MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST REGIONAL CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU MARCH 24, 2015 OFFICIAL MINUTES The Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau Commissioners met Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 1:30 p.m., at 100 Men Hall, 303 Union Street, Bay St. Louis, MS, Hancock County, Mississippi. Commissioners Present: Kim Fritz, president; Rich Westfall, vice president; Jimmie Ladner, treasurer; Jeff Descher (1), secretary; Richard Chenoweth; Bill Holmes (1); Jerry Levens (2); Duncan McKenzie (1); Myron Webb (1) Commissioner absent: Danny Hansen (1); Pam Meinzinger; CeCe Shabazz (1); Carla Todd; Clay Wagner (2) Staff Members Present: Renée Areng, executive director; Karen Conner, director, marketing; Crystal Johnson-Glover, director, sales; Traci Dauro; Lisa Jones, finance manager; Nicole Misita, public relations Others Present: Hugh Keating, legal counsel; Linda Hornsby, MS Hotel & Lodging Assn; Myrna Green, and Nikki Moon, HCTDB; Liz Kessie, Attractions Assn; Marcia Crawford, HC Development Commission; Janice Jefferson, MS Coast Coliseum; Rosie Lowe, and Avery Windham, Hilton Garden Inn; Clay Williams, Airport Authority; Mike Davis, Beau Rivage; Al Showers, WLOX; Kathy Santiago, Island View Casino President Fritz called the meeting to Order. 1. President Fritz reminded everyone of the meeting format and rules of conduct. Our meetings are open to the public and that is welcome. Advisory board and board members will be recognized at all meetings. Members of the public in attendance must be on the public agenda if they wish to speak. If there is a question or comment regarding any items discussed at our board meetings, all are welcome to contact Renee or any board member following the meeting. 2. Commissioner Descher made the motion to accept the agenda as presented, with one revision to the agenda, moving Sun Country digital advertising item from the Marketing report to New Business. Seconded by Commissioner Chenoweth, the president called the question, with the following results: 3. Commissioner Descher made the motion to accept the minutes from the February 24, 2015, meeting as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Westfall, the president called the question, with the following results: 1
4. Commissioner Descher made the motion to accept the minutes from the March 13, 2015, meeting as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Westfall, the president called the question, with the following results: 5. Renée Areng, Executive Director reported on the following items: Key Performance Indicators from NorthStar "preliminary pending review" Playbook updates Schedule of monthly meeting, presentations, and speaking engagements STS Board meeting Nikki Moon reported on Cruisin the Coast survey 6. Linda Hornsby, MS Hotel & Lodging Assn, reported on the February occupancy room report. Occupancy was up 4.2%, compared to the same time last year; ADR was $80.33 compared to $79.58; RevPAR is $47.77 compared to $45.41. 7. President recognized the Advisory Board members, Nikki Noon, Liz Kessie, Janice Jefferson, and Clay Williams. 8. President Fritz report the Board advised that formation paperwork would be submitted following Board approval of By-laws with John Hairston as Principal and Gulf Coast Business Council as Principal address. Email address set up and monitored by the MGRCVB as foundation@gulfcoast.org. 9. Commissioner Descher made the motion to authorizing legal counsel to prepare a contractual agreement between the MS Gulf Coast Regional CVB and the Gulf Coast Tourism Foundation for the Executive Director services. Seconded by Commissioner Chenoweth, the president called the question, with the following results: 10. Commissioner Levens made the motion to approve the advertising opportunity request from the Gulfport- Biloxi Airport Authority to help support Sun County with digital marketing in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for a six (6) week period, in the amount of up to $25,000. Seconded by Commissioner Westfall, the president called the question, with the following results: 2
11. Mr. Keating reported on the progress of the employee handbook. Also, prepare a contractual agreement for the executive director and the Gulf Coast Foundation for review. 12. Commissioner Ladner reported on the March 24, 2014 disbursements as follows: check disbursements for 3/24/15--$354,733.19; grand total disbursements--$354,733.19. Commissioner Westfall made the motion to approve the disbursements. Seconded by Commissioner Descher, the president called the question, with the following results: 13. Commissioner Ladner presented the February 28, 2015, financial statements, reporting total assets of $925,959.39; total liabilities $140,935.47; total fund balance $785,023.92; total liabilities & fund balance $925,959.39; total revenue $968,584.; current expenditures $354,733.19; for a net loss of $120,047. Commissioner McKenzie moved this financial statement be approved. Seconded by Commissioner Holmes, the president called the question with the following results: 14. Commissioner Descher made the motion to approve the executive director to proceed with the necessary paperwork to close the BancropSouth savings account and deposit funds into the money market account at the Peoples Bank. Seconded by Commissioner Chenoweth, the president called the question with the following results: 15. Commissioner McKenzie made the motion to authorize staff to sending a Request for Quotes for Insurance coverage of Bureau vehicle. Seconded by Commissioner Descher, the president called the question with the following results: 3
16. Commissioner Ladner reported on the January room tax revenue, actual cash basis in the amount of $170,058.89 for a 6.37% increase and an 8.6% net received year to year. 17. Commissioner Descher reported on the Marketing Committee with the following recommendations: 18. Recommend Fear Fete resubmit a Convention Incentive application instead of a Marketing Assistance application, sales director will contact. 19. Commissioner Levens made the motion to approve the request for Marketing Assistance funds from Hot Rod Power Tour being held June 11, 2015 in the amount of up to $7,500. Seconded by Commissioner Ladner, the president called the question with the following results: 20. Deny the request for Marketing Assistance from Smokin the Sound Poker Run, due to the lack of tracking room nights and participants 21. Commissioner Chenoweth made the motion to approve the request for Convention Incentive funding from US Sports Congress December 2017 in the amount of up to $44,000. Seconded by Commissioner Levens, the president called the question with the following results: 22. Commissioner Ladner made the motion to approve the revised 2015 Media Plan moving remaining print media to include television or digital. Seconded by Commissioner Chenoweth, the president called the question with the following results: 23. The following items were discussed: 4
Brand USA International Website update NorthStar research report Masterminds research proposal for conducting online focus group for VisitMSGulfCoast or VisitMississipiCoast 24. Commissioner McKenzie reported on the Development & Government Relations Committee meeting held with the MS Casino Operators Assn. Discussed joint events, coordinating events, and advertising efforts. 25. Commissioner Holmes reported that the HB1630, the funding portion for tourism has been pulled, but funding for MDOT still remains. 26. Governance Committee no report at this time 27. Audit Committee no report at this time 28. Myrna Green, HCTDB, reported on the following items: Katrina +10 events; room tax up 13% for the year; working on vacation rental properties; Stella Blues & BBQ will be held April 11th; Second Saturday starts in April. 29. Commissioner Westfall updated the Commission on the Jackson County 2% occupancy legislation. 30. Executive Session None 31. Reminders 1. MGCRCVB meeting April 28 th @ 1:30pm MGCRCVB Conf room 32. Commissioner Descher made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Ladner, the president called question, with the following results: 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12