Grant Process Criteria were discussed for sports related events; caps on funding and performance clauses. President s Report National Tourism Week is May 1-7, Lt. Governor Nungesser will be attending the P.R.I.D.E. on May 5 th ; he will be speaking and handing out awards. Splash Kingdom will be celebrating with Hospitality Days on June 12-13, G. Communications Web engagement is up; Getaways E-Newsletters are up 32%; Visitor Center walk-ins are down 9%; Facebook Fans are up 21%; Blog views are up 10%. Distributed 4 news releases and generated 1,148 news placements and hosted 2 journalists. Successful website launch party; working now to get the Shreveport-Bossier Fun Guide launched; formed a partnership with The Times to cross-promote some of their culinary Best of Times awards at PRIDE Awards; using a newer public relations tracking tool called Trend Kite. H. Conventions & Tourism LASAE monthly sales calls with partner; attended the Religious Conference Manager Association with Triad team members; several large leads from 2,000-3,000 room nights. Noteworthy bookings from 600-1,300 room nights. Tourism leads are up. Working on itineraries for IPW; the bureau, LA North and National Scenic Byway Foundation will have a booth. Erica attended the American Bus Association in January. International visitation was up in 2015; 3.1 million dollars was spent on their Visa card. Some of the top ten international visitors are Canada, Italy, United Kingdom, China, France and Germany. I. Sports Commission Update Just hosted a successful LHSAA Wrestling Championship; 90% of wrestlers, coaches and admin were from out of town; 80% of the spectators were from out of town; economic impact was over $1 million dollars; attendance over the 4 sessions was 13,342. Submitted a bid for the Sunbelt Conference for We have decided to fill the open Sports Commission position. Ms. Cimino will be representing the board on the Sports Community Advisory Committee. J. Mardi Gras Bash Update the parade attendance was estimated at 400,000 for the entire event throughout the city with an estimated 1342 room nights generated. The CTB event was attended by 450 total patrons of whom 400 were generated from Tourism sales. Room nights generated came in at 258 from the 400 people and the 50 day trippers. K. National Scenic Byway Foundation board meeting is scheduled February 22-24, 2016 in Las Vegas. Ms. Brown is over the IPW participation for the organization; working to improve byway leader knowledge of the tourism trade industry & their needs. Chairman s Reports E. Restaurant Association State meeting at the end of the month; working on the Taste of NW Fundraiser. F. Hotel/Motel Association Working on survey to send out to all the hotels for feedback; reviewing the by-laws and working to grow membership.

6 G. Attractions Association 70 active members; forming committees and working on advocacy for Tourism Week; the next meeting will be on Monday, February 22, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. at Independence Stadium Sky Room. The topic will be Marketing Strategies. H. Next Meeting: Finance/Board Meeting, March 17, 2016 Agenda items for upcoming meeting: Adjourned: Meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:52 p.m. Approved: Sherry Stuckey Chairwoman Ray Tromba Secretary

7 January 26, 2016 Call to order Sherry Stuckey, Board Chairwoman, called to order the regular meeting of the Board of Directors at 11:36 a.m. on January 26, 2016 at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, 629 Spring Street, Shreveport, Louisiana. A quorum was present. Roll call: The following committee members were present: Sandy Cimino, Tanita Gilbert- Baker, Mark Garrett, Joyce Jeffrey, Shelli Murphy, Debbie Coleman, Kellie Morris, Mary Dunn, Luke Turner, Sherry Stuckey, Carlton Golden and Patricia Wooldridge. Committee Members Absent: Tari Bradford, Rob Brown, Jason McKinney and Ray Tromba. Staff Members Present: Stacy Brown, Charlie Rice and Jerri Corder. Approval of Agenda Ms. Stuckey called for a motion to approve the agenda. A motion was made by Mr. Turner and seconded by Mr. Garrett. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. Approval of Minutes Ms. Stuckey called for a motion to approve the December regular scheduled Board meeting minutes. A motion was made by Mr. Turner and seconded by Mr. Garrett. All in favor none opposed with no public comment. Financials K. Financial Report The December Financial Report was not available at this time. L. Occupancy Tax Report Ms. Corder reviewed the financial report for December. Overall Shreveport-Bossier is up 1.10% for M. Check Register The December Check Register was not available at this time. N. Sports Grants A procedure/policy will be put together to discuss at the February board meeting. O. Sports Policies & Procedures discussed what policies and procedures that need to be put together regarding the Sports Commission budget amendments and approval process. President s Report PRIDE Awards will be in May; Hosting the LTPA Summit in August; working on a Service Training Program; Development Committee to meet to review Rural Development Grants.

8 A. Communications Brandy Evans and Pat Gill presented the newly designed website to board. Hosted 52 journalists distributed 81 news releases and generated 13,540 news placements; Facebook Fans up 28%, YouTube views up 69%, Website visits up 17%, Blog Page views up 10%, Twitter Followers up 22%; Visitor Center walk-ins down 3%, serviced 323 international visitor walkins. B. Conventions & Tourism 2015 Convention & Tourism Overview: Definite bookings and room nights are up 31%, Assist is up 9% with room nights up 53%; Leads are down 17% but lead room nights are up 7%. Tourism Bookings and Service - Definites are down 31% and Tourism Leads are down 14%. Results of hosting Travel South and preparing experiences will show in Received 7 bookings from the American Bus Association in January; working with the casinos to bring in Asian group tours. C. Sports Commission Update Landed the Powerboat Nationals for Labor Day Weekend 2016 with options for 2017 and 2018; Hosted the 2016 NHRA South Central Awards Banquet and meetings in January with a record attendance and great reviews; Hosting the LHSAA State Wrestling Tournament the 2 nd weekend in February Overview: room nights booked 29,216, 76 bookings, 45 new business with 14,736 room nights booked, 31 repeat business with 14,480 room nights booked, 732 volunteers for 32 events a total value of $91,428. Bidding on several national championships. D. Washington Mardi Gras Ms. Brown and Ms. Stuckey attended; they had discussions with local and federal leaders on possible Scenic Byway & Transportation alternative grants. They also met with the new Lt. Governor on inclusion of Caddo/Bossier in state efforts. E. Independence Bowl Update Virginia Tech vs. Tulsa on December 26, 2015; Camping World very pleased and announced buy out of Southern RV. F. Mardi Gras Bash - 10 th Anniversary will be held Saturday, January 30, people will be attendance. Chairman s Reports I. Restaurant Association Jason McKinney was not in attendance. J. Hotel/Motel Association January meeting was held at the Wyndham Garden Shreveport. K. Attractions Association Robin Williams has been appointed as President, Christy Wood as Vice President and Sara Kleinecke as Secretary; the next meeting will be held on February 15, L. Next Meeting: Finance/Board Meeting, February 18, 2016 Agenda items for upcoming meeting: Adjourned: Meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:27 p.m.

9 Approved: Sherry Stuckey Chairwoman Ray Tromba Secretary