HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2010 PCC MinutesPromotional Coordinating Committee
Minutes
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
5:30 pm
City Hall
Council Hearing Room
990 Palm Street
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Marco Rizzo 5:30 pm
PRESENT: LeMieux, Babb, Conner, Davis, Palazzo
STAFF PRESENT: Brigitte Elke, Principal Administrative Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
ACTION: Moved by Davis/Babb to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Motion carried 6:0
PRESENTATIONS
1. CONTRACTORS REPORTS
Lindsey Miller, Marketing Director for the Chamber of Commerce, reported that the commissioned
hotel board is now up and running. The MySLO concierge program is also ready and visits to the
lodging properties are planned to promote the program. She hopes to invite the committee to one of
the sessions. Work on the 24/7 kiosk is moving along nicely and the terminal should be installed by
October. She also mentioned that the 4th quarter events poster has been sent to the City for
distribution in the parking structures and counter spaces.
Mary Verdin introduced the new account manager, Ashley Akers. She mentioned that 2009-10 was
used to establish the ShopSLO | DineSLO websites and this fiscal year is now all about driving traffic
to the sites. The agency’s intern has met with 244 merchants and the success from the meetings is
showing in form of increased activation of accounts. The “Back to School” campaign is in full swing
and the agency is preparing for the big push during WOW week. The actual site now has an auto
delete function for events that are outdated. Committee Chair Rizzo asked that the event box provide
more room for actual event description and the agency will check into that possibility.
2. SLO CAR-FREE
Aeron Arlin-Genet presented the program which is now a year old. It was designed to encourage
people to either travel here without car or once here, move around without it. The program has
proven very successful for the Air Pollution Control Board. The grant given by the City of San Luis
Obispo in 2009-10 allowed for ad placement in the Monterey Herald’s Adventures magazine for the
US Open edition and an ad in the last edition of the Central Coast Magazine. The program has now
30 participating businesses and offers transportation for patrons to travel “car free” to Cal Poly Open
House and the Midstate Fair. The team is working with Santa Barbara and Napa on establishing a
California Car Free program and a comprehensive website for this program is in development. They
are hoping to get San Diego on board and would appreciate working with the PCC to determine how
to best promote the program.
3. SLO SYMPHONY – continued from August 11, 2010
Brian Hermanson, Executive Director for the SLO Symphony, gave the presentation to the committee.
He mentioned that people from out of town come to concerts due to the special artists the Symphony
presents throughout the season. The Symphony has currently 890 season subscribers and 61% of its
audience come from outside the City limits. All events take place in the tourism off-season.
The request for funding presented was to support the inaugural New Year’s Eve concert that is
planned to start at 7:30 pm and showcase the New York ball drop at 9 pm on the new projection
screen at the Performing Art Center. The target audience will be traditional patrons and staff is hoping
to convert Pops goers to this special “hall setting”. They will therefore heavily target the valley.
The committee members suggested that Symphony staff work with SLO Car Free to offer safe
transportation to and from the Performing Art Center. They also asked that the Symphony partner
with DineSLO and SLOCarFree to increase awareness of the new offering.
ACTION: Moved by Davis/Babb to give an additional $2,300 in funding for seed money to
promote the New Year’s concert. Motion carried 5:1
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. 2011-13 GOAL SETTING
Committee member John Conner elaborated on an idea discussed during the TBID board meeting for
a joint committee to meet quarterly with events organizations. The purpose is to provide organizations
with information on events permits and processes, set time line expectations, and make it a one-stop
informational venue. The committee members concurred and want to support this goal for 2011-13.
Additional goals were defined as:
- Beautification of San Luis Obispo not just concentrating on downtown. Concentrate on median
especially on main entrance points.
- Create an “Adopt a median” program.
- Signage for all bicycle trails with a distinct look so they visually link together.
- Easier access to airport and Amtrak with public transportation.
- Offer better cab service and look at regulations to facilitate access; cab stand downtown.
PCC LIAISON REPORTS
Committee members Jill LeMieux and Cathie Babb reported that they have contacted all of their
assigned groups and organizations. Committee member Sasha Palazzo reported that she has left
messages for all groups.
TBID board chair John Conner reported that the TBID renewed its Central Coast Tourism Council
membership and back cover ad in the tourism guide. The board also approved funding for the
Straight Down Golf Tournament in November 2010.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm